SHRI KUMARA NAGARALAYE"

 SHRI KUMARA NAGARALAYE"- ATHANA

#theme #Karthigai
:https://youtu.be/soBtGjGJrGI

Text and translation by

Dr.Radhakrishnan Murickanattu

(thanks for permission given)

There are two temples in Kerala, where "Thrikkarthigai" is celebrated with complete festivity; Kumaranallur (Kottayam) and Chottanikkara (Ernakulam). The most important fact to be noticed is that both these are temples for Goddess (Parvathi); Kumaranallur Karthigai is world famous and is the Yearly Festival there; thousands of people assemble on this day to witness the celebrations.

Legend: The temple was constructed for Lord Subrahmanya; but before the rituals started Goddess (Meenakshi of Madurai) occupied the temple; hence the name 'Kumaran - alla - Oor (place where Lord Subrahmanya is not the deity) (Sometime back I had written the same in detail). Maharaja Swathithirunal has composed "shrI kumAra nagarAlayE" in ragam Athana, on this temple.

pallavi
shrI kumAra nagarAlayE karuNAlayE kamalAlayE

anupallavi
shrtajana kalpaka pAdapE shrI padmanAbha vadanAmbuja madhupE

caranam 1

manju ramaNita nUpurE karashincita kankaNa bhAsurE

manjuLAnana sudhAkarE nava kanjadaLa kalita vilasita cikurE

anjanAncita drugancala bhanjita ganjanad-vidya manjimapunjE

niranjanAshaya nikunja kELi rasikE ava mrgamada tilakE

 

caranam 2

kambu vara sadrsha kandarE jagadamba pAlita vasundharE

bimba phala rucirAdharE lOlambajAla ruci vilasita cikurE

amba kaccavi viTambita daLada sitAmbuja dyuti kadamba kaDambarE

shambarAri hari shambarArcitapadE pada natajana shubhadE

caranam 3
manda gamana jita vAraNE susura vrndavairi vinivAraNE
indirE bhuvana kAraNE kuruvinda danti kisalaya mrdu caraNE
manda hAsa ruci ninditEndu kara kunda vrnda makaranda bindu
sandOha samvalita sundarAmbujajAsyE jagadupAsyE

Meaning:

Oh suzerain of Kumarangara (Kumaranallur), the repository of compassion, you reside in the lotus.
You are the wish-yielding tree to the devotees. You are the bee that intently seeks the nectar of the lotus face of Lord Padmanabha.

Meaning (C-1 & C-2

Your gem studded anklets jingle sweetly.  The tinkling of your bangles that adorn your wrist are melodious, your face shines like the moon.  Your tresses are adorned with the fresh petals of a lotus.  The beauty of your eyes darkened by collyrium excels that of Khanajana (a species of wagtail).  You reside in the hearts of those who have conquered passion.  Your forehead is adorned with musk paste.

Your neck is beautiful like the conch, oh the mother of the universe, protector of the world!  Your lips are red like the Bimba fruit.  Your dark and rich tresses are like the swarm of bees.  Eyes are lovely like the blue lotus,  you are adored by Shiva, Vishnu, and others. You bestow good fortune to those who worship you.

Your gait is more graceful than that of the elephant, destroyer of the enemies of the celestials, the origin of the world! Your teeth are like jasmine buds. Your feet are soft and delicate, your charming smile is wonderful that the crescent moon, the sweet nectar from them lights up your beautiful lotus face. You are worthy of being worshiped by all, pray protect me.

Please listen to a wonderful rendition of the above composition by Dr. Muralidhar Kanchi, beginning with a beautiful virutham on Goddess: https://youtu.be/soBtGjGJrGI