கண்ணன் துதி - மகா கவி பாரதியார்

The fact that this world is full of contradictions. It is full of pleasures and miseries / Good and evil /life and death, has been beautifully explained in this poem by Barathiyar. 

This poem is structured in such a way that he is wondering about the beauty of the contradictions of the COD's Creations and enquiring GOD's Way.

கண்ணன் துதி - மகா கவி பாரதியார் 

காயிலே புளிப்பதென்னே?
 கண்ண பெருமானே! -- நீ
கனியிலே இனிப்பதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே!
நோயிலே படுப்பதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே! -- நீ
நோன்பிலே உயிர்ப்பதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே!

காற்றிலே குளிர்ந்ததென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே! -- நீ
கனலிலே சுடுவதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே!
சேற்றிலே குழம்பலென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே! -- நீ
திக்கிலே தெளிந்ததென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே!

ஏற்றிநின்னைத் தொழுவதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே! -- நீ
எளியர் தம்மைக் காப்பதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே!
போற்றினோரைக் காப்பதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே! -- நீ
பொய்யர் தம்மை மாய்ப்பதென்னே?
  கண்ண பெருமானே! 3

போற்றி! போற்றி! போற்றி! போற்றி!
  கண்ண பெருமானே! -- நீ
பொன்னடி போற்றி நின்றேன்,
  கண்ண பெருமானே!

Now a little more about these Dualistic Expressions in the words of Vivekananda ,

 Though good and evil appear to be contradictory to each other, they are not so. They are not two separate existences.but different manifestations of the same unit, life and death, sorrow and happiness, good and evil. 

 These lines are from my Guru Swami Vivekananda in his complete works explaining Unit in Diversity of this dualistic expressions.

The dualistic conception that good and evil are two separate entities, and that they are both going on eternally is absurd on the face of it. They are the diverse manifestations of one and the same fact, one time appearing as bad, and at another time as good. The difference

does not exist in kind, but only in degree. 

They differ from each other in degree of intensity. The same phenomenon will produce pleasure in one, and pain in another. The eating of meat produces pleasure to a man, but pain to the animal which is eaten.There has never been anything which gives pleasure to all alike. Some are pleased, others displeased. So on it will go. Therefore, this duality of existence is denied

If good increases in arithmetical progression, evil increase in geometrical progression. And this is Maya. This is neither optimism nor pessimism. Vedanta does not take the position that this world is only a miserable one.Do not think that good and evil are two, are two separate essences, for they are one and the same thing, appearing in different degrees and in

different guises and producing differences of feeling in the same mind.

This is a world of good and evil. Wherever there is good, evil follows, but beyond and behind all these manifestations, all these contradictions, the Vedanta finds out that Unity. It says, 

"Give up what is evil and give up what is good." What remains then?

Behind good and evil stands something which is yours, the real you, beyond every evil, and beyond every good too, and it is that which is manifesting itself as good and bad. Know that first,and then and then alone you will be a true optimist, and not before; for then you will be able to control everything.

Control these manifestations and you will be at liberty to manifest the real "you".First find out that you are not the slave of nature, never were and never will be; that this nature, infinite as you may think it, is only finite, a drop in the ocean, and your Soul is the ocean; you are beyond the stars, the sun, and the. 

 They are like mere bubbles compared with your infinite being. Know that, and you will control both good and evil. 

Then alone the whole vision will change and you will stand up and say, 

"How beautiful is good and how wonderful is evil!"

You make yourselves suffer, you make good and evil, and it is you who put your hands before your eyes and say it is dark. Take your hands away and see the light; you are effulgent, you are perfect already, from the very beginning. 

We now understand the verse: 

"He goes from death to death who sees the many here." See that One and be free.

As rain falling upon a mountain flows in various streams down the sides of the mountain, so all the energies which you see here are from that one Unit. It has become manifold falling upon Maya. Do not run after the manifold; go towards the One.

 "He is in all that moves; He is in all that is pure; He fills the universe; He is in the sacrifice; He is the guest in the house; He is in man, in water, in animals, in truth; He is the Great One.

நல்வழி (38) - ஔவையார் பாடல்

Today I don't know. I am feeling very depressed and anxiety overtook my thinkings. How spiritual be mind with lot of spritual thoughts about vedanta, It could vanish in the time of emergency.

It is very difficult to channelise mind in a proper way. And this poem written by Avyair on how a person should be normal gives some peace to me as how to be balanced in any unstable situation of life.

ஒளவையார் நல்வழி

பாடல்   (38)

நன்றென்றும் தீதென்றும் நானென்றும் தானென்றும்
அன்றென்றும் ஆமென்றும் ஆகாதே – நின்றநிலை
தானதாம் தத்துவமாம் சம்பறுத்தார் யாக்கைக்குப்
போனவா தேடும் பொருள்

விளக்கம் 

நன்று என்றும் தீது என்றும் நான் என்றும் தான் என்றும் அன்று என்றும் ஆம் என்றும் ஆகாதே நின்றநிலை தான் அது ஆம் தத்துவம் ஆம் சம்பு அறுத்தார் யாக்கைக்குப் போனவா(று) தேடும் பொருள். 

நன்றென்றும் தீதென்றும்

There is nothing which is wrong or right. Every thing is relative. A thing which is observed as good by one might be visualised as wrong by other. This is a great philosophy to learn to live without bondage.

நானென்றும் தானென்றும்

There is nothing which is because of me or happened because of you. whatever happened cannot be attributed to some one. It is all chain thoughts which follows law of impulse. We cannot track and lay blame on anybody.

அன்றென்றும் ஆமென்றும் ஆகாதே

There is nothing which is past or present. 

நின்றநிலைதானதாந் தத்துவமாஞ் 

Every thing is relative. And this emphasises great philosophy of Hinduism which says "Tat tvam Asi". In tamil "நீ அது ஆகிறாய்". You are becoming what you are thoughts are. Thoughts are powerful than the data speed which we are talking in terms mega and gigabytes. But thoughts frequency and retention in brain are unlimited. so thoughts shape as. If we learnt to be positive in all cases, we can achieve what we unto.

சம்பறுத்தார் யாக்கைக்குப்போனவா தேடும் பொருள்

சம்பறுத்தார் here refers to Samsari who cut off all his bondage in the life and truly lives with guidance of inner dwelling God. A samsari should learn to search the real truth which lies beyond all these.

English description:

Every thing is false in life, discriminating good versus bad, discriminating you and me,
The thoughts of the past and the future are all foolishness.
If one does not realize that in him lies the answer. (Inner dwelling God) and the lean that "You are becoming what your thoughts are". Then searching outside oneself is a waste of time.

நல்வழி (35) - ஔவையார் பாடல்

ஒளவையார் நல்வழி

It is very amazing to know that  ஒளவையார்(Avvaiyar) is a saint scholar who attained special samadhi ( the ultimate realizatdion with cosmos) with guidance of her Guru Lord Murugan. She is special in that she can able to take human form at any time from the abstract form she has with the cosmos.
That's why wikipedia  says Avvaiyar  as a group of tamil poets active during different periods of time. But the real reason behind this is, The relationship she had with cosmos(the Ultimate maker).

This is my first learning of her padal நல்வழி(Nazvazhi). This is the 35th poem.



வெண்பா 33

வெட்டனவை மெத்தனவை வெல்லாவாம்; வேழத்தில் பட்டுருவும் கோல் பஞ்சில் பாயாது - நெட்டிருப்புப் பாரைக்கு நெக்குவிடாப் பாறை பசுமரத்தின் வேருக்கு நெக்கு விடும்.

33

வெட்டனவை மெத்தனவை வெல்லாவாம்; 

வெட்டனவை - The thing which is hard by touch.
மெத்தனவை  - The thing which is soft by touch.
வெல்லாவாம் - can't win over.

 வேழத்தில் பட்டுருவும் கோல் பஞ்சில் பாயாது 

வேழத்தில் - Elephant 
பட்டுருவும் - attacking
கோல் - arrow
பஞ்சில் - Cotton 
பாயாது - can't penetrate.

பாரைக்கு நெக்குவிடாப் பாறை பசுமரத்தின்வேருக்கு நெக்கு விடும்.

பாரைக்கு - Axe
நெக்குவிடாப் - breakable 
பாறை - Rock
பசுமரத்தின் - young tree's
வேருக்கு - Root 
நெக்கு - allow 
விடும் - to pass through.

Translation In English
The arrow which can attack and kill elephant can't even penetrate cotton bundle. And the rock which is very hard to break by axe can easily be broken by the roots of the young tree. like wise only soft words  can get the results rather than using harsh words

விளக்கம் 
பெரிய யானையின் மீது அம்பு பாய்ச்சினால் அது அதைக்கொன்று விடும், அதே அம்பை பஞ்சு மூட்டையில் எறிந்தால், அது மூட்டையை துளைத்து வெளியே சென்று விடும், பஞ்சுக்கு ஒரு சேதாரமும் ஆகாது. கடிய கடப்பாரைக்கு வளைந்து கொடுக்காத பெரிய பாறை, சிறிய செடியின் வேர் ஊன்றி வெடித்து உடைந்து விடும். அது போல் கண்டிப்பான குணங்களாலும், கடுமையான சொற்களாலும் ஒரு காரியத்தை சாதிக்க முடியாது. மென்மையாக இன்சொல்லுடன் பழகினால் நம்மை யாரும் அழிக்க முடியாது, கடுமையான விஷயங்களையும் சுலபமாக சாதிக்கலாம்

எண்ணிய முடிதல் வேண்டும்

Barthiyar's most inspirational poem that awakens the reader ,

எண்ணிய முடிதல் வேண்டும், 

நல்லவே யெண்ணல்  வேண்டும்;

திண்ணிய நெஞ்சம் வேண்டும்,

தெளிந்த நல் லறிவு வேண்டும்;

பண்ணிய பாவமெல்லாம் 

பரிதி முன் பனியே போல,

நண்ணிய நின்மு னிங்கு 

நசித்திட வேண்டும்  அன்னாய்! 

எண்ணிய முடிதல் வேண்டும், 

        Ability to accomplish the goal whatever in thoughts! Ma give me energy to do my work to the fullest and to get my goal achieved. 

         Here in the words of vivekananda , the only way to achieve success in our work is to pay as much attention to the means as to the end.Proper attention to the finishing, strengthening, of the means is what we need. With the means all right, the end must come. We forget that it is the cause that produces the effect; the effect cannot come by itself; and unless the causes are exact, proper, and powerful, the effect will not be produced.
 

நல்லவே யெண்ணல்  வேண்டும்;

Mind is bewildering and runs on its own when not properly controlled.Concentration purifies and calms the surging emotions, strengthens the current of thought and clarifies the ideas. 

திண்ணிய நெஞ்சம் வேண்டும்,

Give me strength to face anything boldly.If we are ever to gain freedom, it must be by conquering nature, never by running away. Cowards never win victories. We have to fight fear and troubles and ignorance if we expect them to flee before us. 

தெளிந்த நல் லறிவு வேண்டும்;

When the lake is in a boisterous state on account of turbulent waves you can hardly see the bottom of the lake. When the waves subside you can clearly see the bottom of the lake. Even so when the mind is in an agitated condition you cannot see your paths to the goal. so Give me very clear mental vision to achieve my goal. 

பண்ணிய பாவமெல்லாம் 

பரிதி முன் பனியே போல,

நண்ணிய நின்மு னிங்கு 

நசித்திட வேண்டும்  அன்னாய்

The effects of the deeds already performed in the past should be destroyed like a melting snow in the sun in-front of you.

Baja Govindam III

This stanza which talks about leaving the pride/ego associate with who you are.

मा कुरु धनजनयौवनगर्वं
हरति निमेषात्कालः सर्वम् ।
मायामयमिदमखिलं हित्वा  var  बुध्वा
ब्रह्मपदं त्वं प्रविश विदित्वा ॥ ११॥ 

This stanza primarily insists how we are bounded by our own pride /ego of who we are and what we have (money,children, youth) and lets the reader to leave out of all these bondages as all they are vanished with time and awakens us to enter in to para brahman seeking real happiness.

I. maa kuru dhana jana yauvana garvaM

maa kuru - do not

dhana jana - money /people (children)

yauvana - youth

garvam - pride.

Meaning : Do not boast of wealth, friends, and youth.

II harati nimeshhaat kaalaH sarvam.h .

harti - take away
nimeshhat kala - in a matter of minute
kalah - Time (death) 
sarvam - all

Meaning : death (time) takes away each one of these in a matter of minute

III maayaa mayam idam akhilaM hitvaa

maaya - delusion
mayam id - full
akhilaM - whole
hitwa - abandon (renounce)

Meaning : The whole world is full of illusion. Abandon all.


IV brahma padaM tvaM pravisha viditvaa

brahma padam - the feet of the only real truth
tvam - you
pravisha - enter
viditvaa - realise 

Meaning : Realise this and enter in to the state of real truth.

Summary

Do not boast of wealth, friends, and youth. Each one of these are destroyed within a minute. Free yourself from the illusion of the world of Maya and attain the timeless 

In the words of vivekananda

When the senses are unrestrained, when the body cannot obey you, when the passions are still ruling you, you cannot enjoy peace everlasting

If you crave for a thing you will not get it. You will become a slave. Renounce the craving or desire for the object. The objects will follow you by themselves 

If you have no attachment for the objects of the senses, if you have no thoughts which give rise to desires and impulses for the enjoyment of sensual objects and if the mind rests peacefully in Brahman(the real truth) you can reach the abode of immortal bliss and float in the river of peace and happiness. 

Baja Govindam - II

The second most attracted Stanza in Baja Govindam is,

This is a key note to awaken man from the desire to amass wealth. Money is the force full attraction, behind which every human runs. It is also one of the seven Mayas of the mind which restricts a man to look upward in searching the real truth of the spirit.

Sanskrit

मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां
कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम् ।यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं
वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम् ॥ २॥ 

This Stanza, advices reader to give up the passion in earning wealth.

Transliteration

mUDha jahiihi dhanaagamatRishhNaaM
kuru sadbuddhiM manasi vitRishhNaam.
yallabhase nijakarmopaattaM
vittaM tena vinodaya chittam. .. 

Mudha jahiihi     

- Fool ! Give up. 

dhana agama

 Acquiring wealth

tRishhNaaM

Desire

So first sentence can be translated as

oh Fool! Give up the desire to acquire wealth here

kuru

 Do 

sadbuddhiM

Good to create consciousness 

manasi  vitRishhNaam

 mind desire less

So Second sentence can be translated as

Do Good to create consciousness in the mind and become desire-less.

yallabhase

Whatever you obtained

nija karmo paattaM

Through one's own karma gathered.

Face the karma of the actions already performed in the past

vittaM tena 

Give up Money gained on that account

vinodaya chittam. .. 

Divert one self and recreate true happiness

 By that means recreate happiness.

Summary

oh Fool! Give up the desire to acquire wealth here.Do Good to create true consciousness in the mind and become desire less .Be contented with the karma of the actions already performed in the past and recreate true happiness of the mind.

Meaning

Give up your passion for wealth and regain lost divine glory by practising the principles of Yoga in the right earnest.Be contented with the things of the present and start inquiry into the beyond (real truth). That looking upward and going upward and seeking perfection are what is called salvation; and the sooner a man begins to go higher, the sooner he raises himself towards this idea of truth as salvation. 

                    The true happiness does not consist in the amount of money in your pocket, or the dress you wear, or the house you live in, but in the wealth of spiritual thought in your brain. That is what makes for human progress, that is the source of all material and intellectual progress, the motive power behind, the enthusiasm that pushes mankind forward.