Pushya Masa Purnima /Thaipusam Special – Mayil Vaguppu: The Mayil Vaguppu with its powerful imagery glorifies Skanda’s vahana, showcasing its parakrama and authority, over serpents like Rahu-Ketu, Adisesha, etc., as well as over celestial birds like Garuda and Hamsa
Just as the Vel is revered, so too is Skanda’s Mayura (peacock), shaped like Pranava. Fittingly, "Subrahmanya" rides this sacred form. Some puranas say it was gifted by Garuda, while others narrate that Tarakasura/Surapadma was transformed into His Mayura Vahana.

Navaratri special: Arunagirinathar, often seen as a Kaumara for his devotion to Lord Muruga, expressed a deep internal worship of Devi in his works. While his songs praise Kartikeya, a Sakta essence permeates many Tiruppugazhs, notably the Devendra Sanga Vaguppu. This Vaguppu forms the mantra of the mani mantra aushada of Tiruppugazhs. This Sakta essence mirrors the deeper philosophy of Ananda. At the center of the Sricakra, Devi, united with Kameshvara, symbolizes the fusion of Siva, Sakti, and Skanda, representing Sat, Cit, and Ananda.

Bhadrapada/புரட்டாசி Special: True to His divine promise in the Gita, Lord Krishna vanquished many demons in Vrindavan, restoring dharma. Arunagirinathar beautifully recounts several of these Bhagavata episodes in his Tiruppugazhs, particularly in 'முருக மயூர/Muruga Mayura.' மருகன் எ(ன்)னாமல் சூழ் கொலை கருதிய மாமப் பாதகன்
வர விடு மாயப் பேய் முலை பருகா
Without regard for his familial bond to his nephew Krishna, the wicked Kamsa relentlessly schemed to kill Him. He dispatched the deceitful Putana, but He drained both her life and the deadly milk.

True to the Vedic verse 'agnirme vāciśritah/अग्निर्मे॑ वाचि श्रितः' - 'May Agni reside in my speech,' Arunagirinathar, a devotee of Agniswarupa Kartikeya, mastered tongue twisters. His Tiruppugazh 'Enakkuchatru/எனக்குச்சற்று,' for instance, features 80% hard consonants (வல்லினம்)

The song is filled with hard consonants like 'ka-க', 'ca-ச', 'da-ட', 'ta-த', 'pa-ப', and 'Ra-ற', making it challenging to pronounce without frequent breaths. Softer nasal syllables like 'gna', 'Na', 'na', and 'ma' are minimal, requiring significant practice to sing smoothly.

What does Arunagirinathar say about the connection between Kartikeya and Tirupati? In the Tiruppugazh 'Karuthathalai/கறுத்ததலை,' he narrates how Kartikeya emerged from Patala and ascended to the hilltop of Venkatam through a cave, inspired from the Kandapuranam story. However,... In Srivanjiyam Tiruppugazh"இபமாந்தர்/Ibamandar", Arunagirinathar states about Narayana: 'He is the elder brother of Uma, who created the universe; His favorite abode is Northern Mount Venkata. He wields the Sarangam and Sudarsanam. He is the great Vishnu, and You are His nephew!'

வைகாசி விசாகம்: பெருத்தவசனம் என்பது மஹாவாக்கியம் என்பதன் தமிழ் பெயர்ப்பு. மஹா வாக்கியங்கள் வேதாந்தத்தை குறிக்கும் வேத வாக்கியங்கள் ஆகும்
ருக் வேதத்திற்கு: பிரஜ்ஞானம் ப்ரம்மா
யஜூர் வேதத்திற்கு: அகம் ப்ரஹ்மாஸ்மி
சாம வேதத்திற்கு: தத்வம் அசி
அதர்வண வேதத்திற்கு: அயம் ஆத்மா ப்ரம்மா இதன் கூட்டே முருகன் என சுப்ரமணிய புஜங்கத்தில் ஆதிஶங்கரர் "மஹாவாக்ய கூடம்" என முருகனை குறிப்பிடுகிறார். இதை பெருத்த வசனம் என்கிறார் அருணகிரியார். இந்த தத்துவத்தை முருகர் தன் தந்தையான பரமேஸ்வரனுக்கு அடுத்தபடியாக அருணகிரிநாதருக்கு விளக்கினார்.

Vaikasi Vishakham special: Does Arunagirinathar hold the Upanishads in esteem? Yes, he does. Following Tirumular's legacy of reconciling Siddanta and Vedanta, Arunagirinathar references the Upanishads in "Perutha Vachana Vaguppu" which translates to "Maha Vakya Vaguppu." He states that the Mahavakyas given as Upadesha by Subrahmanya represent a perfectly matured state found at the conclusion of the Upanishads, which convey the Truth comprehensively and succinctly.
Afterall, Bhagavatpada says in Subrahmanya Bhujagam "महावाक्य गूढम्"

Arunagirinathar ponders in the Tiruttani Tiruppugazh பகல் இராவினும்/ Pagal Iravinum: "Having explored the old Vedas, modern writings, and Puranas, some find profound truths, dwelling in eternal Bliss. Mockingly, I deem them foolish; Shall I, in my ignorance, ruin myself?" This Tiruppugazh emphasizes the value of Rishis, Mahans and enlightened seers who know the Truth, and those who dwell in Bliss, (not merely knowledgeable scholars).

The familiar Indian phrase "Do you know who I am?/क्या तुम्हें पता है मैं कौन हूँ?" is used to emphasize one's significance and dominance. Arunagirinathar, on the other hand, poses it humbly to Skanda, in "என்னால் பிறக்கவும்/Ennal Pirakkavum" asking, "Who am I?" How so? He reflects on his identity concerning his deeds, acknowledging that all unfolds according to divine will and nothing by himself.

One of the common themes in Tiruppugazhs is the description of old age, acting more like a wake-up call to remind us of the impending end to our bodies that we so dearly love and prompt us to seek refuge at Skanda's feet. One such Tiruppugazh is "முனை அழிந்தது/Munai Azhindadu". முனை அழிந்தது மேட்டி குலைந்தது
வயது சென்றது வாய்ப்பல் உதிர்ந்தது
முதுகு வெஞ்சிலை காட்டி வளைந்தது ப்ரபையான
முகம் இழிந்தது நோக்கும் இருண்டது
இருமல் வந்தது தூக்கம் ஒழிந்தது
மொழி தளர்ந்தது நாக்கு விழுந்தது அறிவே போய்

கந்த சஷ்டி/Skanda Shasti/स्कन्दषष्ठी Day 6
In the Pazhamudircholai Tiruppugazh, kAraNamadAga/காரணமதாக has an interesting request. He wants Skanda to appear dancing. In other Tiruppugazhs, the poet envisions Kartikeya dancing, signifying that He is the ultimate source of the powerful dance inherent in all things. Here, he fervently desires Kartikeya to manifest in a dancing form during his final moments.

Kashi's revival is Bharat's revival. Southern states, Tamilnadu included, have a deep connection with Kashi. This affection is reflected in the many Kashi Vishwanathar temples across TN and the many Bhakti saints like Appar, Arunagirinathar, and Kumarguruparar journeying to Kashi

The affection is such that Kaveri is hailed as the Southern Ganges. The great poet Bharatiyar beautifully wove together the essence of Kanchi and Kashi in his works, highlighting the spiritual and cultural threads that unite these two iconic cities.

The best import from the North to the South has been not Paneer but the raga Jaunpuri. 😌😌 We have kind of carnaticized the raga to a great extent. 😂😂
Quite popular in the North. The first few lines of this song

இன் சொல் விசாகா க்ருபாகர!! வைகாசி விசாகம் உலகம் முழுவதிலும் உள்ள முருக பக்தர்களால் சிறப்பாக கொண்டாடப்படும் ஒரு விழாவாகும். ஆறுமுகங்கள் கூடிய முருகப் பெருமான் அவதரித்த தினம் வைகாசி மாதத்தில் வரும் விசாகம் நட்சத்திரம் அன்று. பிரமாணங்களுக்கும் ஆறுமுகங்கள் உண்டு, அதில் ஒன்று ஶப்த பிரமாணம். ரிஷி வாக்கு ஸத்யம் என்பதால், அவர்களின் வாக்கு பிரமாணமாக ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளப்படுகிறது. ரிஷிகள் வாக்குபட குமரன் ஸத்யஸ்வரூபனாக எவ்வாறு விளங்குகிறான்?

Have you practiced any martial art formally? If yes, what kind?

When two horoscopes are matched for marriage, Naadi/नाड़ी/நாடி is given a lot of importance in the North. In the south, Rajju/रज्जू/ரஜ்ஜு gets importance. Here, the 27 birth stars of are formed into groups of three, each group then representing an essential part of the body. Shiro Rajju: Chitra, Mrigasira, Dhanishta
Kanta Rajju:
Arohana - Rohini, Hasta, Sravana
Avarohana - Ardra, Swati, Satabhisha
Nabhi Rajju:
Arohana: Krittika, Uttraphalguni, Uttrashadha
Avarohana: Punarvasu, Visakha, Poorvabhadrapada

How to cast and read your horoscope?
People often want to discuss their horoscope/birth chart/jataka/kundali online but are unsure how to cast their horoscope in software or read the chart after casting. Though some websites/YouTube videos give instructions for charting and reading, I am tweeting these instructions as a form of reference for newbies. Consider this a reiteration for those who already know but are unsure or confused.