Verses from Scripture on Festivals

Supported by whose protection Heaven and Earth, shining brightly and inspired in their spirit, manifest this glory, with whose effulgence does the risen sun shine forth? To whom else, besides that giver of happiness, can we offer all our devotion?

Rig Veda 10.121.6. RVP, 4615

Let us now invoke for our aid the Lord of Speech, the Designer of all things that are, the inspirer of wisdom! May He, the ever-kindly, be well disposed to our summons, and may He, whose work is goodness, grant us His blessing!

Rig Veda 10.81.7. VE, 808

The gift of wealth and victory in deeds, sweetest of garlands, honor and fame, too, love and esteem are His bounties -- so even devas adore the elephant-faced One, in devotion sweet with cooped hands.

Tirumurai 11 (Kapiladeva). AG, 159

Wherever I hear the sound of drums, the music of hymns, the Vedas chanted, there my heart remembers God our Master, the Lord who dwells in Itaimarutu.

Tirumurai 5.129.1. PS, 180

The Lord of Citticcaram shrine in Naraiyur, who has the river in His hair, the poison stain on His throat and the Veda on His tongue, goes resplendent in ceremonial dress as His devotees and perfected sages sing and dance His widespread fame, and the sound of festival drums beaten on the streets, where the temple car is pulled, spreads on every side.

Tirumurai 1.71.5. PS, 183

Pumpavai, O beautiful girl! Would you go without having seen, on the streets of great Mayilai, always busy with festive crowds, the festival of Uttaraphalguni with its great sound of celebration, at which beautiful women sing and distribute alms, at the Lord's Kapaliccaram shrine, center of many festivals?

Tirumurai 2.183.7. PS, 188

You took for your shrine the good temple at Itaimarutu where, for the blessing of the world, scholars praise you with the Vedic chant, and great seers and Gods gather to bathe on the day of the Pusam festival in the month of Tai.

Tirumurai 2.192.5. PS, 183

Folk from far and near, good men and rogues and those who pray every day for an end to disease -- our Lord of Arur is kinsman to all those who cry, "O my jewel, golden one, dear husband! My son!" Such is the splendor of Ardra day in Arur town!

Tirumurai 4.21.2. PS, 184

As the blare of the moon-white conch, the parai drum's beat and the jingle of the cymbals of dancing devotees spread everywhere, peacocks, thinking that the rains have come, dance in delight. Such is the splendor of Ardra day in Arur town!

Tirumurai 4.21.5. PS, 185

Hail! Shankara, Dispenser of Bliss! Hail! The oldest in Sivaloka! Hail! Our youngest youth appearing to extricate us from affliction! Hail! Matchless One! Hail! The Lord of devas! Hail!

Tirumurai 8. TT, 151

By drinking the water after washing the holy feet of the guru and sprinkling the remains on the head, man attains the fruit of bathing in all the sacred waters of all sacred rivers and of all pilgrimages.

Guru Gita 29. GG, 10

I'll wreathe Him in garland. I'll hug Him to heart. I'll sing Him His name and dance with gifts of flowers. Singing and dancing, seek the Lord. This alone I know.

Tirumantiram 50. TM

The golden emblems of Siva and the smear of holy ashes are apt insignia of the Saiva path. This path of jnana is San Marga, which no evil can obstruct. It is the beloved way of Shuddha Saivam. The blemishless jnani is king of the entire realm of wisdom. He is the sun whose beams illumine the massive lore of Vedanta-Siddhanta. He remains immortal, ever devoted to the Shuddha Saiva way.

Tirumantiram 1427-1428. TMR, 221

Why think and suffer further for the insubstantial body, that is transient as a dew drop on a blade of grass? While on this Earth, extol with love the holy feet of Him who has six faces.

Natchintanai, "Give Praise..." NT, 199