Critical appreciation of the aspects of nuclear physics and the nervous system, presented in the works of Ramalinga Swami, 1823-1874 (Vallalar), Tamil religious poet.

The insights of our saints and seers are unerring products of a direct vision
boon of the concentrated powers of the soul. They are not inferred conclusions from
logical premises. The latter are mediate, deductive and utmost probable. Direct
intuitions do not function through links of arguments and premises but are a leap into
the very nucleus of truth and reality. This is what is signified by what the Gita calls
the Divine Eye (divya-caksus).
Saint Ramalinga Vallalar is a standing monumental proof of the possibility of
these intimations of not only a spiritual science, but also the secrets of the physical
universe. As he himself declares, he is the descendent of the continuous line of seers
and sages.
The Upanishads declare that the Supreme Reality is the smallest of the small
and the greatest of the great (anoraniyan mahatomahiyan). They also reveal to us how
the space within the heart (daharakasa) is the same as universal akasa only to thrust
home the truth that one reality is comprehensively present everywhere.
The Sankhya and the Vaisesika systems have given a profound analysis of the
cosmology reducing the plurality of the elements of reality and experience to more
and more inclusive generic forms. The Vedantas of Sankara and of Ramanuja have
incorporated all the elements of existence in one primordial cause namely Brahman.
Thus, in Indian thought, we have the idea of creation of the world from the
atomic elements (Vaisesika) or the evolution of the world out of one homogeneous
matter (Prakrti) mechanically (according to later Sankhya) or by the bidding of God
(Advaita and Visistadvaita) either really (Visistadvaita, Saiva Siddhanta) at illusorily
(Advaita).
To Saint Ramalingam, as for the Upanishadic tradition or Siddhanta tradition,
the world is spiritual through and through. Every physical element owes its being and
function to an ultimate intelligence; and the soul and its ingredients too are no less the
function of a principle set in motion by a superior spiritual power.
In this thesis entitled “Vallalar’s Vision of Nuclear Physics and Nervous
System”, Sri T. R. Thulasiram has expounded Vallalar in a lucid and with much depth
of understanding. The pre-occupation with the spiritual in our land sometimes makes
us forget the physical forces which should be understood for a healthy life here on
earth. It is time that the balance is restored.
Sri Thulasiram has drawn many a concept from Sri Aurobindo in presenting
his essay. A psycho - physical analysis of our being as to arrive a complete and
correct concept of man attempted in the essay with an effective look into Kundalini
Yoga has fulfilled a long felt need in this area.
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“Know thyself” is the dictum of all spiritual masters from time immemorial.
Sri Thulasiram has to be congratulated on his brave attempt. The world of earnest
scholars in religion and philosophy do certainly feel a debt of gratitude to Dr. Sri N.
Mahalingam out of whose initiative and active imagination, books such as this one are
finding their light of the day.
Madras P.K. Sundaram
April 1987 Retd. Prof. of Philosophy
University of Madras