After long time I decided to capture my random thoughts as a blog… Okay, not completely random… random thoughts around a seed poem from Thirvasagam.
ஓத உலவா ஒருதோழன் தொண்டருளன்
கோதில் குலத்தரன்றன் கோயிற் பிணாப்பிள்ளைகாள்
ஏதவன்ஊர் ஏதவன்பேர் ஆருற்றார் ஆரயலார்
ஏதவனைப் பாடும் பரிசேலோர் எம்பாவாய்
I happened to listen to this poem in a temple recently; it was a mesmerizing experience; sure, the way the temple priest sang this song was adorable and his voice was so sweet but it was more than just the voice and musical talent!! Manickavachagar ruled in every bit and forced me to read the entire poem & mull over it!! What is shown in this blog is not the complete poem - there are 21 stanzas in the poem; this blog covers just half a stanza that struck me hard in the temple; it roughly translates as below
He is a friend ineffable by words; He dwells in the hearts of His devotees
He is the God of the flawless; Hey girls, dedicated to serve His temple!!
Where is He from? what is His name? Who is His Kin? Who is stranger?
How can we hymn Him!! I am baffled at this very thought, my girl…
Though the entire poem had deep meaning as well as the ability to touch the heart and mind, two phrases stuck to my thoughts: "ஓத உலவா ஒருதோழன் / a friend ineffable by words" and "ஆருற்றார் ஆரயலார் / Who is His Kin, who is stranger".
ஆருற்றார் ஆரயலார் - this is a very strong question that can shake the foundation of existence itself I think - both in its literal meaning as well as what it implies deeply.
Whoever we consider as kin may not be kin and a stranger may not be a stranger after all… just one word/deed from a kin can make you feel that they are total strangers and a small deed from a stranger can make you feel that they are the best of your kith. உற்றாரின் ஒரு சொல் பற்றறுக்கவைக்கக் கூடும்; அயலாரின் ஒரு செயல் அன்பை உலகளாவ விரிக்கச்செய்யலாம்! இதில் யாரை உற்றார் எனபது? யாரை அயலார் என்பது?
No friend is a friend forever and no stranger is a stranger forever!! All who care may not be able to take care… all who take care may not care and may not be caring… when you care and others don’t, you may feel like a stranger!! Who is a friend? Who is a stranger? Who can say?
Valluvar has another explanation for this. In his chapter on Love (under domestic virtue), he talks about transitivity! Love leading to eagerness and eagerness leading to friendship!! Love that starts at home should expand to include everyone! When you start to expand the boundary between kin and strangers disappears. Shiva is an embodiment of love or anything of love is Shiva. The transitivity induced by that love engulfs the whole universe and there is no one (even better, there is nothing) not in the realm of such a love. Considering this, for Him and those who want to be like Him, who is a kin? who is a stranger?
"ஓத உலவா ஒருதோழன்" Shiva is a great friend who cannot be praised enough is the translation. Who can list down all his greatness? He is a male, He is a female and a transgender too! He is in earth, sky and everywhere! He has no beginning and no ending!! He is in all forms yet does not have a form!! Any description will be inadequate to be all exhaustive!! All languages will fall short of words to praise him!
Is Shiva the only friend whose praise is indescribable? Valluvar feels it is applicable to all friendships!! He thinks the moment friends praise one another that (s)he is intimate with us and we so much with him(her), the friendship appears mean! Interesting that Valluvar lists "Natpu" / "Friendship" as part of "Wealth" section not part of "Virtue" section!!!
Sundarar is supposed to consider Shiva as a friend and Manickavachagar as a Guru. But this line shows that even Manicavachagar considered Him as a friend too!! Hmm...
More and more I think about this, it looks like, when all the friendship with humans feel futile, one can consider God as the only friend!! On the other hand, friendship with humans need consistent attention; but with God, one can afford to pay less attention or no attention for a prolonged period and resume as if there was no such break!! Interesting…. Not sure if God exists or not but God is a very useful construct!! The belief that "there is a dependable friend who is ever loving irrespective of whether you reciprocate or not, ever caring, who will never let you down, who does not have personal agenda / preferences, who is absolutely neutral and who will never just 'use' you" can save many from becoming insane… Hmm....
This compilation sounds half done (at least to me)… there are several other unfinished thoughts that are not captured as words yet… Hope to come back to it soon....
