Chapter 4
Thiruvadariyāchiramam (Badrinath) - (ஏனம் முன்)
திருவதரி ஆச்சிரமம்
Badrikashram is referred to as Vadarikashram by the āzhvār. Previously, he praised the mountain; in this, he speaks of the greatness of Nara-Narayana Perumal. Our Lord incarnated as Nara and Narayana. Badrikashram is the place where Narayana, the Guru, taught the sacred Thirumantra to Nara, the disciple, for his well-being.
பதரிகாச்சிரமம் என்பதை வதரியாச்சிரமம் என்று ஆழ்வார் அருளிச் செய்கிறார். முன்பு மலையை வணங்கினார்; இதில் நரநாரயணப் பெருமானின் பெருமைகளைக் கூறுகிறார். எம் பெருமான் நர நாராயணணாக அவதரித்தான். நாராயணனாகிய குரு நரனென்னும் சிஷ்யனுக்கு நலம் தரும் சொல்லாகிய திருமந்திரத்தை உபதேசித்த இடம் பதரிகாச்சிரமம்.
Verses: 978 to 987
Grammar: Eḻuchīrk Kaḻinediladi Āsiriya Viruththam / எழுசீர்க் கழிநெடிலடி ஆசிரிய விருத்தம்
Pan: தக்கராகம்
Recital benefits: Will rule this world surrounded by the wide oceans under a royal umbrella and become gods in the sky
- Verse 1:
978. When the world was once swallowed by floods, my Lord took the form of a mighty boar, raised the vast earth with His tusks, and let the gods worship His divine feet. Then, He bent a great bow to humble Rāvaṇa's pride. And now, in Badrikāśramam by the Ganga’s banks, He dwells in groves rich with honey, where gods themselves come bearing garlands made of divine flowers from Kalpavruksha trees, to bow before Him. - Verse 2:
979. In the deep woods, He saw the deceitful golden deer and shot a fiery arrow that sped with purpose, Then pierced Vāli’s chest with a deadly shaft, taking his life, as justice rejoiced in His hands. He, who delights in such righteous acts, is the One all gods and Brahmā seek as they bring fragrant lotus flowers, again and again, to worship at Badrikāśramam, by Ganga’s sacred banks. - Verse 3:
980. Once as Rama, He shattered proud Lanka and the roaring sea, crushing Ravana, the lord of ṣanka and padhma nidhi, and laid waste the demon clans with fierce resolve. Like the sun circling Mount Meru and spreading its light in the wide sky and a cloth hoisted on a flag post, He now resides peacefully at Badarikāśramam, near the Ganga's clear waters. - Verse 4:
981. O mind, listen! I’ll tell you a truth. Our Sarvesvaran (Lord of the gods), who is full of mercy, removes pain from His devotees and gives them SriVaikuntam, the highest place where Nityasuris live. Nopw, He lives at Badarikāśramam, near the Ganga’s clear waters, where apsarās bring silks, garlands, and jewels. Bow to Him, O mind, and rise! - Verse 5:
982. Once, He drank from the breast of Pūthanā, the demoness who came disguised as a mother. Seeing this, Yaśodā, His real mother, trembled in fear and said, “I won’t let Him sit on anyone’s lap again.” That Lord, who grew up with such tender care, now stands atop golden Mount Meru, from where the vast Ganga flows down. He lives there still, at Badarikāśramam, on her sacred banks. - Verse 6:
983. Once, to win Nappinnai, the lady with a slender waist and fish-like eyes, He tamed seven fierce bulls in one bold act, frightening all who watched. My Lord, who is cloud-dark in form, now lives in Badarikāśramam, on the banks of the sacred Ganga, who splits the mountains and brings even elephants in her wild course because of Bhagiratha’s penance. - Verse 7:
984. He gave Indra his fierce elephant Airavata, the nectar from the milky ocean, and rulership over the heavens. To us too, He gave Himself. He is our Lord, our Father, and even the gods bow at His feet. It was His will that sent Ganga flowing from Mount Mandara, splitting into a thousand streams. Now, He resides at Badarikāśramam, on the banks of that sacred Ganga. - Verse 8:
985. Once in Pañcavaṭi, Rama bent His beautiful bow in anger and struck down the golden-hued Māriṣa. He tore the mighty Hiraṇya in two with just the tips of His nails. He removed the fierce curse that Brahma cast on Rudra. This same Lord, who did all these, is now at Badarikāśramam— where Ganga, brought by the great sage Bhagīratha through deep penance, flows along the riverbank. - Verse 9:
986. Our great Lord with a vast stomach once swallowed the clouds, winds, mountains, oceans, and all the worlds at the time of deluge He holds the sun and moon in His radiant form, and encompasses the heavens and endless kalpas within Himself. He is the one who, when Ganga descended through Brahmā’s world and fell from the sky, caused even Bhūmi to tremble at her force. That clear, gem-like Ganga now flows in fullness, and on her sacred banks, in Badarikāśramam, where our Lord lovingly resides. - Verse 10:
987. On the banks of Ganga, whose gem-like waters rush with waves, in sacred Badarikāśramam, our Lord dwells. He, the Ocean-hued One, encompasses the threefold waters: river, rain, and spring. Meditate on Him! These ten verses were sung by Kaliyan with heartfelt praise, rich in meaning and resounding with devotion. Those who master and recite them shall live under a white umbrella, ruling the wide earth, and then ascend to SriVaikuntam, to join the Nityasuris.