User:Logic riches/Sandbox
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contents |
[edit] Arutprakasa Vallalar Chidambaram Ramalinga Swamigal
| Chidambaram Ramalinga Swamigal | |
| Born | 5 October 1823 Marudhur, a village near Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|
Arutprakasa Vallalar Chidambaram Ramalinga Swamigal (Tamil: அருட்பிரகாச வள்ளலார் சிதம்பரம் இராமலிங்க சுவாமிகள்), (5 October 1823 – 30 January 1874), whose pre-monastic name was Ramalingam. He is commonly known in India and across the world as Vallalar (Tamil: வள்ளலார்). He was one of the most famous Tamil Saints[1] and belongs to a line of Tamil saints known as "gnana siddhars" (gnana means higher wisdom). The Suddha Sanmarga Sangam[2] was spread and passed on by him not only in theory but mainly in practice by his own way of living which was itself inspiration for his followers. Through the notion of Suddha Sanmarga Sangam, the saint endeavored to eliminate the menace of caste.[3] According to Suddha Sanmarga, the prime aspects of human life should be love connected with charity and divine practice leading to achievement of pure knowledge.
[edit] Early life
Raamalinga Swaami - (1823-1874) Also known as Jothi Ramalinga Swamy and Vallalar Ramalingar, he was a Tamil saint of Vadalur, considered one of the greatest Tamil poets of the 19th century, and also a great revolutionary. He was born to Ramiah Pillai and his sixth wife Chinnamai, who lived in Marudur in South Arcot district, a village 15 km north-west of Chidambaram. By a quirk of fate Ramayyah Pillai's first five wives had died childless and in quick succession. Chinnamai however, was blessed with five children. The youngest child was called Ramalingam. Chroniclers record miraculous happenings before and after the birth of this child.
When the child was five months old, his parents took him to the Chidambaram temple. It is said that this infant laughed aloud when the priest offered the traditional `Deepa aradhana' to the Lord. This apparently routine visit to the temple thus offered him his first spiritual experience as well (later he said of the experience:"No sooner was the light perceived than happiness prevailed on me.).
In 1824, the very next month, Ramiah Pillai passed away. His sudden death forced a helpless Chinnamai to shift to the residence of her eldest son Sabhapati and his wife Parvathi at Chennai. When Ramalingam was five years old, Sabhapati, in a true patriarchal manner decided to formally educate his youngest sibling. The young child however demonstrated a deep disinclination towards formal education preferring trips to the local Kandasamy temple instead. This invited the wrath of his brother who was convinced that the child was on a self- destructive path. As a punitive measure, he forbade his wife from giving Ramalingam his daily meal. His compassionate sister-in-law, however, surreptitiously fed him food and gently prevailed upon him to pursue his studies seriously at home. Ramalingam relented on the condition that he be given a separate room of his own. Now, in the solitary confines of this room, he set up a mirror and in front of it a small, lighted lamp. With these as aids he relentlessly meditated and this was the beginning of the spiritual journey of the young boy. The first reward came in the form of a vision of Lord Muruga. In the saint's own words "The beauty endowed divine faces six, the illustrious shoulders twelve. But the miraculous portion in this whole episode lay in the high levels of erudition which, Ramalingam attained without any formal tutoring whatsoever. The outside world was also soon to be a witness to it.
Sabhapati was a learned scholar and `upanyasaka' (one who tells religious stories). It so happened that once Ramalingam had to substitute for his brother at an `upanyasam' session. His brilliant exposition and uninterrupted flow of words while enunciating a verse from the `Periyapuranam' elated and amazed the onlookers. Audiences everywhere preferred this `substitute' to the original and his brother also graciously acknowledged the mental and spiritual superiority of his brother. Ramalingam himself expresses his gratitude to the Divine when he says ``Effulgent flame of grace that lit in me intelligence to know untaught. As he made quantum leaps in his spiritual journey he progressed from being a devout Saiva to worshipping the formless.
Totally averse to money, he was later on to shun food and even sleep. He renounced the world at 13. Surprisingly he remained fit in form. A hurdle on his chosen path came in the form of a forced marriage to his sister's daughter. It is said that the bridegroom spent the nuptial night reading the `Tiruvachakam.' Nothing more is known about his wife. Along this noble journey Ramalingam acquired certain extraordinary powers (it is said he could turn water into oil), but he made an indelible mark in the religious history of India when he came out openly against its caste system and the negative impact it had on society. In an attempt to redress the situation he established the `Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sangam' in 1865, which means `Society for pure truth in universal self-hood'. He had also by this time shifted to a place called Karunguzhi from Chennai. His next step in establishing a practical approach to religion was the setting up of a free eating house called `The Sathya Dharma Salai' in a place called Vadalur in 1867, where all could eat without any distinctions whatsoever. Ramalinga Vallalar (generous) as he gradually came to be known because of his munificent nature, balked at the very idea of non-vegetarianism and abhorred it as an assault on his philosophy of non-violence. In one of his poems he says ``When I see men feeding on the coarse and vicious food of meat, it is ever-recurring grief to me. It is significant that the land on which this eating house was built was donated by a few landowners. The registered document is available for inspection even today and the service of providing free food also continues to this day.
To support his notions of equality and service, he planned to open a school and to publish a journal with the help of a Muslim called Kadar Sahib. Both of these attempts failed due to opposition in many forms, most notably a defamation suit filed by Arumuga Navalar and the condemnation of his teachings as `Marutpa'. However, Ramalingar prevailed, and continued his works, opening a temple at Vadalur on January 25, 1872, called the "Sathya Gnana Sabha" (Hall of True Knowledge), and ensuring it was entirely secular - no offerings of fruits or flowers could be made, and no blessings were given. It was open to people of all castes except those who ate meat, who were only allowed to worship from the outside. Worship guidelines, however, were strict and written as dictates issued July 18, 1872, and therefore invited disobedience, forcing Swami to close the temple in 1873.
As a musician and poet, he composed 5818 poems breathing universal love and peace, compiled into 6 TirumuraigaL, which are all available today as a single book called "Tiruarutpa" (tiru-arut-pa, holy book of grace). Another work of his is the "Manumurai KanDa Vaasagam" describing the life of Manu Needhi COlan. He also wrote "Jeeva Karunya Ozhukkam." His AruTpaa songs are sung in concerts and now at least 25 songs (in Tiru AruTpaa Isai Maalai) are given with swara-taaLa notation. Taayagi tantaiyumai (hamsadwani), idu nalla tarunam (shankaraabharaNam), varuvar azhaitu vadi (bEgaDa) and tEn ena inikkum are some of his more popular songs. Some of his songs were set to music by Calcutta KS Krishnamurthy.
Ramalingar raised the flag of Brotherhood on his one room residence `Siddhi Vilakam' in Mettukupam on October 22. He gave his last and most famous lecture, entreating his audience to undertake a spiritual quest and look into the "nature of the powers that lie beyond us and move us," and asking them to meditate on the lighted lamp from his room, which he placed outside.
He died at 51 on January 30, 1874, locking himself up in a room and telling his followers not to open it. He said that even if they did open it they would find nothing. His seclusion spurred many rumors, and the Government finally forced the doors open in May. The room was empty, with no clues. The Madras District Gazetteer published by the South Arcot District in 1906 records his disappearance.
His religion was Universal Brotherhood and his mantras `Jivakarunyam' (compassion to all living beings) and `Thaniperumkarunai (supreme compassion). But his words were most unforgettable: ``WHOEVER FEELS not the least difference, considers every life as their own... ``All those who take a life and eat flesh are not our near and dear kin. ``The money which I had, often I threw it into wells. Many men of his Shaivite religion didn't accept this doctrine, but Tozhuvur Velaayuda Mudaliyaar closely followed him and Raamalingar Pani Manram now continues his preachings. Every year on Thai- poosam, Ramalingar societies across South India (pani manDrams) commemorate his life.
Vallalar was born in a village near Chidambaram. His father was Ramaiya Pillai and his mother Chinammai. They named the child Ramalingam. As a child Vallalar lived in Chennai. Vallalar did not have any formal education, however, at the age of nine he composed a Tamil hymn, Deivamani Malai (Garland of Songs), on the god Murugan. As a boy Ramalingam used to be quite rebellious refusing to be educated at school or from a teacher. Instead Ramalingam used to spend his time at the local temple meditating.
Ramalingam's skills at religious discourse was discovered one day by his brother when he sent him as a proxy for himself in the task of giving an exposition of Periapuranam an epic poem by Sekkizhar narrating the episodes connected with the 63 Nayanars. Ramalingam did this so well that the audience thereafter preferred to have him for the discourses in future rather than the learned elder brother. The fame of the boy spread. People started offering him monetary gifts, but Ramalingam preferred to renounce wealth and lived as a mendicant.
[edit] Spiritual teacher
One of the primary teaching of valallar is "Service to mankind is path of moksha". He declared that death is not natural that our life's first priority should be fight death. He declared religion in itself is a darkness. He laid a very great emphasis on being vegetarian. We said God is "Arut Perum Jothi" who is personification of mercy and knowledge. He said the path of compassion and mercy are only path to God.
He said that our soul is blinded by 7 seven screen to symbolise it he constructed "Sathya Gyana Sabhai" at Vadalur. He said that we embark journey to get "Sutha Deham" (Clean body) from God which is indestructible and makes us immortal. He need to pray "all souls enjoy happy life" and do good all souls around us. He said souls are at finite numbers
Saint Ramalingam was person who differed from all saints of all times. He philosophy and declaration are completion of previous philosophy. He said God famously referred on great books are souls who reached those position through prayers. He wrote in great details on how a person should lead a life and gave explanation of various concepts in a form of Q & A. Unfortunately it is available in Tamil only.
He also said that meditation, penance, chanting, visiting temple, doing homa, etc will not lead to salvation it only "Jeevakarunyam" service to mankind is one and only way to salvation.
He said world is not created by God as God does not need creation, nor has God created humans for glory. He said creation based on our desire and his power. Maya created the world based on our desire and Maya does what we ask from her. Maya is nor God or Soul she something similar to program which is intelligent.
He declared plight of mankind is due to his own acts. Due to this we have lost God like intelligence and "Sutha Deham" which he gave to us initially. With these desired unearthly pleasure and started hurting other souls. In other to fulfill our desire Maya was established based on desire to give what we want.
He said intelligence we possess is Maya intelligence which is not true and final intelligence. Path of final intelligence is "Jeeva Karunyam".
He advocated a casteless society. Vallalar was opposed to superstitions and rituals. He forbade killing animals for the sake of food. He advocated feeding the poor as the highest form of worship. He condemned inequality based on birth. Although he is credited with a number of miracles he urged his followers to pay scant regard to miracles.
His teachings go from simple basic ideas and then slowly go in depth. He composed thousands of verses breathing universal love and peace, called Tiruvarutpa.
[edit] Temples
Kandakottam Kandaswami Temple is located at Parrys corner in Chennai. Built by Mari Chettiyar and his friend Kandapachari, two devotees of the Tirupporur Murugan temple in the 17th century, the temple has a Rajagopuram and many prakarams adorned with sculptures and carvings. The temple deity is Lord Muruga known by the name as Selva Muthu Kumaraswamy, guarded by the two brave warriors. The consorts of the idol (Valli and Devayani) are enshrined on both sides of the main sanctum. The specialty of this temple is the Panchaloha image of Thirumuruga Kripanandha Variyar. At the entrance of the temple, there is a hall called Parivedan mandapam. Sculptured image of Vezhmugathu Vinayakar in sitting and standing postitions are kept on either side of the mandapam. To the front of the Artha mandapam, there is a dwajasthambam (Flag Staff). The Mukha mandapam is where the idols of Sarva Siddhi Vinayakar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Idumban, Sri Vallalar, and Pamban Swamigal are found along with the image of Mari Chettiyar
[edit] New articles
[edit] Govern articles
[edit] Universities
[edit] Orphanages
[edit] Books
Important book release on vallalar
- Annamalai University complete compilation of all six thirumurai in 10 Volumes
- Thiru D. Chandrasekaran, lAS, is Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and an ardent devotee of Lord Murukan. He has written four books and recently released two audio cassettes on saints Ramalinga Vallalar and Pamban Swamigal.[4]
[edit] Movies
[edit] Notable followers
[edit] Websites
[edit] Institutions
Vallalar established a number of institutions that survive today. In 1865 he established a poor feeding center. On the inaugural day he lit the fire of the stone stove, with a declaration that the fire be ever alive and the needy shall be fed forever. Around 1870 he established the Sathaya Gyana Sabai, hall of True Wisdom Forum. This place is not a temple. An oil lamp is kept perpetually burning. There are seven cotton fabric screens, representing the seven factors that prevent a soul from realizing its true nature. The entire complex is bound by a chain with 21,600 links, said to represent 21,600 inhalations by a normal human being.
[edit] Last Glimpse
He called his followers on January 30, 1874 and gave them his final discourse. Later he entered his room. His followers later found the room empty. Is it mentioned in British gasette?
