A Decade of ‘Thiruvoimozhi’

A DECAD FROM ‘THIRUVOIMOZHI’

(Rendered from Tamil)

By S. RANGASWAMI, M.A.

Translator’s Note: Saint Satakopa’s ‘Thiruvoimozhi’ or ‘The Sacred Utterance Unique’ is justly regarded as the magnum opus in the Golden Treasury of verses of all the Alwars, the collection of 4,000 entitled ‘Nalayira Divya Prabandham’. The verses in the ‘Thiruvoimozhi’ are nearly a thousand in number and form the most arresting and most significant in that anthology.

Several great commentaries were written on the ‘Thiruvoimozhi’ by eminent scholars of old, well versed in both Sanskrit and Tamil literature, and these have engaged the attention of devout Sri Vaishnavas for centuries. Nammalwar’s God-realisation was unique and his philosophy has been termed ‘Bhagavatha Vishayam’ or God-theme. The ‘Thiruvoimozhi’ is regarded as a fine crystallised translation in Tamil of the sacred Vedic thought, and Sri Vedanta Desika found in these verses even new meanings and interpretations which the obscure text in the Vedas failed to convey. The ten verses rendered here may be deemed to be autobiographical in character, since they convey the mystic experiences of Nammalwar.

It was foretold of Parankusanayaki (the pen name by which Nammalwar is known) that she would lead a very happy life, but that she should not be taken on pilgrimage to the village ‘Tholaivillimangalam’, where she would be lost beyond hope of recovery. But it was very difficult to follow this injunction, as the family tradition had all along been centred in the love they entertained for that beautiful village: to forbid her visit to that place was like denying the bee its freedom to drink honey as it listed. When Parankusanayaki came of age, she was taken to Tholaivillimangalam at the time of its great festival. These verses express the divine communion and soul-absorption of the girl in that place and the impossibilityof reclaimingher to the ordinary householder’s life.

The devotee usually figures in Indian religious literature as a bride waiting for the Bridegroom-Eternal, (like Radhika waiting for Krishna) and the intensity of the emotions of the bride is revealed by the beholder, who is either the companion or the mother of the girl.

(1)

With faultless gems of purest ray adorned, rise high the stately domes of Thlaivillimangalam, which she adores. Mothers dear! No use fondling her henceforth; you must abandon her to herself.

Ever and anon she sings of His fair white conch, and dise, and large lotus eyes.

Her eyes, sweet as lily-blossoms, brim with tears; and lo! she sways and sways in a swirl of speechless agony.

(2)

Enticing her into Tholaivillimangalam where festive sounds run riot in wordless melody, ye have forsaken, with scarce a trace of love, this maiden whose soft speech is sweet as nectar. Alas! Like one palsy-stricken she stands! And when she speaks, her lips quiver with the Songs of the Lord of the Lords of Angels. And her eyes overflow with tears as, broken and self-forgetful, she melts in to grief.

(3)

Hieing with her to Tholaivillimangalam, whose charming groves vast, and smiling verdure bright, abut the river-banks, pitilessly have ye deserted her to her fate–this maiden, in Sweet speech well-versed.

She prates for ever of how He came to sleep on the billowy ocean vast; how He leapt forth at a bound this world, with all its bounds to measure; and how by Him Were tended hundreds of cattle in days of yore! And thus she stands, dripping with endless tears from her broad eyes wide open!

(4)

Gazing at Tholaivillimangalam where dwell scholars strong in eternal Vedas four, modesty and reserve she has flung to the winds! Loosened is she from our loving bonds, Mothers dear! “All that learning teaches is of Lord Krishna whose mien is like the dark blue Ocean.”

Thus she speaks,–tireless and unabashed, overflowing with joy, her heart full of rejoicing, lost in wonder unspeakable!

(5)

Hasting with this poor sorrowing waif of bright countenance, ye have discovered unto her the sweet pose of the Lord whose eyes are gracious as roseate lotus-blossoms, and whose radiance shines with adornments full.

Like rain pouring down in torrents, her eyes have been wet with tears, and she has been in a trance unbroken.

Oh! Mothers dear! Her mind has plunged into Beauty; for, gazing yonder, she bows in reverence.

(6)

Wheresoever she turns her glances, endless groves of sugarcane, and ever-stretching fields of paddy-red, loom large with rising lotus-blossoms of roseate hue on the northern banks of the Tamraparni river, where nestles the rich village of Tholaivillimangalam.

If ever she gazes at all, she looks towards one side, and none other; and if ever she speaks from that day forth, Oh! Mothers dear, her blissful utterance ever enshrines her Beloved’s name!

(7)

Mothers dear! This girl who is fair as a peafowl and lovely as a young deer, is now out of our loving grasp; and other than Tholaivillimangalam no word would she deign to hear.

Is this the fortunate decree of fate?–or a miracle wrought by the Cloud-Coloured One?

Her mouth is resonant with the praises sweet of His weapons, and His names beautiful.

(8)

Vedas sanctified, hoary rites, and wealth abundant showered by the Goddess of Plenty, have made life sweeter than heaven on the northern banks of the Tamraparni river where flourishes the fertile village of Tholaivillimangalam.

From the day that this girl with large black eyes began to adore this spot with her folded hands until this day, she has been lisping, ever and anon, the name of the Lotus-eyed One, and melting into tears and pining with grief.

(9)

Melting into grief–her mouth trembling with utterance sweet, and her eyes raining tears–she cries so soft and tenderly

“Oh! my Beloved of Sapphire hue”, that woodlands echoing, all weep in unison with her.

She raises her folded hands in prayer to the Lord who abides in Tholaivillimangalam–the name gains a sweeter charm after she has learnt to sing its praise.

(10)

Is she Nappinna (beloved of Sri Krishna) or the sweet Goddess of Earth, or beauteous Lakshmi, reborn?

What a marvel is this? She stands, and stands; and calls aloud and oft, the names of the Great One.

And ahead of her, the Lord Himself has chosen His abode in Tholaivillimangalam towards which she bends her head low, and whose fascinating beauty she ever loves to contemplate.