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the-puranam-of-eyarkone-kalikkama-nayanar

The Puranam of Eyarkone Kalikkama Nayanar

 

(EyarkOne kalikkAma nAyanAr purANam - Periyapuranam as English poetry)

 
 
        "I am a servitor of the servitors of 
        Yeyarkone Kalikkaaman" 
                        - The Tiru-th-Tonda-th-Tokai. 
 
1.     In the bountiful and glorious Chola country rich 
    In, water, it is situate east of the northern bank 
    Of the Cauvery abounding in gold; it is the beauteous town 
    Tirupperumangakalam of abiding glory; 
    The flowery lianas in its mansions sway in the wind.        (3155) 
 
2.     Its battlements are fitted with contraptions 
    Of destructions; its beauteous, tall and hill-like 
    Mansions are cloud-capped; the eyes of the women 
    Are deadly as poison; their feet are dyed with red 
    Silk-cotton and this hue could be seen, on the hair 
    In the heads of young bull-like heroes.                (3156) 
 
3.     Its long and beautiful streets ever glowed 
    With festivities; in its theatres where danseuses 
    Of dense hair danced, the resounding of drums 
    Could always be heard; in the auspicious courtyards 
    The throng of children could aways be seen; 
    The prosperous clans of husbandmen are ever blessed 
    With the increase of tillage.                    (3157) 
 
4.     In loving devotion the serviteurs thronged to the presence 
    Of the triple-eyed, blue-throated Lord 
    In whose crest the Ganga flows; with a glory 
    Matchless on earth, they ever hailed the hallowed feet 
    Of the Supreme One so that the town could be likened 
    To the very heaven of Siva.                    (3158) 
 
5.     In this splendid town throve the clan of Yeyar Ko; 
    For generations it supplied the generals to the hoary 
    Chola-kings; this clan glowed with a continued splendour 
    From the hoary past; in the Ponni realm its greatness 
    Was established in husbandry.                    (3159) 
 

Eyarkone Kalikkama Nayanar - The Puranam of Eyarkone Kalikkama Nayanar
 
 
6.     In that glorious clan he made his avatar; he was 
    Kalikkamar, the serviteur of the Lord in whose crest 
    The Ganga flows; he hailed the feet of those 
    The hailed the feet of their Lord and in swelling love 
    He would render unto them all service.                (3160) 
 
7.     He rendered  abundant and multifoliate service 
    To Tiruppungkoor presided over by the Lord who wears 
    In His matted hair the young crescent; holding fast 
    To the conviction that true riches are, the Holy Ash dear 
    To the Lord, he adored and hailed him and revelled in joy.    (3161) 
 
8.     When he heard that the Prince of Naavaloor plied the Lord 
    As his messanger to his wife, he blamed him and spoke 
    Thus: "Whoever would do an act like unto this?" 
    I will now narrate the gracious act of the Lord of gods 
    Who was to administer a corrective to his thinking.        (3162) 
 
9.     Those were the days when after hymning the decad 
    Of the Tiru-th-tonda-th-tokai, the lord of Naavaloor 
    In single-minded devotion and love, hailed the feet 
    Of the unique One of Tiruvaroor girt with beauteous walls, 
    And adored Him in melting devotion during the three divisions 
    Of the day, and abode in that town, poised 
    In that true and great love of God.                (3163) 
 
10.     A great Velaala of integrity and rectitude 
    Called Kundaiyoor Kizhaar flourished in that time, 
    As his industrious tillage conferred on him 
    Manifold increase; he was firmly established 
    In his servitorship to Sundarar, who was in a lis, 
    Vanquished by the Lord who wears a bright and white  
    Crescent in His crest, in His guise as a Brahmin.        (3164) 
 
11.     For many many days and without fail, he arranged 
    To send daily to the mansion of Paravaiyaar 
    Goodly paddy, flavoury pulses of golden hue, 
    Ambrosial sugarcanes and the like, in great  
    Abundance as provision for the victuals 
    Of Van-tondar of everlasting renown.                (3165) 
 
12.     Then came to him he inglorious plight when he could 
    Not, one day, send as usual and in loving ardour, 
    The provision of paddy and the like, as the sky 
    Withheld the rains and the bounty of the earth ceaed to be; 
    So he languished with a sore mind.                (3166) 
 
13.     "I canst not this day send any paddy to the mansion 
    Of Van-tondar at Tiruvaaroor; dearth is come; 
    What shall I do?" Thus he mused. 
    Stricken with great grief he would not eat; 
    When thus he slept that night, the Merciful One 
    Graced Him thus in his dream:                    (3167) 
 
14.     "We have provided you with paddy for Aarooran!" 
    As he river-crested Lord that  spake thus 
    Commanded Kubera, throughout that town, paddy heaps 
    Like mountains, appeared covering the immense sky 
    Where clouds would sail.                    (3168) 
 
15.     When the night ended, and it dawned, he woke up 
    Witnessing it and wondered thus: "In which world 
    Could have grown this paddy-mountain?" 
    He then hailed the divine grace of the Lord 
    Who bent the ruddy and auric mountain into a bow; 
    Up he rose adoring the husband of Paravaiyaar 
    Whose lips were ruddy like Kovvai.                (3169) 
 
16.     "This is God's own paddy for the prince of Navaloor! 
    Whoever could transport all this? I will go to him 
    And apprise him of this deed (of God)." Thus thinking 
    He fared forth; as the Lord of gods had duly apprised 
    Aaroorar of all that happened, he fared forth 
    And met him on his way by the behest of the Lord.        (3170) 
 
17.     Kundaiyoor Kizhaar fell adoringly at the feet 
    Of true and flawless Sundarar who met him, rose up, 
    And said: "When the service of your servant that continued 
    In all the past, was beset with want, the Lord Himself 
    Who is the God of gods, granted this paddy mountain."        (3171) 
 
18.     He subjoined and said: "This mountainous and extensive heap 
    Of paddy is not to be transported by men; 
    Conveying the paddy is beyond me; when Aaroorar 
    Heard him spake thus he said: "It is the Lord who wears 
    The moist moon on His crest, that in loving grace 
    Has granted you this paddy." He spoke to him 
    Sweet words, and, ere long, reached Kundaiyoor.            (3172) 
 
19.     Nampi Aaroorar beheld the paddy-mountain 
    That stood scaling the heavens; he adorned  
    And hailed the Lord; marvelling exceedingly 
    He said: "Unless the wearer of the cool crescent, 
    The Lord Himself, is pleased to provide the men also 
    For transporting this paddy to the house of Paravai 
    Of endless glory, nothing could be done."            (3173)  
 
20.     To be blessed with divine carriers, he fared forth 
    To the nearby town Kolilee and came to the shrine 
    Of his Lord and sang the decad in which, he beseeched 
    His Lord thus; "May she (my helpmeet) of bright eyes 
    Grieve not." When he in swelling love sang the decad before the Lord(3174) 
 
21.     By the grace of the Pure One, an ethereal 
    And unbodied voice spake thus: "When the day ends 
    My Bhootha-host will carry this immense heap 
    Of paddy and therewith fill not only the house of Paravi 
    But the whole of the world-famous Tiruvaaroor also."        (3175) 
 
22.     Hailing the grace of the Lord, he fell prostrate 
    On the floor, rose up and again hailed and a_ored 
    The Lord's hallowed feet, unknowable to eve 
    The celestials; worshipping the Lord whose matted hair 
    Flashes like ruddy gold in His nearby shrines, the lord 
    Of languae of Navaloor, returned to the Lord's Tiruvaroor.    (3176) 
 
23.     He moved into Poongkoyil where the Ancient One willingly 
    Abides, dispensing grace; in uninterrupted joy 
    He hailed the Lord, and moved out, encircled by the devotees 
    And hailed by them, Aaroorar moved into the lofty 
    And beautiful mansion of Paravaiyaar.                (3177) 
 
24.     He narrate the happenings to Paravaiyaar whose lips were 
    Ruddy like Kovvai and who listened to him in rapture; 
    He spent his time with her in great joy; then that night 
    By the divine grace of the Lord and His Uma whose mount is 
    The Bull, the Bhootha-Host proceeded forth in throngs.        (3178) 
 
25.     The host of Kural-Bhoothas carried the paddy mountain 
    From Kundaiyoor, and filled with paddy 
    The mansion of her whose perfumed locks were buzzed by bees: 
    They also made the whole stretch of the Lord's Tiruvaaroor 
    A range of paddy-mountain at whose beauty beholders would marvel.(3179) 
 
26.     When the night ended and day dawned, the dwellers of Aaroor 
    Asked thus in wonder: "In which world indeed did these 
    Paddy hills grow?" Then spake some by way of answer, thus: 
    "Unto glorious Paravaiyaar whose splendorous eyes 
    Are like those of a fawn, this is a gift by Nampi Aaroorar 
    Who came to be born for the flourishing of this world."        (3180) 
 
27.     Beholding the paddy hill hard to remove, blocking all paths 
    And passages, people retreated into their houses 
    And said: "Even for Paravaiyaar, the incarnation of fortune, 
    It would be well nigh impossible to clear and store all this paddy."(3181) 
 
28.     She grew happy when she saw the paddy gifted to her 
    By Van-tondar; then Paravaiyaar of great glory had it 
    Announced by beat of triumphal drums thus: "Each one can 
    Gather into his beauteous house that portion 
    Of the paddy-hill that lies about his house."            (3182) 
 
29.     As the drummers made the announcement to clear the paddy 
    From the pathways, so that people might walk without let, 
    They filled their houses with paddy and also gathered it 
    In countless earthen receptacles near the sides 
    Of their houses and revelled in joy; witnessing this, 
    Paravaiyaar bowed low before Van-Tondar, the wearer 
    Of a garland set with gems.                    (3183) 
 
30.     During the days when Nampi Aaroorar abode at Tiruvaroor in joy, 
    He adored the rich Honey enshrined in the Ant-hill 
    Of ruddy gold in great longing; be bowed low and drank in 
    The Honey which began to course in his consciousness, 
    And he so hailed and adored the Lord that the dwellers 
    Of heaven and earth marveled at it.                (3184) 
 
31.     Kotpuliyaar of glowing glory falling at the feet 
    Of Aaroorar of unbounded glory, beseeched him to make a visit 
    To his town; when Aaroorar consented to this, he once again 
    Paid obeisance to him; then he whose greatness 
    Of culture was hailed by many, returned to his town.        (3185) 
 
32.     He adored the Lord-God who rules uniquely the opulent 
    Tiruvaaroor where Devas step aside that the serviteurs 
    Might in dense throngs straight move in and adore the Lord; 
    Then worshipping the Lord at His other shrines 
    And blessed with His grace, Navaloorar proceeded onward 
    In ardent love, to hail in hymns the Lord who is  
    Concorporate with His Consort.                    (3186) 
 
33.     Adoring the Lord unknowable to Vishnu and Brahma 
    In all the shrines where He abides in joy, 
    He came to Naattiyatthaankudi of the world-renowned 
    Kotpuliyaar; he greeted Aaroorar and adored him in joy 
    And conducted him to his beauteous and gem-set 
    Mansion in great delight.                    (3187) 
 
34.     He had Aaroorar seated in a seat of gold inlaid 
    With gems of purest ray serene; with pure water 
    He washed his roseate and redemptive feet 
    And sprinkled it on his person; he also sprinkled 
    The holy water on his entire and bright mansion; 
    In great joy he desired to perform unto Aaroorar 
    A great pooja in unison with the ordained rules.        (3188) 
 
35.     He gathered in countless comely platters the peerless 
    Sandal-paste ground_with exquisite and cool dew, 
    The fragrant paste of eagle-wood, sweet scented cream 
    Of musk, fragrant and fumingated civet, 
    Aromatic campher and areca-nuts and betel-leaves.        (3189) 
 
36.     With many and varied wreaths, chaplets and garlands, 
    Many pretty jewels set with peerless gems, 
    And innumerable and manifold clothes and garments of woven 
    Splendour, he stood before him--the servitor of the Lord 
    Who is river-crested, hailed him and thus wrought 
    The endless pooja which Aaroorar was pleased to accept.        (3190) 
 
37.     Kotpuliyaar who was the rightful general of the sceptred  
    Chola king, feasted our lord, the Prince of Navaloor 
    In his palace in great friendliness and adored him; 
    His loving devotion for him soared like a swelling sea 
    And he hailed him again and again.                (3191) 
 
38.     Borne by that great love he conducted Singkatiyaar, 
    His first born daughter--the fruit of his rare askesis--, 
    Decked with a honey-laden garland and her younger sister 
    Vanappakai whose eyes were like the fawn's, 
    To the presence of Van-tondar and caused them to adore his feet-- 
    Like unto fresh and pure flowers--; he too adored him 
    And addressed him thus:                        (3192) 
 
39.     'These are my daughters; be pleased to accept them 
    As your sevants granting unto them the privilege of adoring  
    Your flower-fragrant feet and thus gain deliverance." 
    Thus beseeched, he replied even thus: 
    "These bangled beauties are truly my hallowed daughters." 
    Thus declaring, the husband of Paravaiyaar conferred 
    On them the status of daughters.                (3193) 
 
40.     He seated on his lap the daughters whose koontals were 
    Decked with chaplets; with a father's love for his daughters, 
    He kissed them on their crowns whence rolled 
    Down his tears of love; he conferred on them gifts 
    And benedictions; then Nampi Aaroorar, the companion 
    Of the Lord proceeded to the shrine of the Lord.        (3194) 
 
41.     He adored the temple-tower of the Lord whose flag sports 
    The victorious Bull; he moved in with a single-minded 
    Devotion folding his hands above his head and bowed 
    Before the Lord; he hymned a divine decad beginning 
    With the word "Poonaam," and in that decad he hailed Kotpuliyaar 
    Who was graced by the Lord, the Wearer of Konrai flowers.    (3195) 
 
42.     In the concluding hymn of the decad, deeming himself 
    To be father that begot Singkatiyaar, and unforgetful 
    Of that conferred kinship he described himself 
    As the father of Singkatiyaar, he completed the tuneful 
    And melodious decad and adored the Lord blessed with His grace.    (3196) 
 
43.     He moved out of that town and in joy engendered 
    By boundless love he reached Valivalam of the Lord who sports 
    A ruddy eye in His forehead; he adored Him 
    And adorned him with an ever-resplendent garland 
    Of Tamil verse in which he affirmed that he had a darshan of the Lord 
    Who is concorporate with His Consort, at Valivalam.        (3197) 
 
44.     He praised the Lord in his decad thus: "You rejoiced to hear 
    The hymns of goodly, great and joyous Gnaanasambandhar 
    And Navukkarasar!" He adored and hailed the Lord 
    And in joy celebrated his glory; blessed with his leave 
    He came to glorious Tiruvaaroor of the Lord who dances 
    In the Ambalam; he moved into the Poongkoyil 
    And worshipped the roseate and golden feet of the Lord.        (3198) 
 
45.     Having adored the Lord, he moved out and came 
    To the mansion of Paravaiyaar, and abode there 
    In great joy; thence he visited the nearby shrines, 
    Hailed the Lord there and returned to Tiruvaaroor 
    Where he abode inseparably linked to the worship 
    Of the feet of the Lord enshrined in the Ant-Hill.        (3199) 
 
46.     The hallowed Pankuni-utthara festival of the Lord 
    Of Tiruvaroor drew near; to provide Paravaiyaar 
    With all that was needed for her to give away liberally 
    To the servitors and thus fulfil their needs, Nampi Aaroorar 
    Desired to come by gold; so he fared forth 
    To Pukaloor to hail the feet of the Lord.            (3200) 
 
47.     He came to the Tiruppukkaloor temple of the Lord of gods 
    And in love adored its court; he then circumambulated 
    The shrine and came before the Lord where he fell prostrate 
    On the floor in_adoration, poised in the love that is 
    Engendered by the traditional servitorship to the Lord's feet, 
    Rose up, and sang the divine decad in which 
    His prayer(for gold) was couched.                (3201) 
 
48.     He prayed for a while; even as his mind lingered there 
    He came out of the adytum, empty-handed (as he was not 
    Blessed with the gold sought by him); he would not  
    Move out to abide in any matam;as Van-Tondar 
    Companied with the wise serviteurs tarried in the court, 
    His eyes were besieged by sleep; we know not if this was 
    By the grace of the Lord who sports a fawn in His hand.        (3202) 
 
49.     As thus sleep came to him, the companion of the Lord 
    Had a few of the heaped-up bricks stored there  
    For renovation work, brought to him and had 
    An eminence raised; he spread his upper garment 
    Of silk on it so that he could rest his tufted head 
    Bedecked with a chaplet in whose melliferous flowers 
    Chafers lay cradled, as on a pillow.                (3203) 
 
50.     The devotees to slumbered; when the consort 
    Of Paravaiyaar woke up and opened his lotus-like eyes, 
    By the grace of the Lord-Rider of the victorious Bull, 
    He saw that the bricks had turned into solid blocks 
    Of ruddy gold; then he hailed the Lord's divine grace.        (3204) 
 
51.     The devotees too woke up; up he rose in joy 
    And folding his hands, like unto lotus-buds, over his head, 
    He moved into the sacred shrine, worshipped the Lord, 
    In love that knew no bounds and hymned Him 
    Fittingly in a sweet and melodious and tuneful garland 
    Of Tamil verse which opened thus: "Thammaiye pukazhnthu..."    (3205) 
 
52.     He concluded the decad and sealed it with 
    His benediction; hailing and adoring the Lord 
    He moved out blessed with the peerless grace of the Lord 
    Who confers it in this life itself; with the heaps 
    Or riches, the wearer of the sacred thread proceeded 
    To Tiruppanaiyoor of the Lord who wears on His matted hair 
    The whole river and part of the moon.                (3206) 
 
53.     The Lord of the ruddy matted hair gave him a darshan 
    Of his divine Dance at the outskirts of Tiruppanaiyoor; 
    There itself he prostrated on the ground  
    In swelling love, adored the Great One, hymned Him 
    In a decad which would grant deliverance to the world, 
    And affirmed therein thus: "He that dances in the Ambalam 
    Is indeed the beauteous Lord!" 
    Blessed with His grace, he moved on.                (3207) 
 
54.     Well-received by the dwellers of Tiruppanaiyoor of great foison 
    He moved into the town; to the mansion 
    At beauteous Aaroor, of Paravaiyaar whose teeth were 
    Like unto mullai buds, servants bore the bricks 
    Of ruddy gold of inestimable worth; he too entered it in joy  
                            after hailing 
    The Lord of the Ant-Hill ever-enshrined in his bosom.         (3208) 
 
55.     He abode with Paravaiyaar to her great delight; from there 
    He visited many shrines near unto cool and beauteous 
    Tiruvaaroor and worshipped the Lord there; then adoring 
    The Lord of gods at Tiruvaaroor with a rejoicing chinta, 
    The Lord of Munaippaadi abode sweetly there.            (3209) 
 
56.     He that abode at Aaroor for many a day, departed 
    Therefrom with the leave of the Supreme One, and came 
    To Tirunannilam of the Lord-Hero who bent the mount Meru 
    Into a bow; he went round the shrine and adored 
    The Lord; he hymned a happy and ever-during garland 
    Of Tamil verse beginning with the words: "Thanniyal vemmai."    (3210) 
 
57.     He completed the decad and sojourned there; to receive him 
    To their town the lofty Brahmins of the ever-during Veda 
    Of the Supreme One's Tiruveezhimizhalai assembled 
    In throngs and decorated to the delectation of their townsmen 
    Their entire town with a long shady pandal to walk thereunder; 
    They also spread the red carpet and set up festoons 
    Of beauteous toranas and rich bunches of bananas and arecas.    (3211) 
 
58.     Thus they greeted him and conducted him to their town; 
    With a burgeoning chinta he adored Tiruveezhimizhalai; 
    Then coming before the great heaven-descended and resplendent 
    Shrine, he worshipped it; he hailed the feet 
    Of the Lord who snaps bondage, and bowed before Him.        (3212) 
 
59.     He felt thrilled, as he hailed Vitangkan, the Lord of _ods-- 
    Not easy of access for adoration unto Vishnu who slumbers 
    On the hooded serpent and Brahma seated on the lotus-flowers; 
    He adorned the Lord with a great and glorious garland 
    Of splendorous Tamil in which he beseeched Him thus: 
    "You rule the whole of Veezhi; be pleased to grace me also." 
    Having sung the decad he sojourned there.            (3213) 
 
60.     Blessed with the divinely resplendent grace of the Lord 
    Of Veezhimizhalai who granted Tirugnaanasambandhar coins 
    Of gold of equal worth matching those of Tirunaavukkarasar's  
    He proceeded to Tiruvaanjiyam whose Lord would grant 
    Deliverance, snapping bondage; he hailed His feet and hymned Him 
    In a flawless decad beginning with the word, "Poruvanar," 
    And sojourned there; then he proceeded to Arisilkaraiputthoor.    (3214) 
 
61.     He hailed and adored the ever-during Tirucchiddheeccharam 
    At Naraiyoor made rich by splendid waters; 
    Then well received by willing and glorious servitors 
    Ever poised in lowly adoration, he came to Tirupputthoor 
    Of the Lord whose hands sport the mazhu 
    And the young fawn and worshipped Him as ordained, 
    And there abode companied with the devotees.            (3215) 
 
62.     Before the Holy One he hymned a decad in which 
    He hailed the Lord's grace to Pukazh-th-Thunaiyaar; 
    Well received by munis, he stayed there; then 
    He fared forth and adored many a shrine of the Lord 
    Who wears in His crest the flooding Ganga and above it 
    The crescent; happy in thought he arrived at Tiruvaavaduthurai.    (3216) 
 
63.     He made the sacred circuit of the glowing shrine 
    Of the Lord at Tiruvaavaduthurai; in conscious 
    And melting devotion he moved in and hailed and adored 
    The Lord; he sang the bountiful decad beginning 
    With the word, "Maraiyavan" and in it celebrated 
    The birth and glory of the Chola Sengkanaan 
    In the renowned Chola realm, and adorned 
    The Lord with that garland of Tamil verse.            (3217) 
 
64.     Having thus hymned the Lord, he abode there; 
    Companied with the devotees he hailed the Lord; 
    Blessed with His grace he fared forth and worshipped 
    The Lord concorporate with His Consort, in His many shrines 
    On the southern bank of the Ponni; the chief 
    Of Munaippaadi then came to the Lord's Idaimaruthu.        (3218) 
 
65.     He adored the Lord who in joy abides at the ever-during 
    Idai Maruthu; he adorned Him with sweet garlands 
    Of Tamil verse, and again hailed and adored Him, 
    And then moved out; companied with the devotees he left 
    The goodly town and reached Siva's Tirunakeccharam; 
    Poised in devotional thought he entered the temple, 
    Circumambulated the inner shrine and adored 
    The hallowed feet of the First One.                (3219) 
 
66.     He hymned the Lord with a decad of ever-growing joy 
    Beginning with the words: "Pirai ani Vaallnuthal," 
    And marched on; he adored the ankleted feet 
    Of the Lord of Sivapuram replete with spiritual wealth 
    And marched on with a melting chinta; adoring 
    The other shrines where the Lord who shares Uma 
    In His frame willingly abides, he came near Kalayanallor.    (3220) 
 
67.     At Tirukkalayanalloor where flourish the Brahmins 
    Poised in the righteous way, he worshipped  
    The roseate feet of the Lord, merging his word, 
    Thought and deed in His adoration; he hailed Him 
    And prostrated on the ground before His presence, rose up 
    And hymned the glorious decad beginning with the words: 
    "Kurumpai mulai Umaiyaal…" In this decad, 
    Tuneful and melodious, he declared 
    The truthful glories of the Puranas.                (3221) 
 
68.     From there he came to Tirukkudamookku 
    Where he adored and hymned the Lord; then he reached 
    Valanjuzhi of the Lord whose frame is shared 
    By His Consort; in great and melting devotion 
    He adored the Lord in abiding love and hailed Him 
    In Tamil verse; thence he moved to TiruNalloor 
    Where the crescent-crested Lord blessed 
    Tirunaavukkarasar with Tiruvadi Deeksha.            (3222) 
 
69.     He hailed the ankleted feet of the Lord of Nalloor 
    And hymned their glory; he also adored the Lord 
    In all His shrines on his way and hymned Him 
    Then he came near Tirucchotrutthurai of the Lord 
    Who willingly gets decked with his garlands of Tamil verse, 
    Moved into the temple of the Lord who is 
    Blue-throated, and circumambulated the shrine.            (3223) 
 
70.     He hymned the Lord in a beauteous decad beginning 
    With the words: "Azhal neer ozhiki anaiya…" 
    He so worshipped the Lord that his devotion to adore 
    His divine feet in increasing love grew the more; 
    Then the privileged devotee was blessed with His 
    Gracious leave and he moved out; the consort 
    Of Paravaiyaar adored the many shrines of the Lord 
    Wholly resplendent with the Holy Ash, and marched on.        (3224) 
 
71.     He worshipped the Lord of gods at Kondiyoor; he came 
    To Tiruvaiyaaru and adored the Lord; he went 
    To Poonthurutthi hailed and adored the feet of the Pure One; 
    Then he came to Tiruvaalampozhil the mount of whose Lord 
    Is the Bull, and adored Him; 
    When that night he lay abed and slumbered.            (3225) 
 
72.     The Lord appeared in His dream, revealed to him 
    His ever-young and beauteous and natural form, and said: 
    "Even to think of coming to Mazhapaadi did you forget?" 
    He woke up with his thought linked to the vision; 
    Then crossing the northern bank of the Cauvery 
    Dight with umbrageous gardens, Nambi Aaroorar 
    Arrived at Tirumazhapaadi rich in beautiful streets.         (3226) 
 
73.     Reaching the temple, he adored the divine tower 
    And moved in companied with devotees; he prostrated 
    On the ground before the Lord whose jewel is 
    The hooded serpent (and rose up); he hailed the divine grace 
    Of the Lord replete with supreme mercy and his heart 
    Melted; then he began to sing the harmonious decad 
    Which opened with the words: "Ponnaar Meni…."            (3227) 
 
74.     He adored the Lord thus: "O Mother, other than You 
    Whom else will I think on?" He adorned the Lord 
    With his peerless garland of a decad and worshipped Him; 
    He moved out and abode at that ever-during town 
    For a few days companied with the devotees; then in joy 
    He adored at the shrines situate on both the banks 
    Of the Ponni and marched westward.                (3228) 
 
75.     He reached Tiruvaanaikkaa of the Lord of ruddy 
    Matted hair; sacred serviteurs came forth to receive him; 
    Adoring, he entered the temple; his loving devotion 
    For the lotus-feet of the Great One began to well up; 
    He prostrated before the Lord and rose up; the hair 
    On his thrilled body stood erect; tears cascaded 
    As a flood from his eyes and he revelled in ecstasy.        (3229) 
 
76.     Full of ardour he began to sing a splendorous decad 
    Of Tamil that opened thus: "Maraikalaaya naankum…" 
    Addressing the devotees poised in everlasting life 
    He affirmed: "Whosoever hails the Lord rules us also!" 
    This was the refrain of his decad; he divined the Lord's grace 
    In having adorned Himself with the chain of gold 
    Set with gems and pearls belonging to the Uraiyoor Chola, 
    And hailed it.                            (3230) 
 
77.     'As the Chola King wearing his garland set with gems 
    And pearls plunged and bathed in the billowy Ponni, 
    It slipped into the river; he grew sad; then the garland 
    Found its way into the pot dipped into the river 
    For securing water for the Lord's ablutions; when the Lord was 
    Bathed it fell on his person and He graciously wore it; 
    Thus the Lord graced the Chola who sorely grieved." 
    Of this he made a splendid recordation in his decad.        (3231) 
 
78.     Thus he hailed the Lord and spend his days there; 
    Then he proceeded to the shrines of the coral-hued 
    Lord resplendent with the Holy Ash, situate around the town, 
    And adored Him in total devotion; thence he 
    Came to the glorious Tiruppaacchilaacchiraamam, 
    Abounding in matchless devotees 
    That render fitting service to the Lord.            (3232) 
 
79.     He adored the holy temple-tower, made his sacred circuit 
    Of the beautiful court thronged by the celestials, 
    Moved in, came before the Lord and prostrated 
    On the ground in adoration; he rose up, and standing 
    He prayed before the Lord impelled by a growing desire  
    To get gold; the Lord however would ot bestow on him 
    What he sought; he continued to stand before Him.        (3233) 
 
80.     Poised in the friendly servitorship married to the fear 
    Of the Lord, he grieved sorely as he was not blessed  
    With the gold he sought from the Lord; as if complaining 
    To the serviteurs who stood there, he began to sing 
    A decad in melting devotion; he affirmed: 
    "Other than This One, there is no Lord at all."            (3234) 
 
81.     He who was inseparable from the Lord when he was in the Kailaas, 
    Was separated from Him and sent to the earth; 
    He thought of the cause for this, his embodied state, and grieved; 
    Yet he proclaimed the continuing nature of his servitorship 
    Whenever life should emerge embodied, and said: 
    "What though He be obstinate in withholding His grace, 
    None but He is the Lord!" The devotee poised in hoary 
    And traditional servitorship, affirmed thus: 
    "My crown and my tongue are for ever dedicated to Him!"        (3235) 
 
82.     Thus he prayed. When he sang the concluding hymn 
    Beginning with the words: "Yesina Valla," his Lord who is 
    Ever after true love and devotion, blessed him with a heap 
    Of pure gold; then he hailed the mercy of the blue-throated Lord 
    And adored Him; he sojourned there; thence he visited 
    The nearby shrines and adored the Lord, 
    Returned to that town and continued his sojourn.        (3236) 
 
83.     Then with the gracious leave of the Lord he departed; 
    He proceeded onward hailing the Lord who bathes 
    In Panchakavya, at His shrines situate on both the banks 
    Of the Cauvery and reached the Lord's Paigngneeli. 
    He adored the tower of the Lord who is adorned 
    With a snake of poisonous sacs, circumambulated the inner 
    Shrine and adored the feet of the Lord whose matted hair 
    Is ruddy like the coral; behold the wonder! 
    The Lord appeared to him as Gangaala!                (3237) 
 
84.     Tears of love cascaded from his eyes when he beheld 
    The Lord; folding his hands he adored Him; he sang a decad 
    Which opened thus: "Kaarulaaviya…" This decad was formed 
    Of the solicitous questions put to the Lord Bikshaadana when He 
    Appeared before the women whose koontal were buzzed by bees, 
    Begging alms; he composed this rare garland of Tamil verse 
    In which he apostraphised the Lord thus: 
    "O (Aaraneeya) Vitangka!"                    (3238) 
 
85.     He concluded the decad and sealed it with his benediction; 
    He bowed before the Lord, and blessed with His leave  
    He hailed the holy company that knew no deception 
    And abode with them; then he proceeded onward, worshipping 
    The Lord in His many shrines beginning with Eengkoi Malai, and came 
    Near Tiruppaandikkodumudi--girt with gardens 
    Where bloomed kura flowers--, in Kongku Naadu.            (3239) 
 
86.     He came to the temple of Karaiyoor-k-Kodumudi situate 
    On the southern bank of the ponni in Kongku Naadu, 
    And circumambulated the shrine of the Lord who wears 
    Ear-rings wrought of chank-beads, and prostrated at His feet 
    In love; in devotion that increasingly welled up in him, 
    He adored the Lord; as he beheld the golden person of the Lord, 
    He was blessed with the divine truth that he could 
    Never, never forget the Lord.                    (3240) 
 
87.     "Even if I forget the hallowed feet of the Lord, the tongue  
    That ever chants His sacred name-- the Panchaakshara--, 
    Will continue to iterate it without interruption 
    In ever-abounding sweetness." Established in this 
    Clear and firm consciousness, to bind himself the more 
    In loving devotion, he hymned the divine Namasivaya-decad 
    In splendorous Tamil which opened thus." Matrup patrilane…"    (3241) 
 
88.     Having hymned the decad which blessed all the world  
    With assured deliverance, with his chinta integrated 
    To the ceaseless and truthful consciousness he moved out 
    With the gracious leave of the Lord; he adored 
    Many a nearby and goodly shrine and hailed  
    The hallowed feet of the Supreme One; marching onward, 
    In swelling and great love he came towards Peroor 
    On the bank of the river Kaanji in the western 
    Kongku Nadu rich in cool fields well watered 
    By the cool and flower-filled river.                (3242) 
 
89.     Reaching the town he moved into the shrine of the Lord 
    Who rules him as of yore; companied with the true tapaswis 
    As he circumambulated the inner shrine and came 
    Before the Deity, the Lord revealed to Him His eternal 
    And beauteous Form as the glorious Dancer of Tillai-Ambalam; 
    Folding his hands above his head, he beheld the Lord, 
    Even as tears of joy flooded from his eyes.            (3243) 
 
90.     As he beheld the form divine, he adored, 
    Fell prostrate on the ground and rose up a once; 
    A bliss not to be comprehended by the five 
    Concatenated senses coursed in him and welled up 
    In his true consciousness; his was the beatitude 
    Of coming by the Lord; whoever could know 
    Or tell of the transcendental bliss that then 
    Attended the Ruler of the Saivites.                (3244) 
 
91.     The beloved of the Lord who was so totally blessed, 
    Hymned a decad compact of exceeding ecstasy, and adored 
    The Lord; then he sojourned in that town 
    Of bounty; when he desired to leave that town, he thought thus: 
    "If one is blessed to witness and hail the Dance 
    Of the Lord of roseate and redemptive feet 
    In the beauteous Pon-Ambalam, what else is there for him 
    To gain by moving away thence?"                    (3245) 
 
92.    Blessed with the gracious leave of the Lord he left 
    The town and marched on; crossing a good many 
    Hard-to-pass hilly wildernesses, tracts of land 
    And flooding rivers, and adoring on his way 
    The many shrines of the Supreme One, and hymning in loving 
    Devotion Tamil decades, he came to Venjamaa-k-Koodal and adored 
    The Lord there; then covering a great distance, 
    He arrived at the Karkudi-Hill in the south.            (3246) 
 
93.     At Moksha-conferring Karkudi, he hailed and adored 
    Vizhumiyaar, the Lord; with a love-laden chinta, 
    He longingly hymned the Lord in a divine decad; 
    Then borne by a desire to hail the Lord in hymns, he came  
    To many shrines and adored the Lord; eventually he reached 
    Tiruvaarai Metrali of the Lord who is unknowable 
    To the questing Vishnu and Brahma.                (3247) 
 
94.     He bowed before the feet of the Lord  
    Of Tiruvaarai Metrali and adored Lord Siva  
    Who, of yore, bent the ruddy and auric Mount Meru 
    Into a bow; he sojourned there and daily hailed Him; 
    Blessed with His gracious leave he adored Him 
    At the many shrines hailed by the celestials; he then 
    Came to innambar that men on earth might flourish.        (3248) 
 
95.     He worshipped the ankleted feet of the Lord-- 
    Resplendently beauteous--, the Lord who willingly 
    Abides at Innambar; in loving devotion 
    He hailed and adored the Lord; he abode there in insatiate love; 
    Then to adore the Lord who peeled off the hide 
    Of the martial tusker, and who abides in joy, 
    At Purampayam, he fared forth singing a truthful 
    And divine decad in love that welled up within him.        (3249) 
 
96.     His decad began thus: "Angkam othiyor Aarai Metrali." 
    In loving devotion and splendorous Tamil, 
    He hymned the refrain thus: "Come, let us fare forth 
    To adore at Purampayam!" Thus he graciously 
    Ad melodiously sang the divine decad 
    And arrived at Tiruppurampayam 
    Of the crescent-crested Lord of opulence.            (3250) 
 
97.     The serviteurs of that town rejoiced to receive him; 
    They thought thus: "Great indeed is the askesis we have 
    Wrought to have in our town Nampi Aaroorar who was  
    That day, claimed by the Lord-Redeemer in the guise 
    Of a peerless Brahmin, enslaving him in Vennainalloor." 
    Thus received, he came before the temple of the Lord 
    Who burnt, of yore, the triple hostile citadels.        (3251) 
 
98.     He adored before the tall tower, moved into the temple 
    Companied with the devotees, adored the feet 
    Of the Lord-Dancer, folded his hands in worship, 
    And then performed pooja unto the Lord 
    With fresh and bloomed flowers; in the pious modes 
    Of ashtanamaskar and panchanamaskar. 
    He prostrated on the glorious ground and in growing love 
    Adored Him again and again.                    (3252) 
 
99.     Blessed with the ever-during grace he again hailed 
    And adored in love and great ardour the Lord's feet 
    Like unto fresh flowers blooming; he then moved  
    Out of the shrine; to hail the eternally divine forms 
    Of the omnipresent Lord in His shrines, he fared forth 
    Companied with the devotees.                    (3253) 
 
100.     Van-tondar whose chest was adorned with fragrant garlands 
    Came to and worshipped at the many shrines of the Lord 
    Whose crest is bedecked with vanni, konrai, tumpai, 
     White adampu, the crescent and the Ganga of pure waters_ 
    Then he came near Koodalai-Aatroor made radiant 
    By the presence of dancing liana-like lasses.            (3254) 
 
101.     He did not, however, proceed to that town 
    Of ineffable glory; he fared forth towards Tirumuthukunru; 
    On his way the True Being--the Lord concorporate with Uma--, 
    Appeared before Aaroorar in the guise a Brahmin 
    Resplendent with the sacred thread.                (3255) 
 
102.     With his chinta melting, he bowed before Him and said: 
    "Be pleased to direct us this day to Muthukunru." 
    The Lord who, of yore, bent the hill into a bow, 
    Thereupon said:" "This path leads to Koodalai Aatroor." 
    He also kept company with Aaroorar to guide him to his destination.(3256) 
 
103.     Aaroorar adored Him with folded hands 
    And after a time, could not behold Him that came 
    With him; he hailed the Lord, the wearer 
    Of Konrai-flowers buzzed by bees with a hymn 
    That opened with the words: "Vadivudai mazhu." 
    He hymned the decad in which he praised the Lord 
    Thus: "I know not how the Lord of gods vanished on a sudden; 
    Lo, it is a wonder!" Then with a love that welled up 
    In him he entered Koodalai Aatroor.                (3257) 
 104.     He moved into the glorious temple of the Lord 
    Who wears in His matted hair konrai-garlands 
    And who abides at Koodalai Aatroor; 
    In soaring devotion he hailed and adored the feet 
    Decked with resounding anklets of the Lord-Dancer 
    Of Ambalam, and blessed with His ever-during grace 
    He arrived at Tirumuthukunru.                    (3258) 
 
105.     Before the many tiered and huge tower he prostrated 
    In adoration; then he circumambulated the inner shrine, 
    Moved in, adored the Lord and prostrated on the ground; 
    Then he adorned Him with a garland of splendorous Tamil verse; 
    The musical decad opened thus: "Nanjiyidai..." 
    He sang it and stood there folding his hands.            (3259) 
 
106.    Seeking riches from the Lord, he prayed to Him 
    With a flawless mind and in unison with his desire; 
    He was poised for the gracious bestowal of riches 
    By the Lord who wears a garland of burgeoning konrai; 
    The chief of the Saiva Brahmins again hymned; 
    The decad began thus: "Meyyil venn podi..."            (3260) 
 
107.     The Lord that wears the cool crescent in His matted hair, 
    In great grace, granted him gold weighing twelve thousand 
    Sovereigns; Nampi Aaroorar, in peerless gladness, 
    Prostrated before Him, rose up, moved near the Lord 
    Whose neck is of the hue of (the jambolan) fruit 
    And made one more submission:                    (3261) 
 
108.     "I should come by all this gold You have deigned 
    To grant me at Tiruvaaroor to the wondrous bewilderment 
    Of the dwellers there." "When he besceched Him thus, 
    The Lord spake to him in an unbodied 
    And ethereal and lucid voice thus; "Drop the gold 
    In the fecund Manimutthu river and recover it all 
    In the Tiruvaaroor-tank."                    (3262) 
 
109.     Blessed with that sweet grace of his Lord, Van-tondar cut 
    A piece from a bar for his keeping and marched on, 
    And dropped the heap of gold in the river, thinking thus: 
    "By this will I truly know the grace of His having forcibly 
    And voluntarily claimed me that day as His servitor."        (3263) 
 
110.     He whose mission in life was loving servitorship, resolved 
    Thus: "I will now proceed to adore the Dance 
    Of the Lord whose throat sports the hue of the blue lily, 
    In the Ambalam of Puliyoor-- the town 
    Of the Brahmins ever-engaged in the sacred work 
    Of their souls' deliverance." To leave 
    For the hoary city of Tillai girt with tanks, he adored 
    The Lord and moved out with His gracious leave.            (3264) 
 
111.     He worshipped at the shrines on and near his way 
    And adored the Lord concorporate with His Consort 
    At ever-during Kadampoor; then he came near Tillai 
    Where the Dancer enacts His Dance of full and perfect 
    Bliss; passing through the entrance-gate, he reached 
    The splendorous and beauteous street of glorious mansions.    (3265) 
 
112.     H whose chest was decked with a goodly garland, prostrated 
    On the ground of the golden street, rose up and moved 
    To the great and divine entrance of the temple, verily 
    The soaring threshold of sheer piety, and prostrated 
    On the ground before it; then he moved in, circum_mbulated 
    The auric and beauteous mansion roofed of gold, 
    Adored it and folded his hands above his head.            (3266) 
 
113.     He passed through the golden tower and came before 
    The proscenium of the Lord-Dancer and adored Him; 
    He came near the hallowed feet of the Lord-Dancer 
    Of Pon-Ambalam of ever-increasing effulgence; 
    The flood of evelasting bliss that filled his soul 
    Flowed down from his eyes as tears.                (3267) 
 
114.     His hailing tongue faltered and his words became 
    Incoherent; he prostrated before the divine flight 
    Of steps--Tiru-k-Kalitruppadi compact of love--, 
    And made ashtaangka and panchaangka namaskars; 
    Firm grew the ardour in him and the Divine Dance 
    Filled his inner consciousness and soared; the Lord 
    Without aught of concealment appeared in his heart 
    And he considered it the complete and perfect 
    Vision (of the darshan he had at Tirupperoor)            (3268) 
 
115.     Then he hymned the decad beginning with the words: 
    "Maditthaadum adimaikkann"; he hailed the glory 
    Of his worship of the Lord as at Tirupperoor, 
    The Lord who in His process of bestowal of grace 
    Forfends the fall of the serviteurs poised in the godly truth, 
    Into hell even by accident; in devotion and delight, 
    He melodised thus: "O mind! Great indeed is our blessing 
    And beatitude! The peerless Lord-Dancer is ours!"        (3269) 
 
116.     Blessed with His leave he reluctantly moved out, 
    Came to the divine street and adored it; Van-tondar 
    Who was ruled by the Lord, willingly sojourned 
    Hailed by the Brahmines; then he adored, 
    In inexhaustible love, the divine city and departed thence; 
    Adoring even from a distance Karuppariyaloor of the Lord 
    Who kicked Death to death, he reached it.            (3270) 
 
117.     Reaching the divine temple of the Lord who smote Death, 
    He adored its tower, moved in, and companied with the devotees 
    Hailed and adored the Lord in immense love; boundless joy 
    Pervading his mind, he hailed the Lord, moved out 
    And sojourned in that town; as reture swelled in him 
    When his thought hovered over the Holy One, he hymned it  
    In his decad beginning with the word: "Cimmaanthu". 
    With that garland of Tamil verse he adorned  
    The Lord; thus he abode there.                    (3271) 
 
118.     Folding his hands he worshipped Karuppariyaloor 
    Where the brow-eyed Lord abides in joy, 
    And blessed with His gracious leave, he left the town; 
    He reached Pazhamannippadikkarai in whose tanks 
    The carp leapt in joy, hailed and adored the divine feet 
    Of the Lord who is concorporate with His Consort, and melodised 
    His endless glory in a decad which oped with the word: 
    "Munnavan"; he holy one then marched on, without touching  
    The town Vaazhkoli Putthoor; on his way he thought 
    Of his and he turned back, and singing the decad beginning 
    With the words: "Thalaikkalan" proceeded thither.        (3272) 
 
119.     He reached the place even as he was singing the divine 
    Decad; the hair on his thrilled body stood erect 
    As he came to the temple tower of the Lord 
    Of the celestials; he hailed and bowed before it; 
    He moved in, bowed before the Lord and adored Him; 
    In melting devotion he hymned the Lord whose left half 
    Is shared by the Daughter of Himavant, moved out, 
    And sojourned there; then he left Vaazhkoli Putthoor 
    Rich in fields of beautiful and soft sugarcanes, 
    And fared forth to Kaanaattu Mulloor.                (3273) 
 
120.     As he reached Kaanaattu Mulloor, the brow-eyed Lord 
    Materialised before him; witnessing this he adored Him 
    With a garland of blooming flowers of munificent Tamil 
    That verily rules the heaven; in that decad opening 
    With the words: "Vall vaay," he declared thus: 
    "Beholding the twin-flower-feet of the Lord who wears 
    On His matted hair soft and fresh konrai flowers I adored (them)." 
    Then he fared forth towards Tiruyethirkolpaadi 
    Girt with gardens of melliferous flowers.            (3274) 
 
121.     He began to hymn the decad opening thus: "Mattha yaanai," 
    Hailed by the dwellers in every direction; 
    Singing his divine decad rooted in chittam, 
    And declaring, "We will reach Yethirkolpaadi," he reached 
    Adoring the opulent and exceedingly splendorous shrine, 
    And hailed _he feet of the Father; he sojourned there, 
    And blessed with His leave, he came to Tiruvelvikkudi; 
    He hailed the Lord-Granter of deliverance and His shrine 
    Tirutthurutthi in his decad beginning with the words: 
    "Mooppathum illai," and thus flourished in delight.        (3275) 
 
122.     The darshan of the Lord in His wedding-form filling 
    His mind, he adored Him; his heart, poised in bhakti, 
    Nampi Aaroorar hailed Him; then with the devotees 
    Of great askesis he went to the many shrines of the Lord 
    Who, in love, claimed and ruled him, and marched on.        (3276) 
 
123.     In never-diminishing love in the company 
    Of divine devotees, he adored in devotion the many shrines 
    Of the Lord whose throat holds the venom, 
    And arrived at Tiruvaaroor girt with cloud-capped 
    Flower-gardens and marudam tracts of fields 
    Rich in splendorous paddy.                    (3277) 
 
124.     At Tiruvaaroor of great opulence, he came 
    To the divine tower thronged by the celestials and the munis, 
    Adored it, moved in, and in aeviternal devotion, folded 
    His hands above his head in adoration; then 
    With the thronging devotees, he came before the Supreme One.    (3278) 
 
125.     In great and unabated love he worshipped the Lord whose 
    Banner sports the ever-young Bull and who is without 
    Beginning, middle or end; then he moved out and reached 
    The beautiful mansion of flawlessly glorious Paravaiyaar.    (3279) 
 
126.     Paravaiyaar whose eyes were like lotus-flowers and whose lips 
    Were like ruddy kovvai fruit, hailed in ever-swelling love 
    By damsels of plaited hair, fell at his feet it adoration. 
    She said: "Great indeed is your gracious arrival 
    Thinking on us, even us." He spoke to her 
    Sweet words, and joyously abode with her.            (3280) 
 
127.     One day her told her thus: "Our Lord of Muthu Kunru 
    Blessed us with goodly wealth; I had consigned it 
    To the holy Manimutthu river; now fare forth 
    With me to retrieve it by His grace from the tank 
    Situate on the west of the temple of the Lord 
    Who is the (sole) help unto me."                (3281) 
 
128.     Thus told, she of the fulgurant waist, 
    With her face lit up by a smile, exclaimed thus: 
    "What marvel indeed is this! What is it that you say!" 
    Then he of truthful consciousness, spake thus: 
    "O you of fair forehead! By the grace of my Lord, 
    I will not fail to retrieve the gold 
    From the tank and give it to you."                (3282) 
 
129.     Then in boundless delight, he proceeded to the Poongkoyil 
    And adored its Lord who abides there in joy; 
    Circumambulating the lofty shrine, he came 
    To the divine tank situate on the west.                (3283) 
 
130.    He came to the flight of steps in the north-eastern part 
    Of the tank; there he stationed the one that wore 
    Jewels wrought with cunning; then, he of Tirumunaipaadi 
    With pleached hands, adored the Lord of matted hair; 
    Descended into the tank, and began to ply his hand under the water 
    To take out the gold, as though he had that day 
    Just then dropped it into the tank.                (3284) 
 
131.     The beauteous Lord resplendent with the Holy Ash 
    Who delighted to hear the hymns of Aaroorar 
    And bent upon a divine lila, would not make available 
    The gold; then remarked the bejewelled beauty thus: 
    "Having consigned it to the river, you search for it 
    In the tank; pray tell me, if this is how you grace me!" 
    When she spake thus the peerless serviteur--            (3285) 
 
132.     The Brahmin that wore the bright sacred thread--, 
    With intent to persuade the Lord to grant him the gold 
    Even as he was pleased to assure him gracefully 
    At Mutthukunru in the recent past, and without causing 
    Paravai of flower-bedecked locks to cast in jibe 
    A smile from her ruddy lips, began to hymn and hail 
    The Lord of Muthukundru in a decad opening thus: 
    "Pon seytha Meniyineer!"                    (3286) 
 
133.     He sang in succession eight hymns in which 
    He described how he languished as he could not 
    Recover swiftly the gold which the Lord conferred 
    On him at Muthukunru to the knowledge of the celestials, 
    And he prayed that the Lord should be pleased 
    To do away with his helplessness in the presence of Paravai; 
    Even then the Lord would not make him come by the gold; 
    So he _ontinued to hail Him.                    (3287) 
 
134.     "Yetthaathu irunthariyane": Thus opened the ninth hymn 
    Of the divine decad; thus he addressed 
    The Lord-Protector--the Lord Dancer of the Ambalam-- : 
    "O Dancer, deign to grant me the gold even before her 
    Who is so soft and young and beauteous!" 
    When thus he who was poised in the way inaccessible 
    Even to men of renunciation hailed the Lord.            (3288) 
 
135.     By the grace of the Dancer who wears clusters 
    Of Konrai blooms, the heap of gold materialised; 
    He duly carried it to the bank of the tank; 
    The ethereal world showered flowers; men on earth 
    Exclaiming, "What may this wonder be? Who can cause, 
    This to happen?" adored (the mirific event).            (3289) 
 
136.     When he thus brought out the goodly gold whilst the world 
    Wondered at it, he compared its touch with that 
    Of the original piece which he had sliced away 
    From a bar; by the grace of the blue-throated Lord  
    It proved to be inferior; once again Van-Tondar hailed 
    The ankleted Feet inaccessible to Vishnu ad Brahma.        (3290) 
 
137.     When he again hailed Him, the Lord-Dancer who was  
    Pleased with the devotional hymns of the loving serviteur, 
    Revealed to him the ruddy gold matching his piece 
    And not a whit less in its touch; he rejoiced as he  
    Took it out, and carried it to the bank.            (3291) 
 
138.     At the bank of the tank he had the bars of gold 
    Duly borne on the heads of carriers, and he 
    Bade them and Paravaiyaar to proceed to the mansion 
    Dight with a great threshold; he then moved into the temple, 
    Hailed the flower-feet of Tirumoolatta Naathar 
    In whose crest the billowy Ganga courses; 
    This done, he moved out to the street.                (3292) 
 
139.     When he arrived at the mansion and entered it 
    Innumerable benedictory verses were chanted  
    And the auspicious sound spiraled up in splendour; 
    The Prince of Navaloor bounded by fragrant flower-gardens, 
    Abode there with the bejewelled beauty 
    With a heart filled with happiness.                (3293) 
 
140.     He who adored every day the Supreme One enshrined 
    In the beauteous Ant-Hill of splendorous Aaroor, 
    One day, immersed in boundless rapture, hymned 
    A divine decad through which he interrogated 
    The divine devotees about the glories of the Lord; 
    Thus he adored the Lord and danced and sang in joy.        (3294) 
 
141.     His tuneful decad of perfect melody, opened thus: 
    "Paaru thaangki"; his mind was filled with delight; 
    The hair on his thrilled body stood erect; verily, 
    A flood cascaded from his tear-filled eyes; 
    Boundless bliss which inly pervaded, became manifest; 
    Thus he prayed and thus he revelled in joy.            (3294) 
 
142.     As he thus abode there in joy, blessed 
    With the leave of the King ever hailed by the rare 
    And boundless Vedas and who for His jewel 
    Wears the fierce serpent of the ant-hill, 
    He was borne by loving devotion; he readied himself 
    To fare forth to adore in His many shrines the Lord 
    Before the splendour of whose luminous matted hair 
    Even the lustre of gold is to be deemed dark.            (3296) 
 
143.     Accompanied by his retinue, he came to the nearby 
    Shrines of the Lord who is mantled in the hide 
    Of the tusker, and, in rapturous adoration, hailed 
    His feet; then the flawless servitor, desiring to adore  
    At Nallaaru, visited that town, well-received 
    By its true devotees ever-established in divine service.    (3297) 
 
144.     He bowed before the tower that scaled the sky, 
    Folded his hands above his head in adoration, moved in, 
    Circumambulated the shrine of the great One 
    And in abounding love prostrated on the ground,  
    Before the roseate and lotus-like feet 
    Of the aeviternal Lord of Nallaaru.                (3298) 
 
145.     He hailed and adored the Merciful One and blessed 
    With His leave, moved out worshipping Him; thence he came 
    To Tirukkadavur rich in beautiful and cloud-capped 
    Mansions; he also adored at Tirumayaanam 
    Of the Lord who wears in His crest the crescent 
    And hymned Him in a decad of swelling music 
    Which opened thus: "Maruvaar Konrai."                (3299) 
 
146.     He adored the ankleted feet of the Lord of gods 
    Of Tiruveerattaanam who smote the martial valour 
    Of wrathful Death, and_adored Him, with a garland 
    Of Tamil verse fraught with heroic splendour; 
    The decad opened thus: "Potiyaar Meni"; then in great  
    And ardent love he fared forth to Valampuram 
    Of the Great One who bent Mount Meru into a bow.        (3300) 
 
147.     Having adored the ankleted feet of the Lord 
    At Valampuram girt with a hill-like rampart, he hymned 
    A tuneful decad opening with the words: "Yenakku inee…" 
    Then he marched on and arrived at Tirucchaaikkaadu 
    Where the sea with its billowy hands, holds many rows 
    Of shells for musical instruments, the spray for holy  
    Fumigation, ninefold gems for lamps, and pearls 
    For flowers, and thus performs pooja unto the Lord.        (3301) 
 
148.     He adored the Lord of gods at Tirucchaaikkaadu 
    And adorned Him with a garland of Tamil verse; it was 
    Indeed a divine decad of hymns par excellence; then he came  
    To Tiruvenkaadu where he hailed and adored the Lord 
    That burnt the triple hostile cities; thence the chilef 
    On Naavaloor came to Nanipalli, the town divine.        (3302) 
 
149.     He hailed the ankleted feet of the Lord that in joy 
    Abides at Nanipalli; he adorned Him with a garland 
    Of holy and fragrant and goodly Tamil verse; commencing 
    From Tirucchemponpalli he adored the Lord 
    Who wears the cool crescent in His crest 
    In His many shrines and came to Tiruninriyoor 
    The peerless mount of whose Lord is the Bull.            (3303) 
 
150.     In love he entered the temple at Tiruninriyoor 
    And adored the Lord; he began to hail Him in melting love 
    And devotion; in this divine decad, he celebrated 
    The glory of God's own Tirunaavukkarasu who hymned 
    Divine decades--seven times seven hundred in number--, 
    For doing away with the world's misery.                (3304) 
 
151.     He sojourned with the devotees in that town; thence 
    As he marched on without adoring at Nidoor, the town 
    That is ineffably glorious in this wide world, 
    His peerless and true consciousness reminded him of his omission; 
    Forthwith he turned back and proceeded 
    To that town singing a bounteous garland 
    Of Tamil verse manifesting the glory of the True Ens.        (3305) 
 
152.     In that divine decad which he hymned in great love 
    He sang thus: "Can one fail to adore the feet of the Lord 
    Of Nidoor which is rich in waters filled with petalled 
    Flowers?" Thus he hailed the Lord 
    Of the puissant spear, and adored His feet; the hair 
    On his thrilled body stood erect; 
    Thus he hailed the Lord, and even thus, he sojourned there.    (3306) 
 
153.     He abode in joy there, and graced with the leave 
    Of the Lord he came to Tiruppungkoor and worshipped 
    The Lord; then he hied towards Tirukkolakka 
    Girt with fragrant gardens; when at its outskirts 
    The Lord, who concealed the Ganga in His matted hair 
    Gave him darshan, he adored Him in ever-increasing devotion 
    And hymned and hailed Him.                    (3307) 
 
154.     He adorned the Lord with a divine garland of verse 
    All compact of truth; in this decad he celebrated the grace 
    Of the Lord wears a pigngnakam on His crest 
    And who on beholding Tirugnaaanasambandhar 
    Melodies, in swelling love, hymns keeping time 
    With clap of hands, bestowed on him, in grace 
    And compassion, a pair of divine cymbals.            (3308) 
 
155.     He left Kolakka of the Primordial One who is ageless 
    And perfect; reaching the flawlessly glorious Sanbai 
    He circumambulated in and prostrated on the ground 
    In adoration; he hailed the goodly feet of the Adept 
    Of threefold Tamil in whose lips the Vedas abode; 
    Then he came to Kurukaavoor the Lord of which 
    Smote the triple hostile cities, of yore.            (3309) 
 
156.     When the consort of Paravaiyaar whose words were  
    Sweet as music, stricken with thirst and hunger, 
    Fared forth, conning His devotee's desire 
    The brow-eyed Lord of trinocular vision came 
    Forth on his way with packed victuals and water.         (3310) 
 
157.     Awaiting the arrival of Van-tondar, the Lord whose hand 
    Sports an antelope, assumed the guise of a Brahmin 
    Well-versed in all the Vedas, and was pleased to remain 
    There having raised there a water-booth 
    Like unto a cool and fragrant pool of soft lotuses 
    To attenuate the rigour of the aestival sun.            (3311) 
 
158.     The beauteous Lord who graciously abides at Kurukavoor 
    Thus awaited his arrival; the Lord's own companion 
    Of Tiruvaroor that came thither, companied with the devotees, 
    Entered the water-booth, and drawn by an ardent love 
    To the presence of the divine Brahmin, 
    Sat near Him, exclaiming: "Sivayanama!"                (3312) 
 
159.     Addressing Aaroorar who was before him, the Lord 
    Who, of yore, sat under the umbrageous banyan tree, said: 
    "You suffer from exceeding hunger; I will give you 
    Pothi-soru; receive it, eat it well without delay 
    And also drink the sweet and fresh water 
    Available here, and thus rid your fatigue."            (3313) 
 
160.     Van-tondar who hearkened to His words felt thus: 
    "It will be unbecoming on my part, it I, this day, 
    Decline to receive the food from the Vedic muni." 
    So he willingly received it from the hands of Him 
    Whose golden chest displayed the sacred thread; 
    He ate it with the devotees that came with him.            (3314) 
 
161.     The interminable retinue ate the food in great relish; 
    Then they that came thither in hunger, also partook 
    Of it; yet the pothi-soru given by the Holy one-- 
    The food which tasted altogether nectarean--, 
    Suffered no diminution.                        (3315) 
 
162.     Aaroorar drank the water, sweet like the divine grace 
    Of Lord Sankara; in ever swelling ardour he hailed 
    And adored the Lord's name, the Panchaakshara; 
    Then as he was tired he lay down and slumbered; 
    Those that were with him also closed their eyes in slumber; 
    Then the Lord who concealed the Ganga in his matted hair 
    Disappeared with water-booth and  all.                (3316) 
 
163.     The Prince of Tirunaavaloor whose chinta was firmly poised 
    In Sivam, woke up, he saw Him not; he began to hail 
    The Lord in a decad which opened thus: 
    "Itthanaiya maatram arinthilan…" 
    Singing this divine decad wrought of immutable truth, 
    He reached Kurukaavoor.                        (3317) 
 
164.     He came to the beauteous tower of the temple 
    Of Kurukaavoor where the Lord Beautiful abides 
    And dispenses grace, he bowed before the tower, moved in, 
    Went round the sacred shrine in great and abiding love, 
    Came before the Lord's presence, paid obeisance and drank 
    In with his eyes the sweet Nectar, having, not done so 
    Earlier(when he appeared as a Brahmin).                (3318) 
 
165.     To his heart's content he adored with folded hands 
    The sweet Nectar that filled his eyes, and hymned Him 
    In a truthful and divine decad; he bowed before Him 
    And hailed Him; then he who ever sought 'within' 
    The Lord in great love, moved out and sojourned there 
    In love, companied with the devout servitors.            (3319) 
 
166.     Blessed with his Lord's leave he left that town 
    Having duly adored Him; he worshipped the Lord 
    Of dazzling, ruddy, matted hair in His many shrines 
    Where He willingly abides, came to Kazhippaalai 
    Girt with fort-like walls, hailed and adored Him; 
    Then the Prince of Navaloor in the south 
    Arrived at Tillai, the divine city.                (3320) 
 
167.    Bowing he entered the divine street of ever-glorious 
    And sacred Tillai, and adored the roseate 
    And redemptive feet that dance in the comely Pon-Ambalam; 
    In that city which fosters the Vedas for the flourishing 
    Of the world, he abode hailing the Lord; then he came 
    To Tirutthinainakar, the great city 
    Of the Lord whose martial bow is the Mount Meru.        (3321) 
 
168.     Having adored the Lord Sivakkozhundhu who abode 
    At Tirutthinaimaanakar he hared forth and hailed 
    The Dancer--perfectly enshrined in many a town; 
    As his thought was set on Tirunaavaloor hailed by 
    Divine servitors poised in exceeding devotion 
    He fared forth to adore it with his hands 
    In great penchant, and reached it.                (3322) 
 
169.     When they heard that the prince of Tirunaavaloor was 
    Arriving there, the dwellers of that famed town 
    And devotees deeming it to be their day 
    Of great beatitude, decked their town fittingly; 
    They fared forth and received him in joy; 
    Conducted by them, Aaroorar entered the great temple 
    Of the Lord, the Wearer of the hide of the martial tusker.    (3323) 
 
170.     Even as the chanting of "Hara, Hara!" by those devotees 
    Began to pervade all the three worlds, he came 
    Before the presence of the First One and hailed 
    The grace of the Lotus-feet of the Lord, dearer than 
    Life itself, in a decad which opened with the words: 
    "Kovalanaanmukhan"; thus he hailed the Lord 
    And even thus, he adored Him.                    (3324) 
 
171.     In that town of ever-increasing weal, he abode in love 
    Companied with the devotee-throngs that caused 
    Their clans to thrive in splendour; then with the leave 
    Of the Lord in whose matted hair the flooding river 
    Courses, the wearer of comely sacred thread on his 
    Beauteous chest, moved onward, having hailed His feet, 
    To adore Him in His many shrines.                (3325) 
 
172.     He adored at many shrines in the sacred land 
    Of Tondamandala where the Lord whose mount is 
    The unique Bull, abides in joy, well-received 
    By the sacred serviteurs; then crossing many rivers 
    Of lucid water, flowery jungles where chafers 
    Hummed, hills and maruda tracts, he arrived 
    At Tirukkaazhukkunram hailed by men 
    In all the eight directions.                    (3326) 
 
173.     Greeted in boundless love by the devotees 
    Of Tirukkazhukkunram, bounded by melliferous 
    Flower-gardens, he entered the shrine and hailed 
    And adored the radiant Lord who wears the pure, fresh 
    And argent crescent in His crest, and melodised 
    A divine decad married to sweet and tuneful music.        (3327) 
 
174.     He hymned the Lord, and in joy, sojourned in that town; 
    Blessed with the leave of the Lord. Aaroorar whose 
    Goodly consciousness ever sought the Lord only, came 
    To Tirukkacchoor and adored the Nectar in melting devotion 
    At Aalakkoyil girt with huge and fort-like 
    Golden walls, and then moved out.                (3328) 
 
175.     Having adored the Lord, when he came out of the temple  
    The time for taking his meal drew near; yet his retinue 
    Which would come ready with food or prepare it, had not 
    Arrived thither; so the patron of Tirumunaippaadi 
    Abode without the fort-like entrance of the Lord's temple 
    In hunger which irked and grieved him.                (3329) 
 
176.     The Lord enshrined on the hill, verily the Remedy 
    For the illth of embodiment, to relieve Van-tondar 
    Of his hunger, abandoning His white and bright skull-bowl, 
    Came with an ordinary begging-bowl in the guise 
    Of a Brahmin that dwelt in that town, to the devotee 
    (Aarooran) and graciously addressed him thus:            (3330) 
 
177.     "Ha, you are languishing overwhelmed by hunger; 
    T relieve you of your hunger I will secure for you 
    Food by begging; pray stay awhile here without 
    Going anywhere else." He that so spake, then went 
    To every house in Tirukkaacchoor begging food.            (3331) 
 
178.     The Holy Ash on His person beauteously blazed white; 
    His sacred thread glowed with radiance; beholders melted 
    In love; for securing alms at the meridian, he entered 
    Each and every house, His lotus-feet touched the earth; 
    With the food secured by Him, he came before him 
    Whom, He willingly claimed as His own serviteur.        (3332) 
 
179.     He gave him the flavoury food and dishes of curry 
    Obtained by begging, and said; "Eat that you may rid 
    The misery of your hunger." Nampi Aaroorar, the great one, 
    Extolling the merciful act of the Brahmin received it 
    In love that welled up within him, after paying 
    Due obeisance to Him.                        (3333) 
 
180.     Van-tondar ate the nectarean food companied 
    With the great tapaswi-devotees that came with him 
    And rejoiced; the Brahmin who was there, the Lord 
    Who is present everywhere, disappeared without 
    Van-Tondar being aware of it.                    (3334) 
 
181.     When thus the Sivayogi-Brahmin vanished, the prince 
    Of Naavaloor was convinced that it was the Lord 
    Who came thither in the Brahmin's guise; 
    He melted in devotion as he mused thus: "O the mercy 
    Of the Lord who assumed a form for my sake, 
    And in pain trod on earth in the noonday sun 
    To the resounding of his great anklets."            (3335) 
 
182.     His decad opened thus: "Muthu vaayori"; 
    He wondered at such demonstration of the great mercy 
    Of the First One; tears cascaded from his eyes 
    And drenched his whole person on which the hair 
    Stood erect in thrilled ecstasy; even thus he hailed 
    The Lord, and in joy, worshipped Him whose crest is 
_Decked with melliferous konrai flowers.                (3336) 
 
183.     Having thus adored the Lord he took His leave 
    And fared forth to the shrines where abides the Lord 
    Whose half is His Consort, well-received 
    By the devotees everywhere; conducted by them he moved 
    In, and adored the Lord's ankleted feet which confer 
    Grace when invoked; he adorned Him with splendourous wreath 
    Of verse, and marching on, came near Kaanchi 
    Where abides the Lord whose hue is like 
    Unto the ever-increasing ruddiness of the crepuscular sky.    (3337) 
 
184.     The dwellers of Kaanchi, the city girt with ramparts, 
    Rejoiced thinking thus: "The Lord whose flag sports 
    The ever-young and victorious Bull-- 
    The Lord that could not be pursued by Vishnu or Brahma--, 
    Even He came in the guise of a Brahmin-chief 
    That day, before the tribunal at Vennainalloor, 
    And successfully argued his lis; it was thus 
    The Lord claimed Aaroorar as hisserviteur; 
    We are blessed with his arrival."                (3338) 
 
185.     In ever-increasing joy they decked the streets 
    With beautiful toranas; they carried with them 
    Bright lamps, pots filled with holy water, censers 
    Breathing the smoke o eagle-wood, and streamers; 
    They caused drums that were played during dance 
    To resound on pials; companied with the increasing 
    Throngs of devotees, they fared forth to the outskirts 
    Of the city and greeted him.                    (3339) 
 
186.     When the devotees adored him, Nampi Aaroorar ruled 
    By the Lord, paid obeisance to them; he crossed 
    The towered entrance and entered the street rich in rows 
    Of huge mansions; auspicious instruments of music 
    Were resounded, in love; thus he reached Tiruvekampam 
    Companied with the surging crowds of servitors.        (3340) 
 
187.     Before the tower where throng the tall Vishnu who sports 
    The disc, Brahma and other celestials, he prostrated 
    On the ground, and sacred dust mantled him; up he rose, moved in, 
    And made his sacred circuit, adoring the subshrines; 
    Beatific Van-tondar, the intimate servitor of the Lord, 
    Then moved into the adytum of Tiruvekampar.            (3341) 
 
188.     When the Kampai rushed amain in spate, 
    Scared of the Great One's safety, Himavant's Daughter 
    Of large and dark eyes painted with collyrium, 
    Embraced Him closely; She always offered pooja 
    To his redemptive and roseate lotus-feet; 
    Aaroorar who came towards the Lord, fell 
    At these very feet in fitting and great devotion.        (3342) 
 
189.    Having prostrated at the hallowed feet he rose up 
    In thrilled ecstasy; with true love and a chinta poised 
    In beatitude, hymned the Lord; then in unabated love 
    He moved out at sojourned in that city 
    With the devotees; during these days he visited the many shrines 
    At Kaanchi where abides the Lord of dangling matted hair.    (3343) 
 
190.     He came to aeviternal Kaama-k-kottam of glorious Kaanchi 
    And adored the Lord; he visited Kacchi metrali 
    Of the Lord in whose matted hair the Ganga courses, 
    And in swelling and boundless love, hailed and adored 
    The Lord; he adorned Him with a divine decad whose glory 
    Fills the world and which opens thus: "Nuntha von sutaraam."    (3344) 
 
191.     In his privileged positions as the Lord's own companion 
    He hailed the Peerless One of Onakaanthan Tali 
    And there affirmed his boundless servitorship; 
    Seeking coins and gold from the Lord, he hailed Him 
    With a scripturally beauteous decad which 
    Opened thus: "Neyyum paalum"; blessed with 
    Immense wealth he sojourned there in joy.            (3345) 
 
192.     Aaroorar who sojourned there came to Kacchi 
    Anekathankaapatham, moved into the temple 
    And adored the Lord whose mount is the red-eyed Bull; 
    He hailed the Lord in a decad of Tamil  
    Beginning with the words: "Thenaipurinthu" 
    And affirmed in that decad thus: 
    "This is where the Lord abides." 
    Bowing before Him, he moved out and adored 
    The Lord in swelling love in His other shrines 
    And continued to sojourn there poised in love.            (3346) 
 
193.    He served the Lord by hymning Him in sacred songs; 
    He sojourned there unable to part from the holy feet 
    Of the Lord-Dancer who grew lithe when Uma embraced Him; 
    Then desiring to adore at the many shrines situat_ 
    Beyond Kaanchi and hail Him in hymns, he fared forth and arrived 
    At Vanpaartthanpanangkaattoor of great mansions.        (3347) 
 
194.     At prosperous Tiruppanangkaattoor he adored 
    The splendorous flame of ruddy gold--the Lord 
    Who is verily the Remedy for all ills--, and with tear-filled 
    Eyes, he hailed Him in a bountiful decad opening thus: 
    "Vitaiyin mel Varuvaar." He sang the decad tunefully, 
    And moved out of the shrine.                    (3348) 
 
195.     Reaching Tirumaalperu he hailed and adored the Lord; 
    He came to Tiruvallam and adored Him; westward he marched 
    Adoring at many shrines the Lord who wears a crown 
    Of plaited matted hair; then the great servitor reached 
    The hill of Tirukkaalatthi whose great peaks are cloud-capped.    (3349) 
 
196.     He came to the foot of the hill of Kaalatthi where  
    The Lord who dispelled the distress of Kannappar who was poised 
    In immense and irrepressible love, and ruled him, 
    Abides in great joy; he prostrated before the hill 
    And ascended it, blessed with the Lord's grace; 
    Immersed in flooding love he reached His presence 
    And adored Him, the Remedy enshrined in the Hill.        (3350) 
 
197.     He worshipped the Lord and in soulful rapture, melodised 
    In sweet music a decad that oped thus: "Sentaatum…" 
    In loving devotion he hailed the fragrant 
    Lotus-feet of Kannappar and felt blessed; he moved out 
    And sojourned in that ever-during town 
    With serviteurs that were poised in inner harmony.        (3351) 
 
198.     During his sojourn, he adored from there Sri Sailam, 
    Tiru-k-Kedaaram and other northern shrines of the Lord; 
    As if he had beheld in person the dancing feet 
    Of the Lord in those far off shrines, out leaped 
    From his lips, firm-fibred and divine decades, 
    And he revelled in joy.                        (3352) 
 
199.     After his sojourn, blessed with the Lord's leave 
    He fared forth to the many shrines of the Lord whose mount 
    Is the martial Bull; there he adored the Lord 
    And hymned Him in Tamil; then he arrived 
    At Tiruvotriyoor, verily the Siva-loka on earth, 
    Situate near the beach of the swelling sea 
    Where the crescent-crested Lord abides.                (3353) 
 
200.     Hearing of the arrival of Aaroorar who was claimed  
    By the Lord that enslaved him through a document, 
    The devotees of the endlessly glorious Lord of Aadipuri, 
    Rose up to meet and greet him; at the entrance 
    Of each street they hung bunches of banana and areca; 
    They hung toranas, carried vessels of gold-dust, 
    Pots of gold filled with holy water, censers and lamps; 
    Then they fared forth to receive him.                (3354) 
 
201.     Great and glorious and auspicious instruments 
    Were played; danseuses of that town danced 
    In the theatres decked with fragrant flowers garlands; 
    Men and women of the ethereal realms rained flowers; in such 
    Gaiety, the great serviteur dear to the Lord that holds 
    The skull of Brahma for a begging-bowl, joined 
    The welcoming devotees and moved in.                (3355) 
 
202.     The welcoming devotees who were devoted 
    To the lofty tapas of Siva enshrined with Uma at Otriyoor, 
    Encircled Aaroorar, like a sea and hailed him, 
    He paid obeisance to them and reached 
    The temple-entrance of the Lord whose mount 
    Is the triumphant and ever-young Bull.                (3356) 
 
203.     He prostrated before the sky-scaling tower; 
    Rose up, moved in, circumambulated the shrine 
    Of the Lord who wears in His crest the curved crescent, 
    And came before His presence; with his flesh, 
    And life too melting, Aaroorar folding his hands 
    Above his head, prostrated on the floor 
    In exceedingly great love and devotion.                (3357) 
 
204.     Upborne by a consciousness that linked him 
    To the fresh, fragrant, beauteous and ruddy 
    Lotus-feet of the brow-eyed Lord called 
    Ezhutthu Ariyum Perumaan who, of yore, 
    Interlineated in a document the words: 
    "The city of Otriyoor excepted," he rose up 
    and in a flawless tune married to nectarean airs 
    Sang the decad which began with the words: 
    "Paattum paadi-p-paravi."                    (3358) 
 
205.     Thus he sang; love of the Lord possessed him; 
    He felt ecstatic; he moved out; hailed by devotees 
    Full of abiding love, he sojourned there in joy, 
    Adoring the Lord's hallowed feet unknown to questing 
    Vishnu and Brahma, during all the hours of pooja.        (3359) 
 
206.     Thus, even thus, he abode there. 
    Now let us lucidly narrate the glory 
    Of Anintithaiyaar who having long ago left 
    The cool and beauteous Mount of Kailaas, 
    Made her avatar on earth and grew to become 
    The bride of Van-tondar, and revel as it were, 
    In the fragrant splendour of his shoulders.            (3360) 
 
207.     By the grace of the Lord whose throat holds 
    The 'Aalaala venom,' she made her avatar 
    As the beloved daughter of Tirugnaayirukizhaar, 
    A great Velaala of lofty rectitude of Gnaayiru, 
    The town where men of increasing prosperity 
    Belonging to the fourth caste, flourished.            (3361) 
 
208.     By reason of her pre-natal consciousness she stood poised 
    In the never-forgetful way linked to the flower-feet 
    Of Himavant's Daughter; she who was called Sangkiliyaar 
    Came to be born with this consciousness; she grew 
    In the company of her playmates--the young girls 
    Of spear-like and splendidly roving eyes--; 
    Crossing duly the parvas, she became nubile.            (3362) 
 
209.     She grew thriving not only in the deeds that became  
    Her great family tradition but also manifesting qualities 
    Of divinity; such was her supernal culture that the world 
    Marvelled at it; when she grew to be a lass, her growing  
    Breasts--soft and supple--, grieved her gracile waist; 
    Then he father spake to his wife thus:                (3363) 
 
210.     "In beauty of form and quality our daughter exceeds 
    The mortal creation; we know not the reason for this; 
    It is time that we should give her in wedding." 
    Hearing this, his wife, verily a liana of ever-crescent 
    Chastity, said: "Be pleased to give her in wedding as  
                    suits our station."        (3364) 
 
211.     Sangkiliyaar who heard her parents so speak, thought thus: 
    "These words befit me not; I belong to him who is  
    Wholly blessed by my Lord; I know not of the result, 
    Their wholly different thought will lead to." Stricken 
    With fear she fell down on earth in a swoon.            (3365) 
 
212.     The parents who stood nearby were greatly agitated; 
    They lifted her up tenderly in love; anxious at heart 
    They thought thus: "What has become of her?" 
    Closely embracing her, they sprinkled on her 
    Cool and fragrant water, stroked her gently, 
    Revived her and spake to her whose lovely forehead 
    Was like unto a bow, thus: "What has befallen you?"        (3366) 
 
213.     When thus her parents questioned her 
    She spake to them frankly without any concealment: 
    "What this day, you spake of me ill-befits my state; 
    I belong to him who is graced by the Lord-Rider 
    Of the victorious Bull; I will even now 
    Fare forth to Tiruvotriyoor and establish myself 
    In the grace of Lord Siva."                    (3367) 
 
214.     When they heard her words, they were assailed  
    By bewilderment, fear and wonder; they so conducted 
    Themselves thereafter that others could not 
    Know of her changed condition; while so, 
    From a clan of equal greatness and close to them 
    In kinship and therefore privileged to seek 
    Her hand in wedding, a youth, unaware of the happenings, 
    In great longing, deputed to them some persons to broach marriage; 
    They came there and discussed matrimony.            (3368) 
 
215.     The father who listened to them could not reveal 
    To them the happenings; he so answered them 
    That they would not be troubled or offended; even before 
    They could return to him who sent them thither, 
    Like one assailed by a great evil he died; so too 
    His messengers; the parents of Sangkiliyaar and others 
    Who heard of this, were struck with bewilderment.        (3369) 
 
216.     It looked as though that the fated event proclaimed 
    Clearly to the world thus: "They that mean to thrive 
    Would not speak words which ill-became great Sangkiliyaar." 
    So the parents made a clean breast of all the happenings 
    To the great elders of their clan; with fear-stricken 
    And languishing heart they now gave assent to her proposal.    (3370) 
 
217.     Knowledgeable persons would not dare speak 
    Of her action deeming her a woman divine; 
    She would ever talk of the greatnesses of the Lord 
    Adored of her; she would not speak of aught else; 
    Such ind_ed was her righteous conduct; 
    So they resolved to conduct her to Otriyoor's Lord 
    Whose matted crown is plaited with a serpent.            (3371) 
 
218.     Addressing Sangkiliyaar whose words were 
    Tunefully melodious, her parents and others said: 
    "Reaching Tiruvotriyoor of the Lord in whose crest 
    The lucid flood courses, be pleased to abide 
    In a kanni-maatam in that city girt with cool pools, 
    And perform askesis, poised hence forth 
    In the grace of the Lord whose forehead sports an eye."        (3372) 
 
219.     In unison with the grace as ordained by the Lord who is 
    Crescent-crested, and oblivious of all else, 
    Her parents and kin resolved to abide  
    By the words of Sangkiliyaar, and conducted her 
    To Tiruvotriyoor of the Lord who smote the triple 
    Hostile cities, carrying with them great wealth.        (3373) 
 
220.     They entered the temple of Lord Siva whose crown 
    Sports a white crescent, and with their close kith 
    And kin adored Him; then with the consent of the dwellers 
    Of the hoary city they built nearby a kanni-maatam 
    Girt with immense walls, and watched over by women-guards; 
    Rich endowments were made for its up-keep; 
    Then her father fell at her feet and said:            (3374) 
 
221.     "You will gladly abide here rendering willing service 
    Pleasing to the Lord; we, on our part, will serve you." 
    His uncontainable love burst forth, and his eyes 
    Rained tears; he could not endure separation from her; 
    With his sorrowing kin, he paid obeisance to her 
    And left for his city girt with fort-like walls.        (3375) 
 
222.     The virgin who performed tapas in love, abode there; 
    She adored the Lord of lives at all the hours of pooja; 
    To perform such acts of divine service as became 
    Her nature, poised unswervingly in the pious way, 
    She came to the mantapam mantled with screens 
    And rich in cool and arboraceous flowers 
    And there took her seat in a corner.                (3376) 
 
223.     As then she became instinct with the consciousness 
    Of her service in the past at the holy Mount Kailaas, 
    She, verily a flowery liana, began to ply her hands 
    In weaving beauteous and soft garlands 
    Of flowers where chafers lay cradled, befitting the hours 
    Of the temple-service to adorn the crown 
    Of the Lord of gods; thus she flourished.            (3377) 
 
224.     As the time for him to wed, in love, Sangkiliyaar 
    Of fragrant garland, drew near, Aaroorar who made 
    His avatar by the grace of the Lord whose hue 
    Is of the crepuscular sky, as ordained by the hoary 
    And ineluctable destiny, moved into the temple 
    Of the primordial Lord, one day.                (3378) 
 
225.     Nampi Aaroorar claimed by the Lord of gods in the guise 
    Of a Brahmin and owned by Him, adored the Merciful One 
    In the hoary and traditional way, hymned Him 
    And moved out adoring the divine services in which 
    The serviteurs were engaged; he then entered 
    The flowery mantapam that was like unto a lotus-pool.        (3379) 
 
226.     With love for thread and the Panchaakshara for flowers, 
    Even as their hearts wove wreaths, they wove garlands  
    Of flowers with their hands; the very bones and minds 
    Of these serviteurs melted in loving devotion. 
    Aaroorar adored them and moved away; from a place set apart 
    Sangkiliyaar came out from behind the screen as was 
    Her wont, handed over the garlands for the adornment 
    Of the Lord, and like a lightning flash moved into her 
    Screened apartment; Aaroorar saw her, prompted by Providence.    (3380) 
 
227.     When the divine devotee of the Lord whose flag sports 
    The Bull, beheld the damozel--like unto pearl unthreaded, 
    And soft bud untouched by bee and about to burst 
    In fragrance--, his mind could not be kept in leash 
    By his rectitude; it leaped at her; anon her became 
    The target of Manmata's flowery darts; unable 
    To contain himself, he moved out, and spake thus:        (3381) 
 
228.    "What may this be? It is well-nigh impossible for me 
    To comprehend this! She who is there, behind the curtain, 
    Is like a liana of lightning compounded 
    Of the inner coolth of the fresh full-moon 
    Mixed with the nectarean flow of gold and gems; 
    She has caused my mind to swerve from its course; 
    Who may she be?" When he spake thus,                (_382) 
 
229.     They that stood nearby said: "She is indeed 
    The great lass Sangkiliyaar, the virgin who 
    By her ever-growing tapas fosters her servitorship 
    To the Lord." When so informed, he mused thus: 
    "My lord by His grace gave me this embodiment 
    owing to two persons; one is my wife Paravai; 
    This one is perhaps the second of them." 
    He was indeed bewildered.                    (3383) 
 
230.     "I am happily destined to live the life of a servitor 
    Unto the Lord whose matted hair flashes like lightning; 
    She grieves me, and by her tapas prevents me from  
    Enjoying the beatitude due to me by the Lord's grace; 
    She binds my dear life with the beauteous flowers 
    That she weaves into garlands; well, I will received her 
    From my Lord who wears on His crown a chaplet 
    Of golden Konrai flowers." Thus resolved he moved 
    Into the temple.                        (3384) 
 
231.     Even though Brahma of the Lotus-throne and Vishnu, 
    The tall one, flew up and burrowed down the earth, they 
    Could not behold His divine crown or His ever-extending 
    Ankleted feet; He is the Lord of all the worlds; 
    Yet He chooses to abide in joy at Otriyoor; 
    He is the Supreme Ens, the One of effulgence; 
    Before Him stood Aaroorar and hailed Him thus:            (3385) 
 
232.     "O Lord! Besides happily sharing Uma in Your frame 
    You love to keep concealed in Your beauteous matted hair 
    The woman Ganga! Deign to grant to me, You serviteur, 
    Sangkili -- whose countenance is like that of the moon 
    And who while binding for You beauteous garlands unbinds 
    The garland of my heart--, and thus rid me of my misery."    (3386) 
 
233.     Thus he prayed before the Lord and importuned Him; 
    He moved out of the temple and mused thus: "She has broken 
    My heart's resoluteness which for ever hovers only 
    Around thoughts of servitorship to You; I know not what 
    I should do; O Lord of fulgurant matted hair of coral hue which 
    Sports a crescent thereon, be pleased to grace me."        (3387) 
 
234.     He abode at a place outside the temple where abides 
    In joy the Lord who wears the bright crescent; 
    It was evening and the sun was about to sink 
    Into the western main; he languished beholding the sea; 
    Longing to wed her of tender breasts, he though and thought  
    On his companionship with the Lord, the Friend 
    Of Kubera who guards Sankhanidi 
    And Padmanidi, and sorely languished.                (3388) 
 
235.     His Lord who ate the poison of the roaring sea to save 
    The immortals and the mortals, appeared before Van-tonder 
    And spake thus: "We grant you liana-like Sangkili 
    Of great tapas who is unattainable by any one 
    In this world; rid yourself of misery".                (3389) 
 
236.     Hailing the Lord Van-tondar said: "In the past 
    At Vennainalloor You claimed me -- a nescient cur--, 
    On Your own accord, graced me with Your servitorship 
    And thus granted me deliverance; this day you have deigned 
    To wed me with her to save my life." He fell at the fragrant 
    Flower-feet of the Lord, and thus flourished.            (3390) 
 
237.     The Lord-Brahmin who rules Van-tondar as His servitor 
    Having graced him thus, at dead of night came 
    To the Kanni-maatam on whose wall the full moon rests 
    And appeared in the dream of glorious Sangkiliyaar, verily 
    A lamp that induces the glow of bright lustre.            (3391) 
 
238.     When the Lord appeared before her, Sangkiliyaar 
    Adored Him, fell on the ground, felt ecstatic, 
    Rose up with a flood of delight coursing in her, 
    And spake thus: "Your slave is blessed with Your visit; 
    How can I at all requite this?" Then the Lord-Brahmin 
    Resplendent with the Holy Ash like unto a flood 
    Of great mercy, graciously spake thus:                (3392) 
 
239.     "O Sangkili poised in tapas! Hearken to Me! He has 
    Indeed great love for me; His tapas is greater than 
    Even Mount Meru; at Vennainalloor, he was privileged 
    To be claimed by Me in the presence of all men; of Me 
    He besceches you; may you whose breasts are cinctured 
    By a breast-band joyously link yourself to him in wedding".    (3393) 
 
240.     Standing before her, when the Primal Lord graced her 
    Thus, Sangkiliyaar of exceeding beauty fell 
    At the Lord's cool lotus feet unknowable to Vishnu 
    And Brahma, rose up and _doringly addressed 
    The Author of the Vedas tremulously, thus:            (3394) 
 
241.     "My Lord, I belong to him whom You grace; O Lord 
    Of gods! I wear Your grace on my crown; when You deign 
    To grant me to Nampi Aaroorar in a ceremonial wedding,  
    O Lord whose frame shares the liana of Himavant 
    I have a prayer to submit unto You."                (3395) 
 
242.     Then in great bashfulness she bowed to the Lord 
    Of plaited chignon and said: "O Lord whose beauteous chest 
    Displays the flashing, white, sacred thread 
    Splendorous with its contact of the divine breasts 
    Of our Goddess! He is one that joyously resides 
    For good, in ever-during Tiruaaroor; be pleased 
    To grace me bearing this in mind." Thus spake she, 
    Verily a flawless lamp, for ever bright.            (3396) 
 
243.     He listened to her words; He, the Lord of Otriyoor, 
    Considered the state of Van-tondar also; 
    Then He graciously spake thus: "O beauty bejewelled 
    In gold, he will in solemn secrecy swear an oath 
    Affirming his non-parting from you."                (3397) 
 
244.     Then returning from her whose shoulder was 
    Bamboo-like, the Lord came to His companion 
    Of flawless mind who was reveling in joy, 
    And said: "I spoke to her of your marriage with her; 
    For this you have to fulfil a condition."            (3398) 
 
245.     Van-tondar adored Him with a joyous heart 
    And queried Him thus: What is it, O my Lord, 
    I am called upon to do?" Then the Lord 
    Spake in grace thus: "To wed her you will have 
    To affirm solemnly before her that you will ever 
    Live with her land not part from her; call on her 
    And this very night swear so before her."            (3399) 
 
246.     Then Aaroorar said: "I will do that which will fulfil 
    My desire to wed her, O Lord of fulgurant, matted hair 
    I beseech Your grace." Then with a smile 
    That appeared on His lips, the Primal Lord 
    Facing him interrogated thus: "For your act 
    (Of swearing) what else is to the done?"            (3400) 
 
247.     Van-tondar who gave away his mind to her 
    Of soft breasts cinctured by a breast-band, deeming it 
    To be an embargo on his dutiful itinerary 
    To the many shrines where his Lord joyously 
    Abides, to adore His beauteous forms, 
    Began to formulate his prayer.                    (3401) 
 
248.     Adoring the feet of Sankara, the Prince of Tamil 
    Spake thus: "When I go forth thither to take an oath 
    That I will not part from her, You should then be 
    Pleased to quit the shrine, and abide below 
    The makizha tree." Thus he prayed and bowed before Him.        (3402) 
 
249.     When the Lord's companion prayed to Him thus, the Lord 
    Of gods agreeing to his request, spake thus in grace; 
    "O Nampi, I will do as you beseech Me!" Then Aaroorar 
    Hailed Him thus: "O Lord, my God! Is there 
    Henceforth aught that is rare for me?"                (3403) 
 
250.     Aaroorar adored Him with his hands folded 
    Above His dead and moved out, blessed with His leave; 
    The Lord of ruddy matted hair-- we know not 
    If the Lord but desired to sport with him, 
    Or, was it due to the glory of the traditional 
    Servitorship of Sankiliyaar whose waist was slender 
    As a vanji-creeper--, once again visited 
    Her at night when all eyes closed in slumber, 
    To bless her with steadfastness.                (3404) 
 
251.     He appeared before Sangkiliyaar as before, and said: 
    "Nangkai, Aarooran will willingly, take the oath 
    Before you; however do not suffer him to swear before Us 
    In the shrine; let it be under the makizha tree."        (3405) 
 
252.     When she heard Him speak thus, she folded her hands  
    In adoration and hailed Him thus: "O Lord! 
    You are not to be comprehended even by Vishnu 
    And Brahma; but you deigned to reveal to me 
    The great secret, thereby acknowledging me 
    As Your serviteur." Tears rolled down 
    From her eyes and she fell at the victorious 
    And roseate feet of the Lord, and rose up.            (3406) 
 
253.     When the Lord whose crown is wrought of matted hair 
    Thus graced her and disappeared, she woke up 
    Struck with wonder great; thinking of the great grace 
    Of the Lord of ruddy matted hair, she would not 
    Thereafter sleep that night; doubt-tossed 
    She moved to her friends and woke them up.            (3407) 
 
254.     To her friends that woke up, when she duly narrated 
    All_that the Lord, Ezhuttu Ariyum Perumaal had 
    Revealed to her in her dream, they experienced 
    A happy mystical tremendum, and bowed before her.        (3408) 
 
255.     The hour for Tiruppalliyezhucchi drew near; 
    The bejewelled beauty companied with her maids, 
    The co-servitors, moved out to engage herself 
    In the holy task of weaving garlands for the Lord; 
    Awaiting her arrival at that time, Aaroorar came 
    Before the temple to take the oath as promised.            (3409) 
 
256.     When Aaroorar who stood there campe toward the bejewelled lass 
    That came there, and spake to her of the gracious 
    Blessing of his Lord, she of the gracile 
    And fulgurant waist, would not divulge before him 
    The condition linked to her consent; all bashful, she 
    Sidled away with her maids, and moved into the shrine.        (3410) 
 
257.     Aaroorar followed her and said: "O bejewelled! 
    To take my oath affirming non-separation from you 
    Be pleased to go forth to the presence of the Lord who is 
    Crescent crested." When he so spake, the maidens who had 
    Listened to the dreams of Sangkiliyaar replied thus:        (3411) 
 
258.     "O our lord! To make an asseveration 
    Before the presence of the Lord of the celestials will not 
    Be meet." Hearing this, our lord Van-tondar, unaware 
    Of the deed of the Lord, said: "O ye like unto twigs, 
    Where then shall I take the oath?"                (3412) 
 
259.     The lasses thereupon said: "Enough, if you take 
    The oath under the makizha tree," He was nonplussed 
    To hear this; then he thought thus: "If I decline, 
    It may lead to a scandal; it is but proper that I 
    Should consent to this.' Terms resolved, saying: 
    "Well, go thither," he too reached the makizh after them.    (3413) 
 
260.     As Sangkiliyaar of flawless and great tapas 
    Bore witness, he thrice circumambulated 
    The ever-young makizh and affirmed thus: 
    "I will abide here and never leave this place." 
    Thus he swore, the chief of Manippaadi 
    Which was dight with cool and flowery pools.            (3414) 
 
261.     When glorious Aaroorar completed the act of solemn oath, 
    Witnessing it, she whose eyes were like blue lily, was 
    Agitated; she mused thus: "This sinner had to witness 
    This, as it was by the Lord ordained." Languishing 
    In life and limb, she moved aside, and wilted unseen.        (3415) 
 
262.     The chief of Tirunaavaloor having performed his act 
    Entered the temple of the Lord who wears the hide 
    Of the martial tusker and prayed thus: "O Lord! You are 
    To dispense daily grace unto me! Wondrous indeed is Your way!" 
    Hailing His great name (the Panchaakshara) 
    He then moved out in delight great.                (3416) 
 
263.     When Van-tondar moved away she whose beauteous breasts 
    Were cinctured by a breast-band, came to the mantapam 
    Where garlands were woven; there she plied 
    Her hands in floral service and adored Him 
    And the gracious acts of the Lord whose throat 
    Is dark like a nimbus, and then as the day was about 
    To break, she moved into the beauteous Kanni-maatam.        (3417) 
 
264.     That very night the Lord of Otriyoor known as Aadipuri, 
    To fulfil the wish of Van-tondar-- His serviteur 
    Resplendent with jewels of gold--, desired to instruct 
    The glorious devotees of Tiruvotriyoor who were 
    Established in everlasting renown, so that 
    They would with all their heart, perform the wedding.        (3418) 
 
265.     (Appearing in their dream) He bade them thus: 
    "By Our command, perform with due rites, the wedding 
    Of Nampi Aaroorar and Nangkai Sangkili, here on this 
    Earth; so celebrate the marriage that the celestials 
    Too should get to know it." Thus instructed, 
    Up rose the divine devotees, wearing as it were 
    On their crown, the Lord's gracious behest.            (3419) 
 
266.     The serviteurs divine and innumerable--, that abode 
    At Tiruvotriyoor thriving in this world in great opulence, 
    Joined the dwellers of that beauteous city 
    And performed a great and glorious connubium 
    That was feast unto all beholding eyes, 
    With all their joyous heart; heaven showered flowers.        (3420) 
 
267.     As ordained by the hoary providence and by the grace 
    Of Lord Pasupati, Van-tondar who married her 
    Of fragrant koontal decked with flowers wherein 
    Chafers lay crad_ed, in love revelled in her sheer 
    Splendour of queenliness which excelled that 
    Of Lakshmi's, with all his five senses of sight 
    Hearing, taste, smell and touch.                (3421) 
 
268.     Her words were sweeter than the tuneful yaazh; 
    Beauteous was her row of teeth; her eyes, 
    Verily the two halves of a symmetrically sliced tender mango, 
    Reached as far as her ear-pendants and thither rolled; 
    Her breasts were of bewitching beauty; he lay  
    Immersed in the ford of her beauteous alkul; 
    Their bouderie which lasted a second seemed an aeon; 
    Their aeon-long union passed away like a second.        (3422) 
 
269.     Thus he sweetly abode there in bliss; by reason of his 
    Joyous and great sojourn in ever-during Otriyoor, he could 
    Adore the sacred feet of the Lord who is crescent-crested; 
    Many a season came in succession, and rolled by.        (3423) 
 
270.     The splendorous southerly born in Potiyil of swelling 
    Tamil, passing through the beauteous sandal-trees 
    Laden with their perfume and getting fostered 
    In many a garden of hill-slopes, began to waft 
    Gently in Tiruvotriyoor; then Aaroorar's mind 
    Hovered over the adoration of the Tiruvolakkam 
    Of the Lord of Tiruvaaroor-- Veethi Vitangkan--, 
    During His auspicious festival of Vasantham.            (3424) 
 
271.     Aaroorar imagined that he indeed heard and witnessed 
    In person, the song and dance of Paravaiyaar 
    Of mellifluous words, during the Tiruvolakkam-- 
    Circled by women of dazzling foreheads--, of the Lord 
    Veethivitangkan who wears a white crescent on His crown.    (3425) 
 
272.     He abides in joy in Poongkoyil; He is enshrined 
    In the Ant-Hill; He thinks on them that thinks on Him 
    In unforgetful and loving devotion: of adoration unto him 
    Aaroorar grew conscious, as the fruit of his regular 
    And proper worship in the past; exclaiming: 
    "Lo, here did I clean forget Him," 
    He wallowed exceedingly in misery.                (3426) 
 
273.     Much, very much, did he think on the Lord enshrined 
    In Poongkoyil, the Lord who is the Author 
    Of the Vedas, the Lord who abides in joy in Tiruvaaroor, 
    And hailed Him in a divine and musical decad of lofty verses 
    Which opened thus: "Patthimaiyum atimaiyum..."            (3427) 
 
274.     Then, one day, thinking very much on Tiruvaaroor, he entered, 
    The temple of His who is sweet to think on, 
    And adored Him; as he moved out leaving Otriyoor 
    By reason of his oath, the light of his eyes grew extinct; 
    He could not see the treading ground; he swooned.        (3428) 
 
275.     He did not know what he could do; he was bewildered; 
    He heaved long sighs of distress; he thought 
    Thus: "This is the result of my transgression 
    Of my plighted word to her whose eyes are touched 
    With collyrium." Then he mused thus: 
    "I will hail my Lord in numbers to rid me 
    of this misery that has come to me."                (3429) 
 
276.    With adoring heart he fell prostrate on the ground 
    And hailed the Lord of ever-during Aadipuri 
    In a decad of verse which opened thus: 
    "Azhukku meikodu."  Contemplating the flower soft feet 
    Of the Lord whose half is His Consort, he prayed  
    To Him thus: "You should abolish this flaw." He was 
    Ashamed of his cruel and helpless plight and stigma; 
    He hailed the Lord in mellifluous melody, and Him 
    Adored; then he thought of many, many things.            (3430) 
 
277.     When that happened to be the grace of the Lord 
    He folded his beauteous hands above his head and adored 
    Him; borne by a soaring love to adore at Aaroor, 
    He resolved not to return (to Otriyoor); led by them 
    That came with him, he came to Tirumullaivaayil 
    Of the Lord who wears the crescent in His matted hair, 
    Moved into the temple, and hymned a glorious 
    And divine decad in which he hailed Him thus: "For the sake 
    Of Sangkili, You caused my eyes to become blind."        (3431) 
 
278.     Unto the hoary, glorious and munificent Lord 
    Of Mullaivaayil who in the past graced Tondaimaan, 
    He prayed thus: "Deign to eztirpate my cruel misery." 
    Having thus hailed Him, he who marched onward, poised 
    In his great desire, came to Venpaakkam, rich 
    In mansions and great houses, and girt with flowery 
    Gardens where the bees hummed in joy; when serviteurs 
    Came forth t_ receive him, he paid obeisance 
    To them and moved into the temple of the Lord, who, 
    Of yore, peeled off the hide of the irate tusker.        (3432) 
 
279.     Companied with the devotees he circumambulated 
    The Shrine and came before the sanctum sanctorum 
    Of the merciful Lord and praised His virtues; he hailed 
    And adored Him; folding his hands above his head 
    He worshipped Him and then addressed Him thus: 
    "Are You present in this temple where You abide 
    In joy" To Van-tondar that questioned Him thus 
    The Lord gave a stick to walk with 
    And with indifferent words, thus replied him: 
    "We are (very much) here; You had better proceed." 
    Thus spake the Lord as though he were a stranger.        (3433) 
 
280.     He hymned Him in a decad which opened thus: "Pizhai 
    Ulama Porutthiduvar"; the chief of Tirunaavaloor girt 
    With cloud-capped walls, hailed the Lord who is 
    Joyously concorporate with His Consort abiding in joy 
    At Venpaakkam sporting the serpent as His jewel.        (3434) 
 
281.     Having hymned before the Lord the divine decad brimming 
    With music which was like a garland of verse in the form 
    Of a complaint, he mused thus: "The grace of my Lord 
    Amounts to this much only." Then with the ever glorious 
    Devotees he adored the Lord, and was soon on his way.        (3435) 
 
282.     Leaving the town of the Merciful One with the devotees 
    He came to Pazhayanoor rich in tanks and fields 
    Where burgeoned lotus-flowers, and abode at a place 
    Without Tiruvaalangkaadu of the crescent-crested 
    Lord-Dancer--, the holy town unto which Peyaar, 
    The mother, arrived measuring the distance 
    With her head and abode there in devotion.            (3436) 
 
283.     Facing the temple he hailed and adored the Lord; 
    His divine decad compact of music, opened with the word; 
    "Mutthaa", and he worshipped the Lord in delight; 
    Adoring Him again, he took His leave, and in love 
    Proceeded to Tiruvooral and there hailed the Lord; 
    Thence he came to the great city of Kaanchi rich 
    In beauteous mansions and girt with impregnable walls.        (3437) 
 
284.     Van-tondar adored the sky-high tower that stood fronting 
    The temple of Mother Kaamaakshi, who, abiding 
    At Kacchi-k-Kaamakottam bounded by gardens abounding 
    In honey-bees, fosters holy dharma, prompted 
    By unending compassion for all embodied lives.            (3438) 
 
285.     Adoring, he prostrated on the ground, rose up, 
    Again hailed the grace of Grace and moved on; 
    Following the flawless devotees he came to Tiruvekampam 
    Of the Primal Lord-- the Creator, Fosterer and Absorber 
    Of the hoary universe--, bowed before Him 
    And prayed to Him thus: "What have I -- the false one--, 
    To articulate before Your divine presence!"            (3439) 
 
286.     "O Lord of merciful eyes who ate the exceedingly 
    Dreadful venom, whilst the celestials feasted on nectar! 
    Kacchi Yekampaa! Be pleased to forgive the sins 
    Which I -- the least worthy of men--, committed 
    Unwittingly! Grant me eyes to behold Your form 
    Of coral splendour!" Thus praying 
    He prostrated on the floor in adoration.            (3440) 
 
287.     To Aaroorar who meditated on the roseate feet-- 
    Unto which Himavant's liana- like Daughter 
    Of kayal-like eyes with streaks of red offered pooja 
    Holding in Her rosy and lotus-like flower-hands 
    Cool and fresh blooms--, and hailed and adored the Lord 
    In soaring love; the Lord who grew lithe when His Consort 
    Embraced Him, restored the vision of his left eye.        (3441) 
 
288.    When the Lord unknowable to Vishnu who burrowed 
    The earth and to Brahma who winged the cool sky, 
    Restored to him the eye-sight and revealed to him 
    The mark of His Consort's breast, he rushed close 
    To His presence, fell down in worship, rose up, and in delight 
    Burst out with his hymn which opened thus: 
    "Aalamthaan Ukanthavan…" He sang and danced in joy.        (3442) 
 
289.     To him that hymned and adored Him in ecstasy, the Lord 
    Gave a darshan of His aeviternal splendour with His Consort; 
    This he hailed in devotion great; folding 
    His hands above His head he worshipped Him, moved out 
    And sojourned there in joy, hailing the Lord.            (3443) 
 
290.     Worshipping the Lord of long matted hair where He wears 
    The crescent and flowers of Konrai, 
    The Lord who bears the marks of the breasts and the bangles 
    Of the great Daughter of Himavant, and singing 
    A decad-- a flower-garland of Tamil verse on Tiruvaaroor--, 
    He left the divine city of Kaanchi girt with gardens 
    And rich in melliferous flowers.                (3444) 
 
291.     In love and devotion he hymned the decad which opened 
    Thus: "Anthiyum nan pakalum;" he lilted it 
    Tunefully and melodiously and expressed his desire 
    Thus: "O when am I to reach my Lord-Father's Tiruvaaroor?" 
    Possessed by uncontainable ardour; he fared forth in joy 
    With the loving devotees.                    (3445) 
 
292.     On his way at each holy and ever-during town  
    He visited the temple of the Lord who wears 
    In His crown Vanni and Vilva, adored the Lord 
    And adorned Him with garlands of celebratory 
    Tamil verse; thus he reached Tiruvaamaatthoor 
    Rich in tanks and fields where swans teemed.            (3446) 
 
293.     Adoring the feet of the Beautiful One, the merciful Lord 
    Of Aamaatthoor, he sang a divine decad of abiding music; 
    Then crossing the great and fecund Tondai Nadu which 
    Confers auspiciousness on the world, he reached 
    The glorious and well-watered country 
    Where Kocchengkanaan was born.                    (3447) 
 
294.     He reached Tiruvaratthurai in that realm. 
    Prostrated before the fragrant and flower-soft feet 
    Of the Lord who wields the fulgurant weapon of mazhu, 
    Rose up and adorned Him with a garland of Tamil verse, 
    Beginning with the words: "Kalvaai akil," 
    And sojourned there in joy 
    With the devotees of ever-during ardour.            (3448) 
 
295.     Having adored at Tiruvaratthurai of the Supreme Lord 
    He visited many a shrine of Siva whose flag 
    Sports the young Bull, hailed and adored 
    His fragrant flower-feet, bathed in the Cauvery 
    Of immense waters, companied with the devotees 
    And then came near cool Tiruvaavaduthurai whose Lord 
    Wears as a jewel, the serpent.                    (3449) 
 
296.     On His arrival, he was received there 
    By the devotees; with them he moved into the temple 
    Of swelling glory, circumambulated 
    The inner shrine, came before the Lord's presence 
    And hymned thus: "O Lord in whose matted hair, the Ganga 
    Thrives! Behold me who am deprived of an eye!" 
    The sorrowing serviteur sang thus in his tuneful 
    Decad: "O Lord, who indeed is my kin?"                (3450) 
 
297.     Having hailed Him in a divine decad, he adored Him, 
    And blessed with His leave he longingly fared forth 
    To Tirutthurutthi, moved into the shrine and adored 
    In great devotion the ankleted feet of the pure 
    And purifying Lord, and prayed to Him thus: "Be pleased 
    To rid me of the misery of my affliction."            (3451) 
 
298.     To him that thus hailed and adored, the Supreme One 
    Graciously spake thus: "For the total cure 
    Of your affliction, take a special bath in the Northern Tank 
    Where bees hum over goodly blossoms." Thus bidden 
    The serviteur who knew not deception, adored Him 
    Folding his hands, and marched on.                (3452) 
 
299.     He reached the tank rich in efficacious water, 
    Prayed to the Lord of Tirutthurutthi who is 
    A manifestation of all the glories celebrated 
    By the Vedas, and plunged into it; as he did so, he stood 
    Cured of his recent malady, and at that very moment 
    Came to be endowed with a divine body, 
    Which blazed with ruby lustre.                    (3453) 
 
300.     Even as the beholders marvelled at it, he came forth 
    To the bank of the tank, had his change of clothing, 
    And in great and soaring devotion reached the temple; 
    In the presence of the devotees he sang in sevenfold music 
    A decad of deliverance to all the men inhabiting 
    The eight directions should they comprehendingly 
    Hail it; it opened with the words: "Minnu maa mekangkal…"    (3454) 
 
301.     Having sung tunefully the Tamil decades he sojourned 
    There with the serviteurs that always think on Him, 
    Unforgetful of the divine grace of the supreme Lord, 
    And hailed Him; then he visited the many shrines 
    Where the Lord who pervades his heart, abides, 
    And adored Him, then he moved on and eftsoons beheld 
    Before him Tiruvaroor filling his whole ken.            (3455) 
 
302.     Though he beheld it with all his heart, his joy 
    Was not complete as he beheld it with one eye only; 
    He fell flat on the ground, heaved deep sighs, rose up 
    And straight adored it; Van-Tondar, entered Tiruvaaroor 
    At dusk and moved into the temple of the Lord 
    Of holy lips and dense matted hair, to adore Him.        (3456) 
 
303.     He moved into the temple of Paravai-unn-mandali 
    Companied with the swelling devotee-throng; 
    He adored the Lord and hailed Him in a sublime 
    And tuneful decad which opened thus: "Thoovaayaa"; 
    In that decad he prayed thus: "Remove our sorrows 
    And bless us with the light of eye to behold." 
    Thus he sang his rich and rare Tamil verse 
    Before the Merciful One.                    (3457) 
 
304.     Having adored the river-crested Lord, he moved out 
    And abode at a different place; with the devotees 
    He came near Tirumoolattaanam of the Lord whose 
    Banner sports the Bull, knowing the time to be propitious 
    For adoration during the Atthayaama service.            (3458) 
 
305.     As he beheld the serviteurs of the Primal Lord 
    Coming before him, he sang, facing them, a decad which 
    Opened thus: "Kuruku paaya"; through this decad that he 
    Sang in flawless and tuneful melody, as though he were 
    A stranger, he interrogated the serviteurs; he melodised 
    It in Kaikkilai on account of his sorrow; 
    Thus singing he moved on with them.                (3459) 
 
306.     He proceeded first to Tiru-th-Tevaasiriyan 
    Of soaring glory; and adored it; then he adored 
    The cloud-capped tower, folding his hands, moved in 
    And hailed the poongkoyil decked with many garlands; 
    Then he prostrated on the ground 
    In great love and devotion of abiding ardour.            (3460) 
 
307.     He rose up; folding his hands in adoration 
    He stood before the Lord and burst into sobs; 
    He wilted not content with the restoration of sight 
    To one flower-soft eye only; thus he prayed to the Lord; 
    "Be pleased to retrieve me, Your serviteur 
    From the deep sea of misery; grant me my desire 
    And bless me with the (other) eye."                (3461) 
 
308.     To drink with eyes the Nectar not to be tasted 
    With lips, -- the Lord that is enshrined in Tiruvaaroor, 
    The Wearer of Pigngnakam enshrined in Tirumoolattaanam--, 
    In fitting love and devotion, the Prince of Naavaloor 
    Hailed the Lord and beseeched Him thus: 
    "Be pleased to give me the other eye"                (3462) 
 
309.     His decad opened thus: "Meelaa adimai;" he hymned 
    This decad compact of comely and charming words 
    As the devotee and hallowed companion of the Lord, 
    And hailed the aeviternal Lord who was pleased to eat 
    The poison to forefend the death of the celestial orders 
    And prayed to Him thus: "Will you suffer Your true devotees 
    Who foster Your feet with love, to endure misery?"        (3463) 
 
310.     The Lord of Hosts-- the Holy One enshrined in the Ant-Hill--, 
    Deigned to grace Van-tondar for his loving devotion 
    And suffering; when He cast His gracious looks on him 
    And endowed him with sight in his cool and flower-like eye 
    His heart grew ecstatic and he fell 
    At the flower-feet of the Lord.                    (3464) 
 
311.     He prostrated on the ground, rose up and adored  
    The Lord in manifold ways; he hailed Him exceedingl; 
    He sang and danced in joy that welled up in him; 
    He was indeed immersed in a flood of delight; 
    With his two eyes he drank in the grace of Lord Siva 
    That rose up like a cool, splendid and coral-hued shoot 
    From the beautiful and golden Ant-Hill, and revelled in joy.     (3465) 
 
312.     He hailed and adored the Lord during the time 
    The service lasted; then, Aaroorar who came to be born 
    For the deliverance of the world, in loving devotion 
    Circumambulated the inner shrine of the golden 
    And beautiful Poongkoyil, moved out of the entrance 
    Where abode Vishnu and Brahma, awaiting 
    The hour propitious, to prefer their petitions 
    To the Lord, and came towards Tevassiriyan, 
    In the company of glorious devotees.                (3466) 
 
313.     When Nampi Aaroorar parted from Nangkai Paravaiyaar, 
    Assailed by loneliness in her beauteous mansion, she 
    Languished; her days became nights and nights, days; 
    Thus passed her time; swelling love in her upsurged 
    And she grieved much; thus rolled a few days.            (3467) 
 
314.     'Tirunaavaloorar poised_in the holy way, having reached 
    Otriyoor, married there in great splendour 
    The rotund-breasted Sangkiliyaar.' When the truth 
    Of this dictum was verified and reported 
    To her by her messengers who were sent by her to him 
    She grew wroth unconsciously and sorely languished, 
    Besieged by an uncontrollable ire.                (3468) 
 
315.     She would not slumber on her soft bed damasked 
    With flowers; neither would she desire to keep awake in joy; 
    Nor would she be seated on her beauteous seat, decked 
    With gold and flowers; she would neither stand 
    Nor walk; she would not move out of the house; 
    She would not forfend the shower of flowery darts 
    Caused by Manmata; she would not think on Aaroorar; 
    Neither would she forget him; alas, what could she do? 
    She was tossed between bouderie and separation 
    Both of which were bone-melting.                (3469) 
 
316.     While thus she languished in helpless misery, Aaroorar 
    Came before the temple of the Lord who wears in His crest 
    A white curved crescent; his glorious retinue 
    Proceeded to the mansion of lily-eyed Paravaiyaar; 
    When as usual they tried to enter it, they were not 
    Admitted; so they stood outside.                (3470) 
 
317.     A few of them that so stood there, came 
    To Nampi Aaroorar of ever-during renown, and said: 
    "They happen to know every happening at Tiruvotriyur 
    And no one detail had escaped them; so this day, 
    They in the mansion pushed us away; we could not  
    Even tarry outside the mansion."                (3471) 
 
318.     Van-tondar who languished in his mind, when he 
    Heard such words, thought over the matter; 
    Gaining clarity, he deployed a few men well-versed 
    In the way of the phenomenal world to his beloved 
    Paravaiyaar, to study her irate state 
    And devise ways and means to pacify her.            (3472) 
 
319.     They that fared forth with Nampi Aaroorar's grace 
    Arrived at the beautiful and golden mansion 
    Of Nangkai Paravaiyaar; they came before her 
    Of fulgurant waist who lay sunk in the fiery sea 
    Of bouderie, and with a view to pacify her, 
    Spake thus: "Does this become our lady?" 
    They also appealed to her in many ways.                (3473) 
 
320.     Having failed to convince her by methods of Saama, 
    They resorted to Bheda, poised in Niti; she would have 
    None of these; her resentment remained intact, 
    And she addressed them and said: "If you persist 
    In your importunities on his behalf who is linked 
    With evil, I will assuredly give up my life." When they 
    Heard her speak thus, they grew scared, and moved away.        (3474) 
 
321.     They moved out, came to the Prince of Tirumunaippaadi 
    Bounded by cool and beautiful fields, and narrated to him 
    The events as they happened; Aaroorar grew scared, 
    And he grieved; unable to sight the plank with the help 
    Of which he might cross the sea of misery 
    And reach ashore, his mental distress burnt fiercely 
    And he sorely languished; sunk in the sea of dark 
    Midnight, he knew not the way to surface up.            (3475) 
 
322.     Those that were near him slumbered; 
    Tiruvatthayaamam-service was over; men on earth 
    Ceased to walk; it was the densest part of the night 
    When even ghosts would sleep; it was then the companion 
    Of the Lord who wears on His matted hair the fragrantly 
    Blooming konrai flowers, serpent and crescent, 
    Sat alone, sunk in despair, and mused thus:            (3476) 
 
323.     "The hoary deed indeed has caused the present deed 
    And she indeed is the cause original; O Lord who  
    Owns me! Be pleased to think of visiting her, who is 
    Like a swan, at this part of the night, to rid her 
    Of her bouderie; if You do so, I am saved; 
    If not, I am done for." Thus he thought, 
    Beseeching the Lord and invoking His feet.            (3477) 
 
324.     Can the Lord who cannot bear to behold the misery 
    Of His devotees keep aloof without implementing 
    The wish of His companion whom He rules? The lord who wears 
    The marks of the breasts and the bangles of gold 
    Worn by the Mother of the universe, came thither 
    Planting on earth His feet unknown to Vishnu 
    And Brahma, and Aaroorar beheld Him.                (3478) 
 
325.     When thus the Lord was pleased to come there, 
    In uncontainable delight, his limbs trembled; 
    The hair on his_thrilled body stood erect; the soft 
    And lotus-like hands of Nampi Aaroorar folded 
    Above his head, and he fell at the ruddy, lotus-like 
    Feet of the Lord who shares in His left His Consort.        (3479) 
 
326.     Unto the friend who fell at His feet, adored Him 
    And stood before Him poised in great longing, the Lord said: 
    "What is it that afflicts you?" Him adoring, 
    He spake thus: "It is mine own doing 
    Which proves to be my undoing, and from this 
    You must lift me up and rule me by Your mercy.            (3480) 
 
327.     "At Tiruvotriyoor, graced by You Yourself 
    I married Sangkili whose bright eyes are sharp 
    Like the blade of wrought spear, and lived in joy; 
    Paravai of willowy waist, coming to know  
    Of all this, affirms that if I should come 
    To her, she would give up her ghost; so what shall I do?    (3481) 
 
328.     "O my Master! If I am truly Your serviteur, if You are  
    Truly my goodly companion, more dear to me 
    Than even my mother, and if You are truly my Lord God, 
    Behold then my senseless plight and distress, and proceed 
    To annul, this very night, the bouderie of Paravai."        (3482) 
 
329.     The Lord who demands nought but love, desiring to do that 
    Which His devotee sought, facing Aaroorar who 
    Petitioned to Him standing before Him, said: 
    "Abolish sorrow; we even now are proceeding to her 
    Who is adorned with jewels of gold, as your messenger."        (3483) 
 
330.     Van-tondar grew boundlessly joyous, fell at the feet 
    Of the Lord, rose up, praised Him in all ways, 
    Felt beatific, and spake to the Lord thus: "Be pleased 
    To proceed without delay to the cloud-capped mansion 
    Of Paravai whose teeth are white mullai buds, 
    And rid her bouderie." Thus he prayed to Him.            (3484) 
 
331.     The Lord who ate the Aalaala poison as though it were 
    Nectar, so that the celestials might thrive, 
    And so became beauteously blue-throated, --  
    Even He who is unknown to the Two--, to annul 
    The misery of the serviteur, fared forth 
    As a messenger to the mansion of Paravaiyaar 
    In whose flowery koontal chafers abode.                (3485) 
 
332.     Among the Devas who stood waiting in Tevaasiriyan 
    Seeking boons, some adored Him and accompanied Him, 
    While the others moved out having adored Him; 
    Inseparable serviteurs who ever plied themselves 
    In intimate servitorship, leaders of Siva-Bhoota Hosts, 
    Never-aging munis and yogis walked before Him.            (3486) 
 
333.     Joining the great Nandi, the rishis, Kubera 
    The friend of Siva, others joyously hailed Him; 
    Heavens showered fragrant and splendorous flowers 
    Which filled and damasked the divine street; 
    It was thus the peerless messenger of the devotee 
    Plied His steps on the holy street.                (3487) 
 
334.     "The Lord's lotus feet could never be seen by Vishnu 
    And Brahma; it is time when one can wear these feet 
    One one's crown." Thus proclaimed the anklets 
    Of the Lord whose throat is dark, as He ate the sea's venom; 
    The anklets that entwined His lotus feet thus spake aloud, 
    And the Lord fared forth, even thus, to the mansion 
    Of Paravaiyaar whose eyes were like blue lilies.        (3488) 
 
335.     The Lord moved on swiftly followed by His devotees, 
    The snakes of His matted hair where the Ganga roars, 
    The honey-bees on the konrai-chaplets nigh the crescent, 
    The Vedas and also the mind of Van-tondar; 
    Thus, even thus, He marched on.                    (3489) 
 
336.     As at the sides of the Lord who, of yore, 
    Peeled off the hide of the ichorous tusker whose 
    Trumpeting was louder than the roar of the sea, 
    They gathered closely, that street of Tiruvaaroor 
    Whereon the beauteous Lord fared forth, looked as though 
    It would reveal in itself the whole of Siva-loka.        (3490) 
 
337.     When the messenger of Nampi Aaroorar who was 
    Born for the deliverance of the world, came near 
    The threshold of the beautiful and gemmy mansion 
    Of Paravaiyaar, He bade all others that came with Him 
    To tarry thither; then in the holy guise 
    Of a Brahmin-muni who has been performing His pooja 
    For a long time, he proceeded there, all alone.            (3491) 
 
338.     He went there, stood before the securely barred doors 
    And called out thus: "O Paavaai, open the door!" 
    She of the so_t and dense koontal who sorely languished 
    And kept awake without a wink of sleep, 
    Thought thus: "He on whose chest it beheld 
    The glowing sacred thread, even he, the performer 
    Of pooja unto the Lord that rules us, calls me."        (3492) 
 
339.     She grew scared thinking thus: "Why is it that 
    The performer of pooja to the crescent-crested Lord 
    Calls me at dead of night?" Not knowing 
    That it was indeed the Lord whose half is Uma, 
    She whose forehead is like a half moon, 
    Rushed forth agitated, and opened the door.            (3493) 
 
340.     She paid obeisance to Him-- the ever-during 
    Friend of Van-tondar--, that stood before 
    Her mansion's threshold, as the messenger of Aaroorar, 
    And said: "When at this dead of night 
    The whole world is asleep, why should you— 
    O wearer of the beautiful sacred thread on you 
    Bright chest--, who are very like the Lord 
    That rules me, be pleased to come here?"            (3494) 
 
341.     He who concealed the matted hair in which lay 
    Concealed the Ganga, thereupon said: "If you, 
    Without declining, be pleased to fulfil my wish, 
    I will tell you the purpose of My visit." 
    To this, she whose eyes were beauteous as the kayal, 
    Replied thus: "If you be pleased to disclose it 
    And if it befits me, I will consent to do so."            (3495) 
 
342.     When she said, that when informed of the purpose 
    She would carry out his purpose if it became her,     
    The Lord said: "O woman of fulgurant waist! 
    Nampi Aarooran should be welcomed here!" 
    To this, she of beautiful forehead said: "Great, 
    Very great, indeed would be our glory (then)!"            (3496) 
 
343.     She subjoined and said: "He who would as usual 
    Return for the Pangkuni festival, parted from me, 
    Went to Otriyoor and got enchained by Sangkili; 
    What indeed attracts him here? O, beautiful 
    Is the message you have come with, during this night."        (3497) 
 
344.     The Lord that listened to her graciously, spake thus: 
    "O Nangkai! I have come hither to beseech you 
    Not to bear in mind Nampi's offences; it is 
    To rid you of your resentment and to abolish 
    Your state of suffering I have come; 
    So it ill-becomes you to decline my request."            (3498) 
 
345.     The great woman addressing the Brahmin-muni, 
    The great one well-versed in the rare Vedas, said: 
    "If this be your mission, your coming to this house 
    Ill-befits your glory; I will not suffer his coming here; 
    He has his Salvation at Otriyoor; please go back." 
    Thus she couched her refusal.                     (3499) 
 
346.     The Lord that heard her, inly laughed; He would not 
    Reveal to her His true state; He was pleased 
    To witness the suffering passion of His unique 
    And great friend; He was poised for this divine sport; 
    With the word of refusal of her of fragrant hair, He returned.    (3500) 
 
347.     Having sent his messenger, the serviteur eagerly 
    Awaited His return; meanwhile he lamented thus: 
    "I, an ignoramus, beseeched the Lord-God to pacify 
    The bouderie of her of fair forehead." 
    He thought that He would convince Paravaiyaar 
    And return securing her loving consent.                (3501) 
 
348.     He mused thus: "What would have the Holy One 
    Done, when He arrived at her house?" 
    Would she refuse (to accept me) when the Lord 
    Comes in person espousing my cause? 
    Surely He who went there, alive to my distress, 
    Will not return without pacifying the jewelled beauty.        (3502) 
 
349.     He rose up and proceeded to meet Him on His way; 
    Not beholding Him, he would return; he would  
    Stand bewildered; he would feel wilted; 
    He would rise up, saying, "He will not, 
    The Lord of trinocular vision, delay." 
    Then he would move aside when Manmatha 
    Showered his flowery darts on him; thus he grieved.        (3503) 
 
350.     When the Lord who sports a serpent in His matted hair 
    Returned in His own form from Paravaiyaar's house 
    After His visit as a messenger, the night blazing bright 
    Looked as though it were but day; up rose Nampi 
    And rushed to greet Him in great joy; 
    It was like the violent flowing 
    Of flood, breaking the dam.                    (3504) 
 
351.     He bowed before the Lord and when He smiled 
    Unaware of the play behind it, and thinking 
    That He had effected a rapprochement, 
    He said: "That day in the past You claimed 
    And redeemed me; this day You have chased away 
    All her wrath, and this indeed is in unison 
    With Your former grace."                    (3505) 
 
352.     To Nampi that so spake, the Great One replied thus: 
    "As beseeched by you, We went to Paravai's house 
    And We did descant on your greatnesses to her 
    Of lovingly bewitching breasts; but she would not 
    Accept you; even though We ourself entreated her 
    With pleasing words, she refused to listen to Us."        (3506) 
 
353.     When the Lord thus spake in grace, Aaroorar 
    Struck with dread, trembled; adoring the Lord, 
    He said: "Could Paravai say 'No' to You when you commanded 
    Her in grace? You have this day made it clear 
    That we are not to be counted as Your servitors.        (3507) 
 
354.     "For the flourishing of the Devas, You ate the venom 
    Of the billowy sea; when the triple hostile citadels 
    Were burnt, You saved the three from destruction; 
    For the sake of the Brahmin-lad well versed 
    In the Vedas, You smote Death to death; 
    Well, if I be odious for you, You will but return 
    Without success; will You not?"                    (3508) 
 
355.     "O, You but did what is proper; if Yu cherish not 
    This day, my servitorship, why did You in the past 
    Claim and own me? You witnessed my pain 
    And languishment; if You do not make me welcome 
    To her of the willowy waist, I will give up 
    My life." So he spake and fell at His feet.            (3509) 
 
356.     Unable to bear the suffering of Nampi Aaroorar, 
    The Lord casting His looks of grace on him 
    That fell at His feet and languished, said: 
    "We even now proceed to her, the liana, to tell her 
    To receive you; be rid of your painful misery." 
    Thus spake He that connects the results of deeds 
    With the doers thereof.                        (3510) 
 
357.     When the Lord thus blessed His bewildered friend 
    With sweet words of truth and nectarean bliss, 
    The Prince of Tirunaavaloor praised Him thus: 
    "Ridding me of painful commotion, You have also 
    Cured me, the serviteur of Your sacred feet, of fear; 
    It is thus, even thus, You should rule Your serviteur."        (3511) 
 
358.     Prompted by mercy for His devotee, the Lord went again; 
    Aaroorar followed Him to a distance, adored Him, 
    And returned bewildered; they that did not accompany the Lord 
    On His earlier visit, now adoring Him went after Him; 
    Thus the Lord of golden and matted hair 
    Proceeded to the hallowed mansion of Paravaiyaar.        (3512) 
 
359.     When the Lord that called on her in the guise 
    Of a Brahmin left her, Paravaiyaar whose forehead was 
    Like the moon, became convinced by many wondrous 
    Happenings that the Muni well-versed in the Vedas, was 
    None other than the Primal Lord of abounding mercy; 
    She cried thus: "Alas, I talked back and refused 
    To abide by the words of the Lord Himself."            (3513) 
 
360.     She would not sleep; fierce and helpless sorrow 
    Possessed her; she mused thus: "When this day, the Lord 
    Of gods came here in the form of a priest that performs 
    His pooja, for the sake of His companion, I could not 
    Know of it; Oh the sinner that I am!" Casting her looks 
    On the bright threshold, when she, companied 
    With her companions, wallowed in misery.             (3514) 
 
361.     The Lord of matted hair fragrant with Konrai blooms 
    Came forth in His own exquisite form, surrounded 
    By innumerable leaders of Bhoota-Hosts, densely-thronging 
    Devas, Yogis and Munis, and entered 
    The mansion of flawlessly glorious Paravaiyaar.            (3515) 
 
362.     The mansion to which the Lord of great mercy came 
    Was like unto a southern Kailaas, the glorious, sacred, 
    And argent Mount of the Lord, as there thronged 
    All the leaders of the Bhoota-Hosts, Captains of other 
    Hosts, Devas, righteous Munis, Siddhas and Yakshas.        (3516) 
 
363.     When the Great One arrived, surrounded by the dwellers 
    Of all the worlds, Paravaiyaar who came 
    Forth to greet Him, experienced a mystical tremendum; 
    Then she hastened to fall 
    At His roseate and redemptive feet.                (3517) 
 
364.     He who is inaccessible to Vishnu and Brahma, addressing 
    The woman that wore choice jewels, said: "Privileged 
    By friendship, Aarooran bade us, and We are here; 
    O woman of fragrant hair, bid_him that suffers, 
    Parted from You, a warm welcome."                (3518) 
 
365.     The woman of big and broad eyes was struck with fear; 
    With a sorrowing heart, and folding her flower-hands 
    Above her locks, she spake to Him thus: 
    "As a fruit of my rare tapas, You are now here; 
    Was it You my Lord that came here a while ago 
    In the form of an  extraordinarily sacred Brahmin?"        (3519) 
 
366.     Teardrops gathered in her eyes and began to flow 
    Down; adoring the Lord, she made to Him her submission 
    Thus: "Putting Your radiant and salvific feet 
    To pain, during a whole night, for the sake of a loving 
    Devotee of Yours, You have been walking hither and thither; 
    So what can I do but express my assent?"            (3520) 
 
367.     "Nangkai, you but spoke worthy words that became 
    Your lofty stature" said the Lord-Patron who is 
    Concorporate with His Consort; then He hastened 
    Away from her; she whose forehead was like the moon, followed Him 
    To a distance and then returned after adoring Him; 
    Our Lord, the messenger of Nampi, was now hastening to him.    (3521) 
 
368.     When the Lord who would not reveal His crown 
    Or feet to questing Brahma and Vishnu, plied Himself 
    Willingly as a messenger of His serviteur, the various 
    Leaders of the Bhoota Hosts and glorious heroes who were 
    Poised in the splendour of Siva-consciousness, witnessing 
    The Lord's act dance and sang in joy in that street in dense  
                            throngs.(3522) 
 
369.     When these thus fared forth before Him or after Him 
    Or at His sides, the Lord of Tiruvaaroor proceeded 
    In all celerity to effect the re-union of His devotee 
    Nampi Aaroorar with Paravaiyaar, the lightning-waisted; 
    As He thus hastened, the waves of the Ganga in His crest 
    Tossed about and spilled; thus the Lord 
    Came towards Aaroorar versed in the Vedas.            (3523) 
 
370.     The serviteur mused thus: "The Lord went away, 
    And by His assurance gave me back my life; 
    But I know not what He would do yet." 
    With unwinking eyes he fastened his look on the street 
    Made resplendent by the treading of the Lord that wears 
    On His chest the sacred thread wrought of gold.            (3524) 
 
371.     Just then, unto him that languished by the flowery darts 
    Of Manmata, the Lord who would confer on him 
    The ever-during life, came; Aaroorar greeted Him 
    And wore as it were on his crown His feet-- the Palladium for 
    The triple worlds--; yet he was not sure 
    Of what the Lord would be pleased to observe.            (3525) 
 
372.     "Oh my Lord, from her who is liana-like and who 
    Without fostering my life grieves me so sore, 
    What woeful tidings do You carry for me?" he asked. 
    Thereupon his Lord told him thus: "We have assuaged 
    The wrath of her who has a flowing koontal; O Nampi. 
    You can now go forth to rejoin her."                (3526) 
 
373.     When the Lord known as Nandi graced him thus, 
    Delightful ardour welled up in his heart full of well-being; 
    Then he spake to the Lord thus: "O Lord, You indeed 
    Are the granter of bondage and release befitting lives; 
    O my lord-Father, can aught grieve me henceforth?"        (3527) 
 
374.     When Aaroorar fell at His feet, the Lord that is 
    Easy of access to His friend, bade him thus: 
    "You may now go back to the bejewelled beauty." 
    This said, for the flouring of the world 
    The Lora Veethi Vitangka mounted His sublime 
    And victorious Bull and entered the temple 
    Whose entrance-threshold is decked with gold.            (3528) 
 
375.     He followed the Lord a few feet, prostrated 
    Before Him, rose up and returned blessed with His leave; 
    He praised Him thus: "My Lord is omnivaliant!" 
    In great delight when Nampi Aaroorar fared 
    Forth towards the threshold of the golden mansion  
    Of her of perfumed locks.                    (3529) 
 
376.     His retinue which already woke up from its slumber 
    Came densely encircling him; the Devas showered 
    Bright, beauteous and ethereal blooms, and hailed him; 
    Southerly wafted gently bearing with it fragrant, 
    Coll and soft spray and thus made delectable his way.        (3530) 
 
377.     His retinue-- the carriers of garlands, cool paste 
    Of fragrant concoction, sandal-paste mixed with musk, 
    Exceedingly good and aromatic camphor, saffron, 
    Jewels to be wo_n on the beauteous person, 
    Varieties of garments and other things (like fruits, 
    Nuts, and betel leaves)--, walked ahead of him.            (3531) 
 
378.     In such splendour her arrived there; in fitting love 
    She whose eyes were painted with collyrium 
    Had her whole mansion decorated with great skill 
    In manifold ways of excellence; she had rows of lamps kept there 
    Fed with ghee; censers and pots filled with fragrant 
    And holy water, were also duly set.                (3532) 
 
379.     With fragrant, bright and beautiful garlands, 
    And wreaths and chaplets set with gems, she had the house 
    Adorned; the floor was coated with fragrant sandal-paste; 
    Lovely gold-dust was scattered; even as her circling 
    Friends hailed her, she came to the street 
    Filled with fragrant flowers, stood in front 
    Of the gem-inlaid threshold, and awaited 
    The advent of Nampi Aaroorar                    (3533) 
 
380.     When Van-Tondar came before her in whose koontal 
    Chafers hummed, she could not behold the bounds 
    Of her flood of love; possessed by exceeding fear 
    And bashfulness, she paid obeisance to him; the glorious 
    Hero took hold of her cool and rosy palm 
    And moved into the mansion.                    (3534) 
 
381.     They both hailed the great acts of divine mercy 
    Which their Lord enacted for their sake; 
    Their chintas were immersed in a flood of joy; 
    Each was poised in the other, and a single life 
    Pervaded their bodies held in happy union.            (3535) 
 
382.     He adored the Lord Author of the Vedas-- the One  
    In whose matted hair the Ganga flows--, 
    Enshrined in the Ant-Hill at Poongkoyil 
    During all the hours of pooja, and adorned Him 
    With splendorous decad that invested the world 
    With resplendence; thus the wearer of the lotus-garland 
    And chains set with gems, flourished there in joy.        (3536) 
 
383.     "Without any qualms of conscience Nampi Aaroorar  
    Plied the Lord as a messenger to his woman!" 
    Hearing such scandalous worlds which spread swiftly 
    In this world, Yeyarkone Kalikkaamar grieved 
    At heart, wondered, feared and then spake thus:            (3537) 
 
384.     "Wonderful indeed is the errand the Lord was commanded 
    To perform by His devotee! Could one call oneself 
    A devotee that bade the Lord thus, thinking 
    It to be but fit and proper? What blasphemy 
    Is this? I am truly a ghoul, for, even after hearkening 
    To this blasphemy, my life has not quit my body."        (3538) 
 
385.     He would lament thus: "Prompted by love to join a woman, 
    He commanded the Lord who in due submission 
    Walked the earth with His roseate lotus-feet 
    In pain; lo should the peerless Lord go up and down 
    The whole night through the street where chariots ply?        (3539) 
 
386.     "Though the Lord unable to suffer the suffering 
    Of His serviteur should consent to serve, could yet 
    A devotee ply on an errand the Lord who is not 
    To be comprehended by Indra, the celestial King, 
    Vishnu and Brahma? O that day will surey be a cursed day 
    When I am to meet him that trembled not 
    In his heart to deploy the Deity!                (3540) 
 
387.     "I know not what will happen, when, face to face 
    I meet him who for the sake of a woman, plied during 
    Night my Lord-Ruler as a messenger and (still) lives!" 
    Thus he mused and his heart was full of wrath, 
    Even to the point of bursting.                    (3541) 
 
388.     When Nampi Aaroorar heard of this, he indeed deemed it 
    A beatitude to be even thus thought of by Yeyarkone 
    Kalikkaamar of lofty and endless renown; he became 
    Alive to his sinning; seeking expiation therefore, 
    He petitioned to the Lord in whose matted hair 
    Decked with beauteous and burgeoning Konrai blooms, the Ganga flows.(3542) 
 
389.     He daily prayed to the Lord, who please with it, desired 
    To make both the devotees of loving devotion get bound 
    By affectionate friendship; for this he afflicted Yeyarkone, 
    The great hero, with a dire ache of stomach 
    That made him languish in life and limb.            (3543) 
 
390.     The stomach-ache with which the Lord graced flawless 
    And ever-glorious Yeyarkone, pierced him more 
    And more like a spear fully heated with fire, 
    And caused him extreme pain; he could not bear it; 
    His heart broke; he fell at the feet of the Lord 
    Of t_e Bhoota-Hosts, and hailed him.                (3544) 
 
391.     When with all his mind and word of mouth, our lord Yeyarkone, 
    The devotee, hailed the divine and salvific feet 
    Of the Lord, he was thus graced by Him: "The grieving 
    Stomach-ache that afflicts you, can be cured only 
    By Van-tondan; it is otherwise remedyless." 
    When he heard the Lord speak thus,                (3545) 
 
392.     He said: "O our Lord! You indeed are the Protector 
    Of my father, his father and his father and our whole 
    Race; generation after generation, in unbroken 
    Tradition Your hallowed feet alone are our 
    Sole refuge; in this world I thrive even thus; 
    Is my stomach-ache that grows apace to be cured 
    By one who was newly and forcibly claimed by You?        (3546) 
 
393.     "It is better that the ache should sorely grieve me 
    Uncured by that Van-tontan; O Lord whose banner 
    Sports the Bull! Who can ever comprehend the glories 
    Of Your gracious acts? You choose to glorify 
    Your new servitor.  Well, be that as it may!" 
    When Yeyarkone spake thus, the Lord of matted hair 
    Disappeared from him.                        (3547) 
 
394.     The Lord Patron then manifested before Van-Tondar 
    And graciously spake thus: "May you this day go 
    To Yeyarkone and Our command cure him of his dire 
    Ache of stomach." Thereupon, glad in mind and thrilled 
    In body, Naavaloorar adored the Lord.                (3548) 
 
395.     When the Lord graced him thus and left him, Aaroorar 
    As commanded by the Lord of gods, hastened 
    On his errand, borne by love which his mind 
    Fostered for the friendship of Kalikkaamar; 
    He sent a messenger to inform him of his arrival 
    To cure him of his cruel gripes.                (3549) 
 
396.     He that languished from colic with which the Lord 
    In His grace afflicted him, was all the more 
    Pained when he heard the cruel words 
    Of the Lord; now when he heard of the impending arrival 
    Of Van-tondar, he mused thus: "If I be beset with the great 
    Evil of the advent of him who employed our Lord 
    As his messenger, I know not what I will do.            (3550) 
 
397.     "Before he comes to cure me of my cruel malady, 
    To deal with this sinful tormina which shall not 
    Part from me till my death, I will tear it out 
    From my stomach where it abides, and thus end it." 
    Then unsheathing the sword from its scabbard 
    He tore his stomach; that very moment, his life 
    And colic came to an end.                    (3551) 
 
398.     The ineffably glorious wife of Kalikkaamar made all 
    Arrangements for suttee to accompany her peerless 
    Husband; then a messenger from the retinue 
    Of Aaroorar came there and said: "Nampi is come; 
    He is close by." Thereupon she spake thus: 
    "Let none lament here."                        (3552) 
 
399.     She addressed the servants thus: "Conceal 
    The act of my husband; when Nampi Aaroorar 
    Her arrives, go forth to greet him, having 
    Decked this house in great splendour." 
    Thereupon the servants adorned the foreyard 
    With lamps and pots filled with fragrant water; 
    They decorated the house with garlands wrought 
    Of flower-bunches, and moved out to receive him.        (3553) 
 
400.     When the men of righteous heart came before him, greeted 
    Him and paid obeisance to him, our ruler Nampi Aaroorar 
    Smiled in joy; in true love he moved into the house 
    And sat on a seat strewn thick with flowers; 
    His face beamed in joy.                        (3554) 
 
401.     Ritualistic archana was performed to him 
    In unison with the scriptural rules; it was 
    Accepted by Nampi Aaroorar, well-versed 
    In the truths of the fourfold Vedas; then he said: 
    "I really grieve very much as by now 
    I have not cured the cruel ache of Yeyarkone; I should 
    Have done this to sojourn here in his company."            (3555) 
 
402.     By the behest of Kalikkaamar's wife, the servants 
    Of the house said: "There is nothing to grieve; 
    He slumbers in his room." When so told, Aaroorar 
    Spake in grace thus: "Even though evil comes not here, 
    Yet my mind lacks clarity, and so I must behold him."        (3556) 
 
403.     As Van-tondar persisted, they took him to Kalikkaamar; 
    Blood had gushed forth profusely from him and his 
    Intestines were jutting out; when he beheld the deceased, 
    Aaroorar said: "Great indeed is the happening! 
    I too will join him similarl_."                    (3557) 
 
404.     Resolved on self-murder, when he clutched at the dagger, 
    By the grace of the Lord that rules us, Kalikkaamar 
    Rising from the dead, shouted: "Woe is me --  
    (Now) his friend!" As he forthwith caught hold 
    Of the dagger, Van-tondar adored him and fell at his feet.    (3558) 
 
405.     When Aaroorar fell at his feet and adored him, 
    Yeyarkone threw away the dagger and fell at the feet 
    Of Aaroorar of resounding heroic anklet; witnessing 
    That day the marvel, the celestials showered 
    Karpaka flowers to the hailing of men on earth.            (3559) 
 
406.     Up rose both and embraced each other; loving 
    Friendliness joyously welled up in them 
    Without interruption; then they proceeded to Tiruppungkoor 
    And there hailed the feet of the Holy One; Van-tondar 
    Setting his mind on the grace of the Lord, hymned 
    A decad which opened thus: "Antanaalan."            (3560) 
 
407.     Thus passed a few days; then the chief 
    Of Tirumunaippaadi companied with the leader 
    Of the Yeyarkone-clan, came to Tiruvaaroor 
    And adored the Lord of Poongkoyil with him; 
    There they abode in perfect love.                (3561) 
 
408.    Having sojourned there in joy, Kalikkaamar 
    With Aaroorar's gracious leave came back to his town, 
    Abode there poised in piety and performed acts of service 
    Befitting him; eventually in all splendour he reached 
    The feet of the Lord whose mount is  
    Th glorious and red-eyed Bull.                    (3562) 
 
409.     He, the patron, became a friend of Aaroorar who during 
    Midnight employed our Lord as his messenger; 
    He is Yeyarkone; adoring his flower-feet, I now 
    Proceed to narrate the glory of Tirumoolar 
    Who, in sweet and clear Tamil, expounded the truth 
    Of the fourfold way culminating in Gnaanam 
    Which is inward realization.                    (3563) 
 
---------------- 
 
NOTES 
 
Verse No. 
   1.    Tirupperumangkalam: The birth-place of St. Yeyarkone.  Mangalam means  
    auspiciousness.  This holy place does not brook the occurrence of  
    anything that is inauspicious. St. Yeyarkone committed suicide. Yet  
    Siva, in His infinite mercy, resurrected him.  This sacred town is  
    therefore aeviternally auspicious. 
 
   7.    Tiruppunkoor: The Lord is Sivaloka Naathar.  His Consort is  
    Chokka Naayaki. 
 
  20.    Kolilee: Kolileenaadeswarar is the Lord whose Consort is  
    Vandamarpoongkuzhal Ammai.  The decad sung here opens thus: 
 
        "For long hours 
        I think of you, 
        I pray to you without pause 
        Great lord in Kolili: 
        I received a little paddy in Kuntaiyur 
        So shat the innocent woman 
        With eyes like swords 
        Would no longer be in pain. 
        Our lord -- there is no one to help. 
        let some bear 
            this burden for me."    (Tr. David Dean Shulman) 
 
  28.    This verse shows that a servitor of Siva is ever endowed with an  
    eleemosynary disposition. 
 
  33.    Naattiyatthaangkudi: The Lord is Maanikkavannar.  
    His Consort is Malarmangkai Naayaki. 
 
  40.    St. Sundarar like St. Sambandhar is Padre commune. 
 
  43.    Valivalam: Manatthunai Naathar and  
    Maazhaiyangkanni Ammai are its presiding deities. 
 
  46.    Pukaloor: Agniswarar is the Lord.  His Consort is  
    Karunthaalkuzhali Ammai. 
 
  52.    Tiruppanaiyoor: The 73rd shrine in the southern  
    bank of the Cauvery. The Lord is Soundara Naathar.  His Consort is  
    Periya Naayaki.  The decad on this town opens thus: 
     
        "Tiruppanaiyoor is rich in storeyed mansions, towers, 
        Mantapams, flourishing gardens where chafers hum 
        And fedund fields; here is He who wears a todu 
        In one ear and a kuzhai in the other, hailed by 
        His servitors who leap (in joy) and sing. 
        Behold the Lord-Dancer -- the beautiful One." 
 
  56.    Tirunannilam: The 71st shrine on the southern  
    bank of the Cauvery.  The shrine is called perungkoyil.  The Lord is  
    Maduvaneswarar.  His Consort is Maduvana Naayaki.  The decad of  
    this shrine opens thus: 
 
        "His nature is (at once) cool and fiery; He who 
        Dances Paandarangkam goes about seeking alms 
        In a skull at every threshold from damsels 
        Whose soft words are s_eet like the music of pann; 
        His feet duly hailed and extolled by the holy men 
        Well versed in the four Vedas, He abides in love 
        In the Perungkoyil at Nannilam." 
 
  57.    Tiruveezhimizhalai: The Lord is Veezhi Naathar  
    (Veezhi Azhakar).  His Consort is Sundarakuchaambika.  The decad  
    opens thus: 
        "Women radiant as gold 
        at the sacrifice 
        proper to Brahmins' four Vedas 
        grace Tirumilalai, that offers mercy  
        to those who believe. 
 
        while the celestials praised and worshipped, 
        you took the golden Vili for your home 
        together with the Mountain's daughter -- 
        now have mercy on me, too!"    (Tr. David Dean Shulman). 
 
  60.    Tiruvaanjiyam: The Lord is Vaanji Naathar. 
    His Consort is Vaazhavanta Naayaki. Our Saint's decad begins thus: 
 
        "He is hostile to the evil ones; He wears the sacred thread 
        Of three strands; He is concorporate with Uma 
        Of close-set breasts; He goes not to them that seek Him not; 
        Our Lord abides at glorious Tiruvaanjiyam, hailed by  
        The consort of Lakshmi; the unique One does not suffer 
        Kismet to torment and weaken His servitors." 
 
    Arisilkaraipputthoor: Padikkaasu Vaittha Paramar is  
    the Lord.  His Consort is Azhakammai.  Our saint's decad opens thus: 
 
        "When the Mountain's Daughter stood scared 
        Of the ichorous tusker, You peeled off its hide; 
        You gutted with fire the winged citadels, three in number 
        You forsake not Your riding the murderous 
        And bellowing Bull; neither will You give up 
        Your seeking of paltry alms from each threshold. 
        O beautiful Lord of the pulchritudinous Tirupputthoor 
        Upon the southern bank of Arisil whose flood rolls with 
        And throws up antlers and tusks of tuskers, 
        Fantails of peacocks and dark eagle-wood." 
 
  61.    Naraiyoor Chiddheeccharam: The Lord is Siddha  
    Naathar. His Consort is Azhakammai.  The decad sung here opens: 
 
        "On His matted crest where rest the crescent, the flood 
        And flowers, a serpent crawls; cascade which roll 
        With their current gems and gold, flow onto His 
        Naraiyoor Chiddheeccharam." 
 
  63.    Tiruvaavaduthurai: The Lord is Maasilaamani. 
    His Consort is Oppilaamulai Ammai.  The decad of this shrine  
    begins thus: 
 
        "When the Brahmin - Brahmachaari, in all love 
        Sought refuge in You, You saved his precious life 
        By kicking Yama -- the wielder of a bloody spear (to death) 
        Aware of this, I, Your servitor, ever hail and extol You 
        As our Lord and God and pay You obeisance 
        Seeking the Palladium of Your anklet-resounding feet, 
        In abounding love, O the hoary Lord of Aavaduthurai!" 
 
  65.    Idai Maruthu: (Tiruvidaimaruthhoor): The Lord  
    is Mahalingam His Consort is Perunanmulai Naayaki.  The decad  
    opens thus: 
 
        "My Father which art at Idaimarutu! 
        Men will deride when a donkey wilts unable to endure 
        The burden of saffron-bales; even so I feel 
        Bewildered caught in a maelstrom, when I  
        Pursue Your servitorship but unable to come by its fruit. 
        O manam, of what avail is weeping? 
        O Lord, be pleased to bless me with the way of redemption,  
        Even to me who is brainless and who canst not 
        Hail You as Hara, the all-merciful One." 
 
    Tirunaakeccharam: The Lord is Tirunaakesurar.  
    His Consort is Kunraamulai Ammail  The decad opens thus: 
 
        "Wherefore, did You quaff the immense and blue venom 
        At which Uma whose forehead is bright like the moon, 
        Quaked and shuddered, O Lord of Tirunaakeccharam 
        Where winged and pretty chafers revel in the pollen 
        Of tulsi and mullai flower and then settle 
        On the creepers of kurukkatthi?" 
 
  67.    Kalayanalloor: The 68th shrine on the southern  
    bank of the Cauvery.  The Lord is Amrutakalaa Naathar and His  
    Consort is Amrutavalli.  The lilting decad opens thus: 
 
        "Do you seek to know of His town, the One 
        Who is the Lord of the celestials and who 
        Sports an eye in His forehead -- 
        Who, beholding the askesis of Hers 
        Whose breasts are like tender coconuts 
        And whose koontal is laden_with flowers--, 
            Divined Her intent, conferred on Her 
            The sought-for boon and wedded Her? 
        Know it to be Kalayanalloor where  
        Bees buzz over buds 
        And the six-footed chafers hum melodiously, 
            Where ornate peacocks dance in the encircling gardens 
            An where blue lilies slumber in the close-by fields 
            Of sugarcane and where lotuses burgeon with joy." 
 
  68.    Tirukkudamookku: The decad sung by our saint  
    at Tirukkudamookku, Tiruvalanjuzhi and Tirunalloor are not extant. 
 
  69.    Tirucchotrutthurai: The Lord is Odavaneswarar/ 
    Tolaiyaa-ch-Chelvar and His Consort is Annapurani/Oppilaavammai.   
    The decad sung here begins thus: 
 
        "It is Tirucchotrutthurai situate on the bank 
        Of the Cauvery in whose current, pearls bred of bamboos 
        And heaps of gold twirl in the eddies, which is 
        The town of the lord in whose matted crest 
        Liquid fire flows; behold Him mantled 
        In the skin and the hide of the antelope and the tusker." 
 
  71.    Kandiyoor: The decades sung on Kandiyoor,  
    Tiruppoonthurutthi and Tiruvaalampozhil are not extant.  The decad  
    on Tiruvaiyaaru too is irretrievable lost. 
 
  73.    Tirumazhapaadi: The Lord is Vairatthoonn  
    Naathar.  His Consort is Azhakammai.  The decad on this holy  
    shrine enjoys a unique renown.  It begins thus: 
 
        "Your body dazzles golden; a tiger's skin covers 
        Your hip; on Your hirsutorufous and matted crest 
        Konrai blazes fulgurantly; O King, O Gem great, 
        O the Rudy of Mazhapaadi! 
        O Mother, on whom will I think save You?" 
 
  76.    Tiruvaanaikka: Jambukeswara and Akilaanda  
    Naayaki are the presiding deities.  The decad begins thus: 
 
        "The four Vedas and all else, the many Faiths and the gods 
        Therein hailed, the First Ens that transcends these 
        And the beatitude of deliverance: all these are the Lord 
        Of Tiruvaanaikka of resounding and beauteous waters. 
        They that reckon Him as the Primordial God and pay Him 
        Quotidian obeisance are also our rulers." 
 
  77.    Verse seven of St. Sundarar's decad refers to this episode. 
    Commenting on this incident, His Holiness, the 26th Pontiff  
    of the Dharmapuram Aadhinam said: "If a person has  
    irretrievably lost something, he can yet come by the fruit of  
    his alleged loss, if he is prepared to dedicate it to Siva.   
    Siva will recover it and the offerer will stand blessed by Him." 
 
  78.    Tiruppaacchilaacchiraamam: The Lord is  
    Maatruari Varathar.  Balasundari is His Consort.  It looks as  
    though that St. Sundarar let off his steam on Lord Siva, as the  
    Lord was not pleased to confer on him what he sought. True.  
    However, it should be remembered that St. Sundarar's refrain is:  
    "There is no God but Siva." "Yivar alaathu illaiyo Piraanaar"  
    means that save Siva there is no God.  The 'o' in illaiyo is  
    employed in the affirmative sense. Illaiyo means Illaiye. 
 
  83.    Paigngneeli: Meignaana Nilakantesuvarar. 
     His Consort is Visaalaakshi. 
 
  85.    Eengkoi Malai: The decad sung on this  
    occasion is not extant. 
 
  86.    Kodumudi: The Lord is Kodumudi Naathar. 
    His Consort is Pannmozhi Ammai.  Here, our saint affirms thus:  
    "Even if I forget You, my lips will still chant Your name Namasivaya." 
 
  88.    Peroor: This town is also as Melaicchidambaram. 
    This is as great as Tillai.  Lord Nataraja and Sivakami are enshrined  
    here. 
 
  92.    Venjamaa-k-Koodal: The 7th of the shrines in  
    the Kongku Naadu.  The Lord is Vikirdesuwarar.  His Consort is  
    Vikirdesuwari. 
 
  93.    Tirukkarkudi: The Lord is Ujjiva (Vizhumiya)  
    Naathar.  His Consort is Anjanaakshi. 
 
  94.    Tiruvaarai Metrali: It is from here our saint  
    proceeded to Tiruppurampayam as is attested by the first verse on  
    Tiruppurampayam.  The God of this latter shrine is Saakshivaradeswarar. 
    His Consort is Karumpadusol Ammai. 
 
 103.    Koodalai Aatroor: The third shrine in Nadu Naadu. 
    The Lord is Nerikaatu Naathar.  His Consort is_Purikuzhal Naayaki. 
 
 104.    Tirumuthukunru: (Vriddaachalam): The Lord is  
    Pazhamalai Naathar.  His Consort is Periya Naayaki. 
 
 111.    Kadampoor: The great Sivakkavi Mani (the  
    famous commentator of the Periya Puranam) says: "Ithan vivaram  
    vilangkavillai" (Its whereabouts are not known). 
 
 117.    Tirukkarippariyaloor: The 27th shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. The Lord is Kutram Poruttha Naathar. 
    His Consort is Kolvalai Naayaki. 
 
 118.    Mannippadikkarai: Tiruneelakandar and  
    amrutavalli are its presiding deities. 
 
    Vaazhkolipputthoor: The 29th shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. Maanikka Vannar is the Lord.  His  
    Consort is Vandamar Poongkuzhali. 
 
 119.    Kaanaattu Mulloor: The 32nd shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. Patanjali Naathar and Kaanaar  
    Kuzhali are the presiding deities. 
 
 120.    Yetirkollpaadi: The 24th shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. Iraavateswarar is the lord.   
    His Consort is Malarkkuzhal Naayaki. 
 
 121.    Tiruvelvikkudi: Kaliyaanasundarar and  
    Parimalasukanta Naayaki are the presiding deities.  This shrine  
    is on the northern bank of the Cauvery. 
 
    Tirutthurutthi: Uktavediwarar is the Lord.  
    His Consort is Miruthumukizh Ambika.  This shrine is on the  
    southern bank of the Cauvery. 
 
 150.    Tiruninriyoor: The Lord is Mahalakshmi  
    Naathar.  His Consort is Ulaka Naayaki.  The second verse  
    of the decad is as follows: 
 
        "O Lord of opulent Tiruninriyoor in the south, where 
        Parakeets -- the masters of the splendorous Tamil 
        With all its tinai-genres--, articulate it,  
        Chandi was blessed with beauteous vestments, 
        Ornaments, wreaths to wear and nectarean food  
        For bathing You in milk. 
        The Lord of Language composed on You 4,900 Hymns 
        And Kannappar whose hand ever held a dart 
        Were the recipients of Your sweet grace. 
        This seeking I have come here." 
 
 151.    Nidoor: Somanaatesuwarar/Arull Somanaathar and  
    Veyurutoliyammai are its presiding deities. 
 
 153.    Tiruppunkoor: It is not known if any decad was  
    sung by St. Sundarar at this shrine, on this occasion. 
 
 154.    Kolakka: The Lord is Tirutthaalam Udaiyaar.  
    His Consort is Osai Koduttha Naayaki.  Verse 8 of the decad sung  
    here is a remarkable hymn.  It says: 
 
        "In the presence of men of this world, the Lord 
        Presented a pair of cymbals to Gnaanasambandhan-- 
        The one who, day after day, through music sweet propagated Tamil; 
        The Lord is One who was moved by his verses. 
        He is the ruler of my thinking; He, the merciful One, 
        Enacts the dance when Bhootas melodies; He is the One 
        Who is hailed by the eight Ganas; He is the One 
        Who is enshrined in Kolilee -- the great temple. 
        Him have I beheld at Kolakka making Him mine own." 
 
  156.    Kurukaavoor: Velladai Naathar and Kaaviyamkanni  
    are its presiding deities.  Verse 6 of the decad sung here is as follows:  
 
        "O Lord enshrined in Tirukkurukaavoor Velladai! 
        To forfend the misery of the servitors that dwell on earth, 
        You, of the Empyrean, abide here like the sweetness in pann, 
        The flavour in fruitage, the pupil of eye 
        And the light amidst darkness." 
 
    The word Tamil occurring in this verse means sweetness. 
 
 166.    Tirukkazhippaalai: Paalvanna Naathar and Veda  
    Naayaki are its presiding deities. 
 
 168.    Tirutthinainkar: Sivakkozhundu and  
    Ilamkompuannaall are the presiding deities. 
 
    Tirunaavaloor: The birth-place of St. Sundarar. 
    Naavaleswarar and Sundaraambika are the presiding deities. 
 
 172.    Tirukkazhukkunram: Vedagiriswarar and  
    Penninnallammai are its presiding deities. 
 
174-182.    Tirukkacchoor: Virunthitta Naathar (varadar)  
    and Uma are its presiding deities.  The temple in this place is  
    called Aalakkoyil.  The first verse of the decad sung here attests  
    to the episode that took place_here.  It is as follows: 
 
        "The big-mouthed foxes howl and You dance 
        In the crematory holding the fire in Your palm. 
        O Bridegroom that wears fresh and melliferous konrai 
        Of the Daughter of the Mountain! 
        O Lord of Aalakkoyil at Kacchoor! 
        If You go about begging with a cracked skull 
        For Your alms-bowl, will not Your servitors grieve? 
        O the way of Your mercy!" 
 
 186.    Tiruvekampam: Siva's shrine at Kaanchi. 
 
 190.    Kaachi-metrali: Metrali Naayakar and  
    Kamaakshi are its presiding deities. The fourth verse in this  
    decad begins with the word "Moraantu" -- a word which is  
    met with in Saivite Tirumurai-s only once.  In the Vaishnava  
    commentary we meet with the word "Moraanta".  These two  
    words differ in their meaning.  What the word "Moraanthu"  
    means is only guessed.  It may mean inadvertently.  It is  
    something attributable to neglect resulting from befuddlement. 
    This verse is as follows:  
 
        "If out of befuddlement, I have not, on occasions, 
        Thought of You, on Your own accord, You invade 
        My soul and make me think of You, O True Ens! 
        O my lion-like God enshrined at Metrali 
        Which is girt with cool and miry fields! 
        Henceforth I will not hail any but You." 
        [invade my soul: make You presence effective in my soul.] 
 
 191.    Tiruvonakaantantali: The third shrine in  
    Tondai Naadu.  The Lord is Onakaantesuwarar.  His Consort  
    is Kaamakshi. 
 
 192.    Anekatangkaapatam: The presiding deities  
    are Anekatangkaapateswarar and Kamaakshi.  The fourth shrine  
    in Tondai Naadu.  A sage who was attached to this shrine initiated  
    Nayina Pillai into the science and art of music.  Pillai made it a  
    point to recite a verse or two of this shrine, at the end of every  
    of one of his concerts.  We came by this information when we  
    visited the shrine about fifteen years ago.  St. Sundarar sang this  
    decad in Kummi which is still popular with young girls of Tamil  
    Naadu.  We owe this information to Chhandak Kavi Ramaswamy  
    of Mannarkudi, now at Srirangam. 
 
 193.    Vanpaartthanpanangkaattoor: The Lord is  
    Panangkaatu Naathar.  His Consort is Amrutavalli.  This is the  
    9th shrine in Tondai Naadu. 
 
 195.    Tirumaalperu and Tiruvallam: Our saint's  
    decades on these shrines are not extant. 
 
 220.    Then her father fell at her feet: This is  
    an instance where a father feels no reluctance to fall at the feet  
    of his child when he is convinced that his own child is godly. 
 
 268.    Their bouderie. . . . . . a second: Albert  
    Einstein, the German-Swiss physicist and propounder of the theory  
    of relativity explained his theory thus: "When a man sits with a  
    pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute.  But let him sit  
    on a hot stove for a minute -- and it's longer than any hour. 
    That's relativity." 
 
 276.    The decad sung on this occasion opens thus: 
 
        "O Lord presiding over Otriyoor! I have but gained 
        Your sacred feet with my dirt-inlaid body; 
        If this be my lot, please favour me with a solution 
        To apply to my eyes now wholly bereft of light, 
        Milk is obtained by them who stoop to sweep 
        The cattle-shed to clear it of its dung. 
        Even so, be pleased to ignore my defects and rule me. 
        O Lord, I may err, but never will I offend 
        Your divine feet; even when I fall, I know not 
        Aught to utter save Your hallowed name." 
 
 277.    Tirumullaivaayil: This is known Vada Tirumullaivaayil. 
    It is the 22nd shrine in Tondai Naadu.  The Lord is Paasupatesurar. 
    His Consort is Kodiyidai Naayaki. 
 
 279.    Tiruvennpaakkam: This is the 17th shrine in Tondai  
    Naadu.  This shrine in now submerged in water.  The Lord is  
    Vennpaakka Naathar.  His Consort is Minnaloli Ammai. 
 
 282.    Tiruvaalangkaadu (Pazhaiyanoor): In this shrine,  
    through his decad our saint once again declares that he will be a  
    servitor of Siva's servitors. 
 
 283.    Tiruooral: It is not known if our saint sang any  
    decad in this shrine, on_this occation. 
 
 284.    Tirukkaamakkottam: The shrine of Kaamaakshi  
    at Kaanchipuram.  He hails the Magna Mater first and then moves  
    to the Father's shrine. 
 
 287.    Sundarar is blessed with vision in his left eye.  He regains his sight  
    in the right eye, at Tiruvaaroor.  The patikam sung at Tiruvekampam  
    and beginning with the words "Alanthaan ukantu" is a cure for failing  
    eye-sight. 
 
 292.    Tiruaamaatthoor: This is Aa (cow) Maathaa  
    (mother) Oor (place) 
 
 294.    Tiruvaratthurai: this is known as Nelvaayil  
    Aratthurai. 
 
 297.    Tirutthurutthi: It is today known as Kutthaalam.  
    Here our saint is directed to take a bath in the sacred tank to get  
    himself cured of his illness.  The decad through which our saint  
    invoked the Lord to bless him with the remedy for his malady is  
    not extant.  However his thanks-giving decad is extant.  After his  
    bath he is described thus by St. Sekkizhaar: "Mani oli ser Tirumeni  
    Aayinaar."  This has a reference to our saint's gaining the Pranava  
    Sarira. 
 
 303.    Tiruvaaroor-p-Paravaiyull Mannthali: The 89th  
    shrine on the southern bank of the Cauvery.  This is today known  
    as Thulaa Naayannaar Koyil.  The Lord is Mandaleswarar.  His  
    Consort is Panjinum Melladiyaall. 
 
 304.    This verse speaks of our saint attending the Artha-jaama service. 
 
 310.    Sundarar stands blessed with vision in his right eye.  The decad  
    sung on this occasion is literally an eye-opener.  Sivakkavimani  
    C.K. Subramaniya Mudaliyaar says that he has known of persons  
    who have recovered their sight thanks to their sincere recitation  
    of this decad.  Its message is as follows: 
 
        "O Lord-God of Tiruvaaroor! For ever, are we Your  
                        bonded-slaves; 
        When Your servitors serve none but You loyally, 
        When they silently suffer, with wilted visages, 
        Like the inly-alive smouldering fire, 
        And when they eventually make a clean breast of  
        Their carking care to You, 
        Should You remain nonchalant? 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            1 
 
        "You may sell or pledge me; 
        I am your willing slave; 
        I have done offence none; yet You blinded me. 
        Wherefore did You snatch my vision? 
        If You fail to restore the vision of my other eye 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            2 
 
        "O Lord-God of Tiruvaaroor to whose groves 
        The Andril-birds repair regularly, 
            Like calves that hit the udders and suck 
            The milk of their mother-cows, 
            Your servitors seek You and sing You for ever; 
            If even then, all blind, 
            They topple from a hill into pits, 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            3 
 
        "O Lord-God of Tiruvaaroor who also resides at 
        Turutthi and Pazhanam and rules Sotrutthurai, 
        You require not the manam of Your servitors 
        As Your seat. 
            When loving servitors disclose to You their  
                            troubles 
            You but cause them to wallow in misery, 
            Here and hereafter. 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            4 
 
        "O our Lord! Is this indeed Tiruvaaroor rich 
        In its grove of Indra-kopa-- cool and coralline? 
        Is this the guerdon for Your servitors? 
            When servitors that hail You 
            It rhythmic hymns, robbed of their vision, 
            Implore You: "O our Lord! Is this fair?" 
        (You but remain deaf and dumb) 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            5 
 
        "O You of ruddy matted hair that wears 
        The auric garland woven of sylvan konrai-s! 
        You are the Lord of Tiruvaaroor where foregather 
        Herons whose crimson feet are like the stalk of millet. 
            When Your servitors, grow thin, though not for lack 
            Of wherewithal, and stand robbed of their vision. 
            Wilting much is their manam, 
        (You but remain indifferent!) 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            6 
 
        "O Resident of Aaroor to whose gardens 
        Flocks of birds and their mates resort! 
        O our ideal Lord-God! 
        Is this the lot of Your servitors? 
        You gave us the unforgetting manam, 
        Then deluded us, plied us in the way of birth 
        Conferring on us the embodiment. 
        You have robbed us of our vision. 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            7 
 
        "O Lord, we were born in a flawless and loft_ clan; 
        In keeping with that, we will never dispraise You. 
            You are water, creek, sea, vessel and land --  
            All rolled into one; we will hail You thus, even thus. 
        You think not that blame is Yours, if You tease us. 
        When we that devoutly sing You 
        Stand flustered losing our way (by Your whim), 
            Well, may You flourish well! Amen.        8 
 
        "O Lord of Tiruvaaroor! Even a raw fruit 
        Is as good as a ripe one, where love is. 
        Others but You deem the parting from 
        Even a befriended ghoul to be miserable. 
        But You, even when Your servitors roam 
        Like a dog in Your presence and entreat You, 
        You refuse to open Your lips. 
            Well, may You flourish well! Amen.        9 
 
        "O Lord fittingly enshrined in Tirumoolattaanam! 
        Is this indeed Tiruvaaroor in whose gardens 
        Cerunti burgeons in golden splendour? 
            Sitting, standing, lying, we ever hail You. 
            Never do we dispraise You. 
        Assailed by grief when we invoke You 
        (You but remain unmoved.) 
            Well, may You flourish well! Amen.        10 
 
        "O Lord of Tirumoolattanam! 
        You are the many Scriptures; Yours is 
        The dark neck; You sport three eyes; 
        You are concorporate with Her whose breasts 
        Are covered by a breast-band. 
            I Aarooran, bear the name of Your hallowed feet. 
            You have robbed me of my vision. 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            11 
 
 381.    Happy union: This is Advaitam, the Bliss of  
    Advaitic Union.  Verse 33 of the Tiruvuntiyaar says that for the  
    soul poised in Siva's Grace, even the joy of sexual union (sitrinbam)  
    is Bliss Ethereal, as it has its being in Siva. 
 
383-387.The verses mirror the angst and agony undergone by St. Yeyarkone. 
    Siva, by His lila, may be pleased to create misunderstanding between  
    bhaktas.  He will Himself effect a rapproachement in His mysterious  
    way.  It may be baffling.  The one lesson that should be ever borne 
    in mind is that a third party to the issue has no right whatever to  
    comment. 
 
 388.    St. Sundarar not only respected the wrath of St. Yeyarkone but  
    also admired it.  It should be remembered in this context that long  
    before he met St. Yeyarkone, St. Sundarar announced: "Yeyarkone  
    Kalikkaamar Adiyaarkkum Adiyen" (I am a servitor of the servitors  
    of Yeyarkone Kalikkaamar). 
 
 389.    A dire ache of stomach: Siva's instrument  
    that sets a Naayanaar straight. This is purgatory.  This washes  
    away the sin of the erring bhakta. 
 
 392.    You indeed. . .  race: The hoary lineage  
    of St. Yeyarkone is one that is ever poised in Siva.  
 
    One who was. . . by You: St. Yeyarkone  
    thought that St. Sundarar's ancestry was not as great as his  
    own.  Obviously St. Yeyarkone levelled a charge against Siva  
    and inculpated His act as one of invidious discrimination.  When  
    he thus stuck to his guns, the Lord silently disappeared from  
    his vision. 
 
 394.    May you. . . stomach: Siva commanded  
    thus St. Sundarar.  He was not the person who could cure the  
    ache of St. Yeyarkone.  Yet He plied Sundarar on this errand,  
    for he too had a lesson to lean. Mysterious indeed are the  
    ways of Providence. 
 
 397.    Then unsheathing. . . end: Siva in His  
    infinite mercy suffered Yeyarkone to eschew any treatment by  
    Sundarar.  The real cure is ultimately effected only by Siva. 
 
 398.    The ineffably glorious wife: That is what  
    she is.  We do not even know her name. She is Tyaga in  
    human form.  On the eve of her wedding she sacrificed her  
    koontal. On this occasion, when the person who was responsible  
    for her husband's death came to her house, knowing him to  
    be a true devotee of Siva, she offered him pooja.  The reader  
    should read and re-read verses 398 to 401. 
 
 402.    There is nothing to grieve: This is the  
    unshakable conviction of a true bhakta. 
 
 403.    Sundarar is a devotee of devotees.  He will keep company  
    with a devotee even in his death. 
 
 404.    Siva not only put an end to Yeyarkone's ache but also his  
    life.  Not only these. He also put an end to his mismos  
    (hatred).  He now s_ands cured of the variform afflictions.  
    Endowed with Gnosis he now knows everything in its pure  
    and true perspective. 
 
    It is Van-tondar who adored first Yeyarkone.  This Yeyarkone  
    is Siva's mercy in human form. 
 
        Here ends the Puranam of St. Yeyarkone Kalikkaama Naayanaar. 
 
 
 
Sincere thanks to Sri. T N Ramachandran of thanjavur, for permitting his English rendering of the holy text periyapurANam be published here.

104.     He moved into the glorious temple of the Lord 
    Who wears in His matted hair konrai-garlands 
    And who abides at Koodalai Aatroor; 
    In soaring devotion he hailed and adored the feet 
    Decked with resounding anklets of the Lord-Dancer 
    Of Ambalam, and blessed with His ever-during grace 
    He arrived at Tirumuthukunru.                    (3258) 
 
105.     Before the many tiered and huge tower he prostrated 
    In adoration; then he circumambulated the inner shrine, 
    Moved in, adored the Lord and prostrated on the ground; 
    Then he adorned Him with a garland of splendorous Tamil verse; 
    The musical decad opened thus: "Nanjiyidai..." 
    He sang it and stood there folding his hands.            (3259) 
 
106.    Seeking riches from the Lord, he prayed to Him 
    With a flawless mind and in unison with his desire; 
    He was poised for the gracious bestowal of riches 
    By the Lord who wears a garland of burgeoning konrai; 
    The chief of the Saiva Brahmins again hymned; 
    The decad began thus: "Meyyil venn podi..."            (3260) 
 
107.     The Lord that wears the cool crescent in His matted hair, 
    In great grace, granted him gold weighing twelve thousand 
    Sovereigns; Nampi Aaroorar, in peerless gladness, 
    Prostrated before Him, rose up, moved near the Lord 
    Whose neck is of the hue of (the jambolan) fruit 
    And made one more submission:                    (3261) 
 
108.     "I should come by all this gold You have deigned 
    To grant me at Tiruvaaroor to the wondrous bewilderment 
    Of the dwellers there." "When he besceched Him thus, 
    The Lord spake to him in an unbodied 
    And ethereal and lucid voice thus; "Drop the gold 
    In the fecund Manimutthu river and recover it all 
    In the Tiruvaaroor-tank."                    (3262) 
 
109.     Blessed with that sweet grace of his Lord, Van-tondar cut 
    A piece from a bar for his keeping and marched on, 
    And dropped the heap of gold in the river, thinking thus: 
    "By this will I truly know the grace of His having forcibly 
    And voluntarily claimed me that day as His servitor."        (3263) 
 
110.     He whose mission in life was loving servitorship, resolved 
    Thus: "I will now proceed to adore the Dance 
    Of the Lord whose throat sports the hue of the blue lily, 
    In the Ambalam of Puliyoor-- the town 
    Of the Brahmins ever-engaged in the sacred work 
    Of their souls' deliverance." To leave 
    For the hoary city of Tillai girt with tanks, he adored 
    The Lord and moved out with His gracious leave.            (3264) 
 
111.     He worshipped at the shrines on and near his way 
    And adored the Lord concorporate with His Consort 
    At ever-during Kadampoor; then he came near Tillai 
    Where the Dancer enacts His Dance of full and perfect 
    Bliss; passing through the entrance-gate, he reached 
    The splendorous and beauteous street of glorious mansions.    (3265) 
 
112.     H whose chest was decked with a goodly garland, prostrated 
    On the ground of the golden street, rose up and moved 
    To the great and divine entrance of the temple, verily 
    The soaring threshold of sheer piety, and prostrated 
    On the ground before it; then he moved in, circum_mbulated 
    The auric and beauteous mansion roofed of gold, 
    Adored it and folded his hands above his head.            (3266) 
 
113.     He passed through the golden tower and came before 
    The proscenium of the Lord-Dancer and adored Him; 
    He came near the hallowed feet of the Lord-Dancer 
    Of Pon-Ambalam of ever-increasing effulgence; 
    The flood of evelasting bliss that filled his soul 
    Flowed down from his eyes as tears.                (3267) 
 
114.     His hailing tongue faltered and his words became 
    Incoherent; he prostrated before the divine flight 
    Of steps--Tiru-k-Kalitruppadi compact of love--, 
    And made ashtaangka and panchaangka namaskars; 
    Firm grew the ardour in him and the Divine Dance 
    Filled his inner consciousness and soared; the Lord 
    Without aught of concealment appeared in his heart 
    And he considered it the complete and perfect 
    Vision (of the darshan he had at Tirupperoor)            (3268) 
 
115.     Then he hymned the decad beginning with the words: 
    "Maditthaadum adimaikkann"; he hailed the glory 
    Of his worship of the Lord as at Tirupperoor, 
    The Lord who in His process of bestowal of grace 
    Forfends the fall of the serviteurs poised in the godly truth, 
    Into hell even by accident; in devotion and delight, 
    He melodised thus: "O mind! Great indeed is our blessing 
    And beatitude! The peerless Lord-Dancer is ours!"        (3269) 
 
116.     Blessed with His leave he reluctantly moved out, 
    Came to the divine street and adored it; Van-tondar 
    Who was ruled by the Lord, willingly sojourned 
    Hailed by the Brahmines; then he adored, 
    In inexhaustible love, the divine city and departed thence; 
    Adoring even from a distance Karuppariyaloor of the Lord 
    Who kicked Death to death, he reached it.            (3270) 
 
117.     Reaching the divine temple of the Lord who smote Death, 
    He adored its tower, moved in, and companied with the devotees 
    Hailed and adored the Lord in immense love; boundless joy 
    Pervading his mind, he hailed the Lord, moved out 
    And sojourned in that town; as reture swelled in him 
    When his thought hovered over the Holy One, he hymned it  
    In his decad beginning with the word: "Cimmaanthu". 
    With that garland of Tamil verse he adorned  
    The Lord; thus he abode there.                    (3271) 
 
118.     Folding his hands he worshipped Karuppariyaloor 
    Where the brow-eyed Lord abides in joy, 
    And blessed with His gracious leave, he left the town; 
    He reached Pazhamannippadikkarai in whose tanks 
    The carp leapt in joy, hailed and adored the divine feet 
    Of the Lord who is concorporate with His Consort, and melodised 
    His endless glory in a decad which oped with the word: 
    "Munnavan"; he holy one then marched on, without touching  
    The town Vaazhkoli Putthoor; on his way he thought 
    Of his and he turned back, and singing the decad beginning 
    With the words: "Thalaikkalan" proceeded thither.        (3272) 
 
119.     He reached the place even as he was singing the divine 
    Decad; the hair on his thrilled body stood erect 
    As he came to the temple tower of the Lord 
    Of the celestials; he hailed and bowed before it; 
    He moved in, bowed before the Lord and adored Him; 
    In melting devotion he hymned the Lord whose left half 
    Is shared by the Daughter of Himavant, moved out, 
    And sojourned there; then he left Vaazhkoli Putthoor 
    Rich in fields of beautiful and soft sugarcanes, 
    And fared forth to Kaanaattu Mulloor.                (3273) 
 
120.     As he reached Kaanaattu Mulloor, the brow-eyed Lord 
    Materialised before him; witnessing this he adored Him 
    With a garland of blooming flowers of munificent Tamil 
    That verily rules the heaven; in that decad opening 
    With the words: "Vall vaay," he declared thus: 
    "Beholding the twin-flower-feet of the Lord who wears 
    On His matted hair soft and fresh konrai flowers I adored (them)." 
    Then he fared forth towards Tiruyethirkolpaadi 
    Girt with gardens of melliferous flowers.            (3274) 
 
121.     He began to hymn the decad opening thus: "Mattha yaanai," 
    Hailed by the dwellers in every direction; 
    Singing his divine decad rooted in chittam, 
    And declaring, "We will reach Yethirkolpaadi," he reached 
    Adoring the opulent and exceedingly splendorous shrine, 
    And hailed _he feet of the Father; he sojourned there, 
    And blessed with His leave, he came to Tiruvelvikkudi; 
    He hailed the Lord-Granter of deliverance and His shrine 
    Tirutthurutthi in his decad beginning with the words: 
    "Mooppathum illai," and thus flourished in delight.        (3275) 
 
122.     The darshan of the Lord in His wedding-form filling 
    His mind, he adored Him; his heart, poised in bhakti, 
    Nampi Aaroorar hailed Him; then with the devotees 
    Of great askesis he went to the many shrines of the Lord 
    Who, in love, claimed and ruled him, and marched on.        (3276) 
 
123.     In never-diminishing love in the company 
    Of divine devotees, he adored in devotion the many shrines 
    Of the Lord whose throat holds the venom, 
    And arrived at Tiruvaaroor girt with cloud-capped 
    Flower-gardens and marudam tracts of fields 
    Rich in splendorous paddy.                    (3277) 
 
124.     At Tiruvaaroor of great opulence, he came 
    To the divine tower thronged by the celestials and the munis, 
    Adored it, moved in, and in aeviternal devotion, folded 
    His hands above his head in adoration; then 
    With the thronging devotees, he came before the Supreme One.    (3278) 
 
125.     In great and unabated love he worshipped the Lord whose 
    Banner sports the ever-young Bull and who is without 
    Beginning, middle or end; then he moved out and reached 
    The beautiful mansion of flawlessly glorious Paravaiyaar.    (3279) 
 
126.     Paravaiyaar whose eyes were like lotus-flowers and whose lips 
    Were like ruddy kovvai fruit, hailed in ever-swelling love 
    By damsels of plaited hair, fell at his feet it adoration. 
    She said: "Great indeed is your gracious arrival 
    Thinking on us, even us." He spoke to her 
    Sweet words, and joyously abode with her.            (3280) 
 
127.     One day her told her thus: "Our Lord of Muthu Kunru 
    Blessed us with goodly wealth; I had consigned it 
    To the holy Manimutthu river; now fare forth 
    With me to retrieve it by His grace from the tank 
    Situate on the west of the temple of the Lord 
    Who is the (sole) help unto me."                (3281) 
 
128.     Thus told, she of the fulgurant waist, 
    With her face lit up by a smile, exclaimed thus: 
    "What marvel indeed is this! What is it that you say!" 
    Then he of truthful consciousness, spake thus: 
    "O you of fair forehead! By the grace of my Lord, 
    I will not fail to retrieve the gold 
    From the tank and give it to you."                (3282) 
 
129.     Then in boundless delight, he proceeded to the Poongkoyil 
    And adored its Lord who abides there in joy; 
    Circumambulating the lofty shrine, he came 
    To the divine tank situate on the west.                (3283) 
 
130.    He came to the flight of steps in the north-eastern part 
    Of the tank; there he stationed the one that wore 
    Jewels wrought with cunning; then, he of Tirumunaipaadi 
    With pleached hands, adored the Lord of matted hair; 
    Descended into the tank, and began to ply his hand under the water 
    To take out the gold, as though he had that day 
    Just then dropped it into the tank.                (3284) 
 
131.     The beauteous Lord resplendent with the Holy Ash 
    Who delighted to hear the hymns of Aaroorar 
    And bent upon a divine lila, would not make available 
    The gold; then remarked the bejewelled beauty thus: 
    "Having consigned it to the river, you search for it 
    In the tank; pray tell me, if this is how you grace me!" 
    When she spake thus the peerless serviteur--            (3285) 
 
132.     The Brahmin that wore the bright sacred thread--, 
    With intent to persuade the Lord to grant him the gold 
    Even as he was pleased to assure him gracefully 
    At Mutthukunru in the recent past, and without causing 
    Paravai of flower-bedecked locks to cast in jibe 
    A smile from her ruddy lips, began to hymn and hail 
    The Lord of Muthukundru in a decad opening thus: 
    "Pon seytha Meniyineer!"                    (3286) 
 
133.     He sang in succession eight hymns in which 
    He described how he languished as he could not 
    Recover swiftly the gold which the Lord conferred 
    On him at Muthukunru to the knowledge of the celestials, 
    And he prayed that the Lord should be pleased 
    To do away with his helplessness in the presence of Paravai; 
    Even then the Lord would not make him come by the gold; 
    So he _ontinued to hail Him.                    (3287) 
 
134.     "Yetthaathu irunthariyane": Thus opened the ninth hymn 
    Of the divine decad; thus he addressed 
    The Lord-Protector--the Lord Dancer of the Ambalam-- : 
    "O Dancer, deign to grant me the gold even before her 
    Who is so soft and young and beauteous!" 
    When thus he who was poised in the way inaccessible 
    Even to men of renunciation hailed the Lord.            (3288) 
 
135.     By the grace of the Dancer who wears clusters 
    Of Konrai blooms, the heap of gold materialised; 
    He duly carried it to the bank of the tank; 
    The ethereal world showered flowers; men on earth 
    Exclaiming, "What may this wonder be? Who can cause, 
    This to happen?" adored (the mirific event).            (3289) 
 
136.     When he thus brought out the goodly gold whilst the world 
    Wondered at it, he compared its touch with that 
    Of the original piece which he had sliced away 
    From a bar; by the grace of the blue-throated Lord  
    It proved to be inferior; once again Van-Tondar hailed 
    The ankleted Feet inaccessible to Vishnu ad Brahma.        (3290) 
 
137.     When he again hailed Him, the Lord-Dancer who was  
    Pleased with the devotional hymns of the loving serviteur, 
    Revealed to him the ruddy gold matching his piece 
    And not a whit less in its touch; he rejoiced as he  
    Took it out, and carried it to the bank.            (3291) 
 
138.     At the bank of the tank he had the bars of gold 
    Duly borne on the heads of carriers, and he 
    Bade them and Paravaiyaar to proceed to the mansion 
    Dight with a great threshold; he then moved into the temple, 
    Hailed the flower-feet of Tirumoolatta Naathar 
    In whose crest the billowy Ganga courses; 
    This done, he moved out to the street.                (3292) 
 
139.     When he arrived at the mansion and entered it 
    Innumerable benedictory verses were chanted  
    And the auspicious sound spiraled up in splendour; 
    The Prince of Navaloor bounded by fragrant flower-gardens, 
    Abode there with the bejewelled beauty 
    With a heart filled with happiness.                (3293) 
 
140.     He who adored every day the Supreme One enshrined 
    In the beauteous Ant-Hill of splendorous Aaroor, 
    One day, immersed in boundless rapture, hymned 
    A divine decad through which he interrogated 
    The divine devotees about the glories of the Lord; 
    Thus he adored the Lord and danced and sang in joy.        (3294) 
 
141.     His tuneful decad of perfect melody, opened thus: 
    "Paaru thaangki"; his mind was filled with delight; 
    The hair on his thrilled body stood erect; verily, 
    A flood cascaded from his tear-filled eyes; 
    Boundless bliss which inly pervaded, became manifest; 
    Thus he prayed and thus he revelled in joy.            (3294) 
 
142.     As he thus abode there in joy, blessed 
    With the leave of the King ever hailed by the rare 
    And boundless Vedas and who for His jewel 
    Wears the fierce serpent of the ant-hill, 
    He was borne by loving devotion; he readied himself 
    To fare forth to adore in His many shrines the Lord 
    Before the splendour of whose luminous matted hair 
    Even the lustre of gold is to be deemed dark.            (3296) 
 
143.     Accompanied by his retinue, he came to the nearby 
    Shrines of the Lord who is mantled in the hide 
    Of the tusker, and, in rapturous adoration, hailed 
    His feet; then the flawless servitor, desiring to adore  
    At Nallaaru, visited that town, well-received 
    By its true devotees ever-established in divine service.    (3297) 
 
144.     He bowed before the tower that scaled the sky, 
    Folded his hands above his head in adoration, moved in, 
    Circumambulated the shrine of the great One 
    And in abounding love prostrated on the ground,  
    Before the roseate and lotus-like feet 
    Of the aeviternal Lord of Nallaaru.                (3298) 
 
145.     He hailed and adored the Merciful One and blessed 
    With His leave, moved out worshipping Him; thence he came 
    To Tirukkadavur rich in beautiful and cloud-capped 
    Mansions; he also adored at Tirumayaanam 
    Of the Lord who wears in His crest the crescent 
    And hymned Him in a decad of swelling music 
    Which opened thus: "Maruvaar Konrai."                (3299) 
 
146.     He adored the ankleted feet of the Lord of gods 
    Of Tiruveerattaanam who smote the martial valour 
    Of wrathful Death, and_adored Him, with a garland 
    Of Tamil verse fraught with heroic splendour; 
    The decad opened thus: "Potiyaar Meni"; then in great  
    And ardent love he fared forth to Valampuram 
    Of the Great One who bent Mount Meru into a bow.        (3300) 
 
147.     Having adored the ankleted feet of the Lord 
    At Valampuram girt with a hill-like rampart, he hymned 
    A tuneful decad opening with the words: "Yenakku inee…" 
    Then he marched on and arrived at Tirucchaaikkaadu 
    Where the sea with its billowy hands, holds many rows 
    Of shells for musical instruments, the spray for holy  
    Fumigation, ninefold gems for lamps, and pearls 
    For flowers, and thus performs pooja unto the Lord.        (3301) 
 
148.     He adored the Lord of gods at Tirucchaaikkaadu 
    And adorned Him with a garland of Tamil verse; it was 
    Indeed a divine decad of hymns par excellence; then he came  
    To Tiruvenkaadu where he hailed and adored the Lord 
    That burnt the triple hostile cities; thence the chilef 
    On Naavaloor came to Nanipalli, the town divine.        (3302) 
 
149.     He hailed the ankleted feet of the Lord that in joy 
    Abides at Nanipalli; he adorned Him with a garland 
    Of holy and fragrant and goodly Tamil verse; commencing 
    From Tirucchemponpalli he adored the Lord 
    Who wears the cool crescent in His crest 
    In His many shrines and came to Tiruninriyoor 
    The peerless mount of whose Lord is the Bull.            (3303) 
 
150.     In love he entered the temple at Tiruninriyoor 
    And adored the Lord; he began to hail Him in melting love 
    And devotion; in this divine decad, he celebrated 
    The glory of God's own Tirunaavukkarasu who hymned 
    Divine decades--seven times seven hundred in number--, 
    For doing away with the world's misery.                (3304) 
 
151.     He sojourned with the devotees in that town; thence 
    As he marched on without adoring at Nidoor, the town 
    That is ineffably glorious in this wide world, 
    His peerless and true consciousness reminded him of his omission; 
    Forthwith he turned back and proceeded 
    To that town singing a bounteous garland 
    Of Tamil verse manifesting the glory of the True Ens.        (3305) 
 
152.     In that divine decad which he hymned in great love 
    He sang thus: "Can one fail to adore the feet of the Lord 
    Of Nidoor which is rich in waters filled with petalled 
    Flowers?" Thus he hailed the Lord 
    Of the puissant spear, and adored His feet; the hair 
    On his thrilled body stood erect; 
    Thus he hailed the Lord, and even thus, he sojourned there.    (3306) 
 
153.     He abode in joy there, and graced with the leave 
    Of the Lord he came to Tiruppungkoor and worshipped 
    The Lord; then he hied towards Tirukkolakka 
    Girt with fragrant gardens; when at its outskirts 
    The Lord, who concealed the Ganga in His matted hair 
    Gave him darshan, he adored Him in ever-increasing devotion 
    And hymned and hailed Him.                    (3307) 
 
154.     He adorned the Lord with a divine garland of verse 
    All compact of truth; in this decad he celebrated the grace 
    Of the Lord wears a pigngnakam on His crest 
    And who on beholding Tirugnaaanasambandhar 
    Melodies, in swelling love, hymns keeping time 
    With clap of hands, bestowed on him, in grace 
    And compassion, a pair of divine cymbals.            (3308) 
 
155.     He left Kolakka of the Primordial One who is ageless 
    And perfect; reaching the flawlessly glorious Sanbai 
    He circumambulated in and prostrated on the ground 
    In adoration; he hailed the goodly feet of the Adept 
    Of threefold Tamil in whose lips the Vedas abode; 
    Then he came to Kurukaavoor the Lord of which 
    Smote the triple hostile cities, of yore.            (3309) 
 
156.     When the consort of Paravaiyaar whose words were  
    Sweet as music, stricken with thirst and hunger, 
    Fared forth, conning His devotee's desire 
    The brow-eyed Lord of trinocular vision came 
    Forth on his way with packed victuals and water.         (3310) 
 
157.     Awaiting the arrival of Van-tondar, the Lord whose hand 
    Sports an antelope, assumed the guise of a Brahmin 
    Well-versed in all the Vedas, and was pleased to remain 
    There having raised there a water-booth 
    Like unto a cool and fragrant pool of soft lotuses 
    To attenuate the rigour of the aestival sun.            (3311) 
 
158.     The beauteous Lord who graciously abides at Kurukavoor 
    Thus awaited his arrival; the Lord's own companion 
    Of Tiruvaroor that came thither, companied with the devotees, 
    Entered the water-booth, and drawn by an ardent love 
    To the presence of the divine Brahmin, 
    Sat near Him, exclaiming: "Sivayanama!"                (3312) 
 
159.     Addressing Aaroorar who was before him, the Lord 
    Who, of yore, sat under the umbrageous banyan tree, said: 
    "You suffer from exceeding hunger; I will give you 
    Pothi-soru; receive it, eat it well without delay 
    And also drink the sweet and fresh water 
    Available here, and thus rid your fatigue."            (3313) 
 
160.     Van-tondar who hearkened to His words felt thus: 
    "It will be unbecoming on my part, it I, this day, 
    Decline to receive the food from the Vedic muni." 
    So he willingly received it from the hands of Him 
    Whose golden chest displayed the sacred thread; 
    He ate it with the devotees that came with him.            (3314) 
 
161.     The interminable retinue ate the food in great relish; 
    Then they that came thither in hunger, also partook 
    Of it; yet the pothi-soru given by the Holy one-- 
    The food which tasted altogether nectarean--, 
    Suffered no diminution.                        (3315) 
 
162.     Aaroorar drank the water, sweet like the divine grace 
    Of Lord Sankara; in ever swelling ardour he hailed 
    And adored the Lord's name, the Panchaakshara; 
    Then as he was tired he lay down and slumbered; 
    Those that were with him also closed their eyes in slumber; 
    Then the Lord who concealed the Ganga in his matted hair 
    Disappeared with water-booth and  all.                (3316) 
 
163.     The Prince of Tirunaavaloor whose chinta was firmly poised 
    In Sivam, woke up, he saw Him not; he began to hail 
    The Lord in a decad which opened thus: 
    "Itthanaiya maatram arinthilan…" 
    Singing this divine decad wrought of immutable truth, 
    He reached Kurukaavoor.                        (3317) 
 
164.     He came to the beauteous tower of the temple 
    Of Kurukaavoor where the Lord Beautiful abides 
    And dispenses grace, he bowed before the tower, moved in, 
    Went round the sacred shrine in great and abiding love, 
    Came before the Lord's presence, paid obeisance and drank 
    In with his eyes the sweet Nectar, having, not done so 
    Earlier(when he appeared as a Brahmin).                (3318) 
 
165.     To his heart's content he adored with folded hands 
    The sweet Nectar that filled his eyes, and hymned Him 
    In a truthful and divine decad; he bowed before Him 
    And hailed Him; then he who ever sought 'within' 
    The Lord in great love, moved out and sojourned there 
    In love, companied with the devout servitors.            (3319) 
 
166.     Blessed with his Lord's leave he left that town 
    Having duly adored Him; he worshipped the Lord 
    Of dazzling, ruddy, matted hair in His many shrines 
    Where He willingly abides, came to Kazhippaalai 
    Girt with fort-like walls, hailed and adored Him; 
    Then the Prince of Navaloor in the south 
    Arrived at Tillai, the divine city.                (3320) 
 
167.    Bowing he entered the divine street of ever-glorious 
    And sacred Tillai, and adored the roseate 
    And redemptive feet that dance in the comely Pon-Ambalam; 
    In that city which fosters the Vedas for the flourishing 
    Of the world, he abode hailing the Lord; then he came 
    To Tirutthinainakar, the great city 
    Of the Lord whose martial bow is the Mount Meru.        (3321) 
 
168.     Having adored the Lord Sivakkozhundhu who abode 
    At Tirutthinaimaanakar he hared forth and hailed 
    The Dancer--perfectly enshrined in many a town; 
    As his thought was set on Tirunaavaloor hailed by 
    Divine servitors poised in exceeding devotion 
    He fared forth to adore it with his hands 
    In great penchant, and reached it.                (3322) 
 
169.     When they heard that the prince of Tirunaavaloor was 
    Arriving there, the dwellers of that famed town 
    And devotees deeming it to be their day 
    Of great beatitude, decked their town fittingly; 
    They fared forth and received him in joy; 
    Conducted by them, Aaroorar entered the great temple 
    Of the Lord, the Wearer of the hide of the martial tusker.    (3323) 
 
170.     Even as the chanting of "Hara, Hara!" by those devotees 
    Began to pervade all the three worlds, he came 
    Before the presence of the First One and hailed 
    The grace of the Lotus-feet of the Lord, dearer than 
    Life itself, in a decad which opened with the words: 
    "Kovalanaanmukhan"; thus he hailed the Lord 
    And even thus, he adored Him.                    (3324) 
 
171.     In that town of ever-increasing weal, he abode in love 
    Companied with the devotee-throngs that caused 
    Their clans to thrive in splendour; then with the leave 
    Of the Lord in whose matted hair the flooding river 
    Courses, the wearer of comely sacred thread on his 
    Beauteous chest, moved onward, having hailed His feet, 
    To adore Him in His many shrines.                (3325) 
 
172.     He adored at many shrines in the sacred land 
    Of Tondamandala where the Lord whose mount is 
    The unique Bull, abides in joy, well-received 
    By the sacred serviteurs; then crossing many rivers 
    Of lucid water, flowery jungles where chafers 
    Hummed, hills and maruda tracts, he arrived 
    At Tirukkaazhukkunram hailed by men 
    In all the eight directions.                    (3326) 
 
173.     Greeted in boundless love by the devotees 
    Of Tirukkazhukkunram, bounded by melliferous 
    Flower-gardens, he entered the shrine and hailed 
    And adored the radiant Lord who wears the pure, fresh 
    And argent crescent in His crest, and melodised 
    A divine decad married to sweet and tuneful music.        (3327) 
 
174.     He hymned the Lord, and in joy, sojourned in that town; 
    Blessed with the leave of the Lord. Aaroorar whose 
    Goodly consciousness ever sought the Lord only, came 
    To Tirukkacchoor and adored the Nectar in melting devotion 
    At Aalakkoyil girt with huge and fort-like 
    Golden walls, and then moved out.                (3328) 
 
175.     Having adored the Lord, when he came out of the temple  
    The time for taking his meal drew near; yet his retinue 
    Which would come ready with food or prepare it, had not 
    Arrived thither; so the patron of Tirumunaippaadi 
    Abode without the fort-like entrance of the Lord's temple 
    In hunger which irked and grieved him.                (3329) 
 
176.     The Lord enshrined on the hill, verily the Remedy 
    For the illth of embodiment, to relieve Van-tondar 
    Of his hunger, abandoning His white and bright skull-bowl, 
    Came with an ordinary begging-bowl in the guise 
    Of a Brahmin that dwelt in that town, to the devotee 
    (Aarooran) and graciously addressed him thus:            (3330) 
 
177.     "Ha, you are languishing overwhelmed by hunger; 
    T relieve you of your hunger I will secure for you 
    Food by begging; pray stay awhile here without 
    Going anywhere else." He that so spake, then went 
    To every house in Tirukkaacchoor begging food.            (3331) 
 
178.     The Holy Ash on His person beauteously blazed white; 
    His sacred thread glowed with radiance; beholders melted 
    In love; for securing alms at the meridian, he entered 
    Each and every house, His lotus-feet touched the earth; 
    With the food secured by Him, he came before him 
    Whom, He willingly claimed as His own serviteur.        (3332) 
 
179.     He gave him the flavoury food and dishes of curry 
    Obtained by begging, and said; "Eat that you may rid 
    The misery of your hunger." Nampi Aaroorar, the great one, 
    Extolling the merciful act of the Brahmin received it 
    In love that welled up within him, after paying 
    Due obeisance to Him.                        (3333) 
 
180.     Van-tondar ate the nectarean food companied 
    With the great tapaswi-devotees that came with him 
    And rejoiced; the Brahmin who was there, the Lord 
    Who is present everywhere, disappeared without 
    Van-Tondar being aware of it.                    (3334) 
 
181.     When thus the Sivayogi-Brahmin vanished, the prince 
    Of Naavaloor was convinced that it was the Lord 
    Who came thither in the Brahmin's guise; 
    He melted in devotion as he mused thus: "O the mercy 
    Of the Lord who assumed a form for my sake, 
    And in pain trod on earth in the noonday sun 
    To the resounding of his great anklets."            (3335) 
 
182.     His decad opened thus: "Muthu vaayori"; 
    He wondered at such demonstration of the great mercy 
    Of the First One; tears cascaded from his eyes 
    And drenched his whole person on which the hair 
    Stood erect in thrilled ecstasy; even thus he hailed 
    The Lord, and in joy, worshipped Him whose crest is 
_Decked with melliferous konrai flowers.                (3336) 
 
183.     Having thus adored the Lord he took His leave 
    And fared forth to the shrines where abides the Lord 
    Whose half is His Consort, well-received 
    By the devotees everywhere; conducted by them he moved 
    In, and adored the Lord's ankleted feet which confer 
    Grace when invoked; he adorned Him with splendourous wreath 
    Of verse, and marching on, came near Kaanchi 
    Where abides the Lord whose hue is like 
    Unto the ever-increasing ruddiness of the crepuscular sky.    (3337) 
 
184.     The dwellers of Kaanchi, the city girt with ramparts, 
    Rejoiced thinking thus: "The Lord whose flag sports 
    The ever-young and victorious Bull-- 
    The Lord that could not be pursued by Vishnu or Brahma--, 
    Even He came in the guise of a Brahmin-chief 
    That day, before the tribunal at Vennainalloor, 
    And successfully argued his lis; it was thus 
    The Lord claimed Aaroorar as hisserviteur; 
    We are blessed with his arrival."                (3338) 
 
185.     In ever-increasing joy they decked the streets 
    With beautiful toranas; they carried with them 
    Bright lamps, pots filled with holy water, censers 
    Breathing the smoke o eagle-wood, and streamers; 
    They caused drums that were played during dance 
    To resound on pials; companied with the increasing 
    Throngs of devotees, they fared forth to the outskirts 
    Of the city and greeted him.                    (3339) 
 
186.     When the devotees adored him, Nampi Aaroorar ruled 
    By the Lord, paid obeisance to them; he crossed 
    The towered entrance and entered the street rich in rows 
    Of huge mansions; auspicious instruments of music 
    Were resounded, in love; thus he reached Tiruvekampam 
    Companied with the surging crowds of servitors.        (3340) 
 
187.     Before the tower where throng the tall Vishnu who sports 
    The disc, Brahma and other celestials, he prostrated 
    On the ground, and sacred dust mantled him; up he rose, moved in, 
    And made his sacred circuit, adoring the subshrines; 
    Beatific Van-tondar, the intimate servitor of the Lord, 
    Then moved into the adytum of Tiruvekampar.            (3341) 
 
188.     When the Kampai rushed amain in spate, 
    Scared of the Great One's safety, Himavant's Daughter 
    Of large and dark eyes painted with collyrium, 
    Embraced Him closely; She always offered pooja 
    To his redemptive and roseate lotus-feet; 
    Aaroorar who came towards the Lord, fell 
    At these very feet in fitting and great devotion.        (3342) 
 
189.    Having prostrated at the hallowed feet he rose up 
    In thrilled ecstasy; with true love and a chinta poised 
    In beatitude, hymned the Lord; then in unabated love 
    He moved out at sojourned in that city 
    With the devotees; during these days he visited the many shrines 
    At Kaanchi where abides the Lord of dangling matted hair.    (3343) 
 
190.     He came to aeviternal Kaama-k-kottam of glorious Kaanchi 
    And adored the Lord; he visited Kacchi metrali 
    Of the Lord in whose matted hair the Ganga courses, 
    And in swelling and boundless love, hailed and adored 
    The Lord; he adorned Him with a divine decad whose glory 
    Fills the world and which opens thus: "Nuntha von sutaraam."    (3344) 
 
191.     In his privileged positions as the Lord's own companion 
    He hailed the Peerless One of Onakaanthan Tali 
    And there affirmed his boundless servitorship; 
    Seeking coins and gold from the Lord, he hailed Him 
    With a scripturally beauteous decad which 
    Opened thus: "Neyyum paalum"; blessed with 
    Immense wealth he sojourned there in joy.            (3345) 
 
192.     Aaroorar who sojourned there came to Kacchi 
    Anekathankaapatham, moved into the temple 
    And adored the Lord whose mount is the red-eyed Bull; 
    He hailed the Lord in a decad of Tamil  
    Beginning with the words: "Thenaipurinthu" 
    And affirmed in that decad thus: 
    "This is where the Lord abides." 
    Bowing before Him, he moved out and adored 
    The Lord in swelling love in His other shrines 
    And continued to sojourn there poised in love.            (3346) 
 
193.    He served the Lord by hymning Him in sacred songs; 
    He sojourned there unable to part from the holy feet 
    Of the Lord-Dancer who grew lithe when Uma embraced Him; 
    Then desiring to adore at the many shrines situat_ 
    Beyond Kaanchi and hail Him in hymns, he fared forth and arrived 
    At Vanpaartthanpanangkaattoor of great mansions.        (3347) 
 
194.     At prosperous Tiruppanangkaattoor he adored 
    The splendorous flame of ruddy gold--the Lord 
    Who is verily the Remedy for all ills--, and with tear-filled 
    Eyes, he hailed Him in a bountiful decad opening thus: 
    "Vitaiyin mel Varuvaar." He sang the decad tunefully, 
    And moved out of the shrine.                    (3348) 
 
195.     Reaching Tirumaalperu he hailed and adored the Lord; 
    He came to Tiruvallam and adored Him; westward he marched 
    Adoring at many shrines the Lord who wears a crown 
    Of plaited matted hair; then the great servitor reached 
    The hill of Tirukkaalatthi whose great peaks are cloud-capped.    (3349) 
 
196.     He came to the foot of the hill of Kaalatthi where  
    The Lord who dispelled the distress of Kannappar who was poised 
    In immense and irrepressible love, and ruled him, 
    Abides in great joy; he prostrated before the hill 
    And ascended it, blessed with the Lord's grace; 
    Immersed in flooding love he reached His presence 
    And adored Him, the Remedy enshrined in the Hill.        (3350) 
 
197.     He worshipped the Lord and in soulful rapture, melodised 
    In sweet music a decad that oped thus: "Sentaatum…" 
    In loving devotion he hailed the fragrant 
    Lotus-feet of Kannappar and felt blessed; he moved out 
    And sojourned in that ever-during town 
    With serviteurs that were poised in inner harmony.        (3351) 
 
198.     During his sojourn, he adored from there Sri Sailam, 
    Tiru-k-Kedaaram and other northern shrines of the Lord; 
    As if he had beheld in person the dancing feet 
    Of the Lord in those far off shrines, out leaped 
    From his lips, firm-fibred and divine decades, 
    And he revelled in joy.                        (3352) 
 
199.     After his sojourn, blessed with the Lord's leave 
    He fared forth to the many shrines of the Lord whose mount 
    Is the martial Bull; there he adored the Lord 
    And hymned Him in Tamil; then he arrived 
    At Tiruvotriyoor, verily the Siva-loka on earth, 
    Situate near the beach of the swelling sea 
    Where the crescent-crested Lord abides.                (3353) 
 
200.     Hearing of the arrival of Aaroorar who was claimed  
    By the Lord that enslaved him through a document, 
    The devotees of the endlessly glorious Lord of Aadipuri, 
    Rose up to meet and greet him; at the entrance 
    Of each street they hung bunches of banana and areca; 
    They hung toranas, carried vessels of gold-dust, 
    Pots of gold filled with holy water, censers and lamps; 
    Then they fared forth to receive him.                (3354) 
 
201.     Great and glorious and auspicious instruments 
    Were played; danseuses of that town danced 
    In the theatres decked with fragrant flowers garlands; 
    Men and women of the ethereal realms rained flowers; in such 
    Gaiety, the great serviteur dear to the Lord that holds 
    The skull of Brahma for a begging-bowl, joined 
    The welcoming devotees and moved in.                (3355) 
 
202.     The welcoming devotees who were devoted 
    To the lofty tapas of Siva enshrined with Uma at Otriyoor, 
    Encircled Aaroorar, like a sea and hailed him, 
    He paid obeisance to them and reached 
    The temple-entrance of the Lord whose mount 
    Is the triumphant and ever-young Bull.                (3356) 
 
203.     He prostrated before the sky-scaling tower; 
    Rose up, moved in, circumambulated the shrine 
    Of the Lord who wears in His crest the curved crescent, 
    And came before His presence; with his flesh, 
    And life too melting, Aaroorar folding his hands 
    Above his head, prostrated on the floor 
    In exceedingly great love and devotion.                (3357) 
 
204.     Upborne by a consciousness that linked him 
    To the fresh, fragrant, beauteous and ruddy 
    Lotus-feet of the brow-eyed Lord called 
    Ezhutthu Ariyum Perumaan who, of yore, 
    Interlineated in a document the words: 
    "The city of Otriyoor excepted," he rose up 
    and in a flawless tune married to nectarean airs 
    Sang the decad which began with the words: 
    "Paattum paadi-p-paravi."                    (3358) 
 
205.     Thus he sang; love of the Lord possessed him; 
    He felt ecstatic; he moved out; hailed by devotees 
    Full of abiding love, he sojourned there in joy, 
    Adoring the Lord's hallowed feet unknown to questing 
    Vishnu and Brahma, during all the hours of pooja.        (3359) 
 
206.     Thus, even thus, he abode there. 
    Now let us lucidly narrate the glory 
    Of Anintithaiyaar who having long ago left 
    The cool and beauteous Mount of Kailaas, 
    Made her avatar on earth and grew to become 
    The bride of Van-tondar, and revel as it were, 
    In the fragrant splendour of his shoulders.            (3360) 
 
207.     By the grace of the Lord whose throat holds 
    The 'Aalaala venom,' she made her avatar 
    As the beloved daughter of Tirugnaayirukizhaar, 
    A great Velaala of lofty rectitude of Gnaayiru, 
    The town where men of increasing prosperity 
    Belonging to the fourth caste, flourished.            (3361) 
 
208.     By reason of her pre-natal consciousness she stood poised 
    In the never-forgetful way linked to the flower-feet 
    Of Himavant's Daughter; she who was called Sangkiliyaar 
    Came to be born with this consciousness; she grew 
    In the company of her playmates--the young girls 
    Of spear-like and splendidly roving eyes--; 
    Crossing duly the parvas, she became nubile.            (3362) 
 
209.     She grew thriving not only in the deeds that became  
    Her great family tradition but also manifesting qualities 
    Of divinity; such was her supernal culture that the world 
    Marvelled at it; when she grew to be a lass, her growing  
    Breasts--soft and supple--, grieved her gracile waist; 
    Then he father spake to his wife thus:                (3363) 
 
210.     "In beauty of form and quality our daughter exceeds 
    The mortal creation; we know not the reason for this; 
    It is time that we should give her in wedding." 
    Hearing this, his wife, verily a liana of ever-crescent 
    Chastity, said: "Be pleased to give her in wedding as  
                    suits our station."        (3364) 
 
211.     Sangkiliyaar who heard her parents so speak, thought thus: 
    "These words befit me not; I belong to him who is  
    Wholly blessed by my Lord; I know not of the result, 
    Their wholly different thought will lead to." Stricken 
    With fear she fell down on earth in a swoon.            (3365) 
 
212.     The parents who stood nearby were greatly agitated; 
    They lifted her up tenderly in love; anxious at heart 
    They thought thus: "What has become of her?" 
    Closely embracing her, they sprinkled on her 
    Cool and fragrant water, stroked her gently, 
    Revived her and spake to her whose lovely forehead 
    Was like unto a bow, thus: "What has befallen you?"        (3366) 
 
213.     When thus her parents questioned her 
    She spake to them frankly without any concealment: 
    "What this day, you spake of me ill-befits my state; 
    I belong to him who is graced by the Lord-Rider 
    Of the victorious Bull; I will even now 
    Fare forth to Tiruvotriyoor and establish myself 
    In the grace of Lord Siva."                    (3367) 
 
214.     When they heard her words, they were assailed  
    By bewilderment, fear and wonder; they so conducted 
    Themselves thereafter that others could not 
    Know of her changed condition; while so, 
    From a clan of equal greatness and close to them 
    In kinship and therefore privileged to seek 
    Her hand in wedding, a youth, unaware of the happenings, 
    In great longing, deputed to them some persons to broach marriage; 
    They came there and discussed matrimony.            (3368) 
 
215.     The father who listened to them could not reveal 
    To them the happenings; he so answered them 
    That they would not be troubled or offended; even before 
    They could return to him who sent them thither, 
    Like one assailed by a great evil he died; so too 
    His messengers; the parents of Sangkiliyaar and others 
    Who heard of this, were struck with bewilderment.        (3369) 
 
216.     It looked as though that the fated event proclaimed 
    Clearly to the world thus: "They that mean to thrive 
    Would not speak words which ill-became great Sangkiliyaar." 
    So the parents made a clean breast of all the happenings 
    To the great elders of their clan; with fear-stricken 
    And languishing heart they now gave assent to her proposal.    (3370) 
 
217.     Knowledgeable persons would not dare speak 
    Of her action deeming her a woman divine; 
    She would ever talk of the greatnesses of the Lord 
    Adored of her; she would not speak of aught else; 
    Such ind_ed was her righteous conduct; 
    So they resolved to conduct her to Otriyoor's Lord 
    Whose matted crown is plaited with a serpent.            (3371) 
 
218.     Addressing Sangkiliyaar whose words were 
    Tunefully melodious, her parents and others said: 
    "Reaching Tiruvotriyoor of the Lord in whose crest 
    The lucid flood courses, be pleased to abide 
    In a kanni-maatam in that city girt with cool pools, 
    And perform askesis, poised hence forth 
    In the grace of the Lord whose forehead sports an eye."        (3372) 
 
219.     In unison with the grace as ordained by the Lord who is 
    Crescent-crested, and oblivious of all else, 
    Her parents and kin resolved to abide  
    By the words of Sangkiliyaar, and conducted her 
    To Tiruvotriyoor of the Lord who smote the triple 
    Hostile cities, carrying with them great wealth.        (3373) 
 
220.     They entered the temple of Lord Siva whose crown 
    Sports a white crescent, and with their close kith 
    And kin adored Him; then with the consent of the dwellers 
    Of the hoary city they built nearby a kanni-maatam 
    Girt with immense walls, and watched over by women-guards; 
    Rich endowments were made for its up-keep; 
    Then her father fell at her feet and said:            (3374) 
 
221.     "You will gladly abide here rendering willing service 
    Pleasing to the Lord; we, on our part, will serve you." 
    His uncontainable love burst forth, and his eyes 
    Rained tears; he could not endure separation from her; 
    With his sorrowing kin, he paid obeisance to her 
    And left for his city girt with fort-like walls.        (3375) 
 
222.     The virgin who performed tapas in love, abode there; 
    She adored the Lord of lives at all the hours of pooja; 
    To perform such acts of divine service as became 
    Her nature, poised unswervingly in the pious way, 
    She came to the mantapam mantled with screens 
    And rich in cool and arboraceous flowers 
    And there took her seat in a corner.                (3376) 
 
223.     As then she became instinct with the consciousness 
    Of her service in the past at the holy Mount Kailaas, 
    She, verily a flowery liana, began to ply her hands 
    In weaving beauteous and soft garlands 
    Of flowers where chafers lay cradled, befitting the hours 
    Of the temple-service to adorn the crown 
    Of the Lord of gods; thus she flourished.            (3377) 
 
224.     As the time for him to wed, in love, Sangkiliyaar 
    Of fragrant garland, drew near, Aaroorar who made 
    His avatar by the grace of the Lord whose hue 
    Is of the crepuscular sky, as ordained by the hoary 
    And ineluctable destiny, moved into the temple 
    Of the primordial Lord, one day.                (3378) 
 
225.     Nampi Aaroorar claimed by the Lord of gods in the guise 
    Of a Brahmin and owned by Him, adored the Merciful One 
    In the hoary and traditional way, hymned Him 
    And moved out adoring the divine services in which 
    The serviteurs were engaged; he then entered 
    The flowery mantapam that was like unto a lotus-pool.        (3379) 
 
226.     With love for thread and the Panchaakshara for flowers, 
    Even as their hearts wove wreaths, they wove garlands  
    Of flowers with their hands; the very bones and minds 
    Of these serviteurs melted in loving devotion. 
    Aaroorar adored them and moved away; from a place set apart 
    Sangkiliyaar came out from behind the screen as was 
    Her wont, handed over the garlands for the adornment 
    Of the Lord, and like a lightning flash moved into her 
    Screened apartment; Aaroorar saw her, prompted by Providence.    (3380) 
 
227.     When the divine devotee of the Lord whose flag sports 
    The Bull, beheld the damozel--like unto pearl unthreaded, 
    And soft bud untouched by bee and about to burst 
    In fragrance--, his mind could not be kept in leash 
    By his rectitude; it leaped at her; anon her became 
    The target of Manmata's flowery darts; unable 
    To contain himself, he moved out, and spake thus:        (3381) 
 
228.    "What may this be? It is well-nigh impossible for me 
    To comprehend this! She who is there, behind the curtain, 
    Is like a liana of lightning compounded 
    Of the inner coolth of the fresh full-moon 
    Mixed with the nectarean flow of gold and gems; 
    She has caused my mind to swerve from its course; 
    Who may she be?" When he spake thus,                (_382) 
 
229.     They that stood nearby said: "She is indeed 
    The great lass Sangkiliyaar, the virgin who 
    By her ever-growing tapas fosters her servitorship 
    To the Lord." When so informed, he mused thus: 
    "My lord by His grace gave me this embodiment 
    owing to two persons; one is my wife Paravai; 
    This one is perhaps the second of them." 
    He was indeed bewildered.                    (3383) 
 
230.     "I am happily destined to live the life of a servitor 
    Unto the Lord whose matted hair flashes like lightning; 
    She grieves me, and by her tapas prevents me from  
    Enjoying the beatitude due to me by the Lord's grace; 
    She binds my dear life with the beauteous flowers 
    That she weaves into garlands; well, I will received her 
    From my Lord who wears on His crown a chaplet 
    Of golden Konrai flowers." Thus resolved he moved 
    Into the temple.                        (3384) 
 
231.     Even though Brahma of the Lotus-throne and Vishnu, 
    The tall one, flew up and burrowed down the earth, they 
    Could not behold His divine crown or His ever-extending 
    Ankleted feet; He is the Lord of all the worlds; 
    Yet He chooses to abide in joy at Otriyoor; 
    He is the Supreme Ens, the One of effulgence; 
    Before Him stood Aaroorar and hailed Him thus:            (3385) 
 
232.     "O Lord! Besides happily sharing Uma in Your frame 
    You love to keep concealed in Your beauteous matted hair 
    The woman Ganga! Deign to grant to me, You serviteur, 
    Sangkili -- whose countenance is like that of the moon 
    And who while binding for You beauteous garlands unbinds 
    The garland of my heart--, and thus rid me of my misery."    (3386) 
 
233.     Thus he prayed before the Lord and importuned Him; 
    He moved out of the temple and mused thus: "She has broken 
    My heart's resoluteness which for ever hovers only 
    Around thoughts of servitorship to You; I know not what 
    I should do; O Lord of fulgurant matted hair of coral hue which 
    Sports a crescent thereon, be pleased to grace me."        (3387) 
 
234.     He abode at a place outside the temple where abides 
    In joy the Lord who wears the bright crescent; 
    It was evening and the sun was about to sink 
    Into the western main; he languished beholding the sea; 
    Longing to wed her of tender breasts, he though and thought  
    On his companionship with the Lord, the Friend 
    Of Kubera who guards Sankhanidi 
    And Padmanidi, and sorely languished.                (3388) 
 
235.     His Lord who ate the poison of the roaring sea to save 
    The immortals and the mortals, appeared before Van-tonder 
    And spake thus: "We grant you liana-like Sangkili 
    Of great tapas who is unattainable by any one 
    In this world; rid yourself of misery".                (3389) 
 
236.     Hailing the Lord Van-tondar said: "In the past 
    At Vennainalloor You claimed me -- a nescient cur--, 
    On Your own accord, graced me with Your servitorship 
    And thus granted me deliverance; this day you have deigned 
    To wed me with her to save my life." He fell at the fragrant 
    Flower-feet of the Lord, and thus flourished.            (3390) 
 
237.     The Lord-Brahmin who rules Van-tondar as His servitor 
    Having graced him thus, at dead of night came 
    To the Kanni-maatam on whose wall the full moon rests 
    And appeared in the dream of glorious Sangkiliyaar, verily 
    A lamp that induces the glow of bright lustre.            (3391) 
 
238.     When the Lord appeared before her, Sangkiliyaar 
    Adored Him, fell on the ground, felt ecstatic, 
    Rose up with a flood of delight coursing in her, 
    And spake thus: "Your slave is blessed with Your visit; 
    How can I at all requite this?" Then the Lord-Brahmin 
    Resplendent with the Holy Ash like unto a flood 
    Of great mercy, graciously spake thus:                (3392) 
 
239.     "O Sangkili poised in tapas! Hearken to Me! He has 
    Indeed great love for me; His tapas is greater than 
    Even Mount Meru; at Vennainalloor, he was privileged 
    To be claimed by Me in the presence of all men; of Me 
    He besceches you; may you whose breasts are cinctured 
    By a breast-band joyously link yourself to him in wedding".    (3393) 
 
240.     Standing before her, when the Primal Lord graced her 
    Thus, Sangkiliyaar of exceeding beauty fell 
    At the Lord's cool lotus feet unknowable to Vishnu 
    And Brahma, rose up and _doringly addressed 
    The Author of the Vedas tremulously, thus:            (3394) 
 
241.     "My Lord, I belong to him whom You grace; O Lord 
    Of gods! I wear Your grace on my crown; when You deign 
    To grant me to Nampi Aaroorar in a ceremonial wedding,  
    O Lord whose frame shares the liana of Himavant 
    I have a prayer to submit unto You."                (3395) 
 
242.     Then in great bashfulness she bowed to the Lord 
    Of plaited chignon and said: "O Lord whose beauteous chest 
    Displays the flashing, white, sacred thread 
    Splendorous with its contact of the divine breasts 
    Of our Goddess! He is one that joyously resides 
    For good, in ever-during Tiruaaroor; be pleased 
    To grace me bearing this in mind." Thus spake she, 
    Verily a flawless lamp, for ever bright.            (3396) 
 
243.     He listened to her words; He, the Lord of Otriyoor, 
    Considered the state of Van-tondar also; 
    Then He graciously spake thus: "O beauty bejewelled 
    In gold, he will in solemn secrecy swear an oath 
    Affirming his non-parting from you."                (3397) 
 
244.     Then returning from her whose shoulder was 
    Bamboo-like, the Lord came to His companion 
    Of flawless mind who was reveling in joy, 
    And said: "I spoke to her of your marriage with her; 
    For this you have to fulfil a condition."            (3398) 
 
245.     Van-tondar adored Him with a joyous heart 
    And queried Him thus: What is it, O my Lord, 
    I am called upon to do?" Then the Lord 
    Spake in grace thus: "To wed her you will have 
    To affirm solemnly before her that you will ever 
    Live with her land not part from her; call on her 
    And this very night swear so before her."            (3399) 
 
246.     Then Aaroorar said: "I will do that which will fulfil 
    My desire to wed her, O Lord of fulgurant, matted hair 
    I beseech Your grace." Then with a smile 
    That appeared on His lips, the Primal Lord 
    Facing him interrogated thus: "For your act 
    (Of swearing) what else is to the done?"            (3400) 
 
247.     Van-tondar who gave away his mind to her 
    Of soft breasts cinctured by a breast-band, deeming it 
    To be an embargo on his dutiful itinerary 
    To the many shrines where his Lord joyously 
    Abides, to adore His beauteous forms, 
    Began to formulate his prayer.                    (3401) 
 
248.     Adoring the feet of Sankara, the Prince of Tamil 
    Spake thus: "When I go forth thither to take an oath 
    That I will not part from her, You should then be 
    Pleased to quit the shrine, and abide below 
    The makizha tree." Thus he prayed and bowed before Him.        (3402) 
 
249.     When the Lord's companion prayed to Him thus, the Lord 
    Of gods agreeing to his request, spake thus in grace; 
    "O Nampi, I will do as you beseech Me!" Then Aaroorar 
    Hailed Him thus: "O Lord, my God! Is there 
    Henceforth aught that is rare for me?"                (3403) 
 
250.     Aaroorar adored Him with his hands folded 
    Above His dead and moved out, blessed with His leave; 
    The Lord of ruddy matted hair-- we know not 
    If the Lord but desired to sport with him, 
    Or, was it due to the glory of the traditional 
    Servitorship of Sankiliyaar whose waist was slender 
    As a vanji-creeper--, once again visited 
    Her at night when all eyes closed in slumber, 
    To bless her with steadfastness.                (3404) 
 
251.     He appeared before Sangkiliyaar as before, and said: 
    "Nangkai, Aarooran will willingly, take the oath 
    Before you; however do not suffer him to swear before Us 
    In the shrine; let it be under the makizha tree."        (3405) 
 
252.     When she heard Him speak thus, she folded her hands  
    In adoration and hailed Him thus: "O Lord! 
    You are not to be comprehended even by Vishnu 
    And Brahma; but you deigned to reveal to me 
    The great secret, thereby acknowledging me 
    As Your serviteur." Tears rolled down 
    From her eyes and she fell at the victorious 
    And roseate feet of the Lord, and rose up.            (3406) 
 
253.     When the Lord whose crown is wrought of matted hair 
    Thus graced her and disappeared, she woke up 
    Struck with wonder great; thinking of the great grace 
    Of the Lord of ruddy matted hair, she would not 
    Thereafter sleep that night; doubt-tossed 
    She moved to her friends and woke them up.            (3407) 
 
254.     To her friends that woke up, when she duly narrated 
    All_that the Lord, Ezhuttu Ariyum Perumaal had 
    Revealed to her in her dream, they experienced 
    A happy mystical tremendum, and bowed before her.        (3408) 
 
255.     The hour for Tiruppalliyezhucchi drew near; 
    The bejewelled beauty companied with her maids, 
    The co-servitors, moved out to engage herself 
    In the holy task of weaving garlands for the Lord; 
    Awaiting her arrival at that time, Aaroorar came 
    Before the temple to take the oath as promised.            (3409) 
 
256.     When Aaroorar who stood there campe toward the bejewelled lass 
    That came there, and spake to her of the gracious 
    Blessing of his Lord, she of the gracile 
    And fulgurant waist, would not divulge before him 
    The condition linked to her consent; all bashful, she 
    Sidled away with her maids, and moved into the shrine.        (3410) 
 
257.     Aaroorar followed her and said: "O bejewelled! 
    To take my oath affirming non-separation from you 
    Be pleased to go forth to the presence of the Lord who is 
    Crescent crested." When he so spake, the maidens who had 
    Listened to the dreams of Sangkiliyaar replied thus:        (3411) 
 
258.     "O our lord! To make an asseveration 
    Before the presence of the Lord of the celestials will not 
    Be meet." Hearing this, our lord Van-tondar, unaware 
    Of the deed of the Lord, said: "O ye like unto twigs, 
    Where then shall I take the oath?"                (3412) 
 
259.     The lasses thereupon said: "Enough, if you take 
    The oath under the makizha tree," He was nonplussed 
    To hear this; then he thought thus: "If I decline, 
    It may lead to a scandal; it is but proper that I 
    Should consent to this.' Terms resolved, saying: 
    "Well, go thither," he too reached the makizh after them.    (3413) 
 
260.     As Sangkiliyaar of flawless and great tapas 
    Bore witness, he thrice circumambulated 
    The ever-young makizh and affirmed thus: 
    "I will abide here and never leave this place." 
    Thus he swore, the chief of Manippaadi 
    Which was dight with cool and flowery pools.            (3414) 
 
261.     When glorious Aaroorar completed the act of solemn oath, 
    Witnessing it, she whose eyes were like blue lily, was 
    Agitated; she mused thus: "This sinner had to witness 
    This, as it was by the Lord ordained." Languishing 
    In life and limb, she moved aside, and wilted unseen.        (3415) 
 
262.     The chief of Tirunaavaloor having performed his act 
    Entered the temple of the Lord who wears the hide 
    Of the martial tusker and prayed thus: "O Lord! You are 
    To dispense daily grace unto me! Wondrous indeed is Your way!" 
    Hailing His great name (the Panchaakshara) 
    He then moved out in delight great.                (3416) 
 
263.     When Van-tondar moved away she whose beauteous breasts 
    Were cinctured by a breast-band, came to the mantapam 
    Where garlands were woven; there she plied 
    Her hands in floral service and adored Him 
    And the gracious acts of the Lord whose throat 
    Is dark like a nimbus, and then as the day was about 
    To break, she moved into the beauteous Kanni-maatam.        (3417) 
 
264.     That very night the Lord of Otriyoor known as Aadipuri, 
    To fulfil the wish of Van-tondar-- His serviteur 
    Resplendent with jewels of gold--, desired to instruct 
    The glorious devotees of Tiruvotriyoor who were 
    Established in everlasting renown, so that 
    They would with all their heart, perform the wedding.        (3418) 
 
265.     (Appearing in their dream) He bade them thus: 
    "By Our command, perform with due rites, the wedding 
    Of Nampi Aaroorar and Nangkai Sangkili, here on this 
    Earth; so celebrate the marriage that the celestials 
    Too should get to know it." Thus instructed, 
    Up rose the divine devotees, wearing as it were 
    On their crown, the Lord's gracious behest.            (3419) 
 
266.     The serviteurs divine and innumerable--, that abode 
    At Tiruvotriyoor thriving in this world in great opulence, 
    Joined the dwellers of that beauteous city 
    And performed a great and glorious connubium 
    That was feast unto all beholding eyes, 
    With all their joyous heart; heaven showered flowers.        (3420) 
 
267.     As ordained by the hoary providence and by the grace 
    Of Lord Pasupati, Van-tondar who married her 
    Of fragrant koontal decked with flowers wherein 
    Chafers lay crad_ed, in love revelled in her sheer 
    Splendour of queenliness which excelled that 
    Of Lakshmi's, with all his five senses of sight 
    Hearing, taste, smell and touch.                (3421) 
 
268.     Her words were sweeter than the tuneful yaazh; 
    Beauteous was her row of teeth; her eyes, 
    Verily the two halves of a symmetrically sliced tender mango, 
    Reached as far as her ear-pendants and thither rolled; 
    Her breasts were of bewitching beauty; he lay  
    Immersed in the ford of her beauteous alkul; 
    Their bouderie which lasted a second seemed an aeon; 
    Their aeon-long union passed away like a second.        (3422) 
 
269.     Thus he sweetly abode there in bliss; by reason of his 
    Joyous and great sojourn in ever-during Otriyoor, he could 
    Adore the sacred feet of the Lord who is crescent-crested; 
    Many a season came in succession, and rolled by.        (3423) 
 
270.     The splendorous southerly born in Potiyil of swelling 
    Tamil, passing through the beauteous sandal-trees 
    Laden with their perfume and getting fostered 
    In many a garden of hill-slopes, began to waft 
    Gently in Tiruvotriyoor; then Aaroorar's mind 
    Hovered over the adoration of the Tiruvolakkam 
    Of the Lord of Tiruvaaroor-- Veethi Vitangkan--, 
    During His auspicious festival of Vasantham.            (3424) 
 
271.     Aaroorar imagined that he indeed heard and witnessed 
    In person, the song and dance of Paravaiyaar 
    Of mellifluous words, during the Tiruvolakkam-- 
    Circled by women of dazzling foreheads--, of the Lord 
    Veethivitangkan who wears a white crescent on His crown.    (3425) 
 
272.     He abides in joy in Poongkoyil; He is enshrined 
    In the Ant-Hill; He thinks on them that thinks on Him 
    In unforgetful and loving devotion: of adoration unto him 
    Aaroorar grew conscious, as the fruit of his regular 
    And proper worship in the past; exclaiming: 
    "Lo, here did I clean forget Him," 
    He wallowed exceedingly in misery.                (3426) 
 
273.     Much, very much, did he think on the Lord enshrined 
    In Poongkoyil, the Lord who is the Author 
    Of the Vedas, the Lord who abides in joy in Tiruvaaroor, 
    And hailed Him in a divine and musical decad of lofty verses 
    Which opened thus: "Patthimaiyum atimaiyum..."            (3427) 
 
274.     Then, one day, thinking very much on Tiruvaaroor, he entered, 
    The temple of His who is sweet to think on, 
    And adored Him; as he moved out leaving Otriyoor 
    By reason of his oath, the light of his eyes grew extinct; 
    He could not see the treading ground; he swooned.        (3428) 
 
275.     He did not know what he could do; he was bewildered; 
    He heaved long sighs of distress; he thought 
    Thus: "This is the result of my transgression 
    Of my plighted word to her whose eyes are touched 
    With collyrium." Then he mused thus: 
    "I will hail my Lord in numbers to rid me 
    of this misery that has come to me."                (3429) 
 
276.    With adoring heart he fell prostrate on the ground 
    And hailed the Lord of ever-during Aadipuri 
    In a decad of verse which opened thus: 
    "Azhukku meikodu."  Contemplating the flower soft feet 
    Of the Lord whose half is His Consort, he prayed  
    To Him thus: "You should abolish this flaw." He was 
    Ashamed of his cruel and helpless plight and stigma; 
    He hailed the Lord in mellifluous melody, and Him 
    Adored; then he thought of many, many things.            (3430) 
 
277.     When that happened to be the grace of the Lord 
    He folded his beauteous hands above his head and adored 
    Him; borne by a soaring love to adore at Aaroor, 
    He resolved not to return (to Otriyoor); led by them 
    That came with him, he came to Tirumullaivaayil 
    Of the Lord who wears the crescent in His matted hair, 
    Moved into the temple, and hymned a glorious 
    And divine decad in which he hailed Him thus: "For the sake 
    Of Sangkili, You caused my eyes to become blind."        (3431) 
 
278.     Unto the hoary, glorious and munificent Lord 
    Of Mullaivaayil who in the past graced Tondaimaan, 
    He prayed thus: "Deign to eztirpate my cruel misery." 
    Having thus hailed Him, he who marched onward, poised 
    In his great desire, came to Venpaakkam, rich 
    In mansions and great houses, and girt with flowery 
    Gardens where the bees hummed in joy; when serviteurs 
    Came forth t_ receive him, he paid obeisance 
    To them and moved into the temple of the Lord, who, 
    Of yore, peeled off the hide of the irate tusker.        (3432) 
 
279.     Companied with the devotees he circumambulated 
    The Shrine and came before the sanctum sanctorum 
    Of the merciful Lord and praised His virtues; he hailed 
    And adored Him; folding his hands above his head 
    He worshipped Him and then addressed Him thus: 
    "Are You present in this temple where You abide 
    In joy" To Van-tondar that questioned Him thus 
    The Lord gave a stick to walk with 
    And with indifferent words, thus replied him: 
    "We are (very much) here; You had better proceed." 
    Thus spake the Lord as though he were a stranger.        (3433) 
 
280.     He hymned Him in a decad which opened thus: "Pizhai 
    Ulama Porutthiduvar"; the chief of Tirunaavaloor girt 
    With cloud-capped walls, hailed the Lord who is 
    Joyously concorporate with His Consort abiding in joy 
    At Venpaakkam sporting the serpent as His jewel.        (3434) 
 
281.     Having hymned before the Lord the divine decad brimming 
    With music which was like a garland of verse in the form 
    Of a complaint, he mused thus: "The grace of my Lord 
    Amounts to this much only." Then with the ever glorious 
    Devotees he adored the Lord, and was soon on his way.        (3435) 
 
282.     Leaving the town of the Merciful One with the devotees 
    He came to Pazhayanoor rich in tanks and fields 
    Where burgeoned lotus-flowers, and abode at a place 
    Without Tiruvaalangkaadu of the crescent-crested 
    Lord-Dancer--, the holy town unto which Peyaar, 
    The mother, arrived measuring the distance 
    With her head and abode there in devotion.            (3436) 
 
283.     Facing the temple he hailed and adored the Lord; 
    His divine decad compact of music, opened with the word; 
    "Mutthaa", and he worshipped the Lord in delight; 
    Adoring Him again, he took His leave, and in love 
    Proceeded to Tiruvooral and there hailed the Lord; 
    Thence he came to the great city of Kaanchi rich 
    In beauteous mansions and girt with impregnable walls.        (3437) 
 
284.     Van-tondar adored the sky-high tower that stood fronting 
    The temple of Mother Kaamaakshi, who, abiding 
    At Kacchi-k-Kaamakottam bounded by gardens abounding 
    In honey-bees, fosters holy dharma, prompted 
    By unending compassion for all embodied lives.            (3438) 
 
285.     Adoring, he prostrated on the ground, rose up, 
    Again hailed the grace of Grace and moved on; 
    Following the flawless devotees he came to Tiruvekampam 
    Of the Primal Lord-- the Creator, Fosterer and Absorber 
    Of the hoary universe--, bowed before Him 
    And prayed to Him thus: "What have I -- the false one--, 
    To articulate before Your divine presence!"            (3439) 
 
286.     "O Lord of merciful eyes who ate the exceedingly 
    Dreadful venom, whilst the celestials feasted on nectar! 
    Kacchi Yekampaa! Be pleased to forgive the sins 
    Which I -- the least worthy of men--, committed 
    Unwittingly! Grant me eyes to behold Your form 
    Of coral splendour!" Thus praying 
    He prostrated on the floor in adoration.            (3440) 
 
287.     To Aaroorar who meditated on the roseate feet-- 
    Unto which Himavant's liana- like Daughter 
    Of kayal-like eyes with streaks of red offered pooja 
    Holding in Her rosy and lotus-like flower-hands 
    Cool and fresh blooms--, and hailed and adored the Lord 
    In soaring love; the Lord who grew lithe when His Consort 
    Embraced Him, restored the vision of his left eye.        (3441) 
 
288.    When the Lord unknowable to Vishnu who burrowed 
    The earth and to Brahma who winged the cool sky, 
    Restored to him the eye-sight and revealed to him 
    The mark of His Consort's breast, he rushed close 
    To His presence, fell down in worship, rose up, and in delight 
    Burst out with his hymn which opened thus: 
    "Aalamthaan Ukanthavan…" He sang and danced in joy.        (3442) 
 
289.     To him that hymned and adored Him in ecstasy, the Lord 
    Gave a darshan of His aeviternal splendour with His Consort; 
    This he hailed in devotion great; folding 
    His hands above His head he worshipped Him, moved out 
    And sojourned there in joy, hailing the Lord.            (3443) 
 
290.     Worshipping the Lord of long matted hair where He wears 
    The crescent and flowers of Konrai, 
    The Lord who bears the marks of the breasts and the bangles 
    Of the great Daughter of Himavant, and singing 
    A decad-- a flower-garland of Tamil verse on Tiruvaaroor--, 
    He left the divine city of Kaanchi girt with gardens 
    And rich in melliferous flowers.                (3444) 
 
291.     In love and devotion he hymned the decad which opened 
    Thus: "Anthiyum nan pakalum;" he lilted it 
    Tunefully and melodiously and expressed his desire 
    Thus: "O when am I to reach my Lord-Father's Tiruvaaroor?" 
    Possessed by uncontainable ardour; he fared forth in joy 
    With the loving devotees.                    (3445) 
 
292.     On his way at each holy and ever-during town  
    He visited the temple of the Lord who wears 
    In His crown Vanni and Vilva, adored the Lord 
    And adorned Him with garlands of celebratory 
    Tamil verse; thus he reached Tiruvaamaatthoor 
    Rich in tanks and fields where swans teemed.            (3446) 
 
293.     Adoring the feet of the Beautiful One, the merciful Lord 
    Of Aamaatthoor, he sang a divine decad of abiding music; 
    Then crossing the great and fecund Tondai Nadu which 
    Confers auspiciousness on the world, he reached 
    The glorious and well-watered country 
    Where Kocchengkanaan was born.                    (3447) 
 
294.     He reached Tiruvaratthurai in that realm. 
    Prostrated before the fragrant and flower-soft feet 
    Of the Lord who wields the fulgurant weapon of mazhu, 
    Rose up and adorned Him with a garland of Tamil verse, 
    Beginning with the words: "Kalvaai akil," 
    And sojourned there in joy 
    With the devotees of ever-during ardour.            (3448) 
 
295.     Having adored at Tiruvaratthurai of the Supreme Lord 
    He visited many a shrine of Siva whose flag 
    Sports the young Bull, hailed and adored 
    His fragrant flower-feet, bathed in the Cauvery 
    Of immense waters, companied with the devotees 
    And then came near cool Tiruvaavaduthurai whose Lord 
    Wears as a jewel, the serpent.                    (3449) 
 
296.     On His arrival, he was received there 
    By the devotees; with them he moved into the temple 
    Of swelling glory, circumambulated 
    The inner shrine, came before the Lord's presence 
    And hymned thus: "O Lord in whose matted hair, the Ganga 
    Thrives! Behold me who am deprived of an eye!" 
    The sorrowing serviteur sang thus in his tuneful 
    Decad: "O Lord, who indeed is my kin?"                (3450) 
 
297.     Having hailed Him in a divine decad, he adored Him, 
    And blessed with His leave he longingly fared forth 
    To Tirutthurutthi, moved into the shrine and adored 
    In great devotion the ankleted feet of the pure 
    And purifying Lord, and prayed to Him thus: "Be pleased 
    To rid me of the misery of my affliction."            (3451) 
 
298.     To him that thus hailed and adored, the Supreme One 
    Graciously spake thus: "For the total cure 
    Of your affliction, take a special bath in the Northern Tank 
    Where bees hum over goodly blossoms." Thus bidden 
    The serviteur who knew not deception, adored Him 
    Folding his hands, and marched on.                (3452) 
 
299.     He reached the tank rich in efficacious water, 
    Prayed to the Lord of Tirutthurutthi who is 
    A manifestation of all the glories celebrated 
    By the Vedas, and plunged into it; as he did so, he stood 
    Cured of his recent malady, and at that very moment 
    Came to be endowed with a divine body, 
    Which blazed with ruby lustre.                    (3453) 
 
300.     Even as the beholders marvelled at it, he came forth 
    To the bank of the tank, had his change of clothing, 
    And in great and soaring devotion reached the temple; 
    In the presence of the devotees he sang in sevenfold music 
    A decad of deliverance to all the men inhabiting 
    The eight directions should they comprehendingly 
    Hail it; it opened with the words: "Minnu maa mekangkal…"    (3454) 
 
301.     Having sung tunefully the Tamil decades he sojourned 
    There with the serviteurs that always think on Him, 
    Unforgetful of the divine grace of the supreme Lord, 
    And hailed Him; then he visited the many shrines 
    Where the Lord who pervades his heart, abides, 
    And adored Him, then he moved on and eftsoons beheld 
    Before him Tiruvaroor filling his whole ken.            (3455) 
 
302.     Though he beheld it with all his heart, his joy 
    Was not complete as he beheld it with one eye only; 
    He fell flat on the ground, heaved deep sighs, rose up 
    And straight adored it; Van-Tondar, entered Tiruvaaroor 
    At dusk and moved into the temple of the Lord 
    Of holy lips and dense matted hair, to adore Him.        (3456) 
 
303.     He moved into the temple of Paravai-unn-mandali 
    Companied with the swelling devotee-throng; 
    He adored the Lord and hailed Him in a sublime 
    And tuneful decad which opened thus: "Thoovaayaa"; 
    In that decad he prayed thus: "Remove our sorrows 
    And bless us with the light of eye to behold." 
    Thus he sang his rich and rare Tamil verse 
    Before the Merciful One.                    (3457) 
 
304.     Having adored the river-crested Lord, he moved out 
    And abode at a different place; with the devotees 
    He came near Tirumoolattaanam of the Lord whose 
    Banner sports the Bull, knowing the time to be propitious 
    For adoration during the Atthayaama service.            (3458) 
 
305.     As he beheld the serviteurs of the Primal Lord 
    Coming before him, he sang, facing them, a decad which 
    Opened thus: "Kuruku paaya"; through this decad that he 
    Sang in flawless and tuneful melody, as though he were 
    A stranger, he interrogated the serviteurs; he melodised 
    It in Kaikkilai on account of his sorrow; 
    Thus singing he moved on with them.                (3459) 
 
306.     He proceeded first to Tiru-th-Tevaasiriyan 
    Of soaring glory; and adored it; then he adored 
    The cloud-capped tower, folding his hands, moved in 
    And hailed the poongkoyil decked with many garlands; 
    Then he prostrated on the ground 
    In great love and devotion of abiding ardour.            (3460) 
 
307.     He rose up; folding his hands in adoration 
    He stood before the Lord and burst into sobs; 
    He wilted not content with the restoration of sight 
    To one flower-soft eye only; thus he prayed to the Lord; 
    "Be pleased to retrieve me, Your serviteur 
    From the deep sea of misery; grant me my desire 
    And bless me with the (other) eye."                (3461) 
 
308.     To drink with eyes the Nectar not to be tasted 
    With lips, -- the Lord that is enshrined in Tiruvaaroor, 
    The Wearer of Pigngnakam enshrined in Tirumoolattaanam--, 
    In fitting love and devotion, the Prince of Naavaloor 
    Hailed the Lord and beseeched Him thus: 
    "Be pleased to give me the other eye"                (3462) 
 
309.     His decad opened thus: "Meelaa adimai;" he hymned 
    This decad compact of comely and charming words 
    As the devotee and hallowed companion of the Lord, 
    And hailed the aeviternal Lord who was pleased to eat 
    The poison to forefend the death of the celestial orders 
    And prayed to Him thus: "Will you suffer Your true devotees 
    Who foster Your feet with love, to endure misery?"        (3463) 
 
310.     The Lord of Hosts-- the Holy One enshrined in the Ant-Hill--, 
    Deigned to grace Van-tondar for his loving devotion 
    And suffering; when He cast His gracious looks on him 
    And endowed him with sight in his cool and flower-like eye 
    His heart grew ecstatic and he fell 
    At the flower-feet of the Lord.                    (3464) 
 
311.     He prostrated on the ground, rose up and adored  
    The Lord in manifold ways; he hailed Him exceedingl; 
    He sang and danced in joy that welled up in him; 
    He was indeed immersed in a flood of delight; 
    With his two eyes he drank in the grace of Lord Siva 
    That rose up like a cool, splendid and coral-hued shoot 
    From the beautiful and golden Ant-Hill, and revelled in joy.     (3465) 
 
312.     He hailed and adored the Lord during the time 
    The service lasted; then, Aaroorar who came to be born 
    For the deliverance of the world, in loving devotion 
    Circumambulated the inner shrine of the golden 
    And beautiful Poongkoyil, moved out of the entrance 
    Where abode Vishnu and Brahma, awaiting 
    The hour propitious, to prefer their petitions 
    To the Lord, and came towards Tevassiriyan, 
    In the company of glorious devotees.                (3466) 
 
313.     When Nampi Aaroorar parted from Nangkai Paravaiyaar, 
    Assailed by loneliness in her beauteous mansion, she 
    Languished; her days became nights and nights, days; 
    Thus passed her time; swelling love in her upsurged 
    And she grieved much; thus rolled a few days.            (3467) 
 
314.     'Tirunaavaloorar poised_in the holy way, having reached 
    Otriyoor, married there in great splendour 
    The rotund-breasted Sangkiliyaar.' When the truth 
    Of this dictum was verified and reported 
    To her by her messengers who were sent by her to him 
    She grew wroth unconsciously and sorely languished, 
    Besieged by an uncontrollable ire.                (3468) 
 
315.     She would not slumber on her soft bed damasked 
    With flowers; neither would she desire to keep awake in joy; 
    Nor would she be seated on her beauteous seat, decked 
    With gold and flowers; she would neither stand 
    Nor walk; she would not move out of the house; 
    She would not forfend the shower of flowery darts 
    Caused by Manmata; she would not think on Aaroorar; 
    Neither would she forget him; alas, what could she do? 
    She was tossed between bouderie and separation 
    Both of which were bone-melting.                (3469) 
 
316.     While thus she languished in helpless misery, Aaroorar 
    Came before the temple of the Lord who wears in His crest 
    A white curved crescent; his glorious retinue 
    Proceeded to the mansion of lily-eyed Paravaiyaar; 
    When as usual they tried to enter it, they were not 
    Admitted; so they stood outside.                (3470) 
 
317.     A few of them that so stood there, came 
    To Nampi Aaroorar of ever-during renown, and said: 
    "They happen to know every happening at Tiruvotriyur 
    And no one detail had escaped them; so this day, 
    They in the mansion pushed us away; we could not  
    Even tarry outside the mansion."                (3471) 
 
318.     Van-tondar who languished in his mind, when he 
    Heard such words, thought over the matter; 
    Gaining clarity, he deployed a few men well-versed 
    In the way of the phenomenal world to his beloved 
    Paravaiyaar, to study her irate state 
    And devise ways and means to pacify her.            (3472) 
 
319.     They that fared forth with Nampi Aaroorar's grace 
    Arrived at the beautiful and golden mansion 
    Of Nangkai Paravaiyaar; they came before her 
    Of fulgurant waist who lay sunk in the fiery sea 
    Of bouderie, and with a view to pacify her, 
    Spake thus: "Does this become our lady?" 
    They also appealed to her in many ways.                (3473) 
 
320.     Having failed to convince her by methods of Saama, 
    They resorted to Bheda, poised in Niti; she would have 
    None of these; her resentment remained intact, 
    And she addressed them and said: "If you persist 
    In your importunities on his behalf who is linked 
    With evil, I will assuredly give up my life." When they 
    Heard her speak thus, they grew scared, and moved away.        (3474) 
 
321.     They moved out, came to the Prince of Tirumunaippaadi 
    Bounded by cool and beautiful fields, and narrated to him 
    The events as they happened; Aaroorar grew scared, 
    And he grieved; unable to sight the plank with the help 
    Of which he might cross the sea of misery 
    And reach ashore, his mental distress burnt fiercely 
    And he sorely languished; sunk in the sea of dark 
    Midnight, he knew not the way to surface up.            (3475) 
 
322.     Those that were near him slumbered; 
    Tiruvatthayaamam-service was over; men on earth 
    Ceased to walk; it was the densest part of the night 
    When even ghosts would sleep; it was then the companion 
    Of the Lord who wears on His matted hair the fragrantly 
    Blooming konrai flowers, serpent and crescent, 
    Sat alone, sunk in despair, and mused thus:            (3476) 
 
323.     "The hoary deed indeed has caused the present deed 
    And she indeed is the cause original; O Lord who  
    Owns me! Be pleased to think of visiting her, who is 
    Like a swan, at this part of the night, to rid her 
    Of her bouderie; if You do so, I am saved; 
    If not, I am done for." Thus he thought, 
    Beseeching the Lord and invoking His feet.            (3477) 
 
324.     Can the Lord who cannot bear to behold the misery 
    Of His devotees keep aloof without implementing 
    The wish of His companion whom He rules? The lord who wears 
    The marks of the breasts and the bangles of gold 
    Worn by the Mother of the universe, came thither 
    Planting on earth His feet unknown to Vishnu 
    And Brahma, and Aaroorar beheld Him.                (3478) 
 
325.     When thus the Lord was pleased to come there, 
    In uncontainable delight, his limbs trembled; 
    The hair on his_thrilled body stood erect; the soft 
    And lotus-like hands of Nampi Aaroorar folded 
    Above his head, and he fell at the ruddy, lotus-like 
    Feet of the Lord who shares in His left His Consort.        (3479) 
 
326.     Unto the friend who fell at His feet, adored Him 
    And stood before Him poised in great longing, the Lord said: 
    "What is it that afflicts you?" Him adoring, 
    He spake thus: "It is mine own doing 
    Which proves to be my undoing, and from this 
    You must lift me up and rule me by Your mercy.            (3480) 
 
327.     "At Tiruvotriyoor, graced by You Yourself 
    I married Sangkili whose bright eyes are sharp 
    Like the blade of wrought spear, and lived in joy; 
    Paravai of willowy waist, coming to know  
    Of all this, affirms that if I should come 
    To her, she would give up her ghost; so what shall I do?    (3481) 
 
328.     "O my Master! If I am truly Your serviteur, if You are  
    Truly my goodly companion, more dear to me 
    Than even my mother, and if You are truly my Lord God, 
    Behold then my senseless plight and distress, and proceed 
    To annul, this very night, the bouderie of Paravai."        (3482) 
 
329.     The Lord who demands nought but love, desiring to do that 
    Which His devotee sought, facing Aaroorar who 
    Petitioned to Him standing before Him, said: 
    "Abolish sorrow; we even now are proceeding to her 
    Who is adorned with jewels of gold, as your messenger."        (3483) 
 
330.     Van-tondar grew boundlessly joyous, fell at the feet 
    Of the Lord, rose up, praised Him in all ways, 
    Felt beatific, and spake to the Lord thus: "Be pleased 
    To proceed without delay to the cloud-capped mansion 
    Of Paravai whose teeth are white mullai buds, 
    And rid her bouderie." Thus he prayed to Him.            (3484) 
 
331.     The Lord who ate the Aalaala poison as though it were 
    Nectar, so that the celestials might thrive, 
    And so became beauteously blue-throated, --  
    Even He who is unknown to the Two--, to annul 
    The misery of the serviteur, fared forth 
    As a messenger to the mansion of Paravaiyaar 
    In whose flowery koontal chafers abode.                (3485) 
 
332.     Among the Devas who stood waiting in Tevaasiriyan 
    Seeking boons, some adored Him and accompanied Him, 
    While the others moved out having adored Him; 
    Inseparable serviteurs who ever plied themselves 
    In intimate servitorship, leaders of Siva-Bhoota Hosts, 
    Never-aging munis and yogis walked before Him.            (3486) 
 
333.     Joining the great Nandi, the rishis, Kubera 
    The friend of Siva, others joyously hailed Him; 
    Heavens showered fragrant and splendorous flowers 
    Which filled and damasked the divine street; 
    It was thus the peerless messenger of the devotee 
    Plied His steps on the holy street.                (3487) 
 
334.     "The Lord's lotus feet could never be seen by Vishnu 
    And Brahma; it is time when one can wear these feet 
    One one's crown." Thus proclaimed the anklets 
    Of the Lord whose throat is dark, as He ate the sea's venom; 
    The anklets that entwined His lotus feet thus spake aloud, 
    And the Lord fared forth, even thus, to the mansion 
    Of Paravaiyaar whose eyes were like blue lilies.        (3488) 
 
335.     The Lord moved on swiftly followed by His devotees, 
    The snakes of His matted hair where the Ganga roars, 
    The honey-bees on the konrai-chaplets nigh the crescent, 
    The Vedas and also the mind of Van-tondar; 
    Thus, even thus, He marched on.                    (3489) 
 
336.     As at the sides of the Lord who, of yore, 
    Peeled off the hide of the ichorous tusker whose 
    Trumpeting was louder than the roar of the sea, 
    They gathered closely, that street of Tiruvaaroor 
    Whereon the beauteous Lord fared forth, looked as though 
    It would reveal in itself the whole of Siva-loka.        (3490) 
 
337.     When the messenger of Nampi Aaroorar who was 
    Born for the deliverance of the world, came near 
    The threshold of the beautiful and gemmy mansion 
    Of Paravaiyaar, He bade all others that came with Him 
    To tarry thither; then in the holy guise 
    Of a Brahmin-muni who has been performing His pooja 
    For a long time, he proceeded there, all alone.            (3491) 
 
338.     He went there, stood before the securely barred doors 
    And called out thus: "O Paavaai, open the door!" 
    She of the so_t and dense koontal who sorely languished 
    And kept awake without a wink of sleep, 
    Thought thus: "He on whose chest it beheld 
    The glowing sacred thread, even he, the performer 
    Of pooja unto the Lord that rules us, calls me."        (3492) 
 
339.     She grew scared thinking thus: "Why is it that 
    The performer of pooja to the crescent-crested Lord 
    Calls me at dead of night?" Not knowing 
    That it was indeed the Lord whose half is Uma, 
    She whose forehead is like a half moon, 
    Rushed forth agitated, and opened the door.            (3493) 
 
340.     She paid obeisance to Him-- the ever-during 
    Friend of Van-tondar--, that stood before 
    Her mansion's threshold, as the messenger of Aaroorar, 
    And said: "When at this dead of night 
    The whole world is asleep, why should you— 
    O wearer of the beautiful sacred thread on you 
    Bright chest--, who are very like the Lord 
    That rules me, be pleased to come here?"            (3494) 
 
341.     He who concealed the matted hair in which lay 
    Concealed the Ganga, thereupon said: "If you, 
    Without declining, be pleased to fulfil my wish, 
    I will tell you the purpose of My visit." 
    To this, she whose eyes were beauteous as the kayal, 
    Replied thus: "If you be pleased to disclose it 
    And if it befits me, I will consent to do so."            (3495) 
 
342.     When she said, that when informed of the purpose 
    She would carry out his purpose if it became her,     
    The Lord said: "O woman of fulgurant waist! 
    Nampi Aarooran should be welcomed here!" 
    To this, she of beautiful forehead said: "Great, 
    Very great, indeed would be our glory (then)!"            (3496) 
 
343.     She subjoined and said: "He who would as usual 
    Return for the Pangkuni festival, parted from me, 
    Went to Otriyoor and got enchained by Sangkili; 
    What indeed attracts him here? O, beautiful 
    Is the message you have come with, during this night."        (3497) 
 
344.     The Lord that listened to her graciously, spake thus: 
    "O Nangkai! I have come hither to beseech you 
    Not to bear in mind Nampi's offences; it is 
    To rid you of your resentment and to abolish 
    Your state of suffering I have come; 
    So it ill-becomes you to decline my request."            (3498) 
 
345.     The great woman addressing the Brahmin-muni, 
    The great one well-versed in the rare Vedas, said: 
    "If this be your mission, your coming to this house 
    Ill-befits your glory; I will not suffer his coming here; 
    He has his Salvation at Otriyoor; please go back." 
    Thus she couched her refusal.                     (3499) 
 
346.     The Lord that heard her, inly laughed; He would not 
    Reveal to her His true state; He was pleased 
    To witness the suffering passion of His unique 
    And great friend; He was poised for this divine sport; 
    With the word of refusal of her of fragrant hair, He returned.    (3500) 
 
347.     Having sent his messenger, the serviteur eagerly 
    Awaited His return; meanwhile he lamented thus: 
    "I, an ignoramus, beseeched the Lord-God to pacify 
    The bouderie of her of fair forehead." 
    He thought that He would convince Paravaiyaar 
    And return securing her loving consent.                (3501) 
 
348.     He mused thus: "What would have the Holy One 
    Done, when He arrived at her house?" 
    Would she refuse (to accept me) when the Lord 
    Comes in person espousing my cause? 
    Surely He who went there, alive to my distress, 
    Will not return without pacifying the jewelled beauty.        (3502) 
 
349.     He rose up and proceeded to meet Him on His way; 
    Not beholding Him, he would return; he would  
    Stand bewildered; he would feel wilted; 
    He would rise up, saying, "He will not, 
    The Lord of trinocular vision, delay." 
    Then he would move aside when Manmatha 
    Showered his flowery darts on him; thus he grieved.        (3503) 
 
350.     When the Lord who sports a serpent in His matted hair 
    Returned in His own form from Paravaiyaar's house 
    After His visit as a messenger, the night blazing bright 
    Looked as though it were but day; up rose Nampi 
    And rushed to greet Him in great joy; 
    It was like the violent flowing 
    Of flood, breaking the dam.                    (3504) 
 
351.     He bowed before the Lord and when He smiled 
    Unaware of the play behind it, and thinking 
    That He had effected a rapprochement, 
    He said: "That day in the past You claimed 
    And redeemed me; this day You have chased away 
    All her wrath, and this indeed is in unison 
    With Your former grace."                    (3505) 
 
352.     To Nampi that so spake, the Great One replied thus: 
    "As beseeched by you, We went to Paravai's house 
    And We did descant on your greatnesses to her 
    Of lovingly bewitching breasts; but she would not 
    Accept you; even though We ourself entreated her 
    With pleasing words, she refused to listen to Us."        (3506) 
 
353.     When the Lord thus spake in grace, Aaroorar 
    Struck with dread, trembled; adoring the Lord, 
    He said: "Could Paravai say 'No' to You when you commanded 
    Her in grace? You have this day made it clear 
    That we are not to be counted as Your servitors.        (3507) 
 
354.     "For the flourishing of the Devas, You ate the venom 
    Of the billowy sea; when the triple hostile citadels 
    Were burnt, You saved the three from destruction; 
    For the sake of the Brahmin-lad well versed 
    In the Vedas, You smote Death to death; 
    Well, if I be odious for you, You will but return 
    Without success; will You not?"                    (3508) 
 
355.     "O, You but did what is proper; if Yu cherish not 
    This day, my servitorship, why did You in the past 
    Claim and own me? You witnessed my pain 
    And languishment; if You do not make me welcome 
    To her of the willowy waist, I will give up 
    My life." So he spake and fell at His feet.            (3509) 
 
356.     Unable to bear the suffering of Nampi Aaroorar, 
    The Lord casting His looks of grace on him 
    That fell at His feet and languished, said: 
    "We even now proceed to her, the liana, to tell her 
    To receive you; be rid of your painful misery." 
    Thus spake He that connects the results of deeds 
    With the doers thereof.                        (3510) 
 
357.     When the Lord thus blessed His bewildered friend 
    With sweet words of truth and nectarean bliss, 
    The Prince of Tirunaavaloor praised Him thus: 
    "Ridding me of painful commotion, You have also 
    Cured me, the serviteur of Your sacred feet, of fear; 
    It is thus, even thus, You should rule Your serviteur."        (3511) 
 
358.     Prompted by mercy for His devotee, the Lord went again; 
    Aaroorar followed Him to a distance, adored Him, 
    And returned bewildered; they that did not accompany the Lord 
    On His earlier visit, now adoring Him went after Him; 
    Thus the Lord of golden and matted hair 
    Proceeded to the hallowed mansion of Paravaiyaar.        (3512) 
 
359.     When the Lord that called on her in the guise 
    Of a Brahmin left her, Paravaiyaar whose forehead was 
    Like the moon, became convinced by many wondrous 
    Happenings that the Muni well-versed in the Vedas, was 
    None other than the Primal Lord of abounding mercy; 
    She cried thus: "Alas, I talked back and refused 
    To abide by the words of the Lord Himself."            (3513) 
 
360.     She would not sleep; fierce and helpless sorrow 
    Possessed her; she mused thus: "When this day, the Lord 
    Of gods came here in the form of a priest that performs 
    His pooja, for the sake of His companion, I could not 
    Know of it; Oh the sinner that I am!" Casting her looks 
    On the bright threshold, when she, companied 
    With her companions, wallowed in misery.             (3514) 
 
361.     The Lord of matted hair fragrant with Konrai blooms 
    Came forth in His own exquisite form, surrounded 
    By innumerable leaders of Bhoota-Hosts, densely-thronging 
    Devas, Yogis and Munis, and entered 
    The mansion of flawlessly glorious Paravaiyaar.            (3515) 
 
362.     The mansion to which the Lord of great mercy came 
    Was like unto a southern Kailaas, the glorious, sacred, 
    And argent Mount of the Lord, as there thronged 
    All the leaders of the Bhoota-Hosts, Captains of other 
    Hosts, Devas, righteous Munis, Siddhas and Yakshas.        (3516) 
 
363.     When the Great One arrived, surrounded by the dwellers 
    Of all the worlds, Paravaiyaar who came 
    Forth to greet Him, experienced a mystical tremendum; 
    Then she hastened to fall 
    At His roseate and redemptive feet.                (3517) 
 
364.     He who is inaccessible to Vishnu and Brahma, addressing 
    The woman that wore choice jewels, said: "Privileged 
    By friendship, Aarooran bade us, and We are here; 
    O woman of fragrant hair, bid_him that suffers, 
    Parted from You, a warm welcome."                (3518) 
 
365.     The woman of big and broad eyes was struck with fear; 
    With a sorrowing heart, and folding her flower-hands 
    Above her locks, she spake to Him thus: 
    "As a fruit of my rare tapas, You are now here; 
    Was it You my Lord that came here a while ago 
    In the form of an  extraordinarily sacred Brahmin?"        (3519) 
 
366.     Teardrops gathered in her eyes and began to flow 
    Down; adoring the Lord, she made to Him her submission 
    Thus: "Putting Your radiant and salvific feet 
    To pain, during a whole night, for the sake of a loving 
    Devotee of Yours, You have been walking hither and thither; 
    So what can I do but express my assent?"            (3520) 
 
367.     "Nangkai, you but spoke worthy words that became 
    Your lofty stature" said the Lord-Patron who is 
    Concorporate with His Consort; then He hastened 
    Away from her; she whose forehead was like the moon, followed Him 
    To a distance and then returned after adoring Him; 
    Our Lord, the messenger of Nampi, was now hastening to him.    (3521) 
 
368.     When the Lord who would not reveal His crown 
    Or feet to questing Brahma and Vishnu, plied Himself 
    Willingly as a messenger of His serviteur, the various 
    Leaders of the Bhoota Hosts and glorious heroes who were 
    Poised in the splendour of Siva-consciousness, witnessing 
    The Lord's act dance and sang in joy in that street in dense  
                            throngs.(3522) 
 
369.     When these thus fared forth before Him or after Him 
    Or at His sides, the Lord of Tiruvaaroor proceeded 
    In all celerity to effect the re-union of His devotee 
    Nampi Aaroorar with Paravaiyaar, the lightning-waisted; 
    As He thus hastened, the waves of the Ganga in His crest 
    Tossed about and spilled; thus the Lord 
    Came towards Aaroorar versed in the Vedas.            (3523) 
 
370.     The serviteur mused thus: "The Lord went away, 
    And by His assurance gave me back my life; 
    But I know not what He would do yet." 
    With unwinking eyes he fastened his look on the street 
    Made resplendent by the treading of the Lord that wears 
    On His chest the sacred thread wrought of gold.            (3524) 
 
371.     Just then, unto him that languished by the flowery darts 
    Of Manmata, the Lord who would confer on him 
    The ever-during life, came; Aaroorar greeted Him 
    And wore as it were on his crown His feet-- the Palladium for 
    The triple worlds--; yet he was not sure 
    Of what the Lord would be pleased to observe.            (3525) 
 
372.     "Oh my Lord, from her who is liana-like and who 
    Without fostering my life grieves me so sore, 
    What woeful tidings do You carry for me?" he asked. 
    Thereupon his Lord told him thus: "We have assuaged 
    The wrath of her who has a flowing koontal; O Nampi. 
    You can now go forth to rejoin her."                (3526) 
 
373.     When the Lord known as Nandi graced him thus, 
    Delightful ardour welled up in his heart full of well-being; 
    Then he spake to the Lord thus: "O Lord, You indeed 
    Are the granter of bondage and release befitting lives; 
    O my lord-Father, can aught grieve me henceforth?"        (3527) 
 
374.     When Aaroorar fell at His feet, the Lord that is 
    Easy of access to His friend, bade him thus: 
    "You may now go back to the bejewelled beauty." 
    This said, for the flouring of the world 
    The Lora Veethi Vitangka mounted His sublime 
    And victorious Bull and entered the temple 
    Whose entrance-threshold is decked with gold.            (3528) 
 
375.     He followed the Lord a few feet, prostrated 
    Before Him, rose up and returned blessed with His leave; 
    He praised Him thus: "My Lord is omnivaliant!" 
    In great delight when Nampi Aaroorar fared 
    Forth towards the threshold of the golden mansion  
    Of her of perfumed locks.                    (3529) 
 
376.     His retinue which already woke up from its slumber 
    Came densely encircling him; the Devas showered 
    Bright, beauteous and ethereal blooms, and hailed him; 
    Southerly wafted gently bearing with it fragrant, 
    Coll and soft spray and thus made delectable his way.        (3530) 
 
377.     His retinue-- the carriers of garlands, cool paste 
    Of fragrant concoction, sandal-paste mixed with musk, 
    Exceedingly good and aromatic camphor, saffron, 
    Jewels to be wo_n on the beauteous person, 
    Varieties of garments and other things (like fruits, 
    Nuts, and betel leaves)--, walked ahead of him.            (3531) 
 
378.     In such splendour her arrived there; in fitting love 
    She whose eyes were painted with collyrium 
    Had her whole mansion decorated with great skill 
    In manifold ways of excellence; she had rows of lamps kept there 
    Fed with ghee; censers and pots filled with fragrant 
    And holy water, were also duly set.                (3532) 
 
379.     With fragrant, bright and beautiful garlands, 
    And wreaths and chaplets set with gems, she had the house 
    Adorned; the floor was coated with fragrant sandal-paste; 
    Lovely gold-dust was scattered; even as her circling 
    Friends hailed her, she came to the street 
    Filled with fragrant flowers, stood in front 
    Of the gem-inlaid threshold, and awaited 
    The advent of Nampi Aaroorar                    (3533) 
 
380.     When Van-Tondar came before her in whose koontal 
    Chafers hummed, she could not behold the bounds 
    Of her flood of love; possessed by exceeding fear 
    And bashfulness, she paid obeisance to him; the glorious 
    Hero took hold of her cool and rosy palm 
    And moved into the mansion.                    (3534) 
 
381.     They both hailed the great acts of divine mercy 
    Which their Lord enacted for their sake; 
    Their chintas were immersed in a flood of joy; 
    Each was poised in the other, and a single life 
    Pervaded their bodies held in happy union.            (3535) 
 
382.     He adored the Lord Author of the Vedas-- the One  
    In whose matted hair the Ganga flows--, 
    Enshrined in the Ant-Hill at Poongkoyil 
    During all the hours of pooja, and adorned Him 
    With splendorous decad that invested the world 
    With resplendence; thus the wearer of the lotus-garland 
    And chains set with gems, flourished there in joy.        (3536) 
 
383.     "Without any qualms of conscience Nampi Aaroorar  
    Plied the Lord as a messenger to his woman!" 
    Hearing such scandalous worlds which spread swiftly 
    In this world, Yeyarkone Kalikkaamar grieved 
    At heart, wondered, feared and then spake thus:            (3537) 
 
384.     "Wonderful indeed is the errand the Lord was commanded 
    To perform by His devotee! Could one call oneself 
    A devotee that bade the Lord thus, thinking 
    It to be but fit and proper? What blasphemy 
    Is this? I am truly a ghoul, for, even after hearkening 
    To this blasphemy, my life has not quit my body."        (3538) 
 
385.     He would lament thus: "Prompted by love to join a woman, 
    He commanded the Lord who in due submission 
    Walked the earth with His roseate lotus-feet 
    In pain; lo should the peerless Lord go up and down 
    The whole night through the street where chariots ply?        (3539) 
 
386.     "Though the Lord unable to suffer the suffering 
    Of His serviteur should consent to serve, could yet 
    A devotee ply on an errand the Lord who is not 
    To be comprehended by Indra, the celestial King, 
    Vishnu and Brahma? O that day will surey be a cursed day 
    When I am to meet him that trembled not 
    In his heart to deploy the Deity!                (3540) 
 
387.     "I know not what will happen, when, face to face 
    I meet him who for the sake of a woman, plied during 
    Night my Lord-Ruler as a messenger and (still) lives!" 
    Thus he mused and his heart was full of wrath, 
    Even to the point of bursting.                    (3541) 
 
388.     When Nampi Aaroorar heard of this, he indeed deemed it 
    A beatitude to be even thus thought of by Yeyarkone 
    Kalikkaamar of lofty and endless renown; he became 
    Alive to his sinning; seeking expiation therefore, 
    He petitioned to the Lord in whose matted hair 
    Decked with beauteous and burgeoning Konrai blooms, the Ganga flows.(3542) 
 
389.     He daily prayed to the Lord, who please with it, desired 
    To make both the devotees of loving devotion get bound 
    By affectionate friendship; for this he afflicted Yeyarkone, 
    The great hero, with a dire ache of stomach 
    That made him languish in life and limb.            (3543) 
 
390.     The stomach-ache with which the Lord graced flawless 
    And ever-glorious Yeyarkone, pierced him more 
    And more like a spear fully heated with fire, 
    And caused him extreme pain; he could not bear it; 
    His heart broke; he fell at the feet of the Lord 
    Of t_e Bhoota-Hosts, and hailed him.                (3544) 
 
391.     When with all his mind and word of mouth, our lord Yeyarkone, 
    The devotee, hailed the divine and salvific feet 
    Of the Lord, he was thus graced by Him: "The grieving 
    Stomach-ache that afflicts you, can be cured only 
    By Van-tondan; it is otherwise remedyless." 
    When he heard the Lord speak thus,                (3545) 
 
392.     He said: "O our Lord! You indeed are the Protector 
    Of my father, his father and his father and our whole 
    Race; generation after generation, in unbroken 
    Tradition Your hallowed feet alone are our 
    Sole refuge; in this world I thrive even thus; 
    Is my stomach-ache that grows apace to be cured 
    By one who was newly and forcibly claimed by You?        (3546) 
 
393.     "It is better that the ache should sorely grieve me 
    Uncured by that Van-tontan; O Lord whose banner 
    Sports the Bull! Who can ever comprehend the glories 
    Of Your gracious acts? You choose to glorify 
    Your new servitor.  Well, be that as it may!" 
    When Yeyarkone spake thus, the Lord of matted hair 
    Disappeared from him.                        (3547) 
 
394.     The Lord Patron then manifested before Van-Tondar 
    And graciously spake thus: "May you this day go 
    To Yeyarkone and Our command cure him of his dire 
    Ache of stomach." Thereupon, glad in mind and thrilled 
    In body, Naavaloorar adored the Lord.                (3548) 
 
395.     When the Lord graced him thus and left him, Aaroorar 
    As commanded by the Lord of gods, hastened 
    On his errand, borne by love which his mind 
    Fostered for the friendship of Kalikkaamar; 
    He sent a messenger to inform him of his arrival 
    To cure him of his cruel gripes.                (3549) 
 
396.     He that languished from colic with which the Lord 
    In His grace afflicted him, was all the more 
    Pained when he heard the cruel words 
    Of the Lord; now when he heard of the impending arrival 
    Of Van-tondar, he mused thus: "If I be beset with the great 
    Evil of the advent of him who employed our Lord 
    As his messenger, I know not what I will do.            (3550) 
 
397.     "Before he comes to cure me of my cruel malady, 
    To deal with this sinful tormina which shall not 
    Part from me till my death, I will tear it out 
    From my stomach where it abides, and thus end it." 
    Then unsheathing the sword from its scabbard 
    He tore his stomach; that very moment, his life 
    And colic came to an end.                    (3551) 
 
398.     The ineffably glorious wife of Kalikkaamar made all 
    Arrangements for suttee to accompany her peerless 
    Husband; then a messenger from the retinue 
    Of Aaroorar came there and said: "Nampi is come; 
    He is close by." Thereupon she spake thus: 
    "Let none lament here."                        (3552) 
 
399.     She addressed the servants thus: "Conceal 
    The act of my husband; when Nampi Aaroorar 
    Her arrives, go forth to greet him, having 
    Decked this house in great splendour." 
    Thereupon the servants adorned the foreyard 
    With lamps and pots filled with fragrant water; 
    They decorated the house with garlands wrought 
    Of flower-bunches, and moved out to receive him.        (3553) 
 
400.     When the men of righteous heart came before him, greeted 
    Him and paid obeisance to him, our ruler Nampi Aaroorar 
    Smiled in joy; in true love he moved into the house 
    And sat on a seat strewn thick with flowers; 
    His face beamed in joy.                        (3554) 
 
401.     Ritualistic archana was performed to him 
    In unison with the scriptural rules; it was 
    Accepted by Nampi Aaroorar, well-versed 
    In the truths of the fourfold Vedas; then he said: 
    "I really grieve very much as by now 
    I have not cured the cruel ache of Yeyarkone; I should 
    Have done this to sojourn here in his company."            (3555) 
 
402.     By the behest of Kalikkaamar's wife, the servants 
    Of the house said: "There is nothing to grieve; 
    He slumbers in his room." When so told, Aaroorar 
    Spake in grace thus: "Even though evil comes not here, 
    Yet my mind lacks clarity, and so I must behold him."        (3556) 
 
403.     As Van-tondar persisted, they took him to Kalikkaamar; 
    Blood had gushed forth profusely from him and his 
    Intestines were jutting out; when he beheld the deceased, 
    Aaroorar said: "Great indeed is the happening! 
    I too will join him similarl_."                    (3557) 
 
404.     Resolved on self-murder, when he clutched at the dagger, 
    By the grace of the Lord that rules us, Kalikkaamar 
    Rising from the dead, shouted: "Woe is me --  
    (Now) his friend!" As he forthwith caught hold 
    Of the dagger, Van-tondar adored him and fell at his feet.    (3558) 
 
405.     When Aaroorar fell at his feet and adored him, 
    Yeyarkone threw away the dagger and fell at the feet 
    Of Aaroorar of resounding heroic anklet; witnessing 
    That day the marvel, the celestials showered 
    Karpaka flowers to the hailing of men on earth.            (3559) 
 
406.     Up rose both and embraced each other; loving 
    Friendliness joyously welled up in them 
    Without interruption; then they proceeded to Tiruppungkoor 
    And there hailed the feet of the Holy One; Van-tondar 
    Setting his mind on the grace of the Lord, hymned 
    A decad which opened thus: "Antanaalan."            (3560) 
 
407.     Thus passed a few days; then the chief 
    Of Tirumunaippaadi companied with the leader 
    Of the Yeyarkone-clan, came to Tiruvaaroor 
    And adored the Lord of Poongkoyil with him; 
    There they abode in perfect love.                (3561) 
 
408.    Having sojourned there in joy, Kalikkaamar 
    With Aaroorar's gracious leave came back to his town, 
    Abode there poised in piety and performed acts of service 
    Befitting him; eventually in all splendour he reached 
    The feet of the Lord whose mount is  
    Th glorious and red-eyed Bull.                    (3562) 
 
409.     He, the patron, became a friend of Aaroorar who during 
    Midnight employed our Lord as his messenger; 
    He is Yeyarkone; adoring his flower-feet, I now 
    Proceed to narrate the glory of Tirumoolar 
    Who, in sweet and clear Tamil, expounded the truth 
    Of the fourfold way culminating in Gnaanam 
    Which is inward realization.                    (3563) 
 
---------------- 
 
NOTES 
 
Verse No. 
   1.    Tirupperumangkalam: The birth-place of St. Yeyarkone.  Mangalam means  
    auspiciousness.  This holy place does not brook the occurrence of  
    anything that is inauspicious. St. Yeyarkone committed suicide. Yet  
    Siva, in His infinite mercy, resurrected him.  This sacred town is  
    therefore aeviternally auspicious. 
 
   7.    Tiruppunkoor: The Lord is Sivaloka Naathar.  His Consort is  
    Chokka Naayaki. 
 
  20.    Kolilee: Kolileenaadeswarar is the Lord whose Consort is  
    Vandamarpoongkuzhal Ammai.  The decad sung here opens thus: 
 
        "For long hours 
        I think of you, 
        I pray to you without pause 
        Great lord in Kolili: 
        I received a little paddy in Kuntaiyur 
        So shat the innocent woman 
        With eyes like swords 
        Would no longer be in pain. 
        Our lord -- there is no one to help. 
        let some bear 
            this burden for me."    (Tr. David Dean Shulman) 
 
  28.    This verse shows that a servitor of Siva is ever endowed with an  
    eleemosynary disposition. 
 
  33.    Naattiyatthaangkudi: The Lord is Maanikkavannar.  
    His Consort is Malarmangkai Naayaki. 
 
  40.    St. Sundarar like St. Sambandhar is Padre commune. 
 
  43.    Valivalam: Manatthunai Naathar and  
    Maazhaiyangkanni Ammai are its presiding deities. 
 
  46.    Pukaloor: Agniswarar is the Lord.  His Consort is  
    Karunthaalkuzhali Ammai. 
 
  52.    Tiruppanaiyoor: The 73rd shrine in the southern  
    bank of the Cauvery. The Lord is Soundara Naathar.  His Consort is  
    Periya Naayaki.  The decad on this town opens thus: 
     
        "Tiruppanaiyoor is rich in storeyed mansions, towers, 
        Mantapams, flourishing gardens where chafers hum 
        And fedund fields; here is He who wears a todu 
        In one ear and a kuzhai in the other, hailed by 
        His servitors who leap (in joy) and sing. 
        Behold the Lord-Dancer -- the beautiful One." 
 
  56.    Tirunannilam: The 71st shrine on the southern  
    bank of the Cauvery.  The shrine is called perungkoyil.  The Lord is  
    Maduvaneswarar.  His Consort is Maduvana Naayaki.  The decad of  
    this shrine opens thus: 
 
        "His nature is (at once) cool and fiery; He who 
        Dances Paandarangkam goes about seeking alms 
        In a skull at every threshold from damsels 
        Whose soft words are s_eet like the music of pann; 
        His feet duly hailed and extolled by the holy men 
        Well versed in the four Vedas, He abides in love 
        In the Perungkoyil at Nannilam." 
 
  57.    Tiruveezhimizhalai: The Lord is Veezhi Naathar  
    (Veezhi Azhakar).  His Consort is Sundarakuchaambika.  The decad  
    opens thus: 
        "Women radiant as gold 
        at the sacrifice 
        proper to Brahmins' four Vedas 
        grace Tirumilalai, that offers mercy  
        to those who believe. 
 
        while the celestials praised and worshipped, 
        you took the golden Vili for your home 
        together with the Mountain's daughter -- 
        now have mercy on me, too!"    (Tr. David Dean Shulman). 
 
  60.    Tiruvaanjiyam: The Lord is Vaanji Naathar. 
    His Consort is Vaazhavanta Naayaki. Our Saint's decad begins thus: 
 
        "He is hostile to the evil ones; He wears the sacred thread 
        Of three strands; He is concorporate with Uma 
        Of close-set breasts; He goes not to them that seek Him not; 
        Our Lord abides at glorious Tiruvaanjiyam, hailed by  
        The consort of Lakshmi; the unique One does not suffer 
        Kismet to torment and weaken His servitors." 
 
    Arisilkaraipputthoor: Padikkaasu Vaittha Paramar is  
    the Lord.  His Consort is Azhakammai.  Our saint's decad opens thus: 
 
        "When the Mountain's Daughter stood scared 
        Of the ichorous tusker, You peeled off its hide; 
        You gutted with fire the winged citadels, three in number 
        You forsake not Your riding the murderous 
        And bellowing Bull; neither will You give up 
        Your seeking of paltry alms from each threshold. 
        O beautiful Lord of the pulchritudinous Tirupputthoor 
        Upon the southern bank of Arisil whose flood rolls with 
        And throws up antlers and tusks of tuskers, 
        Fantails of peacocks and dark eagle-wood." 
 
  61.    Naraiyoor Chiddheeccharam: The Lord is Siddha  
    Naathar. His Consort is Azhakammai.  The decad sung here opens: 
 
        "On His matted crest where rest the crescent, the flood 
        And flowers, a serpent crawls; cascade which roll 
        With their current gems and gold, flow onto His 
        Naraiyoor Chiddheeccharam." 
 
  63.    Tiruvaavaduthurai: The Lord is Maasilaamani. 
    His Consort is Oppilaamulai Ammai.  The decad of this shrine  
    begins thus: 
 
        "When the Brahmin - Brahmachaari, in all love 
        Sought refuge in You, You saved his precious life 
        By kicking Yama -- the wielder of a bloody spear (to death) 
        Aware of this, I, Your servitor, ever hail and extol You 
        As our Lord and God and pay You obeisance 
        Seeking the Palladium of Your anklet-resounding feet, 
        In abounding love, O the hoary Lord of Aavaduthurai!" 
 
  65.    Idai Maruthu: (Tiruvidaimaruthhoor): The Lord  
    is Mahalingam His Consort is Perunanmulai Naayaki.  The decad  
    opens thus: 
 
        "My Father which art at Idaimarutu! 
        Men will deride when a donkey wilts unable to endure 
        The burden of saffron-bales; even so I feel 
        Bewildered caught in a maelstrom, when I  
        Pursue Your servitorship but unable to come by its fruit. 
        O manam, of what avail is weeping? 
        O Lord, be pleased to bless me with the way of redemption,  
        Even to me who is brainless and who canst not 
        Hail You as Hara, the all-merciful One." 
 
    Tirunaakeccharam: The Lord is Tirunaakesurar.  
    His Consort is Kunraamulai Ammail  The decad opens thus: 
 
        "Wherefore, did You quaff the immense and blue venom 
        At which Uma whose forehead is bright like the moon, 
        Quaked and shuddered, O Lord of Tirunaakeccharam 
        Where winged and pretty chafers revel in the pollen 
        Of tulsi and mullai flower and then settle 
        On the creepers of kurukkatthi?" 
 
  67.    Kalayanalloor: The 68th shrine on the southern  
    bank of the Cauvery.  The Lord is Amrutakalaa Naathar and His  
    Consort is Amrutavalli.  The lilting decad opens thus: 
 
        "Do you seek to know of His town, the One 
        Who is the Lord of the celestials and who 
        Sports an eye in His forehead -- 
        Who, beholding the askesis of Hers 
        Whose breasts are like tender coconuts 
        And whose koontal is laden_with flowers--, 
            Divined Her intent, conferred on Her 
            The sought-for boon and wedded Her? 
        Know it to be Kalayanalloor where  
        Bees buzz over buds 
        And the six-footed chafers hum melodiously, 
            Where ornate peacocks dance in the encircling gardens 
            An where blue lilies slumber in the close-by fields 
            Of sugarcane and where lotuses burgeon with joy." 
 
  68.    Tirukkudamookku: The decad sung by our saint  
    at Tirukkudamookku, Tiruvalanjuzhi and Tirunalloor are not extant. 
 
  69.    Tirucchotrutthurai: The Lord is Odavaneswarar/ 
    Tolaiyaa-ch-Chelvar and His Consort is Annapurani/Oppilaavammai.   
    The decad sung here begins thus: 
 
        "It is Tirucchotrutthurai situate on the bank 
        Of the Cauvery in whose current, pearls bred of bamboos 
        And heaps of gold twirl in the eddies, which is 
        The town of the lord in whose matted crest 
        Liquid fire flows; behold Him mantled 
        In the skin and the hide of the antelope and the tusker." 
 
  71.    Kandiyoor: The decades sung on Kandiyoor,  
    Tiruppoonthurutthi and Tiruvaalampozhil are not extant.  The decad  
    on Tiruvaiyaaru too is irretrievable lost. 
 
  73.    Tirumazhapaadi: The Lord is Vairatthoonn  
    Naathar.  His Consort is Azhakammai.  The decad on this holy  
    shrine enjoys a unique renown.  It begins thus: 
 
        "Your body dazzles golden; a tiger's skin covers 
        Your hip; on Your hirsutorufous and matted crest 
        Konrai blazes fulgurantly; O King, O Gem great, 
        O the Rudy of Mazhapaadi! 
        O Mother, on whom will I think save You?" 
 
  76.    Tiruvaanaikka: Jambukeswara and Akilaanda  
    Naayaki are the presiding deities.  The decad begins thus: 
 
        "The four Vedas and all else, the many Faiths and the gods 
        Therein hailed, the First Ens that transcends these 
        And the beatitude of deliverance: all these are the Lord 
        Of Tiruvaanaikka of resounding and beauteous waters. 
        They that reckon Him as the Primordial God and pay Him 
        Quotidian obeisance are also our rulers." 
 
  77.    Verse seven of St. Sundarar's decad refers to this episode. 
    Commenting on this incident, His Holiness, the 26th Pontiff  
    of the Dharmapuram Aadhinam said: "If a person has  
    irretrievably lost something, he can yet come by the fruit of  
    his alleged loss, if he is prepared to dedicate it to Siva.   
    Siva will recover it and the offerer will stand blessed by Him." 
 
  78.    Tiruppaacchilaacchiraamam: The Lord is  
    Maatruari Varathar.  Balasundari is His Consort.  It looks as  
    though that St. Sundarar let off his steam on Lord Siva, as the  
    Lord was not pleased to confer on him what he sought. True.  
    However, it should be remembered that St. Sundarar's refrain is:  
    "There is no God but Siva." "Yivar alaathu illaiyo Piraanaar"  
    means that save Siva there is no God.  The 'o' in illaiyo is  
    employed in the affirmative sense. Illaiyo means Illaiye. 
 
  83.    Paigngneeli: Meignaana Nilakantesuvarar. 
     His Consort is Visaalaakshi. 
 
  85.    Eengkoi Malai: The decad sung on this  
    occasion is not extant. 
 
  86.    Kodumudi: The Lord is Kodumudi Naathar. 
    His Consort is Pannmozhi Ammai.  Here, our saint affirms thus:  
    "Even if I forget You, my lips will still chant Your name Namasivaya." 
 
  88.    Peroor: This town is also as Melaicchidambaram. 
    This is as great as Tillai.  Lord Nataraja and Sivakami are enshrined  
    here. 
 
  92.    Venjamaa-k-Koodal: The 7th of the shrines in  
    the Kongku Naadu.  The Lord is Vikirdesuwarar.  His Consort is  
    Vikirdesuwari. 
 
  93.    Tirukkarkudi: The Lord is Ujjiva (Vizhumiya)  
    Naathar.  His Consort is Anjanaakshi. 
 
  94.    Tiruvaarai Metrali: It is from here our saint  
    proceeded to Tiruppurampayam as is attested by the first verse on  
    Tiruppurampayam.  The God of this latter shrine is Saakshivaradeswarar. 
    His Consort is Karumpadusol Ammai. 
 
 103.    Koodalai Aatroor: The third shrine in Nadu Naadu. 
    The Lord is Nerikaatu Naathar.  His Consort is_Purikuzhal Naayaki. 
 
 104.    Tirumuthukunru: (Vriddaachalam): The Lord is  
    Pazhamalai Naathar.  His Consort is Periya Naayaki. 
 
 111.    Kadampoor: The great Sivakkavi Mani (the  
    famous commentator of the Periya Puranam) says: "Ithan vivaram  
    vilangkavillai" (Its whereabouts are not known). 
 
 117.    Tirukkarippariyaloor: The 27th shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. The Lord is Kutram Poruttha Naathar. 
    His Consort is Kolvalai Naayaki. 
 
 118.    Mannippadikkarai: Tiruneelakandar and  
    amrutavalli are its presiding deities. 
 
    Vaazhkolipputthoor: The 29th shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. Maanikka Vannar is the Lord.  His  
    Consort is Vandamar Poongkuzhali. 
 
 119.    Kaanaattu Mulloor: The 32nd shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. Patanjali Naathar and Kaanaar  
    Kuzhali are the presiding deities. 
 
 120.    Yetirkollpaadi: The 24th shrine on the  
    northern bank of the Cauvery. Iraavateswarar is the lord.   
    His Consort is Malarkkuzhal Naayaki. 
 
 121.    Tiruvelvikkudi: Kaliyaanasundarar and  
    Parimalasukanta Naayaki are the presiding deities.  This shrine  
    is on the northern bank of the Cauvery. 
 
    Tirutthurutthi: Uktavediwarar is the Lord.  
    His Consort is Miruthumukizh Ambika.  This shrine is on the  
    southern bank of the Cauvery. 
 
 150.    Tiruninriyoor: The Lord is Mahalakshmi  
    Naathar.  His Consort is Ulaka Naayaki.  The second verse  
    of the decad is as follows: 
 
        "O Lord of opulent Tiruninriyoor in the south, where 
        Parakeets -- the masters of the splendorous Tamil 
        With all its tinai-genres--, articulate it,  
        Chandi was blessed with beauteous vestments, 
        Ornaments, wreaths to wear and nectarean food  
        For bathing You in milk. 
        The Lord of Language composed on You 4,900 Hymns 
        And Kannappar whose hand ever held a dart 
        Were the recipients of Your sweet grace. 
        This seeking I have come here." 
 
 151.    Nidoor: Somanaatesuwarar/Arull Somanaathar and  
    Veyurutoliyammai are its presiding deities. 
 
 153.    Tiruppunkoor: It is not known if any decad was  
    sung by St. Sundarar at this shrine, on this occasion. 
 
 154.    Kolakka: The Lord is Tirutthaalam Udaiyaar.  
    His Consort is Osai Koduttha Naayaki.  Verse 8 of the decad sung  
    here is a remarkable hymn.  It says: 
 
        "In the presence of men of this world, the Lord 
        Presented a pair of cymbals to Gnaanasambandhan-- 
        The one who, day after day, through music sweet propagated Tamil; 
        The Lord is One who was moved by his verses. 
        He is the ruler of my thinking; He, the merciful One, 
        Enacts the dance when Bhootas melodies; He is the One 
        Who is hailed by the eight Ganas; He is the One 
        Who is enshrined in Kolilee -- the great temple. 
        Him have I beheld at Kolakka making Him mine own." 
 
  156.    Kurukaavoor: Velladai Naathar and Kaaviyamkanni  
    are its presiding deities.  Verse 6 of the decad sung here is as follows:  
 
        "O Lord enshrined in Tirukkurukaavoor Velladai! 
        To forfend the misery of the servitors that dwell on earth, 
        You, of the Empyrean, abide here like the sweetness in pann, 
        The flavour in fruitage, the pupil of eye 
        And the light amidst darkness." 
 
    The word Tamil occurring in this verse means sweetness. 
 
 166.    Tirukkazhippaalai: Paalvanna Naathar and Veda  
    Naayaki are its presiding deities. 
 
 168.    Tirutthinainkar: Sivakkozhundu and  
    Ilamkompuannaall are the presiding deities. 
 
    Tirunaavaloor: The birth-place of St. Sundarar. 
    Naavaleswarar and Sundaraambika are the presiding deities. 
 
 172.    Tirukkazhukkunram: Vedagiriswarar and  
    Penninnallammai are its presiding deities. 
 
174-182.    Tirukkacchoor: Virunthitta Naathar (varadar)  
    and Uma are its presiding deities.  The temple in this place is  
    called Aalakkoyil.  The first verse of the decad sung here attests  
    to the episode that took place_here.  It is as follows: 
 
        "The big-mouthed foxes howl and You dance 
        In the crematory holding the fire in Your palm. 
        O Bridegroom that wears fresh and melliferous konrai 
        Of the Daughter of the Mountain! 
        O Lord of Aalakkoyil at Kacchoor! 
        If You go about begging with a cracked skull 
        For Your alms-bowl, will not Your servitors grieve? 
        O the way of Your mercy!" 
 
 186.    Tiruvekampam: Siva's shrine at Kaanchi. 
 
 190.    Kaachi-metrali: Metrali Naayakar and  
    Kamaakshi are its presiding deities. The fourth verse in this  
    decad begins with the word "Moraantu" -- a word which is  
    met with in Saivite Tirumurai-s only once.  In the Vaishnava  
    commentary we meet with the word "Moraanta".  These two  
    words differ in their meaning.  What the word "Moraanthu"  
    means is only guessed.  It may mean inadvertently.  It is  
    something attributable to neglect resulting from befuddlement. 
    This verse is as follows:  
 
        "If out of befuddlement, I have not, on occasions, 
        Thought of You, on Your own accord, You invade 
        My soul and make me think of You, O True Ens! 
        O my lion-like God enshrined at Metrali 
        Which is girt with cool and miry fields! 
        Henceforth I will not hail any but You." 
        [invade my soul: make You presence effective in my soul.] 
 
 191.    Tiruvonakaantantali: The third shrine in  
    Tondai Naadu.  The Lord is Onakaantesuwarar.  His Consort  
    is Kaamakshi. 
 
 192.    Anekatangkaapatam: The presiding deities  
    are Anekatangkaapateswarar and Kamaakshi.  The fourth shrine  
    in Tondai Naadu.  A sage who was attached to this shrine initiated  
    Nayina Pillai into the science and art of music.  Pillai made it a  
    point to recite a verse or two of this shrine, at the end of every  
    of one of his concerts.  We came by this information when we  
    visited the shrine about fifteen years ago.  St. Sundarar sang this  
    decad in Kummi which is still popular with young girls of Tamil  
    Naadu.  We owe this information to Chhandak Kavi Ramaswamy  
    of Mannarkudi, now at Srirangam. 
 
 193.    Vanpaartthanpanangkaattoor: The Lord is  
    Panangkaatu Naathar.  His Consort is Amrutavalli.  This is the  
    9th shrine in Tondai Naadu. 
 
 195.    Tirumaalperu and Tiruvallam: Our saint's  
    decades on these shrines are not extant. 
 
 220.    Then her father fell at her feet: This is  
    an instance where a father feels no reluctance to fall at the feet  
    of his child when he is convinced that his own child is godly. 
 
 268.    Their bouderie. . . . . . a second: Albert  
    Einstein, the German-Swiss physicist and propounder of the theory  
    of relativity explained his theory thus: "When a man sits with a  
    pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute.  But let him sit  
    on a hot stove for a minute -- and it's longer than any hour. 
    That's relativity." 
 
 276.    The decad sung on this occasion opens thus: 
 
        "O Lord presiding over Otriyoor! I have but gained 
        Your sacred feet with my dirt-inlaid body; 
        If this be my lot, please favour me with a solution 
        To apply to my eyes now wholly bereft of light, 
        Milk is obtained by them who stoop to sweep 
        The cattle-shed to clear it of its dung. 
        Even so, be pleased to ignore my defects and rule me. 
        O Lord, I may err, but never will I offend 
        Your divine feet; even when I fall, I know not 
        Aught to utter save Your hallowed name." 
 
 277.    Tirumullaivaayil: This is known Vada Tirumullaivaayil. 
    It is the 22nd shrine in Tondai Naadu.  The Lord is Paasupatesurar. 
    His Consort is Kodiyidai Naayaki. 
 
 279.    Tiruvennpaakkam: This is the 17th shrine in Tondai  
    Naadu.  This shrine in now submerged in water.  The Lord is  
    Vennpaakka Naathar.  His Consort is Minnaloli Ammai. 
 
 282.    Tiruvaalangkaadu (Pazhaiyanoor): In this shrine,  
    through his decad our saint once again declares that he will be a  
    servitor of Siva's servitors. 
 
 283.    Tiruooral: It is not known if our saint sang any  
    decad in this shrine, on_this occation. 
 
 284.    Tirukkaamakkottam: The shrine of Kaamaakshi  
    at Kaanchipuram.  He hails the Magna Mater first and then moves  
    to the Father's shrine. 
 
 287.    Sundarar is blessed with vision in his left eye.  He regains his sight  
    in the right eye, at Tiruvaaroor.  The patikam sung at Tiruvekampam  
    and beginning with the words "Alanthaan ukantu" is a cure for failing  
    eye-sight. 
 
 292.    Tiruaamaatthoor: This is Aa (cow) Maathaa  
    (mother) Oor (place) 
 
 294.    Tiruvaratthurai: this is known as Nelvaayil  
    Aratthurai. 
 
 297.    Tirutthurutthi: It is today known as Kutthaalam.  
    Here our saint is directed to take a bath in the sacred tank to get  
    himself cured of his illness.  The decad through which our saint  
    invoked the Lord to bless him with the remedy for his malady is  
    not extant.  However his thanks-giving decad is extant.  After his  
    bath he is described thus by St. Sekkizhaar: "Mani oli ser Tirumeni  
    Aayinaar."  This has a reference to our saint's gaining the Pranava  
    Sarira. 
 
 303.    Tiruvaaroor-p-Paravaiyull Mannthali: The 89th  
    shrine on the southern bank of the Cauvery.  This is today known  
    as Thulaa Naayannaar Koyil.  The Lord is Mandaleswarar.  His  
    Consort is Panjinum Melladiyaall. 
 
 304.    This verse speaks of our saint attending the Artha-jaama service. 
 
 310.    Sundarar stands blessed with vision in his right eye.  The decad  
    sung on this occasion is literally an eye-opener.  Sivakkavimani  
    C.K. Subramaniya Mudaliyaar says that he has known of persons  
    who have recovered their sight thanks to their sincere recitation  
    of this decad.  Its message is as follows: 
 
        "O Lord-God of Tiruvaaroor! For ever, are we Your  
                        bonded-slaves; 
        When Your servitors serve none but You loyally, 
        When they silently suffer, with wilted visages, 
        Like the inly-alive smouldering fire, 
        And when they eventually make a clean breast of  
        Their carking care to You, 
        Should You remain nonchalant? 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            1 
 
        "You may sell or pledge me; 
        I am your willing slave; 
        I have done offence none; yet You blinded me. 
        Wherefore did You snatch my vision? 
        If You fail to restore the vision of my other eye 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            2 
 
        "O Lord-God of Tiruvaaroor to whose groves 
        The Andril-birds repair regularly, 
            Like calves that hit the udders and suck 
            The milk of their mother-cows, 
            Your servitors seek You and sing You for ever; 
            If even then, all blind, 
            They topple from a hill into pits, 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            3 
 
        "O Lord-God of Tiruvaaroor who also resides at 
        Turutthi and Pazhanam and rules Sotrutthurai, 
        You require not the manam of Your servitors 
        As Your seat. 
            When loving servitors disclose to You their  
                            troubles 
            You but cause them to wallow in misery, 
            Here and hereafter. 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            4 
 
        "O our Lord! Is this indeed Tiruvaaroor rich 
        In its grove of Indra-kopa-- cool and coralline? 
        Is this the guerdon for Your servitors? 
            When servitors that hail You 
            It rhythmic hymns, robbed of their vision, 
            Implore You: "O our Lord! Is this fair?" 
        (You but remain deaf and dumb) 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            5 
 
        "O You of ruddy matted hair that wears 
        The auric garland woven of sylvan konrai-s! 
        You are the Lord of Tiruvaaroor where foregather 
        Herons whose crimson feet are like the stalk of millet. 
            When Your servitors, grow thin, though not for lack 
            Of wherewithal, and stand robbed of their vision. 
            Wilting much is their manam, 
        (You but remain indifferent!) 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            6 
 
        "O Resident of Aaroor to whose gardens 
        Flocks of birds and their mates resort! 
        O our ideal Lord-God! 
        Is this the lot of Your servitors? 
        You gave us the unforgetting manam, 
        Then deluded us, plied us in the way of birth 
        Conferring on us the embodiment. 
        You have robbed us of our vision. 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            7 
 
        "O Lord, we were born in a flawless and loft_ clan; 
        In keeping with that, we will never dispraise You. 
            You are water, creek, sea, vessel and land --  
            All rolled into one; we will hail You thus, even thus. 
        You think not that blame is Yours, if You tease us. 
        When we that devoutly sing You 
        Stand flustered losing our way (by Your whim), 
            Well, may You flourish well! Amen.        8 
 
        "O Lord of Tiruvaaroor! Even a raw fruit 
        Is as good as a ripe one, where love is. 
        Others but You deem the parting from 
        Even a befriended ghoul to be miserable. 
        But You, even when Your servitors roam 
        Like a dog in Your presence and entreat You, 
        You refuse to open Your lips. 
            Well, may You flourish well! Amen.        9 
 
        "O Lord fittingly enshrined in Tirumoolattaanam! 
        Is this indeed Tiruvaaroor in whose gardens 
        Cerunti burgeons in golden splendour? 
            Sitting, standing, lying, we ever hail You. 
            Never do we dispraise You. 
        Assailed by grief when we invoke You 
        (You but remain unmoved.) 
            Well, may You flourish well! Amen.        10 
 
        "O Lord of Tirumoolattanam! 
        You are the many Scriptures; Yours is 
        The dark neck; You sport three eyes; 
        You are concorporate with Her whose breasts 
        Are covered by a breast-band. 
            I Aarooran, bear the name of Your hallowed feet. 
            You have robbed me of my vision. 
        Well, may You flourish well! Amen.            11 
 
 381.    Happy union: This is Advaitam, the Bliss of  
    Advaitic Union.  Verse 33 of the Tiruvuntiyaar says that for the  
    soul poised in Siva's Grace, even the joy of sexual union (sitrinbam)  
    is Bliss Ethereal, as it has its being in Siva. 
 
383-387.The verses mirror the angst and agony undergone by St. Yeyarkone. 
    Siva, by His lila, may be pleased to create misunderstanding between  
    bhaktas.  He will Himself effect a rapproachement in His mysterious  
    way.  It may be baffling.  The one lesson that should be ever borne 
    in mind is that a third party to the issue has no right whatever to  
    comment. 
 
 388.    St. Sundarar not only respected the wrath of St. Yeyarkone but  
    also admired it.  It should be remembered in this context that long  
    before he met St. Yeyarkone, St. Sundarar announced: "Yeyarkone  
    Kalikkaamar Adiyaarkkum Adiyen" (I am a servitor of the servitors  
    of Yeyarkone Kalikkaamar). 
 
 389.    A dire ache of stomach: Siva's instrument  
    that sets a Naayanaar straight. This is purgatory.  This washes  
    away the sin of the erring bhakta. 
 
 392.    You indeed. . .  race: The hoary lineage  
    of St. Yeyarkone is one that is ever poised in Siva.  
 
    One who was. . . by You: St. Yeyarkone  
    thought that St. Sundarar's ancestry was not as great as his  
    own.  Obviously St. Yeyarkone levelled a charge against Siva  
    and inculpated His act as one of invidious discrimination.  When  
    he thus stuck to his guns, the Lord silently disappeared from  
    his vision. 
 
 394.    May you. . . stomach: Siva commanded  
    thus St. Sundarar.  He was not the person who could cure the  
    ache of St. Yeyarkone.  Yet He plied Sundarar on this errand,  
    for he too had a lesson to lean. Mysterious indeed are the  
    ways of Providence. 
 
 397.    Then unsheathing. . . end: Siva in His  
    infinite mercy suffered Yeyarkone to eschew any treatment by  
    Sundarar.  The real cure is ultimately effected only by Siva. 
 
 398.    The ineffably glorious wife: That is what  
    she is.  We do not even know her name. She is Tyaga in  
    human form.  On the eve of her wedding she sacrificed her  
    koontal. On this occasion, when the person who was responsible  
    for her husband's death came to her house, knowing him to  
    be a true devotee of Siva, she offered him pooja.  The reader  
    should read and re-read verses 398 to 401. 
 
 402.    There is nothing to grieve: This is the  
    unshakable conviction of a true bhakta. 
 
 403.    Sundarar is a devotee of devotees.  He will keep company  
    with a devotee even in his death. 
 
 404.    Siva not only put an end to Yeyarkone's ache but also his  
    life.  Not only these. He also put an end to his mismos  
    (hatred).  He now s_ands cured of the variform afflictions.  
    Endowed with Gnosis he now knows everything in its pure  
    and true perspective. 
 
    It is Van-tondar who adored first Yeyarkone.  This Yeyarkone  
    is Siva's mercy in human form. 
 
        Here ends the Puranam of St. Yeyarkone Kalikkaama 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. EyarkOn kalikkAma nAyanAr purANam in English prose 
2. ஏயர்கோன் கலிக்காம நாயனார் புராணம் (தமிழ் மூலம்) 
3. thiruththoNDar purANam main page
4. 12 shaivite thirumuRais 

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