Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arul Vadive

From Vazhthungal · 1978

Lyricist
Thellur Dharmarajan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
L. Vaithiya Nathan
Details
Vazhthungal1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Arul vadivae paramporul vadivaeOh form of grace, form of the supreme reality!
Aananthamae arulae porulae pugalaeOh bliss, grace, supreme wealth, and praise!
Arul vadivae paramporul vadivaeOh form of grace, form of the supreme reality!
Aananthamae arulae porulae pugalaeOh bliss, grace, supreme wealth, and praise!
Male
Arul vadivae paramporul vadivaeOh form of grace, form of the supreme reality!
Male
Avanandri veror anu asaiyaathaeWithout Him, not a single atom moves.
Aa…aa….aa….aah…aa…aa….Aa... aa... aa... aah... aa... aa....
Arunthava melor nool pizhaiyaathaeGreat exalted sages of deep penance do not stray from the righteous path.
Varuvathai neethaan arinthiduvaayaeYou alone know what is yet to come.
Vazhiththunai neeyae kaaththiduvaayaeYou are my companion on the path, please protect me.
Male
Ninaivil nirainthidaTo fill my thoughts with you,
Nitham unai thozhuvaenI will worship you daily.
Nee nee jothi nee nerimurai arulvaaiYou are the divine flame, grant me the right path to live by.
Male
Arul vadivae paramporul vadivaeOh form of grace, form of the supreme reality!
Aananthamae arulae porulae pugalaeOh bliss, grace, supreme wealth, and praise!
Arul vadivae paramporul vadivaeOh form of grace, form of the supreme reality!
Male
Thunaiyendru saernthaal kanai thoduththaaraeWhen I sought them as companions, they shot arrows at me.
Thunaiyendru saernthaal kanai thoduththaaraeWhen I sought them as companions, they shot arrows at me.
Alai thurumpaanaen aadhariththaayaeI became a tiny speck tossed by the waves, but you supported me.
Unaiyindri veror thunai ingu vendaenI need no other refuge here besides you.
Karunai illaathor thozhamai vendaenI do not desire the friendship of those who lack compassion.
Male
Manai irul marainthidaSo that the darkness in my house disappears,
Dhinam unai paninthaenI bow down to you daily.
Maasilaa maamani manangkanitharulvaaiOh spotless supreme gem, soften your heart and grant grace.
Male
Arul vadivae paramporul vadivaeOh form of grace, form of the supreme reality!
Aananthamae arulae porulae pugalaeOh bliss, grace, supreme wealth, and praise!
Aananthamae arulae porulae pugalaeOh bliss, grace, supreme wealth, and praise!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Arul Vadivae' is a deeply moving devotional prayer song that surrenders completely to the supreme divinity. The narrator praises God as the embodiment of grace, bliss, and ultimate truth, acknowledging the fundamental truth that not even an atom moves without divine sanction. The song highlights how great sages stay true to righteous teachings under divine guidance, and asks God—who knows the future—to act as a protective guide along life's journey. In the face of human betrayal where worldly friends turn hostile and shoot arrows of hurt, leaving one tossed like a helpless straw upon ocean waves, God remains the sole true refuge. Rejecting the company of uncompassionate people, the devotee prays daily for the divine light to dispel household and mental darkness, seeking the grace of the spotless supreme jewel.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverbial Allusion (Pazhamozhi)

Avanandri veror anu asaiyaathae

The line references the timeless Tamil philosophical aphorism 'Avanandri oru anuvum asaiyaadhu', emphasizing divine omnipotence.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Alai thurumpaanaen aadhariththaayae

Compares the speaker's helpless condition during life's turbulence to a tiny straw tossed helplessly by ocean waves.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Aananthamae arulae porulae pugalae

Repetition of the initial letter 'A' across words in the line for rhythmic harmony.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Nee nee jothi nee nerimurai arulvaai

Repetition of the pronoun 'Nee' (You) to emphasize the absolute devotion and dependency on God.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by classical maestro L. Vaithiyanathan for the 1978 film 'Vazhthungal', this devotional song showcases K. J. Yesudas's mastery in classical Tamil musical phrasing, seamlessly blending Carnatic musical elegance into film music.

Keep listening

More from Vazhthungal

No related songs found yet.