Old Tamil Poetry

Thiruvempavai – 11

Into the wide pond swarmed by bees, we entered,
parting the water noisily, praised your divine feet,
and lived for generations as your servitors;
O’ fiery red hued Lord, covered in white ash;
O’ consort of narrow waisted, long eyed Goddess;
O’ Lord, we, as part of your sport of enthralling your servitors,
have been redeemed in all ways possible;
Save us from further tangles, my Lord!

மொய்யார் தடம்பொய்கை புக்கு முகேரென்னக்
கையாற் குடைந்து குடைந்துன் கழல்பாடி
ஐயா வழியடியோம் வாழ்ந்தோங்காண் ஆரழல்போற்
செய்யாவெண் ணீறாடீ செல்வா சிறுமருங்குல்
மையார் தடங்கண் மடந்தை மணவாளா
ஐயாநீ ஆட்கொண் டருளும் விளையாட்டின்
உய்வார்கள் உய்யும் வகையெல்லாம் உய்ந்தொழிந்தோம்
எய்யாமற் காப்பாய் எமையேலோர் எம்பாவாய்.

The girls enter the temple tank, take a dip and pray to Lord Siva, before going into the temple. “Oh, Siva, you are fiery red in color, like a blazing flame. Your body is completely covered in holy white ash. O’ Lord, you are the consort of the Goddess with narrow waist and long , lined eyes.

We enter your wide temple tank, part the water noisily, take a dip and sing the praise of  your divine feet. We have lived for generations as your servitors. We have been part of the game you play in this universe, enthralling your servitors. And by your grace, we have been redeemed in all ways possible. Save us from further tangles, my Lord. Free us from this cycle of birth and death.”