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Rendered By: Thirunyana Sambanthar Place: Thirua: Thirumurai
Rendered By: Thirunyana Sambanthar Place: Thirua: Thirumurai
Situation
While on pilgrimage at ThiruAavaduthurai, the time had come for Sivapatha Irutayar to offer velvi. So, he approached his son, Thirunyana Sambanthar, for
the resources (money) and permission to leave to perform the ceremony. On hearing his father’s request, the chief of Pukazhli (another name for Sirkazhli
and referring to TNS – Puzhaliyar Koon in Nalvar Thuti) remembered their previous conversation. “Are not the feet of our Father, Lord of Avatuturai,
limitless treasure in themselves”, he reflected. With that thought, he went into the temple and standing before the divine presence praised the Ruler of the
gods in a Tamil (when my father asks me for huge sums of money – I have no resource but your feet). In these words, he was in fact addressing a prayer to
the Lord for a special gift of grace. With his heart filled with love, he worshipped the feet of the Lord.
When TNS had finished singing and expressed thereby his heart-felt love and adoration, the Lord in His grace granted his desire. To bestow the boon, one of
God’s heavenly attendants (gnangal) came swiftly down and placed on the altar a bag containing a thousand golden coins. “This bag is God’s gift to you,” he
said. Its content will never be exhausted”. (This is also mentioned by ThiruNāvukkarasar in the last two lines of the 1st Tirunēricai on this shrine).
On hearing this, TNS recognised the grace of his Father at work, and fell to the ground in adoration. Then rising to his feet, he took the bag of
gold from the altar, which was decorated with fresh flowers. He placed it on his head, and carried it thus to his father whose mind was ruled by
divine truth. TNS there gave him the gift which had himself received from the gnangal. “This will be more than enough,” he said. “It will enable
you and the Brahmins of Tirukkalumalam to offer velvi to the Lord in accordance to the ancient scriptures”.
[extracted & modified from The History of The Holy Servants of the Lord Siva – A Translation of the Periya Puranam of Cekkilar by Alastair
McGlashan]
Verse 4 Even if I sneeze out my life and when facing disasters that arise,
தும்மலோ டருந்துயர் தோன்றிடினும் my tongue will utter none but Thy lotus Feet
அம்மல ரடியலால் அரற்றாதென்நாக்
கைம்மல்கு வரிசிலைக் கணையொன்றினால் One who destroyed with one flowery arrow with bands
மும்மதிள் எரியெழ முனிந்தவனே Which caused fire to rise in 3 cities, Oh dear One
இதுவோஎமை ஆளுமா றீவதொன்றெமக் கில்லையேல்
அதுவோவுன தின்னருள் ஆவடுதுறை அரனே.
Verse 10
பித்தொடு மயங்கியோர் பிணிவரினும்
அத்தாவுன் அடியலால் அரற்றாதென்நாப் Even though a disease aflicts me combining with madness.
புத்தருஞ் சமணரும் புறனுரைக்கப் My tongue will not cry about anything else except your feet. my father!
பத்தர்கட் கருள்செய்து பயின்றவனே
இதுவோஎமை ஆளுமா றீவதொன்றெமக் கில்லையேல் When buddhists and camaṇar talk slanderous words
அதுவோவுன தின்னருள் ஆவடுதுறை அரனே. You showered Grace on Thy devotees.