TIRUVIRUTTAM 20

சின்மொழி நோயோ கழிபெரும் தெய்வம்

இந்நோயினதென்று

இன்மொழி கேட்கும் இளம் தெய்வம் அன்று இது வேல,

நில் நீ

என்மொழிகேண்மின் என் அம்மனைமீர்

உலகேழுமுண்டான்

சொன்மொழி மாலை அந்தண்ணந்

துழாய் கொண்டு சூட்டுமினே

Chinmozhi noyo kazhiperum deivam

Innoyinadendru

Inmozhi ketkum ilam deivam andru idu vela,

Nil nee

Enmozhikenhmin en ammanaimeer

Ulagezhumunhdaan

Chonmozhi maalai andanhnhan

Tuzhaai kondu chootumine

(Thiruviruttam: 20)

Kattuvichi is a woman whose advice is sought on the supposition that the heroine is possessed. The Kattuvichi diagnoses that the heroine’s condition is caused by her suffering on separation from her lover. The heroine speaks only a few words. Here is her condition. Her disease has been caused by the love for the supreme God Thirumal (Vishnu). It is not due to junior gods who are easily pleased by being praised. Please recite the name of the Lord of the Immortals who kept all the universe in his stomach during the great deluge; and garland her with His tulasi (Holy Basil) garland. This is the only remedy for her illness. The inner meaning of this poem is that the Alvar indulges himself in the excellent attributes of the Lord and eagerly waits for Him. The time for the Lord’s grace for the Alvar has neared. The poem is addressed as one by the seers pitying the Alvar’s miseries.

There is a poem of similar purport in Aganaanooru, an ancient Tamil composition.