Bhakti is the bhava or intense feeling of love to God. The
Lord looks for the love and devotion in the heart and is not
concerned about anything else. Intense yearning for Him
alone is the path for the devout. Arunagirinathar sings in ecstasy thus: “If calling out to Muruga even once with love and devotion strengthens that devotion in one’s heart, his name and his grace shall descend and surely protect the devotee.” Such is the intensity of faith, devotion and fervour that overflows from this grateful devotee who has been the direct recipient of Muruga’s grace,
pointed out Sri Va Ve Subramaniam in a discourse.
Arunagirinathar’s life had been a chequered one until the
time Muruga intervened to bless him. It is said that he
repented for his past life and tried to engage in meditation of Lord Muruga. But he was unable to sustain it and decided to end his life by falling of from a Gopuram of the
Tiruvannamalai temple. Muruga then held Arunagirinathar
in his arms and saved him from death. He gave him a direct
vision of His glory and imparted the highest jnana to him. He also granted him the gifts of poesy and Arunagirinathar was thus able to compose excellent and inspiring hymns in
adoration of Muruga.
Many truths of life are conveyed in the prolific songs of
this saint that airm the fact that though fate is powerful, by
the force of divine Sankalpa an individual can be elevated
from the mundane life towards realisation. Faith is strong
when man’s ego is eliminated. But this ego is ingrained as a
strong root and its removal is possible only with God’s grace.
Arunagirinathar lived the life of a devotee ever absorbed
in awareness of God and his songs motivate many towards
the path of devotion.
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