Thanipperungkarunai Arutperunjothi
1. Hey Friend, where are you going so fast?
To the Siddhi Valagam in Mettukuppam.
2. What is special there today?
Today is the day Vallalar wrote the Agaval. There will be special worship and Agaval chanting; I am heading there for that.
3. Oh, what is this "Agaval"?
Oh! You don't know the beginning or end of it. I don't have enough time to explain it all, right now.
4. Tell me at least a little, please; you will earn merit for it.
Alright, listen then.
5. You said today is the day "some Agaval" was written?
You mischievous man! It’s not just "some" poem; it is the Arutperunjothi Agaval.
6. Arutperunjothi? What God is that?
That is God—the unique Supreme Almighty, the Primal Source of everything.
7. Okay, so what is the Arutperunjothi Agaval?
It is a song that reveals many secrets about that Primal Source—Its nature, form, attributes, natural truth, and more. It is also a song of praise to the Divine.
8. Who wrote it?
Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal.
9. I know him! The saint who wore a white cloth over his head (the "Mukkattu Swamy")?
Yes, he is the Guru of mankind who came to remove our miseries.
10. Why did he write it?
So that all souls may know, reach, and experience the Divine. He sang his own spiritual experiences as a poem.
11. What kind of song is it?
It is part of the "Thiruvarutpa", which contains nearly 6,000 verses.
12. Then what is the Agaval?
The Agaval is like the "Third Eye" (the most vital part) of all 6,000 verses of Thiruvarutpa.
13. Is it not part of Thiruvarutpa?
The Agaval is indeed part of Thiruvarutpa; it is a section within it.
14. Where is it located in Thiruvarutpa?
In the first part of the Sixth Thirumurai (Holy Book).
15. How many verses are in the Agaval?
It is a single poem consisting of 798 couplets (two-line verses).
16. Like the Thirukkural?
Almost, but this is a continuous, running poem.
17. So how many lines does the Agaval have?
It has 1,596 lines, making it one of the longest poems in Tamil literature.
18. My goodness! That big?
It is grand, rare, and yet very simple.
19. What do you mean by simple?
Even common people can understand it by reading or hearing it. By doing so, their veils of illusion (Maya) will be removed.
20. How many days did it take Vallalar to write such a long poem?
Not many days. He wrote it in a single night.
21. Is that so? Is it true?
I don’t want to go to hell by lying to you.
22. When was it written?
According to the Sanmarga tradition, it was expressed on the 8th day of the Tamil month Chithirai (April 1872).
23. Where was it written?
At the Siddhi Valagam in Mettukuppam.
24. Did disciples write it down as Vallalar spoke?
No, Vallalar wrote it with his own hand.
25. Oh, really?
Yes, in a white paper book consisting of many pages. The original manuscript written by Vallalar is still kept for devotees to see at the Vadalur Dharmashala.
26. Wow, Vallalar was a great man!
Yes, what doubt do you have? He is the first son of the King of Grace-Light and the leader of the Sanmarga tradition.
27. Can you give an example of a line from the Agaval?
"The Unique Grace-Light He held in His hand, He placed in mine—He is my Father who gave me life."—this is a line from the Agaval.
28. Buy me a book; I want to read it too.
Certainly, but...
29. But what?
No non-vegetarian food/meat, no alcohol, or any other bad habits. If you promise to give those up, I will buy it for you.
30. Does reading a book require so much qualification?
This is not just a book; it is the complete history of the Almighty God.
31. Fine, I will give them up.
Then you shall be saved.
32. Will I get money by reading the Agaval?
Money? You will get millions, but they will be "Wealth of Grace" (Arutselvam).
33. What about material wealth?
That too will come if you serve the public without selfishness, practice Jeeva Karunyam (compassion for all living beings), and bring joy to others.
34. Is there proof?
Vallalar mentions in the Agaval: "It shall grant all great treasures, including the eight types of wealth."
35. What else will I get?
By reading the Agaval, you will gain "Soul Wisdom" (Atma Gnanam) that no one else can give.
36. What is Wisdom?
Knowledge that understands everything.
37. What does he talk about in the Agaval?
The origin of the five elements, their forms and natures, the secret of the universe's creation, the names of various celestial spaces, the origin of male and female, and much more...
38. Really? Does he talk about extraterrestrials/beings from other worlds?
Yes, there are notes about that too. He says, "The sweet fragrance that smells so that beings of all worlds may rejoice."
39. That is a wonder!
Not just that—the origin of souls, their movement, the types and details of the energies (Shakti) and lords (Shaktar) that move the elements and souls...
40. Amazing!
It is very amazing indeed!
41. How did Vallalar know all this?
Because he merged and became one with the Supreme Grace-Light and attained "Fullness of Wisdom."
42. You mentioned the five elements? What does he say about them?
He says the Lord of Grace-Light ordained the quality of hardness for the Earth, its golden color, and its fragrance.
43. What else?
He mentions the various "embryonic states" within the Earth, and the different forces (Earth powers, Art powers, Embryo powers) that operate them.
44. All this for just the Earth?
Yes! And he clearly explains the same for the other elements—Water, Fire, Air, and Space—and various celestial realms.
45. I see. What else?
He also mentions the beings who perform the five divine functions (Creation, Preservation, etc.).
46. When we see the "Jothi" (Light) during the monthly Poosam, there are many veils/curtains. Are those mentioned?
Yes, there are notes about them in the Agaval too.
47. What notes?
To help souls mature, the "Veils of Maya" hide God and lead souls toward worldly life. Only when those veils are removed can one benefit from a life of Grace.
48. How many veils do we have?
Seven veils, from black to the final mixed color. Vallalar describes the spaces and experiences these veils hide.
49. And then?
Starting from line 977, he describes the greatness of Grace. He mentions that without Grace, not even an atom can move, and we must strive to obtain that Grace.
50. What is Grace?
Grace is the kindness/mercy of God.
51. God’s kindness? How do we get it?
You can get (Supreme) Kindness through (your own) kindness.
52. Friend, can you explain that clearly?
Alright.
53. Tell me!
Vallalar says that if each of us shows kindness toward other living beings, relieves their suffering as much as possible, and lives without killing or eating meat, we can obtain God’s Great Kindness through this small kindness of ours.
54. Where is this explanation found?
In the book written by Vallalar himself called "Jeeva Karunya Olukkam" (The Discipline of Compassion).
55. I asked if it is in the Agaval!
What? Have you become an Agaval fan already?
56. Yes, indeed! Give me proof from the text.
He says: "Where compassion exists naturally, there the Supreme Grace-Shiva shines." And also: "Realizing that I am in the soul and souls are in me, let the welfare of souls spread." Is that enough?
57. Enough. So you're saying we can only reach God's Grace through compassion?
That is exactly what Vallalar says.
58. Is nothing else required?
Just as honey added to milk makes it better, love and devotion to God added to compassion will yield more results.
59. How do we love God?
Well, do you not have a reason?
60. You tell me the reason.
God gave you this rare human birth and everything you need. Isn’t that enough reason to love Him?
61. Is this birth really that high?
Do you think it isn't?
62. I’m not saying that; I want to hear Vallalar’s words.
In Jeeva Karunya Olukkam, he says: "Those who have attained the high human birth in this world should quickly learn and attain the supreme soul-happiness that can be reached through this birth while there is still time."
63. Okay, but how to love God?
You must love Him by realizing He is our Husband, Guru, Mother, Father, Companion, Friend, Relative... He is everything.
64. Is that how Vallalar loved?
Yes.
65. Is there proof in the Agaval?
It seems you've become a total fan in just a few minutes!
66. Yes, why not?
The Agaval has so much information; that’s what’s pulling you.
67. Tell me the proof, sir!
Fine. Here is how Vallalar loves God as a Mother:
"The True Mother who, whenever I was hungry, approached me with Grace and fed me the Nectar of Immortality."
68. As a Father?
"My Unique Father who removed all my sorrows and filled me with love and all happiness."
69. As a Guru?
"The Great Satguru who taught me everything that is to be known and shines within me without separation."
70. As a Companion?
"The Companion who guards me day and night so that no evil from anywhere can touch me."
71. As a Friend?
"The Loving Friend who merged with me without looking at my qualities or flaws."
72. Wonderful, wonderful!
Yes, Vallalar is no ordinary soul.
73. Tell me the next thing!
In the Agaval, Vallalar describes his divine experiences and the Siddhis (miraculous powers) he obtained.
74. What Siddhis did Vallalar get?
What Siddhis did he not get?
75. Why are you answering with a question?
You mischievous man, that is the answer.
76. Explain clearly, I am an uneducated commoner.
Vallalar obtained every Siddhi available in all worlds.
77. Amazing!
Extremely amazing.
78. What information is in the Agaval about this?
He mentions that God gave him 647 crore (6.47 billion) Siddhis.
"The True Reality that shines with sixty-four times seven hundred million acting Siddhis."
79. And then?
God gave Vallalar countless types of Siddhis related to knowledge, action, yoga, and wisdom.
80. What does Vallalar do with these?
He performs the five divine functions—Creation, Preservation, Destruction, Obscuration, and Granting Grace—across millions of universes.
81. What is the benefit of Vallalar’s "rule" for us?
Under Vallalar’s rule, souls will reach wisdom and soul-profit quickly without delay.
82. Does that mean we will get "pass marks" too?
Certainly, but for that, we all need compassion for living beings and love for God.
83. It seems we definitely need that!
We do, we do.
84. How to show compassion to souls?
As Valluvar said: "What is the use of wisdom if one does not treat the pain of others as one's own?"
85. Sir, say it so I can understand.
See other lives as your own. Remove their suffering. Avoid meat. Stop killing. Relieve hunger.
86. All that is fine, but what about mosquitoes biting?
If you clap near a mosquito, it will fly away, and you will escape.
87. Is avoiding all killing and meat really possible?
Vallalar has taken charge of the world's governance just to make that possible.
88. That’s true.
He will mold us, one way or another.
89. If he said it, we must believe it!
He will certainly not abandon us.
90. What other messages are in the Agaval?
Has your interest still not faded?
91. My interest in Vallalar is only growing. Tell me!
He describes his complete wisdom-experience and the changes that occurred in his physical body.
92. Really?
Yes, he describes it starting from the line "All my skin became supple..."
93. A miraculous experience indeed!
Yes, it is the blissful experience provided by the Supreme Grace-Light.
94. From now on, I must read the Agaval!
Just reading it isn’t enough; you must chant it with feeling.
95. Okay, okay.
But before that, you must give up meat and killing.
96. I have given them up the moment you said it!
Then your place in Vallalar’s Kingdom of Grace is already reserved.
97. It is a joy to hear!
Tell your family about this too.
98. I definitely will.
If you do, you will gain merit. Vallalar will do what is needed for you.
99. When can I read the Agaval?
At any of the six times of the day, or whenever you want, with love (except during bodily excretions).
100. Do I have to read it all at once?
If you can, you may. If not, you can read it in parts. Realizing the meaning of the Agaval is more important than just reading it.
101. I will definitely read it!
Read it with your family.
102. Can I come to Siddhi Valagam with you?
Come along. Let your golden age begin.
103. Thank you for your explanations.
The thanks should go to Vallalar. If he hadn't told us, what would we know?
Ramalingaya Namah!
May all living beings live in bliss!
Q&A Compilation by:
'Thiruvarutpa Selvar' Thiru. Anandha bharathi, Bengaluru.
Full Explanation of Agaval : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz8LfJNEOs74kvAYm6icKZnbidfbq6hbK&si=D2lypxdcx8X-wTKr