Arunachala Navamani Malai
The Necklace of Nine Gems
1. Although (Shiva) is motionless (by nature) He dances before the Mother (Shakti) who stands still in the court (of Chidambaram). But know that in Arunachala He stands in His towering grandeur and She withdraws there into His unmoving Self.
2. When one enquires into the meaning of Arunachala, which is lustrous like red gold and bestows Liberation, one finds that the word ‘Aruna’ means Sat, Chit and Ananda (Being, Consciousness and Bliss), the unity of the individual self and the Supreme Self (according to the Mahavakya ‘That You Are’) and that the word ‘Achala’ means (unmoving) greatness.
3. Those whose minds are free from attachment to riches, land, relatives, caste and the like and who, having become pure, seek the benign grace at the red lotus feet of the Lord of Compassion presiding over Arunachala (abiding as Arunachala), will rid themselves of their ignorance and attain the grace which shines like the rays of the rising sun. They will always abide in happiness, sunk in the ocean of Bliss.
4. Arunachala! Delight of my Eyes! Lord who is Consciousness Itself, beyond differences of male, female and neuter! Do not think of letting me pine away in despair as one unmindful of You. Is it not unbecoming of Your Grace that I should be reduced to dust mistaking the vile body for the Self? Do not therefore deceive me in any manner, but turn Your full and refreshing glance upon me. Abide in my Heart.
5. Lord who is Consciousness Itself, reigning over the famous Sonagiri, forgive all the grievous faults of this poor self and by Your merciful glance, benign as the rain clouds, save me from being lost once more in the dreary waste, or else I cannot cross the terrible ocean of birth and death. What can match a mother’s care for her child? Deal with me then (like a loving mother).
6. ‘Killer of Desire’ is how You are always called by Your devotees. Yes. Yes. But Lord of Arunachala, I doubt whether this name fits You. If it is fitting, how can the mighty Invisible One (Desire), brave and valiant though he be, dare to creep into a mind sheltering at Your Feet, You who is his killer?
7. Arunachala! As soon as You did claim me, You took my body and soul as Yours. Can I then lack anything? I can think only of You after that, not of merit and demerit, Oh my Life. Do as You Will with me then, my Beloved, but grant me only ever-increasing Love for abiding at your Lotus Feet!
8. I was born in holy Tiruchuzhi, the seat of Bhoominatheswara, renowned throughout the world, to the virtuous Sundara (real name of Sri Ramana’s father) and his faithful wife Sundari (refers to his mother Alagu (அழகு) as the beautiful lady). In order that Shiva, the Absolute Consciousness, might shine forth and the Self flourish and that I might be rescued from the misery of the world and the snares of the despicable senses, the Lord of the Red Hill (Arunachala) raised me to His state.
9. Bearing and tending me in the world in the shape of my father and mother, You did enter my Heart ,and before I fell into the deep sea called Mahamaya (the Great Illusion) and was drowned, You drew me to You and kept me at Your Feet. How shall I describe Your wonderful Grace, Oh Arunachala, who is Consciousness Itself?
