Shakthi!

Among the many truly great, but tragically underrecognized, minds that India has produced in the last century is Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi.

Also known as 'Bharathiyar', he is held in deep revere in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is popularly referred to as 'Mahakavi' Bharathi, 'Mahakavi' meaning Greatest poet. He was a pioneer of modern Tamil poetry in addition to being a prolific writer and is considered one of the greatest Tamil literary figures of all time.

While his contribution to Tamil literature is immense, his reach, life and work was far and wide and extended beyond literature. He was a freedom fighter, social reformer, accomplished journalist, novelist, polyglot literary translator and a true visionary leader.

His body of work on Tamil literature has since been collected and organized into four broad categories/volumes namely, 'Desiyam' or Patriotism, 'Deivam - Thathuvam' or Devotion/Spirituality & Philosophy, 'Mupperum Paadalgal' or The three great classics and 'Palvagai/Pira Paadalgal' or Autobiographical & other varieties.

தெய்வப் பாடல்கள் ('Deivam - Thathuvam Paadalgal')

This second volume of his prolific work that dealt with devotional, spiritual & philosophical themes, grouped under 'Deivam - Thathuvam Paadalgal' category/section has become a staple in the literary and musical repertoire of various Tamil artistes across the entire art spectrum throughout the world.

The poetry in this volume can in turn be categorized into two sub-categories/sections namely, 'Thothi Paadalgal' or Hymns and 'Jnana Paadalgal' or Knowledge/Wisdom/Spiritual poetry.

தோத்திப் பாடல்கள் ('Thothi Paadalgal')

This sub-category/section consists of hymns that abound with adoration and prayer. Notably, it includes Christianity and Islam besides Hinduism which constitutes a large portion of it.

It is here that one gets a glimpse of why Bharathiyar is sometimes also referred to as 'Shakthi Dasan' or Shakthi devotee/follower. He was a great devotee of Shakthi and this is reflected very prominently in the poetry here. In fact, in his fight for the emancipation of women he visualized the new woman as an emanation of Shakthi.

This then brings me to the subject of this blog, a marvellous piece of poetry titled 'Shakthi', one of many gems in this sub-category that is a personal favourite of mine (among many others) and the inspiration behind naming by daughter Shakthi.

சக்தி (Shakthi)

This is the 20th poem in this sub-category. I have done by best to translate it as closely as i can choosing words carefully that, to my knowledge, best describe the thoughts expressed. As my understanding evolves this is sure to evolve as-well.

Like a lot of his work, this one too has deep contemplation & ruminations with a lot of import & substance. My translation therefore, is at best, just a tiny window into his immense intellect.

2. 'Deivam - Thathuvam Paadalgal' (Devotion/Spirituality & Philosophy) - தெய்வப் பாடல்கள்: 

	1. 'Thothi Paadalgal' (Hymns) - தோத்திப் பாடல்கள்:

		20. 'Shakthi' (Primordial Inconceivable Cosmic Energy or The Great Divine Mother) - சக்தி:

Thunbam Illadha Nilaiye Shakthi (The state of being with no suffering is Shakthi) - துன்ப மிலாத நிலையே சக்தி:

துன்ப மிலாத நிலையே சக்தி,
தூக்க மிலாக்கண் விழிப்பே சக்தி;
அன்பு கனிந்த கனிவே சக்தி,
ஆண்மை நிறைந்த நிறைவே சக்தி;

The state of being with no suffering is Shakthi
The state of awakening beyond all sleep is Shakthi
When love ripens (matures) and sweetens (as universal compassion), that is Shakthi
The fullness and fulfillment (abundance) of masculine vigor is Shakthi

இன்ப முதிர்ந்த முதிர்வே சக்தி,
எண்ணத் திருக்கும் எரியயே சக்தி,
முன்புநிற் கின்ற தொழிலே சக்தி,
முக்தி நிலையின் முடிவே சக்தி.

The blissfulness from (mature/evolved) inner joy is Shakthi
The divine which fires (fuels) the thought is Shakthi
The work (job) before us, that is Shakthi
The end goal attained by (conclusion of) the state of mukti (liberation) is Shakthi

சோம்பர் கெடுக்கும் துணிவே சக்தி,
சொல்லில் விளங்கும் சுடரே சக்தி;
தீம்பழந் தன்னில் சுவையே சக்தி,
தெய்வத்தை எண்ணும் நினைவே சக்தி;

The brave resolve (strong determination) which destroys laziness is Shakthi
The flame (light) which instills clarity (meaning) in these words is Shakthi
The taste in the best of (ripe) fruits, that is Shakthi
When thoughts of divine arise (reckoning/supposition) that consiousness is Shakthi

பாம்பை அடிக்கும் படையே சக்தி;
பாட்டினில் வந்த களியே சக்தி;
சாம்பரைப் பூசி மலைமிசை வாழும்
சங்கரன் அன்புத் தழலே சக்தி.

The force that beats the evil (snake) is Shakthi
The glee & relish from fine poetry (song) is Shakthi
Shankara (Shiva) who adorns the sacred ash and dwells on the mountain top (Kailasa),
His beloved flame (fire) is Shakthi

வாழ்வு பெருக்கும் மமதியே சக்தி,
மாநிலம் காக்கும் மதியே சக்தி;
தாழ்வு தடுக்குஞ் சதிரே சக்தி,
சஞ்சலம் நீக்குந் தவமே சக்தி,

The nurturing lap where life flourishes is Shakthi
The strength of knowledge (truth) which guards this land is Shakthi
The ability which stops one from ignominy (talent/skill that averts fall/defeat/degradation) is Shakthi
The tapas (penance) that eliminates confusion and grief (distress) is Shakthi

வீழ்வு தடுக்கும் விறலே சக்தி,
விண்ணை யளக்கும் விரிவே சக்தி;
ஊழ்வினை நீக்கும் உயர்வே சக்தி,
உள்ளத் தொளிரும் விளக்கே சக்தி.

The greatness of nobility which stops one from downfall (falling/descending) is Shakthi
The vastness who spans the whole expanse of sky is Shakthi
The greatness that (separates the bondage of causality and) removes karma is Shakthi
The light which illuminates (shines light to dispel ignorance) from within the mind is Shakthi

		- மகாகவி பாரதியார் (சுப்பிரமணிய பாரதி, Subramania Bharathi)