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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Santhana Pushpa Parimala

From Arunagirinathar · 1964

Lyricist
Arunagirinathar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Arunagirinathar1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kangaani saamundi varaghi indhiraaniBrahmi, Chamundi, Varahi, and Indrani,
Kaumaari kamalaasana kanni naaraniKaumari, Saraswati seated on a lotus, and eternal Narayani,
Kumari thiripurai pairaviyamalai gowri kamakshiKumari, Tripurasundari, Bhairavi, Mountain-born Gowri, and Kamakshi,
Saiva singariyamalai bavaani kaarthigai kottriSaiva Singari, Bhavani, Krittika, and Korravai - all divine Mother forms,
Thriyambagi alitha selva siruvanarumuganThe precious six-faced child granted by Tryambaki (Parvati),
Muruganiruthargal kulandhagan sempon thirukkai velaeLord Murugan, whose golden holy spear destroys the demon race;
Male
Santhaana pushpa parimala kinkinimugaAdorned with fragrant sandalwood flowers and sweet jingling anklet bells,
Saranayugala amirthaprabhaHis pair of sacred feet radiates nectar-like divine light,
Chandirasekara mooshigaruda vegumoghaWhile Chandrasekhara (Shiva), the mouse-rider (Ganesha), and eagle-rider (Vishnu) watch in joy,
Sathya priyalinganaEmbraced in true and blissful divine love.
Sindhamani kalasa karagadagapolaLike the wish-fulfilling Chintamani gem, sacred pot, and precious armlet,
Thiriyambiga vinayagan mudhalWhile Tryambaki, Vinayaka, and other devas
Male
Sivanai valam varum alavilWere circumambulating Lord Shiva,
Ulagadaiya nodiyil varuIn a mere split second, it flew around the whole universe and returned:
Chithira kalaaba mayilaamThe glorious peacock with beautifully ornate feathers!
Male
Sivanai valam varum alavilWhile circumnavigating Lord Shiva,
Ulagadaiya nodiyil varuIn a mere split second, it flew around the whole universe and returned:
Chithira kalaaba mayilaamThe glorious peacock with beautifully ornate feathers!
Male
Mandhaagini prabhaRadiant as the holy river Mandakini (Ganga),
Vadharanga vitharangaResplendent and master of cosmic rhythms,
Vana sarodhaya kirithikaNurtured by the star-nymphs (Krittikas) in the lotus pond,
Varaputhira raajeeva pariyanga thandhiyaThe boon-born divine Son resting on a lotus bed,
Varaasalan kuzhisaayuthaththuArmed with the mighty weapon that shattered the Krauncha mountain,
Male
Indhiraani maangalyaProtector of Indrani's sacred marital status,
ThandhuratchabaranaServing as her divine shield and ornament,
Igal vel vinodhan arulkoorThe playful Lord of the victorious Spear who bestows abundant grace,
Imayakiri kumari maganaeru neelagrivaSon of the daughter of the Himalayas (Parvati), who rides the mount of the blue-necked Shiva -
Rathna kalaaba mayilaeOh peacock with gem-encrusted, magnificent plumage!
Rathna kalaaba mayilaeOh peacock with gem-encrusted, magnificent plumage!
Rathna kalaaba mayilaeOh peacock with gem-encrusted, magnificent plumage!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This hymn is a traditional verse from Saint Arunagirinathar's Mayil Viruttham, featured in the 1964 biographical film Arunagirinathar. It glorifies Lord Murugan and his divine mount, the peacock (Mayil). The verse opens by listing the various forms of the Divine Mother (the Saptha Mathrikas and Goddess Parvati) who nurtured Murugan. It recalls the iconic legend where Lord Murugan rode his amazingly swift peacock around the entire universe in a single instant while other deities circumambulated Lord Shiva.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Santham (Rhythmic Meter)

Kangaani saamundi varaghi indhiraani

Arunagirinathar is renowned for his Chandam meter, using rhythmic beats (Thana-thana) that create a musical cadence ideal for devotional chanting.

Anaphora / Repetition

Rathna kalaaba mayilae

The phrase praising the gem-adorned peacock ('Rathna kalaaba mayilae') is repeated at the end to heighten devotional ecstasy.

Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance)

Sivanai valam varum alavil

Tamil poetic rhyme where the second letter matches across successive lines (e.g., Sivanai / Ulagadaiya / Chithira).

Epithet / Imagery

Chithira kalaaba mayilaam

Describes Murugan's peacock using rich sensory imagery like gem-studded tail feathers (Rathna kalaaba) and divine cosmic speed.

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Trivia

In the 1964 movie Arunagirinathar, playback legend T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) played the title role of Saint Arunagirinathar himself on screen and sang his immortal hymns, which were set to music by T. R. Pappa. This hymn is part of the Mayil Viruttham series composed in praise of Lord Murugan's peacock.

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