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Pothri thiru agaval(Tamil)

By

Manikka Vasagar

Translated By

P.R.Ramachander

(Manikka Vasagar was a great saint of the saivite Bhakthi movement of Thamizh Nadu. His greatest contribution was a book called Thiruvasagam.(Divine writing) . It has been told that “thiru vasagathukku urugar , yevvachagathukkum urugar” meaning, “ The mind of one whose mind does not melt for Thiruvasagam , will not melt for any other book. “ There is a very famous translation of Thiruvasagam by Rev G.U.Pope who was called as Pope iyer by the people of Tamil nadu. This is available in

http://www.shaivam.org/siddhanta/thivapop.htm . But I found it very difficult to understand.

Pothiru Thiru agaval is a poem of salutations to the God using the Agval ("Agaval” is a form of blank verse, close to speech.) style. After giving an introduction the, author goes on to salute the Lord using several of his attributes and residences. I felt that it is a remarkable prayer. I have used the tamil translation of Thiruvachagam by Dr.Sadhu .S.Srinivas published by Indhu publications , Madras to understand the verses of Pothri Thiru Agaval)

Nanmugan mudhala vanavar thozhudhu ezha,

Veeradiyaale moovalagu alandhu,

Nattisai munivarum iympulan malara ,

Pothri cheykathir mudithuru nedumalan,

Radi mudiyariyu madhara vadanir.

When the four faced Brahma and other devas were saluting him,

Lord Vishnu measured the entire world with his two steps,

And this made the sages in all four directions enthralled ,

And worship Him with a shining crown,

But he himself tried to find out the feet and head of Lord Shiva.

Kadu muranena magi mun kalan,

Thezhthalamuruva vidanthu pinnei .

Thoozhi mudhalva chaya chaya vendru,

Vazhuthiyum kanaa malaradiyinaigal

Appearing as a wild boar and digging the seven nether worlds,

Lord Vishnu got tired and praised “Victory to the foremost of the world”,

As he was not in a position to find your flower like feet.

Vazhuthutharkku elithai vaar kadal ulaginil,

Yanai mudhalaa verum peeraaya,

OOna mili yoniyul vinai pizhaithu,

Manuda pirappinun mathavu thara,

Theenamil kirumi cheruvinir pizhaithum.

For easily seeing those feet , in this world,

Which is surrounded by a wide broad sea,

The many beings entered the wombs,

Of animals from ant to elephant and after exhausting the Karma,

Took finally the birth as man and in their stay,

In the womb , they fought for survival with many other insects,

Oru mathithandri yinirumayir pizhaithu ,

Mirumathi vilaivain orumayir pizhaithum,

At the end of one month they got a separate form,

At the end of two months they survived and became more strong

Mummathi thannula madham pizhaithu,

Meeriru thingalir per irul pizhaithu,

Manju thingalin munchudhal pizhaithu,

Maru thingali oorular pizhaithum,

In the third month they did not get drowned in the womb fluid,

In the fourth month they spent their time in darkness,

In the fifth month they survived by not getting aborted,

In the sixth month their body grew further and they survived

Ezhu thingalir thazh puvi pizhaithu,

Mettu thingalir kattamum pizhaithu,

Monpathil varu thuru thunbamum pizhaithum

After surviving the lowering in the seventh month

After surviving several problems in the eighth month,

After surviving the sorrow of the parting with the womb,

Thakka dasamathi thayodu than padum ,

Dukha sagara thuyaridai pizhaithum,

And when ten months are to be over , they ,

Along with their mother get drowned,

In the sea of sorrow but survived.

Andugadoru msdaintha vakkaalai,

Meendiyum miruthiyum menai pala pizhaithum,

Year after year they further grow up ,

And by staying and rising they further survived,

Kalai malamodu kadum pagar pasi nisi,

Velai nithirai yathirai pizhaithum,

They further survived by answering natural calls ,

Struggle with the great hunger of the day ,

And sleep during the time of the night ,

Karum kuzhar chevai vennagai karmayi,

LOrungiiya chayanerungi yun madarthu,

Kachara nimirnthu kadirthu mun panai,

Theythidai varutha vezhundhu pudai pran,

Theerkidai pogaa vila mulai madar than,

Koortha nayana kollayir pizhaithum,

After further surviving from theft tried by the sharp eyes,

Of women with jet black hair , reddish lips, pretty smile,

Who were Well made up , painted , walking straight ,

With the well endowed breasts which were held ,

Aloft and pushed in front and gave pain to the middle part ,

Pitha ulagar perum thurai parappinun ,

Matha kalirenu mavaa vidai pizhaithm,

After further surviving from the exuberant elephant,

Of desire , which came because of living among people,

Who are mad after the pleasures of life on earth,

Kalvi yenum pal kadar pizhaithum.

Chelvam menum mallalir pizhaithum,

After surviving from the pride of several oceans of learning,

After surviving from the sorrow caused by botheration caused by the wealth,

Nal kuravennum tholvidam pizhaithum,

Pul varambaaya pal thurai pizhithum,

After surviving from the horror of poverty,

After surviving several bad conducts and character

Deivam yenbadhor chitha mundagi ,

Munivilathathor porulathu karudhalum,

Maaru koru maya shakthigal,

Veru veru tham mayai kat odungina

They understood that there is something called God,

And that it is without any hatred,

But several thoughts sent by illusion,

Did not allow this thought to rise.

Aathamaanaar ayalavar koodi,

Nathigam pesi nathazhambu yerinar

The dear neighbors joined together ,

And talked that god is not there,

Till their toungue had a scar.

Chuthamennum thol pasu kuzhaangal,

Pathi yazhaithu padarinar perugavum,

Those who called themselves as their relations,

And were like a group of ordinary beings,

Called and dragged them and told them not to go after God

Virathame paramaga vedhiyarum,

Chathagamagave Chathiram kattinar

Even the Brahmins who observe penance,

Showed shastras to dissuade us

Samaya vadhika datha mathangale,

Vamaithvathaga varathi malainthanar

Even people of various religious beliefs,

Were unnecessarily proud of their beliefs

Mindiya mayaa vadha mennum,

Chanda marutham chuzhithadi thaa arthu

The words of people supporting concept of illusion,

Would make your thoughts confused like a storm.

Ulagayutham yenum ondirar pambin,

Kalabedatha kadu vida meythi

Those who support worldly needs ,

Are like a shining poisonous snakes,

And their teachings are like poison.

Athir peru mayayena pala chjoozhavum,

They confuse you all and does not allow all of you,

To understand what is right or wrong

Thappame thaambi pidithathu chaliyaa,

Thazhalathu kanda mezhukadhu pola,

Thozhuthula murugi yazhuthudal kambithu

The one who catches the proper path and travels ,

Is like wax brought near a burning ember,

His mind melts and he salutes the God and becomes speechless

Aadiyum alariyum padiyum paraviyum,

Kodirum pedahayum kondathu vidathenum,’

Padiyeyagi nallidayaraa vanbin,

Dancing , shouting , singing , following ,
like a pliers and like ignorant men,

Does not change at any moment from the chosen path

Pasumarathani arainthar pola,

Kasivathu perugi kadalena marugi

Like a nail driven in a living tree,

Their mind melts and like a sea it roars

Agam kuzhaindhu anukoolamai mey vidhirthu,

Sakambe yendru thammai chirippu

Their inside melts and their body shivers in support,

And the world laughs at them like a ghost

Naanathu ozhindhu naadavar pazhithurai,

Poonathuvaga konuthalindri

They loose sense of shame and take criticisms ,

As ornaments and their minds are not worried

Chathuri zhantharimal kondu charum,

Gathiyahu paramavadhisayamaga

You should increase knowledge and decrease pride,

For there is nothing as great as salvation,

And it is only right to wonder about it.

Kathaa manamena kadariyum padariyum,

Mathor deivam kanavilum ninayathu

Like a calf towards its mother cow,

They shout as well as become nervous,

And no other God comes to them even in their dreams

Aruparam thoru vana vaniyil vanthu,

Guruparanaagi yaruliya perumayai

My fame is because of the God,

Who came from a place far above the world,

And became my teacher and blessed me,

Chirumai yendru igazhaadhe , thiruvadi yinayai,

Piri vinai yariya nizhalathu pola,

Do not blame that god’s behavior as ordinary,

For like the shadow is never separated from the body,

The devotees should always follow the feet of God

Mun pinnagi muniyatha disai,

Yenbu naindhurige therku nekkengi,

Yanbenumaru karaivathu purala,

Nal pulan ondri nada vendrathi

The devotee’s thoughts do not go back or front,

And they are Without hatred, with melting mind, shivering voice

With love flooding and ebbing out of the banks,

And With concentrated mind and always murmuring “Oh Lord”

Urai thadumariyum romam chilirppa,

Kara malar motti thiruthaya malara,

Kankali koora nunduli yarumbha,

Karamalar mottithu , kai koopi

Due to devotion, their voice stutters,

Hair stands erect, Hands fold in salutation,

The flower of their heart is overjoyed

And the eye is full of tears of joy

Chaya vanbinai nadoruthu azhaippavar,

Thaayeyagi valarthanai pothi

Salutation to the God , who brought up,

Like a mother ,those whose devotion ,

Never reduced and was always growing

Mey tharu vediyanagi vinai keda ,

Kai thara valla kadavul pothi

Oh God who came as a Brahmin,

Giving the truth and then removed,

The accumulated Karmas of previous births(vinai)

Aadaka Madurai arase Pothi

Kooda vilalngu Gurumani pothi

Salutations to the God who chose Madurai as his arena to play

Salutations to the great teacher who was with me

Thendrillai mandrinuladi pothi

Yindrena karaamudhanai pothi

Salutations to him who danced in the southern city(Chidambaram)

Salutations to the God who became like nectar to me

Moovaa naanmurai mudhalva pothi

Chevaar vel kodi sivane Pothi

Salutations to the permanent lord of four Vedas,

Salutations to Lord Shiva with a flag of bull

Minnar uruva vikirthaa pothi,

Kannar uritha kaniye pothi

Salutations to The god who took several shining forms,

Salutations to the fruit who took threads from stone

Kaavai kanaga kunre pothi,

Yava venru yenakkarulvai pothi

Salutations to the Golden mountain who protects us,

Salutations to him who showers his grace on me who calls him

Padaippai Kaappai Thudaippai pothi,

Vidarai kalayum yenthai pothi

Salutations to him who creates , protects and destroys,

Salutations to my father who removes all my problems

Eesa pothi, iraiva pothi,

Desa palinginrale pothi

Salutations to the God, Salutations to the Lord,

Salutations to the shining , pretty heap of the soul

Araise pothi , amuthe pothi,

Virai cher charana vikirtha pothi

Salutations to the king., Salutations to the nectar,

Salutations to him with sweet smelling feet and took different forms

Vedhi pothi, Vimala Pothi,

Yadhi pothi , yarive pothi

Salutations to seer of knowledge , salutations to the pure one,

Salutations to the primeval god, Salutations to knowledge

Gathiye pothi , kaniye pothi,

Nadhi cher chenchadai namba pothi

Salutations to one giving salvation , Salutations to the fruit of knowledge,

Salutations to him who accepted a river on his head

Udayai pothi , unarve pothi,

Kadayen adimai kanday pothi

Salutations to him who has everything , Salutations to him who is the divine feeling,

Salutations to him who made this very lowly slave as his

Iya pothi, anuve pothi,

Saiva pothi , thalaiva pothi

Salutations to the Lord, Salutations to him who is in every as atom,

Salutations to the peaceful one, Salutations to the leader

Kuriye pothi, guname pothi,

Neriye pothi , ninaive pothi

Salutations to aim of life , salutations to best qualities,

Salutations to great conduct , salutations to him who remains as a feeling

Vanorkku ariya marunthe pothi,

Yenorkku yeliya iraiva pothi,

Salutations to the rare nectar like medicine to devas,

Salutations to him who is easily available to others

Moovezh chutha muranooru naragidai,

Yazhame arul arase pothi

Salutations to the merciful God who saves,

Twenty one generations of devotees from hell

Thozha pothi, thuniva pothi,

Vazhve pothi , yen vaippe pothi

Salutations to the friend , salutations to him who is with us,

Salutations to the root of my life , salutations to my place of protection

Mutha pothi, Mudalva pothi,

Athaa pothi , arane pothi

Salutations to him who is above salvation , Salutations to him who is primeval,

Salutations to him who is father of all, Salutations to him who destroys dirt of the soul

Urai unar virantha voruva pothi,

Viri kadal ulagim vilaive pothi

Salutations to him who is beyond words and mind,

Salutations to him who is the great luck of people of this broad world

Arumayil yeliya azhake pothi,

Karu mukhilakiya kanne pothi

Salutations to the pretty one who is rare,

Salutations to the very dear one who is like the black cloud

Manniya thiruvarun malaye pothi,

Yennayum oruvanaaki yirunkazhar,

Cheniyil vaitha sevaga pothi

Salutations to the very stable purple mountain(meru),

Salutations to the him who recognized me and kept ,

His feet on my head and made me his slave

Thozhugai thunbam thudaippai pothi,

Azhivilaa Ananda vari pothi

Salutations to him who removes sorrow of those who salute him.

Salutations to him who is the destruction less sea of joy

Azhivathum aavathum kadanthai pothi,

Muzhuvadhumirantha mudhalva pothi

Salutations to him who is beyond birth and death,

Salutations to him who is primeval and would remain after everything dies

Maaner nokki manala pothi,

Vanakathu amarar thaye pothi

Salutations to the husband of Parvathi who has deer like eyes,

Salutations to him who looks after devas like their mother

Paridai yaiynthai paranthai pothi,

Neeridai nangai nigazhndhai pothi

Salutations to him who has spread like earth , fifth among five elements(Kanchipuram)

Salutations to him who has become water the fourth element(Thiruvanaikkaval)

Thee yidai moondrai thigazhndhai pothi

Valiyidai irandai magizhndhai pothi,

Veliyidai yondari vilainthai pothi,

Yalibhavar ulla thamudhe pothi

Salutations to him who has become fire, the third element (Thiruvannamalai)

Salutations to him who became happy as wind , the second element,(Kalahasthi)

Salutations to him who has become Ether(Akasa) , the first element (Chidambaram)

Salutations to him who is the mind of the giver

Kanavilum devarkkariyai pothi

Nanavilum mayerkkarulinai pothi

Salutations to him who is rare even in dreams to devas,

Salutations to him who came in a form that can be seen to me who is even worse than a dog

Idai maruthurayum yenthai pothi,

Chadayidai gangai tharithai pothi,

AAroor amarntha arase pothi,

Cheeraar thiruvai aaraa pothi

Salutations to my father who is in Thiruvidaimaruthur

Salutations to him who wore ganges on his head

Salutations to him who sat in Thiruvarur

Salutations to him who is in the great Thiruvayaru

Annamala yemmanna pothi,

Kannaramudha kadale pothi

Salutations to the brother who is in Thiruvannamalai,

Salutations to him who is the dear ocean of nectar

Yekam pathurai yenthai potrhi,

Pagam pennuru vanai pothi

Salutations to my father who is in Thiruvekambam,

Salutations to him who became partly a lady

Paraithurai meviya parane pothi

Chirappalli meviya sivane pothi

Salutations to the dear one who is in Thiruparaithurai,

Salutations to the true Lord of Thiruchirapalli

Mathor pathi ingu ariyen pothi,

Kuthala then koththa pothi

Salutations to him who is the only one known to me,

Salutations to the dancer of Thirukuttalam

Kogazhi meviya kove pothi,

Yeengi malai yem maintha pothi,

Paangaar pazhanathazhaga pothi

Salutations to the king who is in Thiruvavaduthurai,

Salutations to the father who is in Thiruveengoi mountain,

Salutations to the pretty one who is in Thiruppazhanam

Kadamboor meviya Vidanga pothi,

Adainthavarkku arulum appa pothi

Salutations to the pretty one of Thirukadambur,

Salutations to him who showers his grace on those coming to him

Ithi thannin keezh iru moovar ,

Kahikku aruliya varase pothi

Salutations to him , who gave his blessings,,

To the six people and the elephant below an ithi tree(Kallala tree)

Thennadudaya sivane pothi,

Yennattavarkkum iraiva pothi

Salutations to Siva who has south of India,

Salutations to him who is God of the entire world,

Yenakkurulai karuliniai pothi Om,

Maana kayilai malayai pothi Om

Salutations to who fed milk to the baby pigs, Om,

Salutations to him who lives on the Kailasa mountain, Om

Arul ida vendum mammaan pothi,

Yirul keda varulum iraiva pothi.

Salutations with a request , please shower your grace uncle,

Salutations to that God who removes darkness from life

Thalanthen adiyenramiyen pothi,

Kalam kola karuthavarulai pothi

Salutations Oh God, I have become bored of being alone,

Salutations to him with a request to him to be my permanent friend

Anjel yendru ingu arulvai pothi,

Nanje yamudha nayanthai pothi

Salutation with a request to tell “Do not fear” and then shower your grace,

Salutations to him who made nectar out of the poison

Atha pothi, Ayya pothi,

Nitha pothi , nimala pothi,

Patha pothi pavane pothi

Salutations to him who is the father , the Lord,

Salutations to the perennially pure one,

Salutations to the basis and life of the entire world

Periyai pothi , pirane pothi,

Ariyai pothi , amala pothi

Salutations to the one who is greater than all,

Salutations to him who protects lives,

Salutations to the God who is rare .

Salutations to the God who is pure

Marayor kola neriye pothi,

Murayo tharien mudhalva pothi

Salutations to him who came as a Brahmin,

Salutations to the primeval one, to whom I say “I cannot bear this”

Urave pothi, Uyire pothi,

Chirave pothi, sivame pothi

Salutation to Siva who is my relation , and to him who is my soul,

Salutations to him who is all that is good and he who is peace.

Manjaa pothi, manaalaa pothi,

Panjeradiyaal pangaa pothi

Salutation to him who is pretty and to him who is consort of all souls ,

Salutations to the consort of her who has cotton soft feet

Alan thenaaye nadiyen pothi,

Yilangu chudarem eesaa pothi

Salutations from the devotee who has wandered,

Salutations to him who has natural light

Suvaithalai meviya kanne pothi,

Kuvai pathi malintha kove pothi

Salutations to the darling of Suvai thalai,

Salutations to the king who is in kuvaipathi

Malai nadutaya manne pothi,

Kalayai ari kesariyai pothi

Salutations to the king of mountain country,

Salutations to him who is the lion of arts(Art of town Arikesari)

Thirukazhu kundril chelvaa pothi,

Poruppamar poovanathane pothi

Salutations to the lad of Thirukazhukundram,

Salutations to the Lord of Thiruppovanam surrounded by hills

Aruvamuruvamum aanaai pothi,

Maruviya karunai malaye pothi

Salutations to him who has a form as well as no form,

Salutations to the mountain of mercy

Thuriyamum irantha chudare pothi,

Therivarithagiya thelive pothi

Salutations to him who is the light above the Thuriya state,

Salutations to him who is the wisdom that can be rarely got

Thola mutha chudare pothi,

Yalavanavar kku anba pothi

Salutations to him who is the light of uncut pearl,

Salutations to the friend of those who salute him

AAravamuthe arule pothi,

Perayiramudai pemman pothi

Salutations to the nectar like grace that never exhausts,

Salutations to the God who has one thousand names

Thali arunkin raaraai pothi,

Neel oliyagiya nirutha pothi

Salutations to the god who wears grass(Arugam pul) and leaf (Bilwa leaf) garland

Salutations to the dancer who is the great long flame

Chanthana chanthin Sundara pothi,

Chinthanai kkariya sivame pothi

Salutations to the pretty one who is decorated by sandal paste,

Salutations to the God of peace who is beyond thought processes

Manthira mamalai meyaai pothi,

Yenthamai yuyya kolvai pothi

Salutations to the God who wanders in Mahendra mountains,

Salutations to the God who is there to save us

Puli moolai pulvai churilinai pothi,

Alaikadal meemisai nadanthai pothi

Salutations to the God who made a tiger mother feed milk to a sheep cub,

Salutations to the God who walked on the ocean full of waves

Karum kuruvikku andru arulinai pothi,

Irum pulan pulara visainthanai pothi

Salutations to the God who showered his grace on a black bird in olden times,

Salutations to the God who made the five parts of the body not work

Padiyura payindra paavaga pothi,

Adiyodu nadu veeraanaai pothi

Salutations to the God who was divinely pure even in earth,

Salutations to the God who became the beginning middle and end

Narakodu suvarga nanilam pugamar,

Para gathi pandiyar kkarulinai pothi

Salutations to the God who gave ,

Pandya kings salvation preventing ,

Them from going to hell, heaven and earth

Ozhivara miraintha voruva pothi,

Chezhu malar siva purathu arase pothi

Salutations to the God who has filled himself everywhere without a gap,

Salutations to the God who is the king of Sivapura full of flowers

Kazhuneer malai kadavul pothi,

Thozhuvar maiyarunippai pothi

Salutations to the God who wears garland of Kalhara(Chenkazhneer) flowers,

Salutations to the God who removes darkness of ignorance from those saluting him

Pizhaippu vaay ponru ariyaa naayen,

Kuzhaitha chona malai kondarul pothi

Salutations to the God with a request to please accept this garland of words,

Made by a man baser than a dog and not knowing the rights and wrongs

Purambala veritha puraanaa pothi,

Param param jothi parane pothi

Salutations to the ancient God who burnt several cities,

Salutations to the God who exists as divine light beyond the universe

Pothi ,pothi puyanga peruman,

Pothi ,pothi Purana karana,

Pothi, pothi chaya chaya pothi

Salutations and salutations to the God who wears a snake,

Salutations and salutations to the God who is the primeval cause

Salutations, salutations, victory, victory , salutations