The ocean is water; the shore is the hall of Chidambaram. The stomach is the death that entered inside. The song is those who worship you. The meeting (Kudal/Kootal) is the word that Sundarar speaks.
(Note: In the final verse, Sundarar signs his name, as is traditional. "Kootal" refers to a place or the union with Shiva.) The central message of this hymn is revolutionary for its time and remains deeply relevant. Sundarar says: “Manthiramavathu Neeru” – The sacred ash itself is the mantra. Typically, a mantra is a set of sounds or syllables chanted to achieve concentration or spiritual goals. But Sundarar declares that applying vibhuti (the ash from burning cow dung, ghee, and other substances in a Vedic fire) is equal to, or greater than, reciting any mantra. Manthiramavathu Neeru Thevaram Lyrics In English
Walking is the vision of you; goodness is your devotees. Bending is not that, but sharpness (of devotion). Pride is the deer and the axe (Shiva’s weapons) and slander. The chosen one is the sacred ankle bells that dwell (on your feet). Verse 10 Transliteration: Kaṭalāvathu neerē karaiyāvathu māṭaṉ Kuṭalāvathu uḷ pukka kūṟṟamē Paṭalāvathu uṉṉai paṇi ceyvār Kūṭalāvathu sundarar kūṟum chollē. The ocean is water; the shore is the hall of Chidambaram
The sacred place for me is Kailasa; my thought is your grace. The serpent is my skill (or ornament). The illusion is that I can forget you—I never can. The light for you is that alone (your own light). Verse 6 Transliteration: Pāṟpaṉamāvathu aruḷē paravaiyāvathu puṉṉiyam Kūṟpaṉamāvathu uṉṉaic kūṟum choṟkaḷ Vērpaṉamāvathu piṟṟai viṭṭu uṉṉaik kāṭci Nērpaṉamāvathu chivapura nikaḻvē. The meeting (Kudal/Kootal) is the word that Sundarar speaks
The Brahmin’s Veda is your grace; the bird (swan of discrimination) is merit. The sharp point is the words that speak of you. Root is to leave other births and have your vision. The direct path is the unfolding of Shiva’s city (Chidambaram or the heart). Verse 7 Transliteration: Ampalamāvathu aṭiyēṉ uḷ amparam nāṭṭiyāvathu Sempalamāvathu uṉṉai sivaṉē nāṭa Empalamāvathu yēṉ peṟṟa iṟappē tampi Champala malaṟṟiṉ mītu charaṇam charaṇamē.
Good conduct is the company of your devotees; goodness is the virtue of those free from sin. Learning is righteousness; the Ganga on your head is the crown. The only fault is to forget your qualities (or to think of defects in you). I have listened and meditated on you—that is my only possession. Verse 3 Transliteration: Chāndravathu ēṉai ilēṉai ñāṉamāvathu nāraṇan Bhēdhamāvathu piṟṟa viṭṭu uṉṉaic chindaiyilē Nēthiravāvathu uṉ kaṇ poṟṟi naṉmaiyāvathu aṉṟi Vēthamāvathu uṉṉai viṭṭu vēṟu uṉtē.
The sacred hall (Chidambaram) is within this servant’s heart; the direction I seek is there. The red lotus is to seek you, O Shiva. What is my fault? The death I have attained (to die to the world) is my wealth. On the feet of the flower-like one, surrender, surrender alone. Verse 8 Transliteration: Akkaraṅkaḷ avai ninṟu aṟumanaṅkaḷ avai muṉṟu Pakkaraṅkaḷavai kāṇ pavaḷamē Tikkaraṅkaḷavai nāṉ un tēriṉṟu iṟantiṉ Mekkaraṅkaḷavai mēl mēl uṇarvē.