When I noticed a sack hanging on a window that once opened to a magnificent view of Arunachala or Annamalaiyaar in Supramania Swami's kudil, I immediately questioned him. He had purposely placed a window there so that he could recline on his jute bed just opposite the living room of his kudil and watch Arunachala, the sacred hill at Thiruvannamalai, in all his glory and majesty. But now he had covered it up.
Swami replied that he could not see the hill no more, as it was fiery. Hence he had shut the view. He added that he could see Siddhas atop the hill. I took a glance again at Arunachala, and I could only see a hill.
Saravanan Palanisamy has illustrated exactly what Swami had described to me then in the following sketches.
Again, I used to wonder what Supramania Swami saw at his guru Yogi Ramsuratkumar's samadhi where libation was been done on the Shivalinga and Nandhi during the Pradosham day. He sat still watching the samadhi close to an hour without even being distracted a moment.
Photos and videos of the recent annual Karthigai Deepam celebrations at Thiruvannamalai have appeared on the net, giving us the opportunity to witness this spectacular festivity.
See http://omarunachala.com/deepam2015.asp, http://www.thiruvannamalai.in/tiruvannamalai-temple/tiruvannamalai_maha_deepam_2015_photos_day_10.html
We at AVM sang Ramana's Aksharamanamaalai to our hearts delight.
See http://omarunachala.com/deepam2015.asp, http://www.thiruvannamalai.in/tiruvannamalai-temple/tiruvannamalai_maha_deepam_2015_photos_day_10.html
We at AVM sang Ramana's Aksharamanamaalai to our hearts delight.
In the Introduction to ARUNACHALA SIVA
ARUNACHALA AKSHARAMANAMALAI
(BRIDAL GARLAND OF LETTERS FOR ARUNACHALA)
and
ARUNACHALA PANCHARATNAM
(FIVE GEMS ON ARUNACHALA)
of
BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANA MAHARSHI, published by Sri Ramanasramam, Thiruvannamalai, is written that, "Most of Bhagavan Sri Ramana's compositions were written in answer to a query put, a doubt
raised, or a request made by some devotee or other."
Similarly his devotees had requested Ramana to coin a song which they could sing while going out in search of alms. This was during the period when Ramana was staying in Virupaksha cave on Arunachala hill. Some time later while he was circumambulating the sacred hill with these devotees, out came a beautiful devotional outpouring in praise of Arunachala, spontaneous from his heart. This came to be called Aksharamanamalai.
Similarly his devotees had requested Ramana to coin a song which they could sing while going out in search of alms. This was during the period when Ramana was staying in Virupaksha cave on Arunachala hill. Some time later while he was circumambulating the sacred hill with these devotees, out came a beautiful devotional outpouring in praise of Arunachala, spontaneous from his heart. This came to be called Aksharamanamalai.
The title of this lyric poem, Arunachala Aksharamanamalai, means ‘the bridal garland of letters for Arunachala. Mana Malai is the wedding-garland which symbolises the union of the bride with the bridegroom. It also means sweet-scented garland. The poem is called Aksharamanamalai because the initial letters of the verses of the hymn are in the alphabetical order. Aksharamanamalai may also mean ‘the garland that serves as the insignia of marriage with the undecaying (akshara) Lord’. The phrase contains the name of Bhagavan Sri Ramana too — aksharamana. It is significant that the hymn is composed of 108 verses — a number that is supremely sacred.
Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva,
Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva,
Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva,
Arunachala Siva, Arunachala Siva.
Tharuna aruna mani kirana vali nigar,
Dharma kshara mana magizh malai,
Theru nadiya thiruvadiyar theru maral,
Theliya parvuthal porualakk,
Karunkara muni Ramana riyanuva,
Kaiyinar choliyathu gathiyaga,
Varunachalamena ga arivodu,
Mazhvar shivanugamalware.
Arunachalavarketha Akshara malai chatha,
Karunakara Ganapathiye Karamaruli kaapaye.
Arunachalamena agame ninaippavar,
Agathai aruppai arunachalaa. 1
Azhagu sundaram pol agavum neeyum uttha
Binnamay iruppom arunachalaa. 2
Agam pugum theerthu, unnaka guhai chirayai,
Amarvithathen kolo arunachalaa. 3
Aarum kavenai yandanai yagathidil,
Akhilam pazhithidum arunachalaa. 4
Ippazhi thappunai yeninai pitha,
Yini yaar viduvaar arunachalaa. 5
Yeendridum annayir peritharul purivo,
Yidhuvo unadharul Aunachala. 6
Unaye mathi odathulathin mel,
Uruthiyayiruppai Arunachala. 7
Oor chuthu ulam vidathu unnai tatangida,
Un azhagai kattu Arunachala. 8
Yenai azhithippo yenai kalava vidil,
Ithuvo vanmai Arunachala. 9
Yen inda urakkam yenai pirar izhukka,
Ithu unakku azhago, Arunachala. 10
Iympula kalvar agathinir pugum pothu,
Agathu nee ilayo, Arunachala. 11
Oruvanaam unnai olithavar varuvaar,
Un chootheyidhu, Arunachala. 12
Omgara porul oppu uyar villoy,
Unai yaar arivaar, Arunachala. 13
Ouai pol, yenakku un arulai thandu yenai,
Aluvathu un kadan, Arunachala. 14
Kannukku kaanai kannindri kanunai,
Kanuvathu yevar paar, Arunachala. 15
Kandham irumb pol kavarndu yennai vidamal,
Kalandhu yennodu iruppai, Arunachala. 16
Giri uruvagiya kirubai kadale,
Krubai koorndu arulvay, Arunachala. 17
Keezh melengum kilar oli mani yen,
Keezhmayayai paaz chey, Arunachala. 18
Kutham uthu aruthennai gunamay paninthal,
Guru uruvay olir, Arunachala. 19
Koor vaat kanniyar kodumayir padathu arul,
Koorndu yennai Cherndhu arul, Arunachala. 20
Kenjiyum vanjiyay konjam irangilai,
Anjel yendru arul, Arunachala. 21
Kelathu alikkum un kedil pugazhai,
Kedu cheyyathu arul, Arunachala. 22
Kaiyinir kaniyul mey rasam kondu uvagai,
Veri kola varurl, Arunachala. 23
Kodiyittu adiyarai kollunai kkatti,
Kondu engan vazhven, Arunachala. 24
Kopamil gunathoy, kuriyay yenai kola,
Kuray yen cheythen, Arunachala. 25
Kowthamar pothum karunai maa malaye,
Kadai kanithu aalvay, Arunachala. 26
Chakalamum vizhungum kadir oli ina mana,
Salasa malarthi yidu, Arunachala. 27
Chappadu unnai charndhuna vaayaan,
Santhamay pavan Arunachala. 28
Chitham kulira kkathir atham vaitha amudha,
Vaayai thira varun mathi, Arunachala. 29
Cheerai azhithu nirvanamai cheythu arut,
Cheerai alitharul, Arunachala. 30
Chuka kadal ponga chollunar adanga,
Chumma porunthidanga Arunachala. 31
Choothu cheydu yenni chothiyadini un
Jothi uru kkattu, Arunachala. 32
Cheppadi vithai kkathu ippadi mayakku vittu,
Uru ppadu vithai kkattu, Arunachala. 33
Cherayenin mey neera yurugi kkan,
Neeral azhiven, Arunachala. 34
Chaiyena thallin chey vinai chudum amala,
Uy vagai yethu urai, Arunachala. 35
Chollathu cholli nee, chollara nillendru,
Chumma yirundhay, Arunachala. 36
Chombiyay chumma sukhamundu urangidir,
Chol very yen gathi, Arunachala. 37
Chowriyam kaattinai, chazha kathathu yendre,
Chaliyathu irunday, Arunachala. 38
Gnamaliyir kedaa naan yendru uruthi yay,
Nadi nin urave, Arunachala. 39
Gnanamillathu, un asayar thalar vara,
Gnanam therithu arul, Arunachala. 40
Jnimiru po neeyum malarnthilai yendre,
Ner nindaranai, yen arunachala. 41
Thattuvam theriya thathanai yuthay,
Thathuvam ithu ven, Arunachala. 42
Thane thane thathuvam idanai,
Thane kattuvai Arunachala. 43
Thirumbi yagam thannai dina maga kan kaandu,
Yeriyum yendranai, yen Arunachala. 44
Deeramilakathir thediyum thanayaan,
Thirumba vuthen arul, Arunachala. 45
Thupparivilla ippira ppen bhayan,
Oppidavaye, yen Arunachala. 46
Thooy mana mozhiyar thoyu mun meyygam,
Thoyave yarul yen Arunachala. 47
Dheivam yendru unnai charave, yennai,
Chera vozhithay Arunachala. 48
Thedathu uttha na thiru varu nithi yaga,
Thiyakkam theertharul Arunahala. 49
Dhairiyamodu mun meyyaga nada yaan,
Thattazhithen arul, Arunachala. 50
Thottarut kai mey kattidaa yenil,
Yaan attamaven, arul, Arunachala. 51
Thodamini yagathodu ondri yendrum,
Chandhoda ondirda arul, Arunachala. 52
Nagaikku ida milai nin nadiya venaiaru,
Nagai Yittu paar nee arunachala. 53
Nanilai naadita naanayondri nee,
Thanuva niranai arunachala. 54
Ninneri yerithenai neeragidum mun,
Nin arun mazhai pozhi Arunachala. 55
Nee naan ara ppuli nithangali mayama,
Nindridu nilay arul Arunachala. 56
Nunn uruvay ninai yaan vinnuru nannida,
Yennalai yirumen ara Arunachala. 57
Noolarivu ariya pethaiyan yendran,
Malari varuthu arul, Arunachala. 58
Nekku nekkurugi yaan pukkida unnai puga,
Nakkaha ninranai, Arunachala. 59
Nesa mila yenakkun asayai kaati nee,
Mosam cheyyatharul, Arunachala. 60
Naindazhi kaniya nalanilai padathir,
Nadi ut kol nalam, Arunachala. 61
Nondhida thunthanai thandu yenai kondilai,
Yandaka nee yenakku Arunachala. 62
Nokkiye karuthi mey thakkiye pakkuvam
Aakki nee aandarul, Arunachala. 63
Pathi maal vidanthalai yuthiru munamarul,
Pathida arul puri, Arunachala. 64
Parthu arun maalara parthilai yenin arul,
Par unakkar cholvar, Arunachala. 65
Pithu vittu unai ner pithanakkinai arul,
Pitham theli marundu Arunachala. 66
Bheethiyil unai char, bheethiyil unai cher,
Bheethi undanakka yen, Arunachala. 67
Pullari vethurai, nallari vethurai,
Pullidave arul, Arunachala. 68
Poo mana mamanam poorana manam kola,
Pooranamarul Arunachala. 69
Peyar ninaithidave pidithu izhthanai un,
Perumai yaar arivaar Arunachala. 70
Peythanam vida, vidaa peyayi pidithanai,
Peyan akkinai yen Arunachala. 71
Painkodi ya naan pathu indri vaadamar,
Pathu kodaay kaa varunachala. 72
Podiyaan mayaikki yen bodathai parithu un,
Bodathai kattinai Arunachala. 73
Pokkum varavumil podu veli yinil arut,
Porattam kattu, Arunachala. 74
Poudhikama mudar pathu athu nalum mun,
Pavisu kandu uravu arul, Arunachala. 75
Malai marundhida nee malaithidavo varun,
Malai marunday olir, Arunachala. 76
Manam kondu urubhavar manathai azhitha pin,
Manamillathu olir Arunachala. 77
Minjidir kenjidum konja vari vaniyaan,
Vanchiyathu arul yenai, Arunachala. 78
Meegaaman illaman maa kathu alai kala,
Magamar katharul, Arunachala. 79
Mudiyadi kaanaa mudi vidu thanai ner,
Mudi vida kada mnilai arul, Arunachala. 80
Mokilam mun kkattu mukurama kadenai,
Thooki anainthu arul, Arunachala. 81
Meyyagathin manamen mala ranayinaa,
Mey kalathida varul, Arunachala. 82
Men mel thazhindhdu melliyar cherndhu nee,
Menmayuthana yenna, Arunachala. 83
Mai mayanetharun maiyinal unathu,
Unamai vasamakkinai, Arunahala. 84
Mottai yadithennai vetta veliyineel
Nattamadinai yen, Arunachala. 85
Moham thavirthun mohama vaithu men,
Moham theeray, yen Arunachala. 86
Mouniyai karpon malarathirunthaan,
Monamith aamo, Arunachala. 87
Yavan yen vaayil maninai yatti,
Yen pizhai pozhuthathu, Arunachala. 88
Yaarumariyadhen madhiyinai marutti,
Yevar kollai kondathu, Arunachala. 89
Ramanar yendru uraithen, rosam kolathu yenai,
Ramithida cheya vaa, Arunachala. 90
Raa pakalilla veru veli veetil,
Ramithuduvom, vaa, Arunachala. 91
Lakshiyamm vaithu arul asthiram vittanai,
Bakshithaay prananodu, Arunachala. 92
Labha nee ikha para labham mi lenayuthu,
Labham yennuthanaim, Arunachala. 93
Varumbadi cholilai, vanden padiyala,
Varundhidan alai vidhi, Arunachala. 94
Vaa vendru agam pukkun vaazh varul endre yen,
Vaazh vizhunden arul, Arunachala. 95
Vittidir kattamaam vittida thunai uyir,
Vittida yarul puri, Arunachala. 96
Veedu vitteer thula veedu pukku payya vun,
Veedu kattinai yarul, Arunachala. 97
Veli vitten un cheyal veruthithadathu un arul,
Veli vittu yenai kaa, Arunachala. 98
Vedanthatte verara vilangum,
Veda porul arul Arunachala. 99
Vaidhalai vazhathaa vaitharut kudiya,
Vaithenai vidathu arul, Arunachala. 100
Ambuvi laali pola anpuruvu nilay enai,
Anbaa karaitharul, Arunachala. 101
Arunai yen drannayana arut kanni patten un,
Arul valai thappumo Arunachala. 102
Chindhithu arut pada Chilandhi pol kkatti,
Cirayittu undanai, Arunachala. 103
Anpodu un namange, anbar tham anbarukku,
Anbanayida varul, Arunachala. 104
Yen polum dhenarai yin pura kkathu nee,
Yennalum vazhandharul Arunachala. 105
Yenpurukanpar tham yin chorkkal cheviyumen,
Pun mozhi kol varul, Arunachala. 106
Poumayam poo thara pun cholai nan cholap,
Poruthirulishtam pin, Arunachala. 107
Maalai alitharul Arunachala, Ramana ven,
Maalai aninthu arul Arunachala. 108