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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poiyindri Meiyodu

From Saranam Ayyappa · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Saranam Ayyappa
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
2 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poiyindri meiyodu nei kondu ponaal
Aiyanai nee kaanalaam
Sabariyil aiyanai nee kaanalaam
Poiyindri meiyodu nei kondu ponaal
Aiyanai nee kaanalaam
Sabariyil aiyanai nee kaanalaam
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaa
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaa
Avanai naadu avan pughazh paadu
Pughazhodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappan
Unnai pughazhodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappan
Iruppadhu kaadu vanangudhu naadu
Avanai kaana thaevai panpaadu
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaa
Poojaigal podu thooya anbodu
Peyarodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappan
Nalla peyarodu vaazha vaippaan aiyappan
Anaivarum vaarungal aiyanai naadungal
Arul vaendum anbarai ellaam vaazha vaippaan
Arul vaendum anbarai ellaam…vaazha vaippaan…
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaa
Poiyindri meiyodu nei kondu ponaal
Aiyanai nee kaanalaam
Sabariyil aiyanai nee kaanalaam
Aiyappaa swaami aiyappaa
Aiyappaa saranam aiyappaa
Saranam aiyappaa saranam aiyappaa
Saranam aiyappaa…
If you go without falsehood and with a true heart, carrying ghee,
You can see the Lord,
You can see the Lord at Sabarimala.
If you go without falsehood and with a true heart, carrying ghee,
You can see the Lord,
You can see the Lord at Sabarimala.
Ayyappa, Lord Ayyappa!
Ayyappa, I seek refuge in you, Ayyappa!
Ayyappa, Lord Ayyappa!
Ayyappa, I seek refuge in you, Ayyappa!
Seek Him and sing His praises,
Ayyappa will make you live with honor,
Ayyappa will make you live with honor,
He lives in the forest, yet the whole land bows to Him,
To see Him, you need a noble character,
Ayyappa, Lord Ayyappa!
Ayyappa, I seek refuge in you, Ayyappa!
Offer your prayers with pure love,
Ayyappa will bless you with a respected name,
Ayyappa will bless you with a good and respected name,
Come, everyone, seek the Lord,
He will uplift all the devotees who seek His grace,
He will uplift all the devotees who seek His grace...
Ayyappa, Lord Ayyappa!
Ayyappa, I seek refuge in you, Ayyappa!
If you go without falsehood and with a true heart, carrying ghee,
You can see the Lord,
You can see the Lord at Sabarimala.
Ayyappa, Lord Ayyappa!
Ayyappa, I seek refuge in you, Ayyappa!
I seek refuge in you, Ayyappa, refuge in you, Ayyappa!
I seek refuge in you, Ayyappa...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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