Old Tamil Poetry

Thirumurai – 11.4.49

Those who say he resides in the skies, let them say so;
Those who say he resides in lofty Kailasa, let them say so;
He, the omniscient,  He, whose neck is radiant blue
because of the poison he partook,
Resides in my heart, so do I say.

வானத்தான் என்பாரும் என்கமற் றும்பர்கோன்
தானத்தான் என்பாரும் தாமென்க – ஞானத்தான்
முன்நஞ்சத் தாலிருண்ட மெய்யொளிசேர் கண்டத்தான்
என்நெஞ்சத் தானென்பன் யான். 

This verse by Kaaraikkal Ammayar is part of the 11th Thirumurai in Saivite Canon. She says “Some people claim Lord Shiva resides in the skies. Some people claim the Lord of the Celestials resides in Mt. Kailasa. But he, who is the essence of all knowledge, whose neck is radiant blue in colour because he partook the Halahala poison to save the world, resides in my heart I say”

Karaikkal Ammayar is one of the three women in the list of 63 Saivite saints (Nayanmar). She shed her physical form and took skeletal form as she turned into a devotee of Shiva goes the myth. You can read it here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karaikkal_Ammaiyar

வானத்தான் – of the skies
என்பாரும் – those who say
உம்பர்கோன் தானத்தான் – Abode of the Lord of Celestials – Kailasa
ஞானத்தான் – of all Knowledge / omniscient
இருண்ட மெய்யொளி – radiant dark (in Hindu Mythology Lord Shiva’s neck is blue in colour because he drank the Halahala poison)
கண்டம் – neck