THIRUMURUGA KRIPANANDA VARIYAR - திருமுருக கிருபானந்த வாரியார்

 FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:

  

 

THIRUMURUGA KRIPANANDA VARIYAR

திருமுருக கிருபானந்த வாரியார்

(25 August 1906 - 7 November 1993)

 

THIRUMURUGA KRIPANANDA VARIYAR was born on 25.8.1906 in Kangeyanallur near Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

 

He sowed divinity in the minds of the common man and words contemplated upon were humorously conveyed by him so as to grip the minds of his audience. He was affectionately and reverently called VARIYAR SWAMIGAL by people.

 

He had no formal education. However, he was brought up by his father himself at home giving him core divine knowledge and wisdom. Swamigal learned Tamil literature, grammar, and music, especially playing Veena. At age 8 itself, he had to his credit many poems in ‘Venba’ style. By age 12, he learned by heart at least 10000 hymns, mostly devotional numbers.

 

During my boyhood days in Triplicane, I used to go to his divine and spiritual discourses. Tamil language and devotional hymns were simply flowing from him. His juxtapositions, comparisons, collations, correlations, telling parodies, and providing parables of characters and events in different Hindu scriptures were unique and unmatched, besides fun and pun-cracking at times. He adopted simple yet effective language to reach his listeners. He would particularly encourage children by asking them simple questions about divine scriptures. Once a boy or girl gave the correct answer, he would give them small gifts including religious and spiritual books.

While he mostly chanted Tamil hymns to enrich his discourses, at times, he would also render Sanscrit Slokas and explain their meaning. He had his own techniques while orating in an attention-grabbing piercing tone and high-pitch voice. Yes, he had an inimitable style that captured people's approval and appreciation. 

His father didn’t know initially that his son was going to various places to deliver spiritual lectures and discourses. Variyar Swamigal seemed to have repaid a loan of Rs.5000 that his father had taken to complete the construction of the Raja Gopuram (Main Temple Tower) of Sri Murugan temple of Kangeya Nallur. Only later, his father came to know about the matter and appreciated him.

 

He had a sense of humour too. Once, during a discourse,  he was referring to ‘SRI HANUMAN’ as ‘SOLLIN SELVAR’ (சொல்லின் செல்வர் – meaning ‘MASTER OF WORDS’). At that time, some were moving away from the gathering. He jocularly quipped, “Here also we have ‘SOLLIN SELVAR’ - சொல்லின் செல்வர் - meaning ‘people are going away when I am speaking', generating peels of side-splitting laughter from the audience.

  

Annamalai University awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate. The University of Thanjavur named him ‘Ilakkiya Muthu Munaivar’ (இலக்கிய முத்து முனைவர்). Maha Periyava of Kanchi Mutt described him as ‘SARASWATHI KATAKSHAMIRTHAM (ஸரஸ்வதி கடாக்ஷாம்ருதம்). People hailed him as ‘ARUL MOZHI ARASU (அருள்மொழி அரசு). 

 

He wore the SHIVLINGH around his neck from when he was just five years old. Every day he took food only after completing the Puja to Lord Muruga. Even during travel to outstations, he had the habit of taking the Puja Box along with him. 

 

Swamigal had written about 200 books on THIRUPPUGAZH, MAHABHARATHAM, KAMBA RAMAYANAM, KANTHA PURANAM, PERIYA PURANAM, etc. in simple language. Tamil film 'SIVA KAVI' was scripted by him.

 

Swamigal had done many Philanthropic and Good Samaritan acts throughout his life that included the creation of a trust called ‘VARIAR PUBLIC SERVICE FUND TRUST’ to help poor people, students, widows, and those in need of medical help.

 

No wonder, he is the 64^th NAYANMAR.

 

(R.SAMPATH)

2/6/2023