03/08/2023
THIRUNEERU (SACRED ASH)
The highest, the simplest and the universal gift of Saivism to its followers is the sacred ashes, The Thiru Neeru. In Sanskrit it is called Vibooti meaning a priceless treasure and a super human power.
It is the highest gift because it is the emblem of the love of God. It is simple because it is obtainable everywhere and for nothing.
It is universal because everyone who claims to be a Saivite is in possession of it.
Manikavasagar writes:-
Though he does not dread things orginarily dreaded, such as poisonous snakes and sharp arrows, he does dread the sight of those Saivites who do not wear the sacred ashes, Thiruneeru.
Appar writes:-
Vain is their life if they smear not the holy ashes which ward of fell and foul disease. If they wear not the white ash that quell cruel melodies, they are surely unendowed with grace.
Ramalinga Adigal was very much attached to the Sacred Ash – Thiruneeru, He does not tire singing about its powers to eradicate misery.
He tells his heart
Oh heart, of mine, like the boneless worm, suffers in the grevious company of loveless, deceitful, perfictious men, If you wear the ash singing Siva Siva of unceasing bliss, you will gain the environment where the unique state of no suffering prevail.
If one wears the graced filled ash saying the Lords name, evil disease which infest a man daily will be averted.
The travail of being born again and again will cease, fame will spread here on earth and in the Universe and, with the Thiruneeru encircling the person like an armour, the eveil eye will be averted.
I am going to deviate a bit.
There is also a scientific reason behind the Sacred Ash on the forehead and other parts of the body, The Thiruneeru as the ability to absorb moisture and kill bacteria from bones and joints, you might have noticed people applying this sacred ash on joints and elbows. This is one of the reasons for applying ashes on the forehead, It absorbs moisture. It is also applied by people during a fever or illness and these reasons may not be known to them or they may think that it bring God notice to cure them. It absorbs moisture and kills bacteria present in the forehead. It also prevents sinus problems and other bacterial diseases according to Swami Madarajalum Adigal of Peru Adinam Coimbatore.
The Thiruneeru is picked up with the three fingers of the right hand and applied such that the three lines form across the forehead.
Indicating the three functions of Sivam, creation, preservation, dissolution. While the prayer goes to God, this Thiruneeru also reminds us to realise the truth and endeavour to drop the shackles that bind us to the three impurities or malams, Anvamalam, Karmamalan and Mayamalan.
Thiruneeru is not just applied simply for show or fun. It has deep philosophical meaning. We must be always conscious of this when applying the Thiruneeru to ensure maximum benefit from our prayer and action.
Gana Samabhandar gives us as many as fifty four characteristics of the Thiruneeru in his Thiruneetru Pathigam
A great many of which are well know attributes of Sivam.
Thiru Neetru Pathigam
It is the …Thiruneeru which had cured the Pandian King of his Ailments.
The mystic Thiru Neeru which is even used by Vanavars – The celestials the sages. This neeru which is Divine Power and effective medicine
It is beauty for the soul, It is the souls beauty.
Praise-worship – this path to God realisation
This Thiruneeru is the sum and substance of the Agamas, the basis for this divine path. It is the emblem for this holy path.
This Mandiram, This mystic word referred to is NaMaSiVaYa. It is both the name of the Lord and the five lettered mantra.
The singing of the ThiruNeetru Pathigams Mandiram Avathu Neeru with complete faith and smearing oneself is behived to provide the one medicine that never fails, that is Gods grace.
This thiruneeru is highly spoken of in the Vedas.
This neeru removes cruel sufferings.
It grants Sivagnanam, It grants knowledge dispelling meaness.
It is said to give liberation to the soul eternal bliss for the soul.
Ash is truth, it bestow bliss
Praised by the devotees of Lord Siva. It promotes bakthi, promotes devotion
Gives greatness to those who desire to use it eradicating venai or karma.
It is the embodiment of virtuous acts destroying desires
Grants bless which is the ultimate goal of human beings.
Wealth is this Thiru neeru, cutting of the root of suffering decreasing physical and mental pains.
This neeru is a fortress.
It is useful for birth and after birth and after birth.
It is good fortune.
It shines in a state of purity.
Ash is truth.
Not just any ash! Only the holy Ash of Sivam, who is the matchless Lord and efficient cause of the Universe.
The sacred ThiruNeeru given by Thilagavathiyar to Appar kindled his passionate love for Siva which had been lying dormant in him.
Adorn Holy Ash which is prepared in according to rules which is given in the Temples of Sivan.
The Divine presence in ThiruNeeru is still more pronounced when it has been used to bathe the Siva Lingam or Siva Nadarasar whilst the great Mandiram or the Thiru Neetru Pathigan is being repeated so that the Sivan present in the Madiram maybe specially present in the Thiru Neeru.
When we wear the ThiruNeeru, we wear the love of God. Our forehead and other parts of the body on which we wear ThiruNeeru become the sacred abode of the Lord. When we wear it we generally repeat the great Mantram, Siva Siva, this mantram is the invocation for the presence of the energy of the Lord in the Thiru Neeru. A presence such as that of ghee in curd.
We wear it on the forehead which is the seat of thoughts and on the chest which is the seat of feelings. If worn in the right spirit, the Thiru Neeru induces right thoughts and the right feelings or actions on desires, and understandings get sublimated, get nobler. No wrong desires or thoughts can arise in us.
The conciousness of the presence of the Lord and ThiruNeeru also gives room only for noble and holy thoughts.
If circumstances should conspire to lead us to a wrong deed, this thought of the Thiru Neeru on us can effectively thwart, prevent this attempt and make us their master instead of being mastered by them.
We tell ourselves, how can we who are the sacred abodes of Sivam adorning this sacred Thiru Neeru condescend to entertain the thoughts of doing wrong and foolish deeds.
The four Nayaanmar saints Thiruyaana Sambandhar, Thirunaavukkarasar Sundra Moorthi, Manikavasagar and also the fourteen philosophical Sages, meikandar Dhevar, Arunnandhi Sivam, Mairaiyana Sambandhan and Umbathi Sivam odorned the Sacred Ash. Ash protects those who trust where there are trust , there is no doubt just as we consume medication trusting that the medication will rid us of our illness we, must also adorn Holy ash trusting that it will rid us of ignorance, misery and birth.
In conclusion, Manikavasagar says
If desirous of wearing Thiru-Neeru wear it in abundance. The abundance is a sign of real love for the Lord.
