The winter season can be a breathtakingly beautiful time, but only if we are blessed with warmth and comfort. As we think about the Lord and reach out to those in need, our hearts are filled with warmth and love, making this a season of devotion and compassion. I am recalling Margazhi memories during my childhood; Women in our family rise early, lined up in front of their doors, to draw Kolam together, streets filled with fog and dim sodium vapor street lights, and when the sun comes up the streets would've turned into something magical.
We used to recite thiruppavai, thiruvempavai etc. until it's sunrise and indulge in the hot pongal given as prasadham in temples.
Turns the clock to a full circle and we see our christian friends singing praises of the lord, bringing hot drinks, cakes and biscuits towards the dusk.
It's like Jesus and Krishna, taking a stroll together on a chill morning twilight, seriously discussing about helping poor souls get better. ;-)
Is it not a delightful coincidence that Christmas and the sacred month of Margazhi coincide, bringing people together in celebration?
Thiruvempavai Roundup:
Rising early has given me some great advantages, both in terms of profession as well as devotion. Winter mornings with clear skies provide a great ambience for stargazing and spiritual contemplation. And this year, when I was too motivated to start a blog and write regularly to share my thoughts, actions and dreams with the world, Margazhi happened to be the right juncture to write about what I had discovered recently as my innate passion, philosophy & Tamil.
For the last 9 days, ever since Margazhi started, every day before sunrise, I have consistently covered 9 stanzas of Thiruvempavai - a little more than translation, served warm for your weekend. Read them below and share your feedback in comments.
Title | URL |
Stanza 1 - The Wake Up Call | |
Stanza 2 - No Snoozing of the Lord | |
Stanza 3 - Characteristic Traits of Devotion | |
Stanza 4 - Focus inside Progress outside | |
Stanza 5 - A Conversation between awakened soul and a sleeping body | |
Stanza 6 - Oh Deer! and thy stone-like heart! | |
Stanza 7 - The Nefarious Sleep | |
Stanza 8 - Evolving Perspective | |
Stanza 9 - Being a Slave, to a Kind Master |
If my words are worth your precious time, please leave a comment or feedback and share the joy with your friends and network!
Stay blessed. Stay warm! and Merry Christmas!
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