If a fellow who transplanted a seedling to a farm went on a loiter, who would regulate the path and feed proportionate amount of muddy water and mend the growing crop?

Anupallavi

O, Lord Ekambara, residing in Kanchi, please do not discard me as an unrelated individual. Please shower compassion on me like a spring of clear river water and accept me into your inner circle.

Charanam

You know full well that there will be no rain after the month of Karthigai. Likewise, this poor yearning soul needs your back at this time, and this is the opportune moment for you to help me and let me lean on you. Erase all my past sins and like the king Pegan who offered the blanket to the shivering peacock, embrace me, hold me tight and help me cross the ocean of life to safer shores.

Author’s Note

Pegan (also spelled Began) was a king during the time of poet Avvaiyar. One day while on a stroll, he saw a peacock shivering in the cold. He immediately took his royal shawl and bundled the bird up and saved it from the inclement weather. Pegan is one of the seven Vallals or benevolent kings of the sangam era. Song 145 of Purananuru penned by Poet Paranar has immortalized this charitable act. See the verses from Paranar below:

“மடத் தகை மா மயில் பனிக்கும்” என்று அருளி,

படாஅம் ஈத்த கெடாஅ நல் இசை,

கடாஅ யானைக் கலி மான் பேக!

Meaning

மெல்லிய தகைமை பொருந்திய கரிய மயில் குளிரால் நடுங்குமென்று அருள் செய்து போர்வை கொடுத்த, அழியாத நற்புகழினையும், மதமுடைய யானையும், மனம் செருக்கிய குதிரையையும் உடைய பேக!

Source

புறநானூறு (மூலமும் உரையும்), புத்தகம் - 1, உரையாசிரியர்கள்

முனைவர் கு.வெ.பாலசுப்பிரமணியன், முனைவர் அ.விசுவநாதன், முனைவர் வி.நாகராசன், முனைவர் இரா. ஆரோக்கியசாமி, முனைவர் க.திலகவதி, முனைவர். வெ.சத்தியநாராயணன், நியூ செஞ்சுரி புக் ஹவுஸ் (பி)லித், 41-பி, சிட் கோ இண்டஸ்டிரியல் எஸ்டேட், அம்பத்தூர், சென்னை- 600098, முதல் பதிப்பு ஏப்ரல் 2004, பாடல் 145, பக்கம் 336-337.

naindhu nUlAgi

நைந்து நூலாகி

Pallavi

நைந்து நூலாகி நிற்கையிலே தெளிந்து

naindhu nUlAgi niRkaiyilE theLindhu

பைந்தமிழ் பாடல் ஒன்றால் துதிக்கலானேன்

paindhthamizh pAdal ondRAl thudhikkalAnEn

Anupallavi

உய்ந்து ஆன்றோர் அருளிய வண்ணமே

uyndhu AndROr aruLiya vaNNamE

ஐந்து எழுத்து ஈசனை பஜிக்கலானேன்

aindhu ezhutthu Isanai bajikkalAnEn

Charanam

கல்லடி பட்டாலும் மிதியடி பட்டாலும் பித்தாவென

kalladi pattalum midhiyadi pattAlum pitthAvena

சொல்லடி பட்டாலும் கூர்வாள் சிரமதில் பட்டாலும்

solladi pattAlum kUrvAL siramadhil pattAlum

நஞ்சினை அமுதென உட்கொண்டு நீலகண்டனாகி

nanjinai amudhena utkoNdu nIlakaNtanAgi

வஞ்சனை இல்லாது கருணை வாரி வழங்கும் ஐயனை

vanjanai illAdhu karuNai vAri vazhangum aiyanai

Translation

Pallavi

When I stood dwindling in health and became thin as a thread, I got clarity and started worshipping you with a chaste Tamil poem.

Anupallavi

After a lot of deliberation, I chose the path of elders and intellectuals and started worshipping the Lord, he who has a five-syllable name.

Charanam

Your devotees have hit you with a stone, a sandal, a sharp sword, and even abusive words like “lunatic”. Ignoring them, you drank the poison to save the world, accepting it as nectar and your throat became stained blue with the venom. You are the chief who showers compassion without any deceit or deception. Therefore, I started worshipping you.

Author’s Note

Line 1 of the charanam refers to Sakkiya/Chakkiya Nayanar puranam who developed a unique way of worshipping Sivan, throwing a stone at the Sivalingam every day. The phrase “midhiyadi pattAlum” refers to Kannappa Nayanar puranam (both references are from Sekkizhar’s Peria Puranam). For detailed interpretations of the stories of these Saivite saints, see:

பெரிய புராணம், 64-வது நாயனார் தெய்வத்திரு திருமுருக கிருபானந்த வாரியார் சுவாமிகள், வெளியீடு குகஶ்ரீ வாரியார் பதிப்பகம், 107, சிங்கண்ண தெரு, சிந்தாதிரிப்பேட்டை, சென்னை 600002, தொலைபேசி 8535666, முதல் பதிப்பு, செப்டம்பர் 2000, பக்கம் 178-207; 544-551.

Line 2 of the charanam with the words “pitthAvena solladi pattAlum” refers to Sundaramurthy Nayanar puranam where Arurar or Sundarar had called Siva as Pittha (lunatic) when he appeared as an old man to stop his wedding, claiming that Arurar is his slave per an agreement signed by his ancestors. For details see the above referenced book pages 36-43.

The phrase “kUrvAL siramadhil pattAlum” refers to the legend associated with Masilamaniswara temple in Thirumullaivayil in Chennai Avadi Road. Per the legend, king Thondaimaan, ruler of the area at that time, was fighting the Kurumba tribe. On his way to the fight, he cleared mullai (jasmine) plants in that area with his sword and daggers of the army. He felt terrified to see blood oozing from a lingam in that forest and was ready to kill himself. Siva appeared with Parvathy and protected him and asked for a temple to be built at that site.

For details, see the sthalapuranam of this temple:

Masilamaniswarar Temple Legend

Line 3 of the charanam refers to the story of Siva swallowing the kalakuta or haala hala poison that appeared when Devas and Asuras churned the milky ocean. Compassionate Lord Siva decided to swallow the poison spewed by the snake Vasuki to save the entire universe. Siva did this noble act with the grace of Lord Vishnu reciting his three names Achuta, Ananta, Govinda. Due to the toxic effects of the venom, his throat became blue in color and Siva acquired the name Neelakantan (See Padma purana, Uttara Khanda, Section VI, chapter 232 for more details). Siva Purana, Rudra Samhita, Chapter 18, Verse 29 specifically calls out Siva as Neelakanta and the reason for it. The verse is as follows:

कान्तार्धारुणितं विषं पीत्वा कैलासमाश्रितः।

नीलकण्ठो महाक्रूरो धरण्या मूर्तिमान्सुतः॥

More detailed accounts of Parvathi placing her hand on Siva's throat to contain the poison to that site and Siva's throat staining blue due to the venom are detailed in the sthalapuranam of Pallikondeswarar temple in Surattapalli, Andhra Pradesh ( See the link below):

Siva becomes Neelakantan

uvar nIril URiyum

உவர் நீரில் ஊறியும்

Pallavi

உவர் நீரில் ஊறியும் உதிரத்தே உதித்தும்

uvar nIril URiyum udhiratthE udhitthum

எவர் நினைந்தார் இம்மெய்யை தம் வாழ்நாளில்

evar ninaindhAr immeyyai tham vAzhnALil

Anupallavi

மறந்து மாய வாழ்வினில் உறைந்து

maRandhu mAya vAzhvinil uRaindhu

இரைந்து ஆர்பரிப்பார் அவரே

iraindhu ArbarippAr avarE

Charanam

ரொக்கமும் இல்லாமல் வெக்கையால் வருந்தி

rokkamum illAmal vekkaiyAl varundhi

பொக்கை வாயால் புசிக்கவும் இயலாமல்

pokkai vAyAl pusikkavum iyalAmal

கொக்கி போல் இருமலும் சேர்ந்த காலை

kokki pOl irumalum sErndha kAlai

சொக்கனை சேரவெண்ணி மிக்கவே ஏங்கிடுவார்

sokkanai sEraveNNi mikkavE EngiduvAr

Translation

Pallavi

Soaked in saline water (the amniotic fluid) and coming out of the womb bloody is common to all human births, but which human realizes this ultimate truth in their lifetime?

Anupallavi

Not realizing the sole purpose of existence, they will forget everything. They will freeze in time in this illusive life and start making noises that make no sense.

Charanam

Reaching a stage with no money left, tortured by the land’s heat in this age (kali), unable to eat food with no teeth left, spells of coughs bothering the body, they will yearn to reach the abode of Siva.

piRai sUdal

பிறை சூடல்

Pallavi

பிறை சூடல் என்பதுமோர் கலையோ தில்லை

piRai sUdal enbadhumOr kalaiyO thillai

இறைவா அத்திறனும் உன் இல்லத்துரிமையோ

iRaivA atthiRanum un illatthurimaiyO

Anupallavi

தேய்ந்திடும் மதியினை அபயம் என்றுரைத்தே

thEyndhidum madhiyinai abhayam endRuraitthE

பாய்ந்திடும் கங்கையுடன் சிரமதில் எழிலுற தரித்தாய்

pAyndhidum gangaiyudan siramadhil ezhiluRa dharitthAy

Charanam

உந்தியில் பிறவா கணபதியும் முந்தியே வான்மதி அணிந்ததென்ன

undhiyil piRavA ganapathiyum mundhiyE vAnmadhi aNindhadhenna

அந்தமில் தேவியும் அம்புலியேந்தி மறுபெயர் கொண்டதென்ன

anthamil dhEviyum ambuliyEndhi maRupeyar koNdadhenna

சூட்டினால் வழியின்றி தண்மதி தாங்கிய மாயம்

sUttinAl vazhiyindRi thaNmadhi thAngiya mAyam

ஏட்டினால் தெரிவதில்லை நாட்டினில் யார்க்கும் புரிவதில்லை

EttinAl therivadhillai nAttinil yArkkum purivadhillai

Translation

Pallavi

Oh, presiding Lord of Chidambaram, is adorning the moon a special art and privilege to your family?

Anupallavi

You looked at the waning moon, sympathized, and said that you are offering refuge. You then gracefully stationed the moon next to the flowing Ganges River on your head.

Charanam

What is the deal with your son Ganapathy, birthed outside of your wife’s belly, to wear the moon at such a young age? What is the reason for the immortal Devi to support the moon on her head and for her to change her name? I do know that body heat is the primary reason to wear a cool moon on your physique. This fact is not documented anywhere and remains unknown to date. No one in the land understands this.

Author’s Note

This is an imaginative song pondering why Lord Siva, Parvathi as Raja Rajeswari, and Ganapathy all adorn the moon on their bodies. Is this perhaps due to the excess heat generated by Ganesha swallowing Analasura, and going through excruciating pain in his stomach? Or Siva holding an open flame on his hand all the time, Ambal being in proximity to the flame of the Panchagni, and Siva’s occasional opening of the third eye to torment his devotees? Is the moon on the physique intended to cool the body from constant exposure to heat?

Reference is made here obliquely to Siva holding a flame in his hand as a permanent feature, Ganapathy swallowing the fire-breathing demon Vathapi and suffering as a result, and Ambal doing penance in an open flame in Mangadu, to attain the Lord’s hand in marriage.

ellai illA inbamE

எல்லை இல்லா இன்பமே

Pallavi

எல்லை இல்லா இன்பமே இது நித்தியமே

ellai illA inbamE idhu nitthiyamE

இல்லை எனா தில்லை நாதனை தரிசித்தவர்க்கு

illai enA thillai nAdhanai dharisitthavarkku

Anupallavi

கல்லை மிதக்க வைத்த கயிலையனை

kallai midhakka vaittha kayilaiyanai

கல்லை உருக்கிடும் காருண்யனை கண்டவர்க்கு

kallai urukkidum kAruNyanai kaNdavarkku

Charanam

வீடு நாடிடும் தபஸ்விகளும் இகத்தினில்

vIdu nAdidum thapasvigaLum igatthinil

பீடு தேடிடும் பாமரரும் பாடிடும்

pIdu thEdidum pAmararum pAdidum

சாம கான லோலன் சிதம்பரன்

sAma gAna lOlan chidhambaran

நாம ஜபம் புரிந்தே சன்னிதி அடைவோர்க்கு

nAma japam purindhE sannidhi adaivOrkku

Translation

Pallavi

It is certain that those who have worshipped the presiding deity of Chidambaram will be blessed with boundless, eternal joy. This lord never says no to his devotees.

Anupallavi

One who has seen the Lord of Mount Kailash will certainly be blessed with boundless joy. He who floated a stone on water is the personification of compassion, that will melt even a hard stone.

Charanam

The Lord of Chidambaram relishes the lovely melody of the Sama Veda chant. The saints, who have a lofty goal of attaining heaven, and the ordinary earthlings who aspire to status and greatness, extoll him and sing his glory. Those who constantly chant his name and finally reach the sanctum in the sacred city of Chidambaram, will be blessed with permanent and abundant happiness.

Author’s Note

The line in the charanam கல்லை மிதக்க வைத்த கயிலையனை (kallai midhakka vaittha kayilaiyanai) is based on the sthalapuranam of the Pataleeswarar temple in Tamil Nadu.

The Pallava King Mahendra Varma (600-630 A.D) tried to kill Saivite Saint Appar by various means, but by the grace of Lord Siva, Saint Appar escaped unhurt. The King then tied him to a stone and threw him in the river. Again, by the grace of Lord Siva he had a miraculous escape. Pleased with his songs, the Lord gave him protection from the king’s actions. The stone became a boat and floated and he safely reached the shore near Thiruppathripuliyur. This place is known even now as Karaiyeravittakuppam, and a festival is being celebrated in the month of Chittirai to commemorate this miracle.

For the padhikam that Appar sang starting with the line சொற்றுணை வேதியன்

(sotRuNai vEdhyan) on the glory of Lord Siva saving him on this occasion, see Page 306 of the book பெரிய புராணம்(peria purANam) written by Thirumuruga Kirupanandha variar, Published by Guhasri variar padhippagam, 107 Singanna St, Chintadripet, Chennai 600002. The padhikam provides all the details of the miracle and Variar wrote that it is no surprise that Appar crossed this sea so easily since the five letter நமசிவாய(namasivAya) helps a devotee to cross even the birth cycle of seven lives with no difficulties.

This magical act of Siva helping Appar to reach the river shores is part of the sthalapuranam of the temple in Thiruppathripuliyur.

Pataleeswarar Temple Legend

mukkaNNan mugam

முக்கண்ணன் முகம்

Pallavi

முக்கண்ணன் முகம் பொத்தி விளையாடாதே முருகா

mukkaNNan mugam potthi viLaiyAdAdhE murugA

திக்கெங்கும் நோக்கியே துயர் நீக்கிடும்

dhikkengum nOkkiYE thuyar nIkkidum

Anupallavi

ஈசனின் ஒருகண் அசைவினில் தோன்றிடும் உலகு கயிலை

Isanin orukaN asaivinil thOndRidum ulagu kayilai

வாசனின் மறுகண் சமிஞையில் வாழ்ந்திடும் உயிரினம் ஆதலினால்

vAsanin maRukaN saminyaiyil vAzhndhidum uyirinam AdhalinAl

Charanam

நெற்றிக்கண் திறந்தாலோ நேர் நின்றிடும் ஏந்தலையும்

netRikkaN thiRandhAlO nEr nindRidum Endhalaiyum

சற்றும் திரும்பிப் பாரார் முற்றும் துறந்த முனியெனக் காமனையும் எரித்திடுவார்

satRum thirumbip pArAr mutRum thuRandha muniyenak kAmanaiyum eritthiduvAr

நற்றமிழ்ப் பாவலரை நாடி ஓடியே குற்றமெங்கே என் பாட்டில் என்றே கூவிடுவார்

natRamizhp pAvalarai nAdi OdiyE kutRamengE en pAttil endRE kUviduvAr

சீற்றமுடன் விளையாடியே அடியார் சீருடலை வருத்திடுவார் எனவே

sItRamudan viLaiyAdiyE adiyAr sIrudalai varutthiduvAr enavE

Translation

Pallavi

Muruga, please do not play by closing the face of your father, the three-eyed Lord, since his eyes look in all directions to alleviate the misery of the universe.

Anupallavi

Remember that the entire world is born out of the movement of one of his eyes. All creatures survive and live owing to the gaze of his second eye.

Charanam

On the other hand, if he opens his third eye, he will not even bother to look at the damsel standing right before him. He would burn the playful demigod of love to ashes, like a saint with no feelings of attachment. He would seek and run after great Tamil poets and start yelling, to find out exactly where they found a mistake in his song. He would continue the prank in a rage and would even torment their physical bodies as part of a test. Therefore, Muruga, do not play by covering his face.

Author’s Note

There are several stories about Lord Siva opening his third eye and the resulting destruction. The pallavi and the first two lines of the charanam refer to one such incident. Once when Parvathi closed his eyes in a whimsical mood, Siva opened his third eye because the universe had become dark. But even Parvathi could not bear the heat and started sweating. The Link below describes the event and provides the puranic source for the birth of demon Andhaka.

Parvathi closes Siva’s eyes in playful mood

Birth of Andhaka

Lord Siva curses her for her actions and advises her to perform a severe penance on earth.

The anupallavi is the author’s interpretation of the verses from the Linga purana. Siva is described as Thriambakan, or one with three eyes. Soma, Surya, and Agni make up the three eyes of the Lord. Obviously, when his eyes are closed, there will be no radiance, coolness, or heat, and all living creatures will suffer.

The last two lines of the charanam refer to Lord Siva’s Thiruvilaiyadal or playful acts and how he tortured his devotee and great poet Nakkirar. The following Link and book reference provide details of this episode.

Lord Siva tests his devotee Nakkirar

கூடல் மாநகரத்து ஆடவல்லான் (திருவிளையாடற் புராண மகிமை) Editor: ஆன்மீகச் செல்வர் நாகர்கோவில் கிருஷ்ணன்

First Edition 2003, Published by: Mathi Nilayam #4 (39) Thanikachalam Road, Brindavan Apartments, T.Nagar, Chennai 600017, Ph: 4311838 Chapters 52, 53 and 54 titled:

தருமிக்கு பொற்கிழி அளித்த படலம்

நக்கீரனை கரைஏற்றிய படலம்

நக்கீரனுக்கு இலக்கணம் உபதேசித்த படலம்

nitthilatthil nAngaLum

நித்திலத்தில் நாங்களும்

Pallavi

நித்திலத்தில் நாங்களும் வந்தோமுங்க

nitthilatthil nAngaLum vandhOmunga

தத்தளித்தே அவஸ்தையாய் நின்னோமுங்க

thatthaLitthE avasthaiyAy ninnOmunga

Anupallavi

நெத்தியிலே எழுதியதாய் நினச்சுகிட்டு

netthiyilE ezhudhiyadhAy ninaicchukittu

புத்தியிலே சீர்கெட்டு வாழ்ந்தோமுங்க

bhutthiyilE sIrkettu vAzhndhOmunga

Charanam

குத்தாலத்தே ஒருவழியாய் சேர்ந்தோமுங்க

kutthAlatthE oruvazhiyAy serndhOmunga

இத்தலத்தே ஈசனாரைக் கண்டோமுங்க

itthalatthE IsanAraik kaNdOmunga

மத்தளத்தே நாதமென மாயம் புரிந்தாருங்க

matthaLatthE nAdhamena mAyam purindhArunga

சித்தளித்தே சீலனாராய் ஆக்கினாருங்க

sitthaLitthE sIlanArAy AkkinArunga

Translation

Pallavi

We all came into this world together. Unfortunately, we all struggled in life with difficulties.

Anupallavi

We all lived degraded, thinking foolishly that our fates are preordained.

Charanam

Somehow, we managed to arrive at Kutralam. We witnessed the great Lord of this sacred place. What magic he played for us like the pleasing sound emanating from a mridangam with a beat. He transformed ignorant devotees into reformed souls by providing clear intellect.

Author’s Note

Reference is made in the charanam to the divine powers of Kutralanathar (Siva), in this temple in Falls City, to cure all trials and tribulations in life and offer clarity of the mind. Per the rituals and traditions of the temple, it is believed that mental disabilities and issues can be removed by a dip in the temple pond, and throbbing headaches can be alleviated by the oil prasad offered in the temple.

Prayers and Greatness of Kuttralanathar Temple

vaNNa malaril vaNdu ondRu

வண்ண மலரில் வண்டு ஒன்று

Pallavi

வண்ண மலரில் வண்டு ஒன்று தேனைக் கண்டது

vaNNa malaril vaNdu ondRu thEnaik kaNdadhu

கண்டதும் கரையிலா களியும் கொண்டது

kaNdadhum karaiyilA kaLiyum koNdadhu

Anupallavi

கொண்ட தேனை உன் திருமேனியில் அர்ப்பணித்தது

koNda thEnai un thirumEniyil arppaNitthadhu

அர்ப்பணித்த ஆனந்தத்தில் அமைதி அடைந்தது

arppaNittha Anandhatthil amaidhi adaindhadhu

Charanam

அடைந்த கானில் ஆடிடும் உன் திருவடி பற்றியது

adaindha kAnil Adidum un thiruvadi patRiyadhu

பற்றியதே இலா துறவி நிலையில் நின்றது

patRriyadhE ilA thuRavi nilaiyil nindRadhu

நின்றதும் நிலைப்பதும் நின்செயல் என்றது

nindRadhum nilaippadhum ninseyal endRadhu

என்றதும் வந்த கிறங்கலில் உறங்கலானது

endRadhum vandha kiRangalil uRangalAnadhu

Translation

Pallavi

A bee saw honey in a colorful flower. The bee’s joy was boundless upon sighting the honey.

Anupallavi

The bee offered the honey it picked up on your divine body. Right after this offering, the bee became very peaceful.

Charanam

The bee gripped the feet that kept dancing in the dense forest. The bee now was relaxed and appeared in a state like a desireless saint. It realized that everything that stands transitory or perennial is due only to God’s activity. Once this realization sunk in, the bee went to sleep in ecstasy.

Author’s Note

I have attempted to write a song in the format of Antadi (அந்தாதி) poetry with a change where the first word of each line will be the last word of the previous line, while still maintaining the meaning of the poem. In this song, a bee offers the nectar it picked up from a flower to the Lingam form of Lord Siva. From that moment the bee acquired a new state, like a saint without attachments. A realization came to the bee that everything is transitory and in this ecstatic condition it fell into a deep slumber.

anjilE vaLaiyAdhadhu

அஞ்சிலே வளையாதது

Pallavi

அஞ்சிலே வளையாதது ஐம்பதில் வளைவதில்லை

anjilE vaLaiyAdhadhu aimbadhil vaLaivadhillai

நெஞ்சிலே படிந்தவை கொஞ்சமும் மாறுவதில்லை

nenjilE padindhavai konjamum mARuvadhillai

Anupallavi

அஞ்சியே அவநிலை தவிர்க்க வேண்டும்

anjiyE avanilai thavirkka vENdum

பிஞ்சிலே சிவநெறி பழுக்க வேண்டும்

pinjilE sivaneRi pazhukka vENdum

Charanam

பாசையாய் கறை படிய விடாமல் அக

pAsaiyAy kaRai padiyA vidAmal aga

மாசையெலாம் உடனழித்து நல்ல நேரத்திலே

mAsaiyelAm udanazhitthu nalla nEratthilE

நாவசையும் காலத்திலே நமசிவாயன் நாமத்தை

nAvasaiyum kAlatthilE namasivAyan nAmatthai

தேனிசையாய் தீந்தமிழில் பாடி புண்ணியம் சேர்த்துவிடு

thEnisaiyAy thInthamizhil pAdi puNNiyam sErtthuvidu

Translation

Pallavi

If it does not bend at five, it won't bend at fifty. This proverbial saying is meant as an advice that it is nice to develop good habits early in life. Such habits that have been etched in the heart’s memory at age five will be retained later in life.

Anupallavi

Avoid bad situations early in your life that create fear in your heart. Cultivate and ripen the righteous Saivite path from a young age.

Charanam

Do not let bad thoughts and habits stagnate like a moss in a pond. Instead, destroy corrupt ideas and other pollutants immediately. Start chanting the name of Namasivaya in the sweet Tamil language from a tender age. Extoll His glory in the best of times when your tongue is able to roll freely and acquire as much good karma as possible. As you age His name will not come for an automatic recall.

Uzhal niRai ulagidaiyE

ஊழல் நிறை உலகிடையே

Pallavi

ஊழல் நிறை உலகிடையே தனித்து நின்றாலும்

Uzhal niRai ulagidaiyE thanitthu nindRAlum

சூழல் வசமாய் இகழ்படல் இயற்கை அன்றோ

sUzhal vasamAy igazhpadal iyaRkai andRO

Anupallavi

பனைமர நிழல் கண்டு ஒதுங்கி பகல் நேரத்தே

panaimara nizhal kaNdu odhungi pagal nEratthE

சுனைநீர் அருந்தினாலும் ஊர் தூற்றுமன்றோ

sunainIr arundhinAlum Ur thUtRumandRO

Charanam

தில்லை நின்று தாண்டவம் புரிந்தே

thillai nindRu thAndavam purindhE

எல்லை இலா இன்பம் தரும் ஈசனைக் காணில்

ellai ilA inbam tharum Isanaik kANil

கல்லை எறியும் கயவரையும் பேச்சில் இனிமை

kallai eriyum kayavaraiyum pEcchil inimai

இல்லை எனும் பித்தரையும் க்ஷமிக்கும் நிலை வருமன்றோ

illai enum pittharaiyum kshamikkum nilai varumandRO

Translation

Pallavi

Oh devotee, this corrupt world will find you guilty based solely on circumstantial evidence, and you will lose your reputation.

Anupallavi

Won’t the town talk ill of you when, on a sunny day, you stood under the shade of a palm tree and drank only spring water?

Charanam

Even if they do, forgive them. Worship the Lord of Chidambaram, the cosmic dancer, who offers boundless blessings to his devotees. Surrendering to Him will enable you to receive divine qualities and the mental strength to forgive those who talk ill of you and act based on unsubstantiated observations. Did Lord Siva not forgive a devotee who threw stones at Him as a habitual game, and another devotee who inappropriately called him a lunatic?

Author’s Note

The charanam has oblique references to Sakkiya Nayanar and Sundaramurthy Nayanar stories. The former developed a strange habit of hitting the Sivalingam with a stone each day as part of a prayer ritual. The latter addressed Siva as a "பித்தா" or a lunatic. This episode occurred when Siva, disguised as an old man, appeared at his wedding and stopped it. The old man argued that Sundaramurthy Nayanar's family had signed documents stating that they are Siva's bonded slaves for generations. Siva then presented some old genealogy charts to support his arguments.

.For details, see:

பெரியபுராணம், 64-வது நாயனார் தெய்வத்திரு கிருபானந்த வாரியார் சுவாமிகள், குகஶ்ரீ வாரியார் பதிப்பகம், 107 சிங்கண்ண தெரு, சிந்தாதிரிப்பேட்டை, சென்னை 600002, பதிப்பு 2000. பக்கங்கள் 544-551, 36-106.

pozhindha pasumpAlum

பொழிந்த பசும்பாலும்

Pallavi

பொழிந்த பசும்பாலும் தேனும் தயிருமாய் பசுபதியை நோக்க

pozhindha pasumpAlum thEnum thayirumAy pasupathiyai nOkka

அழிந்தது ஆணவமே கழிந்தது வீண் பொழுதே

azhindhadhu ANavamE kazhindhadhu vIN pozhudhE

Anupallavi

நேசமான அடியார்க்கருள் புரியும் அத்திருவுருவை

nEsamAna adiyArkkaruL puriyum atthiruvuruvai

கேச மூலமெலாம் உதிர்த்த வீமனை நினைக்கலானேன்

kEsa mUlamelAm udhirttha vImanai ninaikkalAnEn

Charanam

லிங்கத்தை ஆலிங்கனம் செய்தே நமனை விரட்டி

lingatthai Alinganam seidhE namanai viratti

மங்காப் புகழ் அடைந்த பாலகனை எண்ணலானேன்

mangAp pugazh adaindha bAlaganai eNNalAnEn

தண்மதி சென்னியில் சூடிய தன்னிகரில்லா தேவனை நொடியினில்

thaNmadhi senniyil sUdiya thannigarillA dhEvanai nodiyinil

நமசிவாயவெனும் நாமத்தால் பஜிக்கலானேன்

namasivAyavenum nAmatthAl bajikkalAnEn

Translation

Pallavi

Simply looking at the stream of cow’s milk, honey, and curd on Lord Shiva, all my ego vanished in an instant. At that moment I realized how much time I have wasted in my life.

Anupallavi

I started contemplating the moment Bhima shed strands of Hanuman’s hair, which transformed into the beautiful lingam form of Lord Siva, who confers compassion and boons to his beloved devotees.

Charanam

I started thinking about the young lad who embraced the Shiva lingam and drove away the God of Death, attaining eternal fame. In the next moment, I started chanting the name Namasivaya and worshipping the incomparable Lord Shiva, who adorns the moon on his head as an act of compassion.

Author’s Note

Reference is made in the Anupallavi to Bhima, who in an act of desperation threw away three strands of Hanuman’s tail hair when caught by PurushaMirg (a half-man, half-lion Sphinx), on his return journey from Kubera’s kingdom to Indraprasta. Each strand of hair turned into millions of Sivalingams and PurushaMirg was distracted in his worship of Lord Siva. Bhima went to Kubera’s kingdom to invite him to attend the Raja Suya Yagna that Yudhishtira was planning. In the Kubera garden he happened to meet the Shiva devotee, PurushaMirg, and invited the sphinx as well. Per their agreement, the sphinx was to follow Bhima to Indraprasta, but Bhima was not to stop and obstruct PurushaMirg’s path during the journey, as the sphinx’s constant devotion and worship of Lord Shiva will be interrupted. If such a situation occurred, PurushaMirg would eat Bhima instantly. Bhima, with all his ego and arrogance, thought that he could run very fast and accepted the conditions. But the sphinx ran at manovegam, or at the speed of thought. Each time the sphinx was close, Bhima tossed a strand of Hanuman’s tail hair which turned into a load of Shivalingas and protected him from PurushaMirg. As stated before, PurushaMirg was distracted upon seeing the Sivalingams and went into a lengthy prayer session each time. This is a regional story from Mahabharata.

There is also a ritual marathon on Sivarathri night undertaken by devotees who run in Kanyakumari district. They cover 12 Siva temples chanting Govinda, Gopala, attesting that the two deities are one Supreme Lord. The marathon route is apparently along the same path that Bhima once took when he was chased by Purushamirg.

Bhima tosses Hanuman’s hair as Sivalinga

Lines 1 and 2 of the charanam describe the compassionate act of Siva to save young Markandeya. This incident of Shiva conquering Yama to protect Markandeya is believed to have happened at Triprangode, Mallapuram district, Kerala, where Shiva is worshipped as Kalasamhara Murthy or Kalantaka.

Mythology behind Kalantaka

This is also said to have taken place at Thirukkadaiyur in Tamilnadu (near Karaikal).

In Tamil Nadu, Lord Siva is worshipped as Amritaghateswarar, and his consort is known as Abhirami. Lord Siva blessed the young lad that he will live forever as a sixteen-year-old, and Markandeya attained fame as the one who drove Yama away.

Siva kicks Yama

mayilukku vAzhvu thandha

மயிலுக்கு வாழ்வு தந்த

Pallavi

மயிலுக்கு வாழ்வு தந்த மயிலை வாசனை

mayilukku vAzhvu thandha mayilai vAsanai

துயிலுக்கு விடை தந்து துதித்திடு மனமே

thuyilukku vidai thandhu thudhitthidu manamE

Anupallavi

காலையிலும் மாலையிலும் முடிந்தால்

kAlaiyilum mAlaiyilum mudindhAl

கனவிலும் கபாலீசனின் தாளினையே நினைவாய்

kanavilum kapAlIsanin thALinaiyE ninaivAy

Charanam

அம்பலத்தே ஆடிடும் அப்பதம் பற்றிட

ambalatthE Adidum appadham patRida

வரும் பலம் தாளே தரும் பெரும் வரம்

varum balam thALE tharum perum varam

நாம ஜபம் ஒன்றாலே காமமலம் கருகும்

nAma japam ondRAlE kAmamalam karugum

சோதனை மறுகும் சாதனை பெருகும் ஆதலின்

sOdhanai maRugum sAdhanai perugum Adhalin

Translation

Pallavi

Worship Lord Kapaleesa of Mylapore by bidding good-bye to your sleep. Pray to Him, the one who gave heavenly life to a peacock in this shrine.

Anupallavi

Contemplate his lotus feet in the morning and evening, and if possible, in your dreams as well.

Charanam

Strength will naturally come to you when you grab His dancing feet in Chidambaram. These divine feet will offer you the best of boons. Decimate lust and evil thoughts by simply chanting his name. All trials in this ephemeral life will vanish. You will flourish with accomplishments and grow exponentially. Therefore, start your worship of Kapali now.

Author’s Note

The pallavi of this song references the sthalapuranam of Sri Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore, Chennai. Per the temple’s history, Lord Siva was expounding the significance and meaning of Panchakshari to Goddess Parvathi. She was distracted during his lecture by a dancing peacock. An angry Siva immediately cursed her to take the form of a peacock on earth to perform penance. Through her devotion and penance, Parvathi melted Siva’s heart. Based on her request, he named the place Mylai. As his consort, she is remembered as Karpagavalli in this temple. For more details see:

Kapaleeswarar Temple Sthalapuranam

Legends of Kapaleeswarar temple including the name of the Lord

sitRaRivuk keTTAdhavan

சிற்றறிவுக் கெட்டாதவன்

Pallavi

சிற்றறிவுக் கெட்டாதவன் சிதம்பரத்தான்

sitRaRivuk keTTAdhavan chidhambaratthAn

சிற்சபையில் நடமிடும் நமசிவாயனே

siRchabaiyil nadamidum namasivAyanE

Anupallavi

தாண்டவ சிவனின் நடத்தினில் பிறந்ததே பிரணவம்

thAndava sivanin nadatthinil piRandhadhE praNavam

ஆண்டவன் உடுக்கை ஒலியில் உறைந்தது அந்நாதம்

ANdavan udukkai oliyil uRaindhadhu annAdham

கண்ணுதற் கடவுளுக்கு வேலவன் விரும்பி உரைத்திட்ட வேதம்

kaNNudhaR kadavuLukku vElavan virumbi uraitthitta vEdham

எண்ணரும் பொருளாம் அவ்வேதத்தின் மூலவன்

eNNarum poruLAm avvEdhatthin mUlavan

Charanam

அற்ப வாழ்வில் இருக்கும் சொற்ப நாளில் அந்த

aRpa vAzhvil irukkum soRpa nALil andha

திருமந்திரத்தை நெஞ்சுருகி அனுதினமும் பாடு

thirumandhiratthai nenjurugi anudhinamum pAdu

ஆதாரம் தேடாமல் அலைபாயா மனதோடு ஓமெனும்

AdhAram thEdAmal alaipAyA manadhOdu Omenum

மூலாதார மந்திரத்தை மும்முரமாய் ஓது

mUlAdhAra mandhiratthai mummuramAy Odhu

ஆடித் தளர்கையிலே அவதி உறுகையிலே

Adith thaLargaiyilE avadhi uRugaiyilE

நாடி ஒடுங்கையிலே நடுங்கி நிற்கையிலே துணை வருவான்

nAdi odungaiyilE nadungi niRkaiyilE thuNai varuvAn

Translation

Pallavi

Lord of Chidambaram, one who is worshipped as Namasivayan and dances in the Golden Hall, is beyond comprehension for those with limited knowledge of Him.

Anupallavi

The primordial sound “Aum” was born out of the eternal dance of Lord Siva. That melodic sound emanates from the small drum of Lord Siva. Aum is the basic Pranava Mantra, sacred as scripture, that Lord Muruga expounded with love to his father. Lord Siva is the source of that enigmatic scripture and its essence.

Charanam

Start chanting that sacred mantra daily, with a dedicated heart and devotion, realizing that you have only a few days left in this trivial life. Chant that primordial mantra with a focused mind. Don’t look for evidence or be swayed by other rational thoughts. After these temporary pleasures on earth, when you are tortured by disease, with your pulse dropping and trembling in that last moment, Siva will be your sole support.

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