As we approach the end of the year, the anticipation of celebrating the New Year in our village, "Earth," is growing stronger. This is a particularly auspicious time to reflect on the greatness of the Lord and our own humility, limitations, and impermanence on this beautiful planet. Saint Manickavachakar, in his writings, captures the imagination of women who rise before dawn, singing the praises of the Lord. Through their eyes, he portrays the beauty of a pond as a physical manifestation of Lord Siva and Lady Uma. As we contemplate the wonders of the natural world, let us remember to express gratitude for all that the Lord has given us and strive to live in harmony with the world around us. Here we are with Stanza 13 of the Sweet Thiruvempavai.
The Verse
பைங்குவளைக் கார் மலரால் செங்கமலப் பைம்போதால்
paiN^kuvaLaik kArmalarAR cheN^kamalap paimpOdhaal
அங்கங் குருகினத்தாற் பின்னும் அரவத்தால்
aN^gaN^ kuruginaththAr pinnum aravaththAl
தங்கள் மலங்கழுவு வார்வந்து சார்தலினால்
thaN^kaL malaN^kazuvu vArvan^dhu chArdhalinAl
எங்கள் பிராட்டியும் எங்கோனும் போன்றிசைந்த
eN^gaL pirAttiyum eN^kOnum pOnRichain^dha
பொங்கு மடுவிற் புகப்பாய்ந்து பாய்ந்து
poN^gu maduviR pugappAyn^dhu pAyn^dhun^any
நம் சங்கஞ் சிலம்பச் சிலம்பு கலர்ந்தார்ப்பக்
chaN^gany chilambach chilambu kalan^dhArppak
கொங்கைகள் பொங்கக் குடையும் புனல் பொங்கப்
koN^gaikaL poN^gak kudaiyum punalpoN^gap
பங்கயப் பூம்புனல் பாய்ந்தாடு ஏலோர் எம்பாவாய்.
paN^gayap pUmpunalpAyn^ dhAdElOr empAvAyTranslates to
The women continue to sing the praise of the pond they are bathing in, "This beautiful crystal clear pond, which is surrounded by red flowers of the monsoon, where birds swim peacefully and snakes cuddle with each other, and people who come to this pond to wash their impurities, all makes this look like the Lord & Lordess, who bear home in their vast tranquility, all the beings whether they are pure or impure, so let's immerse and bath by swimming to it's deep center and sing the praises of the Lord as our chest is filled with air, our hearts overflow with love"
The Philosophy
The pond, with its clear waters, reminds the women of what Lord Siva and Lordess Parvati may look like. In Tamil philosophy, devotion involves seeing everything as a manifestation of God. I would say that the Earth, with its ability to support life, is a well-engineered sandbox where souls can exercise their minds through a variety of experiences, joys, pains, and pleasures, refining their growth towards enlightenment. This should not be confused with the false notion that "everything is Maya," as Tamil philosophy states that everything is real: the soul, the body, the world it belongs to, the life it lives, the experiences it has, and even God are all as real as they can be.
With this in mind, nothing is taken for granted or considered trivial by a true devotee, as they begin to see God's imperceptible actions in everything. And above all, God is unbiased towards pure and impure; he wants a soul to attain purity through interaction with him. (In Tamil philosophy, God can be referred to as He, She, or It.)
Water, as we know, is the lifeline of everything we need to survive. Yet, we continue to take it for granted. Water must be revered & worshiped, is what this stanza says, to be concise.
See you with Stanza #14 - until then Stay blessed!
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