Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

by S. Satyamurthi Ayyangar | 388,514 words

This is the English translation of the Tiruvaymoli (or, Thiruvaimozhi): An ancient Tamil text consisting of 1102 verses which were sung by the poet-saint Nammalvar as an expression of his devotion to Vishnu. Hence, it is an important devotional book in Vaishnavism. Nammalvar is one of the twelve traditional saints of Tamil Nadu (Southern India), kn...

Tamil text and transliteration:

முகில்வண்ணன் அடியைஅடைந்து அருள் சூடி உய்ந்தவன் மொய்புனல் பொருநல்,
துகில்வண்ணத்தூநீர்ச் சேர்ப்பன் வண்பொழில்சூழ் வண்குருகூர்ச் சடகோபன்,
முகில்வண்ணன் அடிமேல் சொன்னசொல்மாலை ஆயிரத்து இப்பத்தும் வல்லார்,
முகில்வண்ண வானத்து இமையவர் சூழ இருப்பர் பேரின்ப வெள்ளத்தே (2)

mukilvaṇṇaṉ aṭiyaiaṭaintu aruḷ cūṭi uyntavaṉ moypuṉal porunal,
tukilvaṇṇattūnīrc cērppaṉ vaṇpoḻilcūḻ vaṇkurukūrc caṭakōpaṉ,
mukilvaṇṇaṉ aṭimēl coṉṉacolmālai āyirattu ippattum vallār,
mukilvaṇṇa vāṉattu imaiyavar cūḻa iruppar pēriṉpa veḷḷattē (2)

English translation of verse 7.2.11:

Those that are well-versed in these songs ten,
Out of the choice thousand, composed in adoration
Of (Lord Raṅganātha) the cloud-hued Lord, by Caṭakōpaṉ
Of fertile Kurukūr on the bank of Porunal, the river sacred,
Who the cloud-hued Lord attained and was by His grace salved,
Will be by Celestials surrounded in High Heaven
And immersed in eternal joy remain.

Note

It is quite clear from this song that the entire hymnal, comprising a thousand songs, is in adoration of Lord Raṅganātha, enshrined in Tiruvaraṅkam (Śrīraṅgam in Tamilnadu). The invocatory song (serial number 4), cited at the beginning of this hymnal, also highlights this fact. No doubt, particular decads have been dedicated to the Lord enshrined in other pilgrim centres as well. This is like portions from the main dedication, doled out like holy food first offered to Lord Raṅganātha being divided out and distributed among the minor deities in the chapels around, as Nampiḷḷai would put it.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: