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Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/05/24/stories/2002052400260800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Saints describe God from experience

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

MAY 24

 

.. Every system of philosophy attempts to define God and human beings from two

standpoints. One is with reference to what can be known by their unique

features. The other is their essential nature. In the case of a person he is

described by his distinguishing features, which are evident, whereas in the case

of the Absolute, as it cannot be known by the senses and the mind, it can only

be described with reference to what is known. This is the reason scriptures say

that words cannot describe it. Pamban Swamigal, a saint who was a great devotee

of Muruga, attempts to describe the Supreme Being from his personal experience

of God in one of his works, the Sekkar Vel Semmappu. Philosophical texts are

generally classified as Sutra texts, Sangraha (independent digests) and

commentaries. In the Tamil tradition texts written on the basis of one's

spiritual experience are also included. Umapati Sivacharya, for instance,

specifically includes this genre in the classification of Saiva Sid!

dhanta texts. The Sekkar Vel Semmappu is a work of this kind. Pamban Swamigal

stresses that both Sanskrit and Tamil are essential in the pursuit of spiritual

knowledge.

 

In his discourse, Sri V.Rathnasabapathy said Pamban Swamigal showed how the word

"Kadaval" used to refer to God in Tamil was appropriate to describe His

essential nature in one of the verses of this text. He says the syllable "Kada"

in this word is interpreted to mean that God directs (Kartrtva) the soul in all

its three manifestations before birth in the state of bondage, after being

born in the world and after realising God. The syllable "Ul" in this word refers

to the soul whom God directs. Thus God's essential nature of directing the soul

is explicit in the word used to refer to Him and this is especially applicable

to Lord Muruga according to this saint. God does not allow man in bondage to

struggle on his own for salvation but graces him by claiming him as His own. He

reiterates that that he was speaking from his personal spiritual experience as a

devotee of Lord Muruga.

 

Man wallows in the quagmire of worldly life due to ignorance (Maya), which is

responsible for his bondage and rebirth. God dispels his ignorance and blesses

him with knowledge to realise Him. The term "Sekkar Vel" used in this context

refers to His nature of deflecting His devotee's preoccupation from the world to

spiritual life. The Almighty is the end to be attained and He takes the

responsibility of the soul's redemption from bondage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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