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Isaimozhi
Rathna Kumar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thirumaalin Kausthubam

From Rathna Kumar · 1949

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music directors
G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
Movie name
Rathna Kumar
Movie release year
1949
Lyrics added on
28 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thirumaalin kausthubamsaer
Thirumaarbaga pettagathul thigazhndhaai
Perumozhi pettredutha pennarasi
Sengamala peedam vaazhndhaai
Urumaara cheiyum kodiya
Varumaiyara navanidhiyum
Ulanganindhu tharummaadhaa
Unaiyandri thaaraniyil
Yevarthaayae dheivam neeyae neeyae
Unnarulaal ulaginbamayam
Unnarulaal manam inbamigum sendhiru
Unnarulaal ulaginbamayam
Unnarulaal manam inbamigum
Unnarulaal malar manamum perumae
Unadharulaal thendral
Sugam tharumae ambaa
Unnarulaal ulaginbamayam
Unnarulaal manam inbamigum
Unnarulae naan paaduvadhum
Kondaaduvadhum
Unadharulae en ullam naaduvadhum
Kai kooduvadhum ambaa
Unnarulaal ulaginbamayam
Unnarulaal manam inbamigum
Beside the Kaustubha gem on Lord Vishnu's
sacred chest, you shine like a jewel in a casket!
Queen of women, praised by the sacred scriptures,
you dwell upon the red lotus throne!
To banish the cruel poverty that ruins life
and bestow the nine treasures of wealth,
you give with a tender heart, O Mother!
In this wide world, without you,
who else is there, O Mother? You alone are my Goddess, you alone!
By your grace, the world is filled with joy!
By your grace, the heart overflows with happiness, O golden Lakshmi!
By your grace, the world is filled with joy!
By your grace, the heart overflows with happiness!
By your grace, flowers gain their sweet fragrance,
by your grace, the gentle breeze
brings comforting delight, O Mother!
By your grace, the world is filled with joy!
By your grace, the heart overflows with happiness!
It is by your grace that I sing
and celebrate;
it is your grace my heart seeks,
and that brings fulfillment to my life, O Mother!
By your grace, the world is filled with joy!
By your grace, the heart overflows with happiness!
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This prayerful song is a devotional hymn dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi (Sendhiru/Ambaa), extolling her divine presence in the sacred chest of Lord Vishnu alongside the Kaustubha gem. The lyricist addresses her as the lotus-dwelling queen of women who compassionately bestows the nine forms of wealth (Navanidhi) to eradicate severe human poverty. The song highlights that all natural sweetness—such as the scent of blossoms, the comfort of the gentle breeze, and the pure happiness of the mind—exists purely through her divine benevolence. The singer humbly surrenders, affirming that their music, joy, and spiritual fulfillment are entirely guided by her grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Initial Repetition)

Unnarulaal ulaginbamayam / Unnarulaal manam inbamigum

The repetition of 'Unnarulaal' (By your grace) across multiple line openings creates a rhythmic, chant-like devotional emphasis.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thirumaarbaga pettagathul thigazhndhaai

Comparing the Lord's chest to a treasure box/casket ('Thirumaarbaga pettagam') where the Goddess shines like a jewel.

Imagery (Katchi Inbam)

Unnarulaal malar manamum perumae / Unadharulaal thendral sugam tharumae ambaa

Sensory imagery connecting divine grace with fragrant flowers and soothing breeze ('thendral sugam').

Monnai (Initial Alliteration)

Unnarulae naan paaduvadhum / Unadharulae en ullam naaduvadhum

Initial consonant and vowel sound rhyming across line starts such as 'Unnarulae' and 'Unadharulae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Papanasam Sivan for the 1949 Tamil film 'Rathna Kumar', which starred P. U. Chinnappa and M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The soundtrack was composed jointly by G. Ramanathan and C. R. Subburaman.

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