Aravaagzi anthanan thaalsaenthar kallaal
Peeravaagzi neenthal arithu
Although this is the eighth verse, it more or less cumulates the near final development of the soul from being reincarnated. Here it explains the near final condition the soul must strive to be. It can be noticed that the word used in verse seven and eight are very similar. Apart from this, this verse is a bit difficult verse for the words are a bit ambiguous.
Ara vaagzi
The Tamil word “Aram” can be only be very closely translated as virtue, good, grace but we will use the word “worship” in synonym with the meaning virtue, here. Vaagzi means both ocean and living. The usual translation is ocean, but the word living can also be used here.
Anthanan
This word also has many meanings. Here, only it can be taken to mean a learned one or Civa (the God). For our interpretation, we will use the word God as a synonym Civa.
thaal saenthar
This follows the same meaning as in verse 7.
“Thaal” mean feet of the Lord and “Saenthat” mean to link; to join or to follow.
Kallaal
This means “all” or everybody.
Thus the first sentence can be translated as “All those who worship God; who’s virtue (or grace) is as limitless as the ocean”
The second sentence
peera vaagzi
Here the word “peera” means a different path. Here the “different path” is the opposite of the word “Aram” of the first sentence. The word “vaagzi” is once again used here. The meaning then once again can be living or ocean; but both must correspond with the first sentence. The word them becomes “without virtue” and “limitlessness as the ocean”.
neenthal
The word “neenthal” plays an important role in the translation of this verse. This word means swimming. It is because of this word that many authors decided to translate or interpret the word “vaagzi” as the ocean instead as living.
However one needs to look at the 10th verse of this chapter; where the same words “swimming in the ocean” is provided as a synonym for “living on this earth.
Thus, even here, the word “vaahzi” can also be interpreted not as an ocean but as living. Due to this ambiguity, one cannot be too sure which is more appropriate.
However, if we use “limitless as the ocean” for the first sentence and “life” in the second sentence, it makes the whole verse more meaningful and appropriate for this section.
Arithu
This final word in the sentence means “nearly impossible”. Thus the second sentence can be translated as “nearly impossible to live a life without virtue on this earth”
With this analysis, we use both the meanings of the word “vaagzi” but at different places. In the first line we take it as “ocean” while in the second sentence we take it as life. If we use this as our guide, then the full translation of the verse will be as follows.
“All those who worship God; whose grace is as limitless as the ocean, it is nearly impossible to live a life without virtue on this earth”
The above translation makes more sense, then trying to substitute ocean or life in both the sentences. Further more the first sentence describes God, and the second sentence about humans, thus the above explanation can be considered as more accurate.
Significance to the Siddhanta theology
This verse needs to be looked more closely for its actual meaning. For the first time, a word with a synonym with Civa is use. Anthanan, also means Civa (Siva) in a more precise manner, rather then God. There are also who have described this as a “learned Brahmin” which is comparable to God, but most books and authors reject this interpretation.
Many just use the word God with the argument that Civa also means God but in a conceptual form, and not necessarily as Civa the God in the temples. However, few want to accept that Anthanan is a conceptual God, but rather as God in the temple.
However if it is looks upon, as a conceptual God or as Civa –The God; then the concepts of the Tamil people of BC 50, is reflected on us.
As for the verse itself, the meaning becomes that a man (soul) following the path of virtue, the grace becomes as limitless as the ocean, and it its very unlikely that this soul (man) goes astray, from the path of virtue.
In a more subtle manner this individual (soul) becomes nearly like God and lives a perfect life on this earth for all to see, appreciate and follow.
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