Tirumandiram - 36

Praise is the reward

Appanai Nandiyai Ara Amudinai
Oppili Vallalai Oozhi Mudhalvanai
Epparisaayinum Ethumin Ethinal
Apparisu Eesan Arul Peralaame.

Shiva is the divine father of all. He is the unobstructed flow of nectar. He is the giver non-pareil. He exists from even before time. Whatever the reward may be, praise him. And when you adore and praise, that praise is itself the reward. This is the practice of Bhakti Yoga, where the mind takes the form and content of that which it adores, worships and praises. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 35

Praise ye the Lord!

Aatrugilavazhi yagum Iraivanaip

Pottrumin Pottrip Pugazhmin Pugazhndidil

Mettrisaikkung Kizhakkuth Thisai Yettodu

Mattruvan Appadi Yattavumaame.

If we follow the path of God, praise and sing His glory, the Lord of all directions including the east and the west, will transform you to become Him.

This is a very beautiful verse referring to the Yoga marga or following the path of consciousness which is present everywhere. Essentially, it is a road that leads to everywhere with neither a path nor a sidewalk. Where you stand is the way and the destination to that goal is within. Praising and extolling the glory of God invokes those qualities in our mind and eventually we transform into that we praise or glorify. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 34

Divine fragrance

Saandu kamazhum kavariyin gandhampol

Vendan Amarark karuliya meinneri

Aarnda sudaranna aayira namamum

Pondum irundum pugazhgindrene

Just as the musk deer emits fragrance, the consciousness that is lord of all the shining beings also emits. I chant his thousands of names, whether I sit or move, singing praises of his name which is like the essence of a spark. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 33

No use with just rituals!

Pathi palavaayadu pandivvulagam
Vidhipala Seidondru Meimmai Unarar
Tudhi Pala Thothiranj Chollavallarum
Mathiyilar Nenjinul Vaadugindrare.
For ages they have been worshipping many masters. They chart down rules and regulations for religious ceremonies. They however do not realise the truth of the one consciousness that pervades everything, though they may chant many verses and hymns of praise. Without the touch of reality, they droop within their hearts in sorrow and dry intellect. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 32

We can't know it, just sing

Devar Piran Nam Piran Thisai Pathaiyum
Mevu Piranviri Neerulagezhaiyum
Thaavu Piran Thanmai Tanarivarillai
Paavu Piran Arut lumaame

Consciousness is the lord of all the gods. It is our lord too. It spreads in all the directions. It is spread over the seven worlds of cosmic energy. None know the nature of that expanse of consciousness. Let us sing the glory of its divine grace.
- Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 33

They wither within who know not the truth

Padi palavaidhu Pandiv Vulagam
Vidhipala Seidondru Meimmai Unarar
Thudhi Pala Thothiranj Chollavallarum
Mathiyilar nenjinul vadukindrare

The people of the world worship many gods. They observe many rituals, but they know not the one truth called consciousness that is behind it all. They suffer in their heart without the right knowledge. Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 32

The Lord is beyond everything

Devar Piran Tham Pranthisai Pathaiyum
Mevu piranviri Neerulgezhaiyum
Thavu Piranthamai Thanari Varillai
Paavu Piran Arut Paadalumaame

He is the Lord of all the gods and is present in all the directions. He is beyond the seven worlds represented between the chakras from Muladhara to Sahasrara and the oceans. May we sing verses in praise of his true nature, which we cannot comprehend with our mind. - Swahilya Shambhavi

Tirumandiram - 31

By beloved within and everywhere

Mannagathan Okkum Vanagathan Okkum
Vinnagathan Okkum Vedagathan Okkum
Pannagath Thinnisai Padalutranukke
Kannagathe Nindu Kadalithene

Hail to him who resides on earth, in the sky, in empty space and in the Vedas. He is the melodious music of a song, the one of whom many sing words of praise. I pour out my praise with all my being in love. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 30

Why I call for Shiva?

Vaanindrazhaikkum Mazhai Pol Iraivanum
Thanindrazhaikkunkol Endru Thayanguvar
Aanindrazhaikkum Adupol Nandiyai
Naanindrazhaippadhu Gnanam Karudiye.

Just as the rains pour down from the sky, drawn by the earth, people hesitate if the self will draw them into itself. Just as the calf cries out to its mother cow for milk, I call upon Nandi - Shiva, so that I may be filled with his superconscious wisdom. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - Verse 29

Total devotion

Kananil layadi Yerkura Varular
Nananil len unnai nan thazhuvikkolla
Konanil lada Gunathadi Yarmanath
Thaniya Nagi Amarndunindrane

This is a verse expressing devotion to the Lord. Tirumoolar beckons the spiritual being of Shiva to come close, so he may embrace him with love, never letting shyness come in the way. Shiva ever abides in the heart of those who embrace him. Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 28

Present everywhere

Inangi Nindran Engumaagi Nindranum
Pinangi Nindran Pin Munnagi Nindranun
Unangi Nindran Amarapathi Nathanai
Vanangi Nindrarkke Vazhu Thunaiyaame
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The all-pervading consciousness is close to us. It is integrated into our being in all directions - front, behind and the sides. Though everywhere, none recognise its presence. To the ones who surrender their all with total devotion, they are not and the Lord stands instead along their life's path. - Swahilya Shambhavi.

Tirumandiram - 27

Seated in your heart

Sandhi Enathhakka Tamarai Vaanmugath
Thandamil Eesan Arul Namak ke Endru
Nandiyai Naalum Vanangap Padum Avar
Pundiyinulle Pugundunindraane

Beseeching the Lord who is beautiful of face like the glorious setting sun, if one worships Nandi (Shiva), daily, he will abide in that person's heart.
Worship is an act of surrendering the mind and pouring it out fully into consciousness. When one's mind is dissolved this way, the very consciousness that is worshipped replaces the mind and shines in all its glory. Swahilya Shambhavi.