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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Angamellam Sornthu

From Veeranganai · 1964

Lyricist
T. K. Sundara Kannan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, P. Leela, M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Veeranganai1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maaveran arjunaninUnderstanding the mental anguish of the great warrior Arjuna,
Manavaetkkai thaan arindhuUnderstanding the inner longing and sorrow of his mind,
Madhavanum thaerinaiMadhava (Krishna) drove the chariot,
Iru saenai naduvae niruthinaar…….And brought it to a halt right between the two opposing armies...
Female
Anagmellaam sorndhu vaadaMy entire body weakens and wilts,
Adhodu naavum ularnthidaAnd my tongue grows completely dry,
Anagmellaam sorndhu vaadaMy entire body weakens and wilts,
Adhodu naavum ularnthidaAnd my tongue grows completely dry,
Endhan dhegam nadungudhaeMy body trembles involuntarily,
Yedho mayakkam thaan aagudhaeA strange dizziness is overcoming me,
Endhan dhegam nadungudhaeMy body trembles involuntarily,
Yedho mayakkam thaan aagudhaeA strange dizziness is overcoming me,
Female
Kaandeebam kai nazhuvudhaeThe bow Gandiva slips from my hands,
Kanalaai udal erigindratheMy body burns as if enveloped in fire,
Kaandeebam kai nazhuvudhaeThe bow Gandiva slips from my hands,
Kanalaai udal erigindratheMy body burns as if enveloped in fire,
Nirpadharkkum sakthiyillaiI do not even possess the strength to stand upright,
Nenjil alai pol suzhaludhae thollaiTroubles swirl within my heart like turbulent waves,
Nirpadharkkum sakthiyillaiI do not even possess the strength to stand upright,
Nenjil alai pol suzhaludhae thollaiTroubles swirl within my heart like turbulent waves,
Female
Edharkindha mana kalakkamWhy this mental confusion and agitation?
Idhuva veeranukku azhaguIs this unmanly weakness fitting for a hero?
Edharkindha mana kalakkamWhy this mental confusion and agitation?
Idhuva veeranukku azhaguIs this unmanly weakness fitting for a hero?
Anaikkadhu unnaiyae swargamHeaven will never open its arms to accept you,
Avamaanandhaan arjunaaThis brings only eternal disgrace, O Arjuna!
Anaikkadhu unnaiyae swargamHeaven will never open its arms to accept you,
Avamaanandhaan arjunaaThis brings only eternal disgrace, O Arjuna!
Female
Vendaenae swargam krishnaaI do not desire heaven, O Krishna!
Vaendaen rajiya sugabhogamaeNor do I crave royal power or worldly pleasures,
Uravodu edharkindha porae kesavaWhy wage this war against my own kin, O Keshava?
Ulagil nilaiyaai vaazhndhavar yaaraeWho in this mortal world has ever lived eternally?
Female
Uyirgalendrum azhivadhillai vijayaSouls are never destroyed, O Vijaya (Arjuna)!
Indha udal ellaam udainthu pona podhilumEven when these mortal physical bodies shatter and perish,
Uttravarae aanaalum uyar dharmam kaakkaEven if they are your loved ones, to protect supreme Righteousness (Dharma),
Thayangaadhae nee mayangaadhaeDo not hesitate, do not be delusioned!
Female
Kulam azhiya vettri kodi naattiBy destroying our own lineage and planting the flag of victory,
Nilamadhai aalal nandramooIs ruling over this land truly a noble thing?
Kodumai idhai arindha naanumKnowing fully well how cruel this war is, should I still
Por purivadhoo janaarthanaaEngage in battle, O Janardhana?
Female
Kadamaiyai ennum bodhuWhen duty calls upon you,
Kalangida yedhu urimaiWhat right do you have to be overcome by grief?
Dharmathin yuthanthaan endrumA war fought for Righteousness (Dharma)
Shakthriyanukku uriya kadamaiIs the ultimate prescribed duty for a warrior (Kshatriya)!
Male
Anadhimathyaandha manandha veeryamYou have no beginning, middle, or end, possessing boundless valor,
Anandha baahu sasi soorya naethramWith infinite arms and the sun and moon as Your eyes,
Basyaami thvaam deeptha hoodhasavasthramI behold You, radiant like blazing fire and brilliant light,
Swadheshae vishwamidham dhabandhamWarming and illuminating the entire universe with Your glow!
Female
Uthamarai kaathidavaeTo protect the virtuous and righteous,
Dhusttargalai azhithidavaeTo eradicate evil-doers,
Ulaginile dharmathai nilai naattidaveTo firmly re-establish Dharma in this world,
Yugandhorum nanae avadharippenae….avadharippenae…Age after age, I manifest myself... I shall incarnate!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts the quintessential scene of 'Gita Upadesam' from the epic Mahabharata, situated on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It opens with Lord Krishna positioning the chariot between the Pandava and Kaurava armies. Overcome by grief and moral dilemma upon seeing his relatives, teachers, and friends across the battle line, Arjuna expresses severe psychosomatic reactions—his body trembles, his tongue dries up, and his mighty bow Gandiva slips from his hand as he refuses to fight for worldly pleasure or kingdom.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Anagmellaam sorndhu vaada / Adhodu naavum ularnthida

Matching second consonants across lines to create rhythmic harmony (e.g., 'Anagmellaam' / 'Adhodu').

Uvamai (Simile)

Nenjil alai pol suzhaludhae thollai

Comparing internal emotional anguish to the swirling waves of the sea ('alai pol').

Metaphor / Imagery

Kanalaai udal erigindrathe

Describing physical grief and feverish panic as burning fire ('Kanalaai udal erigindrathe').

Sanskrit Epidictic Invocations / Shloka Style

Anadhimathyaandha manandha veeryam

Inclusion of classical Sanskrit sloka verses ('Anadhimathyaandha...', 'Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya' adaptation) representing the Vishvarupa Darsanam and divine discourse.

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Trivia

This composition directly adapts verses from Chapter 1, 2, 11, and 4 of the Bhagavad Gita into Tamil lyricism. It highlights S. Vedhachalam's grand classical musical arrangement, featuring legend singers K. J. Yesudas, P. Leela, and Carnatic icon M. L. Vasanthakumari.

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