Anubhoothi

Background

After Arunagirinathar got the blessing of Lord Muruga in Thiruvannamalai he started singing Thiruppugazh in praise of Lord Muruga. In Viralimalai temple Murugan taught Arunagirinathar the technique of transferring the Soul from one body to other. Arunagirinathar never knew that this will help sometime in future.

Lord Muruga's appearance in Thiruvannamalai

http://6tri.blogspot.com/2014/12/arunachala.html

Overview

 Kandar Anubhuthi is a collection of songs sung by the great Tamil Saint Arunagirinathar when his soul was in parrot's body. The collection of songs were sung during the period 1400-1500 AD. There are 51 songs including the Kappu (Requesting Lord Ganesha to give the blessing to sing a complete collection of song ). Each song is dedicated to Lord Muruga and most songs has a similarity of 2 lines praising Lord Muruga and the remaining 2 lines requesting lord to grant truewisdom to overcome the Maya.

Kanthar Anubhuthi is a deeply philosophical and spiritual treatise with profound mystical import of Saint Arunagirinathar, who stands unique among the devotee-saints of the Tamil Nadu.

Kanthar Anubhuthi is a work of 51 verses. It is held in high esteem as a Mantra-Sastra and as the crowning glory of Sri Arunagirinathar's works, because of its high spiritual value and depth. The verses are short, rather the smallest in all the works of Arunagirinathar, but they are the most sublime. As the title suggests, it is a work on (the attainment of) God-Experience. There are certain editions of the Kanthar Anubhuthi with 100 verses, but the last 49 verses are generally rejected as later additions by someone and not Arunagirinathar's words.

"Kantha," in Tamil, is "Skanda" in Sanskrit; it is one of the names of the spiritual Son of Lord Siva. Some of Skanda's other names being: Shanmukha, Karttikeya, Guhan, Velayudhan, Murugan, etc. He is the younger brother of Lord Sri Ganesha.

"Anubhuthi," is rather a Sanskrit term used in the Tamil language as well in the same sense, i.e., direct or immediate Experience of God, and it denotes the spiritual union of the soul with God. It usually implies the highest non-dual or Advaitic realization. It is Sakshatkara or direct experience. Hence, Kanthar Anubhuthi would mean the Immediate or Direct Divine Experience of Lord Skanda. And, to Arunagirinathar, Lord Skanda is not merely a personal deity or Ishta Devata but the Supreme Absolute Itself, as he himself reveals in many verses, particularly in verses 2, 13, 28, and 49. Hence, we may say that "Kanthar Anubhuthi" means, in simple terms,"God Experience."

Saint Arunagirinathar is the author of many poetic works of which the Kanthar Anubhuthi is his masterpiece. Though it is a small work of 51 verses or stanzas, it is very rich in spiritual wisdom and is full of deep significance. It is a treasure of rare knowledge to seekers of Truth and a mine of devotion to lovers of God. It is an unusual work of a mysterious synthesis of Bakthi and Jnana, of devotion and wisdom — the one overlapping the other; at once touching the heart and igniting pure emotions as well as provoking deep thought and transcending the intellect. Suffice it to say that it is regarded as a Mantra-Sastra or a treatise of mystic imports and has been placed on par with the well-known Mantra-Sastra of Thirumanthiram — a treatise of 3,000 verses of Saint Thirumular, who used to remain absorbed in Samadhi for one full year, only to rise from it to give one verse and remain absorbed again. The Thirumanthiram is the 10th book of the Panniru Thirumurai (the 12 sacred Saiva works) of the Saivites. Correspondingly, the Kanthar Anubhuthi is regarded as the 10th book of the Panniru Thirumurai of the followers of Lord Murugan. Thus, the glory and greatness of the work can be understood in a measure, though to realize it in full measure it has to enter into one's being and become part of one's own experience.

It is rightly believed that the work Kanthar Anubhuthi contains itself, explicitly and implicitly, many Mantras. The Names of the Lord, such as Murugan, Kantha, Shanmukha, Guhan, Velava, are mantras by themselves; and the work is replete with these Names of the Lord. Further, in many verses there are mantras in the form of mystic formulae. For instance, "Velum Mayilum Thunai" in verse 1, "Naatha Kumaraa Namah" in verse 36, "(Naan) Iraiyoon Parivaaram" in verse 37, "Guruvaai Varuvaai Arulvaii Guhanae" in verse 51 — the details about which can be found in the explanations of the verses. There is also another reason why the Kanthar Anubhuthi is regarded as a Mantra-Sastra. "Mananaat Trayate Iti Mantra" — that by the Manana or reflection of which one is saved or released (from Samsara) is a mantra. Truly, a deep reflection and meditation on this mystic work and its imports liberates one from bondage.

The Vel of Lord Skanda, which is identical with Him, is a mystic Divine weapon with which He destroyed the Asuras. The Vel which is Wisdom-Absolute also annihilates the inner Asuras or enemies of Avidya, Kama, and Karma, and liberates the Jiva from transmigration. The Vel is a mysterious divine power and is referred to by Saint Arunagirinathar as the Mantra-Vel in one of his Thiruppugal songs. And, out of the 51 verses of the Kanthar Anubhuthi, there is a direct invocation to the Vel in 25 verses. For this reason as well, the work is regarded as a Mantra-Sastra.

Thus, being replete with the Names of the Lord, which are mantras; containing many mystic formulae (Mantras) in its bosom, a reflection or repetition of which liberates one from Samsara; being filled with invocations to the Vel which is mystic in nature, which destroys Avidya; a daily recitation of this marvellous Mantra-Sastra, the Kanthar Anubhuthi, is capable of bestowing on one whatever one honestly seeks and exactly in the manner one seeks. Hence, to the devotees of Lord Skanda, the Kanthar Anubhuthi is a holy book for daily parayanam (devout recitation) and there are devotees even today who can narrate their personal experiences and the miraculous protection received by them from the Lord by resorting to the repetition of a single verse or even a part of a verse from the Kanthar Anubhuthi. 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Anubhoothi 

Kandhar anubhuthi
(Spiritual union with Kanda)
By Saint Arunagiri nathar
Translated by P.R.Ramachander*

*(My understanding is based on a Tamil translation by poet Pi.Ra.Natarajan and English translation by Swami Anyananda)

( God Kanda (or Skanda-He who supports everything)) or Muruga (the pretty lord)or Kumara(The young lad) or Guha(he who lives in the cave of our mind) or Karthikeya(He who was taken care of by Karthigai maidens) or Arumugha(Or Shanmuga-the God with six faces) has been sung about by literally thousands of poets in Tamil Nadu. But the pride of place among those poets would be occupied by Saint Arunagirinathar of Thiruvannamalai in Tamil nadu. His Thiruppugazh (divine fame of god) is possibly the greatest ever book that would extol Kanda. “The poet Arunagirinathar represents a remarkable blend of Tamil literary genius, a high degree of devotion to Murugan and a musical expertise” It literally melts one’s mind. Kandar alankaram (Description of Kanda) and Kandar Anubhoothi (Spiritual union with Kanda) are two other great books of this poet. I have tried my best to translate Kandhar Anubhuthi, realizing well, that I am too much insufficient for the job that I have undertaken. )

Kappu
(Protective verse-A prayer to Ganapathi)

Nencha kana kallum negizhndu urugath,
Thanjathu Arul shanmuganukku iyal Cher,
Chenchor punai malai chiranthidave,
Panchakkara aanai padam panivom.

We salute the holy feet of the five armed elephant god,
So that this garland made of naturally flowing words,
Which are very apt to describe the six faced lord,
Who protects devotees who approach him with devotion
In their mind, would even melt very heavy stones.

Nool
(Book)

Aadum pari Vel ani cheval yenap,
Padum paniye paniyay arulvay,
Thedum kayamaa muganai cheruvil,
Chadum thani yanai sodharane.

Oh, god who is the brother of the elephant god,
Who defeated the elephant faced asura in a war,
“Give me always, the only job of singing about you.
You’re dancing peacock, your spear and the cock on your flag.”

Ullasa nirakula yoga idhach,
Challabha vinodhanum nee yallayo,
Yellam aara ennai izhanda nalam,
Chollay Muruga sura bhoo pathiye.

“Are you not he who gets interested in,
Happiness, absence of sorrow, yoga,
And joyful actions and so please advise me,
To get detached from everything and forget me and my ego”,
Oh Lord Muruga, who is the lord of earth and heaven.

Vaano punal paar kanal maaruthamo,
Jnanodhayamo navil naan marayo,
Yano manamo, yenai aanda idam,
Thaano porul aavathu Shanmugane.

Oh Lord Shanmuga please tell, which is really real,
Is it the sky, water, earth, fire or wind?
Or is it the rising of wisdom or is it the four Vedas,
Or is it myself, or my mind or the place where you blessed me?

Valai patta kaimmathodu, makkal yenum,
Thalai pattu azhiya thagumo, Thagumo,
Kilai pattu ezhu choor uravum giriyum,
Tholai pattu uruvathodu Velavane.

“Is it proper, is it proper, to be imprisoned,
By love for the wife wearing bangles, sons and relations,”
Oh Lord with the Vel who pierced and killed Sura Padma,
Along with his relations and also the flying Krouncha mountain.

(Krouncha was the assistant of Tharaka (brother of Sura Padma), who used to take the shape of a mountain and prevent, his enemies
Vel- is a spear carried by Muruga)

Maga mayai kalainthida valla piraan,
Mugam aarum mozhindum ozhindilane,
Agam maadai madantair endru aayarum,
Chaga mayayul nindru thayanguvathe.

Oh Lord who is capable removing the great illusion,
Though I shouted several times,” Oh Lord with six faces”,
I am not able to get rid of the illusion of my house,
My wealth, my wife and only think about them.

Thiniyana manochilai meedu unathal,
Ani aar aravindam arumbumatho,
Paniya yena valli padam paniyum,
Thaniya athi moha daya prane.

When will you place your lotus like feet,
On the hard hearted mind of mine, Oh God,
Who is the merciful lord, who salutes the feet of Valli,
And ask her, “What can I do for you?”

Keduvay manane gathi kel karavaathu,
Iduvay vadi Vel irai thaan ninaivay,
Chuduvay nedu vedanai thool padave,
Viduvay viduvay vinai yavaiu may.

Oh mind which is getting spoiled,
I would tell you a solution to improve,
“Give all that you have and meditate on the feet,
Of Him who holds the Vel,
And get all your long time problems burnt,
And stop, and stop worrying about your fate.”

Amarum pathi kel, agamam enum ip,
Pimaram keda mey porul pesiyava,
Kumaran kiri rasa kumaari makan,
Samaram poru danava nasakane.

Oh Kumara, the son of the daughter of the mountain,
Oh Lord, who destroyed all asuras in war,
Oh Lord who talked about the eternal truth that,
“My home, my relations and I are but illusions.”

Mattoor choozhal mangayar maiyal valai p,
Pattu oosal padum parisu endru ozhiven,
Thattu oodara Vel sayilathu eriyum,
Nittoora nirakula nirbhayane.

Oh angry Lord without confusion and fear,
Who threw his Vel on Krouncha Mountain,
And made it split in the middle,
“When will you save me from the passionate net,
Spread by girls wearing honey sweet flowers?”

Kaarma misai kalan varin kalapath,
Therma misaim vandu yedirapaduvai,
Thaar maarba valaari thalaari yenum,
Soormaa madiya thodu Velavane.

Oh Lord, wearing a flower garland,
Who killed the king called Valan,
And who killed Sura padma,
Who took the form of a mango tree,
And destroyed of heaven Of Indra,
“Please come to save me riding on a peacock,
When God of death comes riding on a buffalo.”

Kookaa yena yen kilai koodi azhap,
Pokaa vagai mey porul pesiyava,
Nagachala Velavaa nalu kavith,
Thyaga sura loka shikamaniye.

Oh Lord with the Vel, living on the serpent mountain,
Who the gem of the land is of devas and who bestowed on me,
The capacity to sing poems in all four different types,
“When my relatives gather and cry loudly with sorrow,
At my death, you taught me the ultimate truth.”

Serpent Mountain -Thiruchengottu malai in Tamil Nadu

Chemman magalai thirudum thirudan,
Pemman Murugan piravaan iravaan,
Chumma iru chol aara endralume,
Aamma porul ondrum arindilane.

When he, the thief who eloped with the deer’s daughter*,
The great Lord Muruga without birth or death,
Told me, “avoid words and do nothing”,
Oh God, I did not understand the meaning of those words.
* Valli- she was brought up by Nambi Raja a hunter king

Murugan thani Vel, muni nam guru endru,
Arul kondu ariyar ariyum tharamo,
Uru andru , aaru andru, ulathu andru, ilaathu andru,
Irul andru, oli andru yena nindrathuve.

That which has either form or no form,
And is neither a being nor a none being,
And is neither darkness nor light,
Is understood as Murugan, a sage with a Vel,
And who is our teacher, only through His grace.

Kai vay kadir Vel Murugan kazhal pethu,
Uyvay manane ozhivay ozhivay,
Mey vay vizhi nasi yodum cheviyaam,
Aiwai vazhi chollum aavaa vinaye.

Oh mind, please leave out, and leave out all desires,
Flowing through the body, mouth, eye, nose, ears,
And get salvation by surrendering at the feet of Muruga,
Who holds the shining Vel in his hands.

Murugan, kumaran Guhan endru mozhindu,
Urugum cheyal thanthu unaruv endru arulvay,
Poru punga varum puviyum paravum,
Guru Pungava enguna panjarane.

Oh Lord who is the teacher praised by,
Devout devas and the people of earth,
Oh Lord who is blessed with eight qualities,
“Please grant me the senses which make my mind to melt,
When calling you, “Muruga”, “Kumara”, and “Guha””

Muruga-Pretty one: Kumara-Lad: Guha- He who lives in the cave of our mind.

Perasai enum piniyil pettu,
Oraa vinayen uzhala thagumo,
Veera mudu choor pada Vel eriyum,
Soora sura loka durandarne.

Oh Valorous one, who threw the Vel,
To destroy the ogre Sura padma,
Oh God who protects the heaven,
“Is it proper for me, who am not wise and bad,
To always suffer the ties,
Of the disease of avarice?”


Yaam odhiya kalviyum, yem arivum,
Thaame pera Velavar thandathanaal,
Poo Mel mayal poy aara mey punarveer,
Naa Mel nadaveer, Nadaveer iniye.

The knowledge we have learnt,
And the wisdom that we have,
Are only gifts given by Lord Muruga himself,
And so renounce the craze for worldly life,
Understand the truth and let your tongue walk*.

*Walk- sings the praises of Lord Muruga.

Udiyaa mariyaa unaraa maravaa,
Vidhi maal ariya vimalan pudalvaa,
Aadhikaa, aanakaa aabhayaa aamaraa,
Vadhi kavala soora bhayangarane.

Oh son of Lord Shiva, who is birth less,
Deathless, cannot be felt and cannot be known,
Even by Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma,
Oh protector of the town of Devas,
Oh God, who is the greatest,
Who is without sins and who grants protection,
And who was seen as a fearful one by Soora padma.

Vadivum dhanavum manamum gunamum,
Kudiyum kulavum kudi pokiyava,
Adi andham ilaa ayil Vel arase,
Midi endru oru paavi Velippadine.

Oh king with a spear that has neither end nor beginning,
“If the sinner called poverty were to visit me, then
Will not my beauty, my wealth, my mind, my good qualities,
My family status and my caste status desert me and go somewhere else.”