Thiruvasagam — Sivapuranam (Namachivaya Vaazhga) — Word-by-Word Meaning
திருவாசகம் — சிவபுராணம்
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
நமச்சிவாய வாழ்க
namachivāya vāzhka
May the (sacred five-syllabled name) 'Namasivaya' flourish / live in glory.
நாதன்தாள் வாழ்க
nāthanthāḷ vāzhka
May the feet of the Lord (Natha) flourish.
இமைப்பொழுதும்
imaippozhudhum
Even for the blink of an eye / for an instant.
என் நெஞ்சில் நீங்காதான்
en neñjil nīngādhān
He who never leaves my heart (for even a moment).
கோகழி ஆண்ட குருமணி
kōkazhi āṇḍa gurumaṇi
The jewel-Guru who ruled (graced) at Kokazhi (Tirupperundurai).
ஆகமம் ஆகிநின்று அண்ணிப்பான்
āgamam āginanṟu aṇṇippān
He who, being the Agamas (scriptures) themselves, draws near (as sweetness) to His devotees.
ஏகன் அநேகன் இறைவன்
ēkan anēkan iṟaivan
The Lord who is One, and yet many (the One who appears as the many).
வேகம் கெடுத்தாண்ட வேந்தன்
vēgam keḍuththāṇḍa vēndhan
The King who destroyed (my) impetuous passions and took me into His rule.
பிறப்பறுக்கும் பிஞ்ஞகன்
piṟappaṟukkum piññakan
Pinyakan (Shiva, the crowned one) who severs (the cycle of) birth.
பெய்கழல்கள் வெல்க
peykazhalgaḷ velka
May His worn anklet-adorned feet be victorious.
புறத்தார்க்குச் சேயோன்
puṟaththārkkuch sēyōn
He who is far away (unreachable) to those outside (the path of devotion).
கரங்குவிவார் உள்மகிழும் கோன்
karangkuvivār uḷmagizhum kōn
The King who rejoices in the hearts of those who fold their hands (in worship).
சிரம்குவிவார் ஓங்குவிக்கும் சீரோன்
siramkuvivār ōnguvikkum sīrōn
The glorious One who exalts (raises high) those who bow their heads to Him.
Complete Translation
These are the famous opening lines of the Sivapuranam, the first hymn of the Thiruvasagam, by the saint Manikkavacakar.
May the sacred name 'Namasivaya' flourish; may the feet of the Lord flourish! May the feet of Him who never leaves my heart even for an instant flourish! May the feet of the jewel-Guru who graced me at Kokazhi (Tirupperundurai) flourish! May the feet of Him who, being the very Agamas, draws sweetly near to His own flourish! May the feet of the Lord who is One and yet the many flourish!
May the feet of the King who destroyed my impetuous passions and ruled over me be victorious! May the anklet-clad feet of Pinyakan (Shiva), who severs the bondage of birth, be victorious! May the flower-feet of Him who is far from those outside (His grace) be victorious! May the feet of the King who delights in the hearts of those who fold their hands be victorious! May the feet of the glorious One who lifts up high all who bow their heads be victorious!
Origin & History
Source: Thiruvasagam — Sivapuranam (opening lines), Tirumurai 8, by Manikkavacakar (Tamil, c. 9th century CE)
Author: Manikkavacakar (Nayanar / Saiva saint)
Period: Tamil Bhakti era (c. 9th century CE)
Manikkavacakar was a learned minister of the Pandya kingdom sent to buy horses, who instead met Lord Shiva seated as a Guru beneath a kurundai tree at Tirupperundurai. Overwhelmed, he renounced the world and poured out the hymns of the Thiruvasagam in ecstatic love. The Sivapuranam, its first hymn, sets out the whole path of grace, beginning with the praise of the holy name and the Lord's feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thiruvasagam?▼
The Thiruvasagam ('the sacred utterance') is a collection of Tamil Saiva devotional hymns by the 9th-century saint Manikkavacakar, forming part of the eighth Tirumurai. Renowned for its overwhelming emotional devotion, it is one of the most loved works of Tamil Saivism.
What is the Sivapuranam?▼
The Sivapuranam is the first hymn of the Thiruvasagam. Its title means 'the ancient sacred story of Shiva', and it opens with the famous lines 'Namachivaya Vaazhga, Naathan Thaal Vaazhga', invoking the five-syllabled name and the feet of the Lord. It is the most frequently recited portion of the Thiruvasagam.
Who was Manikkavacakar?▼
Manikkavacakar ('he whose words are rubies') was a minister to a Pandya king who renounced everything when Lord Shiva appeared to him as a Guru at Tirupperundurai (Kokazhi). His ecstatic hymns, the Thiruvasagam and Thirukkovaiyar, are treasured among the supreme expressions of love for God in Tamil.
Why is 'Namachivaya Vaazhga' so revered?▼
It is the opening line of the Sivapuranam and begins with the Panchakshara, the five-syllabled name of Shiva, calling for its eternal glory. As the first words of Manikkavacakar's most beloved hymn, it is cherished as a perfect benediction at the start of Shiva worship.
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