1480. When you grow old,
women with lovely hair adorned by flowers dripping honey
will join together, laugh and say,
“What is this? Is it good?
How could you love us, we are so beautiful.
What do you think you will be able to do at your age?”
Before they mock you like this, O heart, rise,
we will go to famous Naraiyur where our king Valavan
with his scepter of justice went and worshiped our god.
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.)
In a profound address to his own heart, the Āzhvār reflects upon the supreme efficacy of seeking refuge in Sriman Nārāyaṇa. He proclaims, “Oh, my heart! Consider the glorious example of the once-prideful Chozha king, a mighty sovereign who wielded his royal scepter with great authority. Even he, filled with ego, came to the sacred divyadēśam of Tirunaṟaiyūr, cast aside