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Translations of Paasurams of interest for the Denver SammElanam

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • December 13, 1997 


Dear Srimahti Nagu Satyan and 
other devotees of Sri RanganaathA :

Since I could not be at Denver , let me offer my kaimkaryam
to the conference participants thru an assembly of 
translation of AzhwAr Paasurams of interest to the group .
 
I will use the translation of by experts , wherever available 
for the sake of speed and translate the rest on my own 
and send it to you this weekend to reach you in time 
for assembling them for use by the congregation of BhakthAs .

On this ThiruppANAzhwAr's birth day , I will start with 
the translation of AmalanAdhipirAn first .  The translation 
is by the Sri VaishNavite Savant & Parama Desika BhakthA ,
Late Sri Dindukkal Ramaswami IyengAr with very small 
modifications by me .

AMALANAADHIPIRAAN OF THIRUPPAANAAZHWAAR
********************************************************** 

Paasuram 1: AmalanAdhipirAN ---

He , (1) the ever pure , (2) the primordial being , (3) the 
great benefactor , (4) the ever-blemishless One consigning me
to the service of the devoted , (5) the Lord of the Celestials,
(6) the resident of VenKatam with fragrant groves , (7) the One
who has no faults , (8) the One remaining unaffected by 
the faults (of His devotees ) , (9) the One residing in righteous 
Paramapadham , (10 ) my Lord and Leige of Arangam 
with long ramparts --His radiant lotus FEET appear as if 
they have come into , and are , in my eyes .

Paasuram 2 : UvandhavuLLatthinAi ---

The Lord of Arangam , with tall and erect head-ornament 
which pierced (once ) the higher worlds , when with great 
delectation to His heart , He measured the worlds
(as TrivikramA ) ; He is the scion of the race of Kakut 
( an early king of the Surya vamsam ) , whose sharp and 
stinging arrows destroyed the raakshasAs , who confronted Him 
(then ) at the battle field . My mind has gone towards the reddish 
PEETHAAMBHARAM worn by Him in His waist region . 

Paasuram 3 : Mandhi paayi --

The Lord reclining on the serpent couch in Srirangam 
is the Lord , who stands on top of  the great Venkatam mountain 
in the north , where monkeys run hither and thither . He stands 
there  so that  the celestials (and humans ) may meet Him there . 
My mind's sweet soul rests on the twilight - coloured garment of 
that Lord ( RanganAthA ) and His shining NAVEL  above it , 
which created the (four-faced ) BrahmA . 


Paasuram 4 : ChathuramAmathiL ---

That ocean-hued Lord ( Sri RamA ) , who after driving 
RavaNA once , later aimed a specially powered  , sharp
arrow and made the ten heads of the ruler of LankhA 
( surrounded by square and immense ramparts ) drop
on earth . That Lord resting at Srirangam  , where bees sing
sweetly and the big peacocks dance beautifully ,  is now my 
sole relation and protector . The WAIST BAND around  
Lord RanganAthA's lovely stomach plesantly strolls 
about within my mind . 

Paasuram 5 : Paaramaaya pazha vinai --

Having cut asunder the firm hold of ancient and heavy 
load of sins on me , He ( the Lord ) has made me His 
(exclusive servant ); not only that , but He has entered
into me. (For achieving this blessing ) , what great penance 
has been performed by me (or by Him ) , I do not know .
( But this I see ) , it is the CHEST  of my Lord of Srirangam
beautified by MahA Lakshmi and the garland (Vyjayanthi) 
has captured my mind and captivated me .

Paasuram 6:  TundaveNNp pirayAn ---

He who dispelled the grief of ParamasivA adorning the 
white crescent moon ( on His head ) is my Lord , 
who has come to the city of Srirangam surrounded by groves 
in which live (swarms of ) bees with charming wings . His
throat , which (once upon a time ) completely swallowed 
the worlds inhabited by a class of people known as 
ANdar  and the worlds beyond that world , and this unique 
big earth , and also the seven great KulAchalAs --that
THROAT is the one that has saved me - Behold ! 

Paasuram 7 : kaiyinAr ---

He holds in His hands the conch with winding rekhAs 
and the fiery wheel ( Sudarsana chakram ) . He has  a 
huge body  like an elongated hill . He with long kireetA 
redolent with the fragrance of sacred Tulasi is our Father 
and Saviour . His CORAL LIPS and RED MOUTH alas ! has 
enticed and carried away my mind .

Paasuram 8: PariyanAhi vantha ----

That primordial Benefactor , who tore into shreds , the asurA 
( HiraNyakasipu ) , who came ( to assault Him ) with his 
massive body . He  is not easily accessible or available to 
the DevAs ( like BrahmA , SivA , Indra et al ) . This Lord's 
( RanganAthA's ) big EYES , which are dark and spread out 
on all sides , always moving ,and with red streaks running 
(across them ) and very long --they have simply made 
a fool of me ( witH unmattham )  !

Paasuram 9 : alamAmaratthinilai mEl --

He who is now reclining on the serpent couch at
Srirangam , (once upon  atime ) was (seen as ) 
a non pareil ( Comparisonless ) Baby resting on 
the leaf of a banyan tree as Vatapathra Saayee , 
after consuming (devouring ) the whole worlds .

That blue-tinted THIRUMENI of endless dazzle of
that Lord adorned by a beautiful garland studded with
big and priceless gems , and  an equally grand and 
glorious pearl garland , has , alas , destroyed the feeling
of fullness and  satisfaction in my mind (AzhwAr wants
more of that experience . He has no satiety in enjoying
the sarvaanga soundharyam of this aparyApthAmurathan ) . 

Paasuram 10 : Kondal VaNNanai --

My (mortal ) eyes which (now ) have seen my nectar in the form
of Sri RanganAthA with the color of the blue clouds , whose mouth 
ate butter , when He incarnated as a cowherd , who stole my heart,
who is the (undisputed ) ruler of all the worlds and their residents
 --these eyes of mine ---WILL NOT SEE ANY THING ELSE . 

THIRUPPAANAAZHWAAR THIRUVADIGALE SARANAM