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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poiyindri Meiyodu

From Saranam Ayyappa · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Saranam Ayyappa1980

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Poiyindri meiyodu nei kondu ponaalIf you go without falsehood, with truth and carrying ghee
Aiyanai nee kaanalaamYou can see the Lord
Sabariyil aiyanai nee kaanalaamYou can see the Lord at Sabarimala
Male
Poiyindri meiyodu nei kondu ponaalIf you go without falsehood, with truth and carrying ghee
Aiyanai nee kaanalaamYou can see the Lord
Sabariyil aiyanai nee kaanalaamYou can see the Lord at Sabarimala
Male
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaaAiyappaa Lord Aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaaRefuge in Aiyappaa, Lord Aiyappaa
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaaAiyappaa Lord Aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaaRefuge in Aiyappaa, Lord Aiyappaa
Male
Avanai naadu avan pughazh paaduSeek Him, sing His glory
Pughazhodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappanAiyappan will make you live with glory
Unnai pughazhodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappanAiyappan will make you live with fame and glory
Iruppadhu kaadu vanangudhu naaduHis abode is the forest, but the entire nation worships Him
Avanai kaana thaevai panpaaduTo see Him, good character and culture are required
Male
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaaAiyappaa Lord Aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaaRefuge in Aiyappaa, Lord Aiyappaa
Male
Poojaigal podu thooya anboduPerform rituals with pure love
Peyarodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappanAiyappan will make you live with a good reputation
Nalla peyarodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappanAiyappan will make you live with a good name
Anaivarum vaarungal aiyanai naadungalCome everyone, seek the Lord
Arul vaendum anbarai ellaam vaazha vaippaanHe will bless and sustain all devotees seeking His grace
Arul vaendum anbarai ellaam…vaazha vaippaan…He will bless and sustain all devotees seeking His grace
Male
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaaAiyappaa Lord Aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaaRefuge in Aiyappaa, Lord Aiyappaa
Male
Poiyindri meiyodu nei kondu ponaalIf you go without falsehood, with truth and carrying ghee
Aiyanai nee kaanalaamYou can see the Lord
Sabariyil aiyanai nee kaanalaamYou can see the Lord at Sabarimala
Male
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaaAiyappaa Lord Aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaaRefuge in Aiyappaa, Lord Aiyappaa
Saranam aiyappaa saranam aiyappaaRefuge in Aiyappaa, refuge in Aiyappaa
Saranam aiyappaa…Refuge in Aiyappaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poiyindri Meiyodu is an iconic devotional song dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan. The song emphasizes the essential spiritual prerequisites for undertaking the sacred pilgrimage to Sabarimala. It conveys that carrying ghee (nei) to offer to the deity is meaningful only when accompanied by truthfulness, mental purity, and righteous conduct. Though Lord Ayyappan resides in the remote forests, the entire world revere Him, and He elevates the life of any devotee who surrenders with pure love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pun / Double Entendre (Sleidai)

“Poiyindri meiyodu nei kondu ponaal”

The word Mei is cleverly used to mean both truth and physical body, contrasting Poi (falsehood) with Mei (truth/body).

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

“Iruppadhu kaadu vanangudhu naadu”

The second letters 'ru' in Iruppadhu and 'na' in vanangudhu share second-syllable harmony alongside the end-rhyme kaadu and naadu.

Refrain / Repetition (Anaphora)

“Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaa / Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaa”

Rhythmic repetition of devotional chanting to create an uplifting mood of total surrender.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song remains one of the most widely played Tamil devotional tracks during the annual 41-day Mandala Kalam Sabarimala pilgrimage season. Lyricist Kannadasan's opening line 'Poiyindri Meiyodu' became a timeless moral maxim among Ayyappa devotees.

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