Periya Puranam Lyrics In English May 2026

In the celestial halls of Mount Kailash, where the cool moon shines, And the river Ganga cascades from the matted locks of the Lord, The Lord of the Dance, the Great Shiva, sat with Uma Devi by His side. He spoke to the hosts of Sages and the celestial beings:

Introduction

Below are selected translations and retellings of the most famous episodes, presented in a lyrical format to capture the essence of the original Tamil meter. While a full translation of 4,000+ verses is beyond the scope of a single article, the following passages represent the heart of the text. These are structured as prose-poems based on the original Tamil lyrics. 1. The Beginning: The Glorious Invitation (Kailai Padalam) The Periya Puranam begins not on earth, but in Kailash (the abode of Shiva), establishing the divine origin of the saints. Periya Puranam Lyrics In English

"My devotees on earth, the great Nayanars, Have gathered to sing My praise and serve My form. *Hear

In the vast and resplendent tapestry of Saiva Siddhanta (the philosophy of Shaivism), few texts hold as much reverence and emotional weight as the Periya Puranam . Known in Sanskrit as the Tiruttontar Puranam (The Purana of the Holy Servitors), this 12th-century epic is not merely a collection of biographies; it is the spiritual biography of the Tamil people and the definitive scripture on Bhakti (devotion). In the celestial halls of Mount Kailash, where

For seekers looking for , the journey is often a desire to connect with the 63 Nayanars—saints who attained liberation through unshakeable, often startling, devotion to Lord Shiva. This article serves as an extensive resource, providing English translations of key episodes, the philosophical context behind the lyrics, and an exploration of the poetic brilliance of its author, Sekkizhar. Who Wrote the Periya Puranam? Before diving into the lyrics, it is essential to understand the origin. The Periya Puranam was composed by Sekkizhar, a chief minister in the court of the Chola Emperor Kulothunga Chola II.

Legend has it that the King was engrossed in the Jain text Jivaka Chintamani , which focused on ephemeral pleasures. To redirect the King and the kingdom toward the path of righteousness and devotion, Sekkizhar requested permission to compose the stories of the 63 Nayanars (the great devotees of Shiva). He compiled the stories originally mentioned in the hymns of Sundarar (one of the foremost Nayanars) and expanded them into a magnum opus of 4,286 verses. These are structured as prose-poems based on the

The text is considered the 12th Thirumurai (canonical book) of the Saiva canon. Reciting the is believed to wash away sins and grant the devotee the grace of Lord Shiva. The Essence of the Lyrics: Devotion Beyond Logic When reading the Periya Puranam lyrics in English , a modern reader might be surprised by the intensity of the narratives. The devotion described here is not passive; it is active, fierce, and often transcends societal norms and logic.

The stories champion the idea that Bhakti is the great equalizer. Among the 63 Nayanars, there are kings and beggars, hunters and Brahmins, men and women. The lyrics emphasize that Shiva does not look at caste or status; He looks only at the purity of the heart.