Friday, August 7, 2015

Śrīmad Appayya Dīkṣita-1

I enjoyed this lovely śloka --

This was composed by Śrīmad Appayya Dīkṣita instantly on an Ārdrā-darśana day at Chidambaram in the month of Dhanu (called Mārgazhi in Tamil). The Thillai Dīkṣitars were conducting sandal-paste abhiṣeka to the Lord Naṭarāja in the early morning hours. Appayya Dīkṣita wondered how the Lord withstood the penetrating chillness?

मौलौ गङ्गा शशाङ्कौ करचरणतले शीतलाङ्गा भुजङ्गा:
वामे भागे दयार्द्रा हिमगिरिदुहिता चन्दनं सर्वगात्रे ।
इत्थं शीतं प्रभूतं तव कनकसभानाथ सोढुं क्व शक्ति:
चित्ते निर्वेदतप्ते यदि भवति न ते नित्यवासो मदीये ॥

maulau gaṅgā śaśānkau karacaraṇatale śītalāṅgābhujaṅgāḥ
vāme bhāge dayārdrā himagiriduhitā candanaṃ sarvagātre
itthaṃ śītaṃ prabhūtaṃ tava kanakasabhānātha soḍhu kva śaktiḥ
citte nirvedatapte yadi bhavati na te nityavāso madīye

A free translation attempt:

The Gaṅgā and the Moon on your locks
Cool-bodied serpents on arms and feet
On the left side, the daughter of Himālaya; wet with compassion
And (cool) sandal all over the body!

How, O Lord (Naṭarāja) of the Golden Hall,
Did you get this strength to endure such extreme chill?
If only did you not stay eternally in my citta
Which burns hot due to sorrows.

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