Muththaitharu
From Leader · 2026
- Lyricist
- Arunagirinathar
- Singer
- Ghibran Vaibodha
- Music director
- Ghibran Vaibodha
- Details
- Leader2026
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Muthaitharu pathith thirunagai | Oh Lord with a beautiful smile like sparkling pearls, |
| Aththikkirai saththi saravana | The Lord of Devayanai, wielder of the Vel, born in the Saravana lake, |
| Muththikkoru viththu gurubara..enavodhum | Praised as the supreme Guru who is the very seed of liberation! |
| Muthaitharu pathith thirunagai | Oh Lord with a beautiful smile like sparkling pearls, |
| Aththikkirai saththi saravana | The Lord of Devayanai, wielder of the Vel, born in the Saravana lake, |
| Muththikkoru viththu gurubara..enavodhum | Praised as the supreme Guru who is the very seed of liberation! |
| Male | |
| Mukkatpara marku suruthiyin | He who taught the eternal truth of the Vedas |
| Murpattathu karpith thiruvarum | To the three-eyed Lord Shiva Himself, |
| Muppaththumu varkkath thamararum adipaena | Whose sacred feet are worshiped by the thirty-three celestial gods, |
| Mukkatpara marku suruthiyin | He who taught the eternal truth of the Vedas |
| Murpattathu karpith thiruvarum | To the three-eyed Lord Shiva Himself, |
| Muppaththumu varkkath thamararum adipaena | Whose sacred feet are worshiped by the thirty-three celestial gods, |
| Male | |
| Paththu thalai thaththa kanaithodu | He who severed the ten heads of Ravana with a swift arrow, |
| Otraikkiri maththai poruthoru | Who used the single Mandara mountain as a churning stick, |
| Pattappagal vatta thigiriyil iravaaga | Who turned bright daylight into night using His circular discus, |
| Paththu thalai thaththa kanaithodu | He who severed the ten heads of Ravana with a swift arrow, |
| Otraikkiri maththai poruthoru | Who used the single Mandara mountain as a churning stick, |
| Pattappagal vatta thigiriyil iravaaga | Who turned bright daylight into night using His circular discus, |
| Male | |
| Paththarkira thaththai kadaviya | The dark emerald cloud-hued Krishna who drove the chariot for His devotee Arjuna, |
| Pachchaippuyal mechcha thaguporul | Who praises You as the supreme truth of the universe— |
| Patchaththodu ratchith arulvadhum orunalae | Will You not grant me Your grace and protect me with affection one day? |
| Paththarkira thaththai kadaviya | The dark emerald cloud-hued Krishna who drove the chariot for His devotee Arjuna, |
| Pachchaippuyal mechcha thaguporul | Who praises You as the supreme truth of the universe— |
| Patchaththodu ratchith arulvadhum orunalae | Will You not grant me Your grace and protect me with affection one day? |
| Male | |
| Thiththiththeya otha paripura | As Goddess Bhairavi dances with anklets echoing 'Thiththiththeya', |
| Nirththappadham vaithu payiravi | Placing her rhythmic dancing feet as eagles and jackals dance in unison, |
| Thikkotka nadikka kazhukodu kazhuthaada | Making all directions tremble with fearful music, |
| Thiththiththeya otha paripura | As Goddess Bhairavi dances with anklets echoing 'Thiththiththeya', |
| Nirththappadham vaithu payiravi | Placing her rhythmic dancing feet as eagles and jackals dance in unison, |
| Thikkotka nadikka kazhukodu kazhuthaada | Making all directions tremble with fearful music, |
| Male | |
| Thikkuppari atta payiravar | The eight Bhairavas controlling the eight directions, |
| Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu | Chanting the drum rhythms 'Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu', |
| Chithrappavurikku thrikadaka enavodha | Reciting 'Thrikadaka' for the wondrous cosmic dance, |
| Thikkuppari atta payiravar | The eight Bhairavas controlling the eight directions, |
| Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu | Chanting the drum rhythms 'Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu', |
| Chithrappavurikku thrikadaka enavodha | Reciting 'Thrikadaka' for the wondrous cosmic dance, |
| Male | |
| Koththupparai kotta kalamisai | While clusters of war drums beat loudly on the battlefield, |
| Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku | And ancient screech owls hoot 'Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku', |
| Kuththipputhai pukku pidiyena muthukogai | Swooping down to peck, bury, enter, and seize the fallen, |
| Koththupparai kotta kalamisai | While clusters of war drums beat loudly on the battlefield, |
| Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku | And ancient screech owls hoot 'Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku', |
| Kuththipputhai pukku pidiyena muthukogai | Swooping down to peck, bury, enter, and seize the fallen, |
| Male | |
| Kotputrezha natputtravunarai | You rose with mighty valor to destroy the evil demons, |
| Vettippali yittu kulakiri | Slaying them as sacrifices and shattering the great mountains, |
| Kuththuppada voththu poravala perumalae…. | Oh Great Lord who emerges victorious in fierce battle! |
| Kotputrezha natputtravunarai | You rose with mighty valor to destroy the evil demons, |
| Vettippali yittu kulakiri | Slaying them as sacrifices and shattering the great mountains, |
| Kuththuppada voththu poravala perumalae… | Oh Great Lord who emerges victorious in fierce battle! |
முத்தைத்தரு பத்தித் திருநகை
அத்திக்கிறை சத்திச் சரவண
முத்திக்கொரு வித்துக் குருபர ..எனவோதும்
முத்தைத்தரு பத்தித் திருநகை
அத்திக்கிறை சத்திச் சரவண
முத்திக்கொரு வித்துக் குருபர ..எனவோதும்
Oh Lord with a beautiful smile like sparkling pearls,
The Lord of Devayanai, wielder of the Vel, born in the Saravana lake,
Praised as the supreme Guru who is the very seed of liberation!
Oh Lord with a beautiful smile like sparkling pearls,
The Lord of Devayanai, wielder of the Vel, born in the Saravana lake,
Praised as the supreme Guru who is the very seed of liberation!
முக்கட்பர மற்குச் சுருதியின்
முற்பட்டது கற்பித் திருவரும்
முப்பத்துமு வர்க்கத் தமரரும் .. அடிபேணப்
முக்கட்பர மற்குச் சுருதியின்
முற்பட்டது கற்பித் திருவரும்
முப்பத்துமு வர்க்கத் தமரரும் .. அடிபேணப்
He who taught the eternal truth of the Vedas
To the three-eyed Lord Shiva Himself,
Whose sacred feet are worshiped by the thirty-three celestial gods,
He who taught the eternal truth of the Vedas
To the three-eyed Lord Shiva Himself,
Whose sacred feet are worshiped by the thirty-three celestial gods,
பத்துத்தலை தத்தக் கணைதொடு
ஒற்றைக்கிரி மத்தைப் பொருதொரு
பட்டப்பகல் வட்டத் திகிரியில் .. இரவாகப்
பத்துத்தலை தத்தக் கணைதொடு
ஒற்றைக்கிரி மத்தைப் பொருதொரு
பட்டப்பகல் வட்டத் திகிரியில் .. இரவாகப்
He who severed the ten heads of Ravana with a swift arrow,
Who used the single Mandara mountain as a churning stick,
Who turned bright daylight into night using His circular discus,
He who severed the ten heads of Ravana with a swift arrow,
Who used the single Mandara mountain as a churning stick,
Who turned bright daylight into night using His circular discus,
பத்தற்கிர தத்தைக் கடவிய
பச்சைப்பு யல்மெச்சத் தகுபொருள்
பட்சத்தொடு ரட்சித் தருள்வதும் … ஒருநாளே
பத்தற்கிர தத்தைக் கடவிய
பச்சைப்பு யல்மெச்சத் தகுபொருள்
பட்சத்தொடு ரட்சித் தருள்வதும் … ஒருநாளே
The dark emerald cloud-hued Krishna who drove the chariot for His devotee Arjuna,
Who praises You as the supreme truth of the universe—
Will You not grant me Your grace and protect me with affection one day?
The dark emerald cloud-hued Krishna who drove the chariot for His devotee Arjuna,
Who praises You as the supreme truth of the universe—
Will You not grant me Your grace and protect me with affection one day?
தித்தித்தெய ஒத்தப் பரிபுர
நிர்த்தப்பதம் வைத்துப் பயிரவி
திக்கொட்கந டிக்கக் கழுகொடு … கழுதாடத்
தித்தித்தெய ஒத்தப் பரிபுர
நிர்த்தப்பதம் வைத்துப் பயிரவி
திக்கொட்கந டிக்கக் கழுகொடு … கழுதாடத்
As Goddess Bhairavi dances with anklets echoing 'Thiththiththeya',
Placing her rhythmic dancing feet as eagles and jackals dance in unison,
Making all directions tremble with fearful music,
As Goddess Bhairavi dances with anklets echoing 'Thiththiththeya',
Placing her rhythmic dancing feet as eagles and jackals dance in unison,
Making all directions tremble with fearful music,
திக்குப்பரி அட்டப் பயிரவர்
தொக்குத்தொகு தொக்குத் தொகுதொகு
சித்ரப்பவு ரிக்குத் த்ரிகடக ….. எனவோதக்
திக்குப்பரி அட்டப் பயிரவர்
தொக்குத்தொகு தொக்குத் தொகுதொகு
சித்ரப்பவு ரிக்குத் த்ரிகடக ….. எனவோதக்
The eight Bhairavas controlling the eight directions,
Chanting the drum rhythms 'Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu',
Reciting 'Thrikadaka' for the wondrous cosmic dance,
The eight Bhairavas controlling the eight directions,
Chanting the drum rhythms 'Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu',
Reciting 'Thrikadaka' for the wondrous cosmic dance,
கொத்துப்பறை கொட்டக் களமிசை
குக்குக்குகு குக்குக் குகுகுகு
குத்திப்புதை புக்குப் பிடியென … முதுகூகை
கொத்துப்பறை கொட்டக் களமிசை
குக்குக்குகு குக்குக் குகுகுகு
குத்திப்புதை புக்குப் பிடியென … முதுகூகை
While clusters of war drums beat loudly on the battlefield,
And ancient screech owls hoot 'Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku',
Swooping down to peck, bury, enter, and seize the fallen,
While clusters of war drums beat loudly on the battlefield,
And ancient screech owls hoot 'Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku',
Swooping down to peck, bury, enter, and seize the fallen,
கொட்புற்றெழ நட்புற் றவுணரை
வெட்டிப்பலி யிட்டுக் குலகிரி
குத்துப்பட வொத்துப் பொரவல … பெருமாளே
கொட்புற்றெழ நட்புற் றவுணரை
வெட்டிப்பலி யிட்டுக் குலகிரி
குத்துப்பட வொத்துப் பொரவல … பெருமாளே…
You rose with mighty valor to destroy the evil demons,
Slaying them as sacrifices and shattering the great mountains,
Oh Great Lord who emerges victorious in fierce battle!
You rose with mighty valor to destroy the evil demons,
Slaying them as sacrifices and shattering the great mountains,
Oh Great Lord who emerges victorious in fierce battle!
Muthaitharu pathith thirunagai
Oh Lord with a beautiful smile like sparkling pearls,
Aththikkirai saththi saravana
The Lord of Devayanai, wielder of the Vel, born in the Saravana lake,
Muththikkoru viththu gurubara..enavodhum
Praised as the supreme Guru who is the very seed of liberation!
Muthaitharu pathith thirunagai
Oh Lord with a beautiful smile like sparkling pearls,
Aththikkirai saththi saravana
The Lord of Devayanai, wielder of the Vel, born in the Saravana lake,
Muththikkoru viththu gurubara..enavodhum
Praised as the supreme Guru who is the very seed of liberation!
Mukkatpara marku suruthiyin
He who taught the eternal truth of the Vedas
Murpattathu karpith thiruvarum
To the three-eyed Lord Shiva Himself,
Muppaththumu varkkath thamararum adipaena
Whose sacred feet are worshiped by the thirty-three celestial gods,
Mukkatpara marku suruthiyin
He who taught the eternal truth of the Vedas
Murpattathu karpith thiruvarum
To the three-eyed Lord Shiva Himself,
Muppaththumu varkkath thamararum adipaena
Whose sacred feet are worshiped by the thirty-three celestial gods,
Paththu thalai thaththa kanaithodu
He who severed the ten heads of Ravana with a swift arrow,
Otraikkiri maththai poruthoru
Who used the single Mandara mountain as a churning stick,
Pattappagal vatta thigiriyil iravaaga
Who turned bright daylight into night using His circular discus,
Paththu thalai thaththa kanaithodu
He who severed the ten heads of Ravana with a swift arrow,
Otraikkiri maththai poruthoru
Who used the single Mandara mountain as a churning stick,
Pattappagal vatta thigiriyil iravaaga
Who turned bright daylight into night using His circular discus,
Paththarkira thaththai kadaviya
The dark emerald cloud-hued Krishna who drove the chariot for His devotee Arjuna,
Pachchaippuyal mechcha thaguporul
Who praises You as the supreme truth of the universe—
Patchaththodu ratchith arulvadhum orunalae
Will You not grant me Your grace and protect me with affection one day?
Paththarkira thaththai kadaviya
The dark emerald cloud-hued Krishna who drove the chariot for His devotee Arjuna,
Pachchaippuyal mechcha thaguporul
Who praises You as the supreme truth of the universe—
Patchaththodu ratchith arulvadhum orunalae
Will You not grant me Your grace and protect me with affection one day?
Thiththiththeya otha paripura
As Goddess Bhairavi dances with anklets echoing 'Thiththiththeya',
Nirththappadham vaithu payiravi
Placing her rhythmic dancing feet as eagles and jackals dance in unison,
Thikkotka nadikka kazhukodu kazhuthaada
Making all directions tremble with fearful music,
Thiththiththeya otha paripura
As Goddess Bhairavi dances with anklets echoing 'Thiththiththeya',
Nirththappadham vaithu payiravi
Placing her rhythmic dancing feet as eagles and jackals dance in unison,
Thikkotka nadikka kazhukodu kazhuthaada
Making all directions tremble with fearful music,
Thikkuppari atta payiravar
The eight Bhairavas controlling the eight directions,
Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu
Chanting the drum rhythms 'Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu',
Chithrappavurikku thrikadaka enavodha
Reciting 'Thrikadaka' for the wondrous cosmic dance,
Thikkuppari atta payiravar
The eight Bhairavas controlling the eight directions,
Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu
Chanting the drum rhythms 'Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu',
Chithrappavurikku thrikadaka enavodha
Reciting 'Thrikadaka' for the wondrous cosmic dance,
Koththupparai kotta kalamisai
While clusters of war drums beat loudly on the battlefield,
Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku
And ancient screech owls hoot 'Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku',
Kuththipputhai pukku pidiyena muthukogai
Swooping down to peck, bury, enter, and seize the fallen,
Koththupparai kotta kalamisai
While clusters of war drums beat loudly on the battlefield,
Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku
And ancient screech owls hoot 'Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku',
Kuththipputhai pukku pidiyena muthukogai
Swooping down to peck, bury, enter, and seize the fallen,
Kotputrezha natputtravunarai
You rose with mighty valor to destroy the evil demons,
Vettippali yittu kulakiri
Slaying them as sacrifices and shattering the great mountains,
Kuththuppada voththu poravala perumalae….
Oh Great Lord who emerges victorious in fierce battle!
Kotputrezha natputtravunarai
You rose with mighty valor to destroy the evil demons,
Vettippali yittu kulakiri
Slaying them as sacrifices and shattering the great mountains,
Kuththuppada voththu poravala perumalae…
Oh Great Lord who emerges victorious in fierce battle!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is 'Muthaitharu Pathith Thirunagai', the iconic opening verse of the Thiruppugazh composed by the 15th-century saint-poet Arunagirinathar in praise of Lord Murugan. The poem opens with divine epithets praising Murugan as the supreme teacher (Gurubaran) who imparted the meaning of the Pranava Mantra (Om) to Lord Shiva, and whose feet are revered by thirty-three types of devas. It highlights the praise Murugan receives from His uncle, Lord Vishnu (referred to via His famous deeds in Ramayana and Mahabharata, such as severing Ravana's heads, churning the ocean with Mount Mandara, and blocking the sun with the Sudarshana Chakra). The second half paints a vivid, rhythmic scene of the battlefield where Murugan vanquished the demon Surapadman. It incorporates intense rhythmic sounds (Sollukattu) depicting Goddess Bhairavi, the eight direction-protecting Bhairavas, screech owls, and jackals dancing amidst the drums of war. The hymn concludes with a heartfelt prayer asking Lord Murugan to shower His grace and protect the devotee.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Chhandas (Rhythmic Meter / Chandam)
“Muthaitharu pathith thirunagai”
The entire poem is built on a strict, hypnotic rhythmic meter (Thana-Thana-Thana-Thana Pattern) designed to create a musical and percussive cadence.
Onomatopoeia (Sound Imitation / Solkattu)
“Thokkuththogu thokkuth thoguthogu / Kukkukkuku kukkuk kukukuku”
Use of rhythmic percussive syllables and bird calls mimicking the sounds of dancing anklets, war drums, and battlefield sounds.
Monorhyme and Alliteration (Edukai & Monai)
“Muthaitharu pathith thirunagai”
Extensive use of Tamil poetic sound patterns where matching consonant sounds appear in second positions across lines (e.g., Muthaitharu / Aththikkirai / Muththikkoru).
Allusion (Puranic References)
“Paththu thalai thaththa kanaithodu / Pattappagal vatta thigiriyil iravaaga”
References to major episodes from Indian epics including Ramayana (cutting Ravana's heads) and Mahabharata (Jayadratha's death via solar eclipse trick).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Muthaitharu' is famously believed to be the very first song Arunagirinathar composed. According to tradition, after Arunagirinathar attempted to end his life at the Tiruvannamalai temple tower out of remorse over his past life, Lord Murugan saved him and uttered the first line 'Muthaitharu Pathith Thirunagai' as a divine command for him to compose songs.
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