The pinnacle of devotion to the Lord is devotion to His devotees. The āzhvār says that the devotees of Thalasayana Perumal as his leaders. Thirukkadalmallai is a place of great significance. The Lord of Thalasayana is highly exalted. The devotees who constantly think of Him are elevated by their devotion. They always worship the Lord. The āzhvār believes that being a servant to such devotees is the most fitting position for himself.
பகவத் பக்தியின் எல்லை நிலம் பாகவத பக்தி. தலசயனத்து உறைவாரை எண்ணும் பாகவதர்களே தமக்குத் தலைவர்கள் என்று ஆழ்வார் கூறுகிறார். கடல்மல்லை பெருமையுடையது. தலசயனத் தெம்பெருமான் மிகவும் பெருமை கொண்டவன். அவனையே நினைக்கும் அடியார்கள் பெருமையால் உயர்ந்தவர்கள். அவர்கள் எப்பொழுதும் பகவானையே வணங்குகிறவர்கள். அவர்களுக்கு அடியவராக இருப்பதே தமக்கு ஏற்றம் என்று எண்ணுகிறார் ஆழ்வார்.
1098. He once took a woman’s form and entered unseen among the sword-bearing asuras, deceiving them, to serve nectar to the devas. Such is the greatness of our Lord. Now He lies peacefully on the ground in the cool and lovely land of Kadal Mallai, a place fit for the devoted to dwell. Those who live here, ignoring the Lord who reclines thus — Not even for a moment. Will we think of them.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
naṇṇādha — those who did not approach him; vāl̤ — having sword; avuṇaridai — amidst the asuras (demons); peṇṇāgip pukku — entering with a feminine disguise; vānavarai — dhĕvas (saintly persons); amudhu ūttum — one who feeds nectar; perumānār — having greatness; maruva — to remain firmly; iniya — being an enjoyable abode; thaṇ ārndha — remaining cool always; kadal — present on the seashore; mallai — in ṣrī mallāpuri; thala sayanaththu — on the divine mattress which is the ground; uṛaivārai — one who mercifully reclines; eṇṇādhu — without thinking about; iruppārai — those who remain in that dhivyadhĕṣam; iṛaippozhudhum — even for a moment; eṇṇŏm — we will not think about
1099 பார் வண்ண மட மங்கை * பனி நல் மா மலர்க் கிழத்தி நீர் வண்ணன் மார்வத்தில் * இருக்கையை முன் நினைந்து அவன் ஊர் கார்வண்ண முது முந்நீர்க் * கடல்மல்லைத் தலசயனம் ஆர் எண்ணும் நெஞ்சு உடையார் * அவர் எம்மை ஆள்வாரே 2
1099. The noble and gentle Bhooma devi rests upon His left side; She who sprang from the cool and fragrant lotus, Mahālakṣmī, rests on His right and His chest. Those who fix their hearts on this divine union on the ancient seashore shrine of Kadal Mallai, where the dark-hued Lord reclines, such devotees are fit to rule over us all.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
pār vaṇṇam — having earth as her form; madam — having noble qualities; mangai — ṣrī bhūmip pirātti; nīr vaṇṇan — nīrvaṇṇan-s (the one who is as cool as ocean); irukkaiyai — being seated (on his left side); pani — cool; nal — beautiful; mā — best; malark kizhaththi — periya pirātti (ṣrī mahālakshmi) who is having reddish lotus flower as her birth place; mārvagaththil irukkaiyai — being seated on the right side of his divine chest; mun — first; ninaindhu — thought; avan — bhagavān for whom even purushakāram (recommendation) is excessive, his; ūr — being the town; kār vaṇṇam — having black complexion; mudhu — ancient; mun nīr — near the ocean; kadal mallai — in thirukkadalamallai; thalasayanam — reclining on the ground; eṇṇum nenju udaiyār ār — those who have the minds which meditate on; avar — them; emmai — us; āl̤vār — can rule.
1100. He took the form of a mighty boar to uplift Bhūmādevī with care. Her beauty was undisturbed as He freed Her from the bounds of the darkened world. As the gods, each in their place, offered praise, He came to dwell in a radiant form of wisdom, at Kādal Mallai, located between the forest and the sea. Those who hold such a Lord in thought, they alone are my true masters.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
1101 விண்டாரைவென்று ஆவிவிலங்குண்ண * மெல்லியலார் கொண்டாடும்மல்லகலம் அழலேறவெஞ்சமத்துக் கண்டாரை * கடல்மல்லைத்தலசயனத்துஉறைவாரை * கொண்டாடும்நெஞ்சுடையார் அவர் எங்கள் குலதெய்வமே.
1101 விண்டாரை வென்று ஆவி * விலங்கு உண்ண மெல் இயலார் கொண்டாடும் மல் அகலம் * அழல் ஏற வெம் சமத்துக் கண்டாரை கடல்மல்லைத் * தலசயனத்து உறைவாரை கொண்டாடும் நெஞ்சு உடையார் * அவர் எங்கள் குலதெய்வமே 4
1101. He crushed the foes who rose against Him, and left their bodies for beasts—dogs and jackals—to devour. Women of gentle hearts once longed to embrace Rāvaṇa’s broad and mighty chest, but He burned it like dry wood in the fierce battle. Now He lies resting on the ground at Kādal Mallai. Those whose hearts cherish and celebrate Him are the true deities of our lineage.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
1102 பிச்சச் சிறு பீலிச் * சமண் குண்டர் முதலாயோர் விச்சைக்கு இறை என்னும் * அவ் இறையைப் பணியாதே கச்சிக் கிடந்தவன் ஊர் * கடல்மல்லைத் தலசயனம் நச்சித் தொழுவாரை * நச்சு என் தன் நல் நெஞ்சே 5
1102. The Jains, with their tiny peacock-feather fans, claim their leader is lord of all knowledge.
But we do not bow to him—Instead, we worship the One who lies in Thiruvehka and also reclines at Thirukadalmallai. O my heart! Join those who love and worship Him—You too, long for Him and bow!
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
pichcham — bunch of peacock wings; siṛu — small; peeli — having peacock feather; samaṇ guṇdar — the lowly amaṇas (jainas); mudhalāyŏr — et al; vichchaikku — for all knowledge; iṛai ennum — will have someone as the controller;; avviṛaiyai — such person who is established by them; paṇiyādhu — without surrendering unto; kachchi — in thiruvehkā; kidandhavan — one who is mercifully reclining in; ūr — the abode (where emperumān arrived for the sake of his devotee, puṇdarīka); kadal mallaith thala sayanam — (mercifully reclining) in sthalasayanam in thirukkadalmallai; nachchi — desiring; thozhuvārai — those who worship; endhan — my; nenjĕ — ŏh mind!; nachchu — (you too) desire and worship
1103. Elephants carrying heaps of gold and heavy boats loaded with shining navaratna gems that move through Mallai can captivate the senses. But greater still are those whose hearts
long to walk around the Lord reclining on the ground in Thirukadalmallai. O my simple mind!
Circle them with reverence—join their path and thrive!
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
1104. Once, a sly woman with unmotherly looks and poisoned breasts came dressed in soft cotton robes to mimic Yashoda, but He drank her milk our of mercy. He later vanquished cruel Kamsa. He now rests on the ground at Thirukadalmallai. O my pure heart! Worship those who worship Him with all their heart—Join them, and bow low in love.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
panji — soft like cotton; siṛu — small; kūzhai — having hair; uruvāgi — having a form; maruvādha — not aligning; vanjam — having mischief; peṇ — pūthanā-s; nanju — poison in her bosom; uṇda — mercifully consumed; aṇṇal — being the lord of all; mun — previously; naṇṇādha — one who did not approach and surrender; kanjai — kamsa-s thoughts; kadandhavan — krishṇa who crossed, his; kadal mallaith thala sayanam — merciful reclining in sthalasayanam in thirukkadalmallai; nenjil — with their heart; thozhuvārai — those who worship; en — obedient towards me; thūy — very pure; nenjĕ — ŏh heart!; thozhuvāy — try to worship
1105 செழு நீர் மலர்க் கமலம் * திரை உந்து வன் பகட்டால் உழும் நீர் வயல் உழவர் உழப் * பின் முன் பிழைத்து எழுந்த கழு நீர் கடி கமழும் * கடல்மல்லைத் தலசயனம் தொழும் நீர் மனத்தவரைத் * தொழுவாய் என் தூய் நெஞ்சே 8
1105. Those who naturally plough the fields, with strong bulls pushing through the earth,
while waves and fragrant lotus blossoms sway—such farmers, hardworking and pure, worship the Lord of Thirukadalmallai, who rests on the ground. O my pure heart, worship those with sincere hearts, and join their devotion with love.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
1106 பிணங்கள் இடு காடு அதனுள் * நடம் ஆடு பிஞ்ஞகனோடு இணங்கு திருச் சக்கரத்து * எம் பெருமானார்க்கு இடம் விசும்பில் கணங்கள் இயங்கும் மல்லைக் * கடல்மல்லைத் தலசயனம் வணங்கும் மனத்தார் அவரை * வணங்கு என் தன் மட நெஞ்சே 9
1106. He gave a part of His own form to Rudra, who dances in burning grounds among corpses, and to the Sudarshana Chakra that never leaves His side. Devas come down from the heavens
and move about in glorious Thirukadalmallai. O my heart, bow to the devotees who worship the Lord reclining on the ground there.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)
1107 ## கடி கமழும் நெடு மறுகின் * கடல்மல்லைத் தலசயனத்து அடிகள் அடியே நினையும் * அடியவர்கள் தம் அடியான் வடி கொள் நெடு வேல் வலவன் * கலிகன்றி ஒலி வல்லார் முடி கொள் நெடு மன்னவர் தம் * முதல்வர் முதல் ஆவாரே 10
1107. In Thirukadalmallai, where sweet fragrance drifts through wide and beautiful streets,
the Lord reclines on the ground. Those who think only of His divine feet and serve His devotees—they are the ones I serve. These verses were sung by Thirumangai Azhwār, the mighty one with a sharp spear. Those who recite these divine verses become leaders even among crowned kings.
Word by Word (WBW) meaning
(The words may be rearranged to facilitate conversion from poetry to prose (Aṉvayam). Please read the meanings (in black) continuously to form the sentence and understand the simplified meaning based on the Divyārtha Dīpikai for the verse.)