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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rama Pathame Gnanaoli

From Bhaktha Sabari · 1960

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Bhaktha Sabari1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raama paathamae nyaana oliLord Rama's holy feet are the true light of wisdom,
Hari naama geedhamae motcha vazhiSinging the name of Lord Hari is the path to ultimate salvation.
Raama paathamae nyaana oliLord Rama's holy feet are the true light of wisdom,
Hari naama geedhamae motcha vazhiSinging the name of Lord Hari is the path to ultimate salvation.
Male
Thaamasa gunamae theernthidumaeThe quality of ignorance and darkness will completely vanish,
Thavamongidumae oru naal oru tharamaeSpiritual devotion will flourish, if chanted even once a day.
Sonnaalae raguraama kadhaiIf you merely recite the story of Raghurama,
Thannaalae varum inba nilaiA state of supreme bliss will automatically embrace you.
Male
Sriramanaa pavaharanaa raamaaOh Sri Ramana, the destroyer of all sins, Lord Rama!
Thaaraga naamaa sriraamaOh Sri Rama, whose sacred name is the liberating light!
Sriramanaa pavaharanaa raamaaOh Sri Ramana, the destroyer of all sins, Lord Rama!
Thaaraga naamaa sriraama…Oh Sri Rama, whose sacred name is the liberating light...
Male
Aasaiyendra oru paasa kayittrilBound by the rope of worldly attachment named desire,
Aadugindra pamparamaai suzhandraeSpinning relentlessly like a top in motion,
Oosalaadi thiriyaathae manamaeOh mind, do not wander back and forth in confusion!
Maasillaatha sugavaazhvu ninaiyumaePonder upon a pure life filled with genuine happiness.
Sonnaalae raguraama kadhaiIf you merely recite the story of Raghurama,
Thannaalae varum inba nilai…A state of supreme bliss will automatically embrace you...
Male
Sriramanaa pavaharanaa raamaaOh Sri Ramana, the destroyer of all sins, Lord Rama!
Thaaraga naamaa sriraamaOh Sri Rama, whose sacred name is the liberating light!
Sriramanaa pavaharanaa raamaaOh Sri Ramana, the destroyer of all sins, Lord Rama!
Thaaraga naamaa sriraama…Oh Sri Rama, whose sacred name is the liberating light...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional track from the film 'Bhaktha Sabari' highlights the transformative power of chanting Lord Rama's name and taking refuge at His sacred feet. It explains that true wisdom and salvation (moksha) are achieved not through worldly attachments, but through pure spiritual devotion that dispels tamas (sloth and ignorance) and brings inner clarity. The lyrics urge the human mind to stop oscillating restlessly like a spinning top tied by ropes of desire and material bonds. By turning one's thoughts toward Raghurama's sacred life story and repeating His liberating 'Taraka' name, a seeker effortlessly attains supreme, stainless bliss and freedom from earthly sins.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Rupaka)

Aasaiyendra oru paasa kayittril / Aadugindra pamparamaai suzhandrae

Desire is metaphorically described as a binding rope ('paasa kayiru'), and the restless mind is compared to a top ('pamparam') spinning out of control.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Sonnaalae raguraama kadhai / Thannaalae varum inba nilai

Rhyming of the second consonant ('s'/'n') between 'Aasaiyendra' and 'Oosalaadi', as well as 'Sonnaalae' and 'Thannaalae'.

Alliteration (Monaai) and Internal Rhythm

Sriramanaa pavaharanaa raamaa / Thaaraga naamaa sriraama

Repetition of soft and rhythmic nasal sounds ('na', 'raa', 'ma') creates a melodious, chant-like devotional quality.

Refrain / Anaphora

Raama paathamae nyaana oli / Hari naama geedhamae motcha vazhi

The deliberate repetition of lines emphasizing Rama's feet and name reinforces the song's primary devotional intent.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Bhaktha Sabari' (1960) was a mythological-devotional film directed by W. T. Sathyanathan, retelling the legendary Ramayana episode of the elderly devotee Sabari. The soundtrack, composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, remains a hallmark of classical-devotional cinema from that era, rendered with deep emotional resonance by legendary singer P. B. Srinivas.

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