Golden Lay Verses

Verse 54 (ஆன்ம வைப்பு)

தமிழ் பாடல்

ஏகமதில் ஜெகமெல்லாம் பலவாத் தோன்றும்

யூகமதி லான்மாவோ வொன்றாய் நிற்கும்

யோகமதி லருவில்லை யுருவு மில்லை

யோகவிதித் திறலான்மா வொன்றே ஒன்றாம்

Transliteration

Ēkamadhil jegamellām palavāth thōṉḏṟum

Yūkamadhi lāṉmāvō voṉḏṟāy niṟkum

Yōkamadhi laruvillai yuruṟuvu millai

Yōkavidhith thiṟalāṉmā voṉḏṟē voṉḏṟām.

Literal Translation

Within the One (Ekam), the entire world appears as many.

In yūka-mati (conjecture / discriminative thought), the soul stands as one.

In yōga-mati (the yogic state/mind), there is no ‘aruvu’ (the subtle/invisible or formless) and no ‘uruvu’ (form/visible).

By the power/efficacy of the yogic method, the soul is one—only one.

Interpretive Translation

Though reality is non-dual, multiplicity is experienced as an appearance within that One. When understanding turns inward—through discernment rather than mere sense-perception—the Self is recognized as a single unity. In mature yoga, the opposition “with form / without form” (gross/subtle, saguna/nirguna) collapses, and what remains is the One Self alone, not a second thing.

Philosophical Explanation

The verse moves through layered standpoints. First it states a non-dual premise: “Ekam” (the One) is the ground in which “jagam” (world) presents itself as plurality—suggesting appearance (māyā-like) rather than a second independent reality.

Next it introduces “yūka-mati”: a mode of mind associated with inference, conjecture, or discriminative reasoning. From this standpoint, the “āṉmā” (soul/self) is grasped as one—an intellectual correction to the sensory impression of many.

Then it shifts to “yōga-mati,” implying direct yogic knowing rather than conceptual knowing. Here the Siddhar denies both categories: neither “aruvu” nor “uruvu.” In Siddha usage, this can mean neither subtle/invisible nor gross/visible; and also neither formless Absolute nor formed deity—pointing to a realization that is prior to such divisions.

Finally, “yōga-vidhi-t-tiṟal” (the force/effectiveness of yogic method, discipline, or rule) indicates that this oneness is not merely a doctrine but an accomplished state: the Self is realized as “one—only one.” The text preserves the Siddha emphasis that unity is confirmed in yogic attainment, not just argued philosophically.

Key Concepts

  • Ekam (the One)
  • Jagat/Jegam (world-appearance)
  • Multiplicity as appearance
  • Āṉmā (soul/Self)
  • Yūka-mati (reasoning/conjecture/discriminative intellect)
  • Yōga-mati (yogic mind/state of realization)
  • Aruvu / Uruvu (subtle-or-formless / gross-or-formed)
  • Non-duality (one without a second)
  • Yōga-vidhi (yogic method/discipline)
  • Tiṟal (power, efficacy, force)

Ambiguities or Multiple Readings

  • “யூகமதி (yūka-mati)” can be read as (a) conjecture/guesswork, (b) inferential reasoning, or (c) discriminative intellect. The line may contrast mere conceptual grasp with yogic realization, or may simply mark a ‘stage’ of understanding.
  • “அருவு / உருவு” may mean (a) formless/form, (b) subtle/gross, or (c) invisible/visible—so the yogic claim can be read as transcending both metaphysical categories (nirguṇa/saguṇa) and experiential categories (subtle/gross body-mind states).
  • “ஆன்மா (āṉmā)” may refer to the individual jīva-soul, the witnessing Self, or Śiva/Paramātman. The verse does not explicitly choose, allowing a Siddha-style identity claim between jīva and the Absolute.
  • “யோகவிதித் திறல்” may mean (a) the power produced by practicing yogic discipline, (b) the authoritative ‘rule’ of yoga that reveals truth, or (c) the inherent potency of Yoga itself—each shading whether oneness is attained, disclosed, or recognized.