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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paavakadai Theruvil

From Varuvan Vadivelan · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Varuvan Vadivelan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paavakkadai theruvilIn the street of sinful trades,
Paduthirundha paavi enaiTo me, a sinner lying prone,
Gnyanakkadal thannilInto the ocean of divine wisdom,
Nadakka vitta vel murugaYou made me walk, O Vel Muruga!
Aarupadai nayaganaeO Lord of the six sacred abodes,
Avamadhikkum maanidarkkuTo mortals who treat divinity with disdain,
Maarudhalai kaattiShowing them a profound transformation,
Manam thiruthum vel MurugaO Vel Muruga, you reform their hearts!
MurugaO Muruga!
Male
Sathiya thirukkolamThat the ultimate form of divine truth
Muthaiyan vadivendraIs the eternal form of Muthaiyan (Muruga),
Thaththuvam arindhen kandhaI came to realize this wisdom, O Skanda!
Sathiya thirukkolamThat the ultimate form of divine truth
Muthaiyan vadivendraIs the eternal form of Muthaiyan (Muruga),
Thaththuvam arindhen kandhaI came to realize this wisdom, O Skanda!
Male
Piththanin vilayaattuForgiving the divine playfulness of this mad seeker,
Pizhai poruthae undhanPardoning all my flaws and misdeeds,
Perarul thandhaai kandhaYou showered your supreme grace, O Skanda!
Male
Kai sumandhaal ennaWhether carried by the hands,
Thalai sumandhaal ennaOr borne upon the head,
Kandhanai sumakkindradhuThat which carries Lord Skanda
Avan kadan thandha en meniIs this body lent to me by Him as a debt,
Kaalathilae vandhuAnd in due course of time,
Kadanaiyum theerkkindrathuIt repays and clears that loan.
Kadanaiyum theerkkindrathuIt repays and clears that loan.
Male
MurugaO Muruga!
Sathiya thirukkolamThat the ultimate form of divine truth
Muthaiyan vadivendraIs the eternal form of Muthaiyan (Muruga),
Thaththuvam arindhen kandhaI came to realize this wisdom, O Skanda!
Thaththuvam arindhen kandhaI came to realize this wisdom, O Skanda!
Female
Maadhumayaal maindhanTo witness the son of Goddess Uma
Maasi magam kaanaDuring the auspicious Maasi Magam festival,
Maanudam thiralgindradhuMankind gathers in vast crowds.
Maadhumayaal maindhanTo witness the son of Goddess Uma
Maasi magam kaanaDuring the auspicious Maasi Magam festival,
Maanudam thiralgindradhuMankind gathers in vast crowds.
Female
Indha makkalin vinaiyenumThe divine hand that untangles
Sikkalai theerkkum karamThe intricate knots of people's karma
Sikkalil irukkindradhuResides in the holy shrine of Sikkal.
Karam sikkalil irukkindradhuThat grace-bestowing hand rests in Sikkal.
Male
Azhagappan menikkuWhen adornments are offered to the handsome Lord Azhagappan,
Azhagu seithaal adhilWithin that divine form,
Arul neri jolikkindradhuThe path of righteous grace radiates brilliantly.
Thiru aandiappan kaalilAt the holy feet of Lord Aandiappan,
Aasigal pera vendiTo seek divine blessings,
Arasangam varugindradhuEven kings and governments bow down and arrive.
Female
Venthanal pol ezhundhaFor those who writhe in agony
Vidhiyinil thudippaarkkuUnder a fate burning like intense fire,
Sandhanam tharugindradhuHe bestows the soothing sandalwood paste.
Nalla veettu kulamagalaiInstructing the virtuous housewife of a noble home
Vilakketri vaikka cholliTo light the sacred lamp,
Kungumam idugindradhuHe blesses her with holy kumkum.
Mangala kungumam idugindradhuHe blesses her with auspicious kumkum.
Male
Avanidam ponavarkkuFor those who seek refuge in Him,
Avanai adaindhavarkkuFor those who attain His divine lotus feet,
Yamanidam bayamillaiyaeThere is no fear of Yama, the God of Death.
Andha sivanidam om endraalIf the great Shiva says 'Om',
Ivanidam porul ketppaanHe asks the inner meaning from this Lord,
Ivanukku mel illaiyaeThere is none superior to Him!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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').

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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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