Soul’s nature

O Rudra Pasupati! With the help of what did I
Know myself? [How did I come by the knowledge
Of soul’s be-ing?] O True Ens abiding at
Vennainallur who appeared in a human form
To enslave and redeem me – an ignoramus -,
And to reveal the soul’s nature to myself!
When poised in avastas, I am not aware of
Their nature to get freed from them.
Avastas provide not proof of soul’s existence.
If it is said that I became aware of (my)
Soul’s be-ing instructed by Time, Destiny etcetera,
The creator Brahma and the sustainer Vishnu
(Who are sakalar like me) are, to me,
Of no consequence. Truly speaking Time and the like
Are jada; one does not know of the other
Grouped with it. If it is said that the soul
Which is intelligent functions when linked
With these unintelligent instruments,
Such asseveration is not at all sound.
The unintelligent cannot confer intelligence.
Again even though the soul is linked with
The instruments, yet it can but perceive only
One at a time; neither does it know when
The functioning of instruments ceases.
So, intelligence is of no avail. If it is said
The soul knows with the help of the instruments
And cannot know without their aid, then
Arises the contretemps. The soul that knows
When instructed by the instruments, receives it
From them and not from You. If knowledge
Springs from me aided by the instruments
And not from You, Your imparting of knowledge
Becomes supervacaneous as I am already
Vested with it, uninstructed by You.
Listen to my further submissions. Lacking
Instruction from You I cannot comprehend Your help;
Illatively I fail to know of myself too.
My beholding You without the help of
Your Grace is stultificatory; neither could I
Gain comprehension in union with You.
O my peerless Help! O my Eye! O God
Of the supernals! O immense Ocean of Mercy!
Deign to bless me with knowledge of my self.