Like a child, sitting on the vast sandy beach of the ocean and collecting shells, I sat before the vast ocean of “Thiruppugazh”. There lies, beneath this vast layer of the ocean, precious treasure of gems and pearls. I took few steps ahead and experienced the bliss of being submerged under the spell of Thiruppugazh for a while. However, I have not ventured deep and returned soon to share whatever little valuables I could lay my hands on. I do not promise that “Thiruppugazh: Glory to Lord Muruga” would be valuable addition to your library or to your knowledge. But I hope that you will find something useful, worth or stimulating in it. To those who may not find anything new, there is the Kandhar Alamgaram and Kandhar Anuboothi which they could leaf through, chant and even get some benefit from what appears to be a translation.

My article: “Thiruppugazh: Musical Way of Worship” received overwhelming response from readers and friends. The article is included in the website: murugan.org/bhaktas/tiruppugazh.html This only prompted me to venture into the sea of Thiruppugazh to return with a peripheral knowledge. I would be happy if the book motivates others to go deeper and obtain more wealth from here. Broadly, the book deals with the following aspects:

• Life and time of Arunagirinathar,

• Thiruppugazh, its significance as a set of prayer, its importance as an expression of devotion, Thiruppugazh as a philosophy of life, Thiruppugazh as a means of God realization and Thiruppugazh as a path to reach God.

• There are various ills that plague humanity. Day to day problems hinder our progress. They detract us from reaching our ultimate goal. Often one finds himself at cross-road unable to move forward. He now finds the need for a guide who would escort him to a life of perfection. The verses of Thiruppugazh, serve as a guide, confer Arul Jnana, the enlightened knowledge on the devotee and lead him or her to the correct destination. Thiruppugazh helps one to sail through this turbulent ocean of life safely and smoothly. Be it a wish to own a house, an aim to scale new heights, a will to face challenges or an aspiration to seek the Lotus Feet of the Lord, there is a song in Thiruppugazh that seeks to fulfill all. Just as snows on the face of the earth fade away at the sight of the radiant sun, all ordeals disappear by the grace of Muruga. As Muruga himself prompted Arunagiri to sing, it is believed that the words of Thiruppugazh were in fact the words of Muruga and every word therefore acquired a power of its own. When a devotee conveys his or her prayer in the words of Arunagirinatha Swamigal, who was the direct disciple of the God, such a prayer is sure to be heard and answered. It is a simple and pleasing form of prayer anyone can adopt as a regular way of worship.

• Thiruppugazh reflects the ideals enshrined in scriptures. Thiruppugazh is composed by deriving inspiration from Vedic scriptures and devotional literatures. As it encompasses all thoughts it is considered as a comprehensive treatise of knowledge.

• Happiness remains the single most pursuit of human being. Everyone seeks it but no one knows where to find it. Arunagirinathar opens our eyes and tells us how to find it by adopting “Thiruppugazh way to happiness”.

• A chapter is exclusively devoted for the definition, description and expression of “devotion”. While a pilgrim makes his progress, it is the devotional bend of mind and not the brilliance of the knowledgeable head that ultimately helps.  
  

• There are many temples in Tamil Nadu and neighboring States which reveal the culture of the region. Temples remained not merely as centres of worship but also as centres of learning. Many saints derived inspiration and knowledge from temples like Saint Sri Ramadas from Bhadrachalam. Tiruvannamalai temple groomed Arunagiri, Vayalur enlightened him and the six sacred abodes of Muruga and the three hundred odd temples he visited gave him the power to compose Thiruppugazh. The temples of South India remained not only as platforms for worship but also as sources of knowledge. The importance of few such temples are outlined in the book.

• Muruga conjures up vision of a Lord of love and compassion, the Lord who is the source of all knowledge, who is all powerful, and who is the embodiment of beauty. His weapon, Vel (lance) protects devotees from adversities. Muruga exercises enormous influence on the lives of people. He lives in their heart, protecting them and guiding them. The chapter traces the origin of His appearance, the power he wields, His magnificent divine qualities and various aspects of His life.

• Many great saints appeared in this land to portray the Divine qualities of Muruga and sing His glories. Nakkeerar and Sivachariyar have done works of epic proportion and extolled the splendour and glory of Muruga. Right from Sangham period till this day, many personalities have walked over this land initiating us and inspiring us to Muruga worship. The amazing conviction they carried and the deep dedication they shown should be written in golden letters. The chapter: “Saints, Scholars, Singers and Stalwarts” gives a bird's eye-view of some of them. There were eminent saints who staunchly championed the cause of Thiruppugazh like Sadguru Sri Sachidhananda Swamigal, Sri Pamban Swamigal, Sri Krupananda Variyar etc. Separate chapters give a glimpse of their lives. ( “In the Footsteps of Arunagiri”. )

• Scholars described Kandhar Anuboothi as the quintessence of Arunagiri’s works as it showed the way to true knowledge. While reciting Anuboothi, the vagaries and vicissitudes of life, the fears and anxieties of mind all disappear and the devotee enters into the Kingdom of God where peace and tranquility prevails. Kandhar Alamgaram is a set of beautiful hymns with which Arunagirinathar adorned Lord Muruga. An attempt has been made, feeble though it is, to translate these two hymns in English.

• The book explains the importance of the six sacred abodes, “Padai Veedu” of Muruga, a comparative study of Arunagiri, the author of Thiruppugazh with Bhattathiri, the author of Narayaneeyam.

• They are “Yuga Purushas”. They appear once, after many ages, for a cause. Such towering personalities arrive like colossus and depart after attaining their goal, creating almost a sort of an upheaval. Such leaders exercise great influence on the community, as a whole, and even direct them to act. Adi Sankara who propounded the doctrine of Advaitha Philosophy and Ramana Maharshi who showed the path of self-realization are two such geniuses. A chapter each is dedicated to pay homage to these great souls.

Arunagirinathar confined himself to composing the songs and devoted the last phase of his life towards visiting temples and worshiping Muruga. No efforts seem to have been made either by him or by his friends or relatives to preserve the songs. The manuscripts of Thiruppugazh were lying in some dark corners, unsung and unheard. The songs, full of life, were perhaps eagerly waiting for someone to bring them to light and use for the purpose they were intended. Perhaps, Sri V.T. Subramaniam Pillai of Tiruthani and his son, Sri Sengalvarayan heard their call. Realizing the inestimable value of Thiruppugazh, Pillai Avargal and his son made their search, retrieved the songs and publicized them. The author takes this opportunity to record the deep indebtedness and gratitude of Thiruppugazh devotees towards them for having 'discovered' a treasure of immense value. Sri Sachidhananda Swamigal took up Thiruppugazh as his “Mantra”, the goal of his life and revived its glory. Posterity would ever appreciate the supreme service he rendered to build up the Thiruppugazh tradition. There were others like Sri Pamban Swamigal, Sri Krupananda Variyar, Thiruppugazh Mani Sri T.M. Krishnaswamy Iyer who took the glory of Thiruppugazh to Himalayan height.

This book is dedicated to the memories of all those who diligently worked to highlight the glory of Thiruppugazh and to many scholars and singers who continue the divine Thiruppugazh mission. May Lord Muruga bless all those who sing the Lord's glory in the verses of Thiruppugazh and show them the way to life of happiness, prosperity and redemption.




The book priced at Rs.100/- (US $10) is available at leading store like Giiri Trading Agency, Leo Book Stalls, Chennai. The author can be accessed at E.mail: krishnanvs@airtelbroadband.in or vsk_tiruppugazh@yahoo.com telephone: 0422-2426283