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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maname Avan Vazhum

From Pagalil Pournami · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Ilayaraja, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pagalil Pournami1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thalaivan thiruppadham potriPraise the sacred feet of the Leader
Chorus :Thalaivan thiruppadham potriChorus: Praise the sacred feet of the Leader
Male :Iraivan thirunaamam potriMale: Praise the holy name of God
Chorus :Iraivan thirunaamam potriChorus: Praise the holy name of God
Male :Yaavum nalamaagaMale: May everything turn out well
Edhuvum vasamaagaMay everything come under control
Chorus :Yaavum nalamaagaChorus: May everything turn out well
Edhuvum vasamaagaMay everything come under control
Male :Maevum vinai theeraMale: May accrued sins be resolved
Menmai nilai saeraMay a noble status be attained
Chorus :Maevum vinai theeraChorus: May accrued sins be resolved
Menmai nilai saeraMay a noble status be attained
Male and Chorus :Male and Chorus:
Thalaivan thiruppadham potriPraise the sacred feet of the Leader
Male
Manamae avan vaazhum koyilThe mind itself is the temple where He resides
Chorus :Om…Chorus: Om...
Male :Sivanae adhil vaazhum dheivamMale: Lord Shiva is the deity who lives within it
Chorus :Om…Chorus: Om...
Male
Pookkal dhinam koidhuPlucking flowers daily
Poojai pala seidhuPerforming various rituals of worship
Naangu marai odhiChanting the four Vedas
Naadum arul jothiSeeking the divine light of grace
Azhudhaal thozhudhaal varuvaanoWill He come if one cries and worships Him?
Male
Manamae avan vaazhum koyilThe mind itself is the temple where He resides
Chorus :Om…Chorus: Om...
Male :Sivanae adhil vaazhum dheivamMale: Lord Shiva is the deity who lives within it
Chorus :Om…Chorus: Om...
Male
Aanmaa thirukkoyil vilakkaagaWith the soul as the temple lamp
Anbae adhil kaanum thiriyaagaWith love as the wick seen within it
Aarvam neiyaaga idubavan naanI am the one who pours devotion as ghee
Adhanaal aasaigal vidubavan naanTherefore, I am the one who relinquishes desires
Kadal thanil nadhi seraa neram yedhuIs there a time when a river does not merge into the sea?
Sivanudan seraadha jeevan yedhuIs there a soul that does not merge with Shiva?
Adhudhaal thozhudhaal varuvaanoWill He come if one cries and worships Him?
Chorus
Manamae avan vaazhum koyilThe mind itself is the temple where He resides
Sivanae adhil vaazhum dheivamLord Shiva is the deity who lives within it
Male
Naanaai pirandhenaa naan ariyenDid I choose to be born as myself? I do not know
Ninaithaal irappenaa naan ariyenWill I die whenever I think of it? I do not know
Kuraigal kuraiyaadha maeni idhuThis is a body whose flaws do not diminish
Niraigal ariyaadha nenjam idhuThis is a heart that knows no virtues
Marai porul thalai kaana thudikkiradhaeThe heart yearns to behold the hidden truth
Iru vizhi kanneerai vadikkiradhaeBoth eyes shed tears
Azhudhaal thozhudhaal varuvaanoWill He come if one cries and worships Him?
Male
Manamae avan vaazhum koyilThe mind itself is the temple where He resides
Chorus :Om…Chorus: Om...
Male :Sivanae adhil vaazhum dheivamMale: Lord Shiva is the deity who lives within it
Chorus :Om…Chorus: Om...
Male
Pookkal dhinam koidhuPlucking flowers daily
Poojai pala seidhuPerforming various rituals of worship
Naangu marai odhiChanting the four Vedas
Naadum arul jothiSeeking the divine light of grace
Azhudhaal thozhudhaal varuvaanoWill He come if one cries and worships Him?
Chorus
Manamae avan vaazhum koyilThe mind itself is the temple where He resides
Sivanae adhil vaazhum dheivamLord Shiva is the deity who lives within it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song explores the profound philosophical concept that the human mind and soul serve as the true abode of God (Lord Shiva). It questions external rituals—such as offering flowers, performing elaborate ceremonies, or chanting scriptures—emphasizing that true realization comes from inner devotion, surrender, and shedding worldly desires. The lyrics reflect on human ignorance regarding birth, death, and spiritual truth, yearning for divine grace through inner illumination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Manamae avan vaazhum koyil

Compares the mind directly to a temple where Lord Shiva resides.

Extended Metaphor

Aanmaa thirukkoyil vilakkaaga / Anbae adhil kaanum thiriyaaga / Aarvam neiyaaga

Compares elements of worship to inner virtues: soul as lamp, love as wick, and eagerness/devotion as ghee.

Monai (Alliteration)

Aanmaa thirukkoyil... / Anbae adhil... / Aarvam neiyaaga...

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('A') across consecutive lines.

Iyaibu (Rhyming Ends)

Pookkal dhinam koidhu / Poojai pala seidhu

Matching end sounds in adjacent lines ('koidhu' / 'seidhu').

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Trivia

Pagalil Pournami (1990) is a Tamil horror-thriller film directed by V. M. C. Hanifa, starring Sivakumar and Radhika. Lyricist Vaali draws heavily from Shaivite Siddhanta philosophy, echoing famous verses by Tamil Siddhas like Thirumoolar who famously wrote that the human body and mind are the true temples of the Divine.

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