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Lyrics & meaning

Senkezhedutha Thinavadivelum

From Arunagirinathar · 1964

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

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Senkezhedutha sinavadivelumThe fierce Vel weapon held in the beautiful hand,
ThirumugamumAnd the divine holy face,
Senkezhedutha sinavadivelumThe fierce Vel weapon held in the beautiful hand,
ThirumugamumAnd the divine holy face,
Pangae niraitha narpanniru thozhumAnd the twelve noble arms positioned gracefully on the sides,
Pangae niraitha narpanniru thozhumAnd the twelve noble arms positioned gracefully on the sides,
Padhuma malar kongae tharalum soriyumShowering sweet nectar and fragrance like a lotus flower,
Sengodai kumararenaOh Kumara, the lord of the divine red mountain!
Engae ninaipinum angae en munn vandhuWherever I think of You, right there You manifest before me,
Edhir nirapanae…. edhir nirpanaeAnd stand facing me... stand facing me!
Male
Vengaana kanda kai soolamumThe trident in the hand of Lord Shiva of the dark forest,
Thirumaayan vetri peru sudaraazhiyumAnd the victorious, radiant discus weapon of holy Lord Vishnu,
Vengaana kanda kai soolamumThe trident in the hand of Lord Shiva of the dark forest,
Thirumaayan vetri peru sudaraazhiyumAnd the victorious, radiant discus weapon of holy Lord Vishnu,
Vibuthar padhi kuzhisamum sooranAlong with the thunderbolt weapon of Indra, king of the celestials,
Kulangalli vellathena karuthiyaeConsidering the vast clan of demon Sooran as a sweeping flood,
Male
Sangaama nee sayitharulenaThe Devas prayed, 'Will you not vanquish them in war?'
Devarum sadhurmuganum nindriruppaWhile the Devas and the four-faced Brahma stood waiting in reverence,
Thayilamodu sooranudan oru nodiyinurudhiyaeIn a single instant, with decisive strength, destroying Sooran,
Thaniyaanmai konda neduvelIs the long spear (Vel) possessing unmatched supreme power!
Thaniyaanmai konda neduvelIs the long spear (Vel) possessing unmatched supreme power!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This divine verse by Saint Arunagirinathar extols the supreme splendor, compassion, and invincible power of Lord Murugan and His sacred Vel (spear). The poet describes the grand form of Murugan—His radiant face, His twelve noble arms, and the divine Vel—and celebrates His omnipresence, stating that the Lord instantly appears before any devotee who sincerely remembers Him. The hymn further highlights the incomparable power of Murugan's Vel. While the powerful weapons of Shiva (the trident), Vishnu (the discus), and Indra (the thunderbolt) awaited the ultimate resolution, Lord Murugan, responding to the humble prayers of Brahma and the Devas, destroyed the demon Soorapadman and his vast army in a single split second. The verse glorifies this long Vel as the ultimate symbol of unmatched supreme authority.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition (Anaphora / Epanalepsis)

Senkezhedutha sinavadivelum

Lines and phrases such as 'Senkezhedutha sinavadivelum / Thirumugamum' and 'Thaniyaanmai konda neduvel' are repeated to emphasize devotional fervor and create musical rhythm.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Senkezhedutha sinavadivelum

Matching initial consonant sounds across words, such as 'Senkezhedutha' and 'sinavadivelum' (S-sound Monai).

Visual Imagery & Epithets

Vengaana kanda kai soolamum / Thirumaayan vetri peru sudaraazhiyum

Vivid depiction of divine attributes—Shiva's trident, Vishnu's discus (sudaraazhi), Indra's weapon (kuzhisam), and Murugan's twelve arms.

Hyperbole / Metaphor

Kulangalli vellathena karuthiyae

Comparing the demon army to an overwhelming flood ('vellathena karuthiyae') and highlighting the Vel's instant victory in a fraction of a second ('oru nodiyinurudhiyae').

Did you know?

Trivia

This verse is adapted from the devotional works of Saint Arunagirinathar (15th century CE), specifically from his Thiruppugazh / Kandar Anubhuti tradition. In the 1964 biographical Tamil film 'Arunagirinathar', renowned playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) played the title role of Saint Arunagirinathar himself and sang these iconic devotional verses under T. R. Pappa's musical direction.

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