Tirumandiram - 26

Worship Consciousness

Thodarndu Nindraanaith Thozhumin Thozhudaal
Padarndu Nindravanpari Parayamuttrung
Kadandunindrankama lammalar mele
Udandirundanadip Punniya Maame.
Consciousness os one continuous stretch. Worship it. You attain to grace by doing so as it is spread wide around the earth and beyond it too. It exists over the thousand petalled lotus, blissfully with a glorious smile. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 25

Unbounded Grace

Pirappili Pinngnyagan Perarulalan

Irappili Yaavarkkum Inbam Arulum

Turappili Thannaith Thozhumin Thozhudal

Maraippili Maya Viruthamum Aame

This one of matted locks is birthless. He flows with unbounded grace. He has no death either and bestows his grace upon all those who seek him and never deserts them. Once you worship him, the screen of illusion that hides the one consciousness in all is lifted and the individual being is raised in his level of awareness. - Swahilya Shambhavi (Pic. Sufidar - All hands pray and worship the one Lord.)

Tirumandiram - 24

The way to his grace

Pottrisaithum Pugazhndum Punidannadi
Tetrumin Endrum Sivanadikke Selvam
Aatriyadendru Ayalutra Sindaiyai
Matrinindrar Vazhi Manninindraane.
May you ever sing the praise of the one consciousness. Glorify in song, the Divine feet of Shiva. Gather all your treasures - your capabilities - and pour it one-pointed at the altar of consciousness. To the one whose thought never wavers, Shiva ever abides, showering his Grace.
- Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 23

He said "Stop," and it did

Vallavam Vannik Kiraiyidai Vaarana
Nillena Nirpitha Needhiyul Eesanai
Illena Venda Iraiyavar Thammudal
Allum Pagalum Arulugindrane.

Just as the fire that once threatened to consume the world was contained by just a word, "Stop," by the Lord, never doubt his presence. The one who showers his grace through day and night on all beings including the gods, is always there. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 22

The Lord is aware of our thoughts

Manathil Ezhugindra Maya Nan Nadan
Ninaitha dariva nenil than ninaikkilar
Enakkirai Anbilan Enbar Iraivan
Pizhaikkanin drar pakkam peni nindraane.

This Lord is the Source for our thoughts that create this world of illusion. Though we are not aware, the Lord knows our thoughts. There are those who complain that God does not love me. But those who seek his help to be saved from this wheel of transmigration of birth and deatyh, he is sure to be on their side. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 21

Sing his praise

Vaanap perungondal Maal Ayan Vanavar
Oonap piravi Ozhikkum Oruvanaik
Kaanak Kaliru Kadarap Pilanda Eng
Konaip Pugazhumin Koodalumaame
_____
Merge with the Lord by singing his praise. He is the one who cuts asunder this cycle of limiting human births. His compassion is wide like the sky and he is the one who protects Brahma and Vishnu. He is the one who killed the wild elephant called the ego that trumpets madly around. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Those who follow...

...his path

Mudivum Pirappaiyum Munne Padaitha
Adigal Uraiyum Araneri Naadil
Idiyum Muzhakkamum Isar Uruvame
Kodimalark Kondrai Malaiyadi Thaane

Following the path that leads to the place where the one who created birth and death before, we can find him in the mountains, which echo with thunders and adorned with fragrant flowers.
Swahilya Shambhavi.

Supreme Lord

The Master

Idhupathi Elang Kamazh Pozhil Ezhum
Madhupathi Seidavan Moodarivaalan
Vidhupathi Seidavan Meithavam Nokki
Adhupathi Yaaga Amarugindraane
*****

He is the Lord of seven fragrant worlds of all the senses and the mind. Yet he resides in the cremation ground where there is stillness in the air. For the one who does sincere penance, he is sure to abide in our heart. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)
*****

The Lord

Makes a Lord of Devotees

Adhipathi Seidu Alagai Vendanai
Nidhipathi Seidu Niraidhava Nokki
Adhupathi Aadarith Thakkam Thakkin
Idhupathi Kollendra Emperumane.

Seeing the devout penance of the King of Alaka (Kubera of Alakapuri) the Lord bestowed riches and power upon him and commanded him to reside there and reign. The verse implies that the more one meditates upon consciousness, the more worldly riches, wealth and power follow like a shadow. The focus has got to be within and everything else required in the world falls in place. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com).

One with everything

The Body and Soul

Kaayam Irandum Kalandu Kodikkinum
Aayan Kathuri Yadunmigum Avvazhi
Desam Kalandoru Kevanen Drenninum
Eesan Uravuk Kethirillai Thaane.
*****
The body and soul are mingled together as one whole. Yet the soul predominates in its energy and force. Even if we consider that God has not mixed in this Universe, there is nothing that can stand on a par to this relationship with God.
- Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Lord Shiva

Matted locks and Blessings for All

Kodhu Kulaviya Kondrai Kuzharchadai
Maadhu Kulaviya Vanudal Baganai
Yaadhu Kulavi Amararum Deevarung
Kodhu Kulavi Gunam Payil Vaare.
Lord Shiva who has attained the Supreme Consciousness or living that experience, has flowing matted locks adorned with kondrai flowers. H has the divine mother Parvathi, his own feminine self as a part of himself. Whatever their desires may be, the gods and celestial beings adore him.
-Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

The energy and the light within

Beginning, middle and the end

Aadiyumai Aranai Udalul Nindra
Vediyumai Virindarndirun danArul
Jothiyumai churungaadador Thanmaiyul
Neediyumai Nitha Maaginin drane.
*****
The consciousness resides within - it is the beginning of creation, the preserver that is Vishnu, residing within the body. The wisdom unfolds itself and stands as an expanse of grace. It is also the order in the Universe and all its rules. It is the light within and is a creaseless expanse. It is also the eternal and the everlasting. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Transcending all he stands

The Lord

Kadandunin drankama lammala raadi
Kadandunin drankadal vannamem maayan
Kadandu nindran avark kappuram eesan
Kadandunin dranengum kadandu nindraane
*****
The Consciousness transcends Brahma, the creator, seated on a lotus. He transcends even Vishnu who is the colour of the ocean. The Lord transcends everything and every God. The Lord is present everywhere, transcending and unbounded.

Unfathomable

Even the gods can't measure

Mannalandan Malaron Mudal Devargal
Ennalandinna Ninaikkilar Eesanai
Vinnalandan Thannai Mel Alandarillai
Kannalandengum Kadandu Nindrane

There is a story of how Vishnu tried to search the feet of Shiva and Brahma - his head. The concept behind this story is that consciousness is all-pervading and so unconceivably big that it is much beyond the grasp of even the divine beings. This consciousness however measures the space that it contains. But none have ever fathomed this consciousness. It sheds its grace upon everything and stands transcending everything. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Shiva loves

Always exists for us

Kannudalan Oru Kadalin Nirkavum

Ennili Devar Irandar Enappalar

Mannuru Vargalum Vaanuruvargalum

Annal Ivanyen drariyagilargale

Shiva with his third-eye of insight ever abides with his love for his devotees. Both human beings and the gods, wait upon and pray to the many gods who are fleeting. They do not know consciousness, the supreme being, that always exists and resids in both the humans and the gods.

Nandi is everything

The one consciousness functions through all


Ayalum Pudaiyum Em Aadiyai Nokkil
Iyalum Perundeivai Yaadum Ondrillai
Mulayum Muyalil Mudivum Matraange
Peyalum Mazhai Mugir Per Nandi Thaane


Nandi is everything. I look near and far, but there is no other God around I see that is mightier than Him. He is the effrt and the result of the effort. He is the rain and the rain bearing clouds too.


Consciousness is all pervading. It is the support for any effort we take. It is the effort and the result of the effort too. - Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

My Lord is so big....

So strong and so mighty

Thane Irunilandhangi Vinnai Nirkund

Thane Sudum Angi Gnayirunthingal

Thane Mazhaipozhi Thaiyalumai Nirkund

Thane Thadavarai Thankadalame

*****

He is the one who bears the earth and the sky and exists as space. He is the fire that burns, the sun and the moon. He is the maiden cloud that bursts forth as rains and he is the mountain and cool oceans too.

This reminds me of a school song. "My God is so Big, so strong and so mighty that nothing my Lord cannot do. The mountains are his, the rivers are his, the stars are his handiwork too....My God is so big! Tirumoolar goes a step deeper and says, "the mountains, rivers, sun, moon and space are the Lord himself.

Swahilya Shambhavi (swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Golden hued

Cosmic entity

Ponnar Purinditta Porchadai Yennap
Pinnar Piranga Irundavan Per Nandi
Yennal Thozhappadum Yem Irai Matravan
Thannal Thozhappadu varillai Thane
*****
He has got flowing matted locks of hair as if made of gold. His name is Nandi. (Tirumoolar refers often to Lord Shiva as Nandi.) He is worshipped by me always but there are none that the supreme lord worships. Individual minds worships the whole - consciousness, or Shiva but the consciousness, pervading everything and everyone - has none to worship.

Matted Locks

Like mother like child

Theeyinum Veyyan Punalinum Thanniyan

Aayinum Isan Arularivar Illai

Seyinum Nallan Aniyannal Anbarkku

Thayinum Nallan Tazhsadaiyane

Shiva - Consciousness of the person who has flowing matted locks of hair, is ancient. He is hotter than fire and cooler than water. He is the essence of both. But yet none know the grace of the Lord. He is more benevolent than an innocent child and beloved to the one with a good

heart. His love is more than that of a mother. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Pic: Shiva in the form of a Teacher - Dakshinamoorthy).

Immeasurable

Expansive

Munnaiyoppayulla Moovarkku Moothavan

Thannai Yoppa Yondrum Illath Thalaimagan

Thannaiyappaneil Appanumai Ulan

Ponnaiyoppagindra Bodhagathane

*****

He has ever been existing with no parallel. He is older than Brahma - Vishnu -Shiva - Creator - preserver - destroyer. All the three are but three different forms and tasks of the mind. The consciousness exists untouched by it and through it. He is the leader who does not have any parallel Referring to consciousness as he, she or it is just a habit of the mind and poverty of words - a part trying to explain the total, words trying to describe the paper in which it is written.

If you call him your father, he is a father to you. He shines and guides from within you, like a light that gleams like gold. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Picture: The snowy peaks of Kedarnath, Himalayas.)

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Bhagavad Gita, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Without him

Nothing moves

Avanai Ozhiya Amararum Illai

Avanandrich Cheyyum Arundhavam Illai

Avanandri Moovaral Aavathondrillai

Avananadri Oorpugu Marariyene

Consciousness is everything. Without Him (Consciousness) there are no divine beings. It is the essence in all divinity. Tapas is penance. It happens when we workout on a treadmill when the extra heat generated and expelled as sweat through the pores of our skin. Tapas of the mind is when through contemplation, we work out all the wasteful thoughts that cloud. No Tapasya is beyond consciousness which shines through at the end of such a penance when the impurities are washed away. Consciousness is the basis for the actions of the trinity - Brahma or creation, Vishnu - preservation and Sankara - dissolution.

Without attuning to this consciousness, I know no other way of liberating the mind which is constantly torn by the dualities and polarities of material existence, says Tirumoolar.

- Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com).

Matchless

Shiva the Supreme Consciousness

Sivanodokkum Deivam Thedinum Illai

Avanodoppar Ingu Yaavarum Illai

Bhuvanang Kadandhandru Ponnoli Minnund

Davanach Chadai Mudi Tamarai Yane

*****

There is no deity that can match Shiva. There is no person who is comparable to him. He is beyond the world, shining in a golden splendour, this lotus like person with fiery and shining matted locks.

Tirumandiram is a subtle text on Yoga. The Shiva referred here is the Supreme Consciousness, a name known to Tirumoolar. The Shiva referred here is the Christ of the Christians, the Alla of the Muslims and the truth of the scientists. That consciousness is non-pareil. There is no deity or divine being to match its greatness. There is no human being who can be compared to him. In the beginning, before the Universe began, he existed as pure awareness, beyond the world, containing it and shining with a golden glow.

The ebullience of energy is expressed through his shiny matted locks which are the entanglings of the material world. A lotus has humble beginnings rooted in slush. It transcends the water to express as a glorious flower. Shiva or consciousness is the ultimate flowering of the Universe and its creations. The final destination and source of all beings. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Bhagavad Gita, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

I praise

Delighted with light

Agalidathar Meyyai Andathu Vithai

Pugalidathendranai Bodhavitthanaip

Pagalidathum Iravum Panindethi

Igalidath theirul neengi Nindrene.

*****

I praise night and day the truth that expands beyond space, the seed

of the planets, stars and moons of the Universe, the Truth directed me to search and find itself his sole refuge. By praising the truth and being with it always, I stand in the present moment shining bright as the union of my understanding with the supreme truth has dispelled all darkness. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Bhagavad Gita, The Himalayas, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Meditate

On the one

Okkanindranai Ulappilidevargal

Nakkanen drethu Nathanai Nadarum

Pakkanindrar Ariyatha Paramanai

Pukkunindrunniyan Pottriseivene

*****

I meditate upon that Consciousess who pervades through all and is present without a crease and unruffled among the Gods. They call him the "naked one," because he is the pure consciousness that is not covered by any thoughts or not confined or clothed by the mind. The consciousness is nearest to everybody, even closer to people than their own breath. Yet none know what it is or its force and presence. I praise that consciousness.

(Photo: No lake, nor ocean but over the clouds covering a plain sky from our eyes.) - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Bhagavad Gita, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

Hail Hail

The Lord

Pottrisaithinnuyir Mannum Punithanai

Nattrisaikkum Nalla Mathukku Nathanai

Mettrisaikkulthan Thisaikkoru Vendanam

Kuttrudaith Thanayan Koorukindrene

_____

I praise the pure consciousness. The consciousness that lords over and expands in all the four directions and is the master of energy. It is untouched by the polarities of the north and the south poles. The body is a bio-magnetic energy field subject to positive and negative polarities, good and bad, sorrow and joy. Consciousness sustains the dualities and expands beyond them. Consciousness is unborn, knows no death, eternal and immortal. Anyone who holds on to consciousness, as did Markandeya, Shiva protects that person from death by giving Yama - the lord of death - a kick.

The story refers to no ancient acrobatic fight between Yama and Lord Shiva, but the fact that if the individual mind tightly holds on to the eternal consciousness, the mind also becomes the eternal and everlasting and not subject to birth and death, creation and re-creation. I worship that Consciousness, says Tirumoolar. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Picture: Earth and water, clouds and sky - Consciousness is the Master of this cosmic whole.)

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Bhagavad Gita, I Am That, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)

One is He

Consciousness is God

Ondravan Thaane Irandavan Innarul

Nindranan Moondrinul Naangunarndan Aindu

Vendranan Aaru Virindanan Ezhumbarch

Chendranan Thanirun thanurndette

The consciousness is one. Tirumoolar refers to it as Shiva, giving him a masculine name. His grace manifests as Shakti - the many names and forms of energy that we see in the world He stands and pervades through the three forms of energy - Icha Shakti - the energy of desire, Kriya Shakti - the energy of action and Gnana Shakti - the energy of knowledge that facilitates the ways and means of converting the energy of desire into the energy of action. He also pervades through the three flows of energy - the Ida - feminine, Pingala - masculine and Sushumna - neutral. He is the experience of the four Vedas - Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana. The five senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch - he is a master of. He expands beyond the six chakras or vortex centres of energy - Mooladhara, Swadhishtana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddhi and Agnya and expands as the Sahasrara. He is manifested in the form of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space, Mind, Sun and the Moon.

(Picture: Above the clouds and in the world below - the one is present in all) - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Bhagavad Gita, Maha Shivaratri, Satsang in Chicago, Himalayas, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com).

The beginning

Ganesha - lead my way

Aindu Karathanai Yanai Mugathanai

Indin Ilampirai Polum Eyittranai

Nandi Maganthanai Gnana Kozhundhinai

Pundhiyil Vaithu Adi Potrugindrene

*****

Ganesha is the deity that governs the Muladhara Chakra situated at the tip of the spinal cord. Any work, be it material or spiritual begins with bringing to mind the consciousness of Ganesha, who is the remover of obstacles in the path of meditation.

Here Tirumandiram, a Tamil classical text on Yoga, of nearly 3,040 verses written by the Saivaite saint Tirumoolar, begins by remembering Lord Ganesha with five arms, the face of an elephant, a tusk like the crescent moon. The Master invites the disciple to surrender his intellect to the divine feet of Lord Ganesha, the elder son of Lord Shiva and the spark of consciousness.

Surrendering the mind to a superior intellect is a way of calming the mind, making it free of distortions, allowing the truth to express in all its glory. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

(Maha Shivaratri, Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Vignana Bhairava Tantra, Satsang in Chicago, Himalayas, swahilya.soulmate@gmail.com)