- Lyricist
- Sundara Murthy Nayanar
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Movie name
- Sundara Murthy Nayanar
- Movie release year
- 1967
- Lyrics added on
- 20 Jun 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This hymn is a powerful expression of spiritual renunciation (Vairagya) composed by Saint Sundaramurthi Nayanar and rendered by Seerkazhi Govindarajan. The saint expresses deep detachment from worldly and domestic bonds ('manai vaazhkai'), surrendering entirely to Lord Shiva. Shiva is addressed as the supreme Vedic Lord adorned with glowing ear ornaments. Sundarar praises Shiva's glorious cosmic acts: subjugating Ravana under Mount Kailash, drinking the ocean poison Halahala to save all beings, and severing Brahma's fifth head to dismantle divine pride. The song glorifies the Lord enshrined at Thiruvanchikulam in Magodhai (Kodungallur, Kerala).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Veruthaen manai vaazhkaiyai”
The phrase 'Veruthaen' (I abhor) is repeated to powerfully emphasize complete detachment from domestic and material existence.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Iruthaai ilangaikku iraiyaaiyavanai”
Prosodic second-letter harmony observed in 'Iruthaai' and 'Karuthaai'.
Mythological Allusion (Purana Kurippu)
“Karuthaai kadal nanju amudhu undu”
Alludes to classical Shaivite lore including the drinking of Halahala poison and the humbling of Ravana and Brahma.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is based on a famous Tevaram hymn composed at Thiruvanchikulam near Kodungallur in Kerala—the only Shiva temple in Kerala among the 274 Paadal Petra Sthalams. According to Shaivite tradition, Thiruvanchikulam is the sacred site where Sundarar sang his final hymn before ascending to Kailash on a divine white elephant.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Sundara Murthy Nayanar
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.