Chapter 5
Sālakkiramam (Mukthinath) - (கலையும் கரியும்)
திருச்சாளக்கிராமம்
Rama resides in Salagrama. The Lord who lives in Uragam, Thirukkudanthai, and Thiruppernagar is also present here. Serve Him and attain salvation, says the āzhvār. In Salagrama, the Lord is present in the form of holy water.
இராமன் வாழுமிடம் சாளக்கிராமம். ஊரகம், திருக்குடந்தை, திருப்பேர்நகர் ஆகிய இடங்களில் வாழ்பவனே இங்குள்ளான். அவனை ஸேவித்து உய்வு பெறுங்கள் என்கிறார் ஆழ்வார். சாளக்கிராமத்தில் பகவான் தீர்த்தரூபியாக இருக்கிறான்.
Verses: 988 to 997
Grammar: Aṟuchīrk Kaḻinediladi Āsiriya Viruththam / அறுசீர்க் கழிநெடிலடி ஆசிரிய விருத்தம்
Pan: செந்திருத்தி
Recital benefits: Will rule the world of Gods
- Verse 1:
988. Through forests where deer, elephants, and swift horses roam, He passed with bow and arrow in hand, ready for war. In the fierce battlefield, He strode to victory, and built a bridge across the wave-filled sea with mighty rocks. In Lanka, ringed by ocean and walls, He struck down Ravana, the sword-wielding demon king, severing all ten of his heads with ease. O heart, seek the sacred Śālagrāma, the dwelling of that triumphant Lord! - Verse 2:
989. Elephants, horses, chariots, and soldiers gathered around the mighty city of Lanka. Rama shot his sharp arrows and turned that fortress into dust. The gods in heaven bowed to Him and flowers filled the earth with fragrance. In a land full of clear ponds and beauty stands sacred Śālagrāmam. O heart, go there and reach it! - Verse 3:
990. He is the One who holds the waves of the seas, the great mountains, time itself, the eight directions, sun, moon, and even darkness—all within Himself. He bears the mighty discus of victory and is the Lord of the gods in the skies. For the wicked rākshasas, He is forever their fierce destroyer. Surrounded by clear waters and full of beauty is Śālagrāmam, His sacred abode. O heart, go and reach that place! - Verse 4:
991. The Supreme Purushottaman dwells in Thiruvūrakam and sacred Kudandhai. Once, when fierce warriors came against Him, He bent His bow at both ends and crushed the chariot ranks of the arrogant rākshasas. He stands in Thiruppēr, surrounded by the unfailing Kaveri waters. This Lord of countless names, wearing a Thulasi garland, resides in Śālagrāmam, where the thārā birds call, fertile fields spread wide, and bees hum in delight. Go there, O heart! Reach that sacred place! - Verse 5:
992. When Surpaṇaka came roaring with a mouth wide like a cave, He struck her down, slicing her nose with His sharp, shining sword. Wielder of the blazing chakra and the Lord of the eternal Nityasuris, He once lifted the Govardhana hill to shield the cows from the storm unleashed by Indra’s pride. He now dwells in Śālagrāmam, that beautiful land ringed with ponds. Go, O heart! Reach that sacred place! - Verse 6:
993. The lord dark as a kāyām flower drank the poisonous milk of Putanā when she came as a mother and killed her, stole yogurt and butter and swallowed them in the cowherd village, and went as a pure handsome dwarf to king Mahabali’s sacrifice, asked him, “Give me three feet of land now, ” received the land, grew tall and measured the seven worlds and the sky with his marvelous feet. He stays in SālakkiRāmam. O heart, let us go and worship that lord of there. - Verse 7:
994. To make the demons tremble, He became fierce Narasimha, and tore apart the chest of Hiraṇya in a blazing battle. He is the sun and moon, the fire and sky, the mountains and roaring seas. He is all the worlds and more. This wondrous Lord with a divine form and incomparable strength dwells in ŚālakkiRāmam. O heart, go! Seek that sacred place! - Verse 8:
995. When Shivā, adorned with a garland of skulls and smeared with ashes on his body wandered all over the world as a beggar because Nānmuhan had cursed him and went to our lord and asked him, “You are my father. Remove my curse, ” our lord took water precious as nectar as if it were blood from his divine chest, sprinkled it on Shivā’s hands and made Nānmuhan's skull fall. He stays in SālakkiRāmam surrounded with groves flourishing with sandal trees. O heart! Let us go there and worship him. . - Verse 9:
996. O heart, let us go to the temple in SālakkiRāmam surrounded with flourishing fields where fish frolic, groves swarm with bees and cool lotuses bloom. Groups of devotees, gods in the sky and Andanars skilled in the Vedās, wearing sacred threads on their chests, go there and worship and praise him saying, “O god of gods! Give us your grace!” Let us go there. - Verse 10:
997. O wise ones of this world, chant His thousand names, so you may one day rule the bright land of Nityasūris, the supreme SriVaikuntam! But if you cannot, then recite these Tamil verses— this garland of words sung by Kaliyan, the Chief of the land where clouds gather. He sang of the Lord in ŚālakkiRāmam, where lush fields spread and Thārā birds sing. Speak them, O hearts! Let His praise flow!