Prayer of the Day

Prayer from Thirunavukkarasar Dhevaram 

 

திருநாவுக்கரசர் அருளிய தேவாரம்
தலம்    :    பொது
பண்    :    காந்தார பஞ்சமம்
நான்காம் திருமுறை

நமச்சிவாயத் திருப்பதிகம்

திருச்சிற்றம்பலம்

வீடினார் உலகினில் விழுமிய தொண்டர்கள்
கூடினார் அந்நெறி கூடிச் சென்றலும்
ஓடினேன் ஓடிச்சென்று உருவம் காண்டலும்
நாடினேன் நாடிற்று நமச்சிவாயவே

திருச்சிற்றம்பலம்

Song as Romanized text

 
Thirunavukkarasar  aruLiya thEvAram
thalam    :    Common
paN    :    Gandhara Panchamam
Fourth thirumuRai

Namachivaya Thirupathikam

thiruchiRRampalam

vIDinAr ulakinil vizumiya thoNDarkaL
kUDinAr an-n-eRi kUDic cenRalum
ODinEn ODiccenRu uruvam kANDalum
n-ADinEn n-ADiRRu n-amaccivAyavE.

thirucciRRampalam

Meaning of the Prayer Song:

 The noble servitors, who got liberated from the world, joined the path!
As they moved forward in that path into the Union, I rushed;
As I rushed and saw the Form, I sought!
The mantra :Namahshivaya" sought (me)!

 Notes: 

1.  வீடினார் உலகினில் விழுமிய தொண்டர்கள் கூடினார் அந்நெறி 
The excellent devotees got liberated from the clutches of the world;
They got themselves engaged in the glorious path.

It is very interesting to note that these two acts may seem sequential or unrelated.
But they are actually highly interlinked. It is only those who have engaged 
themselves in the path of Supreme Lord, can get liberated from the clutches of world.

c.f. பற்றுக பற்றற்றான் பற்றினை அப்பற்றைப் 
  பற்றுக பற்று விடற்கு - திருக்குறள்

2.  கூடிச் சென்றலும் ஓடினேன் 
I saw them Unite with the Lord Shiva; In wonder I rushed forward!

This shows the sincere seeking of Truth that was always present in appar.
While he was juvenile, he got attracted by the apparent truth in Jainism.
Even as he joined Jainism and raised in the cadre of that religion to become 
Dharmasena, his quest for Truth was not quenched by the dogmas.
As he got to see the quagmire of self-correction and also the glorious
path of devotion to the Supreme Lord, he showed genuine interest crossing the
dogmatic boundaries, as expressed in this song.

3.  நாடினேன் நாடிற்று நமச்சிவாயவே 
I sought. The mnatra Namahshivaya shought too!

As Thirunavukkarasar saw the glorious stage the sincere devotees get to,
he got interested and rushed behind them. He saw the real goal - the Truth
- the Form to seek. He sought It! As he sought It, he got the mantra
Namahshivaya that is the carrier to that Truth!

Let us also seek that Truth with a lot of interest through the mantra Namahshivaya!