Abhirami Ammai Padikam-Set I
(The poetic prayer of mother Abhirami)
By
Abhirama Bhattar
Translated by
P.R.Ramachander
(This great prayer has been written by Abhirama Bhattar who lived in Thirukadayur. But his major work in Abhirami Andathi , which also I have translated and put in the web site. People wanting to know more about Abhirama Bhattar are requested to refer to my introduction to the translation of Abhirami Andathi. Though Abhirama Bhattar has contributed three sets of prayers called pathigam addressed to this same Goddess, the prayer in this set I is more famous and well known than the others.
. I have taken this great prayer from a book called Abhirami Bhattarain Pathigangal , where the tamil meaning of these prayers are given by Abhiramadasan Meenakshi Sundaram Mohan, published by the author .I owe my deep gratitude to this great translation which helped me understand the meaning of all the difficult words in this great prayer.)
Kaapu
Thooya thamizh paamalai chootutharkku mummadhan nal,
Vay iyngaran thal vazhuthuvam-neyam nitham,
Ennum pugazh Kadavur yengal Abhiramavalli,
Nannum por pathaithil nanku.
Protection
For wearing a pure tamil garland of poems,
To the golden feet of Godess Abhirami of the famous Thirukadayur
We would salute Ganesa with three powers,
And with a hanging mouth and five hands .
1.Kalayatha kalviyum kurayatha vayathum , Or kapadu varatha natpum,
Kanratha valamayum , kunratha ilamayum, kazhu pini illatha udalum,
Chaliyatha manamum , anbakalatha manaiviyum , thavaratha santhanamum,
Thazhatha keerthiyum, maratha varthayum, thadaigal varatha kodayum,
Tholayatha nithiyamum, konatha kolum , oru thunpamillatha vazhvum,
Thuyya nin padathil anbum udavi periya thondarodukootu kanday,
Alaiyazhi ari thyilum mayanathu thangaye, aadhi kadavoorin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam akalatha sukha pani, arulvami abhirami.
Knowledge that you do not forget, age that does not diminish,
A friendship that does not diminish, A wealth that does not deteriorate ,
A youth that does not diminish, a body that is free from all diseases,
A mind that does not get bored, a wife whose love never diminishes,
A progeny that is regular, a fame that never diminishes,
The promises that are never broken, the charity that never has a road block,
A treasure that is never is lost, a government which is always just,
And a life which never has any sorrow and love towards your very pure divine feet,
And if you also bless me with the company of your great devotees,
Oh sister who sleeps on a leaf floating in the sea, Oh life of ancient Kadavur,
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
Oh Goddess who holds a parrot, Please grant me all these Abhirami.
2.Karalaka panthiyum , panthiyin alangalum , kariya puruva chilaigalum,
Karna kundalumum, mathi mukha mandalam nudhar kathoori pottum ittu,
Koor aninthidu vizhiyum , Amutha mozhiyum , chiriya kovvayin kani adaramum,
Kumizh anaya nasiyum , kunda nigar danthavum , kodu sodana kalamum,
Vaar aninthu irumantha vana mulayum , mekalayum , mani noopura padamum,
Vandhu yenadhu mun nindru mandahasamummaga val vinayai mathuvaye,
Aaramani vanilurai tharagaigal pola nirai Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye.
With cloud like black curly hair, flowers decorating that hair,
With black eye brows like a bow , with golden globes in ears,
With Moon like face where musk thilaka is marked on her forehead,
With two eyes with a sharp glance, with nectar like words,
With lips like a small red fruit, with nose like the kumizh* flower,
With teeth like jasmine buds , with neck similar to a conch,
With proud busts kept under control by a belt like cloth,
With golden belt and With feet wearing gem studded anklets,
You have come and stood before me and with a smile changed my fate,
Oh life of ancient Kadavur who is like the stars filling up the sky,
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
Oh Goddess who holds a parrot, Please grant me all these Abhirami.
3.Makara vaar kuzhai mel adarnthu kumizh meedinil , marainthu vaalai thurathi.
Maikayali vendra nin chengamala vizhiyarul varam petha pergal andro?
Jega m uzhudum othai thani kudai kavithu mel singadanathil uththu,
Chengolum manu needhi muraimayum pethu migu thigiri ulagu aandu pinbu,
Pugarmugathu Iravadha pagan aagi nirai puthelir vandhu pothi,
Poga devendran yena pugazha vinnilpulomasaiyodum sugippar,
Agara mudal aagi valar Aananda roopiye, Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye.
Oh life of ancient Kadavur ,who is the first similar to the first alphabet
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
Oh Goddess who holds a parrot, those blessed ones who get to be seen,
By the red lotus and fish like eye, coated with collyrium,
Which are partially covered ,by her dense hair and the fish like ear globes,
Would rule sitting below the incomparable umbrella and holding the staff to rule
And rule over the world and become equal to Devendra who rides on Iravatha the elephant ,
And would be praised by the devas saying that he is the great Devendra,
And would enjoy their life in heaven along with Indrani.
4.Marikadalgal ezhayum thigiri iru nangayum , madira kari ettayum,
Maanagam aanathayum mameru anathayum maakoormam aanathayum oor,
Poomaganayum thigiri mayanayum arayinir puli aadai udayanayum,
Murai muraigalay eendra muthiyalay pazhamai thalai muraigal theriyatha ninnai,
Mooulagil ullavargal valai yendry ariyamal mozhigindrathu yethu cholvay,
Arivudaya per manathu aananda variye , Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye.
Oh life of ancient Kadavur ,who is the ocean of joy in the mind of wise people,
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
Oh Goddess who holds a parrot, those blessed ones who get to be seen,
You are the old woman who created the seven seas, eight mountains,
The eight elephants, the big serpent, the great mountain Meru,
The big tortoise , the universe carried by Aadhi Sesha,
The clan of the devas, Brahma who is in the lotus , Vishnu holding the wheel,
As well as Lord Shiva wearing the tiger skin on his hips , systematically ,
One after another and so no one knows how ancient you are ,
And what is your opinion of the people of the three worlds calling you , a lass.
5.Vadamal uyir yennum payir thazhaithu ongi vara , arul mazhai pozhindum inba ,
Varidhiyile ninnathu anbenum chiragal varundhamale anaithu,
Kodaamal valar kunjaram thottu yerumbu kadai konda karu aana cheeva,
Kodigal thamakkum pusikkum pusippinai kurayamale kodthu,
Needazhi ulagangal yavayum thiru undhi nettu thanile tharikkum,
Ninnai akhilagalukku annai yendru othamal Neeli yendru othuvaaro,
Aadaya nan marayin velviyal ongu pugazh, Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye
Oh life of ancient Kadavur which is famous for Yagas conducted according to Vedas,
Oh goddess who is the ocean of joy in the mind of wise people,
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
Oh Goddess who holds a parrot, who showers her rain of mercy ,
So that the beings of this world does not wither but grow,
Who in the ocean of joy hugs without hurting with her feathers,
Who without fail gives nourishment to crores of beings from ants to the elephant ,
And Who carries in her belly al the worlds surrounded by oceans,
How Can I call you a blue one instead of mother of the universe.
6.Pal kunjaram thottu yerumbu kadai aanathu oru pal uyirkkum kal idaip,
Patta theraikkum andru urbavithidu garbham thannil jevanukkum,
Malgum charachara porulukkum , imayatha vannavar kuzhathinukkum.
Mathum oru moovarkkum, yavarkkumavaravar mana chalippu illamale,
Nalgum thozhir perumai unday irundum miga nava nidhi unakku irundum,
Naan oruvan varumayal chiriyan aanaal annagaippu unakke allavo?
Alkalanthu umbarnadualavedukkum cholai , , Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye
Oh life of ancient Kadavur which is surrounded by dark gardens with very tall trees,
Oh goddess who is the ocean of joy in the mind of wise people,
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
Who has the greatness to give jobs to all beings from ant to the elephant,
To the unseen insects which is deep in the granite rocks,
to the life within the womb, to all things that move or not move,
To the entire crowd of devas whose eyes do not blink.
To the holy trinity and to all beings on earth,
According to their nature and also so that they do not get bored,
Who would be laughed at because though she has the nine great treasures
She does not seem to bother about the poverty of this humble being,
7.Needum ulangalkku aadaramay nindru, nithamum moorthi vadivay,
Niyamamudan muppathi irandu aaram valakkukindra nee manaiviyay irundum,
Veedu veedugal thorum odi pugundhu kal veasathu ilachaiyum poi,
Ven thugil araikkaniya vidhiyathu nirvana vedamum kondu kaikor ,
Odu endhi nadengum ulam thalanthu nindru unmathan aagi amma,
Un kanavan yengegum iyam pugundhu yengi uzhalgirathu yethu cheyvay?
Aadu kodi mada visdai madar vilayadi varum , Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye
Oh life of ancient Kadavur in which lasses play in every balcony where flags fly.,
Oh goddess who is the ocean of joy in the mind of wise people,
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
In spite of your being the foundation for all the universe,
And showed yourselves in various forms to your devotees,
And in spite of your being a wife looking after the thirty two dharmas,
He without shame and not wearing any cloth over his hips,
Carrying two skulls in his hand enters houses after houses,
Having become depressed and almost mad and is begging everywhere.
Why is it mother that your husband is wandering like this?
8.Jnanam thazhaithu un sorupathai arikindra nallor idathil poy,
Naduvinil irundu uvandhu adimayum poondu avar navithum
Upadesam ut kondu,
Yeenam thanai thalli yenathu naan yenum manamillale thurathi,
Indiriya vayilgali iruga pudaithu nenju irul ara vilakku yethiye,
Vaan andham aana vizhi anname unnai yen mana thamarai pothile,
Vaithu vere kavalai athu mel utha paravasamagi azhiyadhathu oor
Ananda varidhiyil aazhkindrathu yendru
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye.
Oh life of ancient Kadavur ., Oh goddess who is the ocean of joy
In the mind of wise people,Oh Goddess who does not move away
From one side of Lord Shiva, when will I be able to drown in the ocean of joy,
After going to the good very wise people who know your form well,
And after staying there and becoming their slaves and after hearing their teachings,
Push away all bad things, drive away the feelings of me and mine,
And then shutting away the gates to the senses and lighting a lamp to brighten the mind,
Oh swan who showers nectar from her eyes , then keeping you in the lotus of my mind,
Without any worries and become completely mesmerized with you.
9.Chalathi ulagathir characharangalai yeendra thayaginaal yenakku,
Thayallavo?Yaan un maindan andro?Yenathu chanchalam theerthu ninran,
Mulai churanthu ozhugu pal ooti, yen mugathinai un mundanayal thudaithu,
Mozhigindra mazhalaikku ugandhu konduila nilaa muruvalum pothu arugil yaan,
Kulavi vilayadal kandu, arul mazhai pozhindu angai kotti “vaa” yendru azhaithu,
Kunjaramukhan kumaranukku ilayavan yendru yennai koorinaal yeenam undo?
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye.
Oh life of ancient Kadavur , Oh never satiating nectar born out of the sea,
Oh goddess who is the ocean of joy in the mind of wise people,
Oh Goddess who does not move away from one side of Lord Shiva,
Since you are the mother who has given birth to all movable and immovable things of the world,
Are you not my mother, Am I not your son, please remove my doubts,
And feed me the milk that is flowing out of your breasts,
Clean my face with the hanging end of your Sari.
And smile like the young moon suitable to me the lisping baby,
And rain nectar of your grace seeing the silly sports of mine,
And then clap and call me near you and say to me that,
Are you not the younger brother of Ganesa and Subrahmanya.
If you do this is there any problem , mother.
10.Kaippothu kondu un pathappothu thannir kanappothum archikkilen,
Muppothil oru pothum yen mana pothole munni un aalayathim,
Munpothuvaar thamaathu pin potha ninaik,ilen, mosame podugindren,
Maipodakathirkku nigar yena pothum yerumai kada misaim yeriye,
Magora kalan varum pothu thamiyen manam kalangi thiyangum,
Appothu vandhu unathu arut pothu thandarulga, Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye.
Oh life of ancient Kadavur ,Oh goddess who is the ocean of joy
In the mind of wise people,Oh Goddess who does not move away
From one side of Lord Shiva Oh mother Abhirami
I have never worshipped you with flowers by my hand even for an instant,
I have not ever seen your lotus like face by the eyes given by God to me,
I have not followed your devotees to the temple even one time,
I have not thought of you in either during dawn, noon and dusk,
But when the horrible God of death with a very black moushtache ,
Climbing on his big buffalo bigger than
an elephant, my mind will tremble,
At that time please do come , give me the flower of your grace and save me
11. Migayum thuratha vempiniyum thuratha mada veguli melum thuratha,
Midiyum thuratha narai thirayum thuratha ,nani vedanaigalum thuratha,
Pagayum thuratha , vanchanayum thurathas, muppasi yenpadum thuratha,
Pavam thburatha, ad hi mogam thuratha , mala bhava karyamum thuratha,
Nakaiyum thuratha, oozh vinayum thuratha, muzhu nanum thuratha, veguvai,
Navaradrodi irukal thalarnthidum yennai, namanum thurathuvano?
Akila ulagangalukkum aadarame koorum, Aadhi kadavurin vazhve,
Amudheesar oru bagam agaladha shukapani , arulvami Abhiramiye.
Oh life of ancient Kadavur ,Oh goddess who is the ocean of joy
In the mind of wise people,Oh Goddess who does not move away
From one side of Lord Shiva Oh mother Abhirami,
Oh Goddess who is the basis of the world,
Would the Lord of death also chase me after,
The chase of sorrow, chase of great diseases, chase of anger,
The chase of pride , the chase of old age , the chase of tiredness,
The chase of great sufferings, chase of enmity, the chase of deceit ,
The chase of the three hungers, chase of sin, chase of great desire,
The chase of three malas, chase of fate , chase of shyness,
All of which have made my toungue dry and my two legs weak.