Poonthanam's Maya Varnanam(tamil)

Maya Varnanam(tamil)

(Description of illusion)

By

Poonthanam

Translated  by

P.R.Ramachander

(Poonthanam was possibly one of the greatest forerunners of Bhakthi cult in Kerala and his greatest work was Jnana Pana, Loosely it can be translated as “Pot of Knowledge”. But “pana” here is not pot but a style of folk poem. This is written in a common man’s language and in a common man’s verse. It preaches the greatness of repetition (singing) of the Holy God’s names. In between Poonthanam wrote about the world he saw and the world he wanted to see. Some people term it as the “Bhagavad Geetha of Malayalam. I am sure most of you would be surprised to know  that Poonthanam  has written four prayers in Tamil. The Tamil used by him  is very archaic   and is  mixed a lot with Malayalam and Sanskrit words.  In this work, he is trying to define what is Maya(illusion).)

1.Srushtikkum munpil  sachidanandamakiya  Brahmam yekam,

Intha  drusya prapancham nasichaal  Brhamam  Yekam.

Before creation  there was only one Brahmam  which was divinely joyous,

If the world we   see is completely destroyed   then also there would be only one Brahmam.

2.Vyashti samashti vidham  aayirunthalum  Brahmam Yekam,

Koti Vedantha   Sasthram Vicharichalum  vanthalum  Brahmam yekam.

Though beings are individual and are in Groups, there is only one Brahmam,

Even though we think of billions of Vedantha philosophy,  there is only one Brahmam.

3.Moola prakruthikku appalum, yippalum Brahmam yekam,

Maya muggunam   illathe  nirgunamagiya  Brahmam yekam,

 Before and after   the basic form of creation, there  is only one Brahmam,

Without the three  illusory characters, without any properties , there is only one Brahmam.

4.Kala thyathukku appothum ippothum  Brahmam yekam,

Maya kattina karanam poale irunthalum  Brahmam yekam.

Before and after  the past , present and future, There is only one Brahmam,

Even if it appears to be cause as shown by illusion , There is only one Brahmam.

5.Antha para brahma vasthu , padathil uditha mayai,

THuchamaanalum vasthavam poale maymkanantha  mayai

That thing called  divine Brahmam is   the illusion born at the feet,

And even if it is insignificant , it is an illusion  which will make you feel that  it is true.

6.THanakenthapadi venam, anthapadi cheyyum antha mayai ,

Jagadheswarananalum  kadakka  koodatha kaan antha mayai.

That illusion  acts  in a manner   that  it likes to act ,

And please know, that even god of universe  cannot cross that illusion.

7.SAthum asathum  sadaa sathumalla kaan antha  mayai,

Veda sastrangalum nirvachaneeyam   kaan  antha Mayai.

Please know  that illusion is neither true nor false and definitely not always true,

Please know   that even Vedas   and Sastras cannot define that  illusion.

8.Shudha spahatika  niram  aayirundhalum antha mayai,

Onnum thionnayju  irundu andhakaramai moodum kaan antha Mayai .

If  something is of the colour of pure crystal, that illusion,

Would  cover it with darkness and make it invisible . please know this.

9.Maya gunam thannai  cholla thulayathu , Rama, Rama,

Athil  ascharyathai naan aarodu cholluven Rama, Rama.

Oh Rama Oh Rama , it is difficult to tell about  Illusion,

Oh Rama , Rama, to whom shall I tell the wonders about it.

10,Ooyatha  janam ozhinthu , thulainthathe  , Rama, Rama,

Sruthi , yukthi, anubhava mukthi  kidacuthu Rama, Rama

Oh Rama, Rama, this endless  birth cycle has come to an end,

Oh Rama, Rama, I got Vedas , easy method  and experienced salvation.

11.Intha  mannil podi poale , ennam thulayaa Rama, Rama ,

Intha  kana chilam poale kandu kolla chonnar yengal desikan.

Oh Rama , Rama,  This is innumerable like the dust of the mud,

But my teacher told me to find it out like this anklet.

12.Karanmillathe  kariyam poi  vanthar  yengal desikangal,

Appol sachidananthane , seshikkum   yennar yengal desikar.

Like an act without cause I went several times  to our Guru,

And then our Guru told us  that only the true divine joy would be left out remaining.