Kiranthaiyaar Paripatal Lord Tirumaal

The poet refers to Lord Tirumaal as one with invincible power

The 2^nd Paripatal on Tirumaal was written by poet Kiranthaiyaar with the music set by Nannaakannaar. In this poem, the poet describes the greatness of Thirumaal showcasing the Power of the Lord’s weapons, his physique and his redoubtable qualities. He also presents us with insights into where Thirumaal is seen, his different elements and avataras.

An interesting description in this 2^nd Paripatal on Tirumaal  that comprises of 75 lines is the one on Numbers. Kiranthaiyaar has doled out Tamil names to numbers such as Aampal, Kuvalai, Neytal, Kamalam (current equivalents of billion, trillion etc…..)

Opening paragraph

The poet starts with description of deluges in the universe and refers to the five elements in the same order as mentioned in Vedic texts. All creation ended in annihilation. The Sun, the Moon, the sky, the earth and even the world of the Celestial Gods came to nought. It took ages for the recovery. And then the elements started coming back.

In the lines 5-12, the evolution of universe as found in Taittreya Upanishad is described. He refers to the Supreme spirit producing ether from which appeared air, then fire, water and earth.

First in the list was Ether, that which was formless (principle of Sound). And then came back the 2^nd element – Air. Out of Air, appeared Fire. And then water. And finally, the Earth which was the last to be submerged was lifted by Tirumaal from the bottom of the ocean in his Varaha Avatara, by taking the form of a mighty boar and holding aloft the Earth Goddess.

உள் முறை வெள்ளம் ஈண்டி

அவற்றிற்க்கும் உள்ளீடு ஆகிய இரு நிலத்து ஊழியும்

நெய்தலும் குவளையும் ஆம்பலும் சங்கமும்

மை இல் கமலமும் வெள்ளமும் நுதலிய....

This activity of bringing the Earth back is cited by the Poet as one of the many achievements of Tirumaal.

Balarama Cult in Tamil Nadu?

It is very interesting that in this 2^nd poem, the poet identifies Thirumaal with Balarama.  As also seen in the first Paripatal, Baladeva once again finds mentions here. From this, it may be extrapolated that the worship of Balarama may have been prevalent during the period of the poet. He is seen as an incarnation of Adisesha. The poet says that the Maal manifested as Bala Deva and is seen in a White Hued complexion. While Krishna is younger by birth, the poet says that he is elder in greatness as he was pre-existent to Baladeva.

நீயே வலையொடு புரையும் வாலியோற்கு

அவன் இளையன் என்போர்க்கு இளையை ஆதலும்

புதை இருள் உடுக்கைப் பொலம் பனைக்கொடியோற்க்கு

முதியை என்போக்கு முதுமை தோன்றலும்

Jewels on his chest are bright with the pearl pendent that he adorns shining bright as the full moon. The poet compares Goddess Lakshmi who is seen seated on his chest in a majestic way to a mark that one sees on the moon.

Lord’s Weapons

His weapons deafen the ears, chops off the heads and tens of thousands with a single strike. (பல பதினாயிரம் குலை தரை உதிர்வபோல்).The Conch of the Lord sounds like thunder and it seems as if the intention is to almost to deafen the demon’s ears.

ஓடியா உள்ளமொடு உருத்து

ஒருங்கு உடன் இயைத்து

இடி எதிர் கழறும் கால் உறழ்பு எழுந்தவர்

கோடி அறுப்பு இருப்பு செவி செவிடு படுபு

The Discus of the Lord is like death itself and it destroys lives of demons severing their heads. He compares this to severing to bunches of green fruit of the palmyrah trees.

தலை இறுபு தாரொடு புரள நிலை தொலைபு வேர் தூர்

மடல் குருகு பரியா நீள் இரும் பனைமிசைப்

Brilliant description in Tamil of the Lord’s Complexion

In a brilliant description of the Lord’s complexion, the poet says that Lord Tirumaal as praised in the Vedas is one with Radiance like dark sapphire. His eyes are praised as being like twin lotuses, Verity (truth) like an unfailing day, his forbearance is as wide and great as the earth and he has limitless grace that is as generous as white (rain) cloud.

நின்னது திகழ் ஒளி  சிறப்பு இருள் திருமணி

கண்ணே புகழ்சால் தாமரை அலர்

 இணைப் பிணையல் வாய்மை வயங்கிய வைகல்

The poet then praises the flag of the Lord as being lofty and fluttering high sporting the red beaked Garuda bird (செவ்வாய் உவணத்து உயர் கொடியோயே).

About Sacrificial Yagnas

He is the sacrificial pillar to which is offered the sacrificial animal where the rituals are done as ordained in the Vedas with ritual fire kindled in proper manner where in melted butter is poured to please the Gods.

Vedas say that he is present all the time and everywhere. He is the very core of the Veda. He describes the Lord as beginning, middle and the end. The poet refers to the Lord as one with invincible power. He is all those things that we have mentioned and many other things that we have not mentioned yet.

Conclusion – The final 10 lines

It was only because he willed so that the Devas were handed the Nectar.

வாயடை அமிர்தம் நின் மனத்தகத்து அடைத்தர

The poet prostrates at the divine feet of the Lord with his head touching the ground!!! He invokes the blessings of Lord Tirumaal and asks him to guide them towards true wisdom.

மூவா மரபும் ஓவா நோன்மையும்

சாவா மரபின் அமரர்க்காச் சென்ற நின்

மரபி னோய் நின் அடி தலை உற வணங்கி னேம்

பல் மா ண் யாமும்

கலி இல் நெஞ்சினேம் ஏத்தினேம் வாழ்த்தினேம்