Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Samayapurathale Satchi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Gnaana Kannai

From Samayapurathale Satchi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Samayapurathale Satchi
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
7 Jul 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
Indha gyanam ellaam iruppaval naan
Paar maganae paar
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
Oona kannai izhandhu nindraai
Aanavathaalae
Oona kannai izhandhu nindraai
Aanavathaalae
Indha saei pirindha pizhaigal ellaam
Thaai poruthaalae
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
Karuvaraiyil iruppaval naan
Theruvarai vandhen
Ingu kann urangum makkalukku
Kaavalai thandhen
Karuvaraiyil iruppaval naan
Theruvarai vandhen
Ingu kann urangum makkalukku
Kaavalai thandhen
Oruvaraiyum oru poludhum
Kaividamatten
Andha karunaiyinaal kann koduthu
Unnaiyum meettaen
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
Maangaattil theekulithu thavam irundhenae
Pani malaiyinilae
Nilaithirukkum vaishnavi naanae
Maangaattil theekulithu thavam irundhenae
Pani malaiyinilae
Nilaithirukkum vaishnavi naanae
Paramasivan iruppidam en paadhiyil thaanae
Paramasivan iruppidam en paadhiyil thaanae
Siva padhaviyinai koduppathu en kann vizhi meenae
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
Udal mulukka oodukindra udhiramum naanae
Un uyir anukkal iyanguvadhum en seyal thaanae
Udal mulukka oodukindra udhiramum naanae
Un uyir anukkal iyanguvadhum en seyal thaanae
Paar maganae paar mulukka then paduvenae
Paar maganae paar mulukka then paduvenae
Ennai paarthidathaan
Naanunakku kann koduthenae
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
Indha gyanam ellaam iruppaval naan
Paar maganae paar
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten
Paar maganae paar
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
I am the one present throughout this world
Look, my son, look!
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
You stood having lost your physical sight
All because of your arrogance
You stood having lost your physical sight
All because of your arrogance
All the wrongs this child committed,
The mother has forgiven!
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
Though I dwell in the temple's inner shrine,
I came all the way to the streets
For the people asleep here,
I stood as their protection
Though I dwell in the temple's inner shrine,
I came all the way to the streets
For the people asleep here,
I stood as their protection
No one, at any time,
Will I ever abandon
Out of that mercy, granting you sight,
I have saved you as well
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
In Mangadu, I did penance surrounded by fire
In the snowy mountains,
I am the eternal Vaishnavi
In Mangadu, I did penance surrounded by fire
In the snowy mountains,
I am the eternal Vaishnavi
Supreme Shiva's dwelling is in one half of my form
Supreme Shiva's dwelling is in one half of my form
The glance of my fish-shaped eyes grants the highest divine state
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
I am the blood flowing through your entire body
Even the life in every cell moves by my power
I am the blood flowing through your entire body
Even the life in every cell moves by my power
Look, my son, I am visible across the whole world
Look, my son, I am visible across the whole world
Only so you could behold me,
Did I give you these eyes
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
I am the one present throughout this world
Look, my son, look!
I have opened your eye of wisdom
Look, my son, look!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a grand devotional anthem where the Divine Mother (Goddess Mariamman / Parasakthi) addresses a devotee who had lost his physical sight due to his pride and ego. Overflowing with maternal forgiveness ('Thaai poruthaalae'), the Goddess restores not only his physical vision but opens his inner 'Gyaana Kann' (the eye of spiritual wisdom), teaching him humility and divine grace. Throughout the lyrics, the Goddess asserts her cosmic omnipresence and various manifestations—from doing penance at Maangadu to abiding as Vaishnavi in the Himalayas, existing as half of Lord Shiva (Ardhanarishvara), and residing inside every living cell and drop of blood. She reminds him that physical sight was granted to him primarily so he could witness and realize the omnipresent divinity in all of creation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast (Muran) & Rhyme (Ethugai)

Karuvaraiyil iruppaval naan / Theruvarai vandhen

Contrasts the 'Karuvarai' (sacred sanctum sanctorum) with 'Theruvarai' (the open street), highlighting the Goddess's humility in stepping out to protect her devotees. The second letters ('ru') also form Ethugai.

Metaphor

Oona kannai izhandhu nindraai / Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten

Contrasts 'Oona kann' (physical flesh eye) with 'Gyaana kann' (eye of wisdom/spiritual realization), metaphorically elevating spiritual awakening over physical sight.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nilaithirukkum vaishnavi naanae / Paramasivan iruppidam en paadhiyil thaanae

The line endings 'naanae' and 'thaanae' create a pleasing rhyming cadence at the end of poetic couplets.

Alliteration (Monai)

Maangaattil theekulithu thavam irundhenae / Pani malaiyinilae

The initial 'Ma' sounds in 'Maangaattil' and 'Malaiyinilae' establish poetic harmony across the verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

Samayapurathale Satchi (1985) is a classic Tamil devotional film centered around Goddess Samayapuram Mariamman, starring K. R. Vijaya as the Goddess. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary 'Isai Chakravarthy' K. V. Mahadevan, known for his masterful musical scores in devotional and mythological cinema. The veteran singer P. Susheela brought great emotional resonance to this track, written by renowned lyricist Vaali, who brilliantly woven authentic temple lore (like the Maangadu fire penance and Goddess Meenakshi's fish-eyes) into mainstream cinematic verse.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Samayapurathale Satchi

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.