Ettadi Koyilile
From Rani Lalithangi · 1957
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Rani Lalithangi1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maayaa ulagaththilae mathi mayangi nillaamal | Without getting lost and deluded in this world of illusion, |
| Un mangaatha jothiyilae magizhvathuthaan ekkaalam | When shall I rejoice in your imperishable divine light? |
| Magizhvathuthaan ekkaalam | Oh, when shall I rejoice? |
| Male | |
| Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka | In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside, |
| Idamum irukkuthaiyyaa | There is indeed space, my Lord! |
| Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka | In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside, |
| Idamum irukkuthaiyaa | There is indeed space, my Lord! |
| Male | |
| Angu nishtaiyil nee irunthaal | If you remain seated there in deep meditation, |
| Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa | The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord! |
| Angu nishtaiyil nee irunthaal | If you remain seated there in deep meditation, |
| Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa | The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord! |
| Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa | The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord! |
| Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa | The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord! |
| Male | |
| Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka | In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside, |
| Idamum irukkuthaiyaa | There is indeed space, my Lord! |
| Male | |
| Theyaatha nilavu endrae thegaththai ennaamal | Without mistaking this fragile body for an eternal, unwaning moon, |
| Thigattaatha jothiyilae thigazhvathuthaan ekkaalam | When shall I shine in that divine light that never tires or satiates? |
| Male | |
| Aasaiyin kayittrinilae | Bound by the string of desires, |
| Bamparam aganthaiyinaal aaduthaiyaa…aa….aa… | The top spins through sheer human ego... |
| Aasaiyin kayittrinilae | Bound by the string of desires, |
| Bamparam aganthaiyinaal aaduthaiyaa…aa…. | The top spins through sheer human ego... |
| Male | |
| Aimpula siraithanilae | Inside the prison of the five senses, |
| Aimpula siraithanilae neeyamarnthaal | If you reside within the prison of the five senses, |
| Amaithiyum naadumaiyaa | Peace will seek us out, my Lord! |
| Aimpula siraithanilae neeyamarnthaal | If you reside within the prison of the five senses, |
| Amaithiyum naadumaiyaa | Peace will seek us out, my Lord! |
| Male | |
| Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka | In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside, |
| Idamum irukkuthaiyaa | There is indeed space, my Lord! |
| Male | |
| Kaayaagi kaniyaagi kaninthuvidum nilaiyaagi | Maturing from an unripe fruit to a ripe state, |
| Kannaana jothiyilae kalappathuthaan ekkaalam | When shall I merge into that precious divine light? |
| Kalappathuthaan ekkaalam | Oh, when shall I merge? |
| Male | |
| Paathathin salangaiyilae | In the chiming anklets of your divine feet, |
| Ongaara naadhamum thonikkuthaiyyaa….aa…aa…aa… | The sacred sound of Om resonates, my Lord... |
| Paathathin salangaiyilae | In the chiming anklets of your divine feet, |
| Ongaara naadhamum thonikkuthaiyyaa… | The sacred sound of Om resonates, my Lord... |
| Male | |
| Pakkuva nilaiyadainthaal | When a state of spiritual maturity is attained, |
| Pakkuva nilayadainthaal en vaazhvum | When that state of maturity is attained, my life too |
| Panpudan inukkummaiyaa | Will become sweet and filled with virtue, my Lord! |
| Pakkuva nilayadainthaal en vaazhvum | When that state of maturity is attained, my life too |
| Panpudan inukkummaiyaa | Will become sweet and filled with virtue, my Lord! |
| Male | |
| Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka | In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside, |
| Idamum irukkuthaiyaa | There is indeed space, my Lord! |
மாயா உலகத்திலே மதி மயங்கி நில்லாமல்
உன் மங்காத ஜோதியிலே மகிழ்வதுதான் எக்காலம்.....
மகிழ்வதுதான் எக்காலம்.....
Without getting lost and deluded in this world of illusion,
When shall I rejoice in your imperishable divine light?
Oh, when shall I rejoice?
எட்டடிக் கோயிலிலே நீ வசிக்க
இடமும் இருக்குதய்யா
எட்டடிக் கோயிலிலே நீ வசிக்க
இடமும் இருக்குதய்யா
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
There is indeed space, my Lord!
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
There is indeed space, my Lord!
அங்கு நிஷ்டையில் நீ இருந்தால்
மாயா நித்திரை மறையுமையா....
அங்கு நிஷ்டையில் நீ இருந்தால்
மாயா நித்திரை மறையுமையா....
மாயா நித்திரை மறையுமையா....
மாயா நித்திரை மறையுமையா....
If you remain seated there in deep meditation,
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
If you remain seated there in deep meditation,
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
எட்டடிக் கோயிலிலே நீ வசிக்க
இடமும் இருக்குதய்யா
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
There is indeed space, my Lord!
தேயாத நிலவு என்றே தேகத்தை எண்ணாமல்
திகட்டாத ஜோதியிலே திகழ்வதுதான் எக்காலம்
Without mistaking this fragile body for an eternal, unwaning moon,
When shall I shine in that divine light that never tires or satiates?
ஆசையின் கயிற்றினிலே
பம்பரம் அகந்தையினால் ஆடுதய்யா...ஆ....ஆ....
ஆசையின் கயிற்றினிலே
பம்பரம் அகந்தையினால் ஆடுதய்யா...ஆ....
Bound by the string of desires,
The top spins through sheer human ego...
Bound by the string of desires,
The top spins through sheer human ego...
ஐம்புலச் சிறைதனிலே
ஐம்புலச் சிறைதனிலே நீயமர்ந்தால்
அமைதியும் நாடுமய்யா......
ஐம்புலச் சிறைதனிலே நீயமர்ந்தால்
அமைதியும் நாடுமய்யா......
Inside the prison of the five senses,
If you reside within the prison of the five senses,
Peace will seek us out, my Lord!
If you reside within the prison of the five senses,
Peace will seek us out, my Lord!
எட்டடிக் கோயிலிலே நீ வசிக்க
இடமும் இருக்குதய்யா
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
There is indeed space, my Lord!
காயாகி கனியாகி கனிந்திடும் நிலையாகி
கண்ணான ஜோதியிலே கலப்பதுதான் எக்காலம்
கலப்பதுதான் எக்காலம்
Maturing from an unripe fruit to a ripe state,
When shall I merge into that precious divine light?
Oh, when shall I merge?
பாதத்தின் சலங்கையிலே
ஓங்கார நாதமும் தொனிக்குதய்யா....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....
பாதத்தின் சலங்கையிலே
ஓங்கார நாதமும் தொனிக்குதய்யா
In the chiming anklets of your divine feet,
The sacred sound of Om resonates, my Lord...
In the chiming anklets of your divine feet,
The sacred sound of Om resonates, my Lord...
பக்குவ நிலையடைந்தால்
பக்குவ நிலையடைந்தால் என் வாழ்வும்
பண்புடன் இனிக்கும்மய்யா.....
பக்குவ நிலையடைந்தால் என் வாழ்வும்
பண்புடன் இனிக்கும்மய்யா.....
When a state of spiritual maturity is attained,
When that state of maturity is attained, my life too
Will become sweet and filled with virtue, my Lord!
When that state of maturity is attained, my life too
Will become sweet and filled with virtue, my Lord!
எட்டடிக் கோயிலிலே நீ வசிக்க
இடமும் இருக்குதய்யா
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
There is indeed space, my Lord!
Maayaa ulagaththilae mathi mayangi nillaamal
Without getting lost and deluded in this world of illusion,
Un mangaatha jothiyilae magizhvathuthaan ekkaalam
When shall I rejoice in your imperishable divine light?
Magizhvathuthaan ekkaalam
Oh, when shall I rejoice?
Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
Idamum irukkuthaiyyaa
There is indeed space, my Lord!
Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
Idamum irukkuthaiyaa
There is indeed space, my Lord!
Angu nishtaiyil nee irunthaal
If you remain seated there in deep meditation,
Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
Angu nishtaiyil nee irunthaal
If you remain seated there in deep meditation,
Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
Maayaa niththirai maraiyumaiyaa
The sleep of illusory worldly delusion will vanish, my Lord!
Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
Idamum irukkuthaiyaa
There is indeed space, my Lord!
Theyaatha nilavu endrae thegaththai ennaamal
Without mistaking this fragile body for an eternal, unwaning moon,
Thigattaatha jothiyilae thigazhvathuthaan ekkaalam
When shall I shine in that divine light that never tires or satiates?
Aasaiyin kayittrinilae
Bound by the string of desires,
Bamparam aganthaiyinaal aaduthaiyaa…aa….aa…
The top spins through sheer human ego...
Aasaiyin kayittrinilae
Bound by the string of desires,
Bamparam aganthaiyinaal aaduthaiyaa…aa….
The top spins through sheer human ego...
Aimpula siraithanilae
Inside the prison of the five senses,
Aimpula siraithanilae neeyamarnthaal
If you reside within the prison of the five senses,
Amaithiyum naadumaiyaa
Peace will seek us out, my Lord!
Aimpula siraithanilae neeyamarnthaal
If you reside within the prison of the five senses,
Amaithiyum naadumaiyaa
Peace will seek us out, my Lord!
Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
Idamum irukkuthaiyaa
There is indeed space, my Lord!
Kaayaagi kaniyaagi kaninthuvidum nilaiyaagi
Maturing from an unripe fruit to a ripe state,
Kannaana jothiyilae kalappathuthaan ekkaalam
When shall I merge into that precious divine light?
Kalappathuthaan ekkaalam
Oh, when shall I merge?
Paathathin salangaiyilae
In the chiming anklets of your divine feet,
Ongaara naadhamum thonikkuthaiyyaa….aa…aa…aa…
The sacred sound of Om resonates, my Lord...
Paathathin salangaiyilae
In the chiming anklets of your divine feet,
Ongaara naadhamum thonikkuthaiyyaa…
The sacred sound of Om resonates, my Lord...
Pakkuva nilaiyadainthaal
When a state of spiritual maturity is attained,
Pakkuva nilayadainthaal en vaazhvum
When that state of maturity is attained, my life too
Panpudan inukkummaiyaa
Will become sweet and filled with virtue, my Lord!
Pakkuva nilayadainthaal en vaazhvum
When that state of maturity is attained, my life too
Panpudan inukkummaiyaa
Will become sweet and filled with virtue, my Lord!
Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka
In this eight-foot temple, for you to reside,
Idamum irukkuthaiyaa
There is indeed space, my Lord!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song 'Ettadi Koyililae' from Rani Lalithangi (1957) is a deeply philosophical rendition rooted in Siddha spiritual tradition. The phrase 'Ettadi Koyil' (Eight-foot temple) refers to the human physical body, which according to ancient Tamil Siddhas is traditionally measured as eight hand-spans or eight feet in height. The singer implores the Divine to reside within his heart/body and awaken him from the slumber of worldly illusion ('Maya'). The lyrics urge humans not to treat the physical body as immortal or to be swayed by arrogance and worldly desires—metaphorically comparing human existence to a spinning top driven by the rope of desires. By capturing and mastering the five senses and attaining spiritual maturity, one can experience inner peace and hear the eternal cosmic vibration ('Omkara'). The song ends with a soulful longing to transcend material life and merge into the eternal divine light.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Ettadi koyililae nee vasikka”
The human body is metaphorically referred to as an 'eight-foot temple' (Ettadi Koyil) housing the divine soul.
Metaphor / Extended Analogy
“Aasaiyin kayittrinilae / Bamparam aganthaiyinaal aaduthaiyaa”
Human existence and ego are compared to a top ('bamparam') being spun endlessly by the rope ('kayiru') of attachments and desires.
Metaphor
“Aimpula siraithanilae”
The five physical senses are described as a 'prison' ('sirai') that traps human consciousness.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Maayaa ulagaththilae mathi mayangi nillaamal”
Repetition of the initial 'Ma' sound ('Maayaa', 'mathi', 'mayangi') creates rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and composed by G. Ramanathan, this song draws heavy inspiration from Tamil Siddha philosophy, specifically poetic works like Pattinathar's verses and Thirumoolar's Thirumandhiram, which emphasize looking inward rather than outward for God. T. M. Soundararajan's powerful, resonant delivery turned this classical-philosophical track into one of the most enduring devotional-philosophical gems in early Tamil cinema.
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