Vinayagar Agaval

Vinayagar Agaval is a devotional poetic hymn to the Hindu deity Ganesha. It was written in the 10th century during the Chola dynasty by the Tamil poet Avvaiyar, shortly before her death.^[1] It is considered to be her greatest poem.^[2] The 72-line 'Agaval' is a form of blank verse, close to speech.

Vinayagar Agaval defines a religious path, part of the Tamil devotional tradition of Bhakti, within the Hindu philosophy of the Shaivite sect. Its application as a spiritual tool begins during concentration on a physical image of Ganesha and continues with the use of the Agaval's description of Hindu spiritual belief and practice, and aspects of the teachings on human life attributed to the deity.

சீதக்களபச் செந்தாமரைப் பூம்

பாதச்சிலம்பு பலவிசை பாட

பொன்னரை ஞாணும் பூந்துகில் ஆடையும்

வன்ன மருங்கில் வளர்ந்தழகெரிப்பப்

seedhakkaLapach chendhaamaraip poom

paadhachchilampu palavisai paata

ponnarai gnaaNum poondhukil aataiyum

vanna marungil vaLarndhazhakerippap

meaning is, the Lotus feet of Ganesha having the color of red lotus, and which is besmeared with cool sandal is adorned by anklets, sings various songs.golden waist belt and his clothes as soft as flower shine like beautiful colors in the rainbow.

According to Chandrasekarendra Swamigal, a person reciting the Vinayagar Agaval every day will realize highest wisdom.^[3]