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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaavum Neeyappaa

From Vaazhkai · 1984

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaazhkai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaavum neeyappaaYou are everything, oh Lord.
Un saranam aiyappaaYour refuge, Lord Ayyappa.
Muzhu mudhalaanavanYou are the supreme ultimate one.
Karu porulaanavanYou are the core essence of existence.
Manam kanivaayappaaMay your heart soften, oh Lord.
Thuyar kalaivaayappaaMay you dispel our sorrows, oh Lord.
Male
Yaavum neeyappaaYou are everything, oh Lord.
Un saranam aiyappaaYour refuge, Lord Ayyappa.
Aiyappaa hariharasudhanae aiyappaaOh Ayyappa, son of Hari and Hara, oh Ayyappa!
Saranam saranamRefuge, refuge.
Saranam saranam aiyappaaRefuge, refuge, Lord Ayyappa.
Male
Annai thandhaiLike mother and father,
Yena aadharippaaiYou nurture and support us.
Ennum nenjil dhinamEvery day in our remembering hearts,
Nee iruppaaiYou shall reside.
Aiyan unnai nambiTrusting in you, Lord,
SaranadaindhomWe have surrendered.
Anjum bayam vilagaSo that frightening fear fades away,
Unai thozhudhomWe worshipped you.
Karunaa un thirumaeniCompassion is your divine form,
Kandaalum podhumJust beholding it is enough.
Karam kooppi panindhaalIf we bow with folded hands,
En kavalaigal theerumMy worries will be resolved.
Anbae arulae vaa…Oh Love, oh Grace, come...
Male
Yaavum neeyappaaYou are everything, oh Lord.
Un saranam aiyappaaYour refuge, Lord Ayyappa.
Male
Dheepam enghumLamps everywhere,
Sudar oliyaanaaiYou became the radiant flame.
Naadham ongaAs divine sound resonates,
Mani oliyaanaaiYou became the sound of the bell.
Engum engal thuyarEverywhere, our sorrows,
TheerppaayaeMay you alleviate.
Engal selvam thanaiOur wealth and well-being,
KaappaayaeMay you protect.
Uyirukkul uyiraagiBecoming the life within life,
Vilaiyaadum jothiYou are the playing divine light.
Ulagathu asaivukkuFor every movement in this world,
Nee thaanae aadhiYou alone are the prime origin.
Anbae arulae vaa…Oh Love, oh Grace, come...
Male
Yaavum neeyappaaYou are everything, oh Lord.
Un saranam aiyappaaYour refuge, Lord Ayyappa.
Muzhu mudhalaanavanYou are the supreme ultimate one.
Karu porulaanavanYou are the core essence of existence.
Manam kanivaayappaaMay your heart soften, oh Lord.
Thuyar kalaivaayappaaMay you dispel our sorrows, oh Lord.
Male
Yaavum neeyappaaYou are everything, oh Lord.
Un saranam aiyappaaYour refuge, Lord Ayyappa.
Male
Saranam saranamRefuge, refuge.
Saranam saranam aiyappaaRefuge, refuge, Lord Ayyappa.
Chorus :Aiyappaa aiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa, Ayyappa
Male :Saranam saranamMale: Refuge, refuge
Saranam saranam aiyappaaRefuge, refuge, Lord Ayyappa
Chorus :Aiyappaa aiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa, Ayyappa
Male :Saranam saranamMale: Refuge, refuge
Chorus :AiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa
Male :Swaamiyae saranamMale: Oh Lord, I seek refuge
Chorus :AiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa
Male :Saranam saranamMale: Refuge, refuge
Chorus :AiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa
Male :Swaamiyae saranamMale: Oh Lord, I seek refuge
Chorus :AiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa
Male :Harihara sudhanaeMale: Son of Hari and Hara,
Thiruvadi saranam aiyappaaI seek refuge at your holy feet, Lord Ayyappa.
Chorus :Aiyappaa aiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa, Ayyappa
Male :Pandhala raajan maganaeMale: Son of the King of Pandalam,
Swaami aiyappaaLord Ayyappa.
Chorus :Aiyappaa aiyappaaChorus: Ayyappa, Ayyappa
Saranam saranamRefuge, refuge
Swaamiyae saranamOh Lord, I seek refuge
Saranam saranamRefuge, refuge
Swaamiyae saranamOh Lord, I seek refuge
Saranam saranamRefuge, refuge
Swaamiyae saranamOh Lord, I seek refuge
Male :Aiyappaa aiyappaa aiyappaa aiyappaa…Male: Ayyappa, Ayyappa, Ayyappa, Ayyappa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Yaavum Neeyappaa is a deeply devotional prayer dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, expressing absolute faith, total surrender, and pure reverence. The devotee addresses Lord Ayyappa as the supreme creator, the essence of all life, and a protective guide who cares for believers with the love and guardianship of both mother and father. The song highlights how seeking his divine feet removes all fear, clears away life's anxieties, and protects one's prosperity. Using vivid spiritual imagery—such as the light of a temple lamp, the resonant chime of sacred bells, and the inner life-force of every living creature—the lyrics portray Lord Ayyappa (Hariharasudhan, Pandhala Raajan Magan) as the origin of all universe movements. The song climaxes into a rhythmic, traditional call-and-response chant of 'Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa', recreating the devotional atmosphere of the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Muzhu mudhalaanavan / Karu porulaanavan

Both lines end with the rhyming suffix '-aanavan', creating a melodious rhythm.

Ethugai (Second Letter Harmony)

Annai thandhai / Ennum nenjil dhinam

The second consonant 'nn' matches in both 'Annai' and 'Ennum'.

Repetition / Chant (Saranam)

Saranam saranam / Saranam saranam aiyappaa

Repeated use of 'Saranam' mirrors traditional Ayyappa devotional chants, reinforcing total surrender.

Metaphor

Uyirukkul uyiraagi / Vilaiyaadum jothi

Lord Ayyappa is metaphorically depicted as the divine flame residing as the inner soul inside every life form.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by veteran lyricist Panchu Arunachalam for the 1984 Tamil drama film Vaazhkai (directed by C.V. Rajendran and starring Sivaji Ganesan), this song incorporates the authentic call-and-response chanting style ('Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa') practiced by pilgrims heading to the Sabarimala shrine.

Keep listening

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