Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Muthukkal Moondru album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Devan Kovil Dheepam

From Muthukkal Moondru · 1987

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
T. Rajendar
Movie name
Muthukkal Moondru
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
14 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Devan kovil dheepam
Paavam Intha jeevanae…ae…ae…ae….
Devan kovil dheepam
Paavam Intha jeevanae…ae…ae…ae….
Unnai nambinaen unmai pesinaen
Unnai nambinaen unmai pesinaen
Yaedho ondrai nenjil yaenthinaen
Adhanai mudikka naatkkal vendinaen
Devan kovil dheepam
Paavam Intha jeevanae…ae…ae…ae….
Thattungal thirakkapadum kelungal kodukkappadum
Paavangal mannikkapadum paarangal kuraikkapdum
Bodhanaigal seithavan paadhagangal seiyyalaama
Vedhanaigal sumappavan nee saathagam seiyyanum
Unai naan thuthippaen uyiraai madhippaen
Enai nee kaappaai kadhavai thirappaai
Devan kovil dheepam
Paavam Intha jeevanae…ae…ae…ae….
Paavaththai pookkutharkku vethaththai thanthavanae
Manaththai arivatharkku madhaththai kandavanae
Paavapatta ullangal panpada vendugiraen
Mannippai pettravargal thirunthida vendugiraen
Thiranthitta kadhavai mooduvathillai
Koduththitta vaakkai meeruvathillai
Devan kovil dheepam
Paavam Intha jeevanae…ae…ae…ae….
Paluvai yaettru nee siluvai sumakkiraai
Paluvai yaettru nee siluvai sumakkiraai
Unthan vazhiyil naanum nadakkiraen
Enthan nilaiyai unakku solgiraen
Devan kovil dheepam
Paavam Intha jeevanae…ae…ae…ae….
O lamp of God's temple,
Pity this poor soul...
O lamp of God's temple,
Pity this poor soul...
I trusted in you and spoke the truth,
I trusted in you and spoke the truth,
I carried a purpose within my heart,
And prayed for time to see it through.
O lamp of God's temple,
Pity this poor soul...
"Knock, and it will be opened; ask, and it will be given,"
"Sins will be forgiven, and burdens will be eased."
Can the one who preached this ever do harm?
You who bear all suffering, you must come to my aid!
I will praise you and cherish you as my life,
Protect me now and open your door.
O lamp of God's temple,
Pity this poor soul...
You gave the scriptures to wash away our sins,
You created faith to understand the human heart.
I pray that sinful hearts find goodness,
I pray that those who are forgiven mend their ways.
You never shut a door once opened,
You never break a promise once given.
O lamp of God's temple,
Pity this poor soul...
Bearing all the weight, you carry the cross,
Bearing all the weight, you carry the cross,
I too am walking along your path,
Pouring out my plight to you.
O lamp of God's temple,
Pity this poor soul...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses a soul's desperate prayer and complete surrender to God in a church setting. Drawing heavily from Christian theological motifs and Biblical verses (such as 'Knock and it shall be opened'), the protagonist laments his current emotional suffering while remaining steadfast in his faith and truthfulness. He draws strength from Jesus Christ's sacrifice of carrying the cross, seeking redemption, solace, and divine intervention to overcome injustice and hardship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Biblical Allusion

Thattungal thirakkapadum kelungal kodukkappadum

Direct reference to Matthew 7:7 ('Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Thattungal thirakkapadum kelungal kodukkappadum / Paavangal mannikkapadum paarangal kuraikkapdum

Repetition of identical ending suffixes (-padum) across four consecutive phrases creating a rhythmic, chanting effect.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Unai naan thuthippaen uyiraai madhippaen / Enai nee kaappaai kadhavai thirappaai

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines ('nai' in Unai / Enai).

Metaphor

Devan kovil dheepam / Paavam Intha jeevanae

Comparing a human life to a vulnerable lamp inside God's temple.

Did you know?

Trivia

T. Rajendar, known for his unique multi-talented filmmaking where he handles story, screenplay, lyrics, and music, frequently incorporated secular and Christian themes alongside traditional Tamil devotional motifs. K.J. Yesudas' haunting vocal performance became one of the most memorable devotional-style film tracks of 1987.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Muthukkal Moondru

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.