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SEPTEMBER, 1926] TWO TAMIL HYMNS FOR THE MARGAZHI FESTIVAL
Heard ye not the roar,
6. Hark how the birds chirp! In the temple of the king
of birds (Garuda the carrier of Vishnu), of the white
summoning conch?
Child, wake up! Holding in their hearts Him
Who drank the poison from the Demon's breast,
Whose foot aloft the guileful Sagadam (Cart) all shattered sent,
Who, the Primal Cause of all, doth lie tranquil on the serpent in the flood,
Him, the gently awakening sages 12 and devotees call 'Hari';
The pleasing sound of this great name was balm unto our hearts. El Or, Our Lady.
7. Deluded girl, 13 do you not hear everywhere
The chirping cries of Anaich-châttan (the lark), sounding in all their mingled notes ? Do not you hear the rustling of the clotted milk
Swished about by fragrant-haired dairymaids with tireless arms,
As they churn to the jingle of the coins and gold on their necks?
O queen of maids! hearing them sing of Nârâyana In the form of Kêšava, would you still lie in bed? Open the door, you of divine radiance. El Or, Our Lady.
8. The eastern sky whiters and, look, loosened for a spell, 14 Buffaloes have scattered to graze. Girls eager to go, We keep them from going and wait here,
Becuase we have come to call you. Wake up dear young16 lady, Dearest to Him. Singing and serving,
If we but go to worship the great God of Gods
Who ripped the steed's mouth and wrecked the Strong Ones, Pitying, His grace He will give. El Or, Our Lady.
9. O daughter of my mother's brother slumbering upon cushions In the mansion fairly bejewelled, where lamps burn around And smoke smells sweet, draw back the bolt of the bejewelled door. Aunt, has dumbness indeed fallen on your daughter,
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Or deafness or drowsiness, or is she under a spell of deep, enchanted sleep?
Will ye not wake her up with the names "Great Mâyan", " Mâdavan", "Vaikunthan", El Or, Our Lady.
10. O you, Madam, who seek to enter Heaven through service!
Should not those who will not open their portals at least give an answer?
Has that Kumbakarnan, who one day of old
Fell into the mouth of Death, bestowed or you his own prolonged slumbers,
Vanquished though he was? That Narayanan, who is crowned with scented basil, Will to us the Message send, if we but worship Him.
O you exceedingly drowsy person, O you precious jewel!
With unfaltering steps come and open to us. El Or, Our Lady.
11 It is not the Bird that is King, but it is the King whom the Bird serves.
13 The sages hold Him in their hearts and utter the name Hari in consequence. The sound of this utterance, going into our ears, relieves our pain and gives us pleasure eternal. The word Hari must be ittered three times as one gets up from bed in the early morning.
13 The literal meaning is a girl possessed, but the feeling is one of pity, not of anger or disgust.
14 Siru Vidu means literally letting out for a short while,' and refers to the habit of sending out buffaloes for early grass.
15 Kódúkula, Sans. Kuthala, eager joy; joy in being acceptable to him.
