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VAASAL - thry;Edition 10 January 2019

Vanakkam.

Welcome to Vaasal.

Did you notice the small plant in front of the Vaasal in the picture? Every traditional Indian household has a similar one. It is the Indian holy basil or Tulsi. Also known as the ‘Sacred Basil’, Tulsi has a special place in Indian culture. Apart from the religious significance, Tulsi has great medicinal properties too. It is a remarkable antibiotic, antibacterial, possess anti-venom properties and even air-purifying property. Taking Tulsi everyday in tea or otherwise increases immunity and provides protection from contagious diseases, stabilizes health, balances body system and prolongs one’s life. Growing Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. Indian women perform puja to Tulsi as a Mother Goddess at sunrise and sunset by lighting lamps, offering water and circumambulating the plant. The legend says Lord Krishna plays his flute in the Vrindavan - meaning garden of Tulsi. As a result, they inhale the oxygen let out by Tulsi providing a

variety of health benefits. The Mother refers Tulsi flower as Devotion.

Rituals and tradition of a culture has scientific and health benefits. They are followed by our ancestors as a mark of gratitude and respect to nature. As we dig into this treasure trove, we realise we have only seen a tip of the iceberg. At Vaasal, we strive our best to share this knowledge with you.

Keep reading Vaasal for more!Ilaignarkal Team

He was watering the plants in the posh gardens of an International school, heat and dust didn’t seem to affect him.

“Ganga Das! Principal Ma’am wants to see you… right now!”

The last two words of the peon had lots of emphasis on them, trying to make it sound like an urgency. He quickly got up, washed and wiped his hands and headed towards the Principal’s chamber.

The walk from the garden to the office seemed never-ending, his heart was almost jumping out of his chest. He was trying all the permutation and combination, figuring out as to what has gone wrong that she wants to see him urgently…

He was a sincere worker and never shirked from his duties.

Knock Knock…

“Madam, you called me?”

“Come inside…”, an authoritative voice made him further nervous.

Salt n pepper hair, tied neatly in a French knot, a designer sari - sober and very classic, glasses resting on the bridge of her nose, she pointed out towards a paper kept on the table, “Read this!”

“B..but Ma’am I am an illiterate person. I cannot read English. Ma’am, please forgive me if I have

My father(An article written by a child that travelled across continents)

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done anything wrong… give me another chance… I am forever indebted to you for allowing my daughter to study in this school for free of cost… I could have never ever dreamt of such a life for my child”. And he broke down almost trembling.

“Hold on, you assume a lot. We allowed your daughter because she is very bright and you have been a sincere worker. Let me call a teacher in, she will read it out and translate it to you. This is written by your daughter and I want you to read this”.

Soon enough the teacher was called and she started reading it, translating each line in Hindi…

“Today we are asked to write about Mother’s Day.

I belong to a village in Bihar, a tiny village where medical and education still seems like a far-fetched dream. Many women die every now and then while giving birth. My mother was one of them too, she could not even hold me in her arms. My father was the first person to hold me… Or perhaps the only person. Everyone was sad. As I was a girl and I had “eaten up” my own mother.

My dad was instantly asked to remarry but he refused. My grandparents forced him by giving all logical, illogical and emotional reasons but he didn’t budge. My grandparents wanted a grandson, they threatened him to remarry or else he would be disowned…

He didn’t think twice… he left everything, his acres of land… A good living, comfortable house, cattle and everything that counts for a good lifestyle in a village.

He came to this huge city with absolutely nothing… but for me in his arms. Life was tough, he worked hard day and night. Raised me with tender love and utmost care.

Now I understand why suddenly he developed a dislike for things that I would love to eat when there was only one piece left in the platter… He would say that he hates eating it and I would finish it considering that he didn’t like it… But as I grew

older I realised the reason and what sacrifice is all about. He gave me the best possible comforts beyond his capacity.

This school gave him a shelter, respect and the biggest gift - an admission to his daughter…If love and care defines a mother… then my father fits in there…If compassion defines a mother, my father fits in well in that category too…If sacrifice defines a mother, my father dominates that category…So in a nutshell…If a mother is made of love, care, sacrifice and compassion…My father is the best mother on earth then!

On Mother’s Day, I would like to wish my father for being the best parent on earth… I salute him and say it with pride that the hardworking gardener working in this school is my father. I know I may fail this test after my teacher reads this… but this would be a very small price one would pay towards an ode to the selfless love of my father”.

There was a deafening silence in the room… one could only hear soft sobbing of Ganga Das… The harsh sun could not wet his clothes with sweat but soft words of his daughter had soaked his chest with tears… he was standing there with hands folded…

He took the paper from the teacher’s hands… held it close to his heart and sobbed.The principal got up. Offered him a chair, a glass of water and said something… but strangely the crispness of her voice was taken over by a surprising warmth and sweetness…

“Ganga Das… Your daughter is given 10/10 marks for this essay… This is the best essay ever written about Mother’s Day in the history of this school. We are having the Mother’s Day gala event tomorrow and the entire School Management has decided to invite you as the Chief Guest for the event. This is to honour all the love and sacrifice a man can do to raise his children… This shows that you do not have to be a woman to be the perfect parent…

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An ancient Tamil Grammar scripture named “Purapporul Venba maalai” quotes:

“Kal thonri Mann thonrak KaalatheVaalodu Mun thonriya mootha kudi”

The above quote translates as: The enlightened and splendorous Tamil civilisation existed even during the stone age.

Even though the metaphor is exaggerated, the intention of the poet is to highlight the heritage of the language. The Tamil language has a beautiful musical spiritual tone to it.

There are twelve vowels in Tamil. They are m, M, ,, <, c, C, v, V, I, x, X, xs. (m, ,, c,v, x, resemble a, e, i, o and u with a subtle difference).

Phonetically, the vowels are classified as:

Short Vowels (Kuril)

m

/a/ (as in the first syllable of ago and in the second of sofa)

, /i/ (as in kit)

c /u/ (as in foot)

v /e/(as in trap)

X /o/ (as in lot)

Long Vowels (Nedil)

M /ā/ (as in father and start)

< /ī/ (as in fleece)

C /ū/ (as in goose)

V /ē/ (as in mate)

I /ai/ (as in twine)

X /Ō/ as in north and thought

The unit of phonetics for vowel is called ‘māthirai’.

While the short vowels count 1 māthirai, the long vowels are counted as 2 māthirai.

As simple, the difference between two vowels sound, one slip in the use can mean entirely different things.

For example:

Padam means picture ; Pādam means lessonPal means tooth ; Pāl means milk

Kal means stone ; Kāl means leg Thayār means ready ; Thāyār means the mother

The last word ‘thayār has very funny references. Restaurants and food joints in Tamil Nadu often place boards outside their businesses, “Sāppādu Thayār” meaning “meals ready” to attract customers. One spelling mistake in the script “Sāppādu Thāyār” will change the meaning to “meals is the mother”!

A few more examples:

Padu means to lie down ; Pādu means to singVadu means tender mango ; Vādu means to wither

Varam means boon ; Vāram means the weekTharam means quality ; Thāram means wife

So remember how you pronounce! The duration you take to pronounce a word makes all the difference.

That’s it for now, Until next time, Vanakkam!

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Speak Tamil - Language HackingLesson 10: Short and long vowels

And most importantly this is to reinforce/appreciate/acknowledge the strong belief of your daughter in you, to make her feel proud… To make the entire school feel proud that we have the best parent on earth as stated by your daughter”.

“You are a True Gardener, who is not only looking after the gardens but also nurturing the most precious

flower of your life in such a beautiful way…”.“So Ganga Das, will you be our Chief Guest for the event?”

Story Courtesy: Michiel from Arnem, Holland (friend of Ilaignarkal Education Centre. The article was received Michiel from the principal of a school in Uganda, Africa who in turn received it from India)

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I am Marie Babu and I am the current Executive of New Creation project. I am a native of Pondicherry I was born in a Roman Catholic family with 2 brothers and a sister and was brought up in the Cluny Convent.

After my studies, I started working as a teacher at the Cluny Convent. My brother-in-law was a friend of André Tardeil, a French resident of Auroville and told me about a job vacancy at Auroville. I came to Auroville in 1981. As a teacher, I taught to students of Kindergarten to grade 7 from Kuilapalayam village and the surrounding area. I also taught Tamil to André. The school was located at Fraternity at that time. In 1983, we moved to our current place which was called ‘Aurocreation’ at the beginning. Later, André named it as “New Creation”.

André was running Udavi School before he founded the New Creation. He was a part of an incense factory and opened a school in the factory premises to teach the workers, their children and the villagers in addition to a creche. Andre’s journey to India was influenced by the Mother’s teachings. He never went back. His dedication to work was addictive and I joined hands with him in this noble project.

André believed in free progress, child-centered education. He also promoted the activity-based curriculum. In 1983, we started the boarding school with 50 students, where we provided free education and meals. We also started the vocational training classes which included stone craft, metal craft, carpentry, tailoring, pottery, building construction, sports centre, transport unit, to name a few. Today we have 44 students in the boarding, out of which seven attend the New Era Secondary School, five go to Deepanam and three are in college. The rest are students of our primary school. We have five teachers who teach subjects and an arts/music teacher from Pondicherry. At our creche, we have three teachers. Our boarding facility is taken care of by two staff with two kitchen assistants and a cook. We also have a sports complex which we share with Auroville, where many athletic activities take place. We operate under the Society for Child Development

wing of Auroville Foundation. To date, we are not beneficiaries of any grants but solely depend on the donations from well-wishers and friends, assistance from visiting volunteers at the school and some income from our guesthouses.

Many of our students have been successful in their academic and professional life. Many have established themselves in Auroville and some abroad. Kala from Pour Tous, Ezhumalai from Auroville Bakery and his wife Saraswati, Krishna from Unity Transport and his wife Lakshmi, Tushita from Solar Kitchen and her husband Ayyanar, Vel from Gas Service, Siva from Security Services are our ex-students, to name a few. Most of our students go to Pondicherry for higher education and excel in French which makes us proud. We try to implement the importance of four languages equally as directed by the Mother.

As for my personal life, when I came to Auroville, I was deeply influenced by André’s dedication, loyalty and persistence with a passion to implement the Mother’s ideas. We got married in 1982 and have two beautiful daughters, Auma & Mirra. They both assist me in taking care of New Creation. I had never been a member of any of the committees in Auroville but I used to accompany André in the meetings. My interests include music and I have composed songs about the Mother in Tamil.

Vedapuri to New Creation(Interview with senior Aurovilian and Executive of New Creation Project, Mrs.Marie Babu)

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Throughout the years, despite hurdles and challenges, and supported by a network of friends and funders abroad, today we have a boarding school, vocational training, and boarding facilities, workshops, a village cooperative boutique, an eatery, residences and guesthouses. The goodwill created by New Creation is due to its impact on the lives of people around. Everyone feels welcomed here in New Creation. We continue to do what we do best - love, care and educate.The vision of the New Creation has not changed. André believed in actions rather than words. We strive to follow that throughout. Everyone in New Creation is treated equal and looked after. Children brim with life at the campus.

Growing up in a convent, I had no knowledge about Sri Aurobindo or the Mother. André introduced me to them. Not knowing about Auroville, I slowly learnt and experienced this place, the Mother’s dream through Andre and his vision in developing New Creation as a bridge between the villages and Auroville, a town of human unity. Today Auroville has grown in so many ways but still has a long way to go to reach its ideal.

Interviewed by the Editorial Team

Periya PuranamThe Periya Puranam is an account of the lives of Saivite Saints who lived in the Tamil Kingdoms hundreds of years ago. The lives of sixty-three Saints are spoken of in the Periyapuranam. These Saints do not belong to any one community; they hail from various communities - high and low, rich and poor. They have brought into the limelight the various aspects of Saivism.

Reference is made to these Saints and their lives in the works and commentaries of Saiva Sidhanta works such as Sivagnana Siddhiar and Thirukkalitruppadiar. Anyone who reads the lives of these Nayanmars will no doubt be impressed by the sense of devotion they had for the Almighty. This is the underlying theme of the whole of Periyapuranam, although the methods followed by the Nayanmars are not the same. The life of each and every Saint is a grand illustration of the emancipation of the soul in its search for the Supreme Divine Being.

The lives of these Saints are told in various works in Tamil, Sanskrit, Canarese and Telugu. The one in Tamil is called Periyapuranam or Thiru Thondar Puranam authored by Sekkizhaar. Sekkizhaar lived in the eleventh century and was the prime minister in the court of Kulothunga Chola who reigned during the eleventh century.

Sekkizhaar, being an admirer of nature and beauty

like the Nayanmars, has expressed himself in a simple, sober style. His poetry charms all readers and large audiences have been held spellbound by the recitation of the Periyapuranam. It is not only

a document of Hindu religious history but is also a literary masterpiece which should attract every student of Tamil Literature.

The Son of GodOne of the Saints referred to in Periyapuranam is Thirugnanasambandar. He is the youngest of Saints

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often referred to as ‘child saint’. He was born toSivapada Hirudayar and his wife Bhagavathiar after much prayers and austerities. A childless man usually prays for a son so that he might perform the obsequies for him according to the sastras (scriptures). Some pray for a son to take care of them in old age. But Sivapada Hirudayar prayed for a most unusual reason; one may say a unique reason never put forward before or after - who would re-establish faith in Saivism and take it forward.

Like any other only child, especially a child born as a result of austere thavam (penance), Thirugnanasambandar was spoilt with love and affection as he grew from infancy to toddlerdom, to the great delight of his parents and the wonder of neighbouring housewives, through the stages of turning over on his stomach, lifting his head and crowing with delight, crawling, standing up, taking his first step, till he learnt to walk and run with firm steps and even beat a tattoo with his tinkling anklet-grit feet when he went into a tantrum.

And into such a tantrum he went one fine morning in his third year when his father was leaving the house for his bath in the temple pond. Cajolements and threats were of no avail. Arriving at the tank, Sivapada Hirudayar left the child on the bank and loathe to part from the child, entered the water with hesitation, after saying a prayer to the magnanimous Lord. After finishing his bath and associated rituals in a hurry before the child could miss him, he was seized by a great longing and dived once again in the water and did not come up for a long time. The child standing on the bank unable to bear the absence of his father began to weep. With tears running down his cheeks, he called out to his mother and father. Lord Siva moved by the crying toddler, requests his wife, Parvati to feed him. And thus the child was bestowed the name, “Thiru-gnana-Sambandar” meaning ‘one who has gained contact with gnosis of Sivan’.

Sivapada Hirudayar after finishing his bath climbed the stairs of the pond and noticed the remnants of milk on the child’s face which was glowing. He asked angrily, “Who gave you milk? Show me the person who had fed you the milk which is drooling from your mouth?”.

Thirugnanasambandar replied with a song thus:

Behold HimWith an ear having a plug of rolled palm-leaf stuck in its pierced lobe,The Rider on the bull,The Wearer of a pure white moon on His locks, The One smearedWith hot ashes of the cremation ground all over His body,The Stealer of my heart.Him who is verily the Great Lord,Him, who, with His abode in Brahmapuram of proud fame,Bestowed grace on BrahmaSeated on a multi-petalled lotusWhen he humbly adored HimOn a day long ago.

Such was the song which a little child of three, the Son of God sang, standing on the bank of the pond, with one finger pointing up above, and with one foot lifted up, perhaps in memory of, perhaps in imitation of, the oft-seen sight of Lord Siva performing the Cosmic dance, whose vibration is the Cosmic Sound ‘Om’.

Thus the child sang to an audience of one, his amazed and unbelieving father, the father who by begetting such a son, was blessed with a vision of Lord Siva in all His glory, in the age-old form of Ammai-Appan, the Mother-Father of all beings.

At the age of three, when most children are not able to walk with confident firm steps, when children cannot speak a well-formed sentence, when most of all children of that age have a vocabulary of probably

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Pongal celebration at French Pavilion

It was a time of celebration for the Indian and International population in Auroville. The agrarian harvest festival of Pongal was celebrated at the French Pavilion in Auroville on 15 January 2019 with much fervour. The event was inaugurated by the Secretary of Auroville Foundation, Mr.M.V.Chunkath and presided by Kavignar R.Meenakshi. The even was graced by the presence of Second Consul-General of French Embassy, Pondicherry, Ms. Isabelle de Marguerye. Traditional food was offered to the guests in palm leaf bowls which included sweet pongal and a stew made out of 24 locally available vegetables. Traditional dances of both countries were performed. Visitors enjoyed participating in traditional games like breaking the pot, rock lifting, etc. Natural drinks like coconut water was served with papaya stalks instead of plastic straws. There were stalls showcasing metal works, stone works, hand painted fabrics and

organic foods. The event was jointly organised by Ilaignarkal Education Centre, Mohanam Cultural Centre, Thazhi foundation and the French Pavilion of Auroville.

Exhibition on the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

Ilaignarkal Education Centre hosted an exhibition in commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th anniversary along with Thazhi Foundation, Pondicherry. The exhibition reached Ilaignarkal after travelling to 10 schools in Pondicherry. Rare manuscripts from Gandhiji’s life, commemorative stamps and documented moments of his final days are displayed. These materials are both beneficial to students as well as teachers. The exhibition was held between 26 - 30 January, 2019 at Ilaignarkal.

Happenings

no more than fifty words, at that age of three our Child Saint sang a song of no less than eleven stanzas, a son conforming to the rigid rules of Tamil Grammar and prosody, set to an ancient classical Tamil tune.

During his life, Thirugnanasambandhar is said to have sung numerous hymns praising Lord Siva and travelled around re-establishing Saivism including Irumbai Maakalam just 2 kms from the Matrimandir of Auroville. At the age of 16, he is said to have attained salvation along with his bride during the marriage ceremony. For a child of no more than sixteen years, Thirugnanasambandhar showed a remarkable understanding of human nature and a

spirit of rare conformity with the common man’s aspirations and foibles in spite of his own unrivalled knowledge of the Past, Present and Future, of here, of the hereafter and of Anmai - a region beyond the hereafter, that is, several future births. These are called Inmai, Marumai and Anmai.

Adapted from Periya Puranam by Sekkizhaar, Condensed English Version by G.Vanmikinathan and edited by Dr. N. Mahalingam, published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai, 1985.

From the archives of R.Meenakshi.(Answer to the riddle: Chair)

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Does life throb in the tremulous leaf?Yes.In the roaring sea….is all that water soaked with life?Yes.Stone dropped from roof, wings its way to ground.This pulse of movement is spurred by its innate life.Rustle of the brook is life manifest.Silent air turns into a howling wind,A stirring of its life. A bull pulling the cart - Breathes life into the wheels,The cart becomes alive.The soaring kite - it is alive.The roaring steam train has life, too.A big life.All machines are propelled by lifeThe earth spins and spinsAn inexhaustible reservoir of life is ourMother Earth.

So, all things on her sacred bodyAre vibrant.The universe is in a whirl.The moon whirls, the sun too.Billions and billions of miles away,Even beyondFurther beyondInto an abyss

Stars and planets in a constant spin.So, this world bustles with life.This life we have named the Wind.And, morn noon and eveWe sing its glory in Joyous celebration.

- Subramaniya Bharathiar

Extracted from “Bharathiar, different faces - different angles” - essays of Dr.K.S.Subramanian, edited by Latha Ramakrishnan, published by Anamika Alphabets, 2017

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Riddles - Vidukathai (tpLfij)Did you know that riddles are found in the Rig Veda texts? We will be giving you a sneak peak of that in our upcoming editions.

Riddle for this month:I have four legs and two handsI am always sitting

And I give place forOthers to sit.Who am I?

The solution to this riddle is hidden between articles. Happy reading!

For private circulation onlyPublished by : Ilaignarkal Education Centre, a unit of Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational Research, AurovilleEmail : tamil@auroville.org.inTelephone : 0413 2623773Blog : https://vaasalmagazine.wordpress.comPrinted by : Ponni Press, Cuddalore (9443537557)

Wind