‘Mugavai Kanna Muruganadimai’ K.Sriram

Introduction

Sri Muruganar holds a pre

of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi as it is he who gave shape to Sri Bhagavan’s

Teachings that are held as the summit of Vedantic Philosophy of Advaita

His pleadings with the Master

now famous Upadesa Saram [Upadesa Undhiyar] & Reality in Forty Verses [Ulladu

Narpadu] from the Guru who sat in Silence

Vachaga Kovai] wherein he

devotees on different occasions in chaste Sangam Tamil style stands out as the

touching Stone for seekers world over

on any given subject in Spirituality

what circumstances these teachings were given.

While Sri Bhagavan usurped the authorship of

His Own even though His contribution in the entire text is only 28 verses

Muruganar’s 1251 verses.

Kirthanam where only the first two lines [Pallavi] were composed by Sri Murug

and the rest [Anupallavi & five

irrespective of the share of contributio

with this unique disciple.

Shadow as he used to be in the Presence of Sri Bhagavan mostly!

The circumstances under which

out as a monumental proof of this identification

the disciple. Not only, in their

this identification total. It is this Spiritual Oneness that oozes out in the 30,00

verses composed by Sri Muruganar

shines out as Himalayas among mountains

is no exception!

Now let us turn our attent

Ramana Puranam was created, as

2...

Aum Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya

Sri Muruganar’s

Sri Ramana Puranam

‘Mugavai Kanna Muruganadimai’ K.Sriram

[+91-9841739090 / srhcpl@gmail.com]

Sri Muruganar holds a pre-eminent place even among the primary devotees

of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi as it is he who gave shape to Sri Bhagavan’s

Teachings that are held as the summit of Vedantic Philosophy of Advaita

th the Master were instrumental in virtually extracting the

Upadesa Saram [Upadesa Undhiyar] & Reality in Forty Verses [Ulladu

Narpadu] from the Guru who sat in Silence. His Garland of Guru’s Sayings [

wherein he stitched together Master’s Teachings given to various

devotees on different occasions in chaste Sangam Tamil style stands out as the

for seekers world over to check the purity of Maharishi’s teachings

on any given subject in Spirituality today regardless of to whom, when &

these teachings were given.

While Sri Bhagavan usurped the authorship of Garland of Guru’s Sayings

His Own even though His contribution in the entire text is only 28 verses

verses. He did repeat likewise in the case of

the first two lines [Pallavi] were composed by Sri Murug

[Anupallavi & five Saranams] were rendered by Sri Bhagavan. Thus

irrespective of the share of contribution, Sri Bhagavan identified Himself totally

with this unique disciple. And Sri Muruganar was described as

as he used to be in the Presence of Sri Bhagavan mostly!

The circumstances under which Sri Ramana Puranam came into being

out as a monumental proof of this identification practised both by the

ot only, in their literary exploits, but also, in the Spiritual plane

It is this Spiritual Oneness that oozes out in the 30,00

verses composed by Sri Muruganar on Sri Bhagavan & Sri Ramana Puranam

as among mountains in Si Ramana Sannidhi M

turn our attention to the interesting background

was created, as detailed under Genesis that follows next.

Page 1 of 4

eminent place even among the primary devotees

of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharishi as it is he who gave shape to Sri Bhagavan’s

Teachings that are held as the summit of Vedantic Philosophy of Advaita.

instrumental in virtually extracting the

Upadesa Saram [Upadesa Undhiyar] & Reality in Forty Verses [Ulladu

Garland of Guru’s Sayings [Guru

ther Master’s Teachings given to various

devotees on different occasions in chaste Sangam Tamil style stands out as the

y of Maharishi’s teachings

of to whom, when & under

Garland of Guru’s Sayings as

His Own even though His contribution in the entire text is only 28 verses against Sri

in the case of Atma Vidya

the first two lines [Pallavi] were composed by Sri Murugnar

were rendered by Sri Bhagavan. Thus

n, Sri Bhagavan identified Himself totally

And Sri Muruganar was described as Sri Bhagavan’s

Sri Ramana Puranam came into being stands

both by the Master and

exploits, but also, in the Spiritual plane was

It is this Spiritual Oneness that oozes out in the 30,00

& Sri Ramana Puranam that

Murai [SRSMurai],

interesting background of how Sri

that follows next.

Page 2 of 4

Genesis

Sri Ramana Puranam finds its place as the first chapter in SRSMurai that

consists of 1851 verses by Sri Muruganar. SRSMurai was the first set of devotional

songs that came out of Sri Muruganar on Sri Bhagavan. Sri Ramana Padananda, an

ardent devotee of Sri Bhagavan, brought it out in print in 1933.

In the first Edition, Sri Ramana Puranam was conspicuous by its absence.

This is since Sri Ramana Sannidhi Murai was moulded in resemblance of

Thiruvachagam wherein Siva Puranam is the first chapter. Hence, Sri Muruganar

thought Sri Ramana Puranam should form the first chapter of SRSMurai. He started

working on it and about 200 lines were completed. At this juncture, Sri Muruganar

was at a loss to decide the title as to whether it could be Siva Puranam as it was or

since it on Sri Bhagavan, it should be named as Sri Ramana Puranam. He has taken

almost all the titles from Thiruvachagam as they were. So, he thought changing

the title might not be fair. Thus, when the title itself becomes suspect and hanging

in the air, he was unable to continue further. He thought only Sri Bhagavan could

resolve this.

He left all the papers written by him with Sri Bhagavan as they were; and

left the hall without uttering a word. He felt that whatever he would have said

might reveal his preference for the title to be Sri Ramana Puranam and Sri

Bhagavan would heartily approve of it. However, He was keen to know Sri

Bhagavan’s choice and this was in tune with his attitude with Sri Bhagavan i.e.

Always Thy will be done, never mine.

When he returned in the evening, a big, pleasant surprise was in store for

him. By that time, Sri Bhagavan not only added another 300 lines and completed

the very text but also written the title as Sri Ramana Puranam in each page. Sri

Muruganar’s joy knew no bounds! In later years, Sri Bhagavan said that he was too

immersed in the Sangam Tamil style of Sri Muruganar to stop the flow of remaining

lines. He continued in the same vein as Sri Muruganar would have done & brought

it to fruition in a single sitting and could take His mind off [or can we put it as

coming back to worldly matters?] only after completing it.

This time, even though His contribution was more than Sri Muruganar’s, He

assigned the authorship of this divine out-pouring to Sri Muruganar. And He

demonstrated it in the most telling manner which forms the next part of this

narrative.

Sri Muruganar got ready the hand-written manuscript that was to be sent to

the press. He marked the portion rendered by Sri Bhagavan by drawing an asterisk

and a footnote at the bottom to the effect that the ensuing portion was Sri

Bhagavan’s contribution. He submitted the entire bunch of papers to Sri Bhagavan

& waited upon Him patience-personified.

On seeing the asterisk and the footnote, slowly raising His head,

Bhagavan questioned Sri Muruganar as soft

endearing smile as to whether only the remaining portion alone was written by

Him. Shocked by the unexpected,

from his eyes, Sri Muruganar replied

contribution only and immediately

footnote. He never revealed the exact demarcation the rest of his life.

Sri Bhagavan gave the authorship of this wonderful text to Sri Muruganar as all the

other chapters in SRSMurai were written by him. Thus was born one of the All

great quintessence of Vedanta by the joint efforts of the Master & disciple, both

contributing significantly. This text was included as the first chapter in the second

edition of SRSMurai in 1939.

Sri Ramana Puranam & Siva Puranam

being one of the finest among Hindu Sastras that deals with fundamental

of Hinduism, it is a complete Sastra by itself.

All important stages in the spiritual sojourn like

devotion in one’s heart, 2] getting immersed in the sea of devotion, 3]

as the only goal of life, 4] experiencing the taste of God

beyond the body-consciousness

ABSOLUTE]], 6] the final state of universalization of the little self by merging one

with God [CHIT – KNOWLEDGE ABSOLUTE] and 7] thereby

becoming personification of Peace & Happiness [BLISS

ABSOLUTE] are all brought within the reach of the seeker

step by step by this devotional hymn

esoteric, obscure, mysterious nuances and intricacies of

spiritual wisdom. There are millions in Tamil Nadu who

recite this great text of 95 lines by heart on a daily basis

due to its apparent simplicity but

meaning unfathomable in spite of

On seeing the asterisk and the footnote, slowly raising His head,

questioned Sri Muruganar as soft a tone as possible and with an

as to whether only the remaining portion alone was written by

unexpected, abundant Grace of Sri Bhagavan, tears flowing

from his eyes, Sri Muruganar replied that the entire treatise was

immediately removed both the asterisk as well as the

He never revealed the exact demarcation the rest of his life.

Sri Bhagavan gave the authorship of this wonderful text to Sri Muruganar as all the

other chapters in SRSMurai were written by him. Thus was born one of the All

great quintessence of Vedanta by the joint efforts of the Master & disciple, both

significantly. This text was included as the first chapter in the second

in 1939.

Sri Ramana Puranam & Siva Puranam

Siva Puranam is one of the most celebrated

hymns out of 51 hymns in Thiruvachagam that

forms the Eighth Thirumurai, the sacred anthology

of Saiva Siddhantha. This mystic poetry sings the

glories of Lord Siva and simultaneously reveals the

culture of the most ancient Tamil society.

most scared hymn is a classic example for the

maxim that the real, imperishable wealth of

people is contained in their arts & literature

ne of the finest among Hindu Sastras that deals with fundamental

of Hinduism, it is a complete Sastra by itself.

All important stages in the spiritual sojourn like1] Sowing the seeds of

devotion in one’s heart, 2] getting immersed in the sea of devotion, 3]

as the only goal of life, 4] experiencing the taste of God-intoxication, 5] going

consciousness i.e. names and forms [SAT

, 6] the final state of universalization of the little self by merging one

KNOWLEDGE ABSOLUTE] and 7] thereby

becoming personification of Peace & Happiness [BLISS-

are all brought within the reach of the seeker

step by this devotional hymn that is soaked in

esoteric, obscure, mysterious nuances and intricacies of

spiritual wisdom. There are millions in Tamil Nadu who

recite this great text of 95 lines by heart on a daily basis

due to its apparent simplicity but ultimately find its

unfathomable in spite of years rolling by.

Manickavasagar

Page 3 of 4

On seeing the asterisk and the footnote, slowly raising His head, Sri

as possible and with an

as to whether only the remaining portion alone was written by

of Sri Bhagavan, tears flowing

that the entire treatise was Sri Bhagavan’s

removed both the asterisk as well as the

He never revealed the exact demarcation the rest of his life. However,

Sri Bhagavan gave the authorship of this wonderful text to Sri Muruganar as all the

other chapters in SRSMurai were written by him. Thus was born one of the All-Time

great quintessence of Vedanta by the joint efforts of the Master & disciple, both

significantly. This text was included as the first chapter in the second

Siva Puranam is one of the most celebrated

hymns out of 51 hymns in Thiruvachagam that

hirumurai, the sacred anthology

This mystic poetry sings the

glories of Lord Siva and simultaneously reveals the

culture of the most ancient Tamil society. This

most scared hymn is a classic example for the

hable wealth of

people is contained in their arts & literature. While

ne of the finest among Hindu Sastras that deals with fundamental principles

1] Sowing the seeds of

devotion in one’s heart, 2] getting immersed in the sea of devotion, 3] seeking God

intoxication, 5] going

[SAT – EXISTENCE

, 6] the final state of universalization of the little self by merging one

Manickavasagar

Page 4 of 4

In one’s spiritual path, Siva Puranam takes the seeker to the summit of

being Impersonal God through worship of Personal God. It serves as a wonderful

bridge to help seekers to perform that exciting cross-over.

No wonder Sri Muruganar felt deeply the absolute necessity of such a master

piece missing from SRSMurai in the first edition. It is to the extraordinary fortune

of seekers world over that when he embarked on this virtuous enterprise on Divine

Volition, Bhagavan Sri Ramana, Lord Siva-Incarnate, joined this holy mission.

All glories that are cited of Siva Puranam are equally applicable to Sri

Ramana Puranam. The first difference is that it is an expanded version of 95 lines

of Siva Puranam into 542 lines [more than 5 times in volume]. The second one is,

while Siva Puranam is out & out an effort by Manickavasagar [the devotee], Sri

Ramana Puranam is a joint effort of Sri Muruganar, Manikavasagar-reincarnate and

God Himself as Sri Bhagavan – Lord Arunachala Siva- reincarnate!

Both the texts are a fusion of Knowledge [Gnana] and Devotion [Bhakthi]

emphasizing that both are one & same! For the sake of literary analysis, the third

difference may be that Bhakthi element overshadows Gnana in Siva Puranam

whereas the reverse is indulged in Sri Ramana Puranam!

When one takes a close look into these two texts, Sri Ramana Puranam will

appear to be the extension of Siva Puranam to the extent that all differences

between the two evaporate into thin air. One will also be able to appreciate the

fact that Siva Puranam addresses Sri Bhagavan in full while Sri Ramana Puranam

sings the glories of Lord Siva!

Fortunate are those who can appreciate the spiritual value of these

two texts and practise the tenants taught therein & by the Grace of Lord

Siva Ramana realize the futility of pursuit of worldly pleasures & turn their

attention to Personal God of their choice & further move on to the final

state of Impersonal God i.e. Self-Realization!

Long Live the glories of Sri Arunachala Siva!

Long Live the glories of Manickavasagar and Sri Muruganar!

Long Live the glories of Siva Puranam & Sri Ramana Puranam!

Aum Sri Ramanarpanamastu