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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arava Baranan Thiruvadi

From Sivagami · 1960

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Sivagami1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Arava paranan thiruvadi maranthuForgetting the holy feet of Lord Shiva who wears the serpent as an ornament,
Arava paranan thiruvadi maranthuForgetting the holy feet of Lord Shiva who wears the serpent as an ornament,
Arivaiyar mogam kondazhivaaraeThey will perish due to infatuation with women.
Arava paranan thiruvadi maranthuForgetting the holy feet of Lord Shiva who wears the serpent as an ornament,
Arivaiyar mogam kondazhivaaraeThey will perish due to infatuation with women.
Aayiram kattrarindhenna payanWhat is the use of learning a thousand things?
Aayiram kattrarindhenna payanWhat is the use of learning a thousand things?
Pagutharivizhandhu uzhalvaaraeWhen they roam around having lost their reason and wisdom?
Male
Mangaiyar maiyal ennumThose who are immersed in the illusion
Maayaiyil aazhndhavarCalled the lustful attraction towards women,
Sankaranai manam ninaivaarooWill their minds ever remember Lord Shankara?
Mangaiyar maiyal ennumThose who are immersed in the illusion
Maayaiyil aazhndhavarCalled the lustful attraction towards women,
Sankaranai manam ninaivaarooWill their minds ever remember Lord Shankara?
Nangaiyar kaadhal nirandhadhil paaraiLook, the love of women is not permanent!
Nangaiyar kaadhal nirandhadhil paaraiLook, the love of women is not permanent!
Manadhinil sivayogam payiraamooCan the crop of Shiva-yoga ever flourish in such a mind?
Manadhinil sivayogam payiraamooCan the crop of Shiva-yoga ever flourish in such a mind?
Male
Vaadha noikulagil marandhunduThere is medicine in this world for physical ailment like rheumatism,
Vaadha noikulagil marandhunduThere is medicine in this world for physical ailment like rheumatism,
Pidivadha noiyagala marundhedhuWhat medicine exists to cure the disease of stubborn infatuation?
Pidivadha noiyagala marundhedhuWhat medicine exists to cure the disease of stubborn infatuation?
Saadhanaiyaaga sittrinbam pugazhbavarThose who praise sensual pleasure as an achievement,
Saadhanaiyaaga sittrinbam pugazhbavarThose who praise sensual pleasure as an achievement,
Kaadhinil gyaana mozhi yeradhaeWords of spiritual wisdom will never enter their ears.
Male
Arava paranan thiruvadi maranthuForgetting the holy feet of Lord Shiva who wears the serpent as an ornament,
Arivaiyar mogam kondazhivaaraeThey will perish due to infatuation with women.
Aayiram kattrarindhenna payanWhat is the use of learning a thousand things?
Pagutharivizhandhu uzhalvaaraeWhen they roam around having lost their reason and wisdom?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional song composed by Papanasam Sivan emphasizes the fleeting nature of worldly sensory pleasures and lust versus the eternal bliss of devotion to Lord Shiva. The lyrics critique those who acquire extensive academic knowledge yet lose their ability to discern right from wrong due to sensory entanglements. It metaphorically compares worldly attraction to an incurable ailment and highlights that spiritual wisdom cannot enter a mind obsessed solely with superficial pleasures.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Arava paranan thiruvadi maranthu / Arivaiyar mogam kondazhivaarae

The second consonant 'ra' matches across lines: 'Arava' and 'Arivaiyar'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Manadhinil sivayogam payiraamoo

Spiritual practice in the mind is metaphorically described as cultivating a crop ('Sivayogam payiraamoo').

Rhetorical Question

Pidivadha noiyagala marundhedhu

Asking what medicine exists for stubborn infatuation to highlight its absolute lack of cure in worldly terms.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Sivagami' (1960) features the iconic Carnatic music maestro M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar (MKT) towards the latter part of his cinematic career. The composition by Papanasam Sivan reflects classic Saiva Siddhanta philosophy.

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