For more about this Tamil mystic and poet, who possibly lived before the 10th c. CE, see this earlier post.

In bricks and in granite,
in the red-rubbed lingam*,
in copper and brass
is Siva’s abode —
     that’s what you tell us,
     and you’re wrong.
Stay where you are
and study your own selves.
Then you will BECOME
the Temple of God,
     full of His dance and spell
          and song.

* ‘Lingam’ is a short, cylindrical pillar-like symbol of Shiva, and may be made of stone, wood, clay or precious stones. The lingam is typically rubbed with red colour as an act of devotion.

Translation by Kamil V. Zvelebil