44. The three signs of experiencing bliss

Teachings to treasure, teachings that transform. 

Thirumoolar Thavamozhi

Motivation

 

44. The three signs of experiencing bliss

 

In these three poems our Saint Thirumoolar how as we gradually make progress with our efforts to experience bliss, we also give up the “I” feeling (ego), and attain the wisdom that all that we see in nature are embodiments of God. When this awareness that all that we see in nature is God becomes stronger, we also slowly become aware that we are not the body with flesh, and not a separate being with life, not  the mind with memory and forgetfulness, and start to enjoy the constant bliss in the awareness that we are an embodiment of divine.

The first poem explains this elegantly. 

தானும் அழிந்து தனமும் அழிந்துநீடு

ஊனும் அழிந்து உயிரும் அழிந்து 

தானும் அழிந்து -the feeling of I or ego goes away; தனமும் அழிந்து – the feeling that the things that I have are mine goes away; ஊனும் அழிந்து – the illusory feeling that I am the body also goes away; உயிரும் அழிந்து – the feeling that my life is separate from the eternal divine principle also goes away; 

ஊனும் அழிந்து உயிரும் அழிந்துடன்

வானும் அழிந்து மனமும் அழிந்து

உடன் – together with these; வானும் அழிந்து – I begin to appreciate that all the five elements in the creation are not different from the creator, the divine principle. மனமும் அழிந்து – I begin to also appreciate that my mind is only a screen that creates an illusion;

வானும் அழிந்து மனமும் அழிந்துபின்

 நானும் அழிந்தமை நானறி யேனே

நானும் அழிந்தமை – I also do not have the I feeling (ego) any more. When that happens, நானறி யேனே – without my own knowledge, all these have step by step taken place, exclaims our Saint Thirumoolar.

The feeling of “I” (or Ego) automatically goes away, says our Saint Thirumoolar. He explains that only the blissful experience remains. Saint Manickvachagar also sings his poem with the same message. 

தானும் அழிந்து தனமும் அழிந்துநீடு

ஊனும் அழிந்து உயிரும் அழிந்துடன்

வானும் அழிந்து மனமும் அழிந்துபின்

நானும் அழிந்தமை நானறி யேனே.  16

After experiencing oneness with the eternal divine principle, how can one describe it with words, exclaims our Saint Thirumoolar in this poem.

தான்வரைவு அற்றபின் ஆரை வரைவது

வரைவு – desire; தான்வரைவு அற்றபின் – one our mind has already given up desire; ஆரை வரைவது¬ – what can one desire ?

தான்அவ னானபின் ஆரை நினைவது

Once the mind has become enveloped by divine feelings, who else can the mind think about?

காமனை வென்றகண்ணாரை உகப்பது

காமனை வென்றகண் – the eyes that have gone beyond desires; ஆரை உகப்பது – who can the eyes be attracted to?

தூமொழி வாசகம் சொல்லுமின் நீரே.  

தூமொழி வாசகம் – give a clear answer; சொல்லுமின் நீரே – our saint thirumoolar lovingly questions us ?

The essence of this second poem is that once we have given up the “I” feeling (or Ego), there is no meaning in saying statements such as, I am praying to God, I am thinking of God, I am loving God, and so on. Our Saint Thirumoolar says, that once the five senses have merged with the divine feeling of oneness, and the mind has become one with divine, all the feelings of praying, thinking and desiring have no specific meaning any more.  This song is emphasizing the blissful feeling of oneness with divine. 

 

தான்வரைவு அற்றபின் ஆரை வரைவது

தான்அவ னானபின் ஆரை நினைவது

காமனை வென்றகண்ணாரை உகப்பது

தூமொழி வாசகம் சொல்லுமின் நீரே.  1

In the third poem, our saint Thirumoolar asks the scholars who give various definitions of God with their intepretations.

உரையற்றது ஒன்றை உரைசெய்யும் ஊமர்காள்

உரையற்றது ஒன்றை – the eternal principle that is beyond description; உரைசெய்யும்  - people who are attemping to describe ஊமர்காள் – he calls them dumb persons!

Our Saint Thirumoolar declares that those who attempt to describe the eternal divine principle that is beyond description as dumb persons.  What he means by this line is that there is no need to indulge in this task that has no value addition. When he calls them dumb, he means it is better to be silent than speak. 

உரையற்றது ஒன்றை உரைசெய்யும் ஊமர்காள்

கரையற்றது ஒன்றைக் கரைகாண லாகுமோ

Can we try to build a bund for a flood that has already breached the bunds ? -No.  As the flood of divine bliss is like that, our Saint Thirumoolar tells us what we should do next. 

திரையற்ற நீர்போல் சிந்தை தெளிவார்க்குப்

புரையற்று இருந்தான் புரிசடை யோனே.  

திரையற்ற நீர்போல் – like the still water in a lake without any ripples;  சிந்தை தெளிவார்க்கு – those who have experience bliss with a clear mind; புரையற்று இருந்தான் – without any hesitation God takes his seat; புரிசடை யோனே – God (Siva) with his matted locks.

Once we give up analytical research on God, and remain in the constant contemplation on God, God occupies our heart without any hesitation.   Our Saint Thirumoolar clarifies, what we should do in order to experience that bliss. We should keep our mind still and calm without running after worldly desires!

உரையற்றது ஒன்றை உரைசெய்யும் ஊமர்காள்

கரையற்றது ஒன்றைக் கரைகாண லாகுமோ

திரையற்ற நீர்போல் சிந்தை தெளிவார்க்குப்

புரையற்று இருந்தான் புரிசடை யோனே.  2 

To read other translated pages in these posts, see: Thirumoolar