tiruvAcagam or The Sacred Utterances of the Tamil Poet, Saint and ...

Hymn IX: thiruppoRcuNNam (Ananthamanolayam)
THE SACRED GOLD DUST.
THE MERGING OF THE SOUL IN RAPTURE.
In the VAthaVurar PurAnam V, 63, we are told that the Sage when in Tillai saw women pounding the gold dust
which, mixed with perfumes, is strewn on the heads of distinguished visitors to the shrine, and on great occasions is
lavishly thrown over all things and persons connected with the worship. As they pounded, they sung foolish songs;
and he composed these twenty verses, in a somewhat loose metre, to be sung in time with the pestles. The song is
much admired, but is a little obscure, and almost colloquial. I have tried to preserve the rhythm,—five principal
accounts in each half line.
Metre : AruchIradi Achiriaviruttam
I. Reverence to the various queens of heaven
The pearl-twined wreath and flowery garland raise;
the flower-vase place, incense, and sacred lamp !
To Catti, COmi Goddess-earth, and Queen
of speech, chaunt ye auspicious songs !
For Çitti, Gauri, PArppathi, and Gangai,—haste,
and coming wave your cooling fans !
The Sire, Lord of AyyAr, the Father-King extol,
and dancing, POUND THE SACRED DUST OF GOLD ! (4)
II. Devoutly do this service.
For our Lord of the flowing-crowned lock
we needs must POUND THE SACRED DUST OF GOLD !
Ye of the beauteous shapely eyes, come ye,
and coming all, with us in union sing,
Cry out, nor stand aloof from the devoted throng;
bow down, our King, our Dancer worshipping !
The Goddess and He coming shall we take us
for theirs: POUND WE THE DUST OF RUDDY GOLD ! (8)
III. Adorn the place as a sacred pavilion.
Adorn with beauteous ashes, cleanse the place;
sprinkle pure gold, the treasures spread ye out,
Plant Indra's sacred tree; lift everywhere
the banner, placing round soft gleaming lights !
For the King of the heavenly ones; the Lord of Ayan, the Monarch;
the Lord, the Sire of VElan the good;
For the spouse of the Mistress who rules such as we:
POUND WE BEFITTING DUST OF GOLD ! (12)
IV.
Adorn each pestle with glistening gems;
the handle and mortar adorn ye !
The loving, lowly devotees, salute
and wish them lasting bliss !
The golden shrine of sacred Ekamban in Kachi,