Post by Amritha Varshini on Oct 21, 2015 6:55:04 GMT 5.5
How to Recite Thiruppugazh? - V.S. KRISHNAN
Thiruppugazh, composed by Sri Arunagirinatha Swamigal, is nectar (Amritam) which guides us how to lead a life of happiness and how to attain liberation at the end. While ‘Thanigaimani’ Chengalvaraya Pillai retrieved Thiruppuzh, lying scattered at different places, Sri Sachidananda Swamigal brought it to limelight and underlined its importance. It was, Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan who gave Thiruppugazh the sound of music and created a powerful Thiruppugazh movement all over the country and abroad. When he gave each song a pleasant and pleasing Raga, from Jnanamrutam, Thiruppugazh became a Ganamrutam. The song captivated the heart of all listeners. Thanks to the dedication and devotion with which he taught Thiruppugazh, now these songs are heard at temples, at consort, at classes and at houses on all auspicious occasions. It is heartening to note that more and more people are evincing interest to learn Thiruppugazh and to imbibe the nectar of knowledge that flows from it.
How one should sing Thiruppugazh? It is said that Thiruppugazh should be rendered with full knowledge of its meaning. Guruji used to say that it is better to have knowledge about the song while singing. Thiruppugazh Anbargal Mumbai have kindly put up the meaning for about 500 songs in their website. However, the number of students who are eager to learn Thiruppugazh is growing by leaps and bounds. They are in different levels of understanding. Some of them come from different regions, speaking different languages. Even those whose mother tongue is Tamil are not very comfortable with Tamil language as they are born and brought up in outside cities like Mumbai. They may not know the full meaning of the songs they sing. Now, the question arises, how far it is practicable for these students to know the meaning of every song? Learning is a long process and should go on. Knowledge will come on its own at the right time. Until then, let us just keep listening and singing. (Sravanam, Keertanam and Sayujyam).
Bhattathiri, the author of Narayaneeyam, was an erudite scholar. He was an authority on Vedas, Upanishads, Itihas and Puranas. Poonthanam, his contemporary, was simply a devotee. He had not studied scriptures thoroughly. All that Poonthanam knew was devotion towards Lord Guruvayurappa. Once, Poonthanam was speaking to some audience and making reference to his works, ‘Jnanappana’. While interpreting his poem, he said “Padmanabho Mara Prabhu”. Bhattathiri, who happened to pass through that way, heard it and said: “Atrocious”. “Your interpretation is wrong”, he corrected Poonthanam in presence of all audience. He then explained: “Padmanabo Mara Prabhu” would mean that the Lord remains inert like a tree which is wrong. It should be “Padmanabo Amara Prubhu” which means the Lord who is infinite, immortal and present always”. Immediately, a voice (Asariri) came from the sanctum sanctorum: “I am present in the pillar and iron rust (Thoonilum Thurumbilum). I am present in the tree too. I love being called as “Mara Prabhu”. The Lord further said “I love the devotion of Poonthanam more than the grammatical perfection of Bhattathiri”.
Recently, I was listening to the discourse of Sri Nochur Sri Venkataraman, an eloquent speaker on the teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. He said: “Most of you may not understand the doctrine of Self-realisation. Some of you may find it difficult to perceive the philosophy. But do not be disheartened. Keep on listening. Let the words pass through your ears. They will settle down somewhere deep within your heart. When you attend the Satsang again and listen to similar words, these words would kindle the light already lit within. The seed of knowledge already sown earlier would now germinate and gradually sprout in splendour and glory. So, what we hear are not mere words. They are verses or revelations made by great saints. They have infinite power. You may not understand the meaning of the words initially but they have the power to create awareness within, later on. So, keep listening,” he concluded. Similarly, the words of Thiruppugazh have a power of their own. We should remember what Seshadri Swamigal said about Thiruppugazh. “Thiruppugazh is a Maha-Mantra. Just by uttering, it creates a power within”. We may not understand the meaning but let us listen to the songs, chant them, recite them and keep repeating them. What is essential is not necessarily knowledge but Bhakti.
Whenever we are in doubt about our perfection in rendering or knowledge, Bhagawatam gives us good guidance. “There may be discrepancies in pronouncing mantras, observing the regulative principles in order. But when I chant your name with devotion, everything becomes faultless.” (antratas tantratas chidram desa-kalarha-vastutah sarvam karoti nischidram anusankirtanam tava (Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.23.16). So, I think, the question ‘How to recite Thiruppugazh’ has been answered. Chant Thiruppugazh with devotion (Bhakti). Saint Arunagirinathar himself says: “Oh Lord, I always sing Thiruppugazh about you with devotion”. (Bhathiyal Yan Unai Palakalum Patriye Maa Thiruppugazh Paadi”, done at Ratnagiri, Song No. 123, old book)
Article by Sri V.S. KRISHNAN (vsk1940@gmail.com)
Thiruppugazh, composed by Sri Arunagirinatha Swamigal, is nectar (Amritam) which guides us how to lead a life of happiness and how to attain liberation at the end. While ‘Thanigaimani’ Chengalvaraya Pillai retrieved Thiruppuzh, lying scattered at different places, Sri Sachidananda Swamigal brought it to limelight and underlined its importance. It was, Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan who gave Thiruppugazh the sound of music and created a powerful Thiruppugazh movement all over the country and abroad. When he gave each song a pleasant and pleasing Raga, from Jnanamrutam, Thiruppugazh became a Ganamrutam. The song captivated the heart of all listeners. Thanks to the dedication and devotion with which he taught Thiruppugazh, now these songs are heard at temples, at consort, at classes and at houses on all auspicious occasions. It is heartening to note that more and more people are evincing interest to learn Thiruppugazh and to imbibe the nectar of knowledge that flows from it.
How one should sing Thiruppugazh? It is said that Thiruppugazh should be rendered with full knowledge of its meaning. Guruji used to say that it is better to have knowledge about the song while singing. Thiruppugazh Anbargal Mumbai have kindly put up the meaning for about 500 songs in their website. However, the number of students who are eager to learn Thiruppugazh is growing by leaps and bounds. They are in different levels of understanding. Some of them come from different regions, speaking different languages. Even those whose mother tongue is Tamil are not very comfortable with Tamil language as they are born and brought up in outside cities like Mumbai. They may not know the full meaning of the songs they sing. Now, the question arises, how far it is practicable for these students to know the meaning of every song? Learning is a long process and should go on. Knowledge will come on its own at the right time. Until then, let us just keep listening and singing. (Sravanam, Keertanam and Sayujyam).
Bhattathiri, the author of Narayaneeyam, was an erudite scholar. He was an authority on Vedas, Upanishads, Itihas and Puranas. Poonthanam, his contemporary, was simply a devotee. He had not studied scriptures thoroughly. All that Poonthanam knew was devotion towards Lord Guruvayurappa. Once, Poonthanam was speaking to some audience and making reference to his works, ‘Jnanappana’. While interpreting his poem, he said “Padmanabho Mara Prabhu”. Bhattathiri, who happened to pass through that way, heard it and said: “Atrocious”. “Your interpretation is wrong”, he corrected Poonthanam in presence of all audience. He then explained: “Padmanabo Mara Prabhu” would mean that the Lord remains inert like a tree which is wrong. It should be “Padmanabo Amara Prubhu” which means the Lord who is infinite, immortal and present always”. Immediately, a voice (Asariri) came from the sanctum sanctorum: “I am present in the pillar and iron rust (Thoonilum Thurumbilum). I am present in the tree too. I love being called as “Mara Prabhu”. The Lord further said “I love the devotion of Poonthanam more than the grammatical perfection of Bhattathiri”.
Recently, I was listening to the discourse of Sri Nochur Sri Venkataraman, an eloquent speaker on the teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. He said: “Most of you may not understand the doctrine of Self-realisation. Some of you may find it difficult to perceive the philosophy. But do not be disheartened. Keep on listening. Let the words pass through your ears. They will settle down somewhere deep within your heart. When you attend the Satsang again and listen to similar words, these words would kindle the light already lit within. The seed of knowledge already sown earlier would now germinate and gradually sprout in splendour and glory. So, what we hear are not mere words. They are verses or revelations made by great saints. They have infinite power. You may not understand the meaning of the words initially but they have the power to create awareness within, later on. So, keep listening,” he concluded. Similarly, the words of Thiruppugazh have a power of their own. We should remember what Seshadri Swamigal said about Thiruppugazh. “Thiruppugazh is a Maha-Mantra. Just by uttering, it creates a power within”. We may not understand the meaning but let us listen to the songs, chant them, recite them and keep repeating them. What is essential is not necessarily knowledge but Bhakti.
Whenever we are in doubt about our perfection in rendering or knowledge, Bhagawatam gives us good guidance. “There may be discrepancies in pronouncing mantras, observing the regulative principles in order. But when I chant your name with devotion, everything becomes faultless.” (antratas tantratas chidram desa-kalarha-vastutah sarvam karoti nischidram anusankirtanam tava (Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.23.16). So, I think, the question ‘How to recite Thiruppugazh’ has been answered. Chant Thiruppugazh with devotion (Bhakti). Saint Arunagirinathar himself says: “Oh Lord, I always sing Thiruppugazh about you with devotion”. (Bhathiyal Yan Unai Palakalum Patriye Maa Thiruppugazh Paadi”, done at Ratnagiri, Song No. 123, old book)
Article by Sri V.S. KRISHNAN (vsk1940@gmail.com)