ஸ்ரீ கமலவல்லீ ஸமேத ஸ்ரீ பாம்பணையப்பன் ஸ்வாமிநே நமஹ
At all times, the swans that are immersed in the ocean of bliss, never separating from each other, go and tell the Lord, who stands in the cool Thiruvannvandur, reverberating with the Vedas, who appears like the ocean in color, that just like us, swans, there is a woman here, yearning to always be with you and never be separated, having seen you, O + Read more
எந்த நேரமும் இணைபிரியாமல் இன்பக் கடலில் மூழ்கிக் கிடக்கும் அன்னப்பறவைகளே, இடையறாது வேதங்கள் முழங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கும் குளிர்ச்சி பொருந்திய திருவண்வண்டூரில் கடல் நிற வண்ணத்தில் நின்றிருக்கும் நெடுமாலைக் கண்டு, கூறுங்கள் அன்னங்களாகிய எம்மைப்போலவே எந்நேரமும் உன்னை விட்டுப் பிரியாமல் இருக்கவேண்டுமென்ற + Read more
O herds of herons, who tirelessly search for food in the water-logged lands, make your way to Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, where my Lord with lips resembling ripe fruit and holding the discus resides eternally. Amidst the abundance of rich paddy fields, convey to Him the depth of affection in this sinner's heart, with your wings folded in reverence.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Nāyakī describes the place to which the herons have to go and the hard hearted Lord to whom they have to report her unique love, emanating from a tender heart. The description of the destination should indeed tempt the birds, for there too, they can have plenty of food. Hard-hearted though He might be, the Nāyakī cannot lift her mind from His fascinating lips and + Read more
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
kazhivAy — in canal close to the ocean; vandhu — appearing in front of me; mEyum — grazing; kuruginangAL — oh group of storks!; sey — fertile land; koL — covering; sen nel — fresh paddy; uyar — growing tall; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; uRaiyum — one who is eternally residing; kai — in the hand; koL — seated; chakkaram — having the divine chakra; en — attracted me through such beauty and let me enjoy that; kani — [reddish] fruit like; vAy — having beautiful lips; perumAnai — the paramaSEshi (great lord, who accepted me as his exclusive servitor); kaNdu — see; kaigaL kUppi — performing the action of a servitor matching his lordship; vinaiyAttiyEn — I who am having the sin which has caused this separation from him, my; kAdhanmai — great love; solleer — inform.; kAdhal — due to great love; men — being tender, unable to bear the separation
3344 காதல் மென் பெடையோடு * உடன் மேயும் கரு நாராய் * வேத வேள்வி ஒலி முழங்கும் * தண் திருவண்வண்டூர் ** நாதன் ஞாலம் எல்லாம் உண்ட * நம் பெருமானைக் கண்டு * பாதம் கைதொழுது பணியீர் * அடியேன் திறமே (2)
Oh, stork of fine complexion, as you move in search of sustenance alongside your beloved mate, carry my humble plea with folded wings. Convey to my Lord, the Master of the Universe, who upheld the worlds during the deluge and now dwells in serene Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr amidst the resounding chants and vibrant rituals.
Explanatory Notes
(i) The Nāyakī is commissioning a stork to go and reverently report her condition at the feet of the Lord who stands pledged to redeem His ardent votaries, but now remains wholly absorbed in the vedic chantings and rituals put through with great eclat in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr by its pious brahmins. It is said of Śrī Rāma that He would be present wherever vedic chantings and ritualistic + Read more
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
pedaiyOdu — with the spouse; udan — together; mEyum — grazing; karu — having blackish complexion; nArAy — oh crane!; vEdha oli — the tumultuous sound of recital of vEdham; vELvi oli — the joyful vaidhika rituals; muzhangum — sounding; thaN — having coolness which will not allow the samsArathApam (heat of this material realm) to enter; thiruvaNvaNdUr — for thiruvaNvaNdUr; nAdhan — being the lord; gyAlam ellAm — all the universe; uNda — his companionship during danger of deluge by placing [the universe] in his stomach and protecting; nam — one who revealed to us; perumAnai — the great person; kaNdu — seeing him to make me see him subsequently; pAdham — towards his divine feet; kai thozhudhu — performing anjali (joined palms); adiyEn — I who am his servitor, my; thiRam — situation; paNiyIr — inform him.; thiRangaLAgi — in flocks; engum — everywhere
Flock of birds, scattered across the lush fields, go and lay my sorrows at the feet of my red-lipped Lord, Who wields the spinning discus and dwells in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, the realm of abundant wealth. Inform Him of the distress in which His devotee languishes.
Explanatory Notes
It is the natural habit of the birds to flock together and go hither and thither, in search of food but the God-infatuated Parāṅkuśa Nāyakī thinks that they are also moving about in search of God, out of consideration for her. c.f. 11-1. She tells the birds that the Lord whom they are after, resides in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr and advises them to go and meet Him there and, after + Read more
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
seygaLUdu — amidst the fertile fields; uzhal — roaming; puLLinangAL — Oh flocks of birds!; siRandha — matching his greatness; selvam — wealth; malgu — existing in abundance; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; uRaiyum — eternally residing; kaRangu — spinning around (due to the joy of experiencing bhagavAn and setting out to destroy his enemies); chakkaram — having divine chakra (disc); kai — having divine hand; kani — infinitely enjoyable; vAy — having beautiful lips; perumAnai — one who is having supremacy (acquired due to his protective and enjoyable nature); kaNdu — seeing; nIr — you; iRangi — lowering yourself; thozhudhu — worshipping; adiyEn — me who am parathanthra (to have my deeds accomplished as per your desire), my; idar — sorrow in separation; paNiyIr — inform.; idar — thought/talk about separation; il — not having
3346 இடர் இல் போகம் மூழ்கி * இணைந்து ஆடும் மட அன்னங்காள் * விடல் இல் வேத ஒலி முழங்கும் * தண் திருவண்வண்டூர் ** கடலின் மேனிப்பிரான் * கண்ணனை நெடுமாலைக் கண்டு * உடலம் நைந்து ஒருத்தி * உருகும் என்று உணர்த்துமினே (4)
The swans, unaware of sorrow and immersed in joy, should go and meet the Lord Supreme, the sea-hued Benefactor, who resides in the serene Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, where Vedic chants echo, and inform Him of a woman dwindling down.
Explanatory Notes
Addressing the swans who always move in strength and have never, therefore, known the pangs of separation from each other, the Nāyakī asks them to go to Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr and tell her Lord that here, at this end, is a woman languishing miserably, due to separation from Him.
The swans, immersed in joy and flocking together, denote those in incessant communion with the Lord, speaking the same language (i.e.) the language of rapturous devotion, as the Āzhvārs did.
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
bOgam — enjoyment; mUzhgi — immersed; iNaindhu — without separation; Adum — to roam around; madam — obedient towards each other; annagAL — Oh swans!; vidal — break; il — not having; vEdha oli — chants of vEdham; muzhangum — resounding; thaN — invigorating; thiruvaNvaNdUr — residing in thiruvaNvaNdUr; kadal — attractive like ocean; mEni — form; pirAn — as the one who presents me; kaNNanai — being obedient towards me; nedu — covering the limits of such obedience; mAlai — the very great lord; kaNdu — on seeing; oruththi — a unique woman; udalam — her body; naindhu — weakened; urugum — melt; enRu — that; uNarththumin — inform him.; uNarththal — the difficulty in communicating to the spouse [after a quarrel]; Udal — the suffering in romantic quarrel
O inseparable swans, heed the caution against the perils of separation! Glide swiftly to our benevolent Sire, adorned with the cool tuḻacī garland upon His majestic crown. He dwells in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, where the soft sands welcome the convergence of conches in worship. Extend my humble regards to Him as well, with hands folded in reverence.
Explanatory Notes
(i) Estrangement on some slight pretext, followed by reconciliation, culminating in union between the lover and the beloved, are factors which commonly characterise connubial relationship. The swans, moving always together, do not, however, have to pass through these vicissitudes.
(ii) The Nāyakī’s request to the swans to worship the Lord on her behalf as well and + Read more
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
uNarndhu — realising; udan — without separating; mEyum — grazing; madam — having attachment towards each other; annangAL — oh swans!; thiNarththa — well grown; vaNdalgaL mEl — on the sand banks; sangu — conches; sErum — reaching; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; puNarththa — strung; pU — beautiful; thaN thuzhAy — having fresh divine thuLasi; mudi — one who is wearing divine crown; nam — our; perumAnai — lord; kaNdu — on seeing; puNarththa — performing anjali (joining the palms); kaiyinarAy — having hands; adiyEnukkum — on behalf of me who am servitor for you; pORRumin — offer some words in praise of him.; punnai mEl — on the punnai tree which is green in colour with multi coloured flowers providing nice contrast; uRai — eternally residing on the tree, like those who hold on to the auspicious abode [of emperumAn]
Lovely koels perched atop laurel trees, I beseech you to visit the Lord of Nithyasuris, who wields the mighty discus and resides in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, where the fishes frolic in the marshy lands. Bring back comforting tidings for me.
Explanatory Notes
Up the laurel trees: The laurel (Puṉṉai in Tamil) tree on the west bank of the sacred tank within the precincts of the Temple of Lord Raṅganātha has come in for special mention in Śloka 49 of the first centum of ‘Śrī Raṅgarāja Stavaṃ’ of Śrī Parāśara Bhaṭṭar. It is said to have imbibed the fragrance of Tiruvāymoḻi. This goes to show that generations of devotees have sat + Read more
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
pU — having radiant forms due to that; kuyilgAL — Oh cuckoos!; pORRi — performing mangaLASAsanam (praying for the well-being of your auspicious residing on the tree and your beauty); yAn — I who am depending for my life on your words; irandhEn — praying as those without any refuge would do;; sERRil — being joyful due to living in its natural habitat [i.e., swamps]; vALai — [a type of] fish; thuLLum — jumping; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; uRaiyum — one who is residing; ARRal — very majestic; Azhi — with the divine chakra; am — decorated; kai — divine hand; amarar — ruling over the nithyasUris; perumAnai — the supreme lord; kaNdu — seeing; maiyal — my bewilderment; thIrvadhu — the means to eliminate; oru vaNNam — in a way; mARRam — reply; koNdu — bringing; aruLIr — mercifully give.; oN — having physical beauty which makes you comparable to him; kiLiyE — Oh parrot!
3349 ஒருவண்ணம் சென்று புக்கு * எனக்கு ஒன்று உரை ஒண் கிளியே * செரு ஒண் பூம் பொழில் சூழ் * செக்கர் வேலைத் திருவண்வண்டூர் ** கரு வண்ணம் செய்ய வாய் * செய்ய கண் செய்ய கை செய்ய கால் * செரு ஒண் சக்கரம் சங்கு * அடையாளம் திருந்தக் கண்டே (7)
Lovely parrot! No matter the obstacles, find your path to Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, with its charming flower gardens, and convey a single word on my behalf to my Lord of dark hue. His lips, eyes, hands, and feet, all gleam red, holding the bright discus and the resounding conch, unmistakably identifying Him.
Explanatory Notes
The parrot signifies the Preceptors, true and steadfast, who faithfully pass on the learning gathered by them from their masters, without deviation or distortion. The parrot is known to repeat just what it hears. The parrot in question is advised by the Nāyakī to somehow reach the intended destination turning a blind eye to the enchanting scenery en route, lest it should + Read more
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
seru — fighting with each other [healthy competition]; oN — beautiful; pU — creating flowers; pozhil — garden; sUzh — surrounded by; sekkar — reddish; vElai — having periods [during sun rise and sun set, or having the ocean which appears reddish]; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; oru vaNNam — in a straight way; senRu — go; pukku — enter; karu — blackish; vaNNam — form; seyya — reddish; vAy — mouth; seyya — reddish; kaN — eyes; seyya — reddish; kai — hands; seyya — reddish; kAl — feet; seru — having enmity towards the enemies of those who are engaged in enjoying him; oN — having enjoyable form; chakkaram — divine chakra [disc]; sangu — SrI pAnchajanya [conch]; adaiyALam — characteristics; thirundha — in front; kaNdu — seeing; enakku — on behalf of me who am waiting to see that form; onRu — a word; urai — please tell.; oN — attractive; siRu — having a small form as said in -pulan koL mAN- (dwarf which can be captured by the eyes)
3350 திருந்தக் கண்டு எனக்கு ஒன்று உரையாய் * ஒண் சிறு பூவாய் * செருந்தி ஞாழல் மகிழ் * புன்னை சூழ் தண் திருவண்வண்டூர் ** பெரும் தண் தாமரைக்கண் * பெரு நீள் முடி நால் தடந்தோள் * கருந் திண் மா முகில் போல் * திருமேனி அடிகளையே (8)
You lovely little Pūvāi, fly over to Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr and observe closely my cloud-hued Lord with broad, lotus-like eyes, adorned with a large crown and sturdy shoulders. Return and bring me a comforting message from Him.
Explanatory Notes
Unless the emissary is a keen observer, he can’t be an effective messenger. The Nāyakī wants the little lovely bird to have a close look at the Lord in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr in all details and narrate to her what the little one saw. This is one way of the God-lover sustaining herself.
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
pUvAy — Oh maina!; serundhi gyAzhal magizh punnai — by four types of flower-bearing trees; sUzh — surrounded by; thaN — invigorating; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; peru — very broad; thaN — cool; thamarai — like lotus flower; kaN — divine eyes; peru — huge; nIL — tall; mudi — having the divine crown; thadam — well rounded; nAl — four; thOL — divine shoulders; karu — having dark complexion; thiN — remaining very firm instead of fading away eventually; mA mugil pOl — like a great cloud; thirumEni — having a divine form; adigaLai — the sarvaswAmi (supreme lord of all); thirundha — properly; kaNdu — see; enakku — for me who is desiring to know his opinion; onRu — a message; uraiyAy — bring me.; alar mEl — on flower; asaiyum — swaying due to the blowing wind, as those who sleep on a mattress
Swans, gracefully gliding on blossoms, you should discreetly inform my wondrous Lord of love supreme, Kaṇṇaṉ, about this sinful soul, with joined palms at His feet. He resides in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, where the melodious strains of the conch can be heard at dawn.
Explanatory Notes
In Secret:
When the Lord is alone with His consort, all the attendants having dispersed after discharging their respective duties.
At the feet.
Getting hold of the Lord’s feet is the surest way of evoking
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
annangAL — Oh swans!; vidivai — highlighting the sunrise; sangu — conch; olikkum — blowing; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; uRaiyum — one who resides; kadiya — being firm on his interests overcoming the opponent [devotees]; mAyan thannai — having amazing activities which capture the opponent; kaNNanai — having great obedience towards such opponents who were captured; nedu mAlai — having great attachment which is the cause for his such actions; kaNdu — seeing him humbly instead of manifesting your supremacy; adigaL — towards his divine feet; kai thozhudhu — engaging in devotional activities; kodiya — very pitiable; val — very strong; vinaiyEn — I who am having sin in the form of this love [towards him], my; thiRam — in my matter; vERu koNdu — in a private location; kURumin — inform him; veRi — as said in -brahamagandha: praviSathi #(attaining the fragrance of brahmam), that is, once AthmAs become muktha (by reaching paramapadham), they will be decorated with the garland from the divine feet of emperumAn, which decorate the nithyasUris, you [beetles] who are an embodiment of fragrance from the flowers which you enjoy,; vaNdinangAL — oh groups of beetles!
You sweet-smelling bees, I implore with utmost respect, venture forth to Him of great valor, Lord Rāma, who demolished the ramparts of the formidable demon. He now resides in Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, situated north of the limpid river Pampai. Share with Him that one of His devotees languishes here in separation.
Explanatory Notes
The Nāyakī has all along been commissioning different birds to convey her message to the Lord, but now she reverently approaches the bees, even as Śrī Rāma chose Hanumān for the special assignment of handing over His ring to Sītā. The Nāyakī requests the bees to tell Śrī Rāma that He should not rest on His oars with an air of complacence that He has already done everything + Read more
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
ummai — you; vERu koNdu — treating distinctly unlike all others; yAn — I who am sustaining based on your distinguished nature; irandhEn — I am submitting the same prayers which are submitted towards emperumAn, who is the apt goal, towards you who will unite me with him.; thERu — pristine; nIr — having water; pambai — for pampA river; vadapAlai — northern bank; thiruvaNvaNdUr — in thiruvaNvaNdUr; mARu — comparison; il — not having; pOr — having battle; arakkan — rAvaNa who is having rAkshasa (demoniac) birth which causes cruelty in battle; madhiL — the fort which is built for protection; nIR ezha — to become dust; seRRu — destroy; ugandha — being joyful due to that and feeling as -kruthakruthya- (one who has accomplished the tasks); ERu — abundance, irrespective for favourable or unfavourable persons; sEvaganArkku — for the one who is having valour; uLaL — I who am other than the one whom he attained by destroying his enemies; ennaiyum — me; enmingaL — tell him.; min — splendour; koL — having
Those who recite these ten songs, brimming with delight, dedicated to Tiruvaṇvaṇṭūr, out of the melodious thousand composed by Caṭakōpaū of Kurukūr, praising the feet of the Lord, who, disguised as Vāmana, adorned with a charming sacred thread, cunningly acquired dominion over the worlds from Bali, will indeed endear themselves to the Lord, akin to lovers to their beloveds.
Explanatory Notes
The chanters of this decad will be coveted by the Lord and His devotees, the Apsarās in spiritual world.
Word by word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate poetry to prose conversion. Please read the meanings (in black) continiously to form the sentence and understand the simple meaning of those verse.)
sEr — matching his divine form and glory; puri nUl — having divine yagyOpavIdham (sacred thread); kuRaLAy — as vAmana (dwarf); agal — expansive; gyAlam — earth; koNda — having exclusively for himself; van — very strong, to be agreed upon by the one who gives and the people of the world; kaLvan — having mischief; adi mEl — on the divine feet; kurugUrch chatakOpan — nammAzhwAr; sonna — mercifully spoke; paN — tune; koL — consuming the words in it; AyiraththuL — among the thousand pAsurams; thiruvaNvaNdUrkku — for thiruvaNvaNdUr; in — sweetness; koL — having; pAdal — song; ivai paththum — this decad; vallAr — who can practice; min — shining/thin like lightning; idaiyavarkku — those who have waist portion; madhanar — desirable.; min — slim like a lightning; idai — due to having waist, not having any shortcoming in beautiful form