Ramana Maharshi on Aham

On "Aham" Sri Ramana Maharshi has said in one of his verses (Mangalam verse for his translation of the Vivekachudamani) as follows:-

அகம் எனும் மூல அவித்தை அகன்றிட அகம் அகம் ஆக அல்லும் பகல் அற
அகம் ஒளிர் ஆத்ம-தேவன் பதத்தினில் அக-மகிழ்வு ஆக அனிசம் ரமிக்கவே.

agam enum moola aviddai agandrida agam agam aaga allum pagal ara
agam olir aatma-devan padattinil
aga-magizhvu aaga anisam ramikkavee.

Analysis of the verse:

1. அகம் எனும் மூல அவித்தை அகன்றிட

Ignorance at its greatest level is the ignorance that I need to work for my salvation. Neither am I an enemy nor an ally to my progres towards enlightenment. I don't have to reach anywhere or achieve anything.
So Sri Ramana says, to rid ourselves of ignorance of I, remember that the thought that I have to achieve enlightenment is sorrow. Treat it thus and proceed.

2. அகம் அகம் ஆக அகம் ஒளிர்

Aham shines(ஒளிர்) as Aham and Aham.

In அகம் அகம் ஆக , the first अहं represents the अक्षरमाला ( sanskrit A- Z) with अ the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet and ह is the last letter of the alphabet Hence it represents all words (Speech) which can be produced using the alphabet (शब्दमाला).  ( This meaning of Aham as the शब्दमाला has been used in the Siddha Geeta of Maha Ramayana)

Those who are aware of the inner sound, this represents the Naadam heard within all the time. Aham (अहं) is ever present in us and all around. Its vibration is the cause of our existence as also of this Universe. It will also be the cause of the disintegration of the Universe and it's future regeneration.

The second अहं is  like the English statement A to Z meaning EVERYTHING IN THE EXISTENCE. Every item in this universe has a name which again is a word formed by a combination of letters between अ and ह and hence अहं here encompasses all items from Atom to Galaxy within its gamut.

The first Aham is Sabda, the cause. The second Aham is Universe, the effect.

Aham shines as Aham the sound, Aham the Universe, the cause and the effect.

3. அனிசம், அல்லும் பகல் அற

When does the above happen?

It happens 'Anisam, Allum Pagal Ara' (அனிசம், அல்லும் பகல் அற ) meaning at all times, irrespective whether it is day or night.

4. ஆத்ம-தேவன் பதத்தினில் அகம் அகிழ்வு ஆக ரமிக்கவே

Fully engaged (with surrender, renouncing all efforts) In that state of the Atma Devan( Shining Self) remembering that the local I and its efforts are sorrow ridden.

Full meaning:

In order that we rid ourselves of the gross ignorance that I have to seek and attain enlightenment,

Dropping the local sorrow ridden I,
Fully engage(renouncing all efforts) in the state of the Shining Self.

Which is shining at all times as both the Sabda(Aham) and its effect, the Universe(Aham).

ऊँ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।