Chapter 10
Thirukkovalur Perumal - (மஞ்சு ஆடு)
திருக்கோவலூர்
After experiencing the Divya Desams of Tondai Nadu, the āzhvār enjoys the Divya Desams of Nadu Nadu. In this region, Thirukkovalur is mentioned. The word Gopalan has transformed into Kovalon. This place is where Gopalan, the cowherd, resides. Hence, it is known as Thirukkovalur. It is also the place where the first three āzhvārs (Mudhal āzhvārs) met. Thirukkovalur is a prosperous place enriched by the flow of the river Thenpennai, also known as Dakshina Pinakini.
தொண்டை நாட்டுத் திருப்பதிகளை அனுபவித்த ஆழ்வார் நடுநாட்டுத் திருப்பதிகளை அனுபவிக்கிறார். இப்பகுதியில் திருக்கோவலூர் கூறப்படுகிறது. கோபாலன் என்கிற சொல் கோவலன் எனத் திரிந்தது. கோபாலன் எனப்படும் ஆயன் எழுந்தருளியிருக்கும் தலம் இது. அதனால் திருக்கோவலூர் எனப் பெயர் பெற்றது. முதலாழ்வார்கள் + Read more
Verses: 1138 to 1147
Grammar: Eṇcīrk Kaḻinediladi Āsiriya Viruththam / எண்சீர்க் கழிநெடிலடி ஆசிரிய விருத்தம்
Pan: சீகாமரம்
Recital benefits: Will rule the world of Gods and see the Lord
- Verse 1:
1138. The dear lord swallowed all the mountains where clouds float, the seven oceans, the sky, the earth and all things, kept them all in his stomach and lay on a tender banyan leaf at the end of the eon. I saw him in Thirukkovalur where fine paddy grows shining in the fields and where pure reciters of the Vedās perform Soma sacrifices on the southern banks of the Pennai river that flourishes with abundant water. - Verse 2:
1139. He rests on Adisesha on the ocean, as the gods in the sky bring fragrant thulasi garlands, sandal paste, fragrances and lamps to worship him and both Lakshmi whose breasts are smeared with sandal paste and the earth goddess rub his feet. I saw him in rich Thirukkovalur where the reciters of the Vedās make the five sacrifices and three fires and worship him reciting the six Upanishads and the four Vedās with musical songs that have seven ragas. They think only of him in their minds night and day. - Verse 3:
1140. When the pious elephant Gajendra was caught by a terrible crocodile with sharp sword-like teeth in the pool in a grove where tender shoots and blossoms bloomed, he was terrified and called the lord, and our god with his discus came to the pond, killed the crocodile, saved Gajendra and gave him his grace. I saw our lord in Thirukkovalur where dark neelam blossoms bloom, large punnai buds open with the color of red gold and lotuses in the beautiful ponds shine like fires. - Verse 4:
1141. The lord, sweet nectar for his devotees who shed tears of devotion for him, rode on Garudā, fought with the Māli, strong in battle, conquered and destroyed the Rakshasās and released the people of the earth from their troubles. I saw him in Thirukkovalur surrounded with groves where kongu trees, budding surapunnai trees and kuravam trees grow and the sweet sugarcane plants in the fields listen to the singing of swarms of lined bees and sleep. - Verse 5:
1142. Our god who fought and killed with one arrow the Rākshasas Karan, Kavandan, Māli and the monkey king Vāli who carried spears smeared with blood, destroying the army of Rākshasas with teeth shining like crescent moons and their king Rāvanan in Lankā, stays in famous Thirukkovalur where devotees recite pāsurams on all the porches of shining palaces where a breeze blows from groves surrounded with ponds. I saw him there. - Verse 6:
1143. When the cowherd mother Yashodā tied up Kannan because he stole fragrant butter from the uri and ate it, he cried and his wide eyes were filled with tears and he looked like an elephant tied to a stake. I saw him staying with Lakshmi and the eight-armed earth goddess in Thirukkovalur filled with rich palaces studded with shining diamonds. - Verse 7:
1144. The lord grew angry at the elephant Kuvalayābeedam and killed it, fought with the Rākshasa Kesi when he came as a horse, conquered the seven bulls to marry Nappinnai, killed the wrestlers when they came as marudam trees, killed Sakatāsuran when he came as a cart and fought and killed his enemy, the evil Kamsan. I saw him in Thirukkovalur surrounded with groves where the buds of cherundi flowers bloom and drip honey and kamugu trees ripen with dark fruits and pālai trees spill white pearls as their dried beans shine like emeralds and their ripe fruits glow like corals. - Verse 8:
1145. The lord who went as a messenger to Duryodhanā for the Pāndavās, drove a large chariot for Arjunā in the battle and conquered and killed all the Kauravās stays in flourishing Thirukkovalur where good Vediyars, skilled in the Vedās, gather together and praise the god, and Shivā, rider of the bull, Kubera, the king of Alahai, Indra, the king of the gods, and four-headed Nānmuhan come together and worship him. - Verse 9:
1146. The lord who has beautiful hands, legs, a divine mouth and eyes, carries a shining discus and a conch in his hands and stays with the beautiful earth goddess and Lakshmi, is like the Karpaga tree in Indra’s garden and gives his grace to the gods and all others. His godly form is adorned with red clothes and ornamented with pure gold. I saw him in everlasting Thirukkovalur where Vediyar live, divine like Nānmuhan and like Shivā who is colored fire red. - Verse 10:
1147. Kaliyan the king of Thirumangai, with a shining sword and the beloved of his queens, composed pāsurams on the cloud-colored Thirumāl, bright as a blue emerald, who saved Gajendra from his suffering. I saw him in rich Thirukkovalur filled with good, renowned Vediyars, proficient in the Vedās. If devotees learn and recite these ten pāsurams and praise him they will rule this world and will be able to see the omnipresent one.