SIVAPURAANAM - PART 5.2

LINES 23 TO 25 Text

viNNiRaindhu maNNiRaindhu mikkAi viLangoLiyAi

eNNiRandhu yellai ilAdhAnE ninperuncheer

pollaa vinayEn pugazhum aaRum ondrariyEn

விண் நிறைந்து மண் நிறைந்து மிக்காய் விளங்கு ஒளியாய்

எண் இறந்து எல்லை இலாதானே, நின் பெருஞ்சீர்

பொல்லா வினையேன் புகழும் ஆறும் ஒன்றறியேன்

In these lines, Sri Manickavasagar, describes the omnipresence of the lord.

The lord occupies the sky (viN niRaindhu), earth (maN niRaindhu). He extends even beyond those borders of sky and earth. That is explained by the word mikkAi.

The episode of Brahmma and Vishnu surrendering to the lord is also explained here. Brahmma went in search of Shiva’s top and explored sky and beyond. Vishnu took the form of wild boar and went in search of Shiva’s base and explored earth and under worlds. Both were unsuccessful in their effort, as the lord took the form of fire and kept on growing. So the saint says here as viLangu oLi, that is the light that is there everywhere. Also, another attribute of the lord – independent is explained. That is no external thing is necessary to show the lord. Lord can be revealed by Himself alone. He is the svaprakaasha. To reveal an object, a light is necessary. But, to reveal a light? It is self revealed.

The lord extends not only beyond the 5 bhoothaas, but also beyond our mind. He has no limits. That is explained by the phrase – eN iRandhu. eN means Mind. We say eNNam, right, from that it is derived. The lord’s limitless nature is explained by the phrase – ellai ilaadhaanE.

Then the saint says that, he, the one with lot of karmas accumulated (pollaa vinayEn) is unable to find a way (aaRu) to praise the greatness of the Lord. Manickavasagar, who has seen the feet of the lord, that was unseen by Brahmma or Vishnu, himself with lot of humility declares him as pollaa vinayEn. This shows the humble and polite nature of this blessed soul – Manivaasaga peruman.

SIVAPURAANAM – PART 5.1

LINES 17 TO 22

sivan avan en sindhayuL nindradhanaal
avan aruLaalE avan thaaL vanangi
sindhai magizha, siva puraanam thannai
mundhai vinai muzhudhum Oya uraippan yaan
kaNNudhalaan than karuNaik kaN kaatta vandhu yeithi
eNNudhaRku ettaa ezhil aar kazhal irainji

சிவன் அவன் என் சிந்தையுள் நின்றதனால்
அவன் அருளாலே அவன் தாள் வணங்கி
சிந்தை மகிழ சிவ புராணம் தன்னை
முந்தை வினை முழுதும் ஓய உரைப்பன் யான்
கண்ணுதலான் தன் கருணைக்கண் காட்ட வந்து எய்தி
எண்ணுதற்கு எட்டா எழில் ஆர் கழல் இறைஞ்சி

Now, Manickavasagar comes to the description part. He describes the lord as kaNNudhalaan (கண்ணுதலான்), the one who has an eye (கண்) on the forehead (nudhal (நுதல்) – நெற்றி).
The lord with an eye on His forehead, showed his grace (கருணைக்கண்).

His beauty is beyond the perception of the mind (எண்ணுதற்கு எட்டா எழில்). Let us sing the glory of His beautiful foot (aar kazhal irainji - ஆர் கழல் இறைஞ்சி).

Here Manickavasagar says how Lord Siva, came and stayed in his mind. The lord at tirupperunthurai, showed His feet and that occupied Manickavasagar’s mind completely. So the saint says, since siva came and stayed in his mind (sindhaiyuL nindrathanaal), he bows to His feet with His grace and sings the glory (sivapuraanam), which in turn makes his mind happy (sindhai magizha). As he sings His glory, all his past karma (with the effects) got vanished completely (mundhai vinai muzhudhum Oya).

Here, we need to make note of two things.

1. To sing the glory of lord, we need the lord’s blessing. If we don’t have His blessings, not even a single word, will come to us. So if we utter Siva once, it itself is a blessing. So, if we daily utter His name, we are blessed. Only blessed people can say the name of lord. The 8 vaak devathaas (vasini…) who reside in the 7th prakaaram of Sri Chakram, started to compile the 1000 namas of Sri Lalita Tripurasundari, upon the order received from Devi. That is what we have today Sri Lalita Sahasranama. If that is the case for vaak devataas who are always with the Devi, then for us? So one need to be happy, if can utter the name of the Lord, whatever the situation may be. Let us keep saying the Lord’s name.

2. If we say the name of the Lord, then all our karmas will vanish. If the karmas go, then there is no trouble of birth-death-rebirth cycle. We will always be in the blissful state.

Keeping these two in our mind, let us keep chanting the lord’s name, which is the only and easiest way to attain salvation in the Kaliyugam.

ThirukkuraL says,

iruLsEriru vinayun chEraa viraivan
poruLsErpugazh purindhaar maattu.

இருள்சேரிரு வினையுஞ் சேரா விறைவன்
பொருள்சேர்புகழ் புரிந்தார் மாட்டு.

With words split for meaning:
IruLsEr iruvinaiyum sEraa iraivan
poruLsEr pugazhpurindhaar maattu.

இருள்சேர் இருவினையும் சேரா இறைவன்
பொருள்சேர் புகழ்புரிந்தார் மாட்டு.

That is, if one sings the glory of the lord, by surrendering himself to Him completely, the dark karmas (past birth and present birth) will not get accumulated to him.

SIVAPURAANAM - Part 4.2

5. nEyatthE nindra nimalan adi pOtri -
நேயத்தே நின்ற நிமலன் அடி போற்றி - salutations to the feet of the lord who is unbiased (nimalan) and who lives in the heart of persons who loves Him. Nimalan means unpolluted or unbiased. As we saw already in point no 3, regarding dEsan, the lord is apart from bias. NirlEpa (134), NirbhEda are the naamaas in Sri Laitha sahasranamam.

6. mAya pirappu arukkum mannan adi pOtri -
மாயப் பிறப்பறுக்கும் மன்னன் அடி போற்றி -
salutations to the feet of lord who cuts the birth-death cycle due to mAyai or illusion. The lord grants knowledge or gnanam and there by the receiver of gnanam attains mukthi and becomes one with the lord. Manickavasagar has experienced such a bliss, as he saw the feet of Lord Shiva. Here, the attribute Mercy is discussed. An important characteristic of a King is to be merciful. Kuttram porutthu arulal is what great kings in history have possessed. sri Lalitha sahasranamam, refers to ambal as
saandra karunaa (197)

7. seeraar perunthurai nam devan adi pOtri -
சீரார் பெருந்துறை நம் தேவன் அடி போற்றி -
salutations to the feet of the lord who resides at the great place - tirupperunthurai. By way of saying Devan, the saint, speaks about the omiscient character of the lord. He is the chith swaroopam. chittaaya chittarkke sendroothaai kotthumbi, as sung by Manickavasagar in Tirukkotthumbi. Ambal is refered as Sarvagya (196).

8. aaraatha inbam arulum malai potri -
ஆராத இன்பம் அருளும் மலை போற்றி - salutations to the mountain or large body of grace that blesses us with absolute bliss. Here, the blissful attribute of the lord is spoken about. Lord is the embodiment of truth-wisdom-bliss - sat-chit-aananda swaroopam. Ambal is brahmmaanandaa - Lalitha sahasra naamam - 676.

Sri Tiruvalluvar has said, the lord is with 8 characteristics - yeNguNatthaan. In chapter 1, kural 9,

kOlil poRiyil guNamilavE yeNguNatthaan
thaaLai vaNangaa thalai.

கோளில் பொறியில் குணமிலவே எண்குணத்தான்
தாளை வணங்காத் தலை.

That is if a person doesn't offer his salutations with his head, to the feet of lord who is with 8 attributes, then he is considered as disabled even if he has limbs, dead even if he is alive and characterless.

Sri appar perumaan, in hs aNgamaNimAlai has refered about the 8 attributes of the lord - "ettukkolaam avar eeril perunguNam". - எட்டுக்கொலாம் அவர் ஈரில் பெருங்குணம்.

Sri Sambandhar has refered lord in one of his pathigams as eNNamarum guNatthaarum - எண்ணமரும் குணத்தாரும்.

SIVAPURAANAM - Part 4.1

Text: Lines 11 to 16

eesan adi pOtri enthai adi pOtri
dEsan adi pOtri sivan sEvadi pOtri
nEyatthE nindra nimalan adi pOtri
mAyappirappu aRukkum mannan adi pOtri
seeraar perunthurai nam dEvan adi pOtri
aaraadha inbam aruLum malai pOtri

ஈசன் அடி போற்றி எந்தை அடி போற்றி
தேசன் அடி போற்றி சிவன் சேவடி போற்றி
நேயத்தே நின்ற நிமலன் அடி போற்றி
மாயப் பிறப்பறுக்கும் மன்னன் அடி போற்றி
சீரார் பெருந்துறை நம் தேவன் அடி போற்றி
ஆராத இன்பம் அருளும் மலை போற்றி

In these 6 lines, sri Manickavasagar tells about the 8 characteristics or attributes of Lord Shiva.

1. Independent - swatantran - will do the things on His own.
2. Omnipotent - sarvasakthimayan - very powerful
3. Unblemished - nishkalangan - untouched by errors
4. Omnipresent - sarva vyapagan - Present everywhere.
5. Unbiased - nirbedhan - has no likes or dislikes or any differences
6. Merciful - kaarunyan - Showers grace on devotees
7. Omniscient - sarvagyan - Knows every thing
8. Blissful - sarvaanandamayan - Ever in the state of bliss

Let us see in detail.

1. eesan adi pOtri - ஈசன் அடி போற்றி - salutations to the feet of eesan. Eesan means the lord. This name describes the attribute Independent. Only others are dependent on Him. He is independent. Manickavasagar in his other work - Tiruammaanai has described shiva as "sErndhaRiyaak kaiyaan" or the one with unfolded hands. since He is independent, there is no need for him to stand with folded hands. There is a nama in Sri lalitha sahasranamam which is same as this - swatantra (723rd naamam).

2. enthai adi pOtri - எந்தை அடி போற்றி -
salutations to the feet of my father. By saying 'enthai', sri manickavasagar refers to the attribute - Omnipotent. For a child, his father is the strongest of everyone. A child's role model will normally be his father. They use to say, my father, my father... so does manickavasagar. He considers Lord Shiva as the most powerful one - his father. Ambal is addressed as "sarvasakthimayi" in Sri Lalitha sahasranamam (199th naamam).

3. dEsan adi pOtri - தேசன் அடி போற்றி -
salutations to the feet of dEsan, who is as pure as spatikam. He is unblemished. Untouched by the mAya, which creates likes,dislikes,right,wrong etc. Ambal is addressed as Nishkalanga (140th naamam).

4. sivan sEvadi pOtri - சிவன் சேவடி போற்றி -
salutations to the great feet of Siva. Shiva is present everywhere. In Tamil, poets use to say neekkamara niraindhavan iraivan. Neekamara means without exception, the lord is present in all places. Sri Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu, is present everywhere. So with a doubt, when Hiranyakasibu, broke the pillar, whether Vishnu was in that pillar, immediately he appeared from that pillar. Ambal is refered as sarvamayi (203rd naamam).

To be continued...

SIVAPURAANAM - Part 3

Text: (lines 6 to 10)
vEgam kedutthu aaNda vEndhan adi velga
piRappaRukkum pinnjagan than pei kazhalgal velga
puRatthaarku chEyOn than poonkazhalgal velga
karam kuvivaar uLmagizhum kOn kazhalgal velga
siram kuvivaar Onguvikkum seerOn kazhal velga

வேகம் கெடுத்து ஆண்ட வேந்தன் அடி வெல்க.
பிறப்பறுக்கும் பிஞ்ஞகன் தன் பெய்கழல்கள் வெல்க.
புறத்தார்க்கு சேயோன் தன் பூங்கழல்கள் வெல்க.
கரம் குவிவார் உள்மகிழும் கோன் கழல்கள் வெல்க.
சிரம் குவிவார் ஓங்குவிக்கும் சீரோன் கழல் வெல்க.

These lines proclaim victory to the lord's feet.

vEgam kedutthu aaNda vEndhan adi velga - வேகம் கெடுத்து ஆண்ட வேந்தன் அடி வெல்க - that is victory to the feet of the lord, who pulls the mind of the devotees that wanders without any control.

Lord shiva, pulls the devotee's mind, which keeps on wandering like a mad horse, without any barriers. The lord, controls the speed with His grace and brings the devotee to His holy folds. Sri Lalitha Sahasranaamam, describes Devi as the one who is holding the ankusham or stick that controls the mind's anger, hatred. "krodha-angaara-ankushOjvala".

Thiruvaadhavooraar (திருவாதவூரார்) was wandering as a chief minister of the pandya kingdom, to purchase horses from chozha kingdom. On his way to chozha kingdom, Lord Shiva, sat under the gurunthai tree as a vedic scholar, teaching to the disciples. On seeing the holy feet, vaadhavooraar was transformed to Manivasagar (மணிவாசகர்). All his worldly affections were cut and only thing that was in his mind was "Shivam" and nothing else. So the saint describes the lord as vEgam kedutthu aaNda vEndhan.

piRappaRukkum pinnjagan than pei kazhalgal velga - பிறப்பறுக்கும் பிஞ்ஞகன் தன் பெய்கழல்கள் வெல்க - This is the next stage. Victory to the feet of the omnipotent, that cuts off the birth-death cycle. Pinnjagan is a favourite reference to Lord Shiva, by the saints. Sri Gnanasambandhar refers to the lord in TirunedungaLam - idar kaLayum pathigam as, piRaiyudayaai pinnjaganE. Pinnjagan is a type of head alankaaram  (தலை அலங்காரம்) worn by Lord Shiva.

puRatthaarku chEyOn than poonkazhalgal velga - புறத்தார்க்கு சேயோன் தன் பூங்கழல்கள் வெல்க - victory to the lotus feet (poonkazhalgal) of the lord who is not known to those who are against Him or Vedas. This can be taken as the demons, evil spirited ones or atheists.

karam kuvivaar uLmagizhum kOn kazhalgal velga - கரம் குவிவார் உள்மகிழும் கோன் கழல்கள் வெல்க - victory to the feet of the lord (kOn), who is in the inner heart of the devotees who pray to Him with folded hands. Sri Ramalinga adigal (vallaLaar) sings in his tiruvarutpaa as "nattravatthavar uL irundhu Ongum namasivaayatthai naan maravEnE". That is, he will never forget the namasivaayam which rules the inner heart of those who do penance.

siram kuvivaar Onguvikkum seerOn kazhal velga - சிரம் குவிவார் ஓங்குவிக்கும் சீரோன் கழல் வெல்க - victory to the feet of the lord (seerOn), who is held in high esteem (Onguvikkum), by the devotees who pray to Him with their heads on His feet.

So in this victory portion, Sri Manickavasagar describes the lord as vEndhan (வேந்தன்), Pinnjagan (பிஞ்ஞகன்), puRatthaarku chEyOn (புறத்தார்க்கு சேயோன்), kOn (கோன்), seerOn (சீரோன்). His feet are referred as peikazhalgal (பெய்கழல்கள்) and poonkazhalgal (பூங்கழல்கள்).

SIVAPURAANAM - Part 2.2

Then he sings, imaippozhuthum en nenjil neengaathaan thaaL vaazhga - இமைப்பொழுதும் என் நெஞ்சில் நீங்காதான் தாள் வாழ்க - That is, let the feet of the one, who never evades from my heart even for a second, be blessed.

Next, the saint, sings about the place, where he was brought into the folds of the Lord. Tirupperunthurai or aavudayaarkkovil. aavudayaar means pasupathi. Shiva is the lord of all beings (pasu or aa). Tirupperunthurai means, the great harbour. Thiru is a greeting initial like Mr or Mrs, Sri, srimathi so on. Peru means great or big. thurai means harbour or port. So thirupperunthurai is the place where souls, which struggle in the ocean of samsaaraa are brought to safety.

Here manickavasagar says, Kokazhi aanda gurumani than thaaL vaazhga - கோகழி ஆண்ட குருமணி தன் தாள் வாழ்க - Kokazhi means big salty land. Ko means king or great person. Kazhi means salty land or land with salt water. Tirupperunthurai is known for the salty water. people use to filter the salt using coconut fibres in olden days. Manickavasagar says shiva as gurumani, as the lord appeared before him as a brahmin or andhanan, teaching vedas to the disciples. So, the saint besses the feet of the guru, who brought him to His folds at kokazhi or thirupperunthurai. The temple in thirupperunthurai was built by manickavasagar, upon the command of lord shiva, using the wealth given by the pandya king for purchasing horses, as he was the minister in the kingdom.

Then comes the usage of the term aagamaas. There are 28 aagamaas or the worshipping methodology in shaivam. Kaamika aagamaa is followed in majority of shiva temples. Other 27 aagamaas are also followed in few places. Depending on the aagamaa followed by the temple, the pooja timings, frequency, methods varies from temple to temple. In vaishnavism there are separate aagamaas. vaikaanasa aagamaa, paancharaatra aagamaas are popular ones.

ஆகமம் ஆகி நின்று அண்ணிப்பான் தாள் வாழ்க - Manickavasagar describes Shiva as the one who is the base for aagamaas. Let the feet of the one, who stood as the base for aagamaas (aagamam aagi) and who cannot be reached (even by Vishnu or Brahmma), but who came voluntarily (nindru) to Tirupperunduai near me (annippaan), be blessed.

ஏகன் அனேகன் இறைவன் அடி வாழ்க -
The comes the line, yEkan, anEkan, iraivan adi vaazhga. Let the feet of the Lord (iraivan) who is the Only one (yEkan) as well as manifested in sevaral forms (anEkan) be blessed. So by saying the lord as yEkan, the saint says about the nirguna brahmmam, which has no attributes. By saying anEkan, the saint says about the saguna brahmmam, which has sevaral attributes, forms etc. Advaitham is yEkan. Dvaitham, vishishtaadvaitham is anEkan.

SIVAPURAANAM - Part 2.1

Blessings to the Lord

Text: (lines 1 to 5)
namasivaaya vaazhga naadhan thaaL vaazhga
imaippozhuthum en nenjil neengaathaan thaaL vaazhga
kOkazhi aaNda gurumaNi than thaaL vaazhga
aagamam aagi nindru aNNippaan thaaL vaazhga
yEkan anEkan iraivan adi vaazhga

நமசிவாய வாழ்க நாதன் தாள் வாழ்க
இமைப்பொழுதும் என் நெஞ்சில் நீங்காதான் தாள் வாழ்க
கோகழி ஆண்ட குருமணி தன் தாள் வாழ்க
ஆகமம் ஆகி நின்று அண்ணிப்பான் தாள் வாழ்க
ஏகன் அனேகன் இறைவன் அடி வாழ்க.

Namasivaaya vaazhga: நமசிவாய வாழ்க -
Sri Manickavasagar starts this puraanam with the panchaakshara naamam - na ma si vaa ya. He blesses the naama first.

The greatness of Namasivaaya naamam need not be explained. It is already explained by several blessed souls. As a sample, let me give the example of namasivaaya thiruppathigam of Appar and Gnanasambandhar.

Appar peruman, when he was tied to a stone and thrown in the sea, he chanted the naama - namasivaaya. The stone floated on the sea and was safely on shore. The place where Appar was safe on the shore, after singing namasivaaya pathigam is tiruppathirippuliyur or the present day cuddalore. He sings, Kattrunai pootti Orkadalil paaichinum, natrunai aavathu namasivaayave. That is, even if one ties us to a stone pillar and throw us in the sea, namasivaaya naamam will come to our rescue.

Sri Sambandhar, Sings vedam naanginum meipporul aavathu, naadhan naamam namasivaayave. That is namasivaaya, the name of lord shiva, is the truth behind the 4 vedas.

Next comes, Naadhan thaaL vaazhga - நாதன் தாள் வாழ்க - Thiruvaadhavooraar was transformed to Manickavasagar by the Lord, by showing His feet. So the poet sings, naadhan thaaL vaazhga, that is let the feet of my lord be blessed. Manickavasagar mostly sings about the lotus feet of the lord in most of his works. Even here, in siva puraanam, the lord's feet will be given maximum attention.

To be continued....

SIVAPURAANAM - Part 1 - Introduction

OM NAMA SIVAAYA

Today with His blessings, I am starting with Siva puranam, written by Sri Manickavasagar.

Siva puraanam is the text that speaks about the glory of Lord Shiva. Saint-poet, Sri Manickavasagar's songs are compiled under the 8th thirumurai of the 12 shaiva thirumurais. This siva puraanam, comes under tiruvasagam, which is in the 8th thirumurai.

There are 11 mantras in samhita. Eesaanam, Thathpurusham, Agoram, VaamadEvam, SatyOjAtam, Hrudayam, Siras, ShikA, Kavacham, NEtram, Athram. The first 5 are shiva's five faces. The next 6 come in anga nyaasam. The 8th mantra is called as shikaa mantram. Shikaa means, head top. There is no organ above one's head top. similarly, the scholars says, there is no higher text than tiruvasagam, which is in the 8th thirumurai.

Sigaikku mel oru uruppu illai
Thiruvasagatthirku mel oru thOtthiram illai.

is a saying, glorifying tiruvasagam.

Coming to Siva puraanam, it has 95 lines totally. It is divided into 4 parts.
Lines 1 to 5 - Blessings to the Lord
Lines 6 to 10 - Victory to the lord
Lines 11 to 18 - Bowing to the Lord
Lines 18 to 95 - Description of the Lord

Blessings to the lord! - well it seems surprising. The lord need to bless us. How come, we bless the lord? If you see, it is one form of worship. In Vaishnavism, we see Sri Periyaazhvaar singing Pallandu. It is nothing but, protecting the lord from the evil. We use to take a pinch of rock salt, few chillies, pepper in our hand and rotate our hand infront of our lovable possession, like child, vehicle and put a bar to the evil forces. This tradition is called as "Drishti kazhithal". so, in the same way, Sri Manickavasagar, Sri Periyaazhvar and other divine saints, considered the Lord as their valuable possession and did the same in the form of songs. In Siva puraanam, this comes as "vaazhga" section.

Victory to the lord - This is a section which describes the different characteristics of the lord's feet and declares let such feet win forever. This comes as "velga".

Bowing to the lord - This is popularly called as archanam, of the 9 types of bhakti. In sanskrit, the name of the lord is said with a prefix "Om" and a suffix of "NamaH". In Siva puraanam, manickavasagar tells a name of the lord suffixed with the word "pOttri". Eight names of the lord are told here and it signifies the 8 characteristics or attributes of the Lord. Tamil Poet, Sri Tiruvalluvar, in his tirukkural, first chapter, would have told about the lord as "eNguNatthAn" or the one with 8 attributes.

Description of the lord - This section forms the major portion of the Siva Puraanam with interesting characteristics of the Lord.