Shanmukha

Subrahmanya or Shanmukha, the favourite God of Tamilians, has been addressed with a lot of adulation through many compositions by Venkata Kavi. The six abodes of Subrahmanya have been mentioned in various compositions and it is evident that he has also visited temple towns like Sikkil, Pazhani, Tanikachalam and Pazhamudir Sholai.

Senaapate namostute (Gowla) is a short and brisk composition, composed at Sikkil. The Goddess at this temple – Nadum vel kanni has been beautifully described as Shaktyaayataakshi in Sanskrit, in this composition.

 

pulinda kanyaa manamohana lola

bhoota ganaadi sevita paala

sanaka sanandanaadi munigana sannuta

shanmukha gnyaana dayaapara (Shiva senapate…)

 

In another composition, Adi mudi kaanaada (huseni), the composer addresses the Lord through a very interesting reference.

 

adi mudi kaanaada deivattin mel eri

anju mukham kanda deivame engal

aarumukham konda deivame

 

"You have climbed upon the Lord, whose beginning and end are unknown (referring to Lord Shiva) even to Brahma and Vishnu, and seen five faces there and you yourself sport six faces, oh Lord of Pazhani."

 

Gajamukha anujam (Kedaram) is a masterpiece, in which the poet describes the Lord through the minutest of details in lilting Sanksrit.

 

nirantara natana mayoora vaaham

nuta suramuni gana sujana samooham

sura ripu hara nava veera vyooham

sundaresha vaamaankaroham

 

"One who has an eternally dancing peacock as his vehicle; one who is worshipped by sages, devas, ganas; one who planned innovative war strategies to win over the devas, sits on the right lap of Lord Sundaresha."

 

A list of some of the compositions of Shanmukha is given below.