Mmgl Part 006-001 - Chakravalam Temple Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

(Goddess Manimegala advised
Manimegalai and Sudamadhi to
Leave the garden and proceed
to Chakravaalam Temple. As
it is a graveyard temple, a
doubt arises in the mind of
Sudamadhi. The Goddess
explains the importance of
Chakravaalam Temple. Later
on She takes Manimegalai thru'
the skyway to Manipallavam.)

THE MOONLIGHT SPREAD

The evening time disappeared.
With its rays, the moon appeared.
In the clear sky its faulty color
It made its look very poor.

Still, its shining cool rays flowed,
Like the milk from the pot poured.
In the honey overflowing garden,
The moonlight was seen in between.

THE GODDESS APPEARED

In the shape of a beautiful girl,
To play her timely helping role,
Like the lightning came in speed,
Goddess Manimegala appeared.

Buddha's altar first she touched.
The Lord she worshiped and praised.
As a girl from Pugar she posed.
Her veneration to him she exposed.

What for Sudamadhi stood,
She asked and understood.
To help them there she came,
Without revealing her name.

SUGGESTION OF THE GODDESS

What Sudamadhi said,
The goddess heard.
That thru' Chitrapathi
He would get Manimegalai.

The goddess said then,
"The prince has just gone,
As in this flower garden
Live the ascetic ones."

"He'll still be after her.
To the temple Chakravalam
So, better go from here
And spend the night time."

"By the main road don't go.
Thru' the small western gate go.
Ascetics many live there.
You can stay with no fear."

SUDAMADHI'S QUESTION

Sudamadhi questioned:

"Barring the cunning Marudha Vegan,
And you the charming beautiful one,
To the rest of the people it's known
As a graveyard outside this town."

"How it's Chakravalam Temple?
Answer this question simple.
What's the hidden reason
To call it temple of the town? "

THE GODDESS EXPLAINED

The Goddess began to explain
The background and its reason,
"With no fear you listen.
Though it'll be dark soon."

"The burning ghat is near
The flower garden here.
To burn corpses in fire.
It belongs to this Pugar."


FOUR BIG GATES

"There're four gates.
One is meant for Devas,
With all artistic designs
And ornamental works."

"The second one leads,
To the paddy fields,
Sugar cane wet lands,
And tank water beds."

"The third is a simple gate,
That has no work of art.
It's given a lime coating.
That's like silver shining."

"The fourth gate is one,
That's dedicated to a demon.
It has a tongue protruding
And two eyes terrifying."

VARIOUS TEMPLES

"Some men strong willed,
There own lives they killed.
It's a kind of vow they took.
Their heads hang in a hook."

"A tall tree spread
Its own branches wide,
On all the four sides
Around the courtyard."

"There's a tall altar
For anyone to offer
Their sacrifice proper,
To Durga the savior."

"Small temples many stood,
O'er dear and near dead.
They're tomb temple odds,
Of their personal gods."

"Tall pillars stand there
For the people to offer
Their sacrifices neatly
And in a manner orderly."

"There're raised platforms,
Closed shelters and rooms,
For anyone to take rest,
Or have sleep nice and best."

"Scattered there are many things,
Like dead ones belongings,
Smoky flags, leaf-hangings,
Burnt torches and odd things."

"This area is Chakravalam,
The dead ones sacred realm,
About which I was telling,
A place fit for hiding."