Songs of Tayumanavar
Last phase we looked at some of the art from Kerala being prepared for a 2024 book on Tayumanavar. Today we share a couple of the poems the swamis have been working on.
Countless the habitats lived, countless the names borne, countless the kith and kin possessed, countless the bodies by karma caused, countless the karmas daily performed, countless the thoughts entertained, countless the name and fame acquired, countless the heaven and hell experienced, countless the Gods worshiped, countless the faiths followed. And so, realizing these through the grace of jnana, to that cloud divine that pours the rains of limitless rapture and fills the eyes of devotees and heaven, as with the heavy rains from dark clouds--to our God, to the turiya1 form, to the Existence which is a vast silent treasure that scriptures praise with names numerous, to that inexplicably wise Bliss, to that Immensity, let us in meekness worship.
My mind which frisked like a lamb, I sacrificed. No more the unholy gods of karma for me. To You who is the God of peace filled with the purity of turiya, I have become a serf. With love as the consecrating waters for Your worship, with life as the outstretched oblation, with prana as the flaming incense and light--thus have I dedicated my worship, not for once, but as a constant performance. O rich ambrosia that has been distilled to clarity by the Vedas! O sweet syrup that has been distilled from pure honey, sugar and diverse delicious juices! O rapture that does not satiate! O You, lofty love that comes to commingle, slowly piercing the darkness of the intellect. You, the God of unlimited compassion, dancing rapturously in the Golden Hall defying description!
Who was it that converted my heart into a chamber of darkness and then reduced my reason to a tiny spark? Who was it that decreed all that, like the writing of fate on my head? Who was it that made me believe in the permanence of the body bag and so to indulge in eating and sleeping, without caring for attainment of jnana-bliss-trance? Was it my desire that gave me my father, mother and all the rest of worldly ties? Shall I blame myself, or others? Shall I blame the present bad actions or the past karma for all this worldly bondage? Forsooth, I know nothing of truth, O You who fills all visible space in unbroken continuity! You, the bliss that is perfectly full!
The maya into which the elements subside is the origin of all, so some say.1 The substance into which the sense organs merge is the reality, so some say.2 Where the cognitive organs, the karanas, end, is the ultimate reality, so some say.3 Where the gunas find their home is the ultimate reality, so some say.4 Nadam it is, some say.5 Bindu it is, others say.6 The self it is, yet others say.7 Formed it is, some say.8 Formless it is, if you search deeper, so some say.9 The state where jiva merges, losing identity in full, is the reality, so some say.10 Divine grace is the ultimate reality, so some say.11 The void that has neither beginning nor end is the final reality, so some say.12 And thus and thus, yet other things they say. Sorely troubled by all of these, my mind is in turmoil. Will I ever attain the bliss of transcendental samadhi? O You who fills all visible space in unbroken continuity! You, the bliss that is perfectly full!
Notes: Our poet references major schools of thought and their beliefs, namely...
1) Niriswara Sankhya Vadins, 2) Pasana Vadins, 3) Sangranda Vadins, 4) Niganta Vadins, 5) Sabda Brahma Vadins, 6) Jnananma Vadins, 7) Ekanma Vadins, 8) Sivasama Vadins, 9) Maya Vadins, 10) Bhaskara Charya Vadins, 11) Aikya Vada Saivas, 12) Sunya Vadins.
4 Responses to “Songs of Tayumanavar”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
“AUM”!.
August 26th, 2023 at 9:04 pm
Thank you. Aum Namah Sivaya.
August 27th, 2023 at 6:34 am
Can’t wait for “next year”! When these great Bhaktars speak out – not just from the mountaintop, but from the trenches, they bring us all along. 🙏🦢🌺
August 27th, 2023 at 10:40 am
The Songs of Tayumanavar express the deepest sentiments of my heart and soul in ways that far surpass all other writings.
How is it possible that another being can pour forth such meaningful, lyrical verbiage that represents my personal spiritual state far better than I can ever hope to myself?
When I am in the presence of these holy hymns, all merges into transcendence. Nothing else exists.
Needless to say, I am awaiting holding such a precious treasure in my hands in the foreseeable future.