Chapter 3
Thiruvadari (Badrinath) - (முற்ற மூத்து)
திருவதரி
The jujube trees are referred to as Badri trees, and the place abundant with them is Badrikashram. The Lord residing there is Badrinarayana. This section extols the greatness of the Badrikashram Kshetram. Going there is a rare and difficult task. The āzhvār advises, "Visit and serve Badrinath before your body becomes weak."
இலந்தை மரங்களைப் பதரி என்பர். அவை நிறைந்த இடம் பதரிகாசிரமம். அங்குள்ள பெருமான் பத்ரிநாராயணன். இப்பகுதி பதரீ சேக்ஷத்திரத்தின் பெருமையைக் கூறுகிறது. அங்கு சென்று வருவது அருஞ்செயல். உடல் தளர்வதற்குமுன் பதரியை ஸேவித்து வாருங்கள் என்று ஆழ்வார் கூறுகிறார்.
Verses: 968 to 977
Grammar: Aṟuchīrk Kaḻinediladi Āsiriya Viruththam / அறுசீர்க் கழிநெடிலடி ஆசிரிய விருத்தம்
Pan: பழந்தக்கராகம்
Recital benefits: Will go to Vaikuṇṭam and rule the skys
- Verse 1:
968. Before age bends our backs and we lean on a staff, Before our faltering steps lose their way, Let us go to Badrinath and worship the Lord, Who drank life from Pūthanā, when she came disguised as a loving mother. - Verse 2:
969. Before we lean on a stick and grip our backs in pain, With trembling limbs, rolling eyes, and coughing loud, Before the young mock, “Was this man ever strong?” Let us go and worship Badrinath, where bees hum sipping honey from blooms. - Verse 3:
970. Before flesh loosens and nerves stand out like cords, Before eyes roll and the heart gives way, unable to walk, If you have wisdom, O heart, chant His thousand names with love! And go and worship at Badrinath, where fragrant bees hum divine tunes. - Verse 4:
971. Before bile surges and eyes shrink with tears, Before old age bends us, our feet stumbling in pain, Worship the One who, as a boy, lifted Govardhana high At Badrinath, where cool ponds brim with leaping fish. - Verse 5:
972. Before we grow frail and cough-worn, Minds wandering, speech confused like the mad. Let us bow to Him, our Lord and Father, The dark-hued Radiance who churned the deepest ocean, Let us worship Him at the sacred Badrinath. - Verse 6:
973. Before we grow frail and cough-worn, Minds wandering, speech confused like the mad, Let us bow to Him, our Lord and Father, The dark-hued Radiance who churned the deepest ocean, Let us worship Him at the sacred Badrinath. - Verse 7:
974. When pus and mucus flow from your withered body, Those young women, your own kin, who once liked you, Will laugh and call you a frail old man. Before that shame descends, Worship our Lord at Badrinath, Who is our shelter and lasting wealth. - Verse 8:
975. Before they mock you, “Chī! You cough, you tremble, your heart is weak. Leave this place!” Before you’re shamed by sharp-eyed women, Leave behind ruinous bonds of lust, seek the good path, And worship at Badrinath, where He wears cool fragrant tulasi. - Verse 9:
976. When the senses grow frail and the body weak, when old age sets in, and you sit alone, heart heavy, mind disturbed, before your mouth babbles what your eyes merely saw, and thick phlegm is pushed out again and again, hold the cool garland of tulasi in hand, recite His thousand names with love, and join the devotees who circle, sing, and dance. Let us worship Him at sacred Badrinath! - Verse 10:
977. In Badrinath, where bees drink cool honey and sing, lives Sriman Narayana, Praised in these sweet verses by Kaliyan, the Chief of Thirumangai, who made this garland of words like a fence of sacred leaves around Him. If devotees sing and dance to these songs with love, they will rule only in Paramapadam. No other place will have power over them. Such is the blessing for those who worship Him.