The Puranam of Idangkazhi Nayanar

(idangkazhi nAyanAr purANam - Periyapuranam as English poetry)

 
 
		“I am a servitor of glorious Idangkazhi, the great one 
		That wears a garland of petalled flowers.” 
		 
						- The Tiru-th-Tonda-th-Tokai 
 
1. 	Konaadu is rich in groves where male kuyils 
	Nibbling at the tender mango-shoots, search 
	For their hiding mates and thus gladden them; 
	This realm is like unto the picturesque toyyil 
	Worn on her breast, by the Lady Earth who has 
	For her clothing the great sea full of rising waves.		(4109) 
 
2. 	Kodumpaaloor of Konaadu is the capital in whose 
	Ponds and tanks of cool and lucid waters, 
	Chafers buzz over fragrant and melliferous red lotuses 
	And drink their honey; there the storks and their mates 
	Get well fed and these, to shun the moist northern wind 
	Slumber in the gardens of Kurukkatthi.				(4110) 
 
3. 	Mighty-shouldered Aadithya Chozha, bedecked with jewels 
	Of gold, hailed from the glorious dynasty 
	Of Irukku Velir; he ruled from this city, and it was he 
	Who gold-plated the roof of the aeviternal Ponnambalam 
	With the famous and fresh and weighty gold 
	Of Konghu; Idangkazhiyaar was his ancestor.			(4111) 
 
4. 	The great name of Idangkazhiyaar was famous 
	Throughout the world; he would only think of the way 
	Of servitorship to the Lord who burnt the triple 
	Hostile cities; he would not, at any time, 
	Think of any crooked way even in his dream; 
	Borne by great and continuous love, he would render 
	All acts of service, as desired by the devotees.		(4112) 

5. He so ruled that the Saivite way flourished Along with the dharmic way of the Vedas; for this, In increasing splendour he caused the performance Of poojas as ordained in the Saivaagamas in all the temples Where the blue-throated Lord abides aeviternally; Thus he flourished in great and ever-increasing glory. (4113) 6. One day, a subject in his realm who was endowed With the tapas of feeding Lord Sankara’s serviteurs, Could not come by the provision for preparing A nectarean meal to Siva’s serviteur; when thus stumped, Without knowing what he was doing by reason of his Spiralling desire (to feed the Lord’s servitor), (4114) 7. At dead of night he broke into the king’s granary Situate within the many-walled and well-guarded Promptuary where heaps and heaps of paddy were kept Stored in rows, and started removing some paddy; The guards who kept watch during the night And who announced the passage of time by beat of drums, Apprehended him and brought him before the king. (4115) 8. When the spear-wielding king (in his court) questioned The tapaswi-devotee, he replied thus: “I did this as I was Stymied in all my efforts to feed the servitor of our Lord, The Father.” When he so spake, the king grew exceedingly Compassionate, released him and said: “Lo, he indeed Is a treasure unto me.” (4116) 9. Feeling contrite, the king would come by the fruit Of his riches, caused his drummers to announce thus Everywhere: “The servitors of the Lord are free to carry Away not only paddy but other riches too from the royal And limitless treasury and promptuary.” (4117) 10. With all his consciousness and in love, he allowed His immense and limitless treasury to be looted, As it were, by the Lord’s servitors, and felt Delighted; he caused the flourishing of the way Of they Holy Ash by his rule of grace -- cool and serene--, Over the earth for many years and then he reached The umbrage of the Lord’s flower-feet. (4118) 11. Adoring the ankleted feet of Idangkazhiyaar, Great and glorious in his adoration of the traditional Servitorship unto the beauteously blue-throated Lord, We proceed to narrate the divine servitorship Of Serutthunaiyaar, the tapaswi who valued not Aught as superior to the way of the Lord, The Granter of salvation true. (4119) ---------------- NOTES Verse No. 1. Konaadu: This formed part of the old Pudukkottai state. 2. Kodumpaaloor: The capital of Konaadu. 7. A servitor of Siva who had vowed to feed Atiyaar regularly, would indulge in dicing and even larceny, on occasions. Tirumangkai Aazhwar took to way-laying. 8. As the king himself was a servitor of Siva, he viewed the criminal before him with extreme devotion and compassion. Here ends the Puranam of Idangkazhi Naayanaar

Sincere thanks to Sri. T N Ramachandran of thanjavur, for permitting his English rendering of the holy text periyapurANam be published here.

See Also:
1. idaNkazi nAyanAr purANam in English prose
2. இடங்கழி நாயனார் புராணம் (தமிழ் மூலம்)
3. thiruththoNDar purANam main page
4. 12 shaivite thirumuRais

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