Paripatal Krishna Balarama

In the first Paripatal on Vishnu comprising of 80 lines, the unnamed author showers praise on both Lord Krishna and Balarama and starts off with a comparison of the two of them.

He describes the Lord’s location and his posture.  Reclining on the venomous 1000 hooded serpent, the Lord has the support of Goddess Lakshmi who eternally resides on his chest (ஆயிரம் விரித்த வணங்க்குடை யருந்தலை………. மாயுடை மலர் மார்பின் மையில்வால் வளைமேனிச்).

Lord’s Chest – Both Soft and Mighty

His chest is presented as being flowery (மாவுடை மலர் மார்பில்), a connotation to his soft nature of protecting his true devotees. Towards the end of the poem, the author praises Thirumaal’s chest as mighty and massive (எண்  இறந்த புகழவை எழில் மார்பினவை ) giving us an indication that he can be both soft and tough depending on the kind of devotion shown.

Compares different aspects - Thirumaal and his elder Brother

Balarama the white complexioned with an elephant flag, a destructive plough and an ear ring

Krishna the dark sapphire hued with a garuda flag and conch and discus

He then moves on to his brother Balarama who is described as having a white complexion and compares him to the white conch from the sea.  The flag atop Balarama’s elephant is seen fluttering adding beauty to the elephant!!!He praises Baladeva as a peerless warrior who carries along with him the curved plough that everyone dreads. And he is seen with a beautiful ear ring (சேயுயர் பணைமிசை எழில்வேழ மேந்திய).

And then the poet comes back to Thirumaal. Contrasted with Balarama, Thirumaal is described as one with a dark complexion. His eyes are bright and the poet compares it to the blooming of a lotus petal. Lord is always seen with the Kaustupa Gem on his chest where Goddess Lakshmi resides . His Jewels are praised as providing positive energy and there is a radiant shine about them (கடறரு  மணியொடும் முத்து யாத்த தேரணி).

While Balarama is seen with elephant flag, Thirumaal is seen with the Garuda flag.

Brahmins are forever chanting the four Vedas seeking him. He praises the Lord as being flawless to whom every sincere devotee bows seeking his blessing. The poet goes on to describe the great strength of Thirumaal. He defeated those with arrogance with effortless ease. He is praised as the Lord of Manmata and Brahmma (இருவர் தாதை).

12 lines describing him as ‘The Supreme One’

அறனும் ஆர்வலர்க்கு அருளும் நீ

மரணம் மற்றலற்கு அணங்கும் நீ

திங்களும் தெரு கதிர்க் கனலியும் நீ

மைந்துடை ஒருவனும் மடங்களும் நீ 

புலமும் பூவனும் நாற்றமும் நீ

நிலனும் நீடிய இமயமும் நீ

There are 12 lines in the middle that all end with the word ‘Nee’. Through this the poet emphasises the fact that everything in this world is because of him. He is the creator, the four Faced one, the five Faced one, the Moon, the Sun, the God of Death and the Victorious Cloud.

It is nigh impossible to get know about the full prowess of his powers for even the greatest of the seers who possess all the wisdom in the world. Such is his indomitable power (மருள் அறு தேர்ச்சி முனைவர்க்கும் அரிதே). He is incomparable and we do not have the wherewithal to define him. And yet poets like him still strive to describe him as best as they can.

The poet author pleads with Thirumaal to not discard his prayers as trivial and frivolous and asks him to shower his blessings on the devotees (பெருமையின் வல்லா யாம் இவன் மொழிபவை………..நீ அருளல் வேண்டும்).

 He then praises Thirumaal as one who does not let go of his true devotees and always takes care of them. And through his grace, even the weak regain their strength of mind.  Just the mention of his name is enough to create terror in the minds of the foes.

Both Sun and Moon are required

The unknown poet describes Thirumaal as the moon that provides light to the entire universe through the night. In the next line, he refers to the Lord as the Sun whose shining rays provide brightness to the entire world (அம் கண் வானத்து அணி நிலாத் திகழ்தரும் ........திங்களும் தெரு கதிர்க் கனலியும்).

Thirumaal is Shiva, Yama and Brahmma

He also praises Thirumaal as the five headed Shiva. He goes to say that he is also the God of Death Yama crushing those who are wrong doers in this world 

(ஐந்தலை உயிரிய  வணங்குடை யருந்திறல் மைந்துடை யொருவனு மடங்கலு  நீ……….. புலமும் பூவனு நாற்றமு நீ).

He also praises him as the one with the four faces. He credits Thirumaal as being the source of the Vedas.  As one sees him in the Victory cloud, one gets the feeling that his space is limitless and the Himalaya Mountain is one small part of his creation.

The author praises the Lord as one with the dreaded discus in his right hand and with a conch. He sustains all life in this earth. No one can deliver justice like him.

Conclusion

Having praised his greatness, his Garuda Flag, his conch, his all destructive discus (புள்ளின் கொடியவை புரி வளையினவை), the sapphire gem on his chest, the poet ends the first Paripatal pleading for a little space on his lotus feet so that he and all other true devotees like him can have the opportunity to sing his praise all the time to the maximum joy of their heart (வாய் மொழிப் புலவ நின் தாள் நிழல் தொழுதே).