Arudra Maha Abhishekam

During 1957-59, HH Sri Mahaswami of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam was camping in Chennai Sanskrit College.  One evening, he gave a lecture on Arudra, quoting the following sloka composed by Srimad Appayya Dikshitar instantly on an Arudra day at Chidambaram in the month of Margasirsha (Margazhi in Tamil). The Thillai Dikshitars were conducting sandal-paste abhisekam to the Lord Naṭaraja in the early morning hours (3am to 6am).

This sloka is so wonderful, packed with emotion and love and an intense yearning. Appayya Dikshitar sings looking at Lord Nataraja, Appayya Dikshitar wondered how the Lord withstood the penetrating chillness?

मौलौ गङ्गा शशाङ्कौ करचरणतले शीतलाङ्गा भुजङ्गा:

वामे भागे दयार्द्रा हिमगिरिदुहिता चन्दनं सर्वगात्रे ।

इत्थं शीतं प्रभूतं तव कनकसभानाथ सोढुं क्व शक्ति:

चित्ते निर्वेदतप्ते यदि भवति न ते नित्यवासो मदीये ॥

Transliteration:

maulau gaṅgā śaśānkau karacaraṇatale śītalāṅgā bhujaṅgāḥ

vāme bhāge dayārdrā himagiriduhitā candanaṃ sarvagātre

itthaṃ śītaṃ prabhūtaṃ tava kanakasabhānātha soḍhuṃ kva śaktiḥ
citte nirvedatapte yadi bhavati na te nityavāso madīye

ஸ்ரீ காஞ்சி மஹாஸ்வாமிகளின் உபன்யாசம் 

Translation:

The Gaṅgā and the Moon on your locks; Cool-bodied serpents on arms and feet, On the left side, the daughter of Himālaya; wet with compassion And (cool) sandal all over the body! How, O Lord (Naṭarāja) of the Golden Hall, Did you get this strength to endure such extreme chill? If only did you not stay eternally in my citta Which burns hot due to sorrows.