Navamanimalai The Necklet of Nine Gems

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Navamanimalai The Necklet of Nine Gems

These were born on different occasions but were later strung together

like jewels on a string. The first of them explains the dance of the

motionless Arunachala, while the second equates the term Arunachala

with Satchitananda (Being-Consciousness-Bliss). Here is a strange

thing: while at other holy centres the Shakti dances while Siva looks

on, here the display of the Mother's activities ceases and merges in

Siva while He dances as Arunachala.

 

1.

In the court, Siva,

though motionless,

dances

before Shakti

in stillness.

 

In Arunachala,

in solemnity,

He stands.

 

She withdraws

there

into His still Self.

 

2.

'A,' 'Ru,' and 'Na'

Sat, Chit, and Ananda --

the Supreme Self,

the individual self --

their union is Absolute;

 

Thus, the great saying--

'You are That.'

 

'Achala' bespeaks

perfection.

 

Worship Arunachala

shining, golden;

simply remembering

unlocks the door.

 

3.

Touching

the lotus feet

of the Lord of Arunachala,

 

freed from attachment to

wealth,

family,

place,

 

ever purer,

seeking Grace --

darkness recedes.

 

In the rising sun,

golden,

steady,

full of grace,

there abide,

joyously

sunk in the Sea of Bliss.

 

4.

Annamalai!

Don't let me pine

forgetful.

Don't crush me to dust

leaving me

confused

between body and Self.

 

Turn Your restoring glance

upon me,

eye of my eyes!

 

You

Who are all Consciousness,

You

Who are neither male nor female,

don't fail me!

 

Seat Yourself

in my heart.

 

5.

You

Who are all Consciousness,

ruling over sublime Shonagiri,

forgive the stumblings

of this little one.

 

Rain Cloud,

shower me

with Your gracious glance.

Save me from being lost

once more

in the dreary waste.

I cannot ford the grim stream

of manifestation.

 

Mother,

what can match Your care?

 

6.

'Killer of Kama,

Destroyer of Desire,'

tied to You

we know Your name.

 

A question, though,

if the title fits:

 

How can mighty Kama

continue,

bold and conquering?

How can he creep

unseen

upon one sheltered

beneath Your feet?

 

Tell me,

You Who killed him?

 

7.

Arunachala!

As soon as You claimed me,

I was Yours,

body and soul.

 

What is left

to want?

 

You are success

and You are failure

both,

Oh my life!

 

They are

meaningless

without You.

 

Beloved,

do as You will

with me,

but promise me

ever greater desire

for Your Feet!

 

8.

To rescue me --

born of virtuous

Sundara and Sundari

in holy Tiruchuli,

seat of Bhuminatheshware --

from the pain of the world,

He raised me

to his seat,

 

His heart rejoices.

Siva shines

forth.

 

And the Self

flowers.

 

Such is Arunachala,

known

across the universe!

 

9.

Bearing me in the world

as my father and mother,

You hid in my mind.

 

Before I drowned

in the deep

illusion,

You drew me,

 

Arunachala,

You Who are All Consciousness,

such is the wonder

of Your Grace!

 

-- from The Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi, ed. Arthur Osborne

 

This is a collection of nine casual verses in various meters. Its

underlying sentiment is also love and devotion to Arunachala. It

explains at the outset the idea of achala tandavam (motionless dance)

of the Lord. He is static and dynamic at the same time. The glorious

source that absorbs and transcends both the aspects is this

Arunachala. The verbal root meaning of A-Ru-Na is also set forth. It

means respectively either Sat-Chit-Ananda (Being-Consciousness-Bliss)

or the Supreme Self, the individual Self, and their identity or That-

Thou-Art. Achala means the Great One. That is why the mere

recollection of the name 'Arunachala' confers mukti instantly. The

rest of the poem is a call to complete self-surrender and a moving

prayer for forgiveness of faults and for deliverance. It is

impossible to cross the sea of samsara and climb the shore unless

Arunachala, out of His more-than-maternal love, stretches forth His

hand of Grace. This song is also autobiographical. It relates how Sri

Ramana was born of virtuous Sundaram and Alagu in sacred Tiruchuzhi

and was rescued from the coils of ignorance even in early youth and

raised by Arunachala to His own seat. The poem is in short a paean of

praise and thanksgiving.