Eight &Two Part II

Eight &Two Part II

Eight Square (8²)

Dear seekers of Truth,

This article is presented as a sequel
to the earlier article Eight and Two. It is a mathematical representation
of god who is omnipresent and omniscient. Some seekers after a considered
discussion have raised certain doubts and therefore, this article is now
presented in furtherance of more clarity and understanding. We must be aware
that we are engaged in a Sat Vichara which is not intended as a teaching from a
higher pedestal but as the findings of a sincere seeker of truth. Such
experience is now placed before the body of seekers having the same bent of
mind. It is assured that the present article is devoid of any falsity and any
exaggeration by way of any interpretation. Whenever and wherever we strive to
know the truth, we are aware that Vallalar is with us to help us come out of
our state of ignorance and progress on the Path of Truth.

To begin with, we must be aware that
the method of leading us on the Path of Truth is unique in the case of saint
Vallalar as unfolded below;

Saint Thiruvalluvar says in kural
391

Strive to learn the perfect, which when learnt

Abide by that knowledge for ever.

Saint Vallalar goes one step ahead of
Thiruvalluvar

Method of learning, I have not learnt to know

Neither do I know how to rejoice in
the

Council of the learned who have
learnt

What ought to have been learnt .

In Mahadeva Malai Song No.99,
Vallalar sings in utmost humility

I do not excel in the intelligence

Accrued on account of education;

Neither do I know

Any power of interpretation

It is common knowledge that the alphabet is learnt
only to know the language and the language is known only to understand the
meaning and the meaning is required for understanding the thought of the other
person. When the mind understands the thought of the other person by learning
the alphabet, language and meaning, choosing to remain with the alphabet which
constitutes the language is unwarranted. The alphabet whether in Tamil or
English or any other language for that matter, is simply an instrument which
aids understanding. There is nothing in the alphabet or the language. It is
like a logo which when seen or heard, immediately invokes in the mind as to the
idea built behind the logo. It is like the flag of a country. Actually the
country is not in the flag. Therefore, giving importance to Akaram(A) or vukaram(U) or makaram(M)which are mere symbols to denote the omnipresent
Almighty, misleads one from the path.

In Arut Perunjothi Agaval, Vallalar
declares (lines 257 to 258)that

Ettum irandum iyalum murpadiyena

Atta nindru arulia Arut Perunjothi.

Eight and two
paved as stepping stones,

Incarnating as
eight, granting the light;

Oh! glory of
the glowing grace

Vallalar castigates all of us as
follows;

Ettodu irandu serthu ennavum ariyeer

Ethunai kolkindireer pithulakeer.

You know not how to count by
adding eight with two;

How you excel in others, oh!
people of this insane world

"Eight and two" is not used in the sense that it
can be literally counted as eight and two. It is actually eight square (8²). It can be rightly said that when it
is horizontally eight, it is also vertically eight and when it is vertically
eight, it is also horizontally eight. Either way it is eight multiplied by
eight resulting in fine as sixty four. "Eight
and two" is a mathematical representation of god and as such it is only
a symbol, rather a sutra to grasp the infinite by the mind reeling in
limitation. Therefore, the concept signifies the infinite both horizontally and
vertically.

The experience in this world is being
expressed either in alphabet or in numbers. Therefore, the concept of god is
expressed both in number as eight and two and in alphabet as Akaram and
Vukaram. Saint Thiruvalluvar explains it more succinctly in his immortal Kural
No.392;

Number and alphabet all, both
of these

Act as eyes for the beings
living.

Therefore, one has to see through the
alphabet or the numbers which are only symbols codified with meaning.

In Mahadeva Malai, Vallalalar strikes at the
root of the illusion built around the concept of eight and two and lays bare
the truth behind it in a more elaborate way as noted in the following song No.57;

Form of four,formless four, in between
these two

One of form and the formless;posited above these

As yet one of fourand as the one ever beyond these;

At the centre of that oneand as one within that one

Existing ever as two of the four, along with that four

Eight squared by four placed above,
oh god, illusory

Core of four and substance of four
showing trinity

Of gods, such
gods meditating the greatest Lord.

Vallalar classifies the state
of eight as

1. the form of four
2. the formless four
3. state between form and the formless
4. state above the above three
5. state beyond the above four
6. centered within the fifth
7. centered within the sixth
8. all the above united in eighth

Vallalar declares that there are two
kind of truth in this world: one is used as an aid to illustrate the main
truth; another is the actual state of truth itself. The cosmonaut going to the
space is acquainted with the conditions of weightlessness to be experienced in
the space by way of simulation training on the ground. But when the cosmonaut
actually undergoes the experience of weightlessness in the space, he will not
cherish to remember the experience of weightlessness acquired in his simulation
training in the ground. Neither the cosmonaut will ever remember the equipments
instrumental to simulate the experience of weightlessness. In the same way,
Akaram and Vukaram are mere stepping stones and thereby instrumental to
understand the measureless infinity in unity.

The world is always in the state of
half light and half darkness which state is known as either Ashtami or
Arthanari. When we see the full moon, the other half of the moon actually remains
in darkness. Therefore, it is wrong to presume full moon to be full of light
all around the moon. Just as the earth remains always in half darkness and half
light, so also the moon is also not full of light or darkness simultaneously at
any point of time. Any object shining because of the light of the sun can never
be full of light. But by seeing the full moon, we are under the impression that
the moon is full of light. In the same manner, the
concept of eight and two appears as one and remains in reality as otherwise.
Let us strive to know the real meaning.

Let us see the opening song
of Thirumandiram by Saint Thirumoolar which guides the understanding of the
seekers;

Eternally the One He is; Second, His
good grace,

Sprouts He in the Trinity, realizes
He the Fourth

Vanquishes He the Fifth; spreads
tress of the Sixth

Summit of the Seventh, He surmounts
ever;

Remains in Self as realization of the
Eighth.

The explanation for the above, we
will have in the next article. Till such time please bear with me.

Vallalar has solemnly affirmed that
he did not know as to what was eight and two and the saint also declared that
the truth behind eight and two has been revealed to him by the Glory of the
Glowing Grace. The saint sang in praise of the glory of the glowing grace in
the following lines– 5 to 12 of Aghaval.

Above summit of gospels, above summit
of canons

Exalting as ever lasting, Glory of Glowing Grace

Ever of elements physical, ever of
elements spiritual

Binding without distinction, Glory of Glowing Grace

Sublime above the substance physical and spiritual

Entwining as ever lasting, Glory of Glowing Grace

On measureless space, beyond
thoughtless mind

Reigning as ever lasting, Glory of Glowing Grace

…………..contd………..2