Commentary on Anuvada Nunmalai - Translated Works of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi (Set of 2 Volumes)

This volume, a companion to the earlier one, is a translation in English of the commentary of Smt. T.R. Kanakammai on Bhagavan’s rendition in Tamil of Two spiritual classics from Sanskrit.

Devi Kalottaram and Anma Sakshatkaram, though a part of the Agamic Sastras, contain gems of Advatic Truth which prompted Bhagavan to translate them. But the embellishment by way of the use of chaste language with literary charm and the choice of the expansion of ideas make them more than mere translation. Each verse is an encapsulated upanishadic content and both these may aptly be termed as ‘Moksha Gita’ and ‘Mukti Gita’ respectively.

The One Truth that runs with detailed emphasis though both these texts is Atma-Yoga, yoking the Self to the Self and that the goal – Knowledge – and the way to the goal – the path of knowledge – are one and the same which is the core teaching of Bhagavan.

This book provides the meaning of each verse phrase by phrase and a lucid commentary on each verse.

It is hoped that, this translation also by ‘KAYS’, will be of help and guidance to seekers of knowledge devoted to Sri Bhagavan.

This, the third and final volume, comprises of the English translation of Smt. T.R. Kanakammal’s commentary in Tamil on adaptations by Bhagavan from Bhagavad Gita and a few compositions of Sankara- work of renown in Sanskrit. It is not a matter of surprise or wonder that the forty-two verses selected from the Bhagavad Gita , strung in sequence and set to kalivenba metre in chaste Tamil by Bhagaan, highlight his core teaching that Self-Enquiry and Surrender (including that of the surrenderer) are the only two ways to salvation. The Translation of the Sanskrit word ‘buddhi yoga’ in verse 19 of the selections into ‘Sat-buddhi yoga’ in Tamil and further as “Yoga of Enquiry” in English by Bhagavan himself makes it abundantly clear that this path, encompassing all other paths is the final and inescapable toll-gate which, levying the toll of individuality, throws open the doors to Immortality.

The deft introduction of various epithets in place of uniform refrains in the other works reemphasizes the nature of the Atman riveting our attention to it repeatedly. These and the dexterous use of link words in Gita Saram and Anma Bodham atonce enrich and expand the content making them more than mere translations.

This volume provides detailed meaning of the verses together with a commentary on each of them and it hoped that devotees not so well conversant with Tamil will profit from this translation by ‘KAYS’.

Among the wealth of poetic works that Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi so graciously bestowed upon the community of devotees, his works of translation, having a greatness of their own, carve a special niche for themselves. Each Sanskrit original that has been selected is in itself a gem in the spiritual realm and his rendering it in Tamil, brings to the fore the beauty and clarity of it all in chaste Tamil, that they may aptly be deemed as not mere translations but original compositions. Though all Tamil-knowing devotees can recite these verses with ease and pleasure, their content being deep and unfathomable, the dire and long-felt need for an annotated commentary facilitating easy recitation and providing a fillip for a fruitful and an in-depth study of these works, is now fulfilled.

The author of this text of commentary in Tamil, Smt Kanakammal, is deeply devoted to Bhagavan. Even when young she sought and surrendered to Bhagavan. She listened to the works of Bhagavan explained by the scholar devotee of Bhagavan, Sri Muruganar, who himself was one who gained clarity by hearing and enjoying the content of all the works of Bhagavan explained to him by Bhagavan himself. He elucidated in all his writings and conversations what he was taught by Bhagavan, the Path of jnana, which he unflaggingly followed. Smt Kanakammal shares with us what she learned from Muruganar thought this text.