LIFE OF ARUNAGIRINATHA SWAMIGAL BY V.S.KRISHNAN

Arunagiri was born at Tiruvannamalai around 15^th century.  The songs of Thirugnana Sambandar exercised profound influence on him.  He studied Vedas, Upanishads, Devaaram, Thiruvasagam and other devotional literatures extensively.  He had only one aim in life; to reach the Lotus feet of Muruga but his body, mind and senses were pulling him in different directions.  Apparently, a struggle went on within Arunagiri, between the good represented by Satwa Guna and the evil represented by Tamo Guna.  He was not willing to compromise.  He was not willing to yield to the temptations of the body and mind.  He then took the extreme step of ending his life.  He went up the tower of Tiruvannamalai and fell from there. Surprisingly, he did not fall to the ground.  He fell to the strong grip of two hands.  Finding himself rescued, he asked the saviour: “Why have you saved me?  What is that I am going to achieve in this life?”  The saviour replied:  “You are not born to die.  You are born to bring life into others.  You are not born to fall.  You are born to make others rise.  You are not born to become still and silent.   You are born to sing.  You have been chosen to sing the   glory of Lord Muruga. ”

The Lord, full of mercy, blessed him, initiated him into sainthood and gave him the Japamalai (sacred chain of rosary beads) (Japamalai Thantha Sadgurunatha).  The Lord then set out the tasks before him.  “Sing songs about me, studded with gems (Muthu) of devotion and pearls of wisdom.   ‘Thiruppugazh’, as your songs would be known, would be the ‘Mantra’ to elevate the lives of many people.” That was the divine command of Muruga.  Having received the inspiration, Arunagirinathar rendered his first epoch-making song:  “Muthai tharu pathi thiru nagai, athikkirai sathi saravarana muthikkoru vithu kurupara enapothum”. 

Arunaginathar then proceeded to the temple of Muruga at Vayalur.    As he stood in front of the deity, he heard the divine command of the God again.   “Sing Thiruppugazh about me, about my peacock, about my banner, about my Kadappa Malai and about Vayalur.”   Graced by the Lord, Arunagiri, an ordinary person, has been transformed into Arunagirinatha Swamigal, an enlightened saint.  After getting the blessings from the Poyya Ganapathi, Arunaginathar did his second song expressing his happiness.  “Oh Lord, I would never forget the grace and blessings you have given me to be able to sing ‘Thiruppugazh’ (Hailing Thy Glory).  (Thiruppugazh Viruppamodu Seppana Enakkarulgai Maravene (Pakkaravi Chitra Mani song No.2)”.  This song was followed by third song “Ennal Pirakkavum (252)”etc. and a steady stream of songs flowed perennially thereafter from the saint.  

Having got a new direction and inspiration, he set out his holy mission of visiting different temples and composing songs of Thiruppugazh. Arunagirinathar believed that it was the grace of Vayalooran that gave him the knowledge, the eloquence, the talent and the skill.   He believed Vayalur Muruga stood behind him, directed him and inspired him.   He therefore made pointed reference to Vayalur Murugan in most of his songs, addressing Muruga in his Pasurams as Vayalura. 

Arunagirinathar then started visiting temples and deriving inspiration from every temple, composed Thiruppugazh.  He visited many temples in Tamil Nadu and beyond.   At every temple, he composed a song highlighting the glory of the Lord and the unique features of the shrine.   In all, Arunagirinatha Swamigal visited over 216 holy shrines of Muruga, Siva and other deities.  He composed over 16000 soul-stirring songs but only 1400 songs have been traced so far.  Swamigal did not believe in any differences on the basis of Saiva or Vaishnava.  He brought about a unity between the two schools.  He addressed Muruga by relating him to Perumal (Lord Vishnu), as the son-in-law of Perumal (Perumalin Marugone).  Swamigal described the great acts of valour done by Lord Vishnu’s incarnates.  He described the various acts of frolic and mischief done by Krishna, the act of stealing butter and the subsequent punishment meted out by Yasoda.  (Navaneethamum Thirudi, Uralode Onrumari….  Song: Sivanar Manam Kulira..65)   We find various references to events in Ramayana.  He believed that though there were different forms and images, the underlying reality is one, the Brahmam, the supreme.  

Apart from Thiruppugazh, Arunagirinathar composed Kandar Anubhuti, Kandar Alangaram, Kandar Anthadi, Vel, Mayil and Seval Virutham and Vakuppu.  It was  Thanigai Mani Chengalvarayan who procured all the available Thiruppugazh songs scattered in different places.  While Sri Sachidananda Swamigal highlighted the glory of Thiruppugazh, Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan gave each Thiruppugazh song a distinct Raaga.    Guruji created a powerful Thiruppugazh movement which has spread throughout India and abroad. 

Seshadri Swamigal described Thiruppugazh as the Maha Mantra that would transform the life of devotees. Thayumanavar said: “Oh Arunagiri! Who else can compose a word of truth as beautifully like you” (‘Ayya Arunagiri’). Chidambara Swamigal said: “Oh Thiru Porur Kumara, as your enchanting body is adorned with garlands composed by Arunagiri and Nakkeerar, I feel the fabulous fragrance from you.”. Arunachala Reddiar said the songs of Thiruppugazh are so powerful that they would reverberate all over the world.

Come, let us all sing Thiruppugazh together and experience the grace of Muruga.

By

 V.S.KRISHNAN