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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Narayana Manthiram

From Bhakta Prahlada · 1967

Lyricist
Alangudi Somu
Singers
P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
S. Rajeswara Rao
Details
Bhakta Prahlada1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Om namo naarayanayaOm, salutations to Narayana.
Chorus :Om namo naarayanaya} (3)Chorus: Om, salutations to Narayana.
Female
Naarayana manthramThe chant of Narayana,
Adhuve naalum perinbamThat alone brings eternal supreme bliss every day.
Chorus :Naarayana manthramChorus: The chant of Narayana,
Adhuve naalum perinbamThat alone brings eternal supreme bliss every day.
Female
Piraviyil vantha bhandhangal theerthuIt severs the attachments bound through births,
Parama arul tharum saadhanamIt is the spiritual means that grants supreme grace.
Chorus :Naarayana manthramChorus: The chant of Narayana,
Adhuve naalum perinbamThat alone brings eternal supreme bliss every day.
Naarayana manthramThe chant of Narayana,
Adhuve naalum perinbamThat alone brings eternal supreme bliss every day.
Female
Udalinai varuthi moochinaiTorturing the body and controlling the breath,
Adakum thavathaal payan illaiSuch austere penance is of no avail.
Udalinai varuthi moochinaiTorturing the body and controlling the breath,
Adakum thavathaal payan illaiSuch austere penance is of no avail.
Uyirgalai vadhaithu homangalSlaying living beings to conduct ritual fires,
Valarkum yaagangal thevai illaiSuch grand sacrifices are not required.
Uyirgalai vadhaithu homangalSlaying living beings to conduct ritual fires,
Valarkum yaagangal thevai illaiSuch grand sacrifices are not required.
Maadhava madhusudhana endraIf one chants Madhava, Madhusudhana,
Manathil thuyaram illaiThere will be no sorrow in the heart.
Chorus :Maadhava madhusudhana endraChorus: If one chants Madhava, Madhusudhana,
Manathil thuyaram illaiThere will be no sorrow in the heart.
Chorus
Naarayana manthramThe chant of Narayana,
Adhuve naalum perinbamThat alone brings eternal supreme bliss every day.
Naarayana manthramThe chant of Narayana,
Adhuve naalum perinbamThat alone brings eternal supreme bliss every day.
Female
Aadhiyum anthamum naarayananeNarayana is both the beginning and the end.
Annaiyum thanthaiyum naarayananeNarayana is both the mother and the father.
Bhakthiyum mukthiyum naarayananeNarayana is devotion as well as liberation.
Pagalum iravum naarayananeNarayana is both the day and the night.
Female
Piraviyil vantha bhandhangal theerthuIt severs the attachments bound through births,
Parama arul tharum saadhanamIt is the spiritual means that grants supreme grace.
Chorus :Naarayana manthramChorus: The chant of Narayana,
Adhuve naalum perinbamThat alone brings eternal supreme bliss every day.
Female
{Naarayana hari naarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana,
Naarayana lakshmi naarayanaNarayana Lakshmi Narayana.
Chorus :Naarayana hari naarayanaChorus: Narayana Hari Narayana,
Naarayana lakshmi naarayana} (2)Narayana Lakshmi Narayana.
Female
{Naarayana hari naarayanaNarayana Hari Narayana,
Chorus :Naarayana hari naarayana} (3)Chorus: Narayana Hari Narayana.
Chorus
Naarayana hari naarayana…(4)Narayana Hari Narayana...
Chorus
Hari naarayana…(3)Hari Narayana...
Male and Chorus :Hari naarayana…(5)Male and Chorus: Hari Narayana...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from the 1967 film Bhakta Prahlada glorifies the divine name and mantra of Lord Narayana (Vishnu). Sung primarily from the perspective of young Prahlada, the lyrics emphasize pure, loving devotion (Bhakti) over grueling physical penances or ritualistic sacrifices involving harm to living creatures. It highlights that simply chanting the names of the Lord removes worldly grief, severs karmic bonds accumulated across births, and grants eternal bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni (Anaphora / Alliteration)

Aadhiyum anthamum naarayanane

Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sound combinations across lines, such as 'Aadhiyum', 'Annaiyum', 'Bhakthiyum', 'Pagalum' paired with 'Naarayanane'.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Aadhiyum anthamum naarayanane... Pagalum iravum naarayanane

The suffix '-um naarayanane' is repeated continuously at the end of four consecutive lines to emphasize omnipresence.

Contrast / Antonymy

Pagalum iravum naarayanane

Pairs opposing concepts like beginning and end (Aadhi - Antham), mother and father (Annai - Thanthai), day and night (Pagal - Iravu) to denote total completeness.

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Trivia

Bhakta Prahlada (1967) was a grand mythological masterpiece produced by AVM Productions in multiple South Indian languages. While S. Rajeswara Rao composed the musical score, P. Susheela provided the iconic playback voice for child artist Rojaramani, who played the titular role of Prahlada.

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