The poet refers to Lord Tirumaal as one with invincible power
The 2nd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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.
உள்முறைவெள்ளம்ஈண்டி
அவற்றிற்க்கும்உள்ளீடுஆகியஇருநிலத்துஊழியும்
நெய்தலும்குவளையும்ஆம்பலும்சங்கமும்
மைஇல்கமலமும்வெள்ளமும்நுதலிய....
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 2nd 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.
நீயேவலையொடுபுரையும்வாலியோற்கு
அவன்இளையன்என்போர்க்குஇளையைஆதலும்
புதைஇருள்உடுக்கைப்பொலம்பனைக்கொடியோற்க்கு
முதியைஎன்போக்குமுதுமைதோன்றலும்
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. (பலபதினாயிரம்குலைதரைஉதிர்வபோல்).The Conch of the Lord sounds like thunder and it seems as if the intention is to almost to deafen the demon’s ears.
ஓடியாஉள்ளமொடுஉருத்து
ஒருங்குஉடன்இயைத்து
இடிஎதிர்கழறும்கால்உறழ்புஎழுந்தவர்
கோடிஅறுப்புஇருப்புசெவிசெவிடுபடுபு
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.
தலைஇறுபுதாரொடுபுரளநிலைதொலைபுவேர்தூர்
மடல்குருகுபரியாநீள்இரும்பனைமிசைப்
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.
நின்னதுதிகழ்ஒளி சிறப்புஇருள்திருமணி
கண்ணேபுகழ்சால்தாமரைஅலர்
இணைப்பிணையல்வாய்மைவயங்கியவைகல்
The poet then praises the flag of the Lord as being lofty and fluttering high sporting the red beaked Garuda bird (செவ்வாய்உவணத்துஉயர்கொடியோயே).
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.
வாயடைஅமிர்தம்நின்மனத்தகத்துஅடைத்தர
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.
மூவாமரபும்ஓவாநோன்மையும்
சாவாமரபின்அமரர்க்காச்சென்றநின்
மரபினோய்நின்அடிதலைஉறவணங்கினேம்
பல்மாண் யாமும்
கலிஇல்நெஞ்சினேம்ஏத்தினேம்வாழ்த்தினேம்