Anchaneya

veNNai vazhindhOdak  kaNdEn 

வெண்ணை வழிந்தோடக் கண்டேன்

Ragam: Behag Talam: Adi

Pallavi

வெண்ணை வழிந்தோடக் கண்டேன் நங்கநல்லூரிலே

veNNai vazhindhOdak kaNdEn nanganallUrilE

கண்ணை குளிரச்செய்யும் வாயுகுமரன் திரு உருவினிலே

kaNNai kuLiraccheyyum vAyukumaran thiru uruvinilE

Anupallavi

உயர்ந்து நின்றாய் உன் திரு வினையாலே நானோ

uyarndhu nindRAy un thiru vinaiyAlE nAnO

அயர்ந்து நின்றேன் நின் கோலவெழில் தண்மையாலே

ayarndhu nindREn nin kOlavezhil thaNmaiyAlE

Charanam

கடலில் கல்லெறிந்து அப்புறம் தாண்டியவர் உண்டோ

kadalil kalleRindhu appuRam thANdiyavar uNdO

உடலில் தீப்பொறி தாங்கி ஊரை அழித்தவர் உண்டோ

udalil thIppoRi thAngi Urai azhitthavar uNdO

அருவினை ஆற்றிவிட்டு இலங்கை சபை இலங்கினாற்போல்

aruvinai AtRivittu ilangai sabhai ilanginARpOl

உருவினை கொண்ட ஐயனே எம் இருவினை களைதலும் பெரும் பணியோ

uruvinai koNda aiyanE em iruvinai kaLaidhalum perum paNiyO

Translation

Pallavi

I saw butter flowing down the streets of Nanganallur, adorning the divine body of the wind god’s son, Hanuman.

Anupallavi

You stand tall by the greatness you’ve achieved. I am awestruck by your beautiful form.

Charanam

Is there anyone else who threw stones, and by that act alone, crossed an ocean? Is there anyone else who lit a whole city in flames by carrying a few sparks on their body? After completing mission impossible, you appear tall on a pedestal as though you were in Ravana’s court. For someone as accomplished as you, is it too big a task for you to absolve us of our past and present sins?

Author’s Note

This song was composed after a visit to the Nanganallur Anchaneyar temple one evening, right after the arrival of the author in Chennai from Mumbai. It was impressive to see the sheer radiance of the tall Hanuman undergoing a வெண்ணை காப்பு (veNNai kAppu) on that day. No words can adequately describe the elegance of the son of Lord Vayu in granite coated with softening butter. The author was stunned by the height of the idol and was reminded of the story of Hanuman, who was denied a seat in Ravana’s court and twirled his boundless tail to make his own seat equal in height to the throne of the pompous king. 

The author is aware that Valmiki Ramayana or the later versions of Ramayana do not contain this episode of Hanuman seating himself at a height equal to Ravana’s throne. This is folklore popular in several regions of India.

Hanuman was treated harshly in Ravana’s court despite all of the soft sermons he delivered to the king, urging him to follow the path of dharma and not invite the wrath of Lord Rama. Ravana ordered his guards to set fire to Hanuman’s tail as punishment for destroying the Ashoka forest and killing several soldiers. Hanuman used his tail to fan the flames and set Lanka on fire. The charanam line 2 describes the improbable mission accomplished by Hanuman. 

For details see:

ஸுந்தர காண்டம், ஶ்ரீ உ.வே.C.R.ஶ்ரீநிவாஸய்யங்கார், B.A., பதிப்பகத்தார்: தி லிட்டில் ப்ளவர் கம்பெனி, சென்னை 600017, 2000: ஸர்க்கம் 53, 54 பக்கங்கள் 201-209.

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analinai dharitthAlum

அனலினை தரித்தாலும்

Pallavi

அனலினை தரித்தாலும் ஆழியைக் கடந்தாலும்

analinai dharitthAlum Azhiyaik kadandhAlum

மனங்கவர் மாருதியே மாயை புரிய வா

manangkavar mAruthiyE mAyai puriya vA

Anupallavi

இனகுல திலகனின் இணையிலா நேயனே

inakula thilakanin iNaiyilA nEyanE

இன்னல் களைந்திட இதுவே தருணமையா

innal kaLaindhida idhuvE tharuNamaiyA

Charanam

தாய் நிகர் தயாபரா தாளாத் துயரினில்

thAy nigar dhayAparA thALAth thuyarinil

சேய் அழல் தகுமோ முன்னம் நீ செய்த

sEy azhal thagumO munnam nI seidha 

வினைகள் எல்லாம் தூள் என்னும் வண்ணம்

vinaigaL ellAm thUL ennum vaNNam

இடரினை பொடியாக்கி இன்பமே தருவாய்

idarinaip podiyAkki inbamE tharuvAy

Translation

Pallavi

Dear Maruthi, in the past you carried fire on your body and crossed the ocean. It is time to demonstrate your prowess again by performing magic.

Anupallavi

You are an incomparable devotee of Sri Rama, the star of the Solar / Ikshvaku dynasty. This is the opportune moment for you to remove all my suffering.

Charanam

You are like a mother to all your devotees. Is it befitting then for this child to be crying in unbearable pain? Please assure me that your past accomplishments will pale in comparison as you crush my obstacles and offer me eternal bliss. 

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AmbUr AnchanEyanai

ஆம்பூர் ஆஞ்சநேயனை

Pallavi

ஆம்பூர் ஆஞ்சநேயனை அனுதினம் பணி மனமே

AmbUr AnchanEyanai anudhinam paNi manamE

வீம்பும் வினையும் அழியும் ஒழியும் ஆதலின்

vImbum vinaiyum azhiyum ozhiyum Adhalin

Anupallavi

நேயமாய் தீபமேற்றி அப்பிரதட்சணம் செய்ய

nEyamAy dhIpamEtRi appradhatchaNam seyya

மாயமாய் சனிபிடி மங்கும் அறவே நீங்கும் எனவே

mAyamAy sanipidi mangum aRavE nIngum enavE

Charanam

நேர் கொண்ட தசமுகன் நீலனின் கோள் பிடியில் நலிந்தான்

nEr koNda dhasamukan nIlanin kOL pidiyil nalindhAn

வேர் உடன் மலையேந்தி வந்த அனுமன் முன்

vEr udan malaiyEndhi vandha anuman mun

கார் முகில் போல் எதிர் வந்த மந்தனை

kAr mugil pOl edhir vandha mandhanai

பார் புகழ் பாவனன் காலிடை அழுத்தியே வென்றான் அந்த

pAr pugazh pAvanan kAlidai azhutthiyE vendRAn andha

Translation

Pallavi

Worship Anchaneya of Ambur each day. This prayer will lead to the complete removal of your arrogance and past sins.

Anupallavi

Light a lamp with affection, and go around his shrine counter-clockwise to pray. Like magic, the grip of planet Sani will loosen and ultimately leave you. There will be no more afflictions.

Charanam

The ten-headed Ravana suffered in the grip of planet Sani because he saw Sani face-to-face each day. Saneeswaran, at Ravana’s command, stood like a dark cloud in front of Anchaneya carrying the herb-bearing mountain. This did not deter the divine protector Anchaneya, who is extolled all over the universe. He simply stomped on Sani and won. Therefore, worship this Ambur Anchaneya to overcome Sani’s afflictions.

Author’s Note

This composition praises the glory of Anchaneya in the sacred city of Ambur. The ancient temple in Ambur is located in the Vellore District of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Anchaneya and shows him in a unique posture, stomping on Saneeswara. During the war in Lanka, Lakshmana fainted after sustaining severe injuries. Ravana learned that Anchaneya had been sent to bring rare herbs that could save Lakshmana’s life. 

The pompous king Ravana imprisoned the nine planets and laid them down as the steps leading to his throne in Lanka. He walked on these steps daily. In Vedic astrology it is believed that one who is proximate to, or faces Sani, will be subject to insurmountable obstacles.  Thus Ravana’s suffering began at that very moment when he designed the nine steps to his throne. 

Ravana ordered Saneeswara to capture Hanuman and prevent him from delivering life-saving herbs to Lakshmana. Saneeswara confronted Hanuman on his return from Mount Mantaragiri with the herbs, and declared that at Ravana’s command, Hanuman would not be allowed to deliver the herbs to Lakshmana in time. 

Hanuman then placed the entire mountain upon his head. Unable to bear the pressure, Saneeswara cried out in pain and, realizing Hanuman’s unparalleled strength, begged for forgiveness. Hanuman stomped on Saneeswara and declared that he would forgive him on one condition: that devotees who chant Rama’s name should be freed from Saneeswara’s afflictions and the resulting seven-and-a-half-year period of suffering.

According to Vedic astrology, when a person’s horoscope indicates the influence of the planet Sani, the individual may experience prolonged obstacles in life including ill health. This unfavorable period can last as long as seven and a half years. For this reason, the sacred shrine in Ambur is thronged by devotees seeking relief from the influence of Saneeswara in their lives. For details, see:

Hanuman Stamps Saneeswara

Ambur Anchaneyar Legend

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Enindha viLaiyAdal 

ஏனிந்த விளையாடல்

Pallavi

ஏனிந்த விளையாடல் அஞ்சனி சுதனே தேவர் 

Enindha viLaiyAdal anjani suthanE dhEvar

கோன் அடியால் வீங்கிய ஹனுமானே

kOn adiyAl vIngiya hanumAnE

Anupallavi

சிவந்த தெல்லாம் பழமென்று எண்ணலாகுமா

sivandha dhellAm pazhamendRu eNNalAgumA

உவந்த தென்று நினைந்தே உண்ணலாகுமா

uvandha dhendRu ninaindhE uNNalAgumA

Charanam

ஆதவன் அனலினை அணைத்தது பின்னால் 

Adhavan analinai aNaitthadhu pinnAl

மாதவன் துணையாகி (வாலிடை) தீப்பொறி தாங்கவா

mAdhavan thuNaiyAgi (vAlidai) thIppoRi thAngavA

சாகா வரம் வாங்கவா கனலிடை கருகாது 

sAgA varam vAngavA kanalidai karugAdhu

வேகா நிலை அடையவா வாயுவோடிழைந்து உறவாடவா

vEgA nilai adaiyavA vAyuvOdizhaindhu uRavAdavA

Translation

Pallavi

Oh, Anjanai’s son Hanuman, your cheek swelled after Lord Indra struck you. Why do you play this game?

Anupallavi

Is it correct to think that all red circular things are fruits? Is it proper to desire and attempt to eat those?

Charanam

Did you have the foresight to get trained in withstanding heat by embracing the sun? Was that a forerunner to carry the sparks on your tail as Rama’s companion? Or was it a pretense to get a boon of longevity? Or was it an attempt to get a boon to be protected by a fire in future? Or was it a plan to spend quality time with the demigod Vayu, your father? 

Author’s Note

This song was written for Smt. Janani Narayanan of the Nrityakalya Dance Company, Cupertino, CA. It was used as part of her school’s program titled “Bala Hanuman”, performed by the young dancers of her academy.

The song is based on a popular episode from Anjaneya’s (the name Anchaneya is also used interchangeably) childhood. One morning, young Anjaneya looked up at the deep red sun in the sky. Mistaking it for a ripe fruit, he began flying toward it. The celestials grew anxious upon witnessing the child’s extraordinary act. Indra, the chief of the demigods, struck him with his powerful weapon. The young lad was hit on the cheek and fell unconscious. Vayu, his father, became enraged and withdrew the flow of air from the universe, terrifying all beings. Indra apologized for his action, and Lord Siva revived Anjaneya. Hanuman received his name because of the elongated cheek that resulted from Indra’s blow. As compensation, Indra granted him strength equal to his own. The other demigods, or devas, blessed him with chiranjivitva or immortality. Brahma blessed him with the ability to change his size at will—expanding or shrinking as needed. Agni granted him immunity from fire, while Varuna blessed him so that no water body could harm him and he could cross any ocean with ease. Vayu bestowed upon him the ability to fly at great speed and spent joyous time with his son, pleased by the blessings offered by the celestials.

The Valmiki Ramayana (Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 66) vividly describes this childhood episode of Anjaneya. Later, when the monkeys were preparing to search for Sita, Anjaneya remained quiet due to a sage’s curse, unaware of his own immense strength. Jambavan, the wise elder bear-warrior, reminded him of his extraordinary abilities—recalling how he once attempted to seize the sun, thinking it was a fruit. For additional details, see the following references:

Hanuman: significance of the name

ஶ்ரீ ஆஞ்சநேய புராணம், எழுதியவர் கார்த்திகேயன் (எஸ். ராமநாதன்), பதிப்பகத்தார்: கிரி டிரேடிங் ஏஜென்ஸி, 10, கபாலீசுவரர் சன்னதி தெரு, மயிலாப்பூர், சென்னை – 4, போன்: 494 0376, இரண்டாம் மறு பதிப்பு: செப்டம்பர் 1999, சிரஞ்சீவி அனுமன், 10 – 12. 

Puranic support for Anchaneya’s attempt to grab the sun

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viral mOdhiram 

விரல் மோதிரம்

Pallavi

விரல் மோதிரம் தனைக் காட்டி வைதேகியின் 

viral mOdhiram thanaik kAtti vaidhEgiyin 

வினை களைந்த மாருதியே

vinai kaLaindha mAruthiyE

Anupallavi

எள்ளி நகைத்தே ஆதவனை அள்ளிய அஞ்சனை புத்திரனே

eLLi nagaitthE Adhavanai aLLiya anjanai putthiranE

கள்ளத்தனமாய் வால்வலியால் வீமனுக்கு ஞானமருளிய வாயுருவே

kaLLatthanamAy vAlvaliyAl vImanukku nyAnamaruLiya vAyuruvE

Charanam 1

அன்றொரு நாள் இளையவன் உயிர் காக்க

andRoru nAL iLaiyavan uyir kAkka

குன்றொடு இலை சுமந்தாயல்லவோ

kundRodu ilai sumandhAyallavO

யாழிசை மார்பனை இலங்கை வேந்தனை

yAzhisai mArbanai ilangai vEndhanai

ஆழியைப் பிரித்தே உயிர் மாய்த்திட வழி செய்தாயல்லவோ

Azhiyaip piritthE uyir mAytthida vazhi seydhAyallavO

Charanam 2

சூரலில் ஓடமென அலைந்திடும் என் மனம்

sUralil Odamena alaindhidum en manam

உனை பஜிக்க அருள்பாலி என்றதும் இவ்வினை

unai bajikka aruLpAli endRadhum ivvinai

துரும்பென தூளென அயர்ந்தாயோ நொடியினில் வருவாய் 

thurumbena thULena ayarndhAyO nodiyinil varuvAy

நங்கநல்லூர் அமர்ந்த நெடியோனே

nanganallUr amarndha nediyOnE

Translation

Pallavi

Oh, Maruthi, you removed all of the suffering of Mother Sita (Vaidehi) by showing her Rama’s wedding ring.

Anupallavi

Anjanai’s son, you sarcastically laughed at the sun and tried to grab  it. As an aged monkey, you crushed Bhima's ego and enlightened him with the strength of your tail.

Charanam 1

Did you not carry the mountain with herbs the other day to save the life of Rama’s younger brother Lakshmana? Did you not make a path across the ocean to kill the veena artist and King of Lanka, Ravana?

Charanam 2

Even as my mind was struggling like a raft in fierce wind, I collected myself and sought your grace, and worshiped you. Did you think that what I requested was trivial, and did you go to relax? Oh, tall Anchaneya domiciled in Nanganallur, please come quickly and calm my mind. Assure me of your protection. 

Author’s Note

This song references many of Anchaneya’s accomplishments. When Ravana kept Sita in the Ashoka forest, Anchaneya appeared and chanted Sri Rama’s name many times. Sita was not convinced that Achaneya was a genuine emissary from Rama. Hanuman showed her Rama’s wedding ring as proof and addressed all her concerns. She was convinced that Rama would come and rescue her. See the following link for details of this episode:

ஶ்ரீமத் வால்மீகி ராமாயணம், ஸுந்தர காண்டம், ஶ்ரீ உ.வே.C.R. ஶ்ரீநிவாஸய்யங்கார் அவர்களால் மொழி பெயர்க்கப்பட்டது, பதிப்பகத்தார்: தி லிட்டில் ப்ளவர் கம்பெனி, சென்னை 600017, திருச்சி 620002, மறு அச்சு 2000, ஸர்க்கம் 36, ஹனுமான் கணையாழியைக் கொடுத்தது, பக்கம் 143 – 147. 

The first line of the Anupallavi refers to Hanuman’s childhood prank. Looking at a red  glowing ball in the sky at dawn, he mistook it for fruit. He flew past the clouds and close to the sun and tried to pick it up and swallow it. An agitated Indra, scared of the prospects of a universe without brightness and warmth, threw his weapon,and the young lad fell down, unconscious. For details, see:

ஆஞ்சநேய புராணம், எழுதியவர் கார்த்திகேயன் (எஸ். ராமநாதன்), பதிப்பகத்தார், கிரி டிரேடிங் ஏஜென்ஸி, இரண்டம் மறு பதிப்பு, செப்டம்பர் 1999, பக்கம் 10 – 12.

The second line of the Anupallavi refers to Bhima’s encounter with an aged Hanuman, from the Vana Parva in Mahabharata. Mesmerized by the fragrance of the Saugandhika flower in the air during the Pandavas’ stay in the forest, Draupadi sent Bhima to fetch flowers for her. Bhima saw an old monkey lying in his path. He ordered the monkey to get out of his path immediately. The monkey did not like the arrogance in Bhima’s tone and challenged Bhima to lift his tail to continue his journey. Bhima tried with all his might and could not move the monkey’s tail at all. Then he realized the monkey’s strength and prostrated himself before him. Hanuman then showed his Viswaroopam and blessed Bhima. They embraced once Bhima understood their kinship. 

For details, see the above reference, பக்கம்: 412 – 418. Also see:

ஶ்ரீ மஹாபாரத ஸாரம், உரை ஆசிரியர் “அண்ணா”, ஶ்ரீராமகிருஷ்ண மடம், மயிலாப்பூர், சென்னை 600004, ஏப்ரல் 2002, தீர்த்த யாத்திரை, பக்கம் 546 – 552, verses 146.2 – 151.19.

The charanam 1 lines 1 and 2 refer to the following episode in the Ramayana.  Lakshmana was grievously injured by the Brahmastra, shot by Ravana’s son Indrajit. Lakshmana became unconscious. The elderly statesman Jambhavan suggested that a rare Sanjivini herb in the Himalayas was the only cure for this condition and recommended Hanuman immediately fly  to obtain the herb. However, he was not clear as to exactly which herb Hanuman should bring back. Hanuman departed and reached the hilly area, and since he was in doubt as to which herb, he carried the entire mountain back. As soon as an extract of the herbs was instilled, Lakshmana became active as if he just woke after a deep slumber. For details, see:

ஶ்ரீமத் வால்மீகி ராமாயண ஸாரம், உரை ஆசிரியர் “அண்ணா”, ஶ்ரீராமகிருஷ்ண மடம், சென்னை- 4, பக்கம் 752 – 758, verses 73.3 through 74.80.

The charanam line 3 refers to a legend where the arrogant king of Lanka, Ravana, sang Siva Tandava Stotram. According to popular lore, this occurred when he tried to lift Mount Kailash and an annoyed Siva pressed the mountain with his toe. Unable to bear the pressure, and with his ego battered, Ravana tore his chest and used the exposed nerves as the strings of a veena and rendered Siva Tandava Stotram. Hence the usage of words in line 3 of the charanam,

“யாழிசை மார்பனை இலங்கை வேந்தனை

yAzhisai mArbanai ilangai vEndhanai” .

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mAruthi manangkuLirndhu

மாருதி மனங்குளிர்ந்து

Pallavi

மாருதி மனங்குளிர்ந்து அருள்வாய் ஆனந்த 

mAruthi manangkuLirndhu aruLvAy Anandha

வாரிதி உன் பதகமல சேவையெனும் மாநிதி

vArithi un padhakamala sEvaiyenum mAnidhi

Anupallavi

சாரதி நேயனே உன் சஹஸ்ரநாமமே என்

sArathi nEyanE un sahasranAmamE en

ஆரதி ஆழியைக் கடந்தது போல் அதிவேகமாய் வந்து

Arathi Azhiyaik kadandhadhu pOl adhivEgamAy vandhu

Charanam

ஊரினை அழித்தே போரினைத் தொடங்கினாய்

Urinai azhitthE pOrinaith thodanginAy

வேரினை பறித்திட வெற்பினை ஏந்தினாய்

vErinai paRitthida veRpinai EndhinAy

மாரினை பிளந்தே மாதவ பக்தியைக் காட்டினாய்

mArinai piLandhE mAdhava bakthiyaik kAttinAy

பாரினை ராமநாம ப்ரவாஹத்தில் ஆழ்த்திய

pArinai rAmanAma pravAhatthil Azhtthiya

Translation

Pallavi

May happiness rain down upon us, Oh Lord, from your cool and compassionate heart. Bestow upon us the greatest treasure: devout service at your sacred feet.

Anupallavi

You are the friend of the One who steers the soul through the battlefield of life. Chanting your thousand divine names is my ritual act to dispel darkness and receive light. Please rush here with the same swiftness with which you crossed the ocean, and grace us with your presence.

Charanam

You destroyed a city and ignited a war. You carried an entire mountain to retrieve a handful of life-saving herbs. You tore open your chest to reveal and proclaim your unwavering devotion to Lord Rama, the Supreme Vishnu. In boundless compassion, you soaked the earth in the unbroken stream of the divine name of Rama.

Author’s Note

The anupallavi word Sarathi here denotes the Supreme who guides or chariots us through the battleground of life on earth. The charanam of the song has references to familiar acts of Anchaneya from the epic Ramayana (and Krittivasi Ramayana). For details of Lines 1 and 2 of the charanam, see:

ஶ்ரீமத் வால்மீகி ராமாயண ஸாரம், உரை ஆசிரியர் அண்ணா, ஶ்ரீ ராமகிருஷ்ண மடம், மயிலாப்பூர், சென்னை – 4, ஸூந்தர காண்டம், லங்கா தகனம், பக்கம் 628 – 645; யுத்த காண்டம், இந்திரஜித்து வதம், பக்கம் 755 – 758. 

The scene in which Hanuman tears open his chest is not found in the original Valmiki Ramayana. Instead, it appears in later retellings of the Ramayana that amplify certain devotional ideas, such as the Krittivasi Ramayana authored by the 15th-century Bengali poet Krittibas Ojha (1381–1461). After Rama’s coronation, he distributed gifts to those present. He presented a beautiful pearl necklace to Sita and suggested that she give it to the person she loved and admired the most. Sita passed the necklace to Hanuman. Hanuman gladly accepted it, but then threw it to the ground, picked up each pearl, and began chewing them. The audience, including Lakshmana, was appalled by this strange behavior. Lakshmana mockingly asked Hanuman what he was searching for in the pearls. Hanuman replied that he did not value anything that did not bear Rama’s name. Lakshmana then teased him about his own continued existence despite Rama’s name not being visibly inscribed on his body. Immediately, Hanuman tore open his chest, and everyone was astonished to see Rama’s name engraved on all his bones. This episode illustrates Hanuman’s extreme devotion. In some folkloric versions, the audience sees images of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, within Hanuman’s chest. See more details below:

Hanuman tears open chest in an act of devotion

Krittivasi Ramayana narrates Hanuman tearing open his chest

Krittivasi verses and meaning:

তখন হনুমান কহে বিনয় বচন।

“নাথ, কিসে করিব আমি তোমার প্রমাণ?”॥

দেখিতে দেখিতে হনুমান বক্ষ বিদারিল।

রাম লক্ষ্মণ সীতা হৃদয়ে দেখাইল॥

দেখি রামচন্দ্র কাঁদেন করুণা সহিত।
লক্ষ্মণ মূর্ছিত হনু বক্ষ দেখিয়া অতীত॥

সীতা দেবী কহে কাঁপিয়া বাণী।
“এহেন ভকতি কেহ না করিবে জানি॥”

Translation:

Then Hanuman spoke words of humility:

“O Lord, by what means shall I give proof of my devotion?” Before everyone’s eyes, Hanuman tore open his chest
and revealed Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita dwelling within his heart. Seeing this, Rama wept, overcome with emotion; Lakshmana fainted upon beholding Hanuman’s opened breast. And Lady Sita spoke, her voice trembling: “Such devotion as this, I know, that no one else can ever show.”

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