Austere Avvaiyar - Part 10

Vinayagar Agaval, the masterpiece that stands as a testimony to the eloquent legacy Avvaiyar has left for us. In this concluding part, we will see about another work of Avvaiyar which not quite famously known among people, but very rich in meaning and would stand as another masterpiece by Avvaiyar - Kural Moolam.

Kural Moolam, is collection of couplets grouped in 31 chapters in 3 sections. Each chapter has 10 couplets. It is similar to the famous Thirukural, by Thiruvalluvar, in the way the couplets are organized, however Avvaiyar’s Kural Moolam was not so popular as the Thirukural, but the 310 couplets have in them the rich meaning, moral values and the poetic exuberance. These couplets will exalt one into the state of realising the Supreme Being.

The Kural Moolam is organised into the following Chapters - வீட்டுநெறிப்பால், திருவருட்பால், தன்பால்  (Veetuneripaal, Thiru Arutpaal, Thann Paal). The first chapter is about the discipline for the body which the home for the soul, The second chapter is about the Divine grace. The third is about the Self and realisation.

Let us see a few of these couplets from Kural Moolam. Click the links to download the full version of Kural Moolam - PDF | Online

உடம்பினைப் பெற்ற பயனாவ தெல்லாம்

உடம்பினி லுத்தமனைக் காண்.

Udambinai Petra Payanavadhu Ellam

Udambinil Uththamanai Kaan

meaning,  the purpose of getting this physical body is to find the Divine Being inside

மாசற்ற கொள்கை மனத்தி லடைந்தக்கால்

ஈசனைக் காட்டு முடம்பு

Maasattra Kolgai Manaththil Adaindhakkaal

Eesanai Kaatum Udambu

meaning, if you gain virtuous thoughts in your mind the body will show the Supreme Being (Lord Shiva)

முன்னைப் பிறப்பின் முயன்ற தவத்தினால்

பின்னைப் பெறுமுணர்வு தான்

Munnai Pirappin Muyandra Thavathinaal

Pinnai Perum Unarvu Thaan

meaning, the realisation in this birth is the result of the penance and good deeds in the previous births.

வாய்மையாற் பொய்யா மனத்தினால் மாசற்ற

தூய்மையா மீச னருள்

Vaaimaiyaal Poiyaa Manathinaal Maasatra

Thooimaiyaam Eesan Arul

meaning, the grace of Lord Shiva can be achieved by speaking the truth, the truthful mind and cleanliness.

கருத்துறப் பார்த்துக் கலங்காம லுள்ளத்

திருத்திச் சிவனை நினை

Karuthura Paarththu Kalangaamal Ullathu

Iruthi Sivanai Ninai

meaning, See Him (The Divine Being - Lord Shiva) in your mind and without any deviation or disturbance, keep thinking about him

உண்டில்லை யென்னு முணர்வை யறிந்தக்கால்

கண்டில்லை யாகுஞ் சிவம்.

Undillai Ennum Unarvai Arindhakkaal

Kandillai Aagum Sivam

meaning, the realisation about Lord Shiva is about the thought that He exists in the state of existence and non-existence.

பிறத்தலொன் றின்றிப் பிறவாமை வேண்டில்

அறுத்துருவ மாற்றி யிரு

Piraththal Ondri Piravaamai Vendil

Aruththu Uruvam Aatri Iru

meaning, if you yearn for salvation of birthless-ness in this birth, renounce everything and worship the divine spirit

தன்னை யறியு மறிவுதனைப் பெறில்

பின்னைப் பிறப்பில்லை வீடு

Thannai Ariyum Arivuthanai Peril

Pinnai Pirappillai Veedu

meaning, if one acquires the knowledge about knowing oneself one can achieve the state of birthless-ness and salvation.

நிற்கும் பொருளும் நடப்பனவுந் தானாகி

உற்றெங்கும் நிற்குஞ் சிவம்.

Nirkkum Porulum Nadappanavum Thaanagi

Uttrengum Nirkkum Sivam

meaning, The Supreme Being (Lord Shiva) exists as things that are animate and inanimate as emptiness and void.

மெய்ப்பா லறியாத மூடரது நெஞ்சத்தின்

அப்பால தாகுஞ் சிவம்.

Meippaal Ariyaadha Moodaradhu Nenjaththin

Appal Aagum Sivan

meaning, For those fools who dont realize the divine truth the Supreme Being, Lord Shiva will stay aloof from their hearts

The following note appears last that indicates that this is a work of Avvaiyar and it is a note to the reader to follow the morals inculcated in the couplets to attain salvation

முத்திக்கௌவையார்சொல் முந்நூற்றுப்பத்துமுன்

சித்தத்தில் வைத்துத் தெளி.

Mukthikku Avvaiyar Sol Munnootrupaththu Munn

Siththathil Vaithu Theli

meaning, to attain salvation, follow the 310 couplets written by Avvaiyar, understand them and retain them in your mind to attain the eternal bliss.

The works of Avvaiyars have stood the test of time and she still is a revered female icon in the hearts of many, no wonder that people are worshipping her as a God, by building a temple for her. More than being a poet, she stands as an authority for inculcating the morals and virtues that serve as an eternal beacon for generations to come. The Avvaiyars have made us proud in many ways that we owe them the debt of carrying on their great works to our future generations.

More to come, until then...