32. Like the water in the coconut..

Verse 32

செய்யதெங்கிலே இளநீர் சேர்ந்த காரணங்கள் போல்

ஐயன்வந்து என்னுளம் புகுந்து கோயில் கொண்டனன்

ஐயன்வந்து என்னுளம் புகுந்து கோயில் கொண்டபின்

வையகத்தில் மாந்தர் முன்னம் வாய் திறப்பது இல்லையே

Translation:

Just as the reason for the sap accumulating in the coconut fruit

The Lord took residence in the temple of my heart.

After the Lord took residence in the temple of my heart,

There is no speaking in front of the people of the world.

Commentary:

In this verse Civavākkiyar describes God realization in a very simple and yet beautiful fashion.  He says (1) God came into his heart on his own accord, (2) he does not know why God decided to enter his heart, (3) this action is such an enormous feat considering all the negative qualities in him that are obstacles to it, (4) God’s presence in his heart is not temporary but a permanent feature, (5) after God entered his heart he has nothing to speak, he reached the speechless state.

Civavākkiyar uses the most apt example to explain God’s entrance into his heart.  He says that just as how the sap enters a coconut fruit that is on top of the tree, God entered his heart.  One does not know why the sap or water climbs uphill against gravity to reach the top of the tree which is at a considerable height from the ground.  Similarly, one does not know why God entered his heart filled with negative qualities that make it an uphill task. God alone knows the reason for this great act as he does not see anything in himself that would warrant such a boon.

  The sap once entered the fruited does not leave it.  It is present firmly within the fruit.  Similarly, God who entered his heart once remains there permanently without leaving it.  This is the ultimate, realized state that leads one to ‘mona samādhi’.   This state is beyond any description or explanation.  One can only enjoy it.  Hence, Civavākkiyar says that he became silent and has nothing to say to others. 

This idea is expressed in verse 157.  As Tirumular (mandiram 1611) and Idaikkāttucittar (verse 98) say, there is liberation in the state of silence.  In Siddha terminology silence is a mystical metaphor often used for lack of any distinction.  There is a Tamil proverb “mōnam enbadu jñāna varambu” which means silence is the indication of wisdom.  Silence is a state of consciousness of being one with the Reality.