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Raja Mukthi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maanida Jenmam Meendum Vandhidumo

From Raja Mukthi · 1948

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Movie name
Raja Mukthi
Movie release year
1948
Lyrics added on
4 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maanida jenmam meendum
Vandhidumo ulageer
Uyar maanida jenmam meendum
Vandhidumo ulageer
Uyar maanida jenmam meendum
Vandhidumo…oo…oo…oo…
Gnjaana vairaagyam
Gnjaana vairaagyam
Thavam jeeva kaarunyam
Unmai gnjaana vairaagyam
Thavam jeeva kaarunyam
Unmaiyaana bakthi pagutharivudan
Igapara sugam tharum karunaiyaam
Maanida jenmam meendum
Vandhidumo ulageer…ee…ee…
Karuvaraiyinul kidandhu veliyil
Varum thuyar ninaindhaalum
Karuvaraiyinul kidandhu veliyil
Varum thuyar ninaindhaalum
Kudal kalangudhae
Ingedhiril maranam
Enum vembuliyum seerudhae
Kalangudhae ingedhiril maranam
Enum vembuliyum seerudhae
Iruvinai vasamaam
Ivvudaloru neerkkumizhi
Iruvinai vasamaam
Ivvudaloru neerkkumizhi
Idhanidai uyar
Neriyadaiya mei
Iraivan arulin vaetkkai
Idhanidai uyar
Neriyadaiya mei
Iraivan arulin vaetkkai
Udaiyaraagi idaiyaraadha
Thiruvadi ninaivudanae
Udaiyaraagi idaiyaraadha
Thiruvadi ninaivudanae
Kadimadhil pandari puramadhai
Orumurai kandu panindhu prabo
Paandu ranga jeya vittalai
Endru panindhida
Maanida jenmam meendum
Vandhidumo ulageer
Uyar maanida jenmam meendum
Vandhidumo…oo…oo…oo…
Will this human birth
ever come again, O people of the world?
Will this precious human birth
ever come again, O people of the world?
Will this precious human birth
ever come again?
Wisdom and detachment,
wisdom and detachment,
penance and compassion for all living beings,
true wisdom, detachment,
penance and compassion for all living beings,
sincere devotion along with discernment,
and divine grace that brings happiness in this world and the next—
will this human birth
ever come again, O people of the world?
Just thinking of the pain of lying in the womb
and coming out into this world,
just thinking of the pain of lying in the womb
and coming out into this world,
my stomach churns with distress.
And right before me, death
snarls like a ferocious tiger!
My heart trembles, as right before me, death
snarls like a ferocious tiger!
Bound by past good and bad karma (deeds),
this body is just a water bubble.
Bound by past good and bad karma (deeds),
this body is just a water bubble.
In the midst of this,
to walk the noble path
and long for the true Lord's grace,
in the midst of this,
to walk the noble path
and long for the true Lord's grace,
filled with that longing and constantly
remembering His sacred feet,
filled with that longing and constantly
remembering His sacred feet,
to visit the walled town of Pandharpur,
bow before it once, and pray: "O Lord,
Panduranga, victory to Vittala!"
To thus bow and surrender...
Will this human birth
ever come again, O people of the world? This precious
human birth,
will it ever come again?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song from 'Raja Mukthi' (1948), written by Papanasam Sivan, reflects on the rarity and impermanence of human birth. The lyricist reminds mankind that the human form is a rare gift that may not be granted again, comparing the physical body to a fleeting water bubble subject to the laws of karma and the ever-looming threat of death, which is likened to a fierce tiger.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

“Ivvudaloru neerkkumizhi”

Comparing the human body to a fragile, temporary water bubble ('Ivvudaloru neerkkumizhi').

Metaphor / Rupaka

“Enum vembuliyum seerudhae”

Comparing death approaching in front of a person to a roaring fierce tiger ('maranam Enum vembuliyum seerudhae').

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Iruvinai vasamaam”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'I' across consecutive lines ('Iruvinai', 'Ivvudaloru', 'Idhanidai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Raja Mukthi' (1948) featured classical Karnatic vocalist M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar in the lead role alongside V. N. Janaki (who later married M. G. Ramachandran). The song carries Papanasam Sivan's characteristic devotional fervor, incorporating standard Carnatic-bhakti themes and Vithala/Panduranga worship.

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