The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Lord Siva’s qualities religion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 09, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Lord Siva’s qualities religion

Chennai: Manickavachagar’s Thiruvembavai shows the importance of waking up early in the morning in the month of Margazhi, and worshipping Lord Siva. The first eight verses are in the nature of a group of girls waking their sleeping companions. Siva’s qualities are mentioned by Manickavachagar in his Thiruvembavai, said K. Sambandan in a lecture.

In verse eight, Siva is described as ‘Kezhil Paranjothi.’ Kezh, in Tamil means brightness and also comparison. So ‘kezhil’ means the one who is lustrous. It could also be interpreted as the one beyond compare. ‘Ezhai pangaalan’ is a reference to the fact that one half of Siva is taken up by Goddess Parvati. The word ‘ezhai’ in Tamil means ‘lady.’ Verse nine says He is older than the oldest things in the world. And yet He is also the newest among the new.

Kubhera is his friend. Siva does not lack an educated friend either. Sundarar is his learned friend. So the rich and the educated are counted among His friends. Further verses describe how His feet are unfathomable, for they extend beyond the netherworld. His fragrant hair reaches beyond all matter. Even if all the celestials and the Devas try to describe Him, they cannot. And yet He is a friend to his devotees, and resides in their hearts. Which place does He belong to? Who are his kin? Who is not related to Him? What is His name? Although He cannot be tied down by any one name, He is worshipped by a thousand names. How can such a God be sung of and praised?

In verse seven of the Thiruvembavai, He is described as ‘Irunseeran.’ That means He is the One with great fame. He dances in Chidambaram, and creates and destroys the worlds, as if this were mere play to Him. He has hissing snakes coiled around His body. Bees buzz around His decorated tresses. The precious gems that adorn the crowns of the celestials seem lustreless when they bend before Siva’s feet. Even stars do not seem so brilliant. He is present in everything. He is the embodiment of mercy. Gnanasambandar, in one of his verses on the Lord at Thiruvannamalai, says He is the embodiment of gnana. He removes the flaws of His devotees. He is the Ultimate Truth.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu