"Who saw in a dam of lilting lyrics the flood of flowing grace of Tamil divine Ladling it out as Tiruppugazh divine For perennial praise of Skanda's feet benign. The deity who reigns in cool SIRUVAI Wherein the minds of devotees ever abide The resident Lord raining grace on SIRUVAI. As plenteous as the city of Kubera.
Oh! the life of SIRUVAPURI shinging for greater prosperity
Surpassing the city of Kubera more glorioius itself than even the metropolis of the gods
SIRUVAPURI, famouis and flourishing soaring with towers and ramparts
Brimming with boulevards and temples brilliant with burnished gold."
Thus has Siruvapuri been blessed by the rapturous lyrics of Saint Arunagirinathar
I. Mahizhicchi Tiruppugazh
One with lotus eyes! The consort of Devasena, the daughter of Indra!
The One with perfect knowledge, One with lofty shoulders!
One with the effulgent sharp spear subdued the rough sea, pierced the Krauncha mountain and battered its animosity!
One with a chest adorned with pearls and gems!
One with a beautiful form radiating golden hue!
One who is much attached to the Tamils and their language!
Muruga! Oh, Lord!
Willingly you have taken permanent abode eternal in the hearts of your devotees, residing in the cool-emitting Siruvapuri!
We, your devotees, pray that you should come before us prancing on your mighty peacock, attuned to the dance of your vehicle.
And when you come please note:
All the devas should colonise their original abode from which they were dislodged by the asuras, whom you must eradicate simultaneously to the utmost satisfaction and pleasure of the devas. Your grace should permeate everywhere.
Moreover, Sankara who associates himself with a dual dance with Andhari should derive pleasure by your dual dance with the peacock!
All the more you must give darshana of your dance to your elder brother Ganesa of five hands, to your mother Umai, to the rishis, to the ashtadigpalas guardians of the eight cardinal directions), to Indra, Brahma, Visnu and His consort Laksmi and to the global inhabitants and by your darshana all of them will dance in glee.
So may you oblige us. We crave your indulgence.
Oh, brother of elephant-faced Vinayaka!
Oh, affectionate son of Siva of matted locks of hair and of body smeared with holy ashes!
Oh, son of Mahalakshmi!
Oh, One who has the courage to challenge even the mighty ocean!
Oh, One whose knowledge supreme is beyond the ken of the great Vedas chanted by the rishis!
Oh, Ocean of Mercy!
Oh, One with a broad chest adorned by the sweet-smelling honey-dripping neeba garland!
Oh, One with six radiant faces, each resembling a full moon!
Oh, Murugesa! Oh, Vadivela!
Oh, Supreme Lord of rishis and the devas!
Oh, Supreme Lord of the seven higher spheres!
Oh, Lord enlogisted by Visnu and by Brahma who resides eternally in Visnu's lotus-like navel!
Oh, life-giver (nucleus ) of Siruvapuri, hallowed by the existence of Laksmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity!
Your Siruvapuri is not really siru (ie wanting in fullness), but it is Siruvapuri,ie the city of Lava and Kusa, the illustrious sons of Rama. Hence it is of high eminence occupying a place higher than Amarati city of Indra or Alagapuri the city of Kubera. In short, you are the Lord of all Indras!
Oh, One with the cool lotus-like feet! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, All-wonderful One steeped in the musical strains of Narada! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, Darling of the mighty cock and the valiant peacock! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, One sought after by the Vedas being the crown of all eminence! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, Quintessence of Agamas! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, Devasenapati! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, Wielder of the vel! You cut off all the sins of your devotees and make them attain salvation! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, One who is severe towards the asuras! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, One who is the unconquerable here in the world! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, One who is born as the son of Parvati, the daughter of Himalaya! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, One who is expert in expounding knowledge gladdening the hearts of all! Salutations to Thee!
Oh, Bala Kumara Swami! Salutations to Thee! Please bestow Thy grace upon us!
Note: This Tiruppugazh song is one of six Archanai Tiruppugazh songs found among the available 1330 Tiruppugazh songs.
III. Vazhi-Kattum TiruppukazhOh, Muruga!
Sages who have not transgressed the control of their senses had to suffer in their cave-abodes brooding over their fate on the return of the giant bhutam-spirit. At that time, in a minute, you have brought about the action to be taken against the giant, and by riding on your peacock, showered your grace unparalleled on the sages (by killing the giant) and as a remembrance of this unique timely help you wore the garland of Tamil verses, the Tiru Murugaarruppadai in ecstatic jubiliation.
Oh, Lord! You have willingly taken your abode in Siruvapuri which resembles in fecundity of wealth Alagapuri (the abode of Kubera, god of wealth) and hereby rose in your eminence.
Do you know the reason for this rise in your status?
This is the place of a battle with drawn bows and arrows where two youngsters (Lava and Kusa) won a tremendous victory over Kothanda Rama and his four-fold army (his mainstay being elephants and infantry).
Oh, eminent Lord!
This body of mine has taken its birth here in this mundane world. It goes astray deviating from the right path and thereby suffers from many diseases. Tottered by dilemmas, it undergoes hardships due to evil karma. As a consequence, it is tossed in various species of birth without end.
Now I realise that I should not spoil myself by believing in this cycle of births. Forgetting relief, there is only One way open to me and that is to think unceasingly of your lotus feet studded with honeyed flowers, which paves the way for silent meditation. Your darshana is craved by rulers of both heaven and earth. As such, I do not know when I am destined to have a sweet darshana of you, and that also for my benefit.
NOTE: Siruvapuri is Siruvarpuri. Siruvar refers to Lava and Kusa. So this place is also called Siruvaram Bedu (Siruvar-ambu-edu)because this is the place where the youngsters took the arrow to be darted agains their father Rama. This is also Kusalavambedu (Kusa-Lava-ambu-edu). In local parlance this name has corrupted itself into Sinnambedu (Cinnambedu) and now this is popularly current among the public.
This holy place visited and sung of by Saint Arunagirinathar and currently called CHINNAMBEDU is situated 35 kms from Madras on the Gummidi Poondi route. Bus no. 133 runs from Madras Basin Bridge bus stand to the temple. Buses depart at 6am, 12 noon, 4pm and 8pm. If traveling by bus nos. 131, 131-A, 132, 133-A, alight at Agaram from where the temple is only one kilometre distance.
Hello Sir/ Madam,
ReplyDeleteYour site is simply great! By the way my name is Shruthi. I live in Chennai. I love to be religious. I've learnt Kandar Sashti Kavacham by myself with the blessings of the God ofcourse! I recently Bought a CD of Desa Mangaiyarkarasi madam about "Arul Petra Arunagirinathar". It is simply awesome! I wish to learn Thiruppugazh. But I dont know where it is taught in chennai. I think i'll find out in few days. If you know anything about the place where Thiruppugazh is taught, pl do inform me.. Thank you.