Dhandapani Swamigal.. Vanna Saraba Dhandapani Swamigal..
Dandapani Swamigal (November 28, 1839 – July 5, 1898) was a Saint-poet who lived in Tamil Nadu. He considered himself as a humble slave to Lord Muruga. He was very expert in penning Tamil poems. He is also known as Vannacharapam Dandapani Swami, Thirupugallcha Swami, and Murugadasa Swami. Apart from singing bhakti songs, in the 19th century he sang ‘Angliar Anthadi’ against British imperialism.
He was born in 1839 to Senthilnayagam Pillai-Pachimuthu, who served as a commander in Nelkotum Chevval Chitraras in Tirunelveli , Tamil Nadu . His birth name is Shankaralingam. He developed devotion to Murugan through his father’s friend Sitarama Naidu. After completing his primary education, he became very proficient in Tamil at a young age. He was able to write poetry at the age of eight. At that age, he sang it in a rare venpa for singing, explaining how the goddess “Bhumi Devi” got her name. Sitarama Naidu, who was amazed to see his poetic prowess, gave him the special name “Oya Mari”. At the age of thirteen, he became known as ‘Vannacharapam’ because of his prowess in singing ‘ Saram ‘ and ‘Murugadasa’ because of his praises of Murugan. He was also known as “Thirupugal Swami” because he loved to sing Thirupugal songs of Murugan. Dandapani was also known as the Swami, as he had a kaupeenam on his waist and a danda in his hand. He has visited several temples from Avinasi to Vellore, Kerala and Sri Lanka.
Dandapani Swami wrote many songs in Panayolai using the pen called ‘Sarvadharani’. He sang more than one lakh Tamil songs. But at present only 50 thousand songs are available. He has also sung in praise of Vaishnavism sages such as Periyazwar, Kulasekarazhwar, Andal etc. He praised ancient poets in many ways.
SONGS IN PRAISE OF LORD MURUGA
Oh Muruga, Oh Muruga, Oh Muruga
1.Please come riding on a peacock.
Come with your vadi vel(Long spear)
Give me comfort, suitability, fame,
Penance, ability, wealth and importance.
2.There are several devotees here,
Please give all of them freedom,
Oh end of the endless Vedas,
Oh end of Asuras, Oh Vadivela of the desired form.
3.Oh Meaning of Vedas, come,
Oh bravery, oh fire, come,
Oh Vadivel who dries the sea of worries,
Of all those who keep on worrying.
4.Oh relative who lives in Indra’s capital,
Shower your grace, I surrender, surrender
Oh Subrahmanya, Oh Velava who is like a flame,
Which is angry and drives away all ills, I surrender.
5. In the temple called wisdom,
we sit in your lap which is your grace,
Please come with a blazing Vel,
Please shower your grace so that,
The entire world gets a rich new life.
6.Oh Teacher, oh son of Lord Parameshwara,
Oh bright flame which grows inside a cave,
Please give me a work and its result,
Oh commander of devas, I surrender, I surrender
DHANDAPANI DEVA SARANAM
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR