In addition to these verses in Tamil that constitute the Divya Prabandham, Kulasekara Alwar also composed Mukunda Mala Stotra (garland of Mukunda) in Sanskrit in praise of Krishna.
Was Kulasekara a Malayali, Tamil or Sanskrit speaking high-born? We may never know. What we know is his devotion to the Lord that shines through all these verses regardless of the language it was written in.
Perumal Thirumozhi – The Fifth set of Ten
688. Oh Lord who has manifested in the Thiru Vithuvakodu temple surrounded by fragrant gardens! (This refers to the Sri Uyyavandha Perumal Temple located in present day Kerala that is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during their exile.) I have no other place but your feet to seek refuge from the sorrows that are caused by you! (You are the problem and you are the solution!) I am like the baby who is chided by his mother, who still cries to be carried & loved by his mother!
689. Oh Lord who has manifested in the Thiru Vithuvakodu temple where trees grow as though touching the skies! Like the wife who stays loyal even though the husband speaks harsh words to her, even when you don’t dispel my sorrows, I still seek refuge at your feet.
690. Oh Lord who has manifested in the Thiru Vithuvakodu temple surrounded by paddy fields where fish swim in the stagnant waters! Even when you don’t bless me, I will not forsake you and go to someone else. Even when a king doesn’t protect the property of his people, his royal insignia still commands the loyal of his people.
691. Oh Lord of Thiru Vithuvakodu! Even when a doctor wields a knife and causes pain to his patient, he still is loved by the patient who knows it is for his good! Just like that, even when you cause me sorrow, I am still devoted to you as you are doing it out of love for me.
692. Oh Lord of Thiru Vithuvakodu who quelled the mad elephant! Where else will I go other than to your feet? I am like a bird that flies up from a floating leaf and then returns back to the same leaf that floats on the ocean! (The Lord who fights the Kuvalaya elephant is also the Lord who rescues the Gajendra elephant. The Lord who assumed a horse face as Hayagriva is also the Lord who killed the horse faced Asura. This reminds us that it is not your form but your behavior that invites consequences.)
693. Oh Lord of Thiru Vithuvakodu! The lotus blossoms at the first rays of the sun even though it is these very rays that will make it wither! Even when you don’t rescue me from my sins, my heart melts for none other than you!
694. Oh Lord of Thiru Vithuvakodu! Even when it doesn’t rain for a long time, the crops look endearingly at the clouds above! Even when you don’t dispel my sorrows, my mind dwells only on you!
695. Oh Lord of Thiru Vithuvakodu who is dark like the rain bearing clouds! The rivers go no where else but to the ocean to mingle and disappear. My mind dwells on you and no one else!
696. Oh Lord of Thiru Vithuvakodu who wields the shiny discus! Just like wealth flows to someone who desires it not, even when you don’t accept me, I seek your refuge again and again!
697. These Tamil verses have been composed by Kulasekara who seek refuge with none other than the Lord of Thiru Vithuvakodu. Those who recite these verses will never have to cross the gates of hell!
Love even when you are not loved. 🙂