வள்ளலாரின் கிரியாபக்திமார்கம்(vaḷḷalāriṉ kiriyābaktimārkam - ritualistic-devotion path of Vallalar)
Contraversy #1.1
मूढग्राह पूर्वपक्षिनस्य (mūḍhagrāha pūrvapakṣinasya – mis-conception of plaintiff):
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
Obviously, this is not true, as the saint was never against it. In fact, he himself has physically visited and worshipped in many temples and also eulogized and sung their praises. According to his philosophy, அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி / परोमात्रानुग्रहज्योति (paromātrānugrahajyoti – vast grace-light) is the highest expression of the holistic निर्गुण निष्कल परब्रह्म (nirguṇa / niṣkala para parabrahma - supreme divinity transcending qualities or fractions). Such a concept is not foreign to आगमसंप्रदाय (āgama saṁpradāya – agamic tradition) but rather it reflects its very essence.
Contraversy #1.2
मूढग्राह पूर्वपक्षिनस्य (mūḍhagrāha pūrvapakṣinasya – mis-conception of plaintiff):
Before proceeding further, I would like to demystify some the misconceptions and prejudices carried on by some of us, regarding our beloved saint's ideologies. For example, since வள்ளலார் (vaḻḻalār) preached only ஜோதி உபாசனை / ज्योति उपासन (jōti upāsanai / jyoti upāsana – light worship) eulogized as the அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி (arutperuñjōti – Supreme Light of Grace), many of us, are under the impression that the noble saint was against சகுணபிரமத்தின் உருவவழிபாடு /विग्रह उपासन सगुणब्रह्मनस्य (saguṇabiramattin uruvavaḹipāḍu / vigraha upāsana saguṇabrahmanasya – idol worship of qualified divinity) consecrated as the अर्चावतार मूर्ति (arcāvatāra mūrti – iconized incarnation) based on the protocols of आगमसंप्रदाय (āgama saṁpradāya – agamamic tradition).
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
Obviously, this is not true, as the saint was never against it. In fact, he himself has physically visited and worshipped in many temples and also eulogized and sung their praises. According to his philosophy, அருட்பெருஞ்சோதி / परोमात्रानुग्रहज्योति (paromātrānugrahajyoti – vast grace-light) is the highest expression of the holistic निर्गुण निष्कल परब्रह्म (nirguṇa / niṣkala para parabrahma - supreme divinity transcending qualities or fractions). Such a concept is not foreign to आगमसंप्रदाय (āgama saṁpradāya – agamic tradition) but rather it reflects its very essence.
Contraversy #1.3
मूढग्राह पूर्वपक्षिनस्य (mūḍhagrāha pūrvapakṣinasya – mis-conception of plaintiff):
Again, on the one extreme, some of us, amongst शैवमतसंप्रदाय (śaivamatasaṃpradāya – Shaiva theological tradition), in the pretext of being orthodox, blatantly deny the sincerely passionate शिवभक्ति (śivabhakti – devotion to Siva) of our beloved saint திரு அருட்பிரகாச இராமலிங்க வள்ளலலார் (vaḍalūr tiru arutpirakāsa irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār), just because the saint had boldly voiced against some of the superstitious dogmas in the system.
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
However, the undeniable fact remains that there is very close bondage between the saint and Lord परमशिव (paramaśiva), particularly with the अर्चावतारमूर्ति श्री नटराजस्य (arcāvatāramūrti śrī naṭarājasya – sacrediconography of dance-king). In fact, most of the saint’s mystical experiences, as testified in the திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā) revolves around शिवभक्ति (śivabhakti – devotion to Siva). The saint wanted to cleanse and cure the society from the chronic disease - dogmatic superstitions.
Contraversy #2.1
मूढग्राह पूर्वपक्षिनस्य (mūḍhagrāha pūrvapakṣinasya – mis-conception of plaintiff):
Before proceeding further, let us try to quickly demystify some of misconceptions. n the one extreme, some of us, even go to the extreme stand of denying sainthood to வள்ளலார் (vaḻḻalār) and even reject his magnum opus spiritual masterpiece - திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā) as a scriptural revelation on par with தேவாரம் (tēvāram), திருவாசகம் (tiruvāsagam), திருமந்திரம் (tirumandiram) and other சைவத்தமிழ் திருமுறைகள் (saivattamiḹ tirumuṛaigaḻ - sacred Saivite revelations in Tamil). In fact, some of us are so fanatically short sighted to make a blatantly blasphemous accusation of "திருவருட்பா (tiruvaruṭpā – sacred divine song)" as a "மருட்பா (maruṭpā – profane songs)".
Whereas on the other extreme, some of us, who claim to be சன்மார்கிகள் /सन्मार्गिणः (sanmārgigaḻ / sanmārgiṇaḥ – followers of right path), do not appreciate or give due respect to the rich devotional heritage of the above mentioned சைவத்தமிழ் திருமுறைகள் (saivattamiḹ tirumuṛaigaḻ - sacred Saivite revelations in Tamil) and other devotional literature.
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
Out of their dogmatic fanaticism, they fail to recognize that these works are equally sacred spiritual outpourings of some of the greatest saints in the order of above mentioned சமயக்குரவர்கள் (samayakkuravargaḻ - religious gurus), but also specifically glorified the following நாயன்மார்கள் (nāyanmārgaḻ).
- திரு நீலகண்டர் நாயனார் (tiru nīlakaṇḍar nāyanār),
- திரு நீகண்ணப்ப நாயனார் (tiru kaṇṇappanāyanār),
- திரு அப்பூதியடிகள் நாயனார் (tiru appūdiyaḍigaḻ nāyanār),
- திரு சிறுதொண்டர் நாயனார் (tiru siṛutoṇḍar nāyanār),
- திரு காரைக்கால் அம்மபியார் (tiru kāraikkāl ammaiyār nāyanār),
- திரு நந்தனார் (tiru nandanār),
- திரு திலகவதி தாயார் (tiru tilagavatitāyār nāyanār),
- திரு சேரமான் பெருமான் (tiru sēramān perumān nāyanār),
- திரு காடவர்கோன் (tiru kāḍavarkōn nāyanār),
- திரு சாக்கிய நாயனார் (tiru sākiya nāyanār),
- திரு ஏயர்கோன் நாயனார் (tiru ēyarkōn nāyanār)
It is an obvious fact that வள்ளலார் (vaḻḻalār) himself had the highest regards and respects to not only these saints and their works but also considered them as his senior gurus from whom he derived great spiritual inspirations. Moreover, the saint very categorically declares that he also belongs to the same heritage of spiritual lineage.by declaring thus:
Again, the noble saint and mystic, in his ecstatic mood extends his sincere respects and adoration to all direct and indirect gurus by singing thus from the deepest of his heart:
Contraversy #3.1
मूढग्राह पूर्वपक्षिनस्य (mūḍhagrāha pūrvapakṣinasya – mis-conception of plaintiff):
Next some of us reject the importance given by the saint to the performance of religious rituals and best practices defined in the orthodox schools of वैदीक शास्त्र (vaidīka śāstra – Vedic scriptures) & आगमिक तान्त्रिक शास्त्र (āgamika / tāntrika śāstra – agamic / tantric scriptures), which are prescribed as preparatory techniques for self-cleansing, tuning and self-disciplining. Some of us consider such rituals as mere superstitious, waste of time.
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
However, the saint himself has prescribed similar set of protocols for performing rituals at சத்தியஞானசபை / सत्त्यज्ञानसभा (sattiyajñānasabai / sattyajñānasabhā – true-gnosis hall) and other establishments. The following prose preaching are testimony for the same: நித்திய கரும விதி (nitya karuma vidi - regular ritual rule), அனுஷ்டான விதி (anuśṭāna vidi – ritual-act rule), கணபதி பூஜா விதி (gaṇapati pūjā vidi – Ganesha worship rule) & செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை விரத முறை (cevvāikkiḹamai virada muṛai – Tuesday vow procedure).
Contraversy #4.1
मूढग्राह पूर्वपक्षिनस्य (mūḍhagrāha pūrvapakṣinasya – mis-conception of plaintiff):
Before proceeding further, let us try to quickly demystify some of the related misconceptions. Next, on the one extreme, some Hindus and temple goers, are under the impression that இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) disregarded the importance of திவ்ய தேசம் / தேவாலயம் (divya dēsam / dēvālayam - sacred space / temple) and hence are not ready to consecrate the saint’s विग्रह (vigraha - icon) similar to the சைவ நாயன்மார்கள் (saiva nāyanmargaḻ) and other saints. Whereas on the other extreme, some of us, who claim to be சன்மார்கி /सन्मार्गिन् (sanmārgi / sanmārgin – follower of right path), fail to recognize the high respects and adoration given by the noble saints to Hindu temples as an important spiritual platform (medium).
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
However, the fact remains that the saint Himself has not only explicitly glorified, but has also personally derived highest inspirations and mystical experiences from many such sacred spaces. In fact, any honest study of his life history will help us understand that temples like திருவான்மியூர் (tiruvānmiyūr), திருவொற்றியூர் (tiruvoṛṛiyūr), திருத்தணி (tiruttaṇi), சிதம்பரம் (cidambaram), கந்தகோட்டம் (kandakōṭṭam) etc., were an integral part of the saint’s spiritual milestones. Moreover, inspired by the esoteric significance of the sacred சிதம்பரம் தில்லை நடராஜர் திருக்கோயில் (cidambaram tillai naṭarājar tirukkōyil), the saint himself established சத்தியஞானசபை / सत्त्यज्ञानसभा (sattiyajñānasabai / sattyajñānasabhā – true-gnosis hall) at வடலூர் (vaḍalūr) and even named it as உத்திர ஞான சிதம்பரம் (uttira jñāna cidambaram).
வள்ளலாரின் மெய்ஞான விஞானம் (vaḷḷalāriṉ meyñāṉa viñāṉam - Vallalar's spiritual science)
Contraversy #5.1
On the one extreme, amongst advocates of वेदान्तदर्शन (vedānta darśana – vedantic philosophy), some of us, wrongly misunderstand that இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) was against the authority of वैदीकशास्त्र (vaidīka śāstra – Vedic scripture) viz. वेदमन्त्र (vedamantra), उपनिषद् (upaniṣad) etc.
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
However, this is a blatant myth targeted against the noble saint by a prejudiced few and is not backed by facts. Firstly, at many places in his works, the saint has explicitly recognized the sanctity of the वैदीकशास्त्र (vaidīkaśāstra – Vedic scripture). For example, here are some random அகச் சான்றுகள் (akac cāṉṟukaḷ - internal evidences) from his own works, wherein the saint explicitly recognizes the Vedic glory.
And
Contraversy #5.2
Similarly, among advocates of सिद्धान्तदर्शन (siddhāntadarśana – final
accomplishment philosophy) some of them also have similar misunderstandings and do not
recognize the saint’s contribution to their school. For example, some so called
scholars belonging to the शुद्धाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन (śuddhādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana
– pure nondualistic final auspicious accomplishment philosophy) are
very dogmatically reluctant to acknowledge இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) as
a guru belonging just because he endorsed other schools as well. And
on the other extreme, some சன்மார்கிகள் /सन्मार्गिणः (sanmārgigaḻ / sanmārgiṇaḥ – followers of right path) do
not give due recognition to शुद्धाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन (śuddhādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana
– pure nondualistic final auspicious accomplishment philosophy) as
a philosophy and look down upon it
प्रतिबोधन सिद्धान्तिनस्य (pratibodhana siddhāntinasya – clarification of accomplished):
But the indisputable fact
remains that இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) also
imbibed the core doctrines of शुद्धाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन (śuddhādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana
– pure nondualistic final auspicious accomplishment philosophy) in the lines of சந்தான குரவர்கள் (cantāṉa kuravarkaḷ) viz. பரஞ்சோதியார் (parañcōtiyār), மெய்கண்டதேவர் (meykaṇṭatēvar), அருணந்தி சிவாச்சாரியார் (aruṇanti civāccāriyār), மறைஞானசம்பந்தர் (maṟaiñāṉacampantar), உமாபதி சிவாச்சாரியார் (umāpati civāccāriyār) etc.,
For example, the following doctrines of शुद्धाद्वैतशैवसिद्धान्तदर्शन (śuddhādvaitaśaivasiddhāntadarśana – pure nondualistic final auspicious accomplishment philosophy) are integral to the metaphysics of இராமலிங்க வள்ளலார் (irāmaliṅga vaḻḻalār) as well.
# | Doctrine | Details |
1 | முப்பொருள் உண்மை / त्रिपदार्थ सत्य (mupporuḷ uṇmai / tripadārtha satya) | பதி / पति (pati / pati - god), பசு / पशु (pasu / paśu – bound soul) & பாசம் / पाश (pāsam / pāśa - fetters) |
2 | மும்மல பாசமந்தம் / त्रिमलपाशबन्द (mum'mala pācamandam / trimalapāśabanda – triplefetter bondage) | ஆணவம் / आणव (āṇavam / āṇava - finitude), கன்மம் / कर्म (kaṉmam / karma - fate) & மாயை / माया (māyai / māyā - delusion)
|
3 | षण्णवतिः माया तत्त्वानि / தொண்ணூற்றாறு மாயா தத்துவங்கள் / (toṇṇūṟṟāṟu māyā tattuvaṅkaḷ / ṣaṇṇavatiḥ māyā tattvāni – ninety-six paradox evolutes) |
|
4 | त्रिविध काराण अवस्थाः आत्मस्य (trividha kārāṇa avasthāḥ ātmasya – trifold causal states of soul) |
|
5 | पञ्चविध कार्यवस्थाः आत्मस्य (pañcavidha kāryavasthāḥ ātmasya – fivefold effectual states of soul) |
|
6 | त्रिविध बद्धात्मनः (trividha baddhātmanaḥ - trifold bound souls) |
|
7 | चतुर्विध साधनमार्गाः मोक्षस्य (caturvidha sādhanamārgāḥ mokṣasya – fourfold practice-paths of liberation) |
|
8 | இறைவனின் ஐம்பெருந்தொழில்கள் / पञ्चमहाकृत्यानि (iṟaivaṉiṉ aimperuntoḻilgaḷ / pañcamahākṛtyāni īśvarasya – five-fold cosmic acts of god) |
|
9 | சிவனின் எண்குணங்கள் / अष्टगुणाः शिवस्य (civaṉiṉ eṇkuṇaṅkaḷ / aṣṭaguṇāḥ śivasya - eight qualities of shiva)
|
|
10 | நவந்தருபேதம் (navantarupētam) |
|
Let us now take a quick look at few random அகச்சான்றுகள் (agaccānṛugaḻ – internal testimonies) from his works wherein these concepts are either directly or indirectly referenced. First let’s look at முப்பொருள் உண்மை / त्रिपदार्थ सत्य (mupporuḷ uṇmai / tripadārtha satya). In the following verse
Let us next look at மும்மல பாசமந்தம் / त्रिमलपाशबन्द (mum'mala pācamandam / trimalapāśabanda – triple-fetter bondage). For example, in his உபதேசக் குறிப்புகள் (upatēcak kuṟippukaḷ - sermon notes) explains thus:
No comments:
Post a Comment