Golden Lay Verses

Verse 307 (மந்திர வைப்பு)

தமிழ் பாடல்

கணபதிக்கு வல்லபையாய்ப் புத்தி சித்திக்

கன்னியராம் கணபத்ய மானா என்னை

குணநிதியாங் குமரனுக்கு வள்ளிதேவ

குஞ்சரியாங் கௌமாரி யானா என்னை

வணமுகப்புப் பிரமனுடை நாவில் நின்றே

வாணியென வேதத்தைப் படைத்தா என்னை

பணமுகப்பிற் பள்ளிகொண்டான் மாலின் நெஞ்சப்

பதுமத்தில் வைணவியாய் நின்றா என்னை

Transliteration

Kaṇapatikku vallapaiyāyp putti citti

kaṉṉiyarām Kaṇapatya māṉā eṉṉai

Kuṇanidhiyāṅ kumaraṉukku Vaḷḷitēva

Kuñcariyāṅ kau māri yāṉā eṉṉai

Vaṇamukappup piramaṉuṭai nāvil niṉṟē

Vāṇiyeṉa vētattaip paṭaittā eṉṉai

Paṇamukappiṟ paḷḷikoṇṭāṉ Māliṉ neñcap

patumattil Vaiṇaviyāy niṉṟā eṉṉai.

Literal Translation

As (Ganapati’s) Vallabai—Buddhi and Siddhi—

(as) the maiden called Ganapatyā, I am.

As Valli-devī for the treasure of virtues, Kumaran,

(as) Kunjari, as Kaumārī, I am.

Standing upon the tongue of the four-faced Brahmā,

(as) Vāṇī, I created the Veda—(thus) I am.

In the lotus of the heart of Māl (Viṣṇu),

who reclines upon the many-hooded (serpent),

(as) Vaiṣṇavī, I stood—(thus) I am.

Interpretive Translation

The speaking voice identifies a single feminine power that appears in different divine households and functions: as Ganapati’s paired powers of intelligence and attainment; as Murugan/Kumara’s Valli (the sought, “creeper-like” beloved); as Brahma’s speech/learning that gives rise to Vedic revelation; and as the Vaishnavi presence established in Vishnu’s heart-lotus while he rests on the cosmic serpent. The refrain “I am” asserts one Shakti taking multiple names, roles, and locations.

Philosophical Explanation

1) Unity of Śakti behind sectarian forms: The verse lists four classical associations—Buddhi–Siddhi (with Gaṇeśa), Valli (with Kumāra/Murugan), Vāṇī/Sarasvatī (with Brahmā), and Vaiṣṇavī/Śrī (with Viṣṇu). Rather than treating these as separate goddesses, the speaker claims them as expressions of one underlying power.

2) Faculties rather than mere mythology: Each pairing can be read as a psychological–yogic function. Buddhi and Siddhi point to discernment and “accomplishment” (siddhi as attainment, not merely miracles). Valli suggests devotion/desire that binds and leads the seeker (also “vallī” as a creeper/vine, readily symbolizing a rising, entwining inner force). Vāṇī on Brahmā’s tongue points to mantra, speech, and revealed knowledge—the creative power of sound. Vaiṣṇavī in the heart-lotus points to sustaining harmony, bhakti, and the sattvic steadiness associated with Viṣṇu.

3) Siddhar-style inner mapping (possible): Siddhar texts often relocate deities into the subtle body. Gaṇeśa is frequently linked with foundational stability (lower centers), Murugan with dynamic yogic fire and ascent, Sarasvatī with articulation/mantra and subtle knowledge, and Viṣṇu with the heart (anāhata) as the seat of sustaining grace. The verse can thus be read as an internal cartography of one energy appearing at successive “stations” (speech/tongue, heart-lotus, etc.), without stating the mapping explicitly.

4) Alchemical/medical undertone (kept ambiguous): “Siddhi” can mean both spiritual attainment and perfected efficacy (including bodily perfection). “Vāṇī created the Veda” hints that the ‘substance’ of liberation is sonic/phonetic (nāda, mantra). The serpent-bed image can also resonate with kuṇḍalinī symbolism (serpentine power) while remaining, on the surface, orthodox Purāṇic imagery.

Key Concepts

  • Śakti as a single power with multiple names (eka-śakti, many forms)
  • Buddhi (intellect/discernment) and Siddhi (attainment/perfection)
  • Ganapatyā / Vallabā (Gaṇeśa’s feminine powers)
  • Valli-devī (Murugan/Kumāra’s consort; “creeper/vine” symbolism)
  • Kaumārī (the Kumara-associated goddess; one of the Mātr̥kās)
  • Vāṇī / Sarasvatī (speech, learning, Veda as revealed sound)
  • Brahmā’s four faces and the tongue (creation through speech/mantra)
  • Vaiṣṇavī (Viṣṇu-associated śakti; also resonant with Śrī/Lakṣmī)
  • Heart-lotus (hṛdaya-padma; locus of bhakti/sattva/subtle presence)
  • Viṣṇu reclining on the many-hooded serpent (Ādiśeṣa; also kuṇḍalinī resonance)

Ambiguities or Multiple Readings

  • Who is the speaker? It can be read as the Goddess/Śakti speaking, or as the Siddhar’s realized inner power (kuṇḍalinī/para-śakti) claiming these stations within the body.
  • “Ganapatyā” may be taken as a specific goddess-name, a sectarian identifier (Ganapatya), or simply “the Ganapati-related maiden power.”
  • “Siddhi” may mean mundane miraculous powers, general success, or the deeper sense of perfected attainment (mukti-oriented siddhi). The verse does not restrict it.
  • “Valli” can remain literal as Murugan’s consort, or be read symbolically as a ‘clinging/rising vine’ (inner force/longing) that leads the yogin upward.
  • “Standing on Brahmā’s tongue” can be literal mythic placement (Sarasvatī as speech), or a yogic cue toward mantra/nāda as the engine of creation and realization.
  • “Vaiṣṇavī in the heart-lotus” may indicate Lakṣmī-like auspiciousness, devotional centeredness, or an internal chakra-location; the text keeps all possibilities open.
  • The “many-hooded (serpent)” is straightforwardly Ādiśeṣa, yet it can also shadow-read as serpentine inner energy without explicitly stating kuṇḍalinī.