(harichandran) 01 The Prayer Songs.

This story is from the famous epic Mahabharat and has been retold by many authours in several languages. The Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi loved this story for its moral that speaks of faith in the truth, honesty and courage. Some 600 years ago, a famous Tamil Poet Veerakavirayar wrote in Tamil Harichandran Puranam in the Tamil Venba style. He was an Aasu Kavi (Spontaneous Poet) next to Kalamegam of ancient times. It is next to impossible to translate his work in English word by word. He has written more than 1000 verses running to more than 600 pages. I have, however, brought in some of his excellence in about 76 pages in my own simple style for the reading pleasure of the world poetry lovers. The readers are requested to send their comments to my email address: [email protected], for which I will be grateful to them. The story goes starting with a prayer song to Gods in the heaven. Prayer to Lord Ganesh. Oh the merciful Lord Ganesh, It’s my only humble wish, That You grant me a boon, Sooner or later, better soon. When You dance in single, I hear Your anklets jingle! How happy I become. Here, when You come! Your elephant face is one That attracts everyone! To grant our every wish, You’re the first One to rush. You remove our every hurdle, And free us from our struggle. By your mercy, we have fame And each one, a popular name. I’ve with me to give you, My humble respects for you, Besides my offer of cane juice, Pressed rice, and fruit juice. For this, you grant my wish, That I shall, with no blemish, Write on the life of a King, An exceptional human being. His name was Harichandran. In Solar race, he was born. The world, in praise, to sing, Allow me, his story to bring. Prayer to Lord Shiva From Brahma, the Creator, Vishnu, the Protector, And Shiva, the Destroyer, I seek next their favour. Shiva gave His consort, Left half of his body part, To reveal to this world, Shiva-Sakthi in one fold. He represents Vedas four, Sama, Adarvana, Rig, Yajur, And is spread in five elements, Earth, water, fire, air, space. From His invisible form, He comes out, some time, And takes a visible form, To please His devotees. The beautiful crescent moon, O’er His head, he has worn. He takes pride in Tamil, And likes to be praised well. Two of His divine children, Lord Ganesh, Lord Murugan, His two merciful creations, Offer us all the protections. To Lord Shiva’s lotus feet, This only request, I submit. Let me write on this King, Who gave up everything. Prayer to Mother Kaalli Your names are many, As sweet as the honey, Oh merciful Mother Kaalli You’re seated o’er Yaalli. Allow me to keep your feet O’er my head, when I write The noble story of Harichandran, Who was an extra-ordinary man. Prayer to Goddess Kalaimagal Oh Goddess Kalaimagal Give me all the skill To write about this King, Who was, for truth, fighting. Appeal to the wise men Oh you, the wise men, listen, May I request your pardon, If there’s any unknown fault In whatever I may write. With milk, water gets mixed. With paddy, husks get mixed. With garland, thread gets mixed. So, are my words, good and bad mixed I appeal to the wise all To take my good ones well, And leave away the rest, That may not sound best.