“Prayers to Lord Murugan” by A.K. Ramanujan is a poem that intricately blends elements of traditional Hindu mythology with modern, secular perspectives. The poet employs irony, paradox, and subversion to challenge cultural norms while maintaining a deep connection to Indian traditions. The persona addresses Lord Murugan, seeking guidance and understanding in a world marked by complexities and uncertainties.

The poem reflects the poet’s awareness of Western culture and his perception of modernity as afflicted with Oedipal repressions and dismissals of immediate traditions. Despite being deeply rooted in Indian tradition, Ramanujan engages in a radical subversion of dominant cultural representations.

The persona’s prayers encompass a range of human experiences, from guilt and doubt to the desire for clarity and understanding. The climax of the poem is reached when the persona questions the efficacy of traditional prayers and seeks a cure from the need for such rituals. This climactic moment encapsulates Ramanujan’s exploration of religious faith as a universal essence.

The poem concludes with the persona’s plea for a broader perspective, symbolized by the adjustment of a “single eye” to see all things double, embracing diversity and complexity. “Prayers to Lord Murugan” serves as a testament to the poet’s secular human quest, reflecting a profound desire for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of life beyond religious conventions.