We earlier discussed in Stanza #11 how a right life partner makes your spiritual progress better and why it is essential that your spouse should align with you in your journey towards enlightenment. This stanza emphasizes on the idea further.
The Verse
உங்கையிற் பிள்ளை உனக்கே அடைக்கலமென்று
uN^kaiyiR piLLai unakkE adaikkalam enRu
அங்கு அப்பழஞ் சொற் புதுக்குமெம் அச்சத்தால்
aN^gap pazanychoR pudhukkum em achchaththAl
எங்கள் பெருமான் உனக்கொன்று உரைப்போம் கேள்
eN^gaL perumAn unakkon RuraippOmkEL
எம் கொங்கை நின் அன்பரல்லாதோர் தோள் சேரற்க
eN^koN^gai n^in anbar allArthOL chEraRka
எம் கை உனக்கல்லாது எப்பணியும் செய்யற்க
eN^kai unakkallA dheppaNiyuny cheyyaRka
கங்குல் பகலெங்கண் மற்றொன்றும் காணற்க
kaN^gulpagal eN^kaN maRRonRuN^ kANaRka
இங்கு இப்பரிசே எமக்கு எம்கோன் நல்குதியேல்
iN^gip parichE emakkeN^kOn n^algudhiyEl
எங்கெழிலன் ஞாயிறு எமக்கேலோர் எம்பாவாய்
eN^gezilen nyAyiRu emakkElOr empAvAy
Translates to
Dear lord, who is my eternal mother! It will be repetitive to say, because it's an old established fact, that I seek solace under your shade to find peace; yet let me say this: My heart shall never join in love with a person who is not a devotee; My hands shall not do any work that isn't in anyways related to my servitude to you; My eyes shall never see anything beyond your light and grace; if you grant me a life as staunchly devout as this, oh sun, rise from the east for this shall become true, my woman!
Message
The stanza is, in fact, a prayer on behalf of women by Saint Manickavasagar. Not only by gender, but according to Tamil philosophy, the Lord (also known as Pathi) is the only male force. Anything and everything that exists apart from him is considered the female force (Pasu). This means that the souls of men who walk on earth are also considered as women on a larger scale.
This explains how Gender Neutral Saivism truly advocates for the equality of both genders. When he prays that "my heart, hands, eyes, and body shall not pair with a non-devout person," he is also praying on behalf of men for a pious, honest, and kind life partner.
This also highlights another important aspect of how Saivism approaches enlightenment and the path towards it: one must not try to attain enlightenment by deviating away from a family structure or society. According to Saivite philosophy, the true enlightenment journey starts with finding the right life partner. Then, bearing righteous and bright children, raising them as good citizens, and fulfilling every duty towards a better society is just as essential as doing your prayers. This contrasts with people who walk away from their social responsibilities, not because they have developed a natural dislike towards them, but because they don't want to put in the effort.
The Tamil philosophy encourages individuals to strive for enlightenment while also fulfilling their obligations and responsibilities to their family and society.
Saivism believes that true spiritual growth can be achieved through leading a balanced and virtuous life, in which one's duty towards their family and society is prioritized as much as their spiritual practice. This idea emphasizes the importance of living a holistic life, in which spiritual growth, social obligations, and family responsibilities are all considered to be interconnected and mutually reinforcing.
Let us now consider the lives of saints who later became so, abstaining from society and wedlock, which was my initial question when I first studied this concept. By tracing the lives of saints such as Saint Pamban Swamigal, Vallalar, Pattinathar, Appar, Sundarar, Gnanasambandar, Manickavasagar, and those before them in history, we see that every one of them began with good family lives and only moved away from their families after fulfilling their duties. Once they embarked on the path of enlightenment, they did not renounce society and live in caves, idly. Rather, they worked more vigorously than ever, documenting their experiences and imparting their wisdom to guide souls across different births. Some, such as Saint Thayumanavar and Manickavasagar, even contributed to political affairs and social works. All this was accomplished through a frugal lifestyle, eating very little, and owning nothing.
Compare this to the so-called Gurus, "fake godmen" who live in penthouses, travel in private jets and luxury cars, eat only high-quality, assorted foods, and you'll see what our society is missing: common sense and history.
See you next with the last, Stanza #20 of the Divine Thiruvempavai, soon.
Comments