Songs of Grace · Book II

The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama” gives a sweet voice for singing. It lovingly provides milk and rice. It grants the sweet company of devotees and bestows good character. O wavering heart, do not fear. I swear this upon myself. This holy ash provides the sought-after wealth of greatness.

The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, which Vishnu and Brahma worship and praise, removes dark delusion. It shows the path to conquer death. It severs the desire for foolish women who bewilder the mind with great lust. O heart suffering in deep delusion, do not fear. I swear this upon myself.

The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, praised by the red-lotus-eyed Vishnu, severs the root of cruel karma. It shows the pure path to attain the home of true wisdom and find salvation. It grants realization that is hard to conceive. O heart filled with doubt, do not fear. I swear this upon myself.

The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama” unites one with the noble service of praising the Lord’s beautiful lotus feet. It reveals the state of the blue-gem-throated Lord and grants His grace. O heart troubled by poisonous karma, do not fear. I swear this upon myself. This holy ash grants virtue and divine wealth.

The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, praised and extolled by poets of refined words, grants the sword of grace to cut down the deceitful forest of the senses. It grants joy. It grants the holy feet that are hard to see even for the lotus-born Brahma and the dark-hued Vishnu. O heart entangled in the five senses, do not fear. I swear this upon myself.

O heart, do not fear the approaching karma. I swear upon myself. The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, praised by steadfast sages and celestials, will reveal our King to us on his bull mount. He is the gem of the eye, the three sweet fruits, the sugarcane, the crystallized sugar, and the heavenly nectar.

O heart, do not fear the accumulated karma. I swear upon myself. The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, which is difficult for Brahma and Vishnu to comprehend, will reveal our true companion arriving on the pure bull mount. He is the great medicine that destroys disease and the subtlety that is hard to perceive.

O heart, do not fear the approaching karma. I swear upon myself. The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, which grants certainty and ability, will show him to us on the great bull mount. He is the sweet nectar pleasant to contemplate, the great ocean of blissful compassion, and the rich honey that cannot be exhausted.

Alas, O heart, do not fear the karma. I swear upon myself. The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, worshipped and praised by Brahma on the red lotus, will make him come to us today on the bull mount. He is the wish-fulfilling gem, the wealth we sought and found over many days, and the supreme fruit with a moon-adorned crown of matted hair.

O heart, do not fear the sorrow of this worldly mire. I swear upon myself. The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama”, praised and worshipped by Vishnu on the clear ocean, will unite us with him on the bull mount. He is the joy that rises in the heart, our fitting companion, our inner kinship, and the tender ruby shoot that is hard to attain.

O vulnerable heart, do not fear. I swear this upon myself. The holy ash worn while chanting “Sivaya Nama” dispels anger and grants strength. It is the treasure our Master stored away to help us in our time of need. It reveals the fruit of grace that enters the learned mind, appearing upon the sacred bull.

O mind, what do you gain by constantly pining, bewildered by the eyes of women with foreheads like bent bows and suffering among deceitful people? Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. O mind, meditate on the rising mantra “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”. It tastes sweeter than rich red sugarcane and wells up within the minds of devotees.

Penance is lost through the embrace of women. Righteousness is lost through harsh association with deceitful people. What will come of suffering so greatly in these ways? Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”. It is the joy of the devotees, driving away worldly existence, revealing the true form of bliss, and granting the exalted state.

Let your past falls into the cruel watery pits of great female demons with waists thin as lightning be gone. Do not fall anymore. I will tell you one thing. Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”. This is meditated upon by the Lord with golden shoulders and the Lord seated on the glorious flower.

You consider this perishing life to be permanent and constantly fall and wallow in the worm-infested mire of wretched women. Abandon this foolishness. Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”. It tastes sweeter than dense sweet jackfruit segments and wells up to grace the tongues of devotees who merge with it.

Do not become exhausted falling into the roaring great ocean of sorrow, bewildered by the delusion of women with mountain-like breasts and tormented by deceitful people. Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”. Exalted ones speak of it with deep affection, wondering whether it is melting clear nectar, sweet honey, or ripe fruit.

You desired quarrelsome women. If the god of death comes and calls you, what will you do, poor one? Alas, come with me to beautiful Otriyur. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”, the mantra chanted by the lotus-seated four-faced Brahma, Indra, and Vishnu, the husband of the ocean-born goddess.

Do not fall and suffer every day in the pit of worms and feces of the women you approach. Consider my daily words as the words of the guru. Come with me to Otriyur. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”. It is sweeter than sweet ambrosia, and devotees consume it daily as it wells up within their minds.

Confused by your infatuation with worldly women, you suffer at the hands of people with affectionless hearts. Alas, how will you find salvation? Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. Join the devotees of beautiful fame to swim across the ocean of birth and push forward. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”.

You desired the breasts of foolish women and attained boundless, harsh sorrow. You wander and beg from people who are as bitter as the Etti tree. Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. To unite with the supreme reality that even flawless ascetics and celestials cannot see when they approach, O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”.

You roamed after women with bright moon-like faces. You went to the tall gates of vile-hearted men and waited in vain like a parrot expecting a barren cotton pod to yield sweet fruit. What kind of intelligence is yours? Come with me to beautiful Otriyur. O mind, meditate on “Om Siva Shanmuka Siva Om, Om Sivaya”, which strolls in the lotus hearts of devotees who have examined many things and realized the truth.

What benefit have you found by standing at the doorways of deceivers who cause only ruin? Time is passing. Rise, my heart! Let us go to Otriyur, a place surrounded by groves. Let us bow down and praise our Lord, calling out, “Shanmuka! Siva! Siva!” Before His holy presence, we will confess our faults. Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

What happiness have you found by wandering around for the sake of deceitful women? Time is passing. Rise, my heart! Let us go to Otriyur, a place surrounded by groves, and chant, “Shanmuka! Siva! Siva!” Melting with a broken heart as we think of Him, we will speak of our sorrowful destitution. Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

What good have you found by approaching the doorways of worldly deceivers? Time is passing. Rise, my heart! Let us go to the esteemed city of Otriyur. We will cry out, “O beautiful, graceful Shanmuka! Siva! Om! O youthful Lord!” and speak of the poison of our sorrow. Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

What is the use of suffering any longer by waiting at the doors of cruel people who plot delusion and deceit? It is getting dark. Rise, my heart! Let us go to the beautiful place called Otriyur and call out, “Shanmuka, who grants clarity! Siva! Om! Siva Nama!” We will tell Him of our disastrous sorrow. Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

You suffer at the lowly doors of miserly people who treat the word “No” as their greatest wealth. Our time is running out. Rise, my heart! Let us go to the beautiful place called Otriyur. We will bow at His feet, calling out, “Ancient One! Om Siva Shanmuka! Siva Om! Pure One!” We will speak of the afflictions we have endured. Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

You wandered at the doors of those with deceitful hearts. If you stay confused and weep any longer, night will fall swiftly. Arise, my heart! Let us go to the beautiful place called Otriyur and praise Him, chanting: “Shanmuga, Siva Siva Siva Om! Supreme Swayambhu, Sankara, Sambhu, Nama Om! Hara!” Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

You stay and suffer at the doors of deceitful people. Even this brief time is slipping away. Arise, my heart! Let us go to the great place of Otriyur. Let us praise Him purposefully, chanting: “Shanmuga, Nama Siva Siva Om! Supreme Swayambhu, Sankara, Sambhu!” Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

You suffered by staying at the places of those with cruel hearts. Even this brief time is passing away. Arise, my heart! Let us go to the shining great city of Otriyur. Let us focus our minds and praise Him fully, chanting: “Shanmuga, Saravana Bhava Om! Om Swayambhu, Sankara, Sambhu!” Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

Do not wait at the doors of deceitful people who refuse to give even the slightest thing. Even this moment is vanishing swiftly in the blink of an eye. Arise, my heart! Let us go to the beautiful place called Otriyur and praise Him properly, chanting: “Shanmuga who protects us, Siva Siva Om! Lord, Sankara, Hara Hara!” Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

You stay with deceitful people, begging them for your needs and wandering in vain. Even the time we spend speaking now is running out. Arise, my heart! Let us go to the celebrated great city of Otriyur. Let us proclaim and praise Him, chanting: “All-pervading Shanmuga, Guru, Nama Siva Om! Pure One, Supreme Consciousness, Hara Hara!” Do not doubt. I swear upon myself, we will surely receive His grace.

I will never forget Namasivaya, the companion who freely appears in the minds of devotees longing to sing His praise, the rapture that merges to melt the stony heart of this poor wretch, the honey of sacred Otriyur ringed by flourishing groves, the good life dancing in the little hall of Thillai, the meaning of the four Vedas.

I will never forget Namasivaya, the reality manifesting as the eight forms, the greatness unknown to the gods and others, the fruit in the palm for those who have shed all desires, the root of the Vedas, the miraculous harvest, the boundless fullness of supreme bliss, the light that shines becoming all things everywhere, the Lord of the cosmic dance.

I will never forget Namasivaya, the Sivam who dispelled the great sorrow of the celestials, the supreme reality praised by all the worlds, Shambhu who supports all universes like a pillar, the fruit of righteous action, the cloud pouring down abundant grace, the supreme wisdom, the supreme conscious bliss, the goodness that uplifts those who trust Him.

I will never forget Namasivaya, the great gem resting on the crown of Vishnu, the fine flower that fragrances the praising tongue and heart, the sweet exalted essence within milk, the fruit tasted by the hearts of devotees, the ocean of bliss surging beneath the banyan tree, the nectar in the cosmic hall, the Sivam seated in sacred Otriyur of the four Vedas.

I will never forget Namasivaya, the light that fills my inner being and conceals me, the nectar that never cloys no matter how much it is drunk, the vision filling the eyes, the kinship uniting those exalted ones who have transcended all things, the fullness of joy unseen by the countless gods beginning with Vishnu and Brahma, the Sivam graciously seated in sacred Otriyur.

Even if the directions reverse, even if the seven seas rise over the earth and engulf it, even if the shining lights of the high heavens fall and vanish, even if rain fails and food disappears from the world, even if the seven worlds expand and transform, even if all the universes collapse and perish, I will never forget Namasivaya, the gracious holy name of our naked Lord whom the Vedas cannot comprehend.

Even if a child forgets the mother who bore him, even if a mother forgets her own child, even if the life-breath forgets the body it inhabits, even if the body forgets the life-breath within it, even if a learned heart forgets all its knowledge, even if the eyes forget to blink, I will never forget Namasivaya, which rises high within the hearts of those who perform great penance.

Even if the waist forgets to wear clothing, even if the people of the world forget the sensation of hunger, even if warriors forget their weapons, even if the ocean forgets to make waves, even if those standing close by forget themselves, even if one forgets a buried treasure of gold, even if travelers forget their path, I will never forget Namasivaya.

Even if cruel poverty strikes, even if a grand and joyful life arrives, even if union with base women occurs, whether resting, standing, or walking, even if I am in the company of people without character, even if I reach the presence of noble and exalted souls, I will never forget Namasivaya, which grants all things that are good.

Even if I live for many more days, even if I die this very moment, even if I enter the heavenly realm, even if I fall exhausted and suffer in the vast hell, whatever else may come to me here, whatever my Lord may do to me, I will never forget Namasivaya, which rises steadily within the seeking hearts of the good.

Even if you are exhausted from the affliction caused by the five hostile senses that must be overcome, why should you fear anymore, my heart? Fear not, fear not! Desiring the four precious Vedas to excel, and desiring Vishnu and Brahma to flourish, the Lord willingly took the poison into his throat as nectar. His name is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

Even if Indra opposes you, even if Kaman shoots his arrows, even if Death himself comes, even if Brahma is enraged, even if Vishnu comes to fight, they matter not, my heart. Why do you suffer this unceasing great sorrow? Fear nothing. Do you not know the truth? The name that brought the king of speech safely to the shore is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

Even if you are pierced by the spear-like long eyes of deceitful women, and you wither in confusion, do not fear. May you prosper, my heart! The Lord’s eye of fire on his forehead consumed the cruel Kaman who proudly aimed his flower arrows. The name of that Lord is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

Do not worry, my heart, wondering to whom we shall go to relieve this withering hunger. Alas, it seems you do not know this truth. On that day at the Alakkoil temple, his perfect lotus feet aching, he walked and begged for food to graciously feed Sundarar. The name of the Lord who rules us is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

The sun races on. Following it, the days race by one by one and perish. You wither away, asking what we shall do if the cruel God of Death grows angry. Do not fear, my heart! Do you not know the glory of Markandeyar? The name of the Lord who belongs to those who seek him is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

May you prosper, my heart. You sought a medicine to cure the diseases of this bewildering physical body. Do not be troubled. It seems you did not notice the sacred white ash of grace resting in my hand. You yearned eagerly to dispel the inescapable great disease of desire. Do not grieve. The name of the Lord with beautiful red matted hair is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

Vishnu will perish. Brahma will die. The other celestial beings will be utterly destroyed. My poor heart, do you stand wondering who will be a fitting and good companion for us? He destroys, creates, and sustains thousands of crores of universes. The name of the supreme reality proclaimed by the four great Vedas is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

O heart, you thought over and over and yearned, wondering how we could possibly see the city of Kailash if Brahma and Vishnu have not seen it. It seems you do not know how the great devotee sat upon that beautiful white elephant and journeyed there. The name of our beautiful Lord is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

O heart, you begged me to tell you how we can go and worship at the silver mountain of Kailash, which is inaccessible even to heroic humans, sages, and celestials. Do you not know the secret of how the Chera king rode a horse and journeyed there alongside Uranar? The name of the Lord who wears the river and the moon in His matted hair is Namasivaya. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

May you prosper, my heart. You ask me to come with you to visit every sacred shrine, to worship the holy feet of the Lord residing there, and to walk around them in reverence. The Lord who begs from house to house will Himself draw you and me. If you ask what good companion we have for this journey, listen. Namasivaya is the companion we have obtained.

Our God wears a woman’s earring and a tiger skin. He rides a matchless bull resting by the sea. He holds a battle-axe and a deer. He carries Brahma’s skull as an alms bowl. He is the Lord of Otriyur and the highly praised Thiruvenkadu. He bears an eye on his forehead.

Rejoicing to replace the many colorful great flowers, our God accepted the sandal marks placed on him by our Tinnappar. He affectionately ate the fine, sweet-tasting meat offered to him. Seeing him gauge and pluck out his matching eye, our God touched his hand and said, ‘Stop, Kannappa!’

Our God wears the skin of a furious, dark elephant in musth whose roar strikes like thunder. He shares half his body with the goddess of firm breasts. His hands lift the northern golden mountain as a bow. See how our God showed the supreme path to Sakkiyar who swiftly hurled stones at him that day.

Sambandar sang radiant Tamil infused with ambrosia and the seven musical notes. When he asked for leave to return to his own town from highly renowned Thiruveezhimizhalai, our God appeared with the Daughter of the Mountain and showed him his Sirkazhi form.

The world-renowned Navukkarasar sang a decad asking, ‘My Lord, do you have no pity for my song?’ That very day, our God opened the doors in Maraikkadu, where the Vedas had previously worshipped him with fitting flowers and shut the gates.

Our God begged for food in Kacchur and fed our benefactor called Sundarar, the steadfast devotee on earth. Yet His state remains unattainable even if Brahma and Vishnu, who dances upon the hooded serpent, perform exhausting penance for many days.

Our God hid all His divine signs like the red matted hair and came visibly mounted on a horse. He appeared like a noble warrior guiding magnificent steeds to remove the great distress of Manikkavasagar.

Our God took the form of the all-powerful Siddha in beautiful Madurai. Standing before the crowned king who did not realize He is the mightiest of the mighty, He performed wonders that struck awe across thousands of universes and fed sugarcane to a stone elephant.

The exalted Vishnu, Brahma, and the other celestial beings approached Him and praised Him from both sides as the supreme sage seated beneath the banyan tree. Behold, our God is the Lord who lifts His foot and dances in the celebrated hall for our Parvati to witness.

When the realm of Vishnu passes away, our God will absorb into a single foot Indra, the four-faced Brahma, Rudra who mounts the deer, the celestial beings, all those above them, and many thousands of millions of universes. He alone will stand supreme.

O eyes, do not look upon those degraded people who refuse to wear the divine ash even in your dreams. Look with love upon the devotees who wear the sacred ash that graciously removes inner impurities. Do this so we may reach our Lord of Otriyur. He rides the great bull, and He granted a sword and a long life to the demon Ravana when he played sweet music on the lute.

O eyes, if you see base people who do not revere and wear the ash, turn away immediately. It is futile to waste your sight on them. If you see those whose bodies are adorned with ash, stay right there and gaze upon those pure ones. This is the true path. Do this so we may see the ruler of Kailash, our sweet Lord with an eye on his forehead, who lifted the great golden mountain as a bow to destroy the three forts.

O eyes, if you see petty people who do not wear the divine ash, flee and hide from them just as you would from a hissing snake. When you see the noble devotees who wear the Saiva ash, stand close to them and feast your sight on them. Do this so that the One Lord may reside in our hearts. He is the doer, the deed, and the instigator of the deed. He dances joyously in the hall of Thillai to grant us salvation.

O ears, if demonic people who do not wear the pure ash say anything, shut yourselves tightly against their worthless words. If loving devotees who wear the sacred ash speak, embrace their words and listen to them fully. This will bring the distant good path near to you. Do this so we may reach the sacred feet of our Lord, who sent a divine letter to the Chera king to help the devoted bard receive gold.

O nose that perceives rare fragrances, if the scent of the bodies of wretched people who do not wear the good ash reaches you, hold your breath. If the fragrance of the beautiful bodies of the steadfast devotees who wear the potent ash reaches you, inhale it with joy. This is the one pure path you must follow. Do this so we may dispel all sorrow, bathe in the great ocean of grace, and reach the sacred feet of our Lord.

O my tongue, even if those who do not wear the grace-bestowing ash offer you ambrosia, refuse to consume that filth. If the blessed ones who wear the clear ash offer you mere gruel, approach them, praise them, and eat it as sacred ambrosia. Banish the sorrow that creates darkness. Sit happily and consume the good ambrosia of joy, so that we may live with the Lord who wears the hide of the wild elephant and resides within me.

O my body, heed this instruction. If those who do not wear the liberating ash touch you even with their forearms, tremble with anger as if pierced by a thorn. If devotees who wear the devotional ash kick and strike you with their feet, accept it with affection and rejoice. Do this so that we may forever unite with the Lord who laughed and reduced the cities of His enemies to ashes and who rejoices in His son wielding the powerful spear.

O my hands, understand this sweet and noble path. Do not give even half a sesame seed to the base, dog-like people who do not wear the sweet ash. If devotees of Siva who wear the sweet ash ask us for anything, gladly take it and offer it to them. Act in this way so that the Lord, our Master, who gracefully arrives on His great bull for those who praise Him, may take His seat and reside within us.

O my feet, know that this is the noble path you must join. Stop walking into the hellish homes of fools who do not wear the sacred ash. Run and walk instead in the homes of those who wear the white ash that dispels discord. Do this so that we may plunge and bathe in the ocean of grace of the Lord who is the father of Kumaran, who rules our entire lineage, and who resides in the hall of dance.

O my heart, cease thinking even in forgetfulness about the base people who do not wear the enduring ash. Meditate daily upon the wise ones who wear the radiant ash, and let yourself tenderly melt within. Act in this way so that we may joyfully reach the Lord who wields a mountain as a bow, who mounts the great bull, who holds the skull of lotus-born Brahma in His hand, and whose throat turned the swirling ocean poison into ambrosia.

O heart, hold onto the Lord of Otriyur and stand firm so that you may attain the state of grace.

O heart, it is not far away. If you hold true devotion, liberation will reach you.

If you desire liberation, you need devotion. This is the truth. Understand this well, O heart.

O heart, this is no deception. The feet of the supreme Lord are the only refuge.

The Lord wears a garland of bones. Embrace love for Him and cast away your hardness, so that bliss may spring forth within you.

With firm devotion, praise Otriyur of the Lord adorned in white ash. Severe afflictions will depart.

The many demons that bring diseases do not approach pure Otriyur.

See, there is absolutely no such thing as suffering upon swiftly reaching the borders of Otriyur.

O troubled heart, why speak of suffering even after reaching the borders of abundant Otriyur?

Go and praise Otriyur, O heart. This is good. Otriyur forever abounds in fine prosperity.

I am a useless fool who gains nothing. A wandering sinner who has lost his mind, I know not a single truth. Joining deceivers who endlessly argue, I spoke harsh words until my mouth hurt, and I forgot you, our Primal Lord. When I think of my loveless, hard heart, even deadly poison trembles. O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur.

I am a cruel man with a heart harder than stone. Every day I mix with vile men, babble in stubborn arguments, and suffer. When I think of your path and look at my destitute self, I feel intense disgust and anger toward my own being. If I feel this way, O Lord of Thillai, what must your heart feel? O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur.

I wasted my time rejoicing in the revelry of deceitful men. I know no other refuge. I do not understand even a little of the greatness of those who perform true penance. What can I do to attain your divine grace? If you take pity and bestow your grace upon me, I will have it. If not, I am left with nothing today. O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur, where holy women dance.

They say a mother feeds milk only to the child who cries. Yet she also feeds the tender infant who lacks the strength to cry. That is not a fault, for it is simply her nature. Just as you grant grace to those who worship and praise your feet, you can surely surround me, a wicked man, with your grace. O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur, where lush madhavi flowers spread their fragrance in every direction.

Though my heart does not melt and cry out in praise, searching for you within, I will never forget you, O generous Lord. I will never revere other gods. With a radiant golden smile, you swiftly bent the bow and burned the three walled cities. O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur, whom the wise praise, chanting Hara Hara.

I have no desire for the status of Tirumal or Ayan. Even if they offer it and tell me to take it, I will not accept. Oh Lord wearing the skin of the great tusked elephant! I stand with my mind set only on the life esteemed by Your devotees. Given my unsteady nature, I do not know what Your heart thinks of me now. O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur with great ascetics and kings who have shoulders like sacred mountains!

I have not steadied my mind, which suffers in transient worldly ways. I know no discipline. Oh priceless gem! I do not praise You and ask You to unite me with the good path of liberation. I wandered like a piece of straw tossing on swelling waves. Will I, a base one, ever attain Your holy grace? Oh Lord who shot the fiery arrow from the mountain bow! O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur!

I do not realize that the body is an illusion of empty space. I am confused. I have no refuge. I have not attained even a little of Your divine grace, which shows the distant good path as very near. I do not resolve that joining Your pure devotees and serving them is true happiness. How will You rule over me, a wicked one? O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur!

Desiring worldly pleasure smaller than a dewdrop on the tip of a blade of grass, I forgot Your golden feet. I do not know what will happen to me now. What will I do? What state will I enter? Oh Lord with matted hair shining like lightning! I am not apart from You. It is Your duty to accept me. O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur, where lofty groves sway in the southern breeze!

Even if I say I am not Your devotee, I stand as Your devotee in the next life and this life. It is Your duty alone to forgive all the faults of this cruel one. I see no one else to do this, Oh Lord. Oh our righteous source whose body is smeared with ash! Oh supreme among the gods with beautiful matted hair! Oh divine light unsought by the wicked! O great gem Thyagar of shining Otriyur!

Like a man walking the earthly path while gazing up at the sky, I sought to walk the path of your radiant grace but looked only toward worldly flesh. Even so, you must joyfully bestow your grace so that I, your servant, may be saved. You perform the great dance in the hall so the mountain goddess with glances like a deer rejoices. O Lord with matted hair adorned with honey-laden konrai flowers! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur!

Like a mute man attempting to argue a great lawsuit, I desired to obtain your grace without possessing love for your lotus feet, O benevolent Lord. You must resolve to bestow the bliss of your grace on me, a wicked person. O great mountain of virtue who takes the hearts of good devotees as your temple and resides there! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, rising and shining with abundant and undiminishing wealth!

Like a man trying to harvest a crop without planting seeds, I desired liberation without having devotion for your two soft lotus feet. O Lord of Truth, please resolve to bestow the virtue of your grace upon me, a sinner. You graciously cause all the desires of your flawless devotees to flourish. O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, praised by sages seeking spiritual attainments!

Like a man attempting to cross the vast ocean without a ship, I desired to obtain your grace without the virtue of praising your lotus feet, O God. Please forgive the faults committed by this lowly one and grant your grace. O great light of the jewel dwelling in the hearts of those who walk the good and flawless path! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, filled with groves of beautiful shade trees!

Like a man trying to bury gold in a raging flood, I attempt to establish your pure feet in my base heart. Even so, please grant your divine grace to this lowly one. O father of Kumaran whose hand holds the sharp and long spear! O God who eradicates cruel karma! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, where Saiva and Vedic traditions flourish!

Like a man who intends to run but falls asleep, I intended to bathe in your supreme, rising ocean of grace, yet I sink in the delusion of women. Please resolve to grant me your grace. Vishnu and Brahma yearned as they sought you, yet you are the supreme reality who approached the heart of this dog. O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, where sages of great penance gather to seek you!

Like a fool who desires profit without capital, I desired to attain your grace without praising your strong, ankleted feet. Will I, a wicked man, ever attain the bliss of your grace? O Lord with a fiercely burning eye on your forehead! O sweet nectar welling up in the devotees who gaze at you! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, shining forever with rising, imperishable fertility!

Like a person who tries to use a stone as a float to cross a great river, I think of crossing the boundless ocean of birth with a treacherous heart pushed by lust. Will you grant me your grace? O brilliant mountain of light that drives away darkness! O One who grants grace to all the millions of worlds! O nectar in the shining hall of Thillai! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur!

Like a man who tries to extinguish a blazing fire by pouring ghee on it, I thought I could dispel worldly birth through falsehood filled with cruel, endless sorrow. Will your good grace ever come to me, a lowly person? O pure and wise one who dwells in the heart-lotus of devotees who worship you with their hands! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, rising and shining with the rich fertility of its fields!

Like a man who pours water to keep a bright lamp burning, I pursued the worldly path of earthly existence in order to place my daily love upon you. Please call out and rule over me, a sinner. O Lord who grants grace like pouring rain and hides within the joyous hearts of devotees! O Lord Thyagar of radiant Otriyur, where the holy streets are scattered with great gems fallen from chariots!

Desiring a wretched life and gathering sorrow, I am cruel. I am wicked and lack all purity. I am like discarded food. I am a sinner. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O Supreme One who stands by those who offer even a fresh green leaf! O Lord of souls! O nectar in the hearts of those who desire that sacred form! O Sire, King of Otriyur!

I slept. I became a dwelling place for laziness. Sinking into the delusion of women, I languished. I lived in vain. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O great hill of coral gems who bent Mount Meru into a bow! O Medicine! O my Life who comes to Otriyur, rich with groves soaring to the sky!

I am the foremost among all hoarders, a cruel and base person. I possess only sensory desires. I have not given even an atom to those who beg. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O wealth of enduring grace! O Sivam! O God! O Lord of gods! O inner lamp of light for devotees of strong love! O my Joy residing in Otriyur!

I do not fear refusing beggars. I am not even equal to a dog. I am despicable. I know no bounds to my sorrow. I am utterly useless. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O ocean of grace who turned a stone mountain into a bow! O sweet red fruit with an eye on your forehead! O King residing in Thillai! O great divine gem! O God who comes to Otriyur!

I have not thought even a little of withdrawing my mind from worldly delusion and praising your lotus feet. I am a cruel wretch. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O light within the light that shines in the sky! O feast for the eyes who comes on a bull to bestow grace! O precious gem shining in the eye! O Vision! O sweet sugarcane of Otriyur!

I am a fool who wallows at the breasts of women. I am completely wretched and do not break free from my baseness. I am a sinner as bitter as the Etti tree. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O joy that rises in the hearts of devotees who cleave to you! O Jothi within the light! O block of raw sugar! O honey! O sweet fruit bearing matted hair! O truth realized by those who have transcended time!

Even when your devotees point the way and tell me to meditate, my stony heart does not understand. I am a monkey. I stand like a useless ox. I am a sinner. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O ruby gem standing amidst the Marutha trees! O medicine that cures cruel karma! O light within the hearts of those with singular focus! O my kin dwelling in Otriyur!

I did not rebuke those who refuse to bow and mock you instead. I am deceitful. I did not seek the company of your devotees. I am a demon and a poor wretch. I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O mountain of virtues shining in the beautiful hearts of those who pluck great flowers and perform worship! O Supreme One gracefully seated in good Otriyur, praised by those who possess the means to salvation!

I fell into the foul pit of deceitful women. I am evil, a demon, a lowly wretch. How will I be saved? What will I do? I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O mountain of all colors! O my two eyes! O pure red gold that removes troubles! O red gem! O radiant ocean of virtues! O rich honey of Otriyur!

I only argue. I am like a cruel tiger. I have a deceitful mind and possess terrible flaws. What will I do? I do not know what must be done to me to cure this. O supreme awareness! O fifth element of space! O undiminishing purity! O freshly fragrant flower! Your feet are my refuge, my refuge. It is your supreme responsibility to protect and save me.

O ocean of divine grace sweet as honey! O clear nectar! O Sivam! O Deity standing as the sky! O flawless gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil! Even if I lack awareness and stand as mere flesh, when I come and reach your holy temple, you remain there without asking me “Why?”, O Lord. Is this the nature of your divine grace?

O pure honey united with the goddess whose waist is like a flowering vine! O fresh nectar! O meaning of the scriptures! O Lord holding the banner of the bull! O flawless gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil! Even if I am a person of cruel and unyielding karma, when I come and reach your majestic temple, is it your nature to look upon me with steady eyes of grace and yet remain without asking me “Why?”

O beautiful Lord who rejoices in the kondrai flowers! O messenger for Sundarar! O Lord with a dark throat! O flawless gem dwelling in prosperous Thirumullaivayil! O Father, will I ever leave you? Even if I, your servant, lack wisdom, when I come to your temple in weariness, is it the nature of your divine grace to remain without saying “Come!”?

O ripe red fruit standing exalted with the river Ganga in your beautiful matted hair! O tall red sugarcane with three eyes! O unfading bounty! O flawless gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil! Even if I do not praise your pure feet, when I, your servant, come and reach your temple, is it your nature to remain without asking even, “Where have you come from? Who are you?”

O trusted Lord who graciously grants goodness! O Lord who is good to everyone! O benevolent one who comes to dance in the holy hall of Thillai! O flawless gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil! Even if I do not praise your feet, when I, your servant, come and reach your temple, is it the nature of your divine grace to remain without saying a single word like, “When did you come?”

You are the melody within the tune, the sweetness within milk, the Supreme who grants grace to devotees, O flawless gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil that rises and flourishes on earth. Even though my mind is more foolish than a naive girl, if I come to you thinking I can obtain your great grace, is it the nature of your divine grace to remain silent without asking me anything?

You are the inner truth at the end of the esteemed Vedas, the three-eyed Lord, the source of the primal three, the enduring ocean of compassion, O flawless gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil. I am no stranger. I am your servant. If I come and reach your great temple of grace, what is this, Siva? Is it the nature of your divine grace to look at me as if I were an enemy?

You are the excellent wealth obtained by good people, the goodness that performs the dance of wisdom in the hall, the deity revered by the capable, O flawless gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil. Even if I am a lowly person, I am your servant, Lord. This is not a lie. The world knows it. Even if you say no, will I let you go? Is it the nature of your divine grace to remain completely silent?

You are the first unique reality that grants grace from the common hall, the field where merit flourishes, O flawless gem dwelling in sacred Thirumullaivayil surrounded by tall groves dripping with nectar. I am no newcomer. Look at me, I am one who has loved your flower-like feet since ancient times. Is it the nature of your divine grace to remain silent without asking, “What did you seek in coming here?”

You are the holy one who remained unknowable to Vishnu and Brahma, the sweet sugarcane with an eye on the forehead, the king, the medicine, O flawless gem dwelling in flourishing sacred Thirumullaivayil. I will never let go of you even in my dreams. Your twin sacred feet are my witness. You who gave birth to me, is it the nature of your divine grace to act like a stranger who does not recognize my face?

Supreme Lord, more loving than a mother. Great gem dwelling in Thirumullaivayil. I stayed away and faded in ignorance, without coming to your temple to worship your beautiful lotus feet.

Rich fruit found in Thillai. Primal form of Siva in sacred Thirumullaivayil. What penance did I, a person burdened by ancient karma, perform to reach the boundary of your pure and sacred temple today?

Precious pupil of the eye, dwelling in fertile Thirumullaivayil. This person with a blemished heart has indeed seen your sacred temple, so as to hold you firmly within the heart.

Priceless gem and shining lamp dwelling in doubtless Thirumullaivayil. What penance did I perform to stand steadfast in your temple, where devotees entirely free of agitation gather?

Beautiful, natural gem dwelling in exceptionally glorious, sacred Thirumullaivayil. Sweet fruit whose matted hair is adorned with a splendid garland of kondrai flowers. How will I ever attain the glory of reaching your city?

O Supreme Flame of milk-white hue in Thirumullaivayil of carp-filled ponds! O Sankara mounted on the bull! O pure one! Is it right that devotees who cling to Your feet suffer in distress?

O Lord abiding in beautiful, great Thirumullaivayil! O divine nectar! O king! O Lord with the eye on Your forehead! Is it right to inflict insurmountable sorrow on all who have come to behold You?

O great gem of the eye dwelling in Thirumullaivayil that rises high upon the earth! O sweet sugarcane! If devotees who constantly fix their thoughts on You meet with disgrace, may Your grace that causes this flourish on earth!

O great mountain of faultless virtues dwelling in flawless Thirumullaivayil! Why do You treat those who come to praise You with unquestioning devotion as if they are strangers?

O flawless gem dwelling in glorious, radiant Thirumullaivayil! O divine medicine! Forgive my fault of failing to come boldly to Your temple to sing Your praises, and take me under Your rule.

O rich ocean without waves! O shining gold beyond the reach of words! O Vallikesa whose fame grows without limits! Why have you worn this short rag that does not even reach the ground?

O wealth of supreme bliss residing in the mind! O my father! O deity who claimed us! O father, Lord of Validayam! What is the reason you wrap yourself in a rag?

O Lord with the throat that consumed the ocean’s poison! O Vallikesa who wears a garland! O Supreme Lord sharing half your form! What is the reason for you wearing this old cloth?

O Supreme Lord who bestows grace on those who praise you! O eternal great gem! O Vallikesa! O Supreme Jothi! Is there no one here to stitch the rag you wear?

O infinite Lord with a throat filled with dark poison! O Vallikesa of abundant true fame! Is there no one in this world to remove your patched rag and dress you in a proper cloth?

O rare reality seated beneath the banyan tree, O Vallikesar who delights when Vishnu approaches you, rather than wearing these torn old rags, wearing animal skin is much purer.

O great medicine that draws near, O flame, O ruby filled with grace, O Vallikesar, if you stand wrapped in stitched old rags, what reward will you give us?

O flawless luminous jeweled lamp, O Vallikesar who comes riding the horse of the Vedas, alas, wrapping yourself in dusty rags you look like a destitute wanderer. What shall I do?

O good reality dwelling in the minds of analyzing ascetics, O Lord of Valithayam, look, you wear these old rags. Tell me, O Lord, are you someone who has no one?

O Lord with soft and fragrant flower-like feet, O Lord who dwells in Valithayam, if you cover yourself with these lowly rags, my stony heart melts.

Praised by Tirumal and Ayan, you took the holy name Thyagar. O Lord capable of granting boons, when I approach you, you do not open your mouth to speak even a single word. If you give nothing to those who beg, why did you take this name? You possess Otriyur of supreme renown, praised highly by those of intense penance.

You have the great silver mountain as your home and the shining golden mountain as your bow. When I approach you calling you a generous giver, you do not open your mouth to speak a single word. You stand everywhere like oil in a sesame seed. Why do you not know the grievance of this poor devotee? O brilliant Lord, I know nothing but you. You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

To bring joy to the deceit-free King of Words and the Son, you graciously gave them coins. When I approach and beg you as a generous giver, you do not open your mouth to speak a single word. Why did you take the peerless name Thyagar if not to give to those who beg? You know my heart and you rule me. You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

Hearing of your generosity long ago when you begged for food at the temple in Kacchur and gave it to your close friend Sundarar, I approach you here and beg. Yet you do not open your mouth to speak a single word. You ride the strong bull of Tirumal. Do you suffer any scarcity? In truth, I know no one but you. You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

My heart aching, I did not approach others in this world but heard your holy name and came to you. Yet you do not open your mouth to speak a single word to tell me yes or no. If you remain like this, what will the people of this world say of you? Praised by Hari and the one who emerged from his navel, you possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

Hearing of the grace that turns even stone into pure gold, I longed for you, came swiftly, stood here and praised you. Yet you do not open your mouth to speak a single word. You may have nothing and wander begging for alms, but know that even beggars share what they are given before they eat. You know how swiftly you captured my heart here. You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

With tears welling in my eyes and my heart growing weary, O noble Lord, I trusted you as my companion. Tossed like cotton in the wind, I reached you and praised you. Yet you do not open your mouth to speak a single word. You possess the nature of a benefactor and live here in prosperity. Is it fair that your servant wanders like this? Do you too possess the nature of hiding yourself? You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

Knowing you as the ocean of virtue who accepts whatever flaws one has as good qualities, I trusted you completely. I came here and praised you. Yet you do not open your mouth to speak a single word. If you bestow your grace only upon the learned and the virtuous, to whose doorstep shall I, the lowest of the low, go? I know no true companion other than you. You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

Hearing you praised as the chief of poets who gave a purse of gold in the past to the truthful one, I came to you with a heart full of infatuation. Yet you do not open your mouth to speak a single word. O Lord, I know no companion other than your feet. If you know this and still do not grant your grace, how will I find salvation and what will I do? You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

My heart grew weary like one without a mother, and I reached the sacred presence of you, my father. You remain as if you have no mouth. You do not open your mouth to speak a single word. You have the nature of dwelling in my heart as your temple. Do you not know my distress? You bestow grace endlessly upon your good devotees. You possess Otriyur of supreme renown.

Even if I have never once served sweet food to the good people who praise your feet that are enduring nectar, I languish, thinking over and over of your throat that long ago drank poison as nectar. My sweet nectar, has your pity still not arisen?

O Jothi who is the unseen companion, even if my heart does not melt with abundant love at your feet, I languish, thinking over and over of how you wore the garland of bones. O Lord with honey-dripping flowers in your matted hair, will your heart not show pity?

Caught in the net of lust set by women with fierce eyes reaching their ears, even if I wander aimlessly without any support, I praise your golden feet adorned with flower-like anklets. O Lord of justice, will your heart not show pity?

Lusting after the base pleasures of women and wandering as a cruel person with murderous intent, even so, I stand and languish, seeking your eternal grace. O Lord with matted hair wearing the crescent moon, you have not shown even a little compassion.

At your feet, which even the cloud-colored Vishnu finds hard to comprehend, even if I am a wicked person who knows not how to perform service, I think over and over of your esteemed golden grace and languish. O Lord of Otriyur surrounded by cool groves, you have not shown even a little mercy.

O King, I have clung to barren attachments. Even if I do not bow and praise your garlanded flower-feet, I stand continually in your direct presence and wither away. Will you not consider this even a little, O Supreme Lord of Otriyur?

I babble in vain just to gain the town’s respect. Even if I do not thoughtfully praise your feet to revere your glory, I melt within as I think of your throat that swallowed the dark poison. Will you not grant me your grace, my Father of beautiful Otriyur?

I do not praise your flower-feet that are sweeter than a mother. Even if I languish as a being lower than a dog, I come repeatedly to your holy presence and wither away. O Father who gave us the pure Kumaran, will you not recognize my exhaustion and dispel it?

You claimed me as your own during my age of ignorance. Even if I do not melt at the thought of that righteous grace, O Inconceivable Reality, I come and stand in your temple. Yet you have not looked upon the anguish of this devotee afflicted by a relentless disease.

I wander sorrowfully in the forest of worldly ways. Even if I have not joined the good path of your glorious nature, I stand repeatedly in your righteous temple and wither away. O eternal Nectar of flourishing Otriyur, unseen by the lofty ones!

O Siva! I am a lowly one who does not know the divine way. If you keep my faults in your divine mind, grow angry, and alas, abandon me here, what else can I do? You gave us the six-faced pearl. You are the fully ripened red sugarcane of perfect sweetness. You are the rich mountain of gems rising high upon the bull. O God who rejoices in Otriyur!

O Siva! I am an ignorant one who knows no way to salvation. If you hold my faults in your divine mind, judge me as wicked, and alas, abandon me, what else can I do? O God who gave us the child holding the long red leaf-spear! O solid mass of bliss! O lamp shining in the minds of those freed from delusion! O gem of flourishing Otriyur!

O Siva! I failed to meditate on your precious lotus feet adorned with anklets. If you note this fault, judge me as worthless, and alas, abandon me, what else can I do? O Father who bore our Lord wielding the fiery spear! O mountain of flame-colored coral unknown to Brahma and Vishnu! O gracious one seated in the unparalleled city of Otriyur!

O Siva! I am a deceitful one who melts for women with eyes shaped like tender mango slits. If you note my faults, judge me as a savage, and alas, abandon me, what else can I do? O Dancer who gave us the Lord holding the long spear! O eternal one! O immaculate one! O Lord seated upon the bull! O my Father of Thillai! O sovereign of Otriyur!

O Siva! I am a dog possessing no shame whatsoever. If you examine my faults, hold them in your divine mind, judge me as a useless person, and alas, abandon me, what else can I do? O supreme reality who stands visible to grant grace to your devotees! O king of Otriyur with its well-guarded walls! O holy and pure ocean from which arose the fresh nectar holding the adorned spear!

Lord, if you hold in your divine heart my fault of failing to chant the five letters to attain salvation, and if you abandon me as a cruel person, alas, O Siva, what else will I do? O ocean of grace who held the poison in your throat so that Brahma, Vishnu, and others could survive! O father of the six-faced Lord who destroys accumulated karma! O our very penance in Otriyur!

I placed my trust in your lotus feet. Do not mark the faults of this dog. I have suffered greatly. Alas, if you abandon me, O Siva, what else will I do? O Lord who fathered the elephant-faced god and the spear-wielding god! O diamond pillar! O husband of Ambika! O supreme master! O three-eyed father! O nectar of Otriyur!

Do not mark the faults of this deceitful person. I have sunk and fallen into the ocean of sorrow. Alas, if you abandon me, O Siva, what else will I do? O light shining in the minds of the exalted ascetics! O bountiful Lord! O rider of the young bull! O perfect one who gave us the pure Lord holding the piercing spear! O true wealth of Otriyur!

Do not hold in your divine heart the faults of this worthless one. I yearned to bathe in your pure ocean of grace. Alas, if you abandon me, O Siva, what else will I do? O wish-fulfilling tree who gave us the sweet fruit who marries the two brides with words sweet as sugarcane! O Lord of Otriyur who grants sweet grace to people like me even if our hearts are made of iron!

I bound up and carry a cruel burden of sins. Do not consider my severe faults. I have never let you go. Alas, if you abandon me, O Siva, what else will I do? O reality beyond all designation! O vast ocean of bliss! O companion of pure and holy Otriyur! O treasure of compassion who grants us grace and gave us Lord Guha praised by those of flawless character!

I am lower than a dog. What shall I do? Even knowing the suffering I endure from this affliction, you who are sweeter than a mother still delay your coming. I do not know why. Whether I die or live, I will praise nothing but your lotus feet. Whether you are harsh to me or gentle with me, I will not leave you even in a dream. See this to be true.

Intending to see you, the two gods Vishnu and Brahma shed their majestic forms and took different shapes. Yet they could not comprehend your form, O generous Lord. How will I, a cruel person with a crooked and empty heart, comprehend you by any doctrine, O Lord? I can know you only through your grace today, O pure one who wears a serpent as an ornament and dances in the common hall.

If you do not come today and take me as your servant, the people of all worlds will slander you. Blame will rightfully fall upon you. There will be no blame on me. I have spoken this clearly, O Lord. O great one who came that day to bestow grace upon a child and rule him! O King of Otriyur! O abode of compassion who stands and dances within the small hall! O pure flame!

Caught in the ties of young women wearing radiant jeweled ornaments on their breasts, I wander without rest and endure suffering. What day will you take me as your own? Tell me that day. O supreme heaven of compassion who willingly consumed poison so the suffering celestials could eat ambrosia! O Lord wielding the trident weapon that pierces intestines! O Lord who shares half his body with the lady wearing a flower garland!

Even if you do not grant me grace today by claiming me as your outright possession, O peerless one, you must at least keep me as a pledge at your feet and grant me the wealth of your grace here. I am the lowest of the low. I know no other gods. Let your divine feet know this, O God. You are our Lord of souls holding a weapon in your hand. You stand there looking deep into my heart.

You stand watching everything. I, a helpless one, languish and stand with a sweating heart due to great sorrow. Do you not see this? Are you not the one whose throat swallowed the poison? The hunters of the five senses stand roaring. Will I, a lonely soul, become their target? O my relative living in good Otriyur, praised by those who stand in reflection!

O relative! Thinking of you, my heart does not melt and flow like butter placed in fire. I am a cruel-hearted person. If you do not claim me, what can I do except suffer? O radiant one! O wearer of the white ash! O one who has an eye on the forehead! O embodiment of dharma! O Father who dances in the hall of Thillai! O King of Otriyur!

I am the lowest one, struggling in the shoreless deceptive ocean of birth. I wander like a scentless flower meant for your holy feet. I am empty. What shall I rush to do? O waveless ocean of the wealth of grace! O honey flourishing in Otriyur! O gold beyond words! O flawless gem! O good nectar sweet to consume!

Those who resemble good nectar place their friendship on your holy feet and melt. I resemble worthless grass. Why was I born? I do not know a single meritorious deed. O Lord who keeps closely on one side the peacock-like Goddess whose words are like nectar! Is it not your duty to turn an unripening stone into nectar? What is there for this lowest one to say?

You took me as your own and bathed me with the good water called your grace. You acted as mother and father and ruled me with affection. O Lord! O reality hard to attain! O gem of a divine Lord hard to comprehend! O my relative dwelling in Otriyur! You perform good deeds. What proper return can I, a dog, offer for this?

O Lord Padambakkanathar, you hold on one side the lady with alluring breasts who shares your bliss. Will you not stand before us who are utterly enamored of you here in Otriyur, a place of rich groves that touch the sky, and bestow your grace?

O wondrous one who applies bright white ash as a paste upon your body! O Lord Padambakkanathar with a coral-hued form! You draped yourself in the skin of a majestic elephant that fed on great mouthfuls. How did you abandon this woman in Otriyur and depart?

O Lord Padambakkanathar, you bear a radiant, fiery eye of pure virtue upon your forehead. O Master, are you not the one who drank the deadly poison long ago to dispel the affliction covering the world?

O beautiful Lord who wears a mere loincloth! O Lord Padambakkanathar wielding a trident weapon! You drank the ultimate poison and your throat turned black. How did you abandon her midway and depart?

O Lord Padambakkanathar, you stand ready to destroy the lingering cruel karma of your devoted servants who live fully in your grace. You restored the life of the young celibate boy so he could endure forever. Are you now residing within the flawless temple of Otriyur?

O wealthy Lord Patampakka Nathar who wears the gem-bearing, five-headed, hooded serpent. You burned the god of love and his army and then restored his life. Why do You not open Your mouth to speak to those who bow before You?

O Lord Patampakka Nathar who listens to the songs of the three saints who graced the world with beautiful music. You saved a young student and told him not to wither away. Where have You hidden Yourself from worthless me?

O Lord Patampakka Nathar who becomes the swirling wind, fire, pure earth, sky, water, and all manifold things. You placed the cool, shining moon in Your long hair. Will You not remove my lingering flaws?

O Lord Patampakka Nathar who takes the form of the great Jothi of grace in the hearts of devotees. You gave the discus weapon to the tall Lord Vishnu. Do You not wish for destitute me to attain Your grace?

O wealthy Lord Patampakka Nathar who resides in the divine abode of the minds of wise and loving devotees. You destroyed the sorrows dictated by fate and granted Your grace. You who accept our praises, please drive away my sorrow.

I am like a dog, my mind confused and bewildered. Without destroying my past karma and making me a servant to your strong feet, is it just to keep me suffering from this blameworthy disease? You are my father, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman of Otriyur!

I am arrogant, hard-hearted, and deceitful. I am a madman gripped by severe disease. I waste my days like a demon and a dog. O Lord who is like a pearl, how many days will it take to make me a servant to your lotus feet, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

You made me seek out the devotees who walk the good path and join the righteous path of your glory. I know nothing before and I know nothing after. I am a fool. What return can I possibly offer you here, O Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

Will you make me suffer the delusion of women with kohl-lined eyes? Or will you make me contemplate your feet and attain them? How can I know if it will be this way or that way? Whatever your will may be, O Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman!

I love this impermanent body as if it were permanent. I am a base one with an evil heart in this world. You know all the suffering I endure as I wander exhausted by an unspeakable disease of the mind, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman!

I know evil. I do not do even an atom of good. I know the arguments that waste days. I am deceitful. I am bound by harsh karma. I lack truth. I know cunning trickery. What can I know of your greatness, which even Thirumal and Brahma cannot adequately describe, O Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman.

Suffering from unrelenting severe disease, fainting and weary in heart, I fall into a cruel sea of untold sorrow. I wail and cry inconsolably. Will my cries not reach your ears, O Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

Tormented by harsh karma churning within, I suffer ceaseless afflictions. I agonize, my heart turning into a raw wound. O embodiment of virtue, O Lord of compassionate eyes, will you not consider granting me your grace, O Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

I am a deceitful person, deluded by the forceful acts of ignorant, base women engaged in relentless petty deeds. If the god of death arrives with his unchanging murderous intent, what will I do, O Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

The god holding the conch and the god seated on the lotus found it impossible to see your feet and crown. O Lord with cool matted hair adorned with fragrant konrai flowers, O Lord who shares half your form with the goddess. If you push me away without looking upon the face of this poor soul, where will I find refuge, O Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

O great ruby mountain dancing in the hall! O wise one holding the victorious battle-axe in your hand! Calling out to you again and again, I weep and languish like a separated calf. When will you come to wipe my tears and bestow your grace, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

You are like a gem of boundless light. They say that if great ascetics call out even once, “O Siva with matted hair stretching to the south,” you instantly destroy the sorrow of those who spoke. I do not see that happening in my case, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman.

I burn with desire for women who flash like lightning. Even so, you have no equal but yourself, and you are like the mother who bore me. You are like pure gold beyond the reach of words. If I receive your grace right now, there will be no one as blessed as me, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman.

Like bees drinking nectar from a flower, the virtuous drink your golden grace and stand sheltered beneath your feet. Alas, I drank the intoxicating liquor of blinding lust, closed my eyes, and was utterly deceived, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman in Otri.

I am a sinner who wandered and suffered in the unspeakable ways of this world. Even if I fail to draw near and worship your golden feet, it is your responsibility to forgive the faults of someone as worthless as grass. You are my precious mother, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman.

O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman! Like an uncontrollable playful child who does not stay at home, my evil mind defies all restraint. The sorrow it causes me cannot be contained in written leaves, just as the praise of your devotees’ feet cannot be contained in songs.

O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman! I am a sinner who lost his true state because of a wandering mind. Exhausted by the scorching sun of dense impurities, I wither and lose my balance. I yearn for the water of your grace. Do you still not know this?

O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman! My lowly mind is like a stone. Wandering in its forest path, alas, I valued mere grass and lost the fresh flower. I am a false devotee. I know no bounds to the torment I suffer.

O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman! I valued worldly gold and failed to praise your golden feet. I am a deceitful man bewildered by a heart as hard as stone. See me as the poorest among the poor who endure such affliction. Do not abandon me.

O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman of Otriyur! I have fallen into the ocean of impurities that stains the soul. Worldly people declare me ruined. If you do not claim me as I wander like this, your devotees will shrink back in shame. They will gather, clap their hands, laugh, and mock.

I will speak your town’s name. I will speak your name. O supreme one, I will sing the glory of your holy feet. If you do not gather me to yourself but push me away, tell me directly, who is there to tell you that this is not justice? O master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman.

I am a false devotee without love for your inseparable true devotees. If you stop the wandering of my unmotivated heart, I will have no other longing in this world except for the sleepless sleep of bliss, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman of Otriyur.

You drive away the deceitful ones who go astray. I am a dog who does not praise the feet of the exalted ones who serve your golden feet. When will you grant me your grace, which is sweet like the matchless taste of syrup? O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman.

You might think: “This liar does not know the secret to remove his past karma. His troubled mind cannot attain us. His mind is cruel like the thorny screw pine.” If you think this way and push me aside, what will I, a poor wretch, do? O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman of Otriyur.

My mind plunged into the impenetrable darkness of impurity and suffered intensely. Bound by the invincible senses, I was forced to carry an unending burden of sorrow. I can no longer lift this weight, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman.

I am worse than a deceitful dog. I associate with entirely base women who possess thorn-like hearts. Is there even a sesame seed’s worth of love in me for your feet, which help your devotees as long as they live? O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman!

Enduring unbearable humiliation in this world, I wither away seeking an unattainable good. No one can comprehend anything except you, the inexhaustible nectar. O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman!

Scorched by karma that stings like a cruel scorpion, my mind suffers. Without hiding anything, I call out to you, weeping and withering. You drank the manifest poison, my precious father. Where have you hidden yourself in Otriyur, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman?

I am the very abode of all these things: the maddening great demon of lust, confusing delusion, the seed of ego, lies, swelling envy, anger, deceit, and clusters of sins beginning with murder. O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman!

Are you not the treasure of compassion who swiftly consumed all the poison? Will you not come before me as I stand here exhausted and speak a single word? Are you not inside the pure holy temple of Otriyur, O Master? O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman!

You belong only to yourself. If one searches, there is nothing anywhere without you. I am caught in vain in the domestic life of wife and children. It is your duty to declare that I bear this affliction and to take charge of me here. You are my Master, O Lord Ezhuthariyum Peruman of Otriyur.

O agreeable heart, if we bow to and praise the Lord Padambakkanathar of Otriyur, all the sorrows born of the heat of intense lust will run far away.

O wandering heart, listen to one thing. The pure Lord of enduring Otriyur, sung by the three great saints, is our Lord Padambakkanathar. Seek his feet. If you seek them, the supreme realm is ours.

O heart, trust the Supreme Lord who burned the cities of his foes. He is the Lord Patampakkan of abundant glory in Otriyur, the master praised by Brahma born of the lotus. Goodness will surely come to us.

O cruel heart, you suffer great distress caused by the eyes of beautiful women. Instead, meditate upon the nectar of the Hall, the perfect fruit of Otriyur.

O heart, understand clearly what must be done. To attain salvation in Otriyur, we must receive the showering grace of the Lord who stands as the true and beautiful ruby mountain.

O yearning heart, reach Otriyur. If you embrace the golden feet of the King of Grace who rules there and stand praising Him within, you will never experience sorrow anywhere.

O my stony karmic heart plagued by doubts over whether He exists or not, if you quickly reach Otriyur and live there, you are good, you are truly good, and you will become greater than a friend.

Before the cruel messengers of the god of death show you their summons, seek the feet of Lord Padambakkanathar who dwells in Otriyur alongside Goddess Balai, and stand in the good state of liberation.

O dark heart, when will you stand firm? Leave the misery of petty women. Enter Otriyur and praise the Golden One, the Lord of supreme consciousness in the holy hall of Thillai.

O heart, if you praise and stand remembering the pure Lord of Otriyur adorned with holy ash, the good grace of the supreme Jothi will surge up like a swelling ocean.

O nectar welling up in our hearts! O Bliss! O King of the daughter of the mountain! O Medicine with matted hair where the moon rests! O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur! When will I wear pure white ash, do service in your temple, praise your twin feet, and attain your wealth of grace that even red-eyed Vishnu and Brahma searched for and could not see?

O flame difficult for Krishna and Brahma to see! O tree that yields the matchless fruit called Kandan! O companion of devotees with exalted thoughts! O mountain of eight shining divine attributes! O Lord! O Mother and Father residing in holy Alangadu! O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur! You will surely make me, your servant, a bonded slave at your feet.

O One with a throat graced by poison! O One with the bull praised by Brahma and Vishnu! O One wearing the hide of the great elephant flowing with rut! O tender One who gave us Kandan! O One sharing your left side with a woman! O One holding the beautiful music of the Sama Veda! O One wielding the firm and sharp battle-axe! O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur!

O One who pinched off a head of Brahma with a fingernail! O One who opened an eye to burn Kama to ashes! O Supreme Being who grants grace to those who seek refuge! O One who became the holy father of Swami! O One with a beautiful throat filled with poison! O Lord of all things! O King of the sages of Siva! O One whose feet are praised by the great Vedas of perfect words! O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur!

O One with the lady of long fragrant hair on your left side! O One who rules me! O my King! O tender shoot whose feet wearing ringing anklets remained unseen even by Vishnu when he took the form of a great boar! O hill of good qualities who grants grace without scrutinizing the faults of people like us on this earth! O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur, you are praised by ascetics of virtuous conduct.

O ocean of nectar welling up with six radiant faces, O Reality difficult for Brahma and Vishnu to comprehend, our King who arrives mounting the bull, my Father, the Lord who accepts us, O sweet fruit with matted hair adorned with majestic konrai flowers, the one whose soft flower-like feet carry the fragrance of the Vedas, O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur, praised daily by those with clear hearts.

When will you come to reform my conflicted heart and remove my delusion? O life of my sweet life blooming with greatness, O Reality shining as all things, O bright white fire smeared with ash, the good kin to those established in eternal bliss, O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur, where pearls shine on red lotuses blooming in the mud.

O one whose sacred feet bloomed with Vishnu’s flower-like eye, the one whose son arrives upon a peacock, the one who graciously taught dharma beneath the banyan tree, the one who takes as slaves those who chant “Hara”, O Siva who kicked Death with your foot and granted grace, O God who has an eye on your forehead, O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur, rising in beauty with vast fields leaping with carp.

O one who laughed and burned down the three fortified cities, the one whose feet reach the Hall to perform the dance, the one who gladly wore a garland of white skulls, the one who eagerly ate the hunter’s tasted food, the one whose shoulders bent the peaked Mount Meru, the one who treats even faults as virtues, O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur, whose recorded true glory spreads and towers in every direction.

O one capable of dancing in the Hall, the one who mounts the bull and comes to bestow grace, the one who dwells within the hearts of those who chant “Sambu, Sankara, Siva, Siva”, the one with a matted crown adorned with tumbai flowers and vanni leaves, O pure one, O supreme Jothi, our pure gold, O great mountain of rich coral, O Lord Siva of radiant Otriyur.

O Master! I have no love for your devotees, for the bright rudraksha beads worn on them, or for the shining white holy ash that stands as the exalted Saiva emblem. Without fear, alas, alas, turning my whole walking body into a tongue, I speak endlessly. Even if you punish my sinful tongue with unceasing fierce fire, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O Lord with an eye on your forehead! I do not look upon your devotees. I do not melt with reverence even for a garland of rudraksha beads. I do not feel awe even when looking upon a form adorned with sacred ash. Uselessly, turning my whole body into a tongue, I speak endlessly. Even if you burn my cruel tongue with fierce fire, alas, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O great gem with three eyes who abides in the hearts of those without deceit! I do not think of you. I waste my days uselessly on lotus-faced women and on the joy of arguments. For me, the lowest one, even if you feed me poison and kill me, even if you chop me to pieces with a sword, even if you burn me to cinders with tormenting fire, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O wish-fulfilling tree ripening with grace! O King! O rare nectar with three eyes! I do not praise you. Alas, possessing a heart ripening with deceit and delusion, I waste my days uselessly in arguments. For me, the mindless one, even if you abandon me in a fierce forest ripening with terror, even if you let me be swept away by a river flood, even if you cast me into a cavern ripening with evil darkness, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O ocean of great compassion! O my Guru! O Lord with three eyes! I am a demon and I do not praise you. Alas, making my black-stone mind dance like a monkey, I waste my days uselessly. For me, the lowest one who knows no purpose, even if you take me up a steep mountain and roll me down so my body shudders and tumbles all at once, even if you impale me on a large stake so my life trembles and my heart despairs, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O Flame seated in the hearts of those who worship! O three-eyed blazing shoot of light! I do not praise your feet. I fall into arguments. I speak words that good people detest. I wander madly like a dog. I am utterly worthless. Even if you push me under a heavy ploughing yoke and crush me, or terrify me until my tall body trembles and hurl me into the ever-rising sea, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O Lord wearing the beloved crescent moon in your matted hair! O Rider of the bull! I do not praise you with true love. Growing rapidly like a deceitful wild beast, I waste my days. I am a dark-hearted thief. Even if you crush me under the feet of mountain-like elephants, or drive a long iron nail into my wicked, worm-infested head so that blood pours out, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O Lord with a forehead eye and a crescent moon in your matted hair! I do not praise your feet. I have grown very tall like a male palmyra tree. I possess no wisdom at all. I have grown stout like an Odi tree. Like a black he-goat, I wander around doing worthless deeds. I am completely useless. Alas, even if you place me in an oil press and grind me until my body is crushed to a pulp, or bind me with iron spikes and roll me across sandy dunes, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

I do not sever this sinner’s tongue that fails to praise your feet with love. I do not pluck out these two miserable eyes that fail to sit and gaze upon your beauty. I do not chop into pieces with a sword these hands that fail to worship you. Alas, to rid myself of arrogance, I do not destroy this head that fails to bow to you. I have merely grown like a useless Odi tree. Even if you cast me into a fierce fire that consumes all joy, or whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

O God! I do not know how to set fire to and destroy this deceitful heart that never thinks of your feet, nor do I carve it out. O King! I harbor falsehood and fail to associate with your devotees. Alas, I am a cruel and base person. I do not praise you aloud with my tongue. I possess no goodness at all. I am lower than the lowest dog. I do not know how to give anything to those who approach me. Alas, whatever else you do to me, it is not enough, my Father, my Father!

If He does not grant a single boon to us who long to rejoice at the sight of His beautiful form seated with Uma whose hair is like dark clouds and the youth wielding the sharp spear, then He who wears the crescent moon on His water-drenched matted hair, He who stands known as the friend of the lord of wealth, the Lord of renowned Otriyur, Lord Thyagar, is indeed a Lord of alms.

If He does not grant a single boon to us who yearn to rejoice at the sight of His enchanting form seated with our Mother and the youth wearing a garland of cool kadamba flowers, then the Supreme Lord who gave daily gold coins for decads of sweet musical words, He who shares half His form with a woman, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

If He does not grant a single boon to us who long to rejoice at the sight of His eternal form seated with the Goddess who bestows grace upon devotees and the boy holding the spear, then the Lord of the mind, the Lord of Thillai, the divine Lord, Lord Siva, the mad Lord, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

If He does not grant a single boon to us who praise Him, longing to rejoice at the sight of His intimately seated form with the Daughter of the Mountain and His son holding the enduring radiant spear, then He who wields the gleaming trident, He who rides the bull, He who owns the peerless silver mountain, He who has braided matted hair, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

If He does not freely grant a single boon to us who long to rejoice at the sight of His endlessly beautiful form seated with our Mother and His son wielding the beautiful spear, then He who has a jewel-hued throat, He who has eight shoulders, He who holds the northern golden mountain as a bow, He who dispels all disease, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

He sits with His consort and His son who hurled the spear at the mango tree. We long to see this loving form and rejoice. If He does not grant us a boon, then He who is capable of giving, who possesses everything, the Lord of the celestials, Brahma, and Vishnu, who is free from partiality, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

He sits with the daughter of the mountain and His son wielding the victorious weapon, the spear. We ache to see this form and rejoice. If He does not grant us a boon, then He with the thick matted hair, the one with three eyes, whom the dark Vishnu and Brahma could not see, who mounts the bull, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

He sits with His son holding the spear and the lady with tresses filled with exceptional fragrance. We stand firmly hoping to see this beautiful form. If He does not grant us an excellent boon, then the Supreme Being, the incomparable one who owns a single bull, who affectionately wears a snake as an ornament, who holds Brahma’s skull, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

He sits with Uma who embodies dharma, and our lord holding the sharp spear. We wish to see this majestic form and rejoice. If He does not grant us an excellent boon, then He who burned the three fierce fortresses, whose bow is the golden mountain, who clears the delusions of His devotees, who possesses radiant matted hair, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

He sits in form with His goddess and His son holding the radiant sharp spear. We stand praising Him, crying out to the Lord, hoping to see this. If He does not grant us a boon, then He who has a dark serpent bound around His waist, who has a beautiful eye on His forehead, who denies His grace to those who do not speak with a melting heart, Lord Thyagar of Otriyur is indeed a Lord of alms.

My mind aches and aches. I languish, O Siva. I do not know what to do. I possess an evil nature. When I tell my deceitful heart to come and serve your feet, it does not remain under my control. O my Father, if I have your grace, I will be saved. Without it, there is no salvation for me. O King of Otriyur, radiant with the color of the evening sky! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

My illusory heart forcefully pulls me away from praising your feet. Because of this, I have become wicked. What shall I do, O Siva? I have become distant from your divine grace. Entangled in lust during this bodily life, my heart is troubled. I know no other refuge. O Lord of Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall of Thillai!

I try to think of you, to melt and praise you, but my mind does not remain under my control today. Even so, if ruling me is not your duty, does that not mean you lack compassion? If you let my ancient strong karma destroy me, O Siva, who will stand before this fool to help? O Mother and Father! O King of Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

Whatever I say to stop it, the mind of this poor wretch does not remain still but wanders away. If even a little of your sweet grace falls upon me, I will subdue it and stand firm. Truly, if I lack your grace, I will only suffer in the darkness of ignorance without understanding anything. What else can I do, O Siva? That outcome rests in your hands, O King of Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

My sinful heart does not stay with me. It runs away and struggles, steeped in the delusion of women. Forgiving my failure to serve you and taking me into your rule is your duty alone. What more can I say, O Siva? As the Mountain’s Daughter with lily-dark eyes watched, you consumed the ocean’s poison and graciously saved the lives of Vishnu and the other gods, O my Lord of Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

My foolish heart does not heed my words. Look, it drowns in the ocean of delusion. Restraining it is beyond my control, O Siva. If a single drop from the ocean of your divine grace reaches it, it will attain the true good it seeks. Through that, I too will be saved. You must grant this. O Lord of dancing Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall of Perumbatrappuliyur!

If your grace mixes with my troubled eyes even to the measure of a mustard seed, my straying heart will stand still. I have no other desire to achieve. I will dispel this confusion. I have no refuge other than your golden lotus feet, O Siva. O Lord of radiant and glorious Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

Look, this evil and deceitful heart conceals everything, it conceals me, and it refuses to come under my control. I yearn, constantly wondering what I can do to earn your grace, O Lord. I know no dwelling place other than your lotus feet. This is the truth, and you know it. What more can I say? O King of Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

My heart runs astray without contemplating your feet even for a split second. Because of this, I am wicked and cursed with twisted vision. I do not know what to do. What can I say, O Siva? I am bewildered, wondering whether my body will stand, fall, or perish in the very next second. Draw me near and bestow your grace. O Lord of Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

I do not know your intention. I have already told you that my mind remains utterly beyond my control. Bear with me even if I commit evil, O Siva. It is your burden to protect me so that cruel karma does not attach to me. If you do not do this, why should I speak at length? The blame will fall entirely on you. See to this, our King of Otriyur! O Nectar who dances in the Hall!

Stop running everywhere. What do we lack? O heart, do not wither like those who have no good companion. Come with me joyfully. The two of us will gladly go to the temple in beautiful Otriyur. He grants the refuge of His feet to rule our entire lineage. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father.

Why do you yearn and ache? I will get you everything you think of and desire. Do not fear anything. O heart, come with me joyfully. He bears a snake, the luminous moon, and the River Ganga on His matted hair. He lives as the eternal pillar in highly prosperous Otriyur. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father.

O heart, do not suffer in the houses of base men. I will destroy the thieves of the five senses driven by lust and grant you victory. See this truth. Do not reject my words. Come with me today. He resides in good Otriyur that grants salvation. He bestows mercy on those who gather, praise, and meditate upon Him. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father, the supreme primal Lord.

You hesitate and suffer like someone without a father or mother, afflicted by the fierce and cruel disease of worldly birth. O heart wandering in this world, if you wish to live happily, come with me. He dwells in the bright realm of Otriyur and in the cool realm of the inner heart of those who meditate upon Him. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father.

Alas, you fell at the feet of women with poison-like eyes and suffered shame. Why do you have this fate? O ignorant heart, a good life has come to you today. Come with me. Who in this vast world is equal to us now? Understand this truth. Do not worry about anything. He resides in Otriyur, a place filled with broad lotus ponds. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father.

You mingled with the base and wasted your time. Let the past be past. Do not suffer and wander here any longer, O heart. May you prosper, may you prosper. Come with me. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father who dwells in beautiful southern Otriyur. He grants grace when we drink the sweet, pure Tamil nectar of the hymns composed by our three flawless saints.

O good heart, you love me and never part from me across seven births. Alas, you have faded and grown deluded here through infatuation with women. If you wish to live well, come with me. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father of Otriyur. He grants the sanctuary of His feet to people of great character who worship Him by joining their two lotus-like hands without crookedness.

Like those who lose their very clothes while desiring to dress better, you failed to consider what is true. You ruined your life by craving endless pleasures. If you wish to live well, come with me. Great ascetics stand, cry, and praise Him in their desire to draw near to Him and stop the endless cycle of birth. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father of good Otriyur.

O my heart, you are deluded by this deceitful life. I will completely destroy the foolish hunters known as the five senses, who conquer through lust and other desires. I will grant you victory. Come with me. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father of Otriyur. He grants the grace that conquers death to those who cast aside worldly pleasures, perform good deeds, and praise Him daily.

People of this world gather food before hunger strikes. Do you not know this habit? O mindless heart, you fail to prevent future births before your life force departs. Come with me. Heaps of pearls yielded by fine conches gathered in the night rise high and touch the moon in good Otriyur. Let us take refuge at the feet of our wealthy Father who dwells there.

I desire to reach your sacred flower-feet. What can I do here? My base heart does not abide by my intention. It leaps restlessly. I have toiled like a dog in the houses of demonic people who hiss at beggars seeking alms in this world. O my king of sacred Otriyur with a form red as the ixora flower! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

O Lord! All your devotees experience imperishable bliss and remain near you. I am a sinner with a cruel heart. I am a terrible waster. I am deluded by worldly life here, fit only for a fallen state. I do not foresee what is to come. Will I ever attain true life? O crimson-hued one! O truth of Otriyur! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

With a lazy heart, I forgot your flower-feet, O benevolent Lord, and esteemed this deceitful life. I melt and wander after young women with waists slender as an hourglass drum. Will I ever attain the bliss of your grace? O supreme Lord of Otriyur, you remove the flaws of those who praise you as the benevolent one who begot the Lord holding the sharp spear! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

I have not even a sesame seed’s worth of melting love for your red feet, raised in the cosmic dance so the Vedas flourish and the whole world is saved. I am bloated with useless talk. For me to attain brilliance is sheer foolishness. When I think of my arrogant nature, I tremble in terror. O our truth of Otriyur possessing three sacred eyes! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

From the day I took this body forged by countless karmas until this day, I have committed nothing but hostile sins. I have never known goodness on any day. How will the true life of your sacred grace ever come to me, devoid of inner wealth? O nectar of Otriyur who grants grace to me as I stand bereft of strength! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

If I speak of all the wrongs committed by my foolish heart, it will become a cause for great conflict. You are the Father. Do not count them. Grant your holy, cool grace to me, a lowly one. O great mountain of virtue who rejoices in the dance to bestow grace, witnessed by the flawless sages! Our Lord of Otriyur who dispels evil! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

I abandoned the company of those with deceitful hearts. I praised your holy lotus feet, O benevolent Lord. To attain the great reward of standing with the desire to serve the two feet of those with exalted hearts, I came to your gracious holy temple declaring it my refuge. Will you not grant this to me today? Our Lord of Otriyur where pure words rise high! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

I am a lowly one wandering in the ways of the world. I know no limit to the cruel afflictions that come through my base heart. I feast on them like a guest. I swiftly approached the front of your holy temple. O supreme one, I do not know your mind in this matter. O beautiful reality of Otriyur who removes distress! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

All the wrongs I, a lowly one, have committed are beyond counting. Still, it is not good to investigate them when your purpose is to grant sweet, good grace. Therefore, right here, you must melt the black stone of this hardened heart. It is your duty to grant compassion, O Lord! My nectar of Otriyur rising in clarity! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

Even if a son goes mad, the parents who bore him will not abandon him. They will pursue the path to cure his madness and seek the remedy, O my King. You too must act that way for me, a base one. You must grant the good wisdom that masters the senses and remove all my baseness. O nectar of Otriyur with dense, sky-reaching groves! O honey of Siva’s bliss exalted in Thillai!

O supreme Lord abiding in Otri! O Father of Thillai seated on the gem-studded dais! O pure Lord with an eye on your forehead! The heart that grasped you and held on remains entirely yours.

O supreme flame wearing sacred ash white as milk! O primal Lord who imparted the ultimate truth beneath the stone banyan tree! When will the delusion born of my ignorance dispel so this poor wretch can attain the final state at your lotus feet?

O primal Lord! O Jothi dancing in the hall of Thillai! O Lord of sacred Thonipuram! O Father of Otri who imparts wisdom! Is it justice that you do not embrace me?

O Lord of Otri resounding with the roar of ocean waves! Is it justice or injustice to rule over this cruel one who runs a league away upon seeing deceitful people shouting empty arguments?

O Lord of sacred places! O Shankara of Thillai! O Lord holding a skull for a bowl! O Lord possessing a forehead eye! O embodiment of goodness! O Lord of Otri! It is your great glory to uplift even this impurity-filled wretch.

Glorious ruby of the Hall! Our Father of Otriyur with the poison-consuming throat! Will even I, a cruel one with a crooked heart who does not sing the sweet praise of your strong red feet, be saved?

I do not know what I must do to attain your grace and be saved here. Oh Wealth! Oh great pouring cloud! Oh Father who shot an arrow to burn the cities and granted grace!

Oh my Father! Our Lord of Thillai! Father of Guhan! Oh cool ambrosia of Otriyur! Grant your grace to correct the flaws in my mind and sever the ignorant delusion of my past seven births.

Oh natural light of wisdom seated in the Little Hall of Thillai praised by the flawless four Vedas! Oh Merit who stands in harmony in Otriyur and grants grace! Is it fair that you have left me here to suffer?

Long live the grace you have bestowed, long live! Oh true bliss seated in Thillai! Oh Father of Otriyur who guides with good grace! Let me abandon my false mind and praise you.

O Holy One residing in Your Otri! You made me offer praise. You made me proclaim the nature of Your glory. You brought clarity to my heart, and You made love spring forth.

I stood and gazed upon the divine beauty of the wealthy Lord of Otri city, Lord Siva, Lord Thyagar, who wears vilva leaves and golden konrai flowers in His matted hair. My stone-like heart rejoiced and my eyes delighted. Though bound to a household life, O mother, what penance did I perform?

Seeking the renowned city of Otri, I entered it and beheld the divine procession of Lord Siva, Lord Thyagar, whose sacred feet Thirumal once sought by taking the form of a boar and digging up the earth. I have gone beyond all earthly comparisons. O mother, what penance did I perform?

I went to Otri surrounded by dark groves and beheld the divine dance of Lord Siva, Lord Thyagar, who holds in His throat all the deadly poison that once rose from the roaring ocean. Now I see no more rebirth. To whom shall I tell this? O mother, what penance did I perform?

I went to deceit-dispelling Otri and beheld the divine face of Lord Siva, Lord Thyagar, the clear nectar who fills the inside and outside and wells up sweetly in the hearts of devotees. I no longer feel hunger and have escaped all scorn. O mother, what penance did I perform?

I went to Otri surrounded by shady groves and beheld the divine form of Lord Siva, Lord Thyagar, the Lord of gods like Brahma, Vishnu, and Indra, who dwells in the hearts of those filled with yearning. Who else could attain the vision I saw? O mother, what penance did I perform?

Praised by ascetics who have banished forgetfulness from their minds, Lord Siva, the great Lord Thyagar, grants them the supreme heavenly state. I went to Otriyur, which removes the cycle of birth, and saw His divine dance. I attained immense bliss and escaped death. O mother, what penance did I perform?

He is the victorious one who swiftly bent the golden Mount Meru into a bow. I saw the divine dance of Lord Siva, the great Lord Thyagar of unfailing grace. It melted my cruel heart of stone, and I saw everything I had never seen before. O mother, what penance did I perform?

He resides in Otriyur, the one who smiled and swiftly set the three fortresses ablaze. I saw the divine procession of the Lord of Thillai city, Lord Siva, the great Lord Thyagar. It turned a stone into a tender, ripe fruit. I know no bounds to the joy I felt. O mother, what penance did I perform?

He is Lord Somasundarar who ruled the pure city of Madurai. In the praised city of Otriyur, I saw the divine beauty of the great Lord of the South, Lord Siva, the great Lord Thyagar. Seeking a path to dispel my karma, I forgot myself entirely. O mother, what penance did I perform?

In the past, He gave a pearl palanquin, a pearl umbrella, and golden insignia to the benevolent master of Kazhi. I saw the sacred feet of Lord Siva, the great Lord Thyagar, and my unyielding stony heart melted. How can I describe the vision I saw? O mother, what penance did I perform?

O mind, praise the all-powerful Siddha. Praise our virtuous Lord who holds the golden bull banner. Praise the supreme being, the perfect one who burned the cities of his foes. Praise the eternal Father, our Lord of Otriyur.

O mind, do not fear in your delusion by standing in the worldly path. Follow me and behold his grace. Let us go and praise the tender flame of Siva in Otriyur, whom the virtuous people of unceasing penance bow down and praise.

O mind, you wither away by going again and again to stand at the front gates of wealthy people who give nothing. If you lovingly meditate today upon the lotus feet of the Lord of Otriyur, everything you ask for will come to you.

O mind, we do not know how long this life will last in the days to come. Do not ever think of anything else. Think of nothing other than the holy feet of the virtuous Lord worshipped in the hall by Tirunalaippovan, the Lord who becomes a mother to us in Otriyur.

O mind, contemplate the precious pupil of my eye in Otriyur. He is the rare nectar whose throat consumed the deadly poison. He is the supreme wonder. He is the wish-fulfilling tree seated under the shade of the stone banyan tree. He is the gem of the resonant sky, my very life, and the ultimate truth.

O heart, to attain salvation, will you not meditate by saying, “Our Lord of Maruthur, King of beautiful Thillai, rider of the bull, my precious Deity, my precious true Guru, my precious Father”?

O my heart, I will forever be a servant to you if you lovingly hold fast to the feet of those who meditate on the golden feet of the Father of Otriyur, which bestow goodness. Do not go and wander in places where hard-hearted people gather.

O heart, I speak to you with love. So that all our sins burn away and we ascend to salvation, know and praise the rider of the bull, the wise Lord of Otriyur, who holds the Goddess on one side of His form.

My heart, know and praise Him. Praise our Lord who burned the cities with a smile and who rejoices in the bull. Praise the red-hued Lord of Otriyur surrounded by beautiful groves, whose form shines with the radiance of sacred ash.

Realizing this truth, I offer you endless prostrations, O expansive heart. Do not even think of those who fail to meditate on the Lord abiding in Otriyur, who bears an eye on His forehead and who remains unseen by Vishnu and Brahma.

My heart, you have never wept asking when the day will come. When is the day the supreme one who stands as the One, the Lord of excellent Otriyur worshipped by flawless devotees who praise his goodness, will take us into his service?

My good heart, before your days run out, look upon the excellent presence of those who serve the pure devotees. Those pure devotees are themselves servants of the cool, golden lotus feet of the Father of Otriyur. Look upon them and rejoice. That is the proper way.

O heart, do not enter the evil homes of wicked people who fail to wear potent sacred ash on their bodies. Receive the golden grace of our Father of Otriyur, who holds the exalted Goddess on his side, and abide in greatness.

O heart, desire the great one, the wearer of the beautiful crescent moon wreath, the rare one, the Lord of beautiful eyes, the one draped in the skin of the roaring elephant, the supreme one of excellent Otriyur smeared with fine white ash.

O heart, shine by holding fast to the excellent feet of the eternal Lord of Otriyur. Even Vishnu desired to see them, taking the form of a beast. He strove and grew exhausted over a long time, turning back in tears, yet still unable to see them.

O heart, desire the shining rich flame of wisdom, the God praised by the celestials, the fruit of Otriyur where awakening flourishes, the Lord of the world, and the victorious companion.

O heart, do not touch what is untouched by ascetics who are free from both aversion and desire. Unite closely with love, go to the Lord of Otriyur, and worship Him daily.

O heart, praise the gem who rises in the minds of devotees who melt inwardly and sing His glory every day. Praise the flower of wisdom in the city of Otriyur, a place surrounded by vast groves where the Vedas blossom in clusters.

O heart, speak of the virtuous One who reduced the cities of His foes to dust, the supreme Lord who consumed the poison the celestials could not endure, the master gem whose ankleted feet took the life of the god of death, and the supreme Reality enshrined in Otriyur.

O heart, seek the Lord who gave half His form to the Goddess. Seek the One who wears the river and konrai flowers in His red matted hair, the One who reveals His true nature to those with clear minds, the good Lord residing in Otriyur.

O heart, join the path of austerity where those who seek by chanting Sivayanama gather. Praise the supreme being of consciousness, the perfect one of Otriyur, who shines as a lamp in the house of the mind of steadfast devotees.

O my heart, realize there is one path to praise. It is the fruit of clasping the sacred feet of the devotees of the Lord of Otriyur, whose fields capture the ocean tide. This path progresses along the path of Siva and never joins the ways of evil.

O heart, you do not know the true benefit and instead embrace the cycle of birth. The Lord of eminent Otriyur possesses greatness unknown even to Vishnu and Brahma. He does not enter the hearts of those who do not understand virtue. He reaches only those whose hearts are fit for Him to dwell within.

O my heart, if they do not bow to the feet of my Father residing in Otriyur to banish their blame, what does it matter to us whether they are great ascetics, celestial gods, or anyone else?

Do not trust the cruel worldly pit found below the waists of women with fragrant hair. O heart, approach Him, praise Him by calling out, “O Lord with a throat like a blue gem!” and bow daily to His feet.

My good heart, why do you wither? If you say, “O pure one, your feet alone are my refuge,” the Father of Otriyur himself will give the highest state. He will give the reward of wealth. He will give enduring eternity. He will give everything.

O benevolent Lord, lift me, a soul bound by harsh karma, from this ocean of worldly life to the shore of your divine life and grant me true grace. You flayed the murderous elephant. O Vaithiyanatha, you are the life of the exalted ones who walk the unfailing path. O crest-jewel of the immortals.

Lamenting only lies, I have become worse than a dog with a worm-infested head. I do not desire the company of your devotees who speak only the truth. Do not look at the faults of this person who is like a hooded snake and turn your face away. O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals.

I do not learn. My mind is like black stone. I am an evil person who does not understand your intention at all. I am a lowly person who desires falsehood. I possess no compassion or patience. Even so, I will not go anywhere else except to you. O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals.

You consumed the poison from the roaring ocean as sweet nectar. You provided a feast even for those who lack love for your feet and turn away from you. You showed compassion even to the dark-natured one who lifted the silver mountain. You will end the sorrow of this lowest person too. O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals.

I must serve you, and your fresh lotus feet must serve as my support. O treasure of compassion, O King, O sweetness of sugarcane, O fragrant honey blended with pure milk. O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals.

Full of divine grace, O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals praised as form, the formless, light, and vast space. Please remove the disease of this devotee who languishes in fear, troubled by a deceitful heart that plunges into the ocean of infatuation for women with fragrant hair.

O Siva, O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals. You are the fresh love and the central light transcending mind and speech. Bestow your grace on this fool who wanders with vain desires for full-breasted women, lacking the true love for your feet which is the essence of asceticism.

O Three-eyed King. Vishnu, who sleeps on the five-headed serpent, and Brahma come before you, covering their mouths with their hands in reverence to hear your commands. Forgive the faults of this base man whose mouth never stops telling lies, and grant me your grace. O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals.

O rare nectar with a throat like a dark sapphire, possessing the vast wealth of grace. Look upon me with compassion. I am terrified, seeing stone-hearted men stand before me like a fierce male tiger confronting a deer. O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals.

You consumed the poison of the roaring ocean as nectar. You placed me among your devotees, ended all my sorrows, and looked upon me with your eyes of divine grace. Becoming the supreme Guru, you sit affectionately within my heart. O pure one, O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals.

O Dancer, you keep the Mother of Dharma on one side and the cloud-colored Lord who measured the earth on another side, directing all the worlds. You stand beyond the universe. You wiped away my sorrow, ruled over me, and gave me the true knowledge of grace. O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals!

I do not know even a little of the state of the pure seers who merge in Siva-yoga like an ocean with still waves. Will the lofty life on the mountain of your immaculate grace ever become possible for me? O Lord who wields the golden mountain as a bow, O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals!

I do not know how to praise the vast glory of your grace and cry out, “O Vayittiyanata, remove the sorrow I suffer from the afflictions in my fleshly body and my mind.” O Lord with honey-laden konrai flowers in your matted hair, crest-jewel of the immortals!

Please graciously grant the light that prevents the proud creator and the god of death from even thinking of me. O Supreme Being dwelling in the temple of your devotees’ hearts! O clear essence of the cool nectar of grace! O Vaithiyanatha, crest-jewel of the immortals!

You must come mounted on the great bull along with Uma whose bright eyes dart like carp. This is the very moment to dismiss the strong karmas of this poor one. O Lord whose throat swallowed the dark poison! O Vayittiyanata, crest-jewel of the gods!

O our virtuous Lord, are you abandoning me, the lowest of the low, thinking I will not give up my falsehood? You accepted the fierce snake with its hooded poison. Please forgive my faults, which are just like poured poison.

Whether you forgive me or despise me for my falsehood, I see no one but you. O true wealth who forcefully takes charge of your devotees even when they refuse, and who brings them greatness even when you seem to diminish them!

Seeing my falsehood in embracing distress, baseness, anger, and the company of shallow people, it is fitting for you to kill me. Yet it is also fitting for you to grant me abundant grace instead of killing me, O generous Lord crowned with matted hair!

O generous Lord, if you consider my falsehood in failing to think of your lotus feet and refuse to accept me today, what can this cruel one do except suffer ridicule?

O Lord, if you judge me a liar and cast me out, a lowly person who does not know how to do good, I will only stand bewildered in this world. I know no other way to survive.

O flood of grace that knows no denial. O supreme Siva Jothi in the Hall of Thillai. You must quickly forgive all the deceit I commit and grant me the ancient bliss.

You are truly good. If you lovingly bestow your grace by declaring there is no denial here, my karmic heart, hard as stone, will swiftly abandon its deceit and rejoice. This is the truth.

I am a fool who does not know the truth. Even seeing my lowly state, you have not felt pity in your heart. O Lord who dances so near in the Hall, are you not the vast, generous ocean of grace?

I am a dog sunken in the sea of sorrow. O Lord who appears on the bull amidst a sea of praises. If I joyfully plunge into the fertile ocean of your grace, my stony mind, turbulent as the sea, will truly soften.

I am a useless person who does not know the truth. Instead of thinking of you and praising you to attain salvation, I go to the doors of the base and speak only lies. Why have you ordained this?

O rider of the golden bull! Forgive my entire deceitful nature. Make me join the gathering of your devotees and proclaim your glory.

Forgive my falseness. Include me in the radiant holy assembly of those who abide in the state of your manifest grace. Grant me the grace to praise your red lotus feet which Vishnu took the form of a boar and dug the earth to reach.

The joyful dancer, the Lord of the hall, the wondrous honey, our primal Lord, the one whose red matted hair wears beautiful honey-laden konrai flowers, the rider of the red-eyed bull, the apple of our eye, the supreme state attained by those steeped in silence, the liberated one, the seed of liberation, the pearl, the one who accepted me without regard for my baseness. I will welcome him tonight.

The one who grants grace to all who approach him, the dancer in the hall, our Lord, the one who halted me, took me as his own and bestowed his love, Sankara, my father and my mother, the one whose beautiful jewel-like throat holds the fierce poison, the one with an eye on his forehead, the one who never departs from my eyes, the one who lifted me out of sorrow and elevated me. I will welcome him tonight.

The mountain that Vishnu and Brahma searched for but could not find, the medicine discovered by those who revere him, the one who drank poison as if it were nectar, the primal one, the one without beginning or end, the one who kicked Death and made him fall in agony, the ocean of grace, the one as precious as my own eyes, the one who keeps the lady with fragrant tresses on his left side. I will welcome him tonight.

The one who went as a messenger for Sundarar long ago, the pure one, the one whom no one can adequately praise, the supreme Lord who severs worldly attachments, the supreme light enshrined in the hearts of devotees, the one who joyfully abides on the Mandara mountain, the one who stands while all the celestial gods bow to him, the one who ruled over me and granted sweet bliss. I will welcome him tonight.

The one who grants whatever his devotees desire, the one who dances in the hall, the one who never enters the hearts of the cruel, the king of the gods, the source of our life, the one who dispels sorrow and grants joy, the Jothi, the Jothi within the Jothi, the one who takes my daily service and accepts me. I will welcome him tonight.

Tonight I will receive him. He is the one with an eye on his forehead, the one who resides in my eyes. He is the treasure of compassion, the Lord with a dark-stained throat. He shares his left side with Umai of the radiant forehead. He is the peerless supreme One. He is difficult for anyone to approach, yet he is the Lord who is good to all. He granted me bliss when I thought of him. Tonight I will receive him.

Tonight I will receive him. He is the majestic one who arrives on a white bull. He sits majestically at the crown of the Vedas. He wears konrai flowers dripping with fragrant honey. He is the wish-granting tree, the sweet three-eyed sugarcane. He removed my inner karma and resides in my heart. He is the master of the world, my close companion. He is entirely free of even a sesame seed’s worth of blemish. Tonight I will receive him.

Tonight I will receive him. He gives half his form to the Lady. He is the Lord of immense grace, the greatest among all great ones. He is the Lord God with an eye on his forehead. He is the three-eyed Lord who reigns over Vishnu. He granted us the gift of musical songs. He creates and sustains the earth and all universes. He possesses beauty beyond all calculation. Tonight I will receive him.

Tonight I will receive him. He is the Lord of the flourishing golden hall of Thillai. He is the ruby crown on the heads of the celestials. He possesses a spotless will. He stands utterly beyond imagination. He is the life companion who captivated my heart. He possesses all truth. He is the one with matted red hair adorned with a crescent moon. Tonight I will receive him.

Tonight I will receive him. He accepts all faults as virtues. He is the cosmic dancer, the one who shares his body with the Lady. He is difficult for all others to reach, yet incredibly accessible to those who worship him. He is the great Lord who rides the bull. He wears a crescent moon on his crown. He is the supreme Lord, my Lord. He shattered and banished all my sorrows. Tonight I will receive him.

O foolish heart, know that a patched loincloth is the only garment suited for us here. Our exquisite ornaments are the rudraksha beads, the precious gems of our God’s eyes. The white ash that removes the severe disease of worldly birth is our great sandal paste. Our only work is to go and praise the resolute Lord Sankara in the brilliantly radiant hall, chanting “Siva, Siva.”

You turn me away like those who repay good deeds with evil. You are ruined, acting like a fool who pours fresh milk into a dry crack in the ground. Even when I curse you, you take it as praise, reject my words, brush them aside, and keep walking on that same wrong path. You plant a severed branch and expect it to grow. O cruel heart, you refuse to perish.

You do not think of giving even an atom’s worth of charity without refusing. What will you achieve? O heart, you do not understand that murder is cruel. You are crueler than the murderous God of Death. You do not think of the feet of the great Lord with hanging matted hair who wears a garland of skulls. Thinking only of food, do you go to the vile people in this world? You are destroyed by going endlessly down this vain path.

O heart, you have known without a doubt all the sorrows of this perishing life here. Yet, like someone desiring discarded scraps of food, you entangle yourself again and become confused. Because of you, I am kept from reaching the supreme state of Siva attained by the ancient sages. What will happen to me? I stand lower than a lowly dog. What shall I do? Why did I ever associate with you?

You do not think of the ripe fruit with red matted hair bathed in honey and ghee. You do not think of the sweet honey, the wealth of true grace, the light that melts the flesh of devotees, the joy rising in the heart, the Lord of the three primal gods, the nectar from the rich ocean of bliss, the beautiful one, the wielder of the mountain bow, our Master, the dweller of the Hall. O deceitful heart, you have still not perished.

Where else are you wandering, my poor heart, roaming here and there? When I recall the sorrow we suffered in our past births, it twists my very core. You are my close companion. Alas, you do not heed my words. If you would only think of our generous Lord who abides in the beautiful Hall, we will attain the state of never being born again.

My heart, we were born in this world before and suffered deeply, entangled in the massive bonds of family. We died, fell into lower realms, and wandered endlessly in that state. You lack wisdom and have forgotten all of this. I, a poor soul, have not forgotten it. It is best that you begin to follow my words so we can renounce these bonds and attain true bliss.

My good heart, if you agree to do what is good, do it right now with all your might. If you say you will do it tomorrow, remember that those who are here today do not remain tomorrow. Listen to this one truth: sages like Suka firmly renounced the world the very moment they realized the truth. They crossed the worldly ocean instantly in those ancient days, having detached themselves even before that moment.

You do not accept this. You repeatedly forget the five sacred letters of our Lord. Alas, you do not understand how to unite with the divine and reach the highest state. Just to fill your stomach, you waited patiently in the front yards of strangers. You did not make even a fraction of that effort to wait in the pure courtyards of the noble devotees who gather for service at the Primal Lord’s temple.

My pure heart, if you wish to attain bliss, I will tell you the way. It is not a matter of mere words. You must abandon the five thieves who roam densely in the illusory forest of this body. Then you must crush and destroy the leaping enemy of ego. You must stand in that realm where there is neither day nor night, behold the supreme expanse of Jothi belonging to the Lord of the blissful dance, and gracefully abide there.

He has three eyes and a throat like a dark gem. He is the Lord of the Ganges and shares his form with the Goddess. He is praised in enduring melodic songs. His lotus feet stretch out in the dancing hall. He dwells and thrives in Otriyur where bright-eyed women practice dance. To banish our earthly delusion, let us crown Him with a beautiful garland of Tamil flowers. Come, my heart.

When the dark Lord Vishnu once became a black boar and stood bewildered, His feet wore golden anklets. Though He created all the vast universes, He never sheds the name of Madman. The Lord of the celestials dwells in Otriyur of fitting greatness. Let us gather select, fresh, beautifully lined flowers to adorn His shoulders with a garland. Come, my heart.