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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Deva Deena

From Pandavar Vanavasam · 1961

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Ghantasala
Movie name
Pandavar Vanavasam
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
23 May 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanna kanna kanna
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyil
Theeigiren kakka vaa
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyil
Theeigiren kakka vaa…deva…
Kaalanai edhirthae kadithinil vellum
Thiramaiyaalargal en badhilgal
Kaalanai edhirthae kadithinil vellum
Thiramaiyaalargal en badhilgal
Dharmamendridum thalaiyadhanaalae
Maunam poondaargal swaami
Kannaa malai pol nambhugirenae
Kadhi ver illai innaale
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyil
Theeigiren kakka vaa…deva…
Mudhalai vaayil idaroorum velaiyil
Kariyai kaapaatrinaayae
Mudhalai vaayil idaroorum velaiyil
Kariyai kaapaatrinaayae
Hirnya kasibu aanava madakki
Pragalathan thanai kaatha deva
Kurumdhiyaalargal kodumaigl theerpaai
Kurumdhiyaalargal kodumaigl theerpaai
Kulasadhi than maanangaapaai
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyil
Theeigiren kakka vaa…deva…
Govindha gopi jana priya
Adiyaargal annalae
Baarm nin meedhu potten kanna
Kanna kanna kanna….
O Krishna, Krishna, Krishna...
O Lord, protector of the helpless, in the fire of suffering
I am burning—come to save me!
O Lord, protector of the helpless, in the fire of suffering
I am burning—come to save me... O Lord...
Capable of confronting Death and swiftly defeating him,
such skilled warriors are my husbands!
Capable of confronting Death and swiftly defeating him,
such skilled warriors are my husbands!
Yet bound by the chains of righteous duty,
they have embraced silence, my Lord!
O Krishna, I place mountain-like faith in you,
I have no other refuge this day...
O Lord, protector of the helpless, in the fire of suffering
I am burning—come to save me... O Lord...
When it was trapped in the jaws of a crocodile,
you saved the elephant!
When it was trapped in the jaws of a crocodile,
you saved the elephant!
Crushing the arrogance of Hiranyakashipu,
you are the Lord who saved Prahlada!
Put an end to the cruelty of these wicked men!
Put an end to the cruelty of these wicked men!
Protect the dignity of a devoted wife!
O Lord, protector of the helpless, in the fire of suffering
I am burning—come to save me... O Lord...
O Govinda, beloved of the gopis (cowherd women)!
O supreme Lord of your devotees!
I lay my entire burden upon you, Krishna...
O Krishna, Krishna, Krishna...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic devotional song captures Draupadi's anguish and total surrender (Saranagathi) to Lord Krishna during her humiliation in the Kaurava court. Seeing her powerful husbands silent and helpless due to their adherence to righteousness (Dharma), Draupadi turns away from human aid and appeals directly to divine grace. She invokes Krishna's past deeds of saving Gajendra the elephant from a crocodile's grip and rescuing Prahlada from Hiranyakashipu, pleading for similar protection of her honor. Surrendering all self-reliance and placing her complete trust in Krishna, the song marks the emotional turning point leading to the miracle of the unending saree.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyil

Compares emotional suffering and trouble to a burning fire ('idarthee').

Simile (Uvamai)

Kannaa malai pol nambhugirenae

Compares her unshakable trust in Lord Krishna to the firmness of a mountain ('malai pol').

Mythological Allusion (Puranic References)

Mudhalai vaayil idaroorum velaiyil Kariyai kaapaatrinaayae / Hirnya kasibu aanava madakki Pragalathan thanai kaatha deva

Refers to classic Vaishnavite rescue legends—Gajendra Moksham (saving the elephant from the crocodile) and Narasimha Avatara (saving Prahlada from Hiranyakashipu).

Alliteration (Monaai / Edhugai)

Kurumdhiyaalargal kodumaigl theerpaai Kulasadhi than maanangaapaai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds and rhythmic patterns like 'Kurumdhiyaalargal' and 'Kulasadhi'.

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Trivia

This song represents one of the iconic depictions of Draupadi's Vastraaparanam in epic mythological cinema. Originally composed by legendary music director Ghantasala with emotional vocal delivery by P. Leela, the song effectively captures the essence of complete spiritual surrender (Saranagathi) from the Mahabharata.

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