Book Reviews

From Fertilizers to spiritual search seems to be a long jump but that is what V.S. Krishnan has achieved with elan. His 370 page THIRUPPUGAZH : GLORY TO LORD MURUGA is indeed a venture with all the information which a Subramania devotee would expect in one volume. It includes details of the Lord's leelas, His six sacred abodes, of devotees from Arunagirinathar to Variyar to present-day Raghavan, Mani Iyer to A. Hariharan and others who have been devoting practically all their life for the spread of the message of love and bakthi that is Thiruppugazh.

Though this is the first book by the author, the vast, deep and engrossing study on every aspect of Muruga worship is to be seen in the 34 chapters. Everything in life and nature starts in a small way. The outpouring of Skantha Sthuthi here too started with a simple article in a newspaper on the subject. This again is no surprise as this devotion has been coursing in the veins of the author for generations.

Indeed it is this devotion, perhaps, apart from the need for livelihood that carried young Krishna from the south-west corner of Bharat to the north east corner and to his Guru, Mani Iyer of Kolkata who like Guru A.S. Raghavan of Delhi has been spreading the message of this sacred song to a public steeped and struggling in rank commercialism. Perhaps, it is his connection with Kerala that made Krishnan refer to Narayana Bhattathiri with such ardour. Bhattathiri describes the infinite qualities of Lord Narayana and his Avatars in Narayaneeyam. Similarly, Arunagirinathar too portrays the Narayana Avatars, going to the extent of addressing Muruga as "Mal Marugone", meaning one who belongs to the glorious family of Thirumal (Narayana). The only difference between them was the medium to express their devotion to the Lord - Sanskrit skillfully used by the former and Tamil beautifully used by the latter.

Indeed, Krishnan, wittingly or unwittingly reveals his love for the Lord of Guruvayoor after whom he has been named. But then devotion takes many routes and in Kaliyuga, nothing is more effective than Nama Japa. The means of worship, the style of worship, the method of worship may be different and all forms of worship reach God. "Aakasaat Pathitham thoyam yadha gachathi sagaram, sarva deva namaskarah Kesavam Prathi gachathi." (Just as rain water that pours from sky reaches the surface of the earth and ultimately finds it way to the ocean, all forms of worship ultimately reach Kesava). The author rightly emphasises this aspect in every chapter so that life in these difficult times need not be without peace and happiness.

A major book in English on Thiruppugazh and connected aspects, this presentation would be grabbed by the ever increasing tribe of devotees, especially those not well versed in Tamil. This would given an opportunity to the author to do a more leisurely reading of the proof and bring out a second edition minus the distraction of printer's devils.

About Sri A. Hariharan: Delhiites and Coimbatorians needs no introduction about Hariharan. Hariharan Mama or Thiruppugazh Mama, as he is popularly known, has started his career as a Government Official. Simultaneously he took active part in Thiruppugazh movement. He was the founder member of Delhi Tamil Sangham, Delhi Bhajan Samaj, Dakshin Bharat Samaj etc. After retirement he served the Chinmaya Mission Delhi for two years before settling at Coimbatore. Apart from acting as Chief Coordinator of Thiruppugazh movement, he actively involves himself as President of Chinmaya Vanaprastha Sansthan, President of Bharathiyar University Area of TAMBRAS, Advisory Board Member of Ramana Kendra, Coimbatore, Convenor of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Arunagirinathar Day celebration and above all the founder of Sadhana Sadhan, the Institution dedicated to inculcate the spirit of bhakti and kindle the light of knowledge on the emerging generations.

 

Review by KT, MD

It gives me pleasure to write a book review on "Thiruppugazh, Glory to Lord Muruga", by Sri V. S. Krishnan. Mr. Krishnan has done an excellent scholarly work on the Thiruppugazh, with one of the few existing translations that I know. Other translations are very hard to come by from the original Tamil. Also ometimes the translations lack the proper flavorneeded to properly understand the subtle messages being conveyed.

This book delves into a scripture written by the Tamil Saint Arunagirinathar. Having decided on ending his life, Saint Arunagirinathar is miraculously saved by none other than Lord Muruga. From then onwards turning a new leaf and having been given the first verses of the poetic Thiruppugazh by Lord Muruga himself, he completes his spiritual ode to Lord Muruga. Called Thiruppugazh meaning "Glory to the Lord" the book does a lot more than go into the Thiruppugazh. It is replete with information on the spiritual devotional practices, relating to Lord Muruga; information on the practice of singing with the proper metrics regarding the Thiruppugazh is also discussed.

He also delves into the lives of other Muruga devotees and Saints, such as Sri Seshadri Swamigal, Sri Ramana Maharshi and others. The book gives translations of the main components of the Thiruppugazh, namely the Kandhar Alamgaram and Kandhar Anuboothi. The poems in these volumes are packed with spiritual information and suitable for contemplation. I have found them to be a fountain of inspiration for me in my spiritual practices. They are meant to be read and re-read. The poems weave chapters from the life of Lord Muruga to inspiring poems, suitable for contemplation.

His book also packs a lot of information about such aspects of Lord Muruga as his Vel or Lance and its mystical significance. Most importantly Sri V. S. Krishnan explains the lore behind one of the most Ancient Hindu Deities, worshipped from South India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, to Reunion Island- Lord Muruga.

His work sheds a fresh perspective on this Tamil God, whose name is synonymous is with Eternal Youth and Beauty. Additionally the book discusses Lord Muruga's Six Sacred Abodes of Lord Muruga-- the Most sacred Temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, with particular information on the locations, and spiritual festivals associated with each of the six temples. His book is not just a scholarly work, but one can sense Sri Krishnan's heartfelt devotion towards Lord Muruga. This is something that I have yet to find in books written by other scholars. But having read the book, I felt an even greater fondness and love towards Lord Muruga.

Mr Krishnan's book was exactly the type of book that was missing from my library. I had done a lot of research buying books related to Lord Skanda or Muruga, but very few touched on these different subjects in one book. There is a lot of research work that I am sure has gone to prepare such a book. I am highly thankful to Mr. V. S. Krishnan for having taken on the difficult task of preparing such a unique book; making available to the Western world an English translation of the Thiruppugazh. I highly recommending getting a copy of this book. My best wishes to Mr Krishnan who is currently also working another spiritual book project.

KT, MD, Las Vegas