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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sri Kala Hasti

From Kannappa · 2025

Lyricist
Suddala Ashok Teja
Singers
Ariaana Manchu, Viviana Manchu
Music director
Stephen Devassy
Details
Kannappa2025

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………………….....
Female
Azhagaana varalaaruA beautiful history
Kala hasti sariththaiThe legend of Kalahasti
Sri kala hasti sariththaiThe sacred legend of Srikalahasti
Female
Azhagaana varalaaruA beautiful history
Kala hasti sariththaiThe legend of Kalahasti
Sri kala hasti sariththaiThe sacred legend of Srikalahasti
Female
Kettaalae paavangalJust by hearing it, all sins
Kann munnae karainthu oduthae theeruthaeDissolve, vanish before our eyes, and reach an end
Chorus
Thaandavam siva thaandavamCosmic dance, Shiva's cosmic dance
Parvathi parameshvaramParvathi and Parameshwara
Karunaagaraa GangaatharaaO Ocean of Compassion, Holder of the Ganges
NeelakandanaeO Blue-throated One
Sangaraa siva sangaraaSankara, Shiva Sankara
Sangaraa abayangaraaSankara, the bestower of fearlessness
Female
Azhagaana varalaaruA beautiful history
Kala hasti sariththaiThe legend of Kalahasti
Sri kala hasti sariththaiThe sacred legend of Srikalahasti
Female
Kettaalae paavangalJust by hearing it, all sins
Kann munnae karainthu oduthae theeruthaeDissolve, vanish before our eyes, and reach an end
Chorus
Thaandavam siva thaandavamCosmic dance, Shiva's cosmic dance
Parvathi parameshvaramParvathi and Parameshwara
Karunaagaraa GangaatharaaO Ocean of Compassion, Holder of the Ganges
NeelakandanaeO Blue-throated One
Sangaraa siva sangaraaSankara, Shiva Sankara
Sangaraa abayangaraaSankara, the bestower of fearlessness
Female
Paramasivanin bakthan oruvanA devotee of Supreme Shiva
Silanthiyaaga jenmam konduTaking birth as a spider
Chorus
Ilaiyil sivanukkuUpon a leaf for Lord Shiva
Oru kooraiyittathuWove a protective canopy web
Female
Silanthi bakthi parichchikkaTo test the spider's devotion
Mudivi panna mukkannanThe three-eyed Lord decided
Chorus
Nettri kanninaalWith His third eye
Perum theeyai yaevinaanUnleashed a mighty flame
Female
Kupu kupuvena lingamFiercely and swiftly the Lingam
Kozhunthuvittu eriyaCaught fire and burned ablaze
Kaakka thunintha silanthiDetermined to save it, the spider
Theeyil uyirai neeththathuSacrificed its life in the fire
Female
Karugivitta silanthiThe charred spider
Eesan arulai arunthiDrank the supreme grace of the Lord
Kaalahasti peyaril unduImmortalized in the name of Kalahasti
Sri yil serththa sivanaeO Shiva who added 'Sri' to honor its faith
Female
Sivayogam oli naathamThe divine sound of Shiva Yoga
Vinnil olikkaResounds across the heavens
Parameshwaran leelaiThe miraculous play of Parameshwara
Dharanai sezhikkaMakes the earth flourish
Female
Lee leelaiPlay, divine play
Sivan leelaiLord Shiva's divine play
Female
Paninthaenae arulvaayaeI bow before You, grant me Your grace
Neela kandanaeO Blue-throated One
Sangaraa siva sangaraaSankara, Shiva Sankara
Saampavaa abayangaraaSambhava, the bestower of fearlessness
Female
Karvam kondaPossessed with pride
Sarppam ondruA serpent
Sirasil ulla maniyai vaiththauPlacing the precious gem from its crown
Chorus
Parama bakthiyaaiWith supreme devotion
Siva poojai seithathuPerformed Shiva worship
Female
Thanathu poojai uyarnthathendruBelieving its worship was superior
Enni vantha yaanai ondruAn elephant that arrived there
Chorus
Manigalai oodhiBlew away the gems
Jala sevai seithathuAnd performed sacred water worship
Female
Pagaimaiyai konda naagamFilled with hostility, the serpent
Thuthikkai ullae yaeraCrawled inside the elephant's trunk
Thudithidiththa yaanaiWritOptioning in pain, the elephant
Lingam meethu mothiyathaeStruck itself against the Shiva Lingam
Female
Yaanai naaga paampathuThe elephant and the serpent
Thiyaagaththai mechchiAppreciating their ultimate sacrifice
Sriyodu kaalahastiBestowed the holy name Srikalahasti
Peyarai thantha haranaeO Lord Hara who granted this name!
Female
Sivayogam oli naathamThe divine sound of Shiva Yoga
Vinnil olikkaResounds across the heavens
Parameshwaran leelaiThe miraculous play of Parameshwara
Dharanai sezhikkaMakes the earth flourish
Female
Lee leelaiPlay, divine play
Sivan leelaiLord Shiva's divine play
Female
Paninthaenae arulvaayaeI bow before You, grant me Your grace
Neela kandanaeO Blue-throated One
Sangaraa siva sangaraaSankara, Shiva Sankara
Saampavaa abayangaraaSambhava, the bestower of fearlessness
Female
Thaazhvendru uyarvendruHigh status or low status
Ennuvathillai sivanaeLord Shiva never differentiates
Chorus
Silanthi yaanaiyaeThe spider and the elephant
Oru eduththukaattuthaanStand as shining examples
Female
Maamisangal yaettraaruHe accepted offerings of meat
Panjaamirtham suvaiththaaraeAnd enjoyed the sweet Panchamritham alike
Chorus
VerupaaduthaanAny sense of discrimination
Avar paarpathumillaiHe never looks at
Female
Bakthi ondru kandaarHe saw only pure devotion
Manasaiththaan thanthaarAnd gave His heart in return
Moondru jeevanAll three living creatures
Eesan arulilThrough the Lord's grace
Mukthi pettrathuAttained ultimate liberation
Female
Anbaalae azhaiththaalIf called upon with pure love
Urugi odi varuvaarHe rushes down with melting affection
Orae oruvan inba jegaththilThe sole supreme Master of this joyful universe
ParameshwaranIs Parameshwara
Female
Sivayogam oli naathamThe divine sound of Shiva Yoga
Vinnil olikkaResounds across the heavens
Parameshwaran leelaiThe miraculous play of Parameshwara
Dharanai sezhikkaMakes the earth flourish
Female
Lee leelaiPlay, divine play
Sivan leelaiLord Shiva's divine play
Female
Paninthaenae arulvaayaeI bow before You, grant me Your grace
Neela kandanaeO Blue-throated One
Sangaraa siva sangaraaSankara, Shiva Sankara
Saampavaa abayangaraaSambhava, the bestower of fearlessness

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional hymn narrates the sacred sthala purana (legend) behind the holy temple town of Srikalahasti. It details how three distinct creatures—a spider (Sri), a serpent (Kala), and an elephant (Hasti)—demonstrated selfless devotion to Lord Shiva in their unique ways. The spider wove a web to shelter the Lingam from falling leaves and sacrificed itself when tested by fire. The serpent offered its crown gem, while the elephant offered fresh river water, leading to a tragic conflict that ultimately resulted in both giving up their lives in devotion. Lord Shiva, moved by their devotion and sacrifice, blessed them with liberation and enshrined their names together to form the holy pilgrimage site 'Srikalahasti'.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Sangaraa siva sangaraa

Repetition of devotional refrains such as 'Sangaraa siva sangaraa' and 'Sri kala hasti sariththai' creates a rhythmic, meditative, and chant-like cadence essential for devotional music.

Onomatopoeia

Kupu kupuvena lingam

'Kupu kupuvena' vividly evokes the sudden, intense burst and roaring sound of flames enveloping the Shiva Lingam.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Silanthi bakthi parichchikka

Classical Tamil poetic harmony achieved through matching second letters ('lan' in Silanthi and 'nan' in Mukkannan / 'ti' sounds).

Emonymic Allusion / Mythological Metonymy

Sriyodu kaalahasti

The lyrics weave the names 'Sri' (Spider), 'Kala' (Serpent), and 'Hasti' (Elephant) to explain the origin story of Srikalahasti.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song depicts the origin legend of the Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh. In Hindu mythology, 'Sri' refers to the spider, 'Kala' to the snake, and 'Hasti' to the elephant. The movie 'Kannappa' (2025) revolves around the legendary saint Kannappa Nayanar, another devotee of Lord Shiva at the same Srikalahasti shrine who famously offered his eyes and meat to the Lord out of pure, unadulterated love.

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