Maraiporul - hidden insights from Thiruvilaiyadal

Maraiporul is a Tamil word which may loosely be translated as “Hidden or subtler insights.”

Many literary works, be it prose, poetry or drama, and artistic expressions, be it painting, sculpture, music or dance, adopt this style of presentation – they offer interesting insights at a grosser level which, by themselves, are quite meaningful.  However, when one chooses to delve deeper, they offer rare insights at a subtler level which, when one understands, are profound and perspective altering.

I wish to share couple of such subtler insights that I realized from the Tamil movie, Thiruvilaiyadal:

1. Jnana pazham episode

Synopsis of the story:

Narada, the celestial sage, visits Lord Shiva in Kailash and offers him a rare fruit (pazham in Tamil) called “Jnana”.  Lord Shiva knows Narada's intention and offers the fruit to his consort, Parvati.  She plays along with him and volunteers to cut the fruit into two halves and offer the pieces to both their sons, Vinayaga and Muruga.  Lord Shiva says that the fruit should not be shared and instead throws a challenge to both their sons: whoever goes around the universe and comes back first will get the fruit.  Muruga immediately takes off on his peacock vahana (vehicle).  Vinayaga asks Narada whether the universe is different from his parents (ammai-appar) and Narada says that they are one and the same.  So, Vinayaga goes around his parents and collects the fruit.  Muruga returns and is furious to find that the fruit has been given to Vinayaga.  He feels cheated and decides to leave Kailash to set up his own abode in another hill later on called as Pazhani.

To watch Jnana pazham episode

On the face of it, the story appears to be that of sibling rivalry and how parents resolve such instances.

However, when one chooses to delve deeper, the subtler insights are revealed:

“Jnana” is a Sanskrit word which means wisdom and “Jnana pazham” may loosely be translated as fruit of wisdom or benefit of wisdom.

Two approaches to acquiring the fruit of wisdom are offered:

Experiential approach through outer travel:  One acquires the benefit of wisdom through experiential learning which is within the time space realm and may take longer through multiple births.

Spiritual approach through inner travel: One acquires the benefit of wisdom through surrendering oneself to the Source which transcends the time space realm.  Ammai-appar denotes parents which is the source of our existence.  Lord Shiva and Parvati are the ultimate Source of the universe.

The subtler insight is that the spiritual approach is instantaneous and effortless as compared to the experiential approach.

2. Daksha’s Yajna episode

Synopsis of the story:

Lord Shiva takes Sati or Shakthi as his consort without seeking permission from Daksha, father of Sati, which enrages him.  When Daksha organizes an important Yajna, he deliberately insults Lord Shiva and Sati by not inviting them.  Sati, overwhelmed with parental affection, wishes to visit the yagna and seeks permission from Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva refuses permission and says that she cannot return to Kailash if she chooses to go against his wishes.  Sati chooses to visit the Yagna and is humiliated by Daksha.  She returns to Kailash and seeks pardon from Lord Shiva but he refuses.  After pleading for some time, Sati loses her temper and says that Lord Shiva cannot exist without her.  Lord Shiva says that she cannot exist without him.  Their argument goes on and results in a battle between them and Lord Shiva vanquishes Sati.  After this, Lord Shiva dances in rage (Rudra thandavam).  Later on, when Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu pacify him, he calms down and resurrects Sati.  Sati seeks his forgiveness and he accepts her and gives her an equal share in his body.

To watch Daksh's Yajna episode

On the face of it, this story appears to be ego clash between husband and wife and offers the solution that the husband is ultimately superior to his wife.

However, if one chooses to delve deeper, subtler insights are revealed:

Shiva represents the unmanifested reality or static energy – energy at rest.

Shakthi represents the manifested reality or dynamic energy – energy in motion.

If we recollect, we studied the law of conservation of energy in school which says that, “Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed.  Energy in one form transforms into another form.”

This episode clearly establishes that both Shiva and Shakthi are different aspects of the same reality.  One cannot exist without the other.  They both share the same body (Arthanari) and are in dynamic equilibrium.  In extraordinary circumstances, Shiva subsumes or subdues Shakthi.  

So, the ultimate reality is the unmanifested reality.

Sarvam Sivamayam.