logo

|

Home >

Scripture >

scripture >

English-Translation

Hymn XXXVII - Piditha Pathu The Decad Of The 'Tenacious Grasp.'

-----
This is one of the most characteristic of the Sage's lyrics, and would seem to belong to a later period than that when the 'cry of the forsaken' (VI) was composed. It is in singular contrast to that lyric. He had meanwhile visited many shrines, and had passed through much struggle; but when he reached what is here called Tiru-toni-puram (the sacred Boat-town), of which the modern name is Shialli, he found a magnificient temple there,that seemed to him like a reproduction on earth of the silver mountain Kailasam, on which the God dwells in splendour with Parvathi. This shrine has always been remarkable, but is especially honoured now as the reputed birthplace of Tiru-nana-sambandhar; who, in popular estimation, is perhaps the greatest of the Caiva saints. In his legend we have elsewhere given some notices of this his home. It has twelve names connected with wild legends; but is called here 'the sacred Boat-town,' because when at the end of each aeon the deluge of universal destruction overwhelms the universe, this shrine floats securely on the waters,- the everlasting ark ! Here it seems that the Sage renewed his vows to his guru, from whom he had somewhat departed in thought and practice. He seems to regard himself now as a sivanmuthan and declares that he will henceforth hold fast his allegiance under all circumstances, in life and through death.
----

I. Thou art our own ! 

O King of those above ! - O ceaseless Plenitude 

of mystic bliss ! - To me defiled Thou cam'st 
Fruit newly ripe, and mad'st me Thine own dwelling-place.

Balm, yielding bliss all earthly bliss beyond ! 
True meaning's Certitude ! The Foot in glory bright ! 

My Wealth of bliss ! O Civa-Peruman ! 
OUR VERY OWN - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (4)

II. My only Help in this life. 

Ever the bull Thou holdest,- King of heaven's glad host ! 

To me a man of sin Possession true ! 
Thy slave is foul decay that quits not, merest earth; 

within a very nest of worms I lie ! 
Thou mad'st me Thine, and safe hast kept, lest I should fail 

at last; O God, O mighty Sea of grace! 
FOR EVERMORE - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (8)

III. Reality amidst illusions. 

O Mother! O my Sire ! My Gem beyond compare ! 

Ambrosia, ever-precious yield of love ! 
I, vile one, dwell in short-lived house of worms, 

where false illusions ever growing press. 
On me Thou hast bestow'd the true and perfect rest; 

my Wealth of bliss ! O Civa-Peruman ! 
UPON THIS EARTH- I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (12)

IV. Light in the darkness. 

Splendour of grace ! Well ripen'd luscious Fruit unique ! 

King of ascetics stern of all prevailing power ! 
Science of meanings deep ! Delight transcending praise ! 

Of mystic sacred musings' Fulness blest ! 
Thou enterest Thy servant's thought, and all is clear ! 

My Wealth of bliss ! O Civa-Peruman ! 
IN EACH DARK HOUR- I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (16)

V. The One Helper in life's struggles. 

Thou only One, to Whom can none compare ! Thou Light 

shining within the very soul of me, Thy slave ! 
On me who knew not the true goal,- of merit void, 

O Love unique,- Thou hast choice grace bestowed ! 
O radiant Form Whose splendour bright no tongue can tell ! 

My Wealth of bliss ! O Civa-Peruman ! 
IN WEARINESS - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (20)

VI. In death, as in life. 

O Pinnagan, our great Possession, Thou hast held 

as sacred shrine my empty worthless mind; 
Hast given me rapturous joy that knows no bound; hast cut 

the root of 'birth,' and made me all Thine own ! 
O mystic Form, by me in open vision seen ! 

My Wealth of bliss ! O Civa-Peruman ! 
IN HOUR OF DEATH - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (24)

VII. The revelation of the way to worship. 

Thou Who didst teach the way to grasp that Ancient One, 

Who cuts the root of every servile 'bond' ! 
O Being,- Who didst show to me Thy flowery feet; 

my worship didst accept; ent'ring my soul;- 
Resplendent Lamp ! Thou mystic Form of splendour bright ! 

My Wealth of bliss ! O Civa-Peruman ! 
RULER SUPREME - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (28) 

VIII. The Deity everywhere present . 

O Father ! worlds on worlds Thy presence fills ! 

Thou Primal Deity ! O wondrous One 
Who knows no end ! Thy saints devoutly cling to Thee ! 

My Wealth of bliss ! O Civa-Peruman ! 
Wild Vagrant, living Germ in being's every form,- 

diverse Thyself from every living thing ! 
ILLUSIONIST - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (32) 

IX. The rapture of devotion. 

The mother's thoughtful care her infant feeds: Thou deign'st 

with greater love to visit sinful me, - 
Melting my flesh, flooding my soul with inward light, 

unfailing rapture's honied sweetness Thou 
Bestowest,- through my every part infusing joy ! 

My Wealth of bliss ! - O Civa-Peruman ! 
CLOSE FOLLOWING THEE - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (36)

X. The delight of His indwelling. 

O Ruler, spotless Gem, Who mad'st me Thine, thrilling 

my frame through every pore; in friendly shape 
Didst enter it,- as 'twere a vast and golden shrine,- 

making this body vile of sweetness full ! 
Affliction, birth and death, bewilderment,- all links 

of life,- Thou hast cut off, O beauteous Gleam ! 
MY SOUL'S DELIGHT - I'VE SEIZED THEE,- HOLD THEE FAST ! HENCEFORTH, 

AH, WHITHER GRACE IMPARTING WOULD'ST THOU RISE? (40)
 

Related Content

HYMN 1 (civapurANam) Civan's way of Old (or) Civan's Course

HYMN II Kirttit Tiru Akaval Civan's Fame The Sacred Song Of

HYMN III Thiruvanndappahudi The Nature And Development Of T

Hymn IV Porrith Thiru Agaval The Sacred Agaval Of Praise.

HYMN IX Thirupporcunnam (Ananthamanolayam) The Sacred Gold