[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Sakthi – Happiness Part 6

Sakthi

First part: Happiness

6

Snake-charmer plays the pipe.
“Beautiful music is of sorrow” so we had heard.
But the music sung by this charmer is sweet,
yet, not of sorrow feeling.
This is like a debate by the learned people.
Like a novelist adding line after line
which are short and filled with meaning.
What is this charmer debating about?
“thaanathanthath thaanathanthath thaa-thanath
thaanathandana thaanathandana thaa–
thanthanathana thanthanathana thaa”
Like that he is playing variety in loops.
What is the meaning of this?
A child said the following meaning for this:
“I adorned flowers to Kali.
A donkey came to eat them away.”
In the name of Sakthi, I built this body.
The pain from sin is eating this away.
I surrendered to Parasakthi.
The pain vanished.
Parasakthi started to live on my soul with light.
Let her live long.

---

Note: Sakthi literally means Power and also the name of Goddess.

The Tamil version of the above translation is available at http://www.lyricaldelights.com

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Sakthi – Happiness Part 5

Sakthi

First part: Happiness

5

“Could put up a fence in land.
But is it possible to fence in sky?” Yes, you can.
Isn’t the sky filling even the land?
If you fence up land, doesn’t it mean
that the sky of that part is also fenced up?
Control Body. Then controlling soul is possible.
Control Soul. Then controlling mind is possible.
Control Mind. Then controlling Sakthi is possible.
There is no despair in being controlled by the Sakthi.
There is a cotton pillow before me.
It has a shape, a size, a purpose to it.
Sakthi looks after that this purpose is met out.
It can be preserved without being extinct,
even as long as humans exist in this world.
If it is renewed often, Sakthi exists in it for longer.
If not renewed, the form changes.
Dirty pillow, tattered pillow, old pillow —
Take out the cotton in it and use in mattress.
Throw out the outer cover as waste cloth.
It’s form has expired.
If the form is preserved, Sakthi could be preserved.
That is, Sakthi could be preserved in the same form.
Even when the form changes, Sakthi doesn’t change.
Everywhere, everything, every time, every activity exhibits Sakthi.
It is good to preserve the form.
In the name of Sakthi.
It is good to praise Sakthi, by preserving the form.
But one who preserves just the form, loses Sakthi.

---

Note: Sakthi literally means Power and also the name of Goddess.

The Tamil version of the above translation is available at http://www.lyricaldelights.com

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Sakthi – Happiness Part 4

Sakthi

First part: Happiness

4

“Could put up a fence in land.
But is it possible to fence in sky?” asked Ramakrishna muni.
Could tie up inanimate objects. But is it possible to tie Sakthi?
Could tie up the body. But is it possible to tie the soul?
Tie up the soul. Then it is possible to tie the heart.
Sakthi in me is in my soul and heart.
Sakthi should have infinite temples.
In the time without the beginning and ending, she should have new temples at every minute.
Out of these infinite temples, the name of one of the temple is “Me”.
If it is renewed ceaselessly, Sakthi will be present in it.
When it becomes old, She will leave it.
Now, she is filled in me.
Now, my soul is bubbling with energy and contentment.
Now, my body has comfort and strength.
Now, my thoughts are clear.
This is enough for me.
I will not linger in the past, neither ponder about the future.
Now, Sakthi is sitting in the throne within me.
Let her live long!
I praise her, hail her, pray to her incessantly.

---

Note: Sakthi literally means Power and also the name of Goddess. This part explains that Sakthi is omnipresent and is in every person as well as animate and inanimate object. The nouns referred to in the content are the names of Gods in Hindu mythology.

The Tamil version of the above translation is available at www.lyricaldelights.com

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Sakthi – Happiness Part 3

Sakthi

First part: Happiness

3

Darkness came, Owls became happy.
The woman, who went into forest in search of her lover,
was alone and lamenting.
Light came; Lover came. She became happy
There is Ghost, There is magic.
There is no Ghost. There is magic.
There is sickness. There is ailment.
Tiredness kills. It (titredness) is killed by zeal.
Ignorance kills. It (ignorance) is killed by Knowledge.
We were afraid. Mother removed the fear and gave us strength.
We grieved. Mother changed that and gave joy.
She lifted the bowed heads.
She added light to the tired eyes.
She gave clarity to the confused minds.
She added light to the darkened mind.
Long live Mahasakthi.

---

The Tamil version of the above translation is available at www.lyricaldelights.com

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Sakthi – Happiness Part 2

Sakthi

First part: Happiness

2

Crow caws.
In the field that is the world, the Sun floods it with light,
  which is like the glitter of the diamond.
That is shadowed by the clouds.
The light pierces through the clouds.
When the flood of light is filtered through the sieve of clouds,
  the dust settles down and the clearer part above it.
Hen crows.
Ant crawls.
Housefly flies.
Young man concentrates on the art.
All these are the works of the great Sakthi.
Let her lead us to do what is to be done righteously.
Let our deeds be natural.
Charming deeds, Happy deeds, Powerful deeds,
  untiring deeds, causing deeds, spreading deeds,
  happening deeds, endless deeds,
Let the great Sakthi bless us.
Poetry, Protection, Feeding, Raising,
  Pruning, Caring, Showering with light —
  Let the great Sakthi bless us in these deeds.
By irrigating with love, ploughing with knowledge,
  Removing the weeds of (baseless old) customs,
  Growing the crop of Holy Scriptures,
  Reaping the benefits of happiness and for consuming it,
  we pray for the grace of the great Sakthi.
Let her bless us with them.

Note: Sakthi literally means Power and also the name of Goddess.

The Tamil version of the above translation is available at www.lyricaldelights.com

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Sakthi – Happiness Part 1

Sakthi

First part: Happiness

1

In the flood of Sakthi, Sun is a bubble.
In the river of Sakthim Sun is a flower.
Sakthi is infinite, doesn’t have borders, doesn’t have an end.
It is what shows action in inactiveness.
Sakthi is what beats, chases, assembles,
gathers, merges, shakes off,
winnows, blows, swirls,
binds, scatters, disperses,
puffs, stops, drives,
makes many into one, makes one to many.
Sakthi is what brings chillness, gives warmth,
gives shivers,
gives happiness, gives ailment, gives cure,
gives normalcy, changes the normality,
gives weakness, gives nourishment, gives ascent,
gives enthusiasm, makes to bloom, gives delightfulness,
kills, gives life.
Sakthi gives happiness, gives anger,
gives hatred, gives contentment,
gives enmity, blossoms love,
gives strength, gives fear,
brings forth boiling emotions, brings calmness.
Sakthi is what is smelt, tasted, touched, heard, seen.
Sakthi is what is thought, researched, calculated, decided,
dreamt, imagined, searched, revolts,
sticks to the place, thought, analysed,
Sakthi is what brings enchantment, brings clarity.
Sakthi is what is felt.
Daughter of Brahma, Sister of Kannan, Wife of Siva.
Wife of Kannan, Daughter of Siva, Sister of Brahma,
Mother of Brahma, Kannan and Siva.
Sakthi is the origin.
Meaning of the meaningless and effect of effect less.
In the ocean of Sakthi, Sun is froth;
In the veena of Sakthi, Sun is ending note; a place for the musical note.
In the divine dance of Sakthi, Light is beats.
In the arts of Sakthi, Light is one of them.
Let Sakthi live.

---

Note: Sakthi literally means Power and also the name of Goddess. This part explains that Sakthi is omnipresent and is in every person as well as animate and inanimate object. The nouns referred to in the content are the names of Gods in Hindu mythology.

The Tamil version of the above translation is available at www.lyricaldelights.com

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Vision – Fame Part 13

இரண்டாங் கிளை: புகழ்

ஞாயிறு

13

மழை பெய்கிறது. காற்றடிக்கின்றது. இடி குமுறுகின்றது.
 மின்னல் வெட்டுகின்றது.
 புலவர்களே, மின்னலைப் பாடுவோம், வாருங்கள்.
 மின்னல் ஒளித்தெய்வத்தின் ஒரு லீலை -- ஒளித்
 தெய்வத்தின் ஒரு தோற்றம்.
 அதனை யவனர் வணங்கி ஒளிபெற்றனர்.
 மின்னலைத் தொழுகின்றோம்.
 அது நம்மறிவை ஒளியுறச்செய்க.
 மேகக் குழந்தைகள் மின்னற்பூச் சொரிகின்றன.
 மின் சக்தி இல்லாத இடமில்லை.
 எல்லாத் தெய்வங்களும் அங்ஙனமே.
 கருங்கல்லிலே, வெண்மணலிலே, பச்சை இலையிலே,
 செம்மலரிலே, நீல மேகத்திலே,
 காற்றிலே, வரையிலே -- எங்கும் மின்சக்தி உறங்கிக்
 கிடக் கின்றது.
 அதனைப் போற்றுகின்றோம்.
 நமது விழிகளிலே மின்னல் பிறந்திடுக.
 நமது நெஞ்சிலே மின்னல் விசிறிப் பாய்க.
 நமது வலக்கையிலே மின்னல் தோன்றுக.
 நமது பாட்டு மின்னலுடைத்தாகுக.
 நமது வாக்கு மின்போல் அடித்திடுக.
 மின் மெலியதைக் கொல்லும்;
 வலியதிலே வலிமைசேர்க்கும்.
 அது நம் வலிமையை வளர்த்திடுக.
 ஒளியை, மின்னலை, சுடரை, மணியை,
 ஞாயிற்றை, திங்களை, வானத்து வீடுகளை, மீன்களை --
 ஒளியுடைய அனைத்தையும் வாழ்த்துகின்றோம்.
 அனைத்தையும் வாழ்த்துகின்றோம்.
 ஞாயிற்றை வாழ்த்துகின்றோம்.

 The rain pours. Thunder claps aloud. Lightning cuts through.
Oh poets, come, let's sing (about) lightning.
Lightning is one of the plays of the Lord of Light. (Another) A form of light.
Yavanar worshipped him and attained light.
We worship lightning.
It enlightens our knowledge.
The cloud-children shower the lightning-flowers.
There's no place without electricity.
And so are the Gods.
In the dark rocks, in the light sand, in the green leaves, in the red flowers, in the blue clouds, in the wind, in the forest -- everywhere electricity is sleeping.
We praise it.
Let new lightning be born from our eyes.
Let the lightning blow hard in our hearts.
Let lightning arise from our right hands.
Let our poetry contain lightning.
Let our words/promises be like lightning.
Lightning kills the weak; whereas adds strength to the strong.
Let it build our strength.
We praise everything that has light -- Light, lightning, flame, vision, Sun, Moon, houses in the sky, stars..
We praise everything.
We praise the Sun. 

mazhai peykiRadhu. kaatRadikkindRadhu. idi kumuRugindRadhu.
minnal vettugindRadhu.
pulavarkaLae, minnalaip paaduvoam, vaarungaL.
minnal oLitheyvathin oru leelai -- oLith
theyvathin oru thoatRam.
adhanai yavanar vaNanggi oLibetRanar.
minnalaith thozhugindRoam.
adhu nammaRivai oLiyuRachcheyka.
maegak kuzhandhdhaigaL minnaRpoo chorigindRana.
min sakthi illaadha idamillai.
ellaath theyvangaLum angnganamae.
karungallilae, veNmaNalilae, pachchai ilaiyilae,
semmalarilae, neela maegathilae,
kaatRilae, varaiyilae -- enggum minchakthi uRanggik
kidak kindRadhu.
adhanaip poatRugindRoam.
namadhu vizhigaLilae minnal piRandhdhiduga.
namadhu nenjjilae minnal visiRip paayka.
namadhu valakkaiyilae minnal thoandRuga.
namadhu paattu minnaludaithaaguga.
namadhu vaakku minpoal adithiduga.
min meliyadhaik kollum;
valiyadhilae valimaisaerkkum.
adhu nam valimaiyai vaLarthiduga.
oLiyai, minnalai, sudarai, maNiyai,
nYaayitRai, thingaLai, vaanathu veedugaLai, meengaLai --
oLiyudaiya anaithaiyum vaazhthugindRoam.
anaithaiyum vaazhthugindRoam.
nYaayitRai vaazhthugindRoam.

This is the final part of Vision.

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Vision – Fame Part 11

இரண்டாங் கிளை: புகழ்

ஞாயிறு

11

புலவர்களே, அறிவுப்பொருள்களே, உயிர்களே,
 பூதங்களே, சக்திகளே, எல்லோரும் வருவீர்.
 ஞாயிற்றைத் துதிப்போம், வாருங்கள்.
 அவன் நமக்கெல்லாம் துணை.
 அவன் மழைதருகின்றான்.
 மழை நன்று.
 மழைத் தெய்வத்தை வாழ்த்துகின்றோம்.
 ஞாயிறு வித்தைகாட்டுகின்றான்.
 கடல்நீரைக் காற்றாக்கி மேலேகொண்டுபோகிறான்.
 அதனை மீளவும் நீராக்கும்படி காற்றை ஏவுகின்றான்.
 மழை இனிமையுறப் பெய்கின்றது.
 மழை பாடுகின்றது.
 அது பலகோடி தந்திகளுடையதோர் இசைக்கருவி.
 வானத்திலிருந்து அமுதவயிரக்கோல்கள் விழுகின்றன.
 பூமிப்பெண் விடாய்தீர்கிறாள்; குளிர்ச்சி பெறுகின்றாள்.
 வெப்பத்தால் தண்மையும், தண்மையால் வெப்பமும்
 விளைகின்றன.
 அனைத்தும் ஒன்றாதலால்.
 வெப்பம் தவம். தண்மை யோகம்.
 வெப்பம் ஆண். தண்மை பெண்.
 வெப்பம் வலியது. தண்மை இனிது.
 ஆணிலும் பெண் சிறந்ததன்றோ?
 நாம் வெம்மைத் தெய்வத்தைப் புகழ்கின்றோம்.
 அது வாழ்க.

Poets, learned objects, Souls, Demons, Powers, all of you come gather.
Come let us praise the Sun.
He is support for all of us.
He gives rains.
Rain is good.
We praise the Lord of Rains.
Sun shows tricks.
He evaporates sea-water and carries it upwards.
And he commends Wind to convert it back to water.
Rain pours nicely.
Rain sings.
It is a musical instrument with billions of strings.
The heavenly-diamond-sticks fall from the sky.
The Earth-girl quenches her thirst; She becomes cool.
Heat begets Coldness, Coldness begets Heat.
Since all are one.
Heat is Penance. Coldness is Excellence.
Heat is Male. Coldness is Female.
Heat is Strong. Coldness is Sweet.
Isn't Female better than Male?
We praise the Lord of Heat.
Let it live.

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Vision – Fame Part 9

இரண்டாங் கிளை: புகழ்

ஞாயிறு

9

வானவெளி என்னும் பெண்ணை ஒளியென்னும்
 தேவன் மணநதிருக்கின்றான்.
 அவர்களுடைய கூட்டம் இனிது.
 இதனைக் காற்றுத்தேவன் கண்டான்.
 காற்று வலிமை யுடையவன்.
 இவன் வானவெளியைக் கலக்க விரும்பினான்.
 ஒளியை விரும்புவதுபோல வானவெளி இவனை விரும்பவில்லை.
 இவன் தனது பெருமையை ஊதிப் பறை யடிக்கின்றான்.
 வெளியும் ஒளியும் இரண்டு உயிர்கள் கலப்பதுபோல் கலந்தன.
 காற்றுத் தேவன் பொறாமை கொண்டான்.
 அவன் அமைதியின்றி உழலுகிறான்.
 அவன் சீறுகின்றான், புடைக்கின்றான், குமுறுகின்றான்.
 ஓலமிடுகின்றான், சுழலுகின்றான், துடிக்கின்றான்;
 ஓடுகின்றான், எழுகின்றான், நிலையின்றிக் கலங்குகின்றான்.
 வெளியும் ஒளியும் மோனத்திலே கலந்து நகைசெய்கின்றன.
 காற்றுத் தேவன் வலிமையுடையவன்.
 அவன் புகழ் பெரிது. அப் புகழ் நன்று.
 ஆனால் வானவெளியும் ஒளியும் அவனிலும் சிறந்தன.
 அவை மோனத்தில் கலந்து நித்தம் இன்புறுவன.
 அவை வெற்றியுடையன.
 ஞாயிறே, நீதான் ஒளித்தெய்வம்.
 நின்னையே வெளிப்பெண் நன்கு காதல் செய்கிறாள்.
 உங்கள் கூட்டம் மிக இனிது. நீவிர் வாழ்க.

The vast sky as a woman is married by the Lord of Light.
There partnership is nice.
This is seen by the Lord of Wind.
The Wind is powerful.
He desired to partner with the vast sky.
Like liking the Light, the vast sky didn't like him.
He blows trumpets of his pride.
The sky and light has merged like the merging of two souls.
 The Lord of Wind got jealous.
He toils without peace.
He hisses, swells, grunts, whimpers, swirls, shivers;
Runs, raises, distraught.
The sky and light smiles together in their togetherness.
The Lord of Wind is powerful.
His fame is huge. That fame is good.
But the vast sky and the Light are better than that.
They attain happiness at all times by their togetherness.
They are victorious.
Oh Sun, you are indeed the Lord of Light.
The sky girl is in deep love with you.
Your partnership is very nice. Let you live long. 

vaanaveLi ennum peNNai oLiyennum
thaevan maNanadhirukkindRaan.
avarkaLudaiya koottam inidhu.
idhanaik kaatRuthaevan kaNdaan.
kaatRu valimai yudaiyavan.
ivan vaanaveLiyaik kalakka virumpinaan.
oLiyai virumpuvadhuboala vaanaveLi ivanai virumpavillai.
ivan thanadhu perumaiyai oodhip paRai yadikkindRaan.
veLiyum oLiyum iraNdu uyirkaL kalappadhuboal kalandhdhana.
kaatRuth thaevan poRaamai koNdaan.
avan amaidhiyindRi uzhalugiRaan.
avan seeRugindRaan, pudaikkindRaan, kumuRugindRaan.
oalamidugindRaan, suzhalugindRaan, thudikkindRaan;
oadugindRaan, ezhugindRaan, nilaiyindRik kalanggugindRaan.
veLiyum oLiyum moanathilae kalandhdhu nagaiseykindRana.
kaatRuth thaevan valimaiyudaiyavan.
avan pugazh peridhu. ap pugazh nandRu.
aanaal vaanaveLiyum oLiyum avanilum siRandhdhana.
avai moanathil kalandhdhu nitham inpuRuvana.
avai vetRiyudaiyana.
nYaayiRae, needhaan oLitheyvam.
ninnaiyae veLippeN nangu kaadhal seykiRaaL.
ungaL koottam miga inidhu. neevir vaazhka.

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Vision – Fame Part 8

இரண்டாங் கிளை: புகழ்

ஞாயிறு

8

ஒளிக்கும் வெம்மைக்கும் எவ்வகை உறவு?
 வெம்மையேற ஒளி தோன்றும்.
 வெம்மையைத் தொழுகின்றோம்.
 ஒளியின் தாய். ஒளியின் முன்னுருவம்.
 வெம்மையே, நீ தீ.
 தீ தான் வீரத்தெய்வம்.
 தீ தான் ஞாயிறு
 தீயின் இயல்பே ஒளி.
 தீ எரிக.
 அதனிடத்தே நெய் பொழிகின்றோம்.
 தீ எரிக.
 அதனிடத்தே தசை பொழிகின்றோம்.
 தீ எரிக.
 அதனிடத்தே செந்நீர் பொழிகின்றோம்.
 தீ எரிக.
 அதற்கு வேள்வி செய்கின்றோம்.
 தீ எரிக.
 அறத்தீ, அறிவுத்தீ, உயிர்த்தீ, விரதத்தீ, வேள்வித்தீ,
 சினத்தீ, பகைமைத் தீ, கொடுமைத் தீ -- இவை
 யனைத்தையும் தொழுகின்றோம்.
 இவற்றைக் காக்கின்றோம்.
 இவற்றை ஆளுகின்றோம்.
 தீயே, நீ எமது உயிரின் தோழன்.
 உன்னை வாழ்த்துகின்றோம்.
 நின்னைப்போல, எம துயிர் நூறாண்டு வெம்மையும்
 சுடரும் தருக.
 தீயே, நின்னைப்போல, எமதுள்ளம் சுடர்விடுக.
 தீயே, நின்னைப்போல, எம தறிவு கனலுக.
 ஞாயிற்றினிடத்தே, தீயே, நின்னைத்தான் போற்றுகின்றோம்.
 ஞாயிற்றுத் தெய்வமே, நின்னைப் புகழ்கின்றோம்.
 நினதொளி நன்று. நின் செயல் நன்று. நீ நன்று.

What is the relationship between light and heat?
When heat increases, the light appears.
We worship the heat.
The mother of light. The prototype of light.
Oh heat, you are fire.
Fire is the Courage-God.
Fire is Sun.
Fire's characteristic is light.
Let the fire burn.
We pour ghee into it.
Let the fire burn.
We pour muscle into it.
Let the fire burn.
We pour blood into it.
Let the fire burn.
We offer sacrifices and pray with pyre.
Let the fire burn.
The fire of righteousness, The fire of knowledge, The fire of Life,
The fire of Penance, The fire of holy-pyre, The fire of Anger,
The fire of Enmity, The fire of Torture - We worship all these.
We protect them.
We reign over them.
Oh Fire, you are my life's friend.
We praise you.
Like you, Let my life give away heat and light for centur(ies).
Oh Fire, like you, let my heart glow.
Oh Fire, like you, let my knowledge simmer.
In Sun, Oh Fire, we hail you.
Oh Sun God, We praise you.
Your light is good. Your acts are good. You are good.

oLikkum vemmaikkum evvagai uRavu?
vemmaiyaeRa oLi thoandRum.
vemmaiyaith thozhugindRoam.
vemmai oLiyin thaay. oLiyin munnuruvam.
vemmaiyae, nee thee.
thee thaan veeratheyvam.
thee thaan nYaayiRu
theeyin iyalbae oLi.
thee eriga.
adhanidathae ney pozhigindRoam.
thee eriga.
adhanidathae thasai pozhigindRoam.
thee eriga.
adhanidathae sendhneer pozhigindRoam.
thee eriga.
adhaRku vaeLviseykindRoam.
thee eriga.
aRathee, aRivuthee, uyirthee, viradhathee, vaeLvithee,
sinathee, pagaimaith thee, kodumaith thee -- ivai
yanaithaiyum thozhugindRoam.
ivatRaik kaakkindRoam.
ivatRai aaLugindRoam.
theeyae, nee emadhu uyirin thoazhan.
unnai vaazhthugindRoam.
ninnaippoala, ema thuyir nooRaaNdu vemmaiyum
sudarum tharuga.
theeyae, ninnaippoala, emadhuLLam sudarviduga.
theeyae, ninnaippoala, ema thaRivu kanaluga.
nYaayitRinidathae, theeyae, ninnaithaan poatRugindRoam.
nYaayitRuth theyvamae, ninnaip pugazhkindRoam.
ninadhoLi nandRu. nin seyal nandRu. nee nandRu.

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Vision – Fame Part 6-7

இரண்டாங் கிளை: புகழ்

ஞாயிறு

6

ஒளியே, நீ யார்?
 ஞாயிற்றின் மகளா?
 அன்று. நீ ஞாயிற்றின் உயிர். அதன் தெய்வம்.
 ஞாயிற்றினிடத்தே நின்னைத்தான் புகழ்கின்றோம்.
 ஞாயிற்றின் வடிவம் உடல். நீ உயிர்.
 ஒளியே, நீ எப்போது தோன்றினாய்?
 நின்னை யாவர் படைத்தனர்?
 ஒளியே, நீ யார்?
 உனதியல்பு யாது?
 நீ அறிவின் மகள் போலும். அறிவுதான் தூங்கிக்கிடக்கும்.
 தெளிவு நீ போலும்.
 அறிவின் உடல் போலும்.
 ஒளியே, நினக்கு வானவெளி எத்தனைநாட் பழக்கம்?
 உனக்கு அதனிடத்தே இவ்வகைப்பட்ட அன்பு யாது
 பற்றியது?
 அதனுடன் நீ எப்படி இரண்டறக் கலக்கிறாய்?
 உங்களை யெல்லாம் படைத்தவள் வித்தைக்காரி. அவள்
 மோஹினி, மாயக்காரி. அவளைத் தொழுகின்றோம்.
 ஒளியே, வாழ்க.


Oh light, who are you? 
Are you the daughter of Sun? 
No. You are Sun's life. Sun's God.
In Sun, we indeed praise you.
The form of Sun is its body. You are the soul.
Oh Light, when did you appear? 
Who all created you? 
Oh light, who are you? 
What is your nature? 
Seems you are the daughter of knowledge. Knowledge is the one that slumber.
Seems you are clarity.
Seems the body of knowledge.
Oh light, for how long do you know the open skies.
This fondness you have for the sky is about what? 
How do you merge and dissolve into it? 
The one who created you is a skillful artist. She is Mohini, the mystic one. We worship her.
Oh light, hail.

oLiyae, nee yaar?
nYaayitRin magaLaa?
andRu. nee nYaayitRin uyir. adhan theyvam.
nYaayitRinidathae ninnaithaan pugazhkindRoam.
nYaayitRin vadivam udal. nee uyir.
oLiyae, nee eppoadhu thoandRinaay?
ninnai yaavar padaithanar?
oLiyae, nee yaar?
unadhiyalbu yaadhu?
nee aRivin magaL poalum. aRivudhaan thoonggikkidakkum.
theLivu nee poalum.
aRivin udal poalum.
oLiyae, ninakku vaanaveLi ethanainaat pazhakkam?
unakku adhanidathae ivvagaippatta anpu yaadhu
patRiyadhu?
adhanudan nee eppadi iraNdaRak kalakkiRaay?
ungaLai yellaam padaithavaL vithaikkaari. avaL
moaHini, maayakkaari. avaLaith thozhugindRoam.
oLiyae, vaazhka.

7

ஞாயிறே!
 நின்னிடத்து ஒளி எங்ஙனம் நிற்கின்றது?
 நீ அதனை உமிழ்கின்றாயா?
 அது நின்னைத் தின்னுகிறதா?
 அன்றி, ஒளிதவிர நீ வேறொன்றுமில்லையா?
 விளக்குத்திரி காற்றாகிச் சுடர் தருகின்றது.
 காற்றுக்கும் சுடருக்கும் எவ்வகை உறவு?
 காற்றின் வடிவே திரியென்றறிவோம்.
 ஒளியின் வடிவே காற்றுப்போலும்.
 ஒளியே, நீ இனியை.

Oh Sun!
How does light stay in you?
Do you emit light?
Is that consuming you?
Or, Are you nothing but the light?
The wick of the lamp becomes air to give light.
What is the relationship between Air and Light?
Let us know that the form of Air is the wick.
Seems the form of light is Air.
Light, you are sweet.

nYaayiRae!
ninnidathu oLi engnganam niRkindRadhu?
nee adhanai umizhkindRaayaa?
adhu ninnaith thinnugiRadhaa?
andRi, oLidhavira nee vaeRondRumillaiyaa?
viLakkuthiri kaatRaagi chudar tharugindRadhu.
kaatRukkum sudarukkum evvagai uRavu?
kaatRin vadivae thiriyendRaRivoam.
oLiyin vadivae kaatRuppoalum.
oLiyae, nee iniyai.

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Vision – Fame Part 4-5

The part 5 is one of my favorites of the series.. So I couldn’t wait till next week to publish.. 🙂 Hope you too like them! 🙂

இரண்டாங் கிளை: புகழ்

ஞாயிறு

4

நீ சுடுகின்றாய், நீ வருத்தந் தருகின்றாய்.

You burn, You cause sadness.

You give pain, You give tiredness.

You give hunger. These all are sweet.

You evaporate the seawater, You give sweet rains.

You light lamps in the sky.

You eat away the darkness.

Let you live longer.

nee sudugindRaay, nee varuthandh tharugindRaay.
nee vidaay tharugindRaay, soarvu tharugindRaay,
pasi tharugindRaay. ivai iniyana.
nee kadal neerai vatRadikkiRaay, iniya mazhai tharugindRaay.
vaanaveLiyilae viLakkaetRugiRaay.
iruLaith thindRu vidugindRaay.
nee vaazhka.

5

ஞாயிறே, இருளை என்ன செய்து விட்டாய்?

Oh Sun, what did you do to the darkness?

Did you send it away? Did you kill it? Did you swallow it?

With your hug and kiss, did you encompass it with the hands of your rays?

Is darkness your enemy?

Is darkness is what you feed upon?

Is it your lover?

Was it dark with gloom, for the entire night, since it couldn’t see you? And since seeing you, did it take up your light upon itself and merge with you?

Are you both children from the same mother’s womb?

Have your mother order you both to save the world by coming one after another?

Are you both not bound by death?

Are you elixir?

I praise you both.

Sun, I praise you.

nYaayiRae, iruLai enna seydhu vittaay?
oattinaayaa? kondRaayaa? vizhunggi vittaayaa?
katti muthamittu nin kadhirkaLaagiya kaigaLaal maRaithuvittaayaa?
iruL ninakkup pagaiyaa?
iruL nin uNavupporuLaa?
adhu nin kaadhaliyaa?
iravellaam ninnaik kaaNaadha mayakkathaal iruNdu
irundhdhadhaa?ninnaik kaNdavudan ninnoLi
thaanung koNdu ninnaik kalandhdhuvittadhaa?
neengaL iruvarum oru thaayvayitRuk kuzhandhdhaigaLaa?
munnum pinnumaaga vandhdhu ulagathaik kaakkumpadi
ungaLdhaay aeviyirukkiRaaLaa?
ungaLukku maraNamillaiyaa? neengaL amudhamaa?
ungaLaip pugazhkindRaen.
nYaayiRae, unnaip pugazhkindRaen.

[Bharathi Vasana kavidhai] Vision – Fame Part 3

Second branch: Fame

Sun

3

The richness of the dawn is sweet.
Let Ushai*, who smiles like flowers, live longer.
We worship Ushai.
She is Goddess / Lakshmi / Wealth / Respectable.
She gives Awakening, She gives Clarity.
She gives Life, She gives Encouragement.
She gives Beauty. She gives Poetry.
Let her live longer.
She is honey. The honey bees like her.
She is elixir.  She doesn’t die.
She merges with Power.
It is Power that merges with beauty.
Sweetness is very huge.
She follows the Northern Meru hills in many forms. Encompassing the horizon, she wanders with smile.
Let her smiles live longer.
At south, She comes to us, in a single form, Still because of the abundance of love, isn’t one form better than many?
The dawn is good. We hail the dawn.

*Ushai is the wife of Sun God.

The Tamil version, transliteration as well as previous parts are available in this link –> http://www.lyricaldelights.com/2016/07/02/bharathi-vasana-kavidhai-vision-fame-part-3/

[Vision – Fame] Part 1-2

இரண்டாங் கிளை: புகழ்

ஞாயிறு

1

Which gives light? Which has unceasing youth?
Who is the heat source? To whom happiness belongs?
Who gives rain? To whom eye belongs?
Who gives life? Who gives fame?
To whom fame belongs?
Like what does knowledge glow?
Which is the temple of the God of knowledge?
Sun. It is good.

2

You are light, You are flame, You are explanation, You are vision.
Lightning, Emerald#, burning coal, the flame of fire —
These are the manifestations of you.
Eye is your home.
Fame, Courage — These are your directives.
Knowledge is your symbol. You are symbol of knowledge.
You burn, Let you live.
Show, (Let you) live.
(You) give life. (You) give body.
You let (life) grow, You takeaway (life).,
You give water, you blow the wind, Let you Live.

[Vision – Happiness] Part 6-7

6

We praise the Gods.
Let the Gods be happy.
Let them live.
Let them hail.
Oh Gods!
Let you prevail everyday, let you be happy everyday.
Let you live everyday, let you shower blessings everyday.
Let you protect everything.
That is good for you.
Oh Gods!
Let you eat us, let you be our food.
Let you eat the world, let you be food for the world.
That is good for you.
Oh Gods!
Protecting is nice, being protected is also nice.
Destroying is good, being destroyed is also good.
Eating is good, being eaten is also good Taste is good, soul is good, good, good.

7

Senses, let you live. You are one. You are light.
You are one. You are many.
You are friendship. You are enmity.
You are what is there and what isn’t there.
You are what is known and what is not known.
You are good and bad.
You are elixir, you are taste.
You are good, you are happiness.

---

This is the end of first branch of the prose poetry, Vision.

Wind – Part 15

15

 Oh life, who knows the goodness of you? 
You are the visible God.
All rules are formed because of you.
All rules are destroyed because of you.
Oh life,
You are the wind, you are the fire, you are the water, you are the sky.
In the things that appear, you are the guideline of appearance.
In the things that change, your work is to change them.
The insect that flies, the tiger that kills,
The worm that crawls, the countless lives in this world,
The infinite living things in the countless worlds -
All these are the explanation of you.
We consider the lives filled and spread in the land, water, air.
In the area of a square-feet in the air, lives lakhs of organisms, invisible to the naked eye.
One big organism; within its body, many small organisms; within them, many smaller organisms than that; within that even smaller ones-- Like this the world has stuffed life.
Huge -- Huge than the huge -- bigger than that -- bigger than that -- nucleus -- smaller than that nucleus -- even smaller than that -- even smaller than that --there is no end in both ways.
Endless in both ends.
Poets, when we wake up everyday in the morning, let us praise all the lives.
"Prayers, Lord Wind, the omnipresent Brahma" 

---

Note: This is the final part of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

Wind – Part 13-14

13

Does life stand in the fluttering leaves? Yes.
Does life moves the roaring sea-water? Yes.
The stone that is dropped from the roof falls in the floor.
What causes the change? The life in it.
What is the state of the water canals? Life-state.
The wind which was mute has started to blow!
What has happened to it? Life happened.
The cart is being pulled by the bullocks.
The life of bullocks is carried to the cart.
While the cart goes, it goes with life.
The Kite! It has life.
The Steam Engine train has life! Big life.
All the machines have life.
The Earth-ball rotates ceaselessly with high force.
She has an unending life. The Mother Earth.
Hence, every thing on her surface has life.
The whole world revolves.
The moon revolves. The Sun revolves.
Crores and crores and crores and crores
Multi-miles apart and farther and beyond
The scattered stars in the skies are revolving.
Hence, this earth has life.
We call the 'life' of the World as Wind.
We hail and praise him thrice a day.

14

We can't praise the Wind.
For his praise is endless.
He is praised by the Rishis as
"Ever-persistent Brahma"
We worship the life breath. Let him protect us.
We worship the Abhaanan. Let him protect us.
We worship the Vyaanan. Let him protect us.
We worship the Udhaanan. Let him protect us.
We worship the Samaanan. Let him protect us.
We are spreading the acts of the Wind.
We pray the life.
Let life live.

---

Note: This is the Part 13and 14 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

Wind – Part 12

12

The crow flies away;
It swims over the waves of the wind.
What is that, that becomes the waves and facilitates the crow to swim across? Wind.
No. It is not wind.
It is the place of wind.
The station of wind.
Invisible to the eyes, the tiny particles of the world comes and crashes over us (When the wind blows).
It’s common practice to call those particles as wind.
It is not wind, it’s the chariot of the wind.
The heated ice becomes water.
The heated water becomes wind.
The heated gold becomes liquid.
The heated liquid becomes wind.
Like this, every object of the world could be converted to the form of wind.
This wind is a particle of physics.
The power / force in which these particles crawls (carried) is worshipped as the wind lord by us.
The flying path of the crow is the wind.
That path is controlled by the wind.
It is inclined to that path by the wind.
We worship him.
We surrender our lives.

காக்கை பறந்து செல்லுகிறது;
காற்றின் அலைகளின்மீது நீந்திக்கொண்டு போகிறது.
அலைகள்போலிருந்து, மேலே காக்கை நீந்திச்செல்வதற்கு
இடமாகும் பொருள் யாது? காற்று.
அன்று, அஃதன்று காற்று;
அது காற்றின் இடம். வாயு நிலயம்.
கண்ணுக்குத் தெரியாதபடி அத்தனை நுட்பமாகிய பூதத்
தூள்களே (காற்றடிக்கும் போது) நம்மீது வந்து
மோதுகின்றன.
அத்தூள்களைக் காற்றென்பது உலகவழக்கு.
அவை வாயு வல்ல, வாயு ஏறிவரும் தேர்.
பனிக்கட்டியிலே சூடேற்றினால் நீராக மாறிவிடுகிறது.
நீரிலே சூடேற்றினால் ‘வாயு’ வாகிவிடுகிறது.
தங்கத்திலே சூடேற்றினால் திரவமாக உருகிவிடுகிறது.
அத் திரவத்திலே சூடேற்றினால், ‘வாயு’ வாகின்றது.
இங்ஙனமே, உலகத்துப் பொருள்களனைத்தையும் ‘வாயு’
நிலைக்குக் கொண்டுவந்துவிடலாம்.
இந்த ‘வாயு’ பௌதிகத் தூள்.
இதனை ஊர்ந்துவரும் சக்தியையே நாம் காற்றுத்தேவ
னென்று வணங்குகிறோம்.
காக்கை பறந்துசெல்லும் வழி காற்று.
அந்த வழியை இயக்குபவன் காற்று.
அதனை அவ்வழியிலே தூண்டிச்செல்பவன் காற்று.
அவனை வணங்குகின்றோம்.
உயிரைச் சரணடைகின்றோம்.

---

Note: This is the Part 12 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

Wind – Part 10-11

Wind - Part 10 & 11

10

It is raining,
The whole town is drenched wet.
The Tamizh people, Like the buffaloes, 
  Always stand in the wetness, Sit in the wetness,
  Walk in the wetness, Sleep in the wetness,
  Cook in the wetness, Eat in the wetness.
A dry Tamizhan is not available even
  for medicine (Even for sample)
The cold Wind blows relentlessly.
Many of the Tamizh people fall sick with fever.
Few people die everyday, The fools that remain
  blame it as 'fate'.
Oh yes man, it is fate only.
'For those who lack Knowledge, Lack happiness'
  is the fate of Eesan. (The Almighty)
In the country that lacks discipline,
  the abundance of disease is the fate.
Tamil Nadu lacks that discipline.
  Instead of flourishing the true discipline,
  And also Forgetting the lingering disciplines,
  Few (Brahmin) people
  from Tamizh Nadu spin false tales
  to the fools and earn their daily bread.
Do you think that the cold Wind is Poison?
That is Manna, If you can live in
  Not-Wet homes with good clothes.
Wind is good.
We worship the Wind.

11

We call the Shakthi as Wind.
The power that lifts,
The power that cleans,
The power that crashes,
That spins, That blows.
Out of the many forms of Shakthi,
  Wind is also one of them/
All divinities are the art of Shakthi.
We call the art of Shakthi only as Divinity.
Wind is the Son of Shakthi.
We worship him.

---

Note: This is the Part 10 & 11 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

Wind – Part 9

Wind - Part 9

Come hither wind, Come slowly.
Do not break down the doors in the windows.
Do not throw take and throw away the papers.
Do not push down the books in the Almira.
Did you see this? Here, you pushed them down.
You torn away the pages of the book.
You brought back the rains.
You are so good in taunting the weak.
Dilapidated House, Dilapidated Door, Dilapidated Roof,
Dilapidated Tree, Dilapidated Body, Dilapidated Soul,
Dilapidated Heart -- These are broke down to pieces by the Lord of Wind.
He does not listen, even when told.
Hence, Gather around Humans.
Let us build stronger houses.
Let us strengthen the doors.
Let us train our bodies to stay robust.
Let us make our body resilient.
Let us toughen the our hearts.
If we do this way, the Wind will become our friend.
The Wind blows away the weak flame (of fire);
(But) Augments the strong flame (of fire).
His friendship is good.
We hail his praise everyday.

---

Note: This is the Part 9 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

Wind Part 8

Wind - Part 8

Rainy Season.
Evening time.
Cold breeze comes in.
The sick covers his body (from the cold).
To no avail.
With the fear of Wind, cannot live happily, in the Earth.
When the breath is Wind, how could one live in fear of it?
Let the Wind blow on us.
Let it protect from us from diseases.
The Air from the Mountain is good.
The Air from the Sea is medicine.
The Air from the Sky is fine.
The Air in the cities is made as enemy by humans.
They do not worship the Lord of Wind directly.
So the Lord of Wind becomes angry and destroys them.
Let us worship the Wind Lord.
In his path there should not be,
  stagnation of the muddled water;
  presence of odor; rotten food thrown away;
  layers of dust settled; or any kind of impurity.
He, The Wind, is coming.
In the path he comes by, let us keep it clean
  by wiping it and sprinkling good water.
In the path he flows by, let us create
  groves and floral gardens.
In the path he flows by, let us burn
  camphor and other fragrant incense sticks.
Let him come as medicine.
Let him come as our lives;
  As elixir.
We worship Wind.
He is the son of Shakti. Descendant of Queen.
We welcome him.
Let him live.

---

 

Note: This is the Part 8 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

Wind Part 7

Wind - Part 7

Look at the tiny ant.
How tiny it is!
Within it tiny form, the physical parts of
   hands, legs, mouth, stomach and
   all other parts are proportionately set.
Who set it so? The great Shakti.
All those parts are doing there work properly.
The ant eats, sleeps, gets married,
   give birth to off springs, runs,
   searches, wages wars, saves/rules their nation.
The wind is the base for all these happenings.
The great Shakti plays the game of life using wind.
We sing about the Wind.
It stands as strength to the knowledge;
As likes and dislikes of the heart;
In the lives (of living things), life exists by itself.
In the (exterior) world (visible to the eyes),
   we know of its actions;
   (yet) we don't know (of all its actions).
We praise the Wind!

---

Note: This is the Part 7 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

Wind Part 5 and 6

Wind - Part 5 & 6

5

Bheeman and Hanuman are said to be
 the off springs of Wind in the epics.
The Veda says, all living things are
 off springs of Wind.
Life is nothing but Wind.
Life is the form / object.
 Wind is the action.
Mother Earth is alive.
Her breath is the Wind surrounding the Earth.
Wind is Life. He kills lives.
Wind is Life. So life is not destroyed.
The smaller form or life merges
 with the eternal form.
 (The life of individual merges
  with the soul of the world)
There is no death.
The entire world is life-form.
Appearance, Growth, Change, Disappearance
 - All are stages / acts of life.
We praise the Wind.

6

Oh Wind, come!
Come, carrying the pollen drops,
 with sweet fragrance that mesmerises the heart.
Flow over the leaves and waves,
 and carry the essence of their soul to bring to us.
Oh Wind, come.
Flow nicely such that,
 the fire/warmth of our lives linger long
 and let the good light glow bright.
Don't extinguish it, as your power declines.
Don't kill it, by bashing like ghosts.
Keep flowing for a very long time, 
 slowly and with good rhythm.
We will sing songs on you.
We will keep praising you.
We will worship you.

---

Note: This is the Part 5 and 6 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

Wind Part 3 and 4

Wind - Part 3 & 4

3

The base of Wind is Ear.
 Wind stands in the ears of the Shivan.
 If there is no wind, Shivan will not be able to hear.
 The Wind doesn't have ears.
 He is deaf.
 If he could hear, will he make such a racket?
 If he could hear, will he let the clouds clash with each other,
 _create thunders and be witnessing the show?
 If he could hear, Will he play by causing whirlwinds in the sea?
 We bow to the Wind, Sound, the Power.

4

Desert.
 Sand, Sand, Sand, For a very wide area, in all four sides,
 _there is levelled sand everywhere.
 Evening Time.
 Through that expanse of forest, over the camels,
 _a group of merchants are passing by.
 Vaayu (Wind) has become untameable / ferocious.
 The sands of the desert is rotating as a whirlwind in the mid sky.
 One moment, Pain of death, the entire group of merchants
 _get destroyed in the sand.
 Vaayu (Wind) is devious. He is anger-personified Rudran.
 His sound imparts fear.
 His acts are deadly.
 We praise the Wind.

---

Personal Note: The Part 3 talks so softly and explanatorily about the simple fact that Wind causes all the atrocities only because, he doesn’t have ears and he couldn’t hear the noises he creates. So it finds excuses for him and praises him. Whereas, in Part 4, once again the Wind’s darker side (Does Wind have sides at all?!) is put to light with its destruction of the group of merchants in the desert. How could someone find excuse as well as shows light on the executions of the same wind? Does Bharathi love wind beyond measure or what else could it be? Let us see what he comes up with in the next parts!

---

Note: This is the Part 3 and 4 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous parts! To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

Wind Part 2

Wind - Part 2

Middle of the sea. A lone ship.
  Fierce stormy wind, as if the skies has unleashed their anger.
  The tides are high. It splatters ferociously.
  It explodes as it crashes.
  It plunders.
The Ship wobbles;
  It is moved in the force of the lightning;
  It crashes against a rock.
  Massacre!
  Two hundred lives perished.
  Before they perished, they realised
  the experience, of what the perishing of the era entitles.
  The end of eon will also be like this.
  The earth will be amassed with water; Hot boiling water.
  Sakthi will become the wind.
  Sivan will be furious.
  The world will seem to be one.(??)
  And that one will be Sakthi.
  And Sivan will be behind the Sakthi.
The Wind moves the ropes tied in the roofs. He pours life into them.
  The Wind shows whirlpools to water,
  adds lightning to the Sky,  
    Transforms water to fire,
    Transforms fire to water,
    Transforms water to dust,
    Transforms dust to water
    And wreaks havoc.
  The Wind brings apocalypse.
  The Wind protects.
  Let the Wind protect us.
  "Salutations to Vayu, the Lord of winds.
   You are the visible representation
   of the ultimate reality, Brahman."

---

Personal Note: You would better understand this personal note, if you have read the part 1 here. In the first part, the Wind was praised as the life-force and the life-giver. Now, the same Wind, which animates a piece of rope by blowing life into it, massacres 200 lives, just with a whoosh.

The first part was filled with tender love between the ropes and was so soft and elegant in its grace. Here, the same Wind has become ferocious and uncontainable. The emotions that flow through this part is more of anger, fear, ferociousness, wrath, demise, massacre et al. What a contrast and how versatile the Wind is.

The Wind brings apocalypse.
The Wind protects.
Let the Wind protect us

---

 

Note: This is the Part 2 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to read the previous part! I have taken up the liberty to restructure the lines for the ease of reading and using few easier common terms over the literal meaning. Would you like to view the notes on translation or To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

Wind

Wind - Part 1

In the porch of the house is a roof.
  Thatched roof,
  with coconut leaves.
There are seven-eight bamboo pipes,
  set in  criss-cross and
  held together with ordinary jute rope,
  and over them, the thatched coconut leaves are spread.

A small excess of rope was hanging
  from one of the bamboo pipe.
  A foot-long rope.
One day, This rope was happily swinging.
  It doesn't seem to have even a silly worry.
Sometimes, it will look forlorn and hangs still.
  It doesn't even answer, when called.
Today it wasn't like that.
  Looked jolly-good.

The rope and I, are friends.
  We often talk to each other.

“If you talk to a rope, Will it reply?”
  Try talking to it,
  to find whether it replies or not.

But you have to start the conversation,
  when it's happy.
Otherwise, it will frown and be tight-lipped,
  like women.
Whatsoever, the rope in this home speaks.
  There's no doubt in that.

Did I say one rope?
  There are two ropes.
  One is one-foot long.
  The other is three-fourth of a foot long.
One male;
  Other female;
  Man and wife.

They both were looking at each other
  with amorous looks, and
  were exchanging coy  smiles, 
  bantering about sweet nothings,
  they were lost in love.
That is when, I reached there.

The male rope is named ‘Kandan.'
  The female rope is named ‘Valliyammai.’
(Just like people, small ropes can also be named.)

Kandan tries to hold Valliyammai.
  Valliyammai backs a little.
In that particular moment, I reached there.

I asked, “What Kanda, are you fine? 
  Maybe I came at the wrong moment, is it? 
  Shall I come back later?"

For which, Kandan said,
  "Ah come on, you old man! 
  What shyness in front of  you? 
  What Valli, are you angry that,
  this Iyer was witnessing our courting?"

“Fine, fine, don't ask me anything”, said Valliyammai.

For that, Kandan laughed aloud clapping hands,
  jumped and hugged Valliyammai,
  all while I was standing just there.
Valliyammai started screeching.
  But, Valliyammai was also enjoying,
  secretly.
Aren't we happy when others see, how happy we are?

I was also content in watching their show,
  what's the crime in saying the fact?
  Witnessing the intimacy of young love
  brings such a great joy, isn't it?

Since Valliyammai started screeching louder,
  Kandan left her alone.

After few moments, he caressed her again. 
  Again a screech, again the freeing;
  Again a caress, again a screech;
  this kept on continuing.

“What's this Kanda,
  you don't seem to be interested
  in saying a word to this visitor, 
  I'll come back after some time,
  shall I leave?” I asked.

“Come on, oldie, aren't you just watching us.
  Stay on for little more time.
  I've few affairs to finish with her.
  After I finish that,
  I am thinking of having a discussion
  with you on certain topics.
  Don't go away. Stay”, it said.
I stood there and kept watching.

After a while, the damsel,
  in the glaze of happiness,
  dropped her shyness,
  even forgetting that,
  I was still standing there.

Immediately a song.
 Elegantly broken pieces.
 Every line with its own tune.
 Just a couple of varaitions.
 Then another song.
As Kandan finished singing, it was Valli's turn.
 After one finished, the other one.
 Singing one after another -- Immense joy!

For some time, they keep singing,
  while standing apart, without touching.
  Then Valliyammai will go herself to caress Kandan.
  He comes to hug. She runs.
  Immense Joy!

Valliyammai got giddy with happiness
  as this continued for a long time.

I was thirsty, went to the next house to drink water,
  to quench my thirst. Both the ropes didn't notice my leaving.

When I came back and saw,
  Kandan was waiting for me,
  while Valliyammai slept.
As soon as  seeing me,
  “Where did you go, old man!
  You left without goodbye”, it said.
I asked, “Seems like madam is sleeping deeply”

Aaha! at that moment,
  The rope exploded and
  before me appeared the Lord
  and how can I express His greatness in words?

The Lord of Winds appeared.

I had always presumed that,
  His form would be broad and ballooned.
  But, His form was like a diamond needle,
  glowing brightly.

"Salutations to Vayu, the lord of winds.
 You are the visible representation of the ultimate reality, Brahman.
 I affirm that you are indeed the visible form of Brahman"
 Hail thy wind. You are indeed the visible form of Brahmam.

When he appeared,
  the skies were filled
  with the life-force's power
  and the warmth was spreading all around.

I worshipped Him a thousand times,
  with my tributes.

The Lord of Wind sayeth: -- 
   "My son, What did you ask?
   Are you asking whether
   the small rope is sleeping?
   No. It is dead.
   I am the life-force's power.
   The body / form, that is related to me, is active.
   Which doesn't relate to me is corpse.
   I am the life-force.
   Because of Me,
   that small rope was alive;
   had experienced pleasure.
   After it got a bit tired,
   I let it sleep -- die.
   Sleep is death. Death is but a sleep.
   They both do not exist where I am present.
   I will come back in the evening and blow.
   It will come back to life again. 
I awaken it. Animate it. I am the son of power, Worship me and live."

"Salutations to Vayu, the Lord of winds.
 You are the visible representation of the ultimate reality, Brahman.
 I affirm that You are indeed the visible form of Brahman"

---

 

Note: This is the Part 1 of Bharathi’s Prose-Poetry titled “Kaatru”. Interested in the Series? Check here to know more about it! I have taken up the liberty to restructure the lines for the ease of reading and using few easier common terms over the literal meaning. Would you like to view the notes on translation or To read the original version in தமிழ் or in Transliterated version? Click here! And here’s a feast to the fans of Bharathi (with translation)

---

A Preface to a Series!

I have been in love with the prose-poetry of Bharathi, even before I know, what love is. The love for those brilliant pieces and the love for my readers has pushed me to translate them, for the benefit of English-reading people, to enjoy the brilliance and nuances of my love.

Starting tomorrow, I will be posting part(s) of the Prose-Poetry as a weekly series. And here is the Preface to that series. (Just to clarify, the series will be in English and only the preface is in tamizh. English version is available below the Tamil.)

---

பைந்தமிழின் எழிலில் வீறுநடை பயின்ற தமிழை,
எளிய தமிழில் இன்னிசை ஏற்றி,
இராக தாளத்துடன் நயமும் ஊற்றி,
இயல் இசை நாடகம் மூன்றையும் போற்றி,

பாமரனும் காவியம் கற்றிடவே,
புரட்சிகள் பலவும் நிதமும் நிகழ்ந்திடவே,
மூத்ததமிழுக்கு புத்தாடை உடுத்தி
கன்னித்தமிழென புத்துயிர் புகட்டிய
கவிச் சக்கரவர்த்தி, எம் மகாகவி பாரதி!

தமிழை தமிழனுக்கே புதிதாய் காட்டி
தமிழ் முழங்கும் திசையெலாம்
தன் தமிழால் வியாபித்து நிற்கும் பாரதி!

நூறாண்டு காலத்திற்கு முன்பே
தீர்க்கதரிசியென சொல்லிச் சென்றான்
என உள்ளம் பூரித்து கொண்டாடியபோதும்,
இன்றும் மாறா மூடர் கூட்டம் உள்ள தெண்ணி
என் நெஞ்சு பொறுக்குதில்லையே..

வல்லமை தாராயோ,
இந்த மாநிலம் பயனுற வாழ்வதற்கே,
என்று கலங்கிய நொடியிலும்,
எனைச் சுடர் மிகும் அறிவுடன் மெருகேற்றும்
என் ஆசானின் வார்த்தைகளே துணை நின்று வழி வகுத்தது..

யான் பெற்ற இன்பம் இவ்வையகமும் பெற்றிடவும்,
என் தீந்தமிழின் தீரா இனிமையும்,
பாரதியின் சொற்களும், திக்கெட்டும் ஒலித்திடவும்,
தமிழல்லரும் பாரதி எனும் பாகை பருகிடவும்,

கற்றறிந்த ஆன்றோர் பலர், மொழி பெயர்த்து வெளியிட்டும்,
காப்புரிமை காரணமாக இணையத்தில் இன்று வரை வெளி வராத,
ஆங்கிலம் காணாத சில நல் முத்துக்களை வெளிக்கொணரவும்,
ஆழி தாண்டும் பாலமமைக்க இவ்வணிலின் சிறு முயற்சி!

பின் குறிப்பு:
பிழைகள் கண்டால் பொறுத்து கொள்ளாமல் சுட்டிக் காட்டிடுக
நிறைகள் கண்டால் மதியிலிறுத்தி நாளும் வாழ்வில் பயின்றிடுக
மனம் நிறைந்தால் பகிர்ந்திடுக, நட்புடனும் சுற்றத்துடனும்.
மறவாது எம் பக்கத்துக்கு இணைப்பளித்து..

---

Transliteration:

paindhdhamizhin ezhilil veeRunadai payindRa thamizhai,
eLiya thamizhil innisai aetRi,
raaga thaaLathudan nayamum ootRi,
iyal isai naadagam moondRaiyum poatRi,

paamaranum kaaviyam katRidavae,
puratchigaL palavum nidhamum nigazhndhdhidavae,
moothadhamizhukku puthaadai uduthi
kannithamizhena puthuyir pugattiya
kavi chakkaravarthi, em magaagavi paaradhi!

thamizhai thamizhanukkae pudhidhaay kaatti
thamizh muzhanggum thisaiyelaam
than thamizhaal viyaabithu niRkum paaradhi!

nooRaaNdu kaalathiRku munpae
theerkkadharisiyena cholli chendRaan
ena uLLam poorithu koNdaadiyaboadhum,
indRum maaRaa moodar koottam uLLa theNNi
en nenjju poRukkudhillaiyae..

vallamai thaaraayoa,
indhdha maanilam payanuRa vaazhvadhaRkae,
endRu kalanggiya nodiyilum,
enai chudar migum aRivudan merugaetRum
en aasaanin vaarthaigaLae thuNai nindRu vazhi vaguthadhu..

yaan petRa inpam ivvaiyagamum petRidavum,
en theendhdhamizhin theeraa inimaiyum,
paaradhiyin soRkaLum, thikkettum olithidavum,
thamizhallarum paaradhi enum paagai parugidavum,

katRaRindhdha aandRoar palar, mozhi peyarthu veLiyittum,
kaappurimai kaaraNamaaga iNaiyathil indRu varai veLi varaadha,
aanggilam kaaNaadha sila nal muthukkaLai veLikkoNaravum,
aazhi thaaNdum paalamamaikka ivvaNilin siRu muyaRsi!

pin kuRippu:
pizhaigaL kaNdaal poRuthu koLLaamal suttik kaattiduga
niRaigaL kaNdaal madhiyiliRuthi naaLum vaazhvil payindRiduga
manam niRaindhdhaal pagirndhdhiduga, natpudanum sutRathudanum.
maRavaadhu em pakkathukku iNaippaLithu..

---

Tamil, which was walking majestically as the ancient language,
Was infused with music in a simpler language,
While filling it with tune, rhythm and fineness,
And praising the forms of prose, poetry and drama of Tamil as well;

For even the layman to enjoy literature,
For revolutions to happen everyday;

The age-old Tamil was adorned with a fresh attire,
And given a new life as young Tamil;

By the emperor of poems, Mahakavi Bharathi!

By re introducing Tamil even to Tamils,
He has become all-prevalent,
In every direction, where Tamil is known,
Through his style and words of Tamil!

Though the heart celebrates, with pride,
As I realise that, he had said, what he said,
A century back, as a foreseeing prophet;
I couldn’t stand to think nor accept, that,
There are still fools out there, as ever..

When I was crest fallen and prayed as,
Won’t you give me the strength,
To live a life of purpose and
For the betterment of this world;
The words that stood as my strength,
And cleared the way ahead, were those of,
My teacher, Bharathi,
Who enlightens my knowledge,
To that of sparkling brilliance..

Though, there were many scholars,
Who had already translated Bharathi’s works,
Due to copyright, it was unexplored,
In the realms of internet.

For I want the world to enjoy,
The treasures I have enjoyed;
For the sweetness of Tamil and
The brilliance of Bharathi to spread
Across every single direction;
For the English to enjoy
The excellence of Bharathi;
To bring to light, the hitherto unexplored Tamil;

A small step, by this tiny drop,
in the vast ocean of translation,
Hoping to create ripples,
that cross the language barriers.

If you find errors,
do not tolerate,
but point it out;
If you find treasures,
do not forget them,
but follow them;
If you love them,
do not be selfish,
but share them;

With due credit to the translator,
For this too is copyrighted,
And available for free distribution
Over internet, with due credits.

---

 

My reflections upon a great poet’s work

காற்றில் வந்த காதல்

மனிதனை கவிஞன் ஆக்குவது
உலகத்தின் மீதான அவன் பார்வை..

அவனை மகாகவி ஆக்குவது,
நிதம் காணும்
காற்றில் ஆடும்
கயிற்றில்
கந்தனையும்
வள்ளியையும்
வாயுவையும் கண்டது!!

காற்றில் ஆடும் கொடி, இளங்கோவிற்கு எச்சரிக்கை செய்தது!!
காற்றில் ஆடும் கயிறு, பாரதிக்கு நட்பாக பதிலளித்து!!

காற்றுக்கு மட்டும் அல்ல,
கவிக்கும் உயிர் கொடுக்கும் ஆற்றல் உண்டு..

I suggest you to read the quote first and then read / re-read about my perspective of the poetic lines..

This is the work of Bharathi and this is the one which made me realise what perspective is.. How something so common and in the background of everyday life, comes to life with imagination..

What distinguishes a man from a poet is his perspective..
This is my classic example for ‘Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’..

In a traditional shed, it’s very common to see ropes hanging below the roof..

But it’s very uncommon to give them
a name, a relationship, love, lust, romance, life, death and immortality..

More than that it’s woven into picture, interlaced with humour, satire..
What all makes it a pleasure to read includes,
The rhythm of the words,
The richness of the content,
The simplicity of the complexity,
The beauty of the scene,
The intimacy of the lovers,
The reverence to the love,
The divinity of the soul,
The serenity of the divine..

Though it’s imaginary, the culture is upheld and reflected in the shyness of the damsel, the way the conversation is directed towards Kandan,  and in the way she is referred to by the poet..

It’s not only a pleasure to see the intimacy of young love, it’s also a pleasure to see the bonding between the friends..

Every time I read,
It starts with an introduction to unreality,
Possibility of the imagination,
Bonding of friendship,
Booming of the love,
Craziness of lust,
Transformation of the ordinary,
Answers to the unending questions,
Brilliance of the answers,
And the overall structure of it..
This has never stopped to amaze me..

Do let me know, if it amazes you too.. 🙂

காற்று -பாரதியார்