KumaraSwamiyam
-2
Shri V Padmanabhan is a great scholar
& has contributed a lot to Tamil literature.
He has published English translations of the
much sought after Tirukkural, Naaliadiyar,
Thiruvalluvar as a Living Legend & many
others. Post graduate in
Commerce from University of
Madras, retired from the
services of an international
bank and now
a senior
citizen.
363
An Ancient Tamil Classic
Translated by
Viswalingam Padmanabhan,
India
T amil is one of the most ancient
Indian languages & there are many
classical Jyotisha secrets in Tamil
literature. One such is Kumaraswamiyam
& many scholars have given it his highest
pedestal. In Tamil language,
Kumaraswami means lord Muruga son of
Lord Shiva. Initially Lord Shiva is telling
astrology to Lord Muruga. He in return
passes it on to Rishi Agasthiyar that our
current deeds are based on past karma.
In the translation assignment, this author
has striven very hard to give below the
best possible translation from his
knowledge & trust many will agree. If
they have some corrections / suggestions
on the same, they can contact us. One will
appreciate & understand how difficult it is
to translate from a traditional epic given in
poetic Tamil of good olden days into
modern Tamil and then into English. It is
a very painstaking job that deserves
accolades.
 ꣡Pù¡ 輬í ̈¶„ êùªùªõ‰ ¶òó ñ£ŸÁ
cŸP¬ù ÞQ¶ ï™A G¬ø‰îõ¡ ñ¬ø‰¶ «ð£ù£¡
YŸøI™ õEè «óÁ‰ Fˉªóù MNˆî£¡ «õô˜
«ð£ŸPù¡ ¹è›‰î£¡ è‡a˜ ªð£N‰î£¡ ¹¬è ºŸø£¡
The peace loving Velavan suddenly woke up with tears
Rolling down his cheeks in gratitude for achieving what he wanted.
(39)
Ý®ù£ùö™ «ê˜¾Ÿø õó‚ªèùõèƒ °¬ö‰î£¡
ð£®ù£¡ ðóñ£ù‰îŠ ðó¬õJŸ ð®‰î£ù¡H
m®ù£Qñô¡ «è£J Qô¾ ê¡QF¬ò„ ꣘‰¶
Å®ù£¡ èóƒèœ ªê¡Q ¶Fˆîù¡ õ£Œ ªè£÷£«î

Lord Velavan was moved in delight, face lit & magnetized

Sang & danced in praise of Lord Shiva and rushed
To the shrine of the flawless Lord Shiva with arms over his head
To render vocal & floral tributes for the invaluable guidance offered. (40)

«õôõ¡ 輬íªò™ô£‹ M÷‚Aò ªêŒ»‡ñ£¬ô

ê£ôù¡AQ¶ ꣈Fˆ î¬óI¬êŠ ðE‰ªî¿‰¶
ð£ôùªñ£Nò£œ õœO ð£èù™ M¬ì»‹ ªðŸÁ
«ñôõ˜ ¹èö£ GŸ°‹ i¬óò‹ðF¬ò„ ꣘‰î£¡
Struck with awe Lord Velavan, the consort of Valli,
Could not hide his admiration for getting his prayer answered.
He prostrated in the feet of Lord Shiva and pleaded (41)
For his permission to proceed to his well celebrated abode.

༰ªñŒò®ò£ ¼œ÷ºõ‰îù ªõ™ô£ï™°ƒ

°¼Fªè£Š¹O‚°‹¬õA «õŸ°ñóù ÷‚ ªè£‡´
º¼èM› º™¬ô ð£˜ð¡ º‰¶ «ê£Fƒèª÷™ô£ƒ
è¼Fòõòùªñ£¡PŸ èêìøŠ ðJ¡P†ì£ù£™
Lord Velavan is now the proud owner of the astrological text sought
With great desire and felt that knowledge acquired from it will help
In alleviating the suffering of the devotees who are equally confident (42)
That HE will come to their rescue after studying the details in the text.

裡øI¡ IŠÌ‡ñ£˜ð¡ èŸðºƒ°E‚èõ™ô

õ£¡ø ï™ôPëù£A òŸ¹îªñõ£˜‚°‰ «î£¡ø„
꣡ø ªñŒŠðô¡èª÷™ô£‰ îóE«ò£˜‚A¬êò‚ ÃP
f¡øõ†AÁFï£À «ñŒ‰F´ èF»‰«î˜‰î£¡
The handsome Velavan decked with pearls and flowers has
Equipped himself with the requisite knowledge to forecast the events
To warn the suffering masses in the world so that palliative steps (43)
Can be arranged by them & to inform the time of demise of their parents.

ªðKòð¡ ñ¬ôèª÷™ô£‹ Høƒ°‡í£® î¡Â†

ªìK¾ø‚ 裆´ñ£«ð£Ÿ Yõð™«è£®è†°
ºKò ð™°íºIƒé«ù£õÁ ªî£N½ ñŸÁ‹
MKò º‚è£ô‰î¡Âœ M¬÷ªð£¼œ ðô¾‰«î£¡ø
The astrological text can indicate as clearly as a vast mountain
364
Exhibits its products. Similarly the occupation,
Life style & other details of all human beings on this earth (44)
Can be predicted over their past, present & future events & births.

àôèºñ¬ô¾ø£ñ ½ò˜‰îî¡ ªðòó£ªô¡Á

Iô°øM‰î ˬô ªò‹ñ«ù£˜‚Aò‹Hù£ù£™
MôAM™½I¿‹ «õŸ¬è Mñô«ù ðóªñ¡ÁŸ«ø£
ùôè¼ è¬ô膪è™ô£ ñ£èóñ£Jù£«ù
The astrological script gifted by Lord Shiva
To Lord Velavan is an everlasting document which forms
The basis for affording comfort, to the suffering masses (45)
In the tireless world, from impediments.

ªê™½Á‹ ªð£N™èœ Å¿… ªê‰Fô‹ðF¬ò„ «ê˜‰¶

ªõ™ô¼ƒèF˜ ªè£œ«õô¡ M÷ƒ°ê‰GFJô‰î„
ªê£™ô¼‹ ¹èö‚ °ñ£ó ²õ£Iòªñ¡Â ˬô
ªò™ô¼ƒ èùèŠÌí£ QQîóƒ«èŸPù£«ù
Kumaraswamiyam is the name of the sacred document
Which was inaugurated in the victorious abode Tiruchendur
Having flourishing flower gardens and orchards by the elegant (46)
And heroic Lord Velavan appearing in all grandeur.

ñQ õ£Â÷£¼ ñA›‰F ªè£‡ì£ìõŠ«ð£

FQFQªî¡ù£õƒé ªù¿‰î«î£˜ ªîŒõõ£‚°Š
¹Qîõ‰ËL½œ÷ ªð£¼ª÷ô£… ªêMè÷£ó‚
èQî¼ è¼¬í «õô¡ èOˆî¼œ ¹K‰î£¡ ñ¡«ù£
The courteous Lord Velavan gleefully released
The contents of the astrological text in the assembly of anxious
And expectant devotees from both worlds and explained (47)
How this could forewarn the hurdles so as to take corrective steps.

裊¹

«ð£Fìñ£Aò «õFòù£î ¹ó£îù¡ ñ£¡ºî«ô£˜

ßFìñ£Œ õ¼õ£ªóQ™ ò£¾‹ Mì£Fò™ð£è ïM™
«ê£Fì «ñFìñ£è ï죾 °ñ£ó²õ£Iò‹ ñ£¡
æFì«õªòù «î£óè‹ õ£›ðõ¬ùê «è£îó«ù
Invocation Song

Kumaraswamiyam is an authentic astrological text as it is scripted

By Lord Muruga from the inputs spelt out by Lord Shiva and as such
The predictions will hold good even if divine persons like Lord Brahma
Are born on this earth. May the blessings of Erakathipathi, brother of
Vinayaka, be invoked for its success.

ð£Jó‹

ÝFºîŸ°ð«îê ꟰¼ «îC衺¡

ÜèˆFò‚°¬óˆî¼œ «ê£FìˆFò™ð‰ï£O™
æF¬õï£JLù˜ õC†ì˜ èŸèªó¾ù
«ó£ñê˜ ðó£êó˜ ñ¸ ï£óî˜ Mò£ê˜
«ð£îèóƒ Aó£ñóˆFK ñgC ¹¼°„ê˜
365
 ¹è˜ ê¾ù ê¾ùè˜ è£CðKõ˜ ¹ˆFJù£™
ãªîQ‹ èõ˜èìƒè† Aò¡ø¶ ñ£ˆFóƒèŸ
Pš¾ôALõ˜ ºî«ô£˜ ªê£ùî ðKIî«ñ 
Songs of the Epic

In response to the request of Subrahmanya, the Lord

Who preached the meaning of Pranav mantra to the foremost
Lord Shiva, the text to relieve the distressed masses was released
To supreme sage Agasthiar & spread through eighteen savants.

Vashister, Karkar, Yavanar, Romaser, Parasarar, Vyasar, Naradhar,

Manu, Bogar, Angiramar, Brugacher, Buger, Savanar, Savunagar,
Athiri, Marisi, Kaasibar, Inar, were the eighteen siddhars each of whom (1)
Scripted many books with contents based on their own interpretation.

Þõ˜èÀ¬óˆîù «õ£¬óê£ó‹ óˆù«è£ê‹

Þ‰¶õE «õ£¬ó ªñŒ…ë£ù ŠKFM«ò£è
¾õKêîñ…êK hô£õFê£îèèŸ
«ð£îùªñ‡õ˜‚è ªñ‹ ê‚èóªñŒ‚ °¬îò‹
ïõGFòñK†ì ïõcî‹ õ£ó«ñ¬ó
ïòõ™A¼w¬í Cˆî£‰î‹ õ£‚AòI¡ùùªõ…
ê¾Kòðó£‚Aóñƒ «èóOô‹ð£è‰
è£ôˆîPõ¶ Hóè£C„YðF«ò
Vorasaaram, Ratnakosam, Gnanaprithivi, Chandraabharanavorai,
Yogarunavam, Yogasadamanjari, Leelavathy, Jaathakapaarijatham,
Ashtavargam, Kaalachakram, Narachakram, Navanithiyam, Vaaramerai,
Arishta Navaneetham, Saaravali, Kishtneeyam, Siddhanthavaakiyam,

Baragitham, Savuriyaparaakiramam, Kaalamarithal, Keralilambagam,

Kaalaprakasi, Shripathi, are the many astrological books crafted
By the above said Siddhars based on their individual wisdom
And power of explaining the concept behind the astrological terms. (2)

ðFðô«êèó‹ ¹õùŠ HKFMèˆ ðô¬î

ðó£êK¼ õ£êKò ñ£Kò¹ì‹ ðôî£
MîŠóðôºÃ˜ˆî Mî£ùˆ¶÷ñ£îMò‹
MFôHî…꣉Fð죋 MèE†´íõ‹
CîŠðìˆFò™¹ì MˆFó¬ñ‹¹†êóñˆ
FKñôñ«ù£ñ¡ù˜ FùºÃ˜ˆîˆF¬óò‹
ñ÷¶ ªîKêù‹ ªê£Ÿðù‹ ê°ù‹ è£î™
ñŸø¬õ º¡ù£À÷ M‰ï£O‹ ñŸÁ÷«õ
Bavagapalasekaram, Bhuvanaprithivi, Kalpalatha, Poorvaparaasariyam,
UttharaParasaariyam, Arya Sphutam, Palathavithapprabalam,
Muhurthamaathaviyam, Vithilapitham, Saanthipadaam, Aganitham,
Andagolappaguthi, Boogolagai, Panchapakshi, saranool, Kuttarkaaraam,

Thirimalasambirathayam, Mano Maandaviyam, Thina

Muhurthathiraiyam, Mathathullathu, Therisanai, Sorpanam (Dreams),
Sagunam (Omen),
Kaathal (Love), were the ancient texts. There were a few others formulated
Recently which complimented the above books by the eighteen Siddhars. (3)
366
 ñŸÁ÷cŸ è÷ˆîê¡ê˜ õ£˜ˆîC‰î£ ñEJš
õ¬èŠ«ð˜ðˆ FK¬èꋹ õ£…CJ¼ ï£î‹
àŸøðô 蟪ø£N™ê£ î舶îò‹ «õ‹ðˆ
Éó¼œ÷ º¬ìò£¡«è êMîùªñ† ´÷¶ƒ
èŸPõKŠ ð®ðôõ£Œˆ îƒèœè† °¬ìò
輈¶÷ªîš õ÷¾÷ îšõ÷¾èEŠ ðîù£Ÿ
ªê£ŸPìªôŠ ð®ªòQLŠ «ð˜Šðô«ê èóñ£Œ„
ªê£™õîF êòº÷° ñ£ó²õ£ Iò«ñ
Neelakandathasiyam, Sarvaartha Chinthamani, Sarvatho Pathrikai ‐
Sambunathaviyam, Vaanchinathaviyam, Saathagabalarathnam,
Saathagaseevanam, Sinendramaalai, Ullamudaiyan, Kesaviyam,
Attaisvaryam and a few more are the recent additions to those

Computed by savants based on their skills of interpretation

Of the holy astrological texts promoted by Lord Shiva.
It is only here Kumaraswamiyam’s innovation comes handy in
Providing precise astrological solutions to relieve the toiling masses. (4)

(Verse 1 denotes the names of Siddhars & verses 2‐4 denote the names of
various texts in Tamil, which are transliterated in English.)

Þò™¹÷MŠ ðôº¿¶… «êèKˆªî£¡ ø£è

Þò‹¹ñF êòº÷° ñ£ó² õ£Iò«ñ
¹òªù¿¶‹ ⿈¶ñõ¡ ⿈¶Iò™ ð£èŠ
¹è™õ¶è‡ ®îQò™HŠ ¹MJ½«÷£˜‚ èPò
õòº÷ê‰ î£êô„ªê‰ ɘ‚èFð¡ i¬ó
õ¼ñ£P ò£´ªð¼ ñ£œ¹î™õ ù£ù
ªêòI°‹Hó ðô²ºè °ñ£ó²õ£ I‚«è£˜
ªîŒõñõ Â÷ˆF¼‰¶ F¼¾÷‹ðŸ Pò«î
Lord Subrahmanya, the resident of Tiruchendur said
To be the sandal wood mount, the son of Lord Shiva shrined
In Veeranallur, has pronounced the text from his inner mind
And this is named as Kumaraswamiyam.

This holy astrological text could predict events,

As destined by Lord Brahma in the life of toiling masses,
So precisely that these persons could take appropriate steps
To alleviate their suffering to the extent feasible. (5)

ËŸðò¡

Üšõ¬òõ†A¬÷òõªù‡ ªí¿ˆF¼è‡ ªîŒõˆ

î£ô£è£ ªîQªñŒˆ ªî£‡ì÷ ªîšõ÷¾‡
®š¾ô蘂° ¬óˆî¶êˆ FòªñÂñ£˜‚ è‡ìŸ
AøŠH¼‹ªð¡ ¬ø‚°ªñ£¡ªø¡ P¬êˆî¶«è† ®¼‰¶‹
蚬õJ™ð£‚ Aòè£ôˆ îòˆîõù£ A½‰¶Ÿ
è£ôñP‰ î¬î‚èìˆî‚ èì¾÷˜‚°ƒ èìõ£ˆ
ªîšõ´«õ ô£»îîŸ ð󰼫î Cè¬ù„
C‰¬îªêò ôõªùñù£‰ îè¡ ªüèˆF‰Fó«ù

Synopsis of the text (Noorpayan)

367
“The science of numbers and the niceties of literature
Are considered as two eyes for a contended life on earth.”
So said the famous personalities, Thiruvalluvar & Avvaiyar. Here
The numbers represent astrology & literature depicts the values of our life.

(Note: Lead a moral life as demanded by our ancient literature & use
Astrology for guidance.)

The life of Markandeya envisages that relentless efforts

Coupled with the grace of Lord Subrahmanya could
Even overrule one’s destiny and provide longevity & comforts as
Enjoyed by Indran, provided one has faith in Lord Subrahmanya.

(Note: Verse 619 of Thirukkural amply vouches the above thesis that
(6)
Sincere efforts can definitely yield fruits even if willed otherwise by
GOD)

Íô裇ì‹

è£MòMò™ ðìô‹

̃èñôˆ «îõù¼œ ªð£Ÿè숶œ ðMˆî

ªð£Fòõ¬ó‚ °ÁºQªê‰ îI›Šªð£¼œ«è† ðîŸè£Œ
æƒAòê‰ î£êô„ªê‰ ɘ‚Aõªùˆ Fùº‹
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Aò«ê£ FìˆFò™ªê£™ °¼ï£î «îõ
êè£òF¼ ¾÷IóƒAˆ î‚èªîù‚ ªèº¡
«îƒèñ›õ£Œ ñô˜‰¶Fù ºîŸ«ð˜ªê£Ÿ øùùˆ
FKî¼¹ˆ FKªòÂñˆ FK¹¬óˆ Fó«ù 
Principal Chapter (Moola Kandam)

Natural Epic ‐ Section (Kaaviyaviyar Padalam)

The resident of Pothigai Mount, Sage Agasthiar, although structured

By Lord Brahma as a dwarf, is an ardent lover of Tamil & he visits
Tiruchendur, the resort in Sandal wood mount for updating his
Knowledge of Tamil Literature from Lord Muruga.

An idea conceived in his mind to study the impact of environment

On human beings prompted Sage Agasthiar to appeal to Lord Muruga
To appraise him about astrological implications for enriching his
knowledge. (1)
Lord Muruga initiated the study by revealing the details of stars & planets.

368
 Fù£Fñ£îòŠ ðìô‹

ï†êˆFóˆF¡ ªðò˜èœ

Þó¬ôðKŠ «ðó´ŠH¡ «ðªóKŠ«ð˜ 𣘈«î

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Fó˜«ð˜c˜Š «ð˜º®Š«ð˜ Yîó¡«ð˜ i„ªê‚
°¼Mù‹«ð˜ ï£NŠ«ð óó²ºó ²Š«ð
«ó£ìŠ«ð ó²ðFªî£† ´¬óŠð¶IŠ «ð«ó
The Chapter on the names & allied details
I) Names of the main stars & their synonyms*
Constellations around the globe consist mainly of twenty‐ seven
Stars and they are Aswini known as face of a horse, Bharani as an oven,
Krittika as a glow of fire, Rohini as a rolling chariot, Mrigasira
As the head of a stag, Aridra (thiruvathirai) as Veena, Punarvasu as a bamboo
stem,
Pushyami (poosam) as a flower, Aslesha (ayilyam) as a serpant, Makha as
A plough, Pubba (pooram) as a bandicoot, Uttara (uthiram) as water bodies,
Hasta as healthy palm, Chitta (chithirai) as a cloth, Swati as a lotus
Visakha as a winnow, Anuradha (anusham) as a palmyrah, Jyeshta (kettai) as
Devil, Moola as a demon, Poorvashada (Pooradam) as water bodies, Uttarashada as
An angel, Sravana (thiruvonam) as a conservator, Dhanishta (avittam) as
A bird, Satabhisha (sadayam) as oil press, Poorvabhadra (poorattathi) as
A measure of volume, Uttarabhadra (uthirattathi) as an emperor, and Revati as a
boat.

*(Several words are given as names of stars having a similar meaning to fall in line (1)
with Tamil poetic grammar and only one among them is translated)

Aóè£Fð˜ ðKò£ò ï£ñº‹ Üõ˜ ¹î™õ˜ ï£ñº‹

ð¶ñQ¡ ðKFŠ«ð˜ êCò£‹ð L¡ñ£¡

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ÞîIªôñ‡ ì芫ð˜M ìè®¬è °Oè¡
Þ¡ùI˜î‹ Þ¼‰îõ˜èœ ¹î™õ˜èOŠ «ð«ó

369
 Names of Planets with their synonyms & names of offspring
Planets Names Offspring Names
Sun Paduman, Inan & Paruthi Kaalan
Moon Sasi, Ambuli, Maanbamirai Kalaignanapathan
Mars Seypavuman, Paarmagan & Balagan Karesan
Mercury Vidhuthanayan & Maal Arthapragaran
Jupiter Vedhiyan & ponguru Yamakandakan
Venus Velli & Pugarparkavan Vidakadigai
Saturn Visidhan, yeman, Neelan & Kadhirsudhan Kuligan
Rahu Pani Amirthagadigai
Ketu Siki Avamirutthu (2)
Þó£CèO¡ ðKò£òŠªðò˜èœ
Þó£C ºîLòõŸP¡ ªð£¶Šªðò˜èœ

õ¼¬ìJ¡«ð˜ M¬ìŠ«ð˜ ò£›è¬îªî£‰ ¶õñ£

¬ñ¶ùó£ CŠ«ð˜è£˜ ªè£‡ìôô õ¡«ð˜
I¼èó²Š «ð˜ñ£F¡ «ð˜¶¬ôŠ«ð˜ «îœ«ð˜
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ªñ£N‰îù¡º‹ ºîŸ°ªñ£¼ ºîŸ°ªñ£¼ ºî«ô
Synonyms Of Rasis And Their Actual Names
Aries (Mesham) is known as Ram, Taurus (Rishbam) is known as bull, Gemini
(midhunam) is known As Twins, Cancer (Katakam) is known as Crab, Leo
(Simham) is Known as Lion, Virgo (Kanni) is known as Virgin, Libra (Tula) is
known as Balance, Scorpio(Vrichigam) Is known as Scorpion, Sagittarius (Dhanus)
is known as Bow, Capricorn (Makaram)
Is known as the head of a stag, Aquarius ( Kumbham) is known
As a Pot with a narrow mouth and pisces (Meenam ) is known
As Fish. Rasi is also known as Bhavagam, Days are known
By stars and dates of the week are represented by planets’ name.
The synonyms of rasis although many in number in native language, they have
similar Meaning & hence one such name is translated as above. The names of
thithis take their Actual name with no synonyms. The resident of fertile Pothigai
Mount, Agasthiar
Was apprised of all the above by Lord Subrahmanya, the unique son of Lord Shiva. (3)
«ò£è èóí ï£ñ‹

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370