(siRappuli nAyanAr purANam - Periyapuranam as English poetry)

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        “I am also a serviteur of Sirappuli, the patron 
        of celebrated glory.” 
         
                         - The Tiru-th-Tonda-th-Tokai 
 
1.    Aakkoor is an ancient and beauteous town 
    In the realm made rich by the Ponni; 
    The Prince of Sanbai has sung about its goodly 
    Brahmins thus: “They never say: ‘No’ 
    To the indigent in the world, but give lavishly.” 
    With such scriptural benediction is the town endowed.        (3654) 
 
2.     In all the gardens rich in fresh flowers, and in all 
    The radiant mansions, the Vedas would resound 
    Drowning the rumbling of clouds; the smoke 
    From the sacrificial pits streamed denser than the smoke  
    Breathed by eagle-wood burnt in the beautiful streets.        (3655) 
 
3.     In Aakkoor where areca trees formed a fence 
    Around jaggery presses, he thrived world famous; he hailed 
    From the clan of Brahmins who adhered to the fourfold 
    Vedas; he was poised in the glorious servitude to the Lord 
    Of eight shoulders, and shoes throat is blue; 
    He was celebrated and munificent giver.                (3656) 

 

 

4.     When the devotees of the Lord-Ruler called on him 
    He would fall at their feet, rise up, speak to them 
    In soaring love, pleasing words, feed them daily 
    With goodly and nectarean food, give them all that they 
    Sought; thus he lived in ever-growing joy; 
    He indeed was a nimbus which rained wealth.            (3657) 
 
5.     He would chant the Panchaakshara as ordained, foster 
    The triple fire and make goodly sacrifices 
    For the glory of the feet of the blue-throated Lord; 
    Unto the flawless devotees, he would in love that never 
    Suffered diminution, give bountifully 
    And munificently; in due time he reached the feet 
    Of the Lord to flourish there for ever.                (3658) 
 
6.     Hailing munificent Sirappuli, the great patron 
    Well-versed in the Vedas and hailing from 
    Aakkoor where thrived the lofty Brahmins in piety, 
    I proceed to proclaim the hallowed deed of heroic 
    Sirutthondar poised in righteousness, 
    And hailing from famed Tirucchengkaattaangkudi.            (3659) 
 
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NOTES 
 
Verse No. 
 
   1.    The Prince of Sanbai has sung: They hymn is as follows: 
 
        “He is the Ancient One unbeknown to the goodly Naaraayana 
        And the  Four-faced; He has neither beginning nor end; 
        His hoary temple -- the self-existing shrine--, is at Aakkoor, 
        Whose dwellers feel delighted to give what the indigent wallowing 
        In chill penury seek, without ever saying ‘No’.” 
        [Verse 9 of the Decad on Aakkoor.] 
 
  4.    He indeed . . . . wealth: Our Naayanaar was a liberal patron.  He gave  
    liberally and became the liberated while yet alive. 
 
 
            Here ends the Puranam of Sirappuli 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. chiRappuli nAyanAr purANam in English prose 
2. சிறப்புலி நாயனார் புராணம் (தமிழ் மூலம்) 
3. thiruththoNDar purANam main page
4. 12 shaivite thirumuRais