Thirumoolar - The esoteric meaning behind the enigma

After reading about what has been commonly written about Thirumoolar in our previous article, let us delve deeper.

Let us break down the article into five different parts:

Part 1 will help us understand the significance of naming.

Part 2 will decode the word Thirumoolar.

Part 3 will take help of the two narratives in our previous article and give an insight into Thirumoolar.

Part 4 will then present a summary based on Part 2 and Part 3

Part 5 will conclude the article by providing the key to understand and experience Thirumanthiram based on our learnings from this post.

Part 1 - What is the significance behind a name?

Our forefathers spent a great deal of time while naming a person or even things. An elaborate ritual was laid out for this process. Naming was not something as mundane as choosing a fancy word or an unusual word to make the name sound unique, classy and appealing. The name was used to define who a person is and what he embodies. The name signified an idea, an insight, a revelation, nature – in short, the kind of energy the person stood for. It was equivalent of a Mantra.

Let us take a moment to understand the logic behind the same.

1. Everything in this Universe is manifestation of energy in various forms.

2. Each energy is characterised based on the rate at which it vibrates.

3. Vibration can be defined in terms of frequency / wavelength.

4. Hence, each frequency denotes a different kind of energy.

5. Out of these infinite frequencies, we can comprehend only a certain range of frequencies. All the other frequencies must be converted in a frequency for us to comprehend it.

6. Given a set of frequencies, all the other frequencies can be derived using frequency multiplication (harmonics). It is a process by which we can generate frequencies which are harmonics (multiples) of the input frequencies.

7. To put it in layman terms, we have a basic set of distinct frequencies (comprehendible by us) & other frequencies which are harmonics of the basic frequencies (incomprehensible by us). Though these frequencies can be classified into distinct categories based on the basic frequencies, each frequency is still very distinct.

8. Each such distinct frequency (which is nothing but energy) was then given a name.

9. This was the art and science behind naming anything.

10. Hence, each name has a significance as it denotes a distinct energy form.

With this background in our mind, let us move on to Part 2 of our article.

Part 2 – Decoding the word “Thirumoolar”

Thirumoolar is a combination of the words – “Thiru” and “Moolar”.

“Thiru” means respected in Tamil. The usage of the word is like “Shri/Shriman” in Hindi or Sanskrit.

“Moolar” is derived from the word “Moolam”.

“Moolam” means ‘the source’ or ‘the beginning’ or ‘the root’.

So “Moolar” would literally mean “he who comes from the source or the beginning or the root”.

Part 3 – Insight into Thirumoolar based on the common narratives about him

The two narratives about Thirumoolar is mentioned in our earlier article. A detailed narrative can be found in this link.

1. In both the narratives, Thirumoolar, one of the foremost of the siddhas & a self-realized person, comes from Kailash to Podhigai hills or comes down from the Sky to the palace.

The ‘North’ or ‘Kailash’ or ‘Sky’ here is only used to signify Thirumoolar’s elevated state of consciousness as against a physical location. Likewise, Thirumoolar going ‘South’ or ‘Down’ only signifies him coming to a state in which he is comprehendible.

     2. Then in both the narratives, he enters the dead person’s body who are both very important for their respective subjects.

A kingdom cannot function properly without a king (second narrative), and the cows can’t survive without the cowherd (first narrative).

This is the most important part in both the narratives and holds the deepest purport. It highlights the primary purpose behind Thirumoolar.

‘The cows’ and ‘the subjects’ signify us (i.e human beings) who are so dependent on a person to show them the way forward – both materially and spiritually – as required. When such an important person dies or is not existent, we are orphaned since there is no one to lead us on the path forward.

Out of boundless empathy towards mankind, the energy named Thirumoolar manifested – as a messiah to lead us towards the source / root. “PURE ALTRUISM”. Nothing but selfless concern for the well-being of others.

3. But in both the narratives, Thirumoolar, even though wanting to go back to his old body after a point of time, is unable to do so & stays back to compose the Thirumanthiram.

Empathy is an attribute which none of us care about these days and so the energy which manifested out of limitless empathy, couldn’t be comprehended everyone. It then had to be converted into a form/frequency which could be comprehended.

Thus, the energy named Thirumoolar manifested as “KNOWLEDGE” this time to compose the Thirumanthiram which could be comprehended by everyone.

Part 4 – Summary based on the insights obtained

Thirumoolar literally means he who comes from the source / root.

Thirumoolar, or the energy so named, represented PURE ALTRUISM in its native form. 

Since it could not be comprehended by us, it converted to a form, which is a harmonic (multiple) of the native form – KNOWLEDGE.

Though both the energy forms are quite distinct from each other, both belong to the same class & the latter is derived from the former.

We can conclude by saying that the essence/underlying principle behind his teachings is “Pure Altruism”.  Altruism is one way of going to the root/source/beginning of everything.

The best path towards the quest for experiencing the source is Altruism. However, it is also the hardest path to take. To simplify and make things a little easy but at the same time seep it with Altruism, the path of knowledge came through.

Part 5 – Key to understand and experience Thirumanthiram

Thirumoolar’s teachings can be summed up in the following fashion – Go through the path of knowledge (following the 3000 aphorism) but while doing so always keep in mind how this knowledge gained can be used for the betterment of everyone.

“The Key” to experiencing Thirumoolar’s Thirumanthiram is thus as follows:

1. Read the aphorism

2. The literal meaning is the direct knowledge being passed on by Thirumoolar.

3. When we find out how this knowledge can be used for the benefit of everyone or for any altruistic purpose, it will result in a revelation.

4. This revelation is what Thirumoolar intended to give. This is exactly what he experienced in his intense meditations which he subsequently wrote down as an aphorism.

This is the key to not only understand Thirumanthiram but more importantly to experience Thirumoolar in his entirety. If, and when, we experience this, we will be transformed into Thirumoolar himself.

May all of us reach this exalted state by truly helping each other in this quest for the source - “Thirumoolar”.