Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

by S. Satyamurthi Ayyangar | 388,514 words

This is the English translation of the Tiruvaymoli (or, Thiruvaimozhi): An ancient Tamil text consisting of 1102 verses which were sung by the poet-saint Nammalvar as an expression of his devotion to Vishnu. Hence, it is an important devotional book in Vaishnavism. Nammalvar is one of the twelve traditional saints of Tamil Nadu (Southern India), kn...

Tamil text and transliteration:

அமைவு உடை அறநெறி முழுவதும் உயர்வு அற உயர்ந்து
அமைவு உடை முதல் கெடல் ஒடிவு இடை அற நிலம் அது ஆம்
அமைவு உடை அமரரும் யாவையும் யாவரும் தான் ஆம்
அமைவு உடை நாரணன் மாயையை அறிபவர் யாரே?

amaivu uṭai aṟaneṟi muḻuvatum uyarvu aṟa uyarntu
amaivu uṭai mutal keṭal oṭivu iṭai aṟa nilam atu ām
amaivu uṭai amararum yāvaiyum yāvarum tāṉ ām
amaivu uṭai nāraṇaṉ māyaiyai aṟipavar yārē?

English translation of verse 1.3.3:

Who indeed can comprehend the wonderful secret of the descents (Avatāras) of (Lord) Nāraṇaṉ, the appropriate abode of all sentient beings including the ‘Amaras’ (the exalted Brahmā and other celestials) of outstanding eminence by virtue of their moral attainments of a high degree and mental perfection, as well as the non-sentient things?

Note

None can indeed comprehend this divine secret, neither the ever-free, eternal angels (Nitya Sūrīs) in the yonder Heaven, totally immersed in the enjoyment of the Lord, in that transcendent setting nor the worldlings, engrossed in their pursuit after food and raiment nor even the Āḻvārs, although blest by the Lord with perfect knowledge, as they just get entranced by the mere contemplation of the Lord’s astounding simplicity and thaw down.

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