THREE TAMIL HYMNS
SAINT THIRUNAVUKKARASAR (7th century)
First she heard of His name
Then of His posture
Then of His place – Aroor
Then she became mad of Him;
Her father, her mother
That same day she left;
She cast off the world and its ways
Forgot her very self
Renounced her name
Merged in his feet.
I, a devotee, saw Him at Aroor
Worshipped Him.
He is
The Prime Principle
The Earth The Fire
The Water The Air
The sustainer of all these
The half The whole
The one The two The three
The atom of an atom
The exquisite melodies
The light The darkness
The tastes
The nectareous Beyond
The Haven
Its beginning and end.
Noise melody
All that are you;
The Unique of the Universe
Are you; all the fragrant flowers
Are you; The Lord of the Mountains
Your Father-in-law.
You are the endearing One
We feel like talking for ever;
You are the Lord,
You placed your feet on my head;
You are the sole burning Bright Light;
You are the Golden Radiance;
There never anywhere else–
At Thiruvaiyaru.
–translated from Tamil by M. S.
Ramaswami