Thiruppugazh

Thiruppugazh (Tamil திருப்புகழ் "tiruppukazh" "Glory to the Lord" or "Divine glory") is a 15th century anthology of Tamil religious songs dedicated to Murugan, the son of Shiva, written by the poet-saint Arunagirinathar. The anthology is considered one of the central works of mediaeval Tamil literature, both for its poetical and musical qualities, and for its religious, moral and philosophical content.

The work and its contents

There are no historical records of the life of Arunagirinathar, and what we know of the composition of the Tiruppugazh is largely derived from oral traditions and legends recorded in commentaries on the work. According to these, Arunagirinathar led a hedonistic life as a young man. His disgust at his own conduct led him to attempt suicide by jumping off the temple tower at Tiruvannamalai. He was saved by a stranger, who, according to legend, was Murugan himself. Arunagirinathar was transformed, and began a long pilgrimage, visiting the "arupadai", the six temples most sacred to Murugan, and over 200 other holy shrines in India and Sri Lanka. At each of these, he composed songs in praise of Murugan, which are collected together in the Thiruppugazh. The majority of the songs are sung to Murugan, but there are also a few songs that sing of deeds of Siva or the avataras of Vishnu, and of the power of Parvati. Each song ends addressing Murugan as Perumal, a term that traditionally had strong associations with Tamil Vaishnavism.

The worship of Murugan has strong roots in Tamil Nadu. According to Tamil legends, Murugan was the brave warrior who defeated the powerful demon Soorapadman, and was seen as being the epitome of youth, compassion and beauty. Arunagirinathar's songs build on this tradition, hailing Murugan as the source of all knowledge, who even gave saintly advice to his father, Lord Shiva. Murugan is descriped as being full of love and compassion. Arunagirinathar says in the Thiruppugazh the songs will, by the grace of Murugan, convey the pearls of devotion and wisdom. The songs contain philosophical musings on God, expressed in simple terms, placing particular emphasis on the role of God's grace or mercy in helping the individual deal with the troubles and ills that afflict humanity. The songs also deal with issues of morality and living a virtuous life on Earth, with many exhorting people to seek true happiness in God.

Language and style

Early mediaeval Tamil religious poems were written in a language and style that followed the pattern of classical Tamil literature. The Thiruppugazh, in contrast, was written in a form of Tamil that was quite different from pure classical Tamil and, in particular, contained many loan words, particularly from Sanskrit. Its metres, too, are more obviously rhythmical than the stylised classical metres.

The Thiruppugazh makes extensive and deliberate use of the imagery associated with the five landscapes of classical "akam" poetry. The usage is not, however, straightforward. Whereas "akam" poetry uses the imagery in the context of secular, sensuous love, the Thiruppugazh uses the same imagery in the context of the longing of the individual for God. The imagery used in the following verse is illustrative of this usage:

I do not wish to dwell in this illusory body,
built of the sky, water, earth, air, fire and desires.
Enlighten me, that I may praise the glory of your holy name
in the wise, beautiful Tamil tongue,
O Lord of the celestial heavens
who protects the Kurava woman of the sweet, child-like words
who wields the spear which destroyed the majestic hill
and wears a garland of scarlet flowers
where bees dance seeking honey. (Song 1304)

The reference to Kuravas and hills, and the imagery of the bees making honey from scarlet "ceccai" flowers, are characteristic of the "kuriñci" landscape. In secular poetry, the image of bees entering flowers symbolises the clandestine union of lovers, and the backdrop of the hills calls to mind the raw forces of nature. The union which Arunagirinathar uses this to symbolise, however, is that of the soul with God, and the imagery specifically calls to mind the legend of Murugan's wooing of Valli, the daughter of a Kurava chief. This appropriation of secular imagery to religious purposes is characteristic of the Thiruppugazh: just as it call people to turn from hedonistic pleasures to a life centred around God, it turns the language formerly used to celebrate carnal love to celebrate God.

Musical poems

The poet Arunagirinathar represents a remarkable blend of Tamil literary genius, a high degree of devotion to Murugan and a musical expertise. Although music had always been an integral part of the Tamil religious hymns such as Tevaram, Arunagirinathar was one of the first poet to set all his compositions to reverberating music in the style of "Santham" which means setting the verses within a certain length to conform with rhythm ("thala"). Arunagirinathar was the pioneer in the art of setting his poems to the sweet sounds of music. Just like the seven octaves in music, Arunagirinathar, is known as a "santhakkavi" – musical poet, utilises certain repetitive phrases rhythmically to achieve movement and colour in his poems. By combining the Tamil hard or soft consonants and long or short vowels in different ways, Arunagirinathar produces hundreds of compound rhythmic words such as, "tatta", "taatta", "tantha", "thaantha", "thaiya", "thanna", "thaana", "thanana", etc . At the beginning of each poem in the "Thiruppugazh", Arunagirinathar gives the rhythm notations.

Arunagiri's poems can be enjoyed for its poetic beauty as well as for its devotional fervour. Arunagirinathar has combined his poetic skill and his devotion towards Muruga with remarkable ease. Scholars hail Thiruppugazh as a great literary masterpiece and as a good work of devotion. Going through Thiruppugazh, one finds it difficult to judge who is great; Arunagiri, the poet or Arunagiri, the devotee. It is only the ardent devotee within who made Arunagiri a versatile poet.

Arunagiri, the author of Thiruppugazh, was not a born poet. He was not a devotee either. He started his life in a different footing. How come, such a man with all weaknesses could transform himself as a towering personality, an erudite scholar and as a versatile poet. Arunagirinathar himself answers the question in Kandhar Anuputhi) (The Adoration to God) thus: "This talent, this skill, this knowledge and this devotion, do not belong to me. These are the gifts of Muruga. It is only you, Lord Muruga, who make me sing." (Yaam Odhiya Kalviyum Em Arivum Thame Pera Velavar Thandhadhanal").

Arunagiri has weaved a beautiful garland, made not of fragrant flowers (Poomalai) but of beautiful verses of Tamil and has presented this colourful garland to all so that everyone could offer it to the Lord and derive immense inspiration, knowledge and blessings from Him. Thiruppugazh is an ideal form of prayer, a beautiful set of songs, a panacea for all ills and above all a way of life.

Popularity of Thiruppugazh

Arunagirinathar describes all the infinite qualities of the Lord in vivid details and hail His glory in his verses and so his works have got the name: "Thiruppugazh" Glory to Lord Muruga. There are various works of devotion that hail the glory of the Lord but only Arunagiri's works have got the title: "Thiruppugazh" as he succeeded to a great extent in bringing the glory of Muruga into full focus.

Music is divine. Music is sublime. Music is the expression of love and devotion. Music is the language of God. Thiruppugazh, which is a set of prayers, is addressed to the Lord in musical verses. This musical worship has brought devotees of Muruga nearer to their Lord. Be it a temple, a musical consort or a bhajan, a singer invariably renders a song from Thiruppugazh.

Though Arunagirinathar composed Thiruppugazh, the verses written in manuscript form remained in some dark corners, unheard and unsung. Perhaps these sacred verses were calling someone to retrieve them and resurrect them. Perhaps, Sri V.T. Subramaniam Pillai of Tiruthani heard the call. Realizing their importance, he swung into action, made thorough search and collected the songs scattered at different places. Sri Sachidhananda Swamigal who was initiated to sainthood by Saint Seshadri swamigal took Thiruppugazh as the mission of his life and popularised them. Many other saints like Sri Sengalvarayan Pillai, Pamban Swamigal, Sri T.M. Krishna Swamy Iyer, Thiru Kirupananda Vaariyar, "Pithukulli" Sri Murugadoss have taken the glory of Thiruppugazh to great height. Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan of New Delhi has started a powerful Thiruppugazh movement in the 1980's which spread across India and the world. He founded the organization called "Thiruppugazh Anbargal", which has evolved a well-structured training scheme to those who aspire to learn these songs at no cost whatsover. Guruji Raghavan has set close to 500 compositions to music in various Ragam and Taalam.

Rendering Thiruppugazh one feels he is transported from a mundane world of materialism to an eternal world of spiritualism. Rendering Thiruppugazh one feels he is one with the God.

References

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External links

* [http://www.tamil.net/projectmadurai/pub/pm0191/trpkz4.pdf Full text of the anthology] ("pdf") from Project Madurai