Tirumantiram - TANTRA ONE - 18 TO BE LOVE-POSSESSED

Tirumantiram

English translation of the Tamil Spiritual Classic by Saint Tirumular

 

TANTRA ONE

18 TO BE LOVE-POSSESSED

 

270: Love and Siva are One

 

The ignorant prate that Love and Siva are two,

But none do know that Love alone is Siva

When men but know that Love and Siva are the same,

Love as Siva, they e'er remained.

 

 

271: Lay Love's Garland at Lord's Feet

 

He of the leopard's skin, gleaming brighter than gold,

His tender crescent flashing rich with argent ray,

The Great Dancer, with burning ashes smeared thick;

At His Feet, my garland, plaited with Love's incense, I lay.

 

 

272: Melt in Love and Possess Him

 

You may turn your bone to fuel, your flesh to meat,

And let them roast and sizzle to the gold-red blaze;

But unless your heart melts in the sweet ecstasy of Love,

My Lord, my Treasure-trove, you ne'er can possess.

 

 

273: Love Hara and See Him

 

They, of intense love, Hara surely see,

They, of the compassionate heart, see the Holy Feet to praise;

The world-burdened see only life's revolving wheel,

And, in Horror's mazes lost, enter Hell's trackless ways.

 

 

274: Love Him, He Loves You

 

My God, the melter of my heart of love, let all adore;

My God, the Lord of primal Love, First of Beings ever,

My God, who again and again melts my heart, Nandi Lord,

May He render me His Love in foremost measure!

 

 

275: He is Enthroned in Love

 

Praise Him but once, the Pure and Holy One;

For e'er your heavenly escort He'll be,

He, the Lord Siva, deckt in honeyed konrai blooms--

He sat enthroned in my love, steadfast and free.

 

 

276: His Love is Unending

 

Many know not Him who first wrought this world,

And wrapt in infinite Love, born of His lordly Grace;

In this world, evil-ridden, He filled our life

With His love unending, He, the Lord of limitless space.

 

 

277: His Love is Blessings All

 

The Light Refulgent emits beams of purest gold;

Plant that deep and firm in heart; raising worship thus,

If you, in yearning song, seek Isan's Grace,

Then, sure, no end be to His blessings copious.

 

 

278: Seek in Love the Heavenly Father

 

Birth He caused, and Death, too, in its wake;

This mystery we daily see; and yet mankind

Cling in deep desire to life, but call not on Him,

Nor seek Him, saying, "Our Father, great and kind."

 

 

279: He is Our Refuge

 

Inside Love is He; in outer Nature is He; as body also is He;

The past and future is He; the Lord of Rishis is He;

The Precious One who inside Love resides,

Only those, who in Love reside, find in Him the Refuge free.