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Varuvan Vadivelan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Paavakadai Theruvil

From Varuvan Vadivelan · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Varuvan Vadivelan
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
27 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paavakkadai theruvil
Paduthirundha paavi enai
Gnyanakkadal thannil
Nadakka vitta vel muruga
Aarupadai nayaganae
Avamadhikkum maanidarkku
Maarudhalai kaatti
Manam thiruthum vel Muruga
Muruga
Sathiya thirukkolam
Muthaiyan vadivendra
Thaththuvam arindhen kandha
Sathiya thirukkolam
Muthaiyan vadivendra
Thaththuvam arindhen kandha
Piththanin vilayaattu
Pizhai poruthae undhan
Perarul thandhaai kandha
Kai sumandhaal enna
Thalai sumandhaal enna
Kandhanai sumakkindradhu
Avan kadan thandha en meni
Kaalathilae vandhu
Kadanaiyum theerkkindrathu
Kadanaiyum theerkkindrathu
Muruga
Sathiya thirukkolam
Muthaiyan vadivendra
Thaththuvam arindhen kandha
Thaththuvam arindhen kandha
Maadhumayaal maindhan
Maasi magam kaana
Maanudam thiralgindradhu
Maadhumayaal maindhan
Maasi magam kaana
Maanudam thiralgindradhu
Indha makkalin vinaiyenum
Sikkalai theerkkum karam
Sikkalil irukkindradhu
Karam sikkalil irukkindradhu
Azhagappan menikku
Azhagu seithaal adhil
Arul neri jolikkindradhu
Thiru aandiappan kaalil
Aasigal pera vendi
Arasangam varugindradhu
Venthanal pol ezhundha
Vidhiyinil thudippaarkku
Sandhanam tharugindradhu
Nalla veettu kulamagalai
Vilakketri vaikka cholli
Kungumam idugindradhu
Mangala kungumam idugindradhu
Avanidam ponavarkku
Avanai adaindhavarkku
Yamanidam bayamillaiyae
Andha sivanidam om endraal
Ivanidam porul ketppaan
Ivanukku mel illaiyae
In the marketplace of sins,
a sinner like me was lying down;
into the ocean of wisdom,
you made me walk, O Vel Muruga!
O Lord of the six holy abodes,
to mortals who disrespect,
showing them a transformation,
you reform their hearts, O Vel Muruga!
Muruga!
That the divine form of truth
is the very form of Lord Muruga,
I realized this truth, O Kanda!
That the divine form of truth
is the very form of Lord Muruga,
I realized this truth, O Kanda!
Forgiving the antics
and mistakes of this madman,
you showered your great grace, O Kanda!
What does it matter if the hands carry,
or if the head carries?
It carries Lord Kandan!
This body, given by him on loan,
arrives in due time
and repays its debt!
It repays its debt!
Muruga!
That the divine form of truth
is the very form of Lord Muruga,
I realized this truth, O Kanda!
I realized this truth, O Kanda!
To see the son of goddess Uma
on the sacred day of Masi Magam,
humanity gathers in crowds!
To see the son of goddess Uma
on the sacred day of Masi Magam,
humanity gathers in crowds!
The knot of people's karma—
the hand that untangles it
rests in the holy shrine of Sikkal!
His hand rests in Sikkal!
When decorating the handsome Lord,
with lovely adornments,
the light of his grace shines bright!
At the feet of the ascetic Lord,
to receive his blessings,
even governments come bowing!
To those burning like hot embers
and suffering from their fate,
he gives cooling sandalwood!
Asking the noble woman of the home
to light the prayer lamp,
he blesses her with holy kumkum powder!
He blesses her with auspicious kumkum powder!
For those who go to him,
for those who surrender to him,
there is no fear of the god of death!
If 'Om' is spoken to Lord Shiva,
Shiva himself asks him for the meaning;
there is no one above him!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This devotional hymn sung in praise of Lord Muruga highlights the transforming power of divine grace. The poet reflects on his humble, sinful origin and how Muruga elevated him into a path of spiritual enlightenment ('Gnyanakkadal'). The song references various sacred abodes and forms of Muruga, such as Sikkal (where Muruga receives the Vel to destroy karma/evils), Palani (Aandiappan), and the legend of Muruga explaining the cosmic meaning of 'Om' (Pranava Mantra) to His father Lord Shiva. Through vivid imagery, lyricist Kannadasan emphasizes that total surrender to Muruga removes all worldly afflictions, purifies karmic debts, conquers the fear of mortality (Yama), and brings peace, prosperity, and spiritual salvation to devotees regardless of their stature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Slepukal / Pun (Wordplay / Yamakam)

Indha makkalin vinaiyenum Sikkalai theerkkum karam Sikkalil irukkindradhu

The word 'Sikkal' is used poetically as both the name of the holy temple town (Sikkal Singaravelan) and as a noun meaning 'entanglement/trouble' ('vinaiyenum sikkalai... karam sikkalil irukkindradhu').

Metaphor (Uruvagamdhu)

Venthanal pol ezhundha Vidhiyinil thudippaarkku Sandhanam tharugindradhu

Comparing karmic burden/fate to a raging fire ('Venthanal') and the Lord's relief/grace to soothing sandalwood ('Sandhanam').

Emona / Alliteration (Monai)

Maadhumayaal maindhan Maasi magam kaana Maanudam thiralgindradhu

Repetition of initial consonants like 'M' across consecutive lines (Maadhumayaal / Maasi / Maanudam).

Anaphora / Repetition (Eyalbu)

Kai sumandhaal enna Thalai sumandhaal enna

Repetition of rhetorical phrases comparing ways of carrying the deity ('Kai sumandhaal enna, Thalai sumandhaal enna').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Kannadasan was well-known for integrating profound Saiva Siddhanta philosophy into accessible movie devotional songs. In this track, he cleverly references legendary Murugan temples: Sikkal (known for the divine Vel), Palani (where Muruga appears as Thiru Aandiappan in a simple ascetic attire), and Swamimalai (where Muruga turned Guru to Lord Shiva to explain the Pranava Mantra 'Om').

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