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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Deva Deena

From Pandavar Vanavasam · 1961

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Pandavar Vanavasam1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanna kanna kannaOh Krishna, Krishna, Krishna!
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyilOh God, protector of the helpless, in this fire of distress
Theeigiren kakka vaaI am burning, come to save me!
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyilOh God, protector of the helpless, in this fire of distress
Theeigiren kakka vaa…deva…I am burning, come to save me... Oh God...
Female
Kaalanai edhirthae kadithinil vellumCapable of fighting Yama and conquering him quickly
Thiramaiyaalargal en badhilgalAre my skilled husbands, my protectors
Kaalanai edhirthae kadithinil vellumCapable of fighting Yama and conquering him quickly
Thiramaiyaalargal en badhilgalAre my skilled husbands, my protectors
Female
Dharmamendridum thalaiyadhanaalaeYet, bound by the vows of righteousness
Maunam poondaargal swaamiThey have maintained total silence, my Lord
Kannaa malai pol nambhugirenaeOh Krishna, I trust in You steadfastly like a mountain
Kadhi ver illai innaaleI have no other refuge on this day
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyilOh God, protector of the helpless, in this fire of distress
Theeigiren kakka vaa…deva…I am burning, come to save me... Oh God...
Female
Mudhalai vaayil idaroorum velaiyilWhen the elephant faced distress in the jaws of the crocodile
Kariyai kaapaatrinaayaeYou came and saved Gajendra the elephant
Mudhalai vaayil idaroorum velaiyilWhen the elephant faced distress in the jaws of the crocodile
Kariyai kaapaatrinaayaeYou came and saved Gajendra the elephant
Hirnya kasibu aanava madakkiSubduing the arrogance of Hiranyakashipu
Pragalathan thanai kaatha devaOh Lord who protected Prahlada
Kurumdhiyaalargal kodumaigl theerpaaiPut an end to the atrocities of these wicked men
Kurumdhiyaalargal kodumaigl theerpaaiPut an end to the atrocities of these wicked men
Kulasadhi than maanangaapaaiProtect the honor and dignity of a chaste woman!
Deva dheena bandhava idartheeyilOh God, protector of the helpless, in this fire of distress
Theeigiren kakka vaa…deva…I am burning, come to save me... Oh God...
Female
Govindha gopi jana priyaOh Govinda, beloved of the Gopis
Adiyaargal annalaeOh supreme Lord of all devotees
Baarm nin meedhu potten kannaI have placed my entire burden upon You, Krishna
Kanna kanna kanna….Oh Krishna, Krishna, Krishna....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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