108 Tirupathi Anthathi (English translation)
by Sri Varadachari Sadagopan | 285,952 words
The English translation of the “108 Tirupathi Anthathi”, which enumerates the Divya Desams or “sacred places of Lord Vishnu” celebrated by the Alvars—a group of twelve Tamil poet-saints from South India. It is also known for its intricate poetry and devotion. It was originally written by Sri Pillai Perumal Iyengar as part of his series of eight Pra...
Verse 32: Thiru Arimeya Vinnagaram (Divya Desam)
Tamil text and transliteration:
திரு அரிமேய விண்ணகரம்:—
வாழும் அடியார் மட நெஞ்சே நம் அளவோ
தாழும் சடையோன் சது முகத்தோன் பாழிக்
கரிமேய விண்ணகரக் காவலோன் கண்டாய்
அரிமேய விண்ணகரத் தார்க்கு (32)
tiru arimēya viṇṇakaram:—
vāḻum aṭiyār maṭa neñcē nam aḷavō
tāḻum caṭaiyōṉ catu mukattōṉ pāḻik
karimēya viṇṇakarak kāvalōṉ kaṇṭāy
arimēya viṇṇakarat tārkku (32)
திருவரிமேயவிண்ணகரம்:—
வாழு மடியார் மடநெஞ்சே! நம்மளவோ?
தாழுஞ் சடையோன் சதுமுகத்தோன் - பாழிக்
கரிமேய விண்ணகரக் காவலோன் கண்டாய்
அரிமேய விண்ணகரத் தார்க்கு. (32)
tiruvarimēyaviṇṇakaram:—
vāḻu maṭiyār maṭaneñcē! nammaḷavō?
tāḻuñ caṭaiyōṉ catumukattōṉ -pāḻik
karimēya viṇṇakarak kāvalōṉ kaṇṭāy
arimēya viṇṇakarat tārkku. (32)
English rendering
Author: ‘SrI nrsimha sevA rasikan’ Oppiliappan Koil SrI VaradAchAri Sadagopan Swami
English meaning of verse:
Oh My Foolish Mind! Do You think it is only us, the aDimais (servants) of the EmperumAn of Tiru arimeya ViNNagaram, who reside in this divya desam? No, there are SivapirAn with His matted hair, Brahma devan and the rider of the strong elephant (airAvadam), Indran who as the dAsans of the Lord, who join with us and worship the Lord.
Special points:
This divya deSam is at about 5 miles from SeerkAzhi.—PerumAL is KuDamADu kUttan, sitting, facing east; tAyAr is AmrtaghaTavalli; uccaSrnga VimAnam; KoTi amrta tIrthams; pratyaksham to Sage udanga.
Guide to 108 Divya Desams
Author: Mr. T. Sampath Kumaran
TIRU ARIMEYA VINNAGARAM.—This Divya kshetram is located in Tirunangur 8 Kms east of Sirkazhi. This is one of the 11 Divya Desams of Tirumangai Azhwar.
The moolavar is Kudamaadukoothan in a seated posture and the Thayar Amritaghatavalli is housed in a separate sanctum. The Theertham is Amrita Theertham and the Vimanam Uchasruga Vimanam.
Legend has it that Lord Vishnu blessed Utanga Muni with the vision of Krishna at this shrine. It is also believed that Siva performed the Ekadasa Rudra Aswamedha yagnam to rid himself of the blemish of Brahmahati, and Lord Vishnu appeared before him with Sri Devi, Bhu Devi and Nila Devi at the end of the sacrifice. Upon the request of Siva Lord Vishnu took up 11 abodes here in Tiruanangur area–11 Divya shetrams of Tirumangai Azhwar held in worship by Rudra.
Azhwar Mangalaasaasanam:
Tirumangai Azhwar–1238-1247 (pasuram numbers as found in Naalaayira Divya prabhandam).
The Tirumangai Azhwar Mangalaasaasanam Utsavam in the Tamil month of Thai attracts large crowd of devotees.
Tamil commentary (Vyakhyana)
Title: Nutrettu Thiruppathi Andadhi Vyakhyanam;
Author: Vai Mu Satakoparamanujachariar Swami [Satakopa Ramanujachariar]
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
(I - ḷ.) maṭamneñcē - O ignorant heart! -
arimēya viṇṇakarattārkku - To the Lord who is graciously present in the divine shrine called Thiruvarimeyavinṇagaram,
vāḻum aṭiyār - The devotees who live (in His service) are they only up to our level (like us)? (No);
tāḻum caṭaiyōṉ - Sivaperumān (Shiva), who has a dangling (matted or kabarṭha) hair,
catumukattōṉ - Brahma, who has four faces,
pāḻi karimēya viṇ nakaram kāvalōṉ - And Indra, the king of Svargaloka (heaven) who rides upon a powerful elephant (Airāvaṭha), (are also His devotees); (E - ṟu.) -
kaṇṭāy - is a front-line particle (an interjection of address); it can also be an emphatic particle (thēṭram).
(இ – ள்.) மடம்நெஞ்சே – அறியாமையையுடைய மனமே! –
அரிமேய விண்ணகரத்தார்க்கு – திருவரிமேயவிண்ணகர மென்னுந் திவ்வியதலத்தி லெழுந்தருளியுள்ள எம்பெருமானுக்கு,
வாழும் அடியார் – அடியவராக வாழ்கின்றவர்கள் நம் அளவோ – நாம்மாத்திரந்தானோ? (அன்று) ;
தாழும் சடையோன் – தொங்குகின்ற (கபர்த்தமென்னுஞ்) சடையையுடைய சிவபிரானும்,
சதுமுகத்தோன் – நான்குமுகங்களையுடைய பிரமதேவனும்,
பாழி கரிமேய விண் நகரம் காவலோன் – பலம்பொருந்திய (ஐராவதமென்னும்) யானைமேல் ஏறிச் செல்லுகின்ற
சுவர்க்கலோகத்துக்கு அரசனாகிய இந்திரனும், (அடியவராவர்); (எ – று.) –
கண்டாய் – முன்னிலையசை; தேற்றமுமாம்.
(i – ḷ.) maṭamneñcē – aṟiyāmaiyaiyuṭaiya maṉamē! –
arimēya viṇṇakarattārkku – tiruvarimēyaviṇṇakara meṉṉun tivviyatalatti leḻuntaruḷiyuḷḷa emperumāṉukku,
vāḻum aṭiyār – aṭiyavarāka vāḻkiṉṟavarkaḷ nam aḷavō – nāmmāttirantāṉō? (aṉṟu) ;
tāḻum caṭaiyōṉ – toṅkukiṉṟa (kaparttameṉṉuñ) caṭaiyaiyuṭaiya civapirāṉum,
catumukattōṉ – nāṉkumukaṅkaḷaiyuṭaiya piramatēvaṉum,
pāḻi karimēya viṇ nakaram kāvalōṉ – palamporuntiya (airāvatameṉṉum) yāṉaimēl ēṟic cellukiṉṟa
cuvarkkalōkattukku aracaṉākiya intiraṉum, (aṭiyavarāvar); (e – ṟu.) –
kaṇṭāy – muṉṉilaiyacai; tēṟṟamumām.
(i – l.) madamnenche – ariyamaiyaiyudaiya maname! –
arimeya vinnagaratharkku – thiruvarimeyavinnagara mennun thivviyathalathi lezhuntharuliyulla emberumanukku,
vazhum adiyar – adiyavaraga vazhkinravarkal nam alavo – nammathiranthano? (anru) ;
thazhum sadaiyon – thonguginra (kaparthamennugn) sadaiyaiyudaiya sivapiranum,
sathumugathon – nankumugangalaiyudaiya piramathevanum,
pazhi karimeya vin nagaram kavalon – palamborunthiya (airavathamennum) yanaimel eris selluginra
suvarkkalogathukku arasanagiya inthiranum, (adiyavaravar); (e – ru.) –
kanday – munnilaiyasai; therramumam.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
Do you think that only ordinary humans like us are devotees of that Lord? It is not so.
Sivaperumān (Shiva), who instructed the method of yoga to the people of the world, who is the one who can grant knowledge as stated in the saying, "saṅkarāṭjn~ānamanvicceṭ", and who is the foremost of the devotees (bhāgavaṭhagrēsarā),
Brahma, who always recites the Vedas and understands their meaning,
and Mahēndra, the head of all the Dēvas (celestial beings), are devotees of that Thirumāl (Vishnu);
Since He is the Head of everyone in this manner, the (Āḻvār) advises the heart that if one trusts only Him without having even a slight attachment to other deities, we will surely attain good liberation (narkaṭhi).
நம்மைப்போல ஸாமாந்யரான மநுஷ்யர்கள்தாம் அப்பிரானுக்கு அடியவரென்று நினைக்கிறாயோ? அவ்வாறல்ல,
உலகத்தார்க்கு யோகஞ்செய்யும் முறையை யுணர்த்தியவனாய், “ஸங்கராத்ஜ்ஞாநமந்விச்சேத்” என்றவாறு
ஞானத்தைத் தரக்கூடியவனாய்ப் பாகவதாக்ரேஸரனான சிவபெருமானும்,
எப்போதும் வேதங்களை யோதி அவற்றின்பொருளையுணர்பவனான பிரமதேவனும்,
தேவர்கட்கெல்லாந்தலைவனான மஹேந்திரனுமே அத்திருமாலுக்கு அடியவராவர்;
இப்படி எல்லார்க்கும் அவனே தலைவ னாதலால், வேறுதெய்வங்களினிடத்திற் சிறிதும்பற்றுவையாது
அவனையே நம்பியிருப்பின், நமக்குத் தவறாமல் நற்கதி கிடைக்கு மென்று நெஞ்சிற்கு அறிவுறுத்தியவாறு.
nammaippōla sāmānyarāṉa manuṣyarkaḷtām appirāṉukku aṭiyavareṉṟu niṉaikkiṟāyō? avvāṟalla,
ulakattārkku yōkañceyyum muṟaiyai yuṇarttiyavaṉāy, “saṅkarātjñānamanviccēt” eṉṟavāṟu
ñāṉattait tarakkūṭiyavaṉāyp pākavatākrēsaraṉāṉa civaperumāṉum,
eppōtum vētaṅkaḷai yōti avaṟṟiṉporuḷaiyuṇarpavaṉāṉa piramatēvaṉum,
tēvarkaṭkellāntalaivaṉāṉa mahēntiraṉumē attirumālukku aṭiyavarāvar;
ippaṭi ellārkkum avaṉē talaiva ṉātalāl, vēṟuteyvaṅkaḷiṉiṭattiṟ ciṟitumpaṟṟuvaiyātu
avaṉaiyē nampiyiruppiṉ, namakkut tavaṟāmal naṟkati kiṭaikku meṉṟu neñciṟku aṟivuṟuttiyavāṟu.
nammaippola samanyarana manushyarkaltham appiranukku adiyavarenru ninaikkirayo? avvaralla,
ulagatharkku yogancheyyum muraiyai yunarthiyavanay, “sangarathjgnanamanvicheth” enravaru
gnanathaith tharakkudiyavanayp pagavathagresaranana sivaperumanum,
eppothum vethangalai yothi avarrinporulaiyunarpavanana piramathevanum,
thevarkadkellanthalaivanana mahenthiranume athirumalukku adiyavaravar;
ippadi ellarkkum avane thalaiva nathalal, verutheyvangalinidathir sirithumbarruvaiyathu
avanaiye nambiyiruppin, namakkuth thavaramal narkathi kidaikku menru nenchirku arivuruthiyavaru.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
catumukattōṉ = caṭhurmukaṭhōn. Kari (kari) - The word is an etymological name for an elephant because it is "that which has a trunk (karam);
However, for this word, an etymological reason in the Tamil way (i.e., kāranam) cannot be given as "darkness" (karumai) because it has a black color;
Since it is a Sanskrit word (vaḍasol), ‘kāvalan’ has changed to ‘kāvalōn’. Mēya (mēya) is a variant of mēviya (abiding).
சதுமுகத்தோன் = சதுர்முகத்தோன். கரி – கரத்தையுடையது என்பதனால், யானைக்குக் காரணக்குறி;
இனி, இச்சொல்லுக்கு – கருமைநிற முடைய தாதலால் கரியெனத் தமிழ்வகையாற் காரணங் கூறலாகாது;
வடசொல்லாதலின், “காவலன்’ என்பது ‘காவலோன்’ எனத் திரிந்தது. மேய – மேவிய என்பதன் விகாரம்.
catumukattōṉ = caturmukattōṉ. kari – karattaiyuṭaiyatu eṉpataṉāl, yāṉaikkuk kāraṇakkuṟi;
iṉi, iccollukku – karumainiṟa muṭaiya tātalāl kariyeṉat tamiḻvakaiyāṟ kāraṇaṅ kūṟalākātu;
vaṭacollātaliṉ, “kāvalaṉ’ eṉpatu ‘kāvalōṉ’ eṉat tirintatu. mēya – mēviya eṉpataṉ vikāram.
sathumugathon = sathurmugathon. kari – karathaiyudaiyathu enpathanal, yanaikkug karanakkuri;
ini, ichollukku – karumainira mudaiya thathalal kariyenath thamizhvagaiyar karanang kuralagathu;
vadasollathalin, “kavalan’ enpathu ‘kavalon’ enath thirinthathu. meya – meviya enpathan vigaram.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
‘tiruvarimēyaviṇṇakaram’ (thiruvarimeyavinṇagaram) means: "It is like a celestial city (vinṇagaram) which is endowed with Hari" (Vishnu).
‘திருவரிமேயவிண்ணகரம்’ என்பது – அரிபொருந்திய விண்ணகரம் போன்றது எனப் பொருள்படும்.
‘tiruvarimēyaviṇṇakaram’ eṉpatu – ariporuntiya viṇṇakaram pōṉṟatu eṉap poruḷpaṭum.
‘thiruvarimeyavinnagaram’ enpathu – ariporunthiya vinnagaram ponrathu enap porulpadum.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Tamil text.]
(The word ‘Hari’ (ari) has several meanings such as beauty, Thirumāl (Vishnu), monkey, lion, frog, bamboo, etc.)
(“அரி’ என்ற சொல் – அழகு திருமால் குரங்கு சிங்கம் தவளை மூங்கில் முதலிய பலபொரு ளுள்ளது.)
(“ari’ eṉṟa col – aḻaku tirumāl kuraṅku ciṅkam tavaḷai mūṅkil mutaliya palaporu ḷuḷḷatu.)
(“ari’ enra sol – azhagu thirumal kurangu singam thavalai mungil muthaliya palaporu lullathu.)
Tamil Glossary
[Note: The following list was automatically generated; do not assume transliteration or translation as facts]
வணங்கேன்: / vaṇaṅkēṉ: / vananken: The act of not worshiping or bowing to (other deities).
கூடேன்: / kūṭēṉ: / kuten: The act of not joining or associating with (those without good qualities, who are not Vishnu devotees).
வைகுந்த விண்ணகரம்: / vaikunta viṇṇakaram: / vaikunta vinnakaram: A divine place (Divya Desam) named Thiruvainkuntha Vinnagaram, which is praised.
வாழ்த்துவேன்: / vāḻttuvēṉ: / valttuven: The act of praising or hailing (Thiruvainkuntha Vinnagaram).
வாழ்வு: / vāḻvu: / valvu: Good life or well-being (which is attained by praising the Lord with his devotees).
அடியார்: / aṭiyār: / atiyar: Devotees (of Vishnu, who are associated with a good life in Vaikundam).
நிலவுலகம்: / nilavulakam: / nilavulakam: This earthly world or loka (where one should avoid worshiping other gods and associating with non-Vaishnavas).
பரதேவதை: / paratēvatai: / paratevatai: The Supreme Deity (Thirumal/Vishnu), as opposed to other apara devatas.
திருவயிற்றுள்: / tiruvayiṟṟuḷ: / tiruvayirrul: Inside the sacred belly (of the Lord, where other beings enter during the time of dissolution).
வெளிப்படுபவர்கள்: / veḷippaṭupavarkaḷ: / velippatupavarkal: Those who emerge or come out (from the Lord's belly after the dissolution).
உறுதியான துணிவு: / uṟutiyāṉa tuṇivu: / urutiyana tunivu: Firm conviction or determination (in not worshiping other deities).
கணவன்: / kaṇavaṉ: / kanavan: Husband (whom a chaste wife considers her only deity).
உய்யும்: / uyyum: / uyyum: To be saved or attain salvation (the goal of the prapannan who surrenders to the Lord).
பிணி: / piṇi: / pini: Disease or ailment (one of the sufferings that apara devatas cannot escape).
பசி: / paci: / paci: Hunger (one of the sufferings that apara devatas cannot escape).
மூப்பு: / mūppu: / muppu: Old age (one of the sufferings that apara devatas cannot escape).
பிறப்பு: / piṟappu: / pirappu: Birth (one of the sufferings that apara devatas cannot escape).
இறப்பு: / iṟappu: / irappu: Death (one of the sufferings that apara devatas cannot escape).
பொய்ந்நூல்கள்: / poynnūlkaḷ: / poynnulkal: False texts or scriptures (related to the other deities).
உண்மை: / uṇmai: / unmai: Truth (which people mistakenly believe the false texts to be).
அறிவின் கேடு: / aṟiviṉ kēṭu: / arivin ketu: Loss or damage to intellect (caused by associating with vambar).
வித்தாம்: / vittām: / vittam: Becomes the seed or cause (for the cycle of Samsara).
தீக்கதி: / tīkkati: / tikkati: Evil or bad path/destination (where non-devotees lead those who join them).
ஏற்றம்: / ēṟṟam: / erram: Greatness or eminence (of Sri Vaishnavas).
வீற்றிருந்த திருக்கோலம்: / vīṟṟirunta tirukkōlam: / virrirunta tirukkolam: The seated posture or divine form (in which the Lord gives seva at Thiruvainkuntha Vinnagaram).
[Note: The following list was automatically generated; do not assume transliteration or translation as facts]
மடம்: / maṭam: "Ignorance" or "foolishness," describing the mind (நெஞ்சே / neñcē).
நெஞ்சே: / neñcē: "O mind" or "heart," addressed directly in the verse.
அடியார்: / aṭiyār: "Devotees" or "servants," referring to those who live as servants (வாழும் / vāḻum) of the Lord.
வாழ்: / vāḻ: "To live" or "to exist," used here to describe the state of the devotees (அடியார் / aṭiyār).
நாம்: / nām: "We" or "us," referring to ordinary humans in the comparison.
சடையோன்: / caṭaiyōṉ: "One with the tufted/matted hair," referring to Śiva, whose locks are described as hanging (தாழும் / tāḻum).
தாழும்: / tāḻum: "Hanging" or "drooping," describing the nature of Śiva's hair (சடை / caṭai).
முகத்தோன்: / mukattōṉ: "One with the face/faces," referring to Brahmā (though the full term சதுமுகத்தோன் / catumukattōṉ includes the Sanskrit-derived சதுர் / catur).
பாழி: / pāḻi: "Strength" or "might/power," describing the quality of the heaven/sky-city (விண்ணகரம் / viṇṇakaram).
கரி: / kari: "Elephant," specifically referring to Airāvata, the mount of Indra. (The text also notes an alternative, non-Tamil etymology based on "blackness," but initially derives it as a காரணக்குறி / kāraṇakkuṟi (descriptive name) for an animal with a trunk/hand (கரத்தையுடையது / karattaiyuṭaiyatu), and it is used as a stand-alone Tamil word here).
காவலோன்: / kāvalōṉ: "Protector" or "King," the one who guards (காவலன் / kāvalaṉ), referring to Indra, the ruler of விண்ணகரம் / viṇṇakaram (heaven/sky-city).
காவலன்: / kāvalaṉ: "Guardian" or "Protector," the root form from which காவலோன் / kāvalōṉ is derived.
விண்ணகரம்: / viṇṇakaram: "Sky-city" or "Heavenly city," a term for a divine abode or heaven.
நற்கதி: / naṟkati: "Good path" or "salvation/good fate," the desired result promised to those who trust the Lord.
திரு: / tiru: "Auspiciousness," "Sacredness," or "Glory," often used as an honorific prefix, as in திருவரிமேயவிண்ணகரம் / tiruvarimēyaviṇṇakaram.
கண்டாய்: / kaṇṭāy: "You saw" or "Behold," an auxiliary word used for emphasis or as a vocative particle.