The paths revealed - mantra 71

Sri gurubhyo namaha.

In the seventy first mantra the sage describes the two separate methods or paths : that of renunciation and that of complete being. He conveys that the paths though different in their premise or approach, aim eventually to take the jiva to a state of liberation from the repeated cycle of birth and death.

மொழிந்தது மூவர்க்கும் நால்வர்க்கும் ஈசன்

ஒழிந்த பெருமை இறப்பும் பிறப்பும்

செழுஞ்சுடர் மூன்றொளி யாகிய தேவன்

கழிந்த பெருமையைக் காட்டகி லானே. 5.4.71.

Lord Transcends What He Revealed

The Lord it was who spoke to the Three and to the Four,

He spoke of Death futile and of Birth according;

At once of God and the three Radiant Lights;

Yet His surpassing greatness ne'er fully revealed.5.4.71

Com – The Lord it was who spoke to the Three and to the Four The path that was revealed to the three, namely Sivayoga Maamunivar, Vyaghrapadar and Patanjali and the four, namely Sanakar, Sanandhanar, Sanatanar and Sanatkumarar, by Siva He spoke of Death futile and of Birth according is the great path that is capable of destroying the cycle of birth and death. At once of God and the three Radiant Lights The supreme Siva, who is in the radiant form of the Sun, Moon and Fire, Yet His surpassing greatness ne'er fully revealed is not one who bestows small grace (i.e. He is the one who reveals the supreme truth)

* It is to be observed and understood that the path revealed by Siva to the four (Sanakar, Sanandhanar, Sanatanar and Sanatkumarar) is the path of Renunciation. The path that was revealed to the three (Sivayoga Maamunivar, Vyaghrapadar and Patanjali) is the path of being in the world and through that guiding the people of the world. That is why the author separates the two kinds of masters as the three and the four. It is to be mentioned here that although the two paths are different in their means, they both attempt to reach the common end – namely that of ridding the cycle of birth and death (I.e. Liberation). And now seems to be the best time to highlight the fact that the path of Thirumoolar is the bridging (synthesis) of the above mentioned two paths.