anna vayaRpudhuvai aandaaL arangaRku(p)
pannu thiruppaavai(p) palpadhiyam
innisaiyaal paadikkoduththaaL naRpaamaalai
poomaalai soodi(k) koduththaaLai(ch) chollu

soodi(k) koduththa sudar(k) kodiyE tholpaavai
paadi aruLavalla palvaLaiyaay
naadi nee vEngadavaRku ennai vidhi onRa immaatram
naangadavaa vaNNamE nalgu.

------ uyyakkondaan --------

The 'paavai nOnbu' is a penance practiced since very ancient times by young
girls in the month of December/January, to pray for rain and prosperity for
the country. The girls bathe before sunrise in the river and worship a girl
idol made out of wet sand. There is no basis for this in the Vedas.
However, it has a basis in the Tamil Sangam literature as well as Sanskrit
Puranas.
fs
The Raagams mentioned are as sung by Sudha Ragunathan. Some differ from
those of Ariyakkudi, MLV and Bombay Sisters, G.P Kamala etc.

This is an attempt to provide a thiruppaavai translation helpful to those
choreographing the verses for Bharata Natyam, and to those who would simply
like to know the literal meaning while singing.

maargazhi(th) thingaL madhi niRaindha nannaaLaal
neeraada(p) pOdhuveer pOdhuminO nErizhaiyeer
seer malgum aayppaadi(ch) chelva(ch) chiRumeergaaL
koorvEl kodundhozhilan nandhagOpan kumaran
Eraarndha kaNNi yasOdhai iLam singam
kaar mEni cengaN kadhir madhiyam pOl mugaththaan
naaraayaNanE namakkE paRai tharuvaan
paarOr pugazha(p) padindhElOr empaavaay

Oh bejewelled girls (nEr izhaiyeer)! Prosperous (chelva) young girls
(chiRumeer) of the rich city (seer malgum) of Tiruvoypadi (aaypaadi)! This
is the month (thingaL) of December/January (margazhi), an auspicious day
(nan naaL) filled (niRaindha) with moonlight (madhi). Those of us who want
to go (pOdhuveer) to perform the penance of 'paavai nOnbu' (neeraada), let
us go (pOdhumeenO). The Lord (naaraayaNan), who was the son (kumaran) of
NandagOpan, who could give a lot of trouble (kodun thozhilan) to enemies
using his sharp spear (koor vEl); who was the little lion (iLam singam) of
the beautiful (Eraarndha) eyed (kaNNi) YasOda; who is dark (kaar) skinned
(mEni); who has perfect (sen) eyes (kaN); and who has a face (mugaththaan)
like (pOl) the radiance (kadhir) of the moon (madhiyam); will give
(tharuvaan) us (namakkE) his blessings (paRai). Hey (El)! Let us immerse in
water (padindhu) and do the penance of 'paavai nOnbu' (Or embaavaai), a
practice praised (pugazha) by the people of the world (paarOr).

2. rakmf@ ekqq  taqmf@ micfrcap<
AvytfT vazfvIrfkaqf naMmf nmfpaAvkfK(cf)
ecyfy<mf kiriAckqf EkqIEra pabfkdLqf
Apy(tf) Tyi[fb prm[F paF
enyfy<]fE]amf paL]fE]amf nadfkaEl nIraF
AmyidfD 'ZEtamf mlridfD namf MFEyamf
ecyfyat[ ecyfEyamf tIkfKbAq(cf) ec[fEbaEtamf
_yMmf picfAcy<mf ~nftA[y<mf Ak kadfF
uyfy<mabf ']f]i uknfEtElarf 'mfpavayf.

vaiyaththu vaazhveergaaL naamum nampaavaikku(ch)
cheyyum kirisaigaL kELeerO paaRkadaluL
paiya(th) thuyinRa paramanadi paadi
neyyuNNOm paaluNNOm naatkaalE neeraadi
maiyittu ezhudhOm malarittu naam mudiyOm
seyyaadhana seyyOm theekkuRaLai(ch) chenROdhOm
aiyamum pichchaiyum aandhanaiyum kai kaatti
uyyumaaR eNNi ugandhElOr empaavaay.

Oh! you people born to live (vaazhveer gaaL) in this world (vaiyam), won't
you listen (kELeerO) to the deeds (kirisai) we do (chey) to ourselves
(naam) and to our (nam) idol (paavai)!. We sing (paadi) in praise of the
feet (adi) of the Lord (paraman) who is in meditative sleep (paiyath
thuyil) on the ocean of milk (paal kadal). We do not eat (uNNOm) ghee
(ney). We do not drink (uNNOm) milk (paal). We bathe (neeraadi) early
morning (naat kaalE). We do not use (ezhudhOm) eye liner (mai). We (naam)
do not braid our hair (mudiyOm) with flowers (malar). We do not do (seyyOm)
prohited things (seyyaadhana). We do not go and recite (chenRu OdhOm) evil
(theeya) demons (kuRaL) works. We donate (kai kaattu) to poor people
(pichchai), to deserving people (aiyam), to ascetic people (aandhanai). We
think (eNNi) about our salvation (uyya) and feel happy (ugandhu).

3. rakmf@ ~rpi  taqmf@ ~ti
Ogfki ulkqnft utftm[f Eprf paF
nagfkqf nmf paAvkfK(cf) cabfbi nIraF[alf
tIgfki[fbi naedlflamf tigfkqf Mmf mari epyfT
OgfK epBmf ecnf enlf UD kyLkq(pf)
p>gfKvAq(pf) Epatilf epabi v]fD k]f pDpfp(tf)
EtgfkaEt p<kfkiRnfT cIrftft MAl pbfbi
vagfk Kdmf niAbkfKmf vqfqlf epRmf pCkfkqf
nIgfkat eclfvmf niAbnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

Ongi ulagaLandha uththaman pEr paadi
naangaL nam paavaikku(ch) chaatri neeraadinaal
theenginRi naadellaam thingaL mum maari peydhu
Ongu peRum senN nel oodu kayalugaLa(p)
poonguvaLai(p) pOdhil poRi vandu kaN paduppa(th)
thEngaadhE pukkirundhu seerththa mulai patri
vaanga kudam niRaikkum vaLLal perum pasukkaL
neengaadha selvam niRaindhElOr embaavaay

If we (naangaL) bathe (neeraadinaal) and perform our (nam) 'paavai nOnbu'
(paavaikku chaatri), chanting (paadi) the name (pEr) of the best Lord
(uththaman), who measured (aLandha) all three (Ongi) worlds (ulagu). The
whole (ellaam) country (naadu) will be free of (inRi) evil (theengu). It
will rain (peydhu) three rainfalls (mum maari) every month (thingaL).
Little fish (kayal) will play (ugaLa) amidst (oodu) overgrown (Ongu) big
(perum) rice fields (sen nel); bright (poRi) beas (vandu) lieing drowsily
over (kaN paduppa) the flower bushes (poonguvaLai); Cows standing
(pukkirundhu) motionless (thEngaadhE), cowherds milking (seerththa mulai
patri vaanga), the generous (vaLLal) and big (perum) cows (pasu) fill up
(niRaikkum) the containers (kudam); the land will be filled with
(niRaindhu) long lasting (neengaadha) prosperity (chelvam).

4. rakmf@ vraqi  taqmf@ ~ti
~zi mAz(kf) k]f]a o[fB nI Ak krEvlf
~zi uqf p<kfK MknfT ekaD ~rftfT "bi
Uzi Mtlfv[f uRvmf Epalf emyf kBtfT(pf)
paziyf `mf EtaQAd(pf) pbfp[ap[f Akyilf
~zi Epalf mi[f[i vlmfp<ri Epalf ni[fB `tirfnfT
tazaEt carfgfk MAttft cr mAz Epalf
vaz ulki[ilf epyftidayf nagfkQmf
marfkzi nIrad mkizfnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

aazhi mazhai(k) kaNNaa onRu nee kai karavEl
aazhi uL pukku mugandhu kodu aarthu ERi
oozhi mudhalvan uruvam pOl mey kaRuththu(p)
paazhiy am thOLudai(p) paRpanaaban kaiyil
aazhi pOl minni valamburi pOl ninRu adhirndhu
thaazhaadhE saarnga mudhaiththa sara mazhai pOl
vaazha ulaginil peydhidaay naangaLum
maargazhi neeraada magizhndhElOr embaavaay

Oh Lord (KaNNaa) of rain (mazhai) and oceans (aazhi), please do not
discontinue (kai karavEl), any thing (OnRu). Diving (pukku) into (uL) the
ocean (aazhi); fetching the water (mugandhu kodu), causing thunder
(aarthu); going up to the sky (ERi); darkening (kaRuththu) your body (mey)
like (pOl) the form (uruvam) (uruvam) of the prime Lord (mudhalvan) of the
universe (oozhi); standing (ninRu) and roaring (adhirndhu) like (pOl) the
shining (minni) conch (valamburi) and the chakram (aazhi) of Lord
Padhmanabha (paRpanaaban) with broad (paazhi) and beautiful (am) shoulders
(thOl); please do cause it rain (peydhidaay), like a torrential rain (sara
mazhai) like (pOl) shooting (udhaiththa) with the divine bow (saarngam),
without delay (thaazhaadhE); so that we (naangal) may live (vaazhndhida).
Let us enjoy (magizhndhElor) the maargazhi nonbu (maargazhi neeraada).

5. rakmf@ !  taqmf@ ~ti
mayA[ m[f{ vd mTAr AmnftA[(tf)
T\y epR nIrf yMA[(tf) TAbvA[
~yrf Kltfti[ilf Eta[fBmf `]i viqkfAk(tf)
taAy(kf) Kdlf viqkfkmf ecyft taEmatrA[(tf)
T\Eyamayf vnfT namf T\mlrf T\vi(tf) etaZT
vayi[alf paF m[tfti[alf cinftikfk(pf)
Epay piAzy<mf p<KtRva[f ni[fb[v<mf
tIyi[ilf T\caKmf ecpfEpElarf 'mfpavayf.

maayanai mannu vada madhurai maindhanai(th)
thooya peru neer yamunai(th) thuRaivanai
aayar kulaththinil thOnRum aNi viLakkai(th)
thaayai(k) kudal viLakkam seydha dhaamOdharanai(th)
thooyOmaay vandhu naam thoomalar thoovi(th) thozhudhu
vaayinaal paadi manaththinaal sindhikka(p)
pOya pizhaiyum pugudharuvaan ninRanavum
theeyinil thoosaagum cheppElOr embaavaay.

Let us (naam) come (vandhu) with a clean (thooya) body and mind, spraying
(thoovi) clean flowers (thoo malar), and worship (thozhudhu) the Lord
Damodara (dhaamOdharan); who is a magician (maayan); who is the son
(maindhan) of the northern (vada) madhurai; who is the hermit (thuRaivan)
on the pure (thooya) and great (peru) river (neer) Yamuna (yamunai); who
appeared (thOnRum) in the cowherd (aayar) community (kulam) as a sacred
(aNi) light (viLakku); who brought maternal honour (kudal vilakkam sey) to
his mother (thaay). Let us sing (paadi) orally (vaayinaal) and think
(sindhikka) mentally (manaththinaal) about the Lord. Our past (pOya) sins
(pizhai) and the the future unintentional sins (pugutharuvaan ninRanavum),
will become (aagum) like sawdust (thoosu) on a flame (thee). Let us say
(cheppu) his names.

6. rakmf@ cgfkrapr]mf  taqmf@ micfrcap<
p<qfQmf cilmfpi[ ka]f p<qfqAry[f Ekayililf
evqfAq viqi cgfki[f Eprrvmf EkdfFAlEya
piqfqayf 'Znftirayf Epyf MAl nwfC]fD
kqfq(cf) ckdmf klkfkziy(kf) kaElacfci
evqfqtftrvilf Tyilmrfnft vitftiA[
uqfqtfT(kf) eka]fD M[ivrfkQmf EyakikQmf
emqfq 'ZnfT `ri '[fb Eprrvmf
uqfqmf p<KnfT KqirfnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

puLLum silambina kaaN puLLaraiyan kOyilil
veLLai viLi sangin pEraravam kEttilaiyO
piLLaay ezhundhiraay pEy mulai nanchundu
kaLLa(ch) chakatam kalakkazhiya(k) kaalOchchi
veLLaththaravil thuyilamarndha viththinai
uLLaththu(k) kondu munivargaLum yOgigaLum
meLLa ezhundhu ari enRa pEraravam
uLLam pugundhu kuLirndhElOr embaavaay

Hey children (piLLaay)! See (kaaN) the birds (puL) are chirping
(silambina). Don't you hear (kEttilaiyO), the loud (pEr) sound (aravam) of
the white (veLLai) conch (sangu), used for callings (viLi) the people, at
the temple (kOyil) of the king (araiyan) of the birds (puL); The yogis
(yOgi) and the saints (munivar) who are slowly (meLLa) waking (ezhundhu)
with (kondu) the thought of Lord in their minds (uLLam) and uttering the
name of the Lord. The Lord who ate (uNdu) the poison (nachchu) from the
breast (mulai) of the raakshasi Bhutan (pEy); who kicked (kaalOchchi) and
destroyed (kalakkazhiya) the asura Sakatasura, who came as a fake (kaLLa)
wheel (chakatam); the source of all life (viththu), who is in yogic sleep
(thuyil amarndha) over the snake (aravu) on the ocean (veLLaththu) of milk.
The big (pEr) sound (aravam) of the name of the Lord (ari) has entered
(pugundhu) our hearts (uLLam) and made it calm (kuLirndhElOr).

7. rakmf@ Aprvi  taqmf@ micfrcap<
kIC kIC '[fB 'gfKmf ~A[(cf) catfta[f klnfT
Epci[ Epcfcrvmf EkdfFAlEya Epyf(pf) ep]fE]
kaCmf pibpfp<mf klklpfp(kf) Ak EprftfT
vac nBmf Kzlf ~yfcfciyrf mtfti[alf
OAc pDtft tyirrvmf EkdfFAlEya
nayk(pf) ep]f piqfqayf naray][f YMrftfti
EkcvA[(pf) padv<mf nI Ekdfd kidtftiEya
EtcMAdyayf tibEvElarf 'mfpavayf

keesu keesu enRu engum aanai(ch) chaaththaan kalandhu
pEsina pEchcharavam kEttilaiyO pEy(p) peNNE
kaasum piRappum kalakalappa(k) kai pErththu
vaasa naRum kuzhal aaychchiyar maththinaal
Osai paduththa thayiraravam kEttilaiyO
naayaga(p) peN piLLaay naaraayaNan moorththi
kEsavanai(p) paadavum nee kEtta kidaththiyO
dhEsamudaiyaay thiRavElOr embaavaay

You dumb girl (pEy peNNE!), the 'aanai chaaththan' birds are humming
(keesu) together (kalandhu), everywhere (engum). Don't you hear
(kEttilaiyO) the sound (aravam) of these birds talking (pEchchu)? The cow
girls (aaychchiyar) with fragrance (naRum) spreading (vaasa) from their
hair (kuzhal), wearing garlands of gold coins (kaasum piRappum), are
skimming the yogurt (thayir) using a skimming gadget (maththu), with their
ornaments making (paduththa) a jingling (kala kala) sound (Osai), tiring
(pErththu) their hands (kai). Don't you hear (kEttilaiyO) the sound
(aravam)? Hey leader (naayaga) of the girls (peN piLLaay)! while we are
singing (paadavum) the praise of the Lord Narayana Murthy and Kesavan, you
are still sleeping (kidaththiyO) while listening (kEttE). Glamourous
(dhEsam) as you are (udaiyaay), open (thiRa) the door.

8. rakmf@ t[fyaci  taqmf@ k]fdcap<
kIzf va[mf evqfeq[fB 'RAm ciB vID
Emyfva[f prnft[ ka]f mikfKqfq piqfAqkQmf
Epava[f Epaki[fbaAr(pf) Epakamlf katfT u[fA[(kf)
Pv<va[f vnfT ni[fEbamf EkaTklmf uAdy
pavayf 'Znftirayf paF(pf) pAb eka]fD
mavayf piqnftaA[ mlflAr madfFy
Etvati EtvA[(cf) ec[fB namf Ecvitftalf
~vaev[fB ~rayfnfT `REqElarf 'mfpayayf

keezh vaanam veLLenRu erumai siRu veedu
mEyvaan parandhana kaaN mikkuLLa piLLaigaLum
pOvaan pOginRaarai(p) pOgaamal kaaththu unnai(k)
koovuvaan vandhu ninROm kOdhugalam udaiya
paavaay ezhundhiraay paadi(p) paRai kondu
maavaay piLandhaanai mallarai maattiya
dhEvaadhi dhEvanai(ch) chenRu naam sEviththaal
aavaavenRu aaraayndhu aruLElOr embaayaay

The eastern (keezh) sky (vaanam) is whitening (vEL). The water buffaloes
(eRumai), which started grazing (mEyvaan), just a little (siRu) while
(veedu) ago, have spread all over (parandhana) the place. Look! (kaaN). The
children (piLLai), who are serious (mikkuLLa) about 'maargazhi nonbu', are
going (pOvaan). We have stopped (pOgaamal) those people who are going
(pOginRaarai) and have come (vandhu) standing (ninROm) and are waiting
(kaaththu) and calling (koovuvaan) you (unnai). You happy (kOdhugalam
udaiya) girl (paavaay), wake up (ezhundhiraay) If we (naam) sing (paadi),
observe the 'paavai nOnbu' (paRai kondu) and go (chenRu) and worship (sEvi)
the Lord of the devas (dhEvaadhi dhEva), who split (piLandhaan) the Asura
who came as a horse (maavaay), who conquered (maattiya) the wreslers
(mallar), he will examine (aaraayndhu) our requirements, and bless (aruL)
us with plenty (aa aa enRu).

9. rakmf@ `mIrf klfya]i  taqmf@ ~ti
T\m]i madtfT CbfBmf viqkfekriy(tf)
T\pmf kmz(tf) TyilA]Emlf k]f vqRmf
mama[f mkEq m]i(kf) ktvmf tazf tibvayf
mamIrf `vAq 'ZpfpIEra u[f mkqf ta[f
UAmEya `[fbi ecviEda `[nftEla
"m(pf) epRnf Tyilf mnftir(pf) pdfdaEqa
mamay[f matv[f AvKnft[f '[feb[fB
nam[f plv<mf nvi[fEbElarf '[fpavayf

thoomaNi maadaththu sutrum viLakkeriya(th)
thoopam kamazha(th) thuyilaNaimEl kaN vaLarum
maamaan magaLE maNi(k) kadhavam thaazh thiRavaay
maameer avaLai ezhuppeerO un magaL thaan
oomaiyO anRi sevidO ananthalO
Ema(p) perunN thuyil mandhira(p) pattaaLO
maamaayan maadhavan vaikundhan enRenRu
naaman palavum navinRElOr enbaavaay

Hey, daughter (magaL) of my uncle (mamman), you who are sleeping (kaN
vaLarum) on (mEl) a mattress (thuyil aNai) in a palace (maadam) with
flawless jewels (thoo maNi), with lamps (viLakku) burning (eriya) all
around (sutrum) and surrounded (kamazha) by incense (dhoopam), open
(thiRavaay) the latch (thaazh) of the jewelled (maNi) door (kadhavam). Hey
auntie (maameer), will you wake (ezhuppeerO) her (avaLai) up. Is your (un)
daughter (magaL) indeed (thaan) dumb (oomaiyO), or (anRi) deaf (sevidO), or
lazy (ananthalO), or is she cursed (mandhira) and captivated (Ema pattaaLo)
into a coma (perun thuyil). (Hurry up). We must benefit (navindhu) by
repeating (enRenRu) the many (pala) names (naamam) of the great Mayan (maa
maayan) Madhavan, Vaikuntan.

10. rakmf@ EtaF  taqmf@ ~ti
EnabfB(cf) Cvrfkfkmf p<Kki[fb `mfm[ayf.
mabfbMmf taraEra vaclf tibvatarf
nabfb(tf) Tzayf MF naray][f nmfmalf
Epabfb(pf) pAb tRmf p<]f]iy[alf p]fD oR naqf
Pbfbtfti[f vayf vIzfnft Kmfp kr]{mf
EtabfBmf u[kfEk epRnfTyilf ta[f tnftaE[a
~bfb `[nftlf uAdyayf `RgfklEm
Etbfbmayf vnfT tibEvElarf 'mfpavayf.

nOtru(ch) chuvarkkam puguginRa ammanaay!
maatramum thaaraarO vaasal thiRavaadhaar
naatra(th) thuzhaay mudi naaraayaNan nammaal
pOtra(p) paRai tharum puNNiyanaal pandu oru naaL
kootraththin vaay veezhndha kumba karaNanum
thOtrum unakkE perunthuyil thaan thandhaanO
aatra anandhal udaiyaay arungalamE
thEtramaay vandhu thiRavElOr embaavaay.

Oh lady (amman), who is entering (puguginRa) the heaven (suvarkkam) through
penance (nOtru)! those not opening (thiRavaadhaar) the doors (vaasal)!
Won't you at least give (thaa) a reply (maatram)? Kumbakarnan (kumba
karaNan), who one (oru) day (naaL) long ago (pandu) fell (veezhndha) prey
to death (kootraththin vaay) due to benevolent (puNNiyan) Lord Narayanan
(naraayaNan), who wears (mudi) the fragrant (naatram) garland of 'thulsi'
(thuzhaay), who is praised (pOtra) by us (nammaal), who blesses (paRai
tharum) us; Did he (kumbakaraNa) appear (thOtru) in your dreams and give
(thandhaan) you (unakku) his grand (perum) sleep (thuyil). You utterly
(aatra) lazy (anandhal) girl!, yet a rare (arum) jewel (kalam), wake up and
come (vandhu) without loosing balance (thEtram), and open (thiRa) the door.

11. rakmf@ hHEc[i  taqmf@ micfrcap<
kbfB(kf) kbAv(kf) k]gfkqf pl kbnfT
ecbfbarf tiblziy(cf) ec[fB ecR(cf) ecyfy<mf
Kbfbmf o[fbilat Ekavlrftftmf epabfekaFEy
p<bfB `rv< `lfKlf p<[myiEl Epatrayf
CbfbtfT Etazimarf 'lflaRmf vnfT ni[f
Mbfbmf p<KnfT Mkilf v]f][f Eprf pad
cibfbaEt EpcaEt eclfv ep]fdadfF nI
'bfBkfK ubgfKmf epaREqElarf 'mfpavayf

katru(k) kaRavai(k) kaNangaL pala kaRandhu
setraar thiRalazhiya(ch) chenRu seru(ch) cheyyum
kutram onRilaadha kOvalartham poRkodiyE
putru aravu alkul punamayilE pOdharaay
sutraththu thOzhimaar ellaarum vandhu nin
mutram pugundhu mugil vaNNan pEr paada
sitraadhE pEsaadhE selva peNdaatti nee
etrukku uRangum poruLElOr embaavaay

You prosperous (selva) girl (pEN)!, You are beautiful like a golden (pOn)
creeper (kodi), among the flawless (kutram onRillaadha) caretakers of cows
(kOvalar), who are capable of destroying (azhiya) the strength (thiRal) of
the enemies (setraar) by going (senRu) to war (cheru cheyyum), who in their
childhood have milked (kaRandhu) many (pala) youthful (katru) herds
(kaNangaL) of cows (kaRavai)! You who has a waist (alkul) like that of a
cobra (aravu) in his nest (putru)! You who are free like a forest (puna)
peacock (mayil)! Come out (pOdharaay)!. while we, all (ellaarum) your
relatives (sutram) and friends (thOzhi) have come (vandhu), entered
(pugundhu) your (nin) living room (mutram) and are singing (paada) the
names (pEr) of the Lord, who is dark like the color (vaNNan) of clouds
(mugil); you are sleeping (uRangu) without even moving a bit (sitraadhE),
ignoring (pEsaadhE) us. For what (etrukku = edhukku) purpose (poruL) are
you sleeping (uRangu) so?

12. rakmf@ Ektar ekqq  taqmf@ ~ti
kA[tfT ;qmf kbfebRAm k[fBkfK ;rgfki
niA[tfT MAl vziEy ni[fB palf Ecar
nA[tfT ;lflmf EcbakfKmf nbf eclfv[f tgfkayf
p[itf tAl vIz ni[f vacbf kAd pbfbi(cf)
ci[tfti[alf et[f ;lgfAk(kf) EkamaA[(cf) ecbfb
m[tfTkfK ;[iyaA[(pf) padv<mf nI vayf tibvayf
;[itfta[f 'Znftirayf :et[f[ Eprf ubkfkmf
`A[tfT ;lfltftaRmf `binfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

kanaiththu iLam katrerumai kanRukku irangi
ninaiththu mulai vazhiyE ninRu paal sOra
nanaiththu illam sERaakkum naR chelvan thangaay
panith thalai veezha nin vaasaR kadai patri(ch)
chinaththinaal then ilangai(k) kOmaanai(ch) chetra
manaththukku iniyaanai(p) paadavum nee vaay thiRavaay
iniththaan ezhundhiraay eedhenna pEr uRakkam
anaiththu illaththaarum aRindhElOr embaavaay

You, the sister (thangaay) of the good (nal) prosperous (chelvan) cowherd,
whose buffaloes (erumai) are yielding (sOra) so much milk (paal), through
(vazhiyE) their breasts (mulai). They are standing (ninRu) and bellowing
(kanaththu), out of passion (iRangi) to their crying (katru) young (iLam)
calves (kanRu), that the house (illam) has become (aagi) wet (nanai) and
swampy (sER) with milk! While the cold mist (pani) is falling (veezha) on
our heads (thalai), we are holding on (patri) to your (nin) front door
(vaasal kadai); we are singing (paada) about the one who gives us sweet
(iniyaan) thoughts (manam), the one who destroyed (chetra) the ruler
(kOmaan) of southern lanka (then ilangai) in his anger (sinam). You (nee)
are not opening (thiRavaay) your mouth (vaay). At least (thaan) wake up
(ezhundhiraay) now (ini). What (enna) is this (eedhu) big (pEr) sleep
(uRakkam), after all (anaiththu) others in the house (illaththaar) are
aware of (aRindhu) all this?

13. rakmf@ `da]a  taqmf@ YRpkmf
p<qfqi[f vayf kI]fdaA[(pf) epalfla `rkfkA[(kf)
kiqfqi(kf) kAqnftaA[(kf) kIrftfti Am paF(pf) Epayf(pf)
piqfAqkqf 'lflaRmf paAv(kf) kqmfp<kfkarf
evqfqi 'ZnfT viyazmf ubgfkibfB
p<qfQmf cilmfpi[ ka]f Epatri(kf) k]f]i[ayf
Kqfq(kf) Kqir(kf) KAdnfT nIradaEt
pqfqi(kf) kidtftiEya. pavayf. nI n[f naqalf
kqfqmf tvirfnfT klnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf.

puLLin vaay keendaanai(p) pollaa arakkanai(k)
kiLLi(k) kaLaindhaanai(k) keerththi mai paadi(p) pOy(p)
piLLaigaL ellaarum paavai(k) kaLambukkaar
veLLi ezhundhu viyaazham uRangitru
puLLum silambina kaaN pOdhari(k) kaNNinaay
kuLLa(k) kuLira(k) kudaindhu neeraadaadhE
paLLi(k) kidaththiyO! paavaay! nee nan naaLaal
kaLLam thavirndhu kalandhElOr embaavaay.

All (ellaam) the girls (piLLai) have reached (pukkaar) the place (kaLam)
for 'paavai nOnbu', singing (paadi) the praise (keerththi) of the Lord ,
while going (pOy). The Lord, who split (keendaan) the mouth (vaay) of the
bird (puL) shaped asura; who sniped (kiLLu) and disposed off (kaLaindhu)
the heads of the naughty (polla) rakshasa (arakkan). Venus (veLLi) has
risen (ezhundhu). Jupiter (viyaazhan) has gone to sleep (uRangu). Birds
(puL) are chirping (silambina), See (kaaN)!. You have eyes (kaNNinaay) like
the honey bee (ari) on a flower (pOdhu)! You (nee) are lying (kidaththiyO)
in bed and sleeping (paLLi), without dipping in (kudaindhu) and bathing
(neeraadaadhE) in the harsh (kuLLa) cold (kuLira) water. Oh girl (paavaay)!
On this good (nan) day (naaL), leave (thavirndhu) your tricks (kaLLam)
behind and join us (kalandhu).

14. rakmf@ ~[nft Aprvi  taqmf@ ~ti
ugfkqf p<zkfkAd(tf) EtadfdtfT vaviy<qf
ecgfkZ[Irf vayf enkizfnfT ~mfplf vayf Pmfpi[ ka]f
ecgfkbf epaF(kf) PAr ev]fplf tvtftvrf
tgfkqf tiRkfEkayilf cgfkiDva[f Epat[fbarf
'gfkAq M[f[mf 'Zpfp<va[f vayfEpCmf
ngfkayf 'Znftirayf na]atayf nav<Adyayf
cgfEkaD ckfkrmf "nfTmf tdkfAky[f
pgfky(kf) k]f]aA[(pf) paEdElarf 'mfpavayf.

ungaL puzhakkadai(th) thOttaththu vaaviyuL
sengazhuneer vaay negizhndhu aambal vaay koombina kaaN
sengaR podi(k) koorai veNbal thavaththavar
thangaL thirukkOyil sangiduvaan pOdhanRaar
engaLai munnam ezhuppuvaan vaaypEsum
nangaay ezhundhiraay naaNaadhaay naavudaiyaay
sangOdu chakkaram Endhum thadakkaiyan
pangaya(k) kaNNaanai(p) paadElOr embaavaay.

Look (kaaN)!, Red (sen) lilies (kazhuneer) have opened (negizhndhu) their
petals (vaay), and waterlilies (aambal) have closed (koombina) their petals
(vaay), on the pond (vaavi) in the garden (thOttam) in your (ungaL) back
yard (puzhakkadai). The ascetics (thavaththavar), wearing ashes (veNbal)
and safron (sengaR podi) robes (koorai) are going to (pOdhanRaar) their
(thangaL) sacred (thiru) temple (kOyil) to blow the conch (sangiduvaan).
Hey girl (nangaay), you who boasted (vaay pEsum) that you would wake us
(engaLai) up (ezhuppu) first (munnam)! now wake up (ezhundhiraay).
shameless girl (naaNaadhaay), talkative girl (naavu udaiyaay)! We are going
to sing (paadEl) about the Lord, who bears (Endhum) the conch (sangu) and
the wheel (chakkaram) in his hands, who has wide (thadam) arms (kai), and
lotus (pangayam) shaped eyes (kaN).

15. rakmf@ Epkd  taqmf@ YRpkmf
'lfEl. ;qmf kiqiEy ;[f[mf ubgfKtiEya
cilf '[fB `AzEy[f mi[f ngfAkyIrf EpatRki[fEb[f
vlfAl u[f kdfDArkqf p]fEd u[f vayf `biTmf
vlflIrfkqf nIgfkEq naE[ ta[f ~yiDk
olfAl nI Epatayf u[kfek[f[ EvBAdAy
'lflaRmf EpanftaEra Epanftarf EpanfT ']f]ikfekaqf
vlf ~A[ eka[fbaA[ mabfbaAr mabfbzikfk
vlflaA[ mayA[(pf) paEdElarf 'mfpavayf

ellE! iLam kiLiyE innam uRangudhiyO
chil enRu azhaiyEn min nangaiyeer pOdharuginREn
vallai un katturaigaL paNdE un vaay aRidhum
valleergaL neengaLE naanE thaan aayiduga
ollai nee pOdhaay unakkenna vERudaiyai
ellaarum pOndhaarO pOndhaar pOndhu eNNikkoL
val aanai konRaanai maatraarai maatrazhikka
vallaanai maayanai(p) paadElOr embaavaay

What surprise (ellE)!, You beautiful parrot (kiLiyE)! you are still (innam)
sleeping (uRangu)! The girl replies, "Hey girls (nangaiyeer)!, Don't call
(azhaiyEn) me with such mind (min) chilling (chil) words. I am coming
(aruginREn) in a little while (pOdhu)." We have known about (aRidhum) your
(un) smart (vallai) tales (katturaigaL) for a long time (pandE) from your
(un) own mouth (vaay). The girl says, "Ok, you (neengaL) are the smart
(valleergaL) ones, Let me (naanE) be the loser (thaan aayiduga)". You (nee)
start (pOdhaay) quickly (ollai) then. What (enna) other (vERu) job
(udaiyai) do you (unakku) have? Come out (pOndhu) and count yourself (eNNi
koL); all (ellaarum) who are coming (pOndhaar), have come (pOndhu). Let us
sing (paadEl) the praise of the Lord (maayan), who destroyed (azhikka) the
enemies (maatraar) in a war (maatru), and who killed (konRaan) the powerful
(val) elephant (aanai). [the word 'pOndhu' is derived from 'pO' in the same
manner as 'vandhu' is derived from 'vaa']

16. rakmf@ Emah[mf  taqmf@ ~ti
nayk[ayf ni[fb nnftEkap[f uAdy
Ekayilf kapfpaE[. ekaF Eta[fBmf Etar]
vayilf kapfpaE[. m]i(kf) ktvmf taqf tibvayf
~yrf ciBmiyEraMkfK `Ab pAb
may[f m]i v]f][f en[f[El vayf Enrfnfta[f
T\Eyamayf vnfEtamf Tyilf 'z(pf) paDva[f
vayalf M[f[mf M[f[mf mabfbaEt `mfma. nI
Eny niAl(kf) ktvmf nIkfEkElarf 'mfpavayf

naayaganaay ninRa nandhagOpan udaiya
kOyil kaappaanE! kodi thOnRum thOraNa
vaayil kaappaanE! maNi(k) kadhavam thaaL thiRavaay
aayar siRumiyarOmukku aRai paRai
maayan maNi vaNNan nennalE vaay nErndhaan
thooyOmaay vandhOm thuyil ezha(p) paaduvaan
vaayaal munnam munnam maatraadhE ammaa! nee
nEya nilai(k) kadhavam neekkElOr embaavaay

You, the guard (kaappaan) of the temple (kOyil) of the Lord who stood
(ninRa) as our savior (naayagan)! the guard (kaappaan) of the arched
ornamented (thOraNa) door (vaayil) decorated (thOnrum) by garlands (kodi).
Please open (thiRavaay) the latch (thaaL) of the jewelled (maNi) door
(kadhavam). The mystic (maayan) Lord (maNi vaNNan) has given his word (vaay
nErndhaan), yesterday (nenne) itself, to the children (siRumi) of
aayarpaadi (aayar), that he would give them, the drum (paRai) used for
beating (aRai) during the period of 'paavai nOnbu'. We have come (vandhOm)
fresh and clean (thooya) to sing (paaduvaan) in order to wake him (thuyil
ezha). Ah (amma)! First of all (munnam munnam), you (nee) remove (open
neekku), the barrier (nilai kadhavam) without any denying (maatraadhE) or
discussing (vaayaal).

17. rakmf@ klfya]i  taqmf@ k]fdcap<
`mfprEm t]f]IEr EcaEb `bmf ecyfy<mf
'mfepRma[f nnftEkapala 'Znftirayf
ekamfp[arfkfK 'lflamf ekaZnfEt Kl viqkfEk
'mfepRmadfF yEcatayf `biv<bayf
`mfprmf Ud `BtfT Ogfki uqK `qnft
umfprf EkamaE[ ubgfkaT 'Znftirayf
ecmf epabf kzlF(cf) eclfva plEtva
umfpiy<mf nIy<[f ubgfEkElarf 'mfpavayf.

ambaramE thaNNeerE sORE aRam seyyum
emberumaan nandhagOpaalaa ezhundhiraay
kombanaarkku ellaam kozhundhE kula viLakkE
emberumaatti yasOdhaay aRivuRaay
ambaram ooda aRuththu Ongi uLagu aLandha
umbar kOmaanE uRangaadhu ezhundhiraay
sem poR kazhaladi(ch) chelvaa baladhEvaa
umbiyum neeyun uRangElOr embaavaay.

Hey, our leader (em perumaan) Nandagopa! you, who gave to charity (aRam
seyyum), clothes (ambaram), cool water (thaNNeer) and food (sORu), wake up
(ezhundhiraay). Hey our lady (em perumaatti) Yasoda!, the leader
(kozhundhu) of all (ellaam) the women folk (kombanaar), the light (viLakku)
of the family (kulam), come to your senses (aRivuRaay). Oh Lord, you who
split open (oodu aRuththu) the sky (ambaram), became a giant (Ongi) and
scaled (aLandha) the world (ulagu); king (kOmaan) of the devas (umbar),
stop sleeping (uRangaadhu) and wake up (ezhundhiraay). Properous (chelva)
Balarama (baladhEvaa)!, who wears pure (sem) gold (pon) anklets (kazhal) on
his feet (adi), you (nee) and your younger brother (umbi) wake up
(uRangEl)!

18. rakmf@ caEvri  taqmf@ ~ti
unfT mt kqibfb[f Odat Etaqf vliy[f
nnftEkap[f mRmkEq npfpi[f[ayf
knftmf kmZmf Kzli kAd tibvayf
vnfT 'gfKmf Ekazi `Aztft[ ka]f matvi(pf)
pnftlf Emlf plf kalf Kyili[gfkqf Pvi[ ka]f
pnfT ~rf virli u[f AmtfT[[f Eprf pad(cf)
ecnftamAr(kf) Akyalf cIrarf vAq olipfp
vnfT tibvayf mkizfnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf.

undhu madha kaLitran Odaadha thOL valiyan
nandhagOpan marumagaLE nappinnaay
kandham kamazhum kuzhali kadai thiRavaay
vandhu engum kOzhi azhaiththana kaaN maadhavi(p)
pandhal mEl pal kaal kuyilinangaL koovina kaaN
pandhu aar virali un maiththunan pEr paada(ch)
chendhaamarai(k) kaiyaal seeraar vaLai olippa
vandhu thiRavaay magizhndhElOr embaavaay.

Hey lady, the daughter in law (marumagaL) of Nandagopan (nandhagOpan), who
does not retreat (Odaadha), even against an elephant (kaLitran) showing off
(undhu) his excitement (madham); who has powerful (valiyan) shoulders
(thOl), You, who has a fragrant (kandham) smelling (kamazhum) head of hair
(kuzhali), open (thiRavaay) the door (kadai). Look (kaaN)! The hens (kOzhi)
are up (vandhu) and are calling (azhaiththana) everywhere (engum). Many
sorts (inangaL) of cukkoo birds (kuyil) are singing (koovina) several (pal)
times (kaal), on top of (mEl) the trellis (pandhal) of the 'kurukkaththi
creeper' (maadhavi). Look! (kaaN). Will you please come (vandhu) cheerfully
(magizhndhu) and open (thiRavaay) the door, with your red (sen) lotus
(thaamarai) hands (kai), and jingling (olippa) of beautiful (seer) bangles
(vaLai), so that we may sing (paada) the praise (pEr) of your (un) husband
(maiththunan), who is holding a ball (pandhu) in his fingers (viral).

19. rakmf@ sha[a  taqmf@ ~ti
KtfT viqkfekriy EkadfD(kf) kalf kdfFlf Emlf
emtfet[fb pwfc cy[tfti[f Emlf "bi(kf)
ekatftlrf p>gfKzlf npfpiA[ ekagfAk Emlf
AvtfT(kf) kidnft mlrf marfpa vayf tibvayf
Am(tf) tdmf k]f]i[ayf nI u[f m]aqA[
'tftA[ EpaTmf Tyielz odfdayf ka]f
'tftA[EyLmf piriv< ~bfbkilflayalf
ttfTvmf `[fB tkEvElarf 'mfpavayf

kuththu viLakkeriya kOttu(k) kaal kattil mEl
meththenRa pancha sayanaththin mEl ERi(k)
koththalar poonguzhal nappinai kongai mEl
vaiththu(k) kidandha malar maarbaa vaay thiRavaay
mai(th) thadam kaNNinaay nee un maNaaLanai
eththanai pOdhum thuyilezha ottaay kaaN
eththanaiyElum pirivu aatragillaayaal
thaththuvam anRu thagavElOr embaavaay

Oh Lord whose chest (maarbaa) is adorned by flowers (malar)! You who are
sleeping (kida) on a soft (meththenRa) cotton (panchu) mattress (sayanam),
on (mEl) a bed (kattil) with legs (kaal) made of ivory (kOttu), keeping
(vaiththu) your forehead near the chest (kongai) of your consort
(nappinnai), who is wearing bunches (koththu) of flowers (alar) on her head
(kuzhal), with 'kuththu vilakku' lamps lighted (eriya) all around; please
open (thiRavaay) your mouth (vaay). Oh! you consort, your eyes (kaNNinaay)
decorated (thadam) with 'mai', you (nee) do not seem to let us (ottaay)
wake up (thuyil ezha) your (un) husband (maNaaLan), for such a (eththanai)
long time (pOdhum). Look (kaaN)! You do not want (illaayaal) to be
separated (pirivu aatra) even for little while (eththanaiyElum). This is
not (anRu) good nature (thathuvam), nor is it fair (thagavEl).

20. rakmf@ ecwfCRdfF  taqmf@ micfrcap<
MpfptfT YMvrf `mrrfkfK M[f ec[fB
kpfpmf tvirfkfKmf kliEy Tyilf 'zayf
ecpfpmf uAdyayf tiblf uAdyayf ecbfbarfkfK
evpfpmf ekaDkfKmf vimla Tyilf 'zayf
ecpfep[f[ em[f MAl(cf) ecvfvayf(cf) ciB mRgfKlf
npfpi[fA[ ngfkayf tiREv Tyilf 'zayf
ukfkMmf tdfedaqiy<mf tnfT u[f m]aqA[
;pfEpaEt 'mfAm nIradfEdElarf 'mfpavayf

muppaththu moovar amararkku mun senRu
kappam thavirkkum kaliyE thuyil ezhaay
seppam udaiyaay thiRal udaiyaay setraarkku
veppam kodukkum vimalaa thuyil ezhaay
seppenna men mulai(ch) chevvaay(ch) chiRu marungul
nappinnai nangaay thiruvE thuyil ezhaay
ukkamum thattoLiyum thandhu un maNaaLanai
ippOdhE emmai neeraattElOr embaavaay

Oh the heroic one (kaliyE), who goes to (mun senRu) the thirty (muppaththu)
three (moover) devas (amarar) and removes (thavirkkum) their fears
(kappam), please wake (thuyil) up (ezhaay)! Oh perfect (seppam) one
(udaiyaay)! Oh omni-potent (thiRal) one (udaiyaay)! Oh, the Lord (vimalaa)
who burns up (veppam kodukkum) the enemies (setraar)! Please wake (thuyil)
up (ezhaay)! Oh beautiful (thiruvE) consort (nappinai) lady (nangaay), with
red (chev) lips (vaay) and slender (siRu) waist (marungul) with soft (men)
breasts (mulai) like a perfect vessal (seppenna), please wake (thuyil) up
(ezhaay)! Please bring (thandhu) a fan (ukkam) and a mirror (thattoLi) and
wake your (un) husband (maNaaLan) up right now (ippOdhE), so that he can
cleanse (neeraata) us (emmai).

21. rakmf@ nat namkfkfriya  taqmf@ micfrcap<
"bfb klgfkqf 'tirf epagfki mItqipfp
mabfbaEt palf ecariy<mf vqfqlf epRmf pCkfkqf
~bfb(pf) pAdtfta[f mkE[ `biv<bayf
Ubfbmf uAdyayf epriyayf ulki[ilf
Etabfbmayf ni[fb CdEr Tyilf 'zayf
mabfbarf u[kfK vli etaAlnfT u[f vacbf k]f
~bfbaT vnfT u[f `F p]iy<ma EpaEl
Epabfbiyamf vnfEtamf p<kzfnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

Etra kalangaL edhir pongi meedhaLippa
maatraadhE paal soriyum vaLLal perum pasukkaL
aatra(p) padaiththaan maganE aRivuRaay
ootram udaiyaay periyaay ulaginil
thOtramaay ninRa sudarE thuyil ezhaay
maatraar unakku vali tholaindhu un vaasaR kaN
aatraadhu vandhu un adi paNiyumaa pOlE
pOtriyaam vandhOm pugazhndhElOr embaavaay

Oh the son (magan) of Nandagopan, who has lots of (aatra padaiththaan)
great (perum) generous (vaLLal) cows (pasu), which yield (soriyum) milk
(paal) without fail (matraadhE), in such large quantities that the
containers (kalangaL) to hold (Etra) the milk overflow (edhir pongi) on top
(meedhaLippa). Please come to your senses (aRivuraay)!. Oh you, the one
with (udaiyaay) a lot of power (ootram)!. Oh, the great one (periyaay)!.
Oh, the light (sudarE) that stood (ninRa) visible (thOtramaay) to our eyes,
in this world (ulaginil)!. Please wake (thuyil) up (ezhaay)!. Just like
(pOl) the enemies (maatraar) who surrendered (vandhu paNi) to your (un)
feet (adi) and yielded (tholaindhu) their strength (vali) to you (unakku),
at your (un) door (vaasal) step (kaN) without controlling themselves
(aatraadhu), we have come (vandhOm) to worship (pOtri) and praise (pugazh)
you.

22. rakmf@ yM[ klfya]i  taqmf@ micfrcap<
`mf k]f ma waltfT `rcrf `pima[
pgfkmayf vnfT ni[f pqfqi(kf) kdfFbf kIEz
cgfkmf ;Rpfparf Epalf vnfT tAlpfepyfEtamf
kigfki]i vayf(cf) ecyft tamAr(pf) p>(pf) EpaEl
ecgfk]f ciB(cf) cibiEt 'mfEmlf viziyaEva
tigfkQmf ~titft{mf 'Znftabf Epalf
`mf k]f ;r]fDmf eka]fD 'gfkqf Emlf EnakfKtiEylf
'gfkqf Emlf capmf ;zinfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

am kaN maa NYaalaththu arasar abimaana
pangamaay vandhu nin paLLi(k) kattiR keezhE
sangam iruppaar pOl vandhu thalaippeydhOm
kingiNi vaay(ch) cheydha thaamarai(p) poo(p) pOlE
sengaN chiRu(ch) chiRidhE emmEl vizhiyaavO
thingaLum aadhiththanum ezhundhaaR pOl
am kaN irandum kondu engaL mEl nOkkudhiyEl
engaL mEl saabam izhindhElOr embaavaay

Just like (pOl) the kings (arasar) of this (kaN) beautiful (am) big (maa)
world (NYaalam), who came (vandhu) and gathered (sangam iruppaar) under
(keezhE) your (nin) sleeping (paLLi) bed (kattil), after relinquising
(pangam) their prestige (abimaanan), we have come (vandhu) and approached
(eythOm) near you (thalaippu). Please open your sweet sounding (kingiNi)
mouth (vaay cheydha) like (pOlE) the lotus (thaamarai) flower (poo). Will
you please look (vizhiyaavO) at us (emmEl) through those beautiful (sen)
eyes (kaN) a little (siRidhE) bit (siRu). If you look (nOkku) at us with
(kondu) those (am) two (irandum) eyes (kaN), which are like (pOl) the moon
(thingaL) and the sun (aadhiththan) rising (ezhundhaal), you will releive
(izhindhu) us (engaL mEl) from death (saa, saabam).

23. rakmf@ pilhri  taqmf@ ~ti
mari mAl MAzwfcilf m[f[i(kf) kidnfT ubgfKmf
cIriy cigfkmf `biv<bfB(tf) tI vizitfT
Evri myirf epagfk 'pfpaDmf EprfnfT utbi
YMri nimirfnfT Mzgfki(pf) p<bpfpdfD(pf)
EpatRma EpaEl nI p>Avpfp> v]f]a u[f
Ekayilf ni[fB ;gfgE[ EpanftRqi(kf) Ekapfp<Ady
cIriy cigfkac[tfT ;RnfT yamf vnft
kariymf ~rayfnfT `REqElarf 'mfpavayf

maari malai muzhainchil manni(k) kidandhu uRangum
seeriya singam aRivutru(th) thee vizhiththu
vEri mayir ponga eppaadum pErndhu udhaRi
moori nimirndhu muzhangi(p) puRappattu(p)
pOdharumaa pOlE nee poovaippoo vaNNaa un
kOyil ninRu iNGNGanE pOndharuLi(k) kOppudaiya
seeriya singaasanaththu irundhu yaam vandha
kaariyam aaraayndhu aruLElOr embaavaay

Just like (pOlE) a brave (seeriya) lion (singam) lying (manni kidandhu) and
sleeping (uRangu) inside a mountain (malai) cave (muzhainchu) comes to his
senses (aRivutru): starts (puRapaattu) to comes out (pOdharum) during rainy
(maari) season, opening his eyes (vizhi) like fire (thee), shaking (ponga)
his mane (vEri mayir), bending (pErndhu) his body on all sides (eppaadum),
shaking (udhaRi) and stretching the body to get it into shape (moori),
standing erect (nimirndhu), and roaring (muzhangi), You (nee) please come
out (pOndhu). You, who are the color (vaNNaa) of the bilberry (poovai)
flower (poo), will you please sit (irundhu) on top of the great (seeriya)
throne (singaasanam) and examine (aaraayndhu) the purpose (kaariyam) of our
(yaam) coming (vandha) to your (un) decorated (kOppudaiya) temple (kOyil),
and having come (pOndhu), our standing (ninRu) this way (iNGNGanE), and
bless us (aruLElOr).

24. rakmf@ cinfT Aprvi  taqmf@ ~ti
`[fB ;vf ulkmf `qnftayf `F Epabfbi
ec[fbgfK(tf) et[f ;lgfAk ecbfbayf tiblf Epabfbi
epa[fb(cf) ckdmf uAttftayf p<kzf Epabfbi
k[fB K]ilf ~evbinftayf kzlf Epabfbi
K[fB KAdyayf 'Dtftayf K]mf Epabfbi
ev[fB pAk ekDkfKmf ni[f Akyilf Evlf Epabfbi
'[feb[fBmf u[f EcvkEm "tfti(pf) pAb ekaqfva[f
;[fB yamf vnfEtamf ;rgfEkElarf 'mfpavayf

anRu iv ulagam aLandhaay adi pOtri
senRangu(th) then ilangai setraay thiRal pOtri
ponRa(ch) chakatam udhaiththaay pugazh pOtri
kanRu kuNil aaveRindhaay kazhal pOtri
kunRu kudaiyaay eduththaay guNam pOtri
venRu pagai kedukkum nin kaiyil vEl pOtri
enRenRum un sEvagamE Eththi(p) paRai koLvaan
inRu yaam vandhOm irangElOr embaavaay

We worship (pOtri) your feet (adi) with which you scaled (aLandhaay) this
(iv) world (ulagam) once (anRu). (vaamanaavathaaram). We worship (pOtri)
your valour (thiRal) with which you conquered (setraay) southern (then)
Lanka (ilangai) after going (senRu) there (angu). (raamaavathaaram). We
worship (pOtri) your fame (pugazh) that you obtained by kicking
(udhaiththaay) and destroying (ponRu) the wheel (chakatam) shaped asura. We
worship (pOtri) your feet (kazhal) with which you threw (eRindhaay) the
calf (kanRu) shaped asura 'vatsaasuran', at the ebony tree (aa) shaped
asura 'kapithaasuran', like a sling (kuNil). We worship (pOtri) your good
nature (guNam) for having lifted (eduththay) the hillock (kunRu) like an
umbrella (kudai), to protect people against the great rain.
(krishNaavathaaram). We worship (pOtri) the spear (vEl) on your (nin) hand
(kai), with which you win (venRu) and destroy (kedukkum) the enemies
(pagai). Today (inRu) we (yaam) have come (vandhOm) just for your (un)
service (sEvakamE) and praise (Eththu) in all these ways (enRenRum), so
that we may be emancipatated (paRai kOlvaan). Please show us your mercy
(irangEl).

25. rakmf@ epkakf  taqmf@ ~ti
oRtfti mk[ayf(pf) pibnfT Orf ;rvilf
oRtfti mk[ayf oqitfT vqr(tf)
trikfkila[f ~ki(tf) ta[f tIgfK niA[nft
kRtfAt(pf) piAzpfpitfT(kf) kwfc[f vyibfbilf
enRpfep[f[ ni[fb enDmaEl., u[fA[
`RtftitfT vnfEtamf pAb tRtiyakilf
tiRtftkfk eclfvMmf EcvkMmf yamf paF
vRtftMmf tIrfnfT mkizfnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

oruththi maganaay(p) piRandhu Or iravil
oruththi maganaay oLiththu vaLara(th)
tharikkilaan aagi(th) thaan theengu ninaindha
karuththai(p) pizhaippiththu(k) kanchan vayitril
neruppenna ninRa nedumaalE!, unnai
aruththiththu vandhOm paRai tharudhiyaagil
thiruththakka selvamum sEvagamum yaam paadi
varuththamum theerndhu magizhndhElOr embaavaay

Oh Lord (nedumaal), who was born (piRandhu) one (Or) night (iravu) as a son
(magan) of one lady (oruththi) and grew up (vaLara) hiding (oLiththu) as
the son (magan) of one other lady (oruththi); You made the idea (karuththu)
of Kamsa (kanchan), who could not withstand (tharikkilaan aagi) you and
thought of (ninaindha) harming (theengu) you (thaam), useless
(pizhaipiththu) and stood (ninRa) like a fire (neruppenna) in his belly
(vayitril). We have come (vandhOm) with a vital desire (aruththi, arundhu =
drink, absorb) towards you (unnai). If you emancipate us (paRai
tharudhiyaagil), we will be free of (theerndhu) our sorrows (varuththam)
and we (yaam) will happily (magizhndhu) sing (paadi) about your service
(sEvagam) and about the beauty (selvam) of your suitable (thakka) match
Lakshmi (thiru).

26. rakmf@ Knftq vraqi  taqmf@ ~ti
maEl. m]iv]f]a. marfkzi nIraDva[f
EmAlyarf ecyfv[kqf Ev]fDv[ EkdfFEylf
waltfAt 'lflamf nDgfk Mrlfv[
palf `[f[ v]f]tfT u[f pawfc c[f[iyEm
Epalfv[ cgfkgfkqf Epayf(pf) paDAdy[Ev
cal(pf) epRmf pAbEy plfla]fD ;AcpfpaEr
Ekal viqkfEk ekaFEy vita[Em
~li[f ;Alyayf `REqElarf 'mfpavayf

maalE! maNivaNNaa! maargazhi neeraaduvaan
mElaiyaar seyvanagaL vEnduvana kEttiyEl
NYaalaththai ellaam nadunga muralvana
paal anna vaNNaththu un paancha sanniyamE
pOlvana sankangaL pOy(p) paadudaiyanavE
saala(p) perum paRaiyE pallaandu isaippaarE
kOla viLakkE kodiyE vidhaanamE
aalin ilaiyaay aruLElOr embaavaay

Oh Lord (maale! maNi vaNNaa! aalin ilaiyaay! ) If you ask us (kEttiyEl)
what we want (vEnduvana); Bless us (aruLElOr) to endure the penance
(neeraaduvaan) as done (seyvanagaL) by elders (mElaiyaar) in the month of
december/january (margazhi); We need conchs (sankangal) like (pOlvana) your
(un) own milky white (paalanna vaNNaththu) paancha sanyam, the sound
(muralvana) of which makes the whole (ellaam) universe (Nyaalam) tremble
(nadunga); powerful (pOy paadudaiyana) very (chaala) big (perum) drums
(paRai); those who sing (isaippaar) the 'Tamil paasurams'(pallaandu). (The
aazhvaar paasuram recitals start with the recital of pallaandu); decorative
(kOla) lamps (viLakku); flags (kodi) and other decorations (vidhaanamE).

27. rakmf@ p>rfvi klfya]i  taqmf@ micfrcap<
PdaAr evlfLmf cIrf Ekavinfta unft[fA[(pf)
paF(pf) pAb eka]fD yamf epBmf cmfma[mf
naD p<kZmf prici[alf n[fbak(cf)
VdkEm Etaqf vAqEy EtaEd ecvipf p>Ev
padkEm '[fbA[y plkl{mf yamf `]iEvamf
~Ad uDpfEpamf `t[f pi[fE[ pabf EcaB
YMd enyf epyfT MzgfAk vzi var(kf)
PF ;RnfT KqirfnfEtElarf 'mfpavayf

koodaarai vellum seer gOvindhaa undhannai(p)
paadi(p) paRai kondu yaam peRum sammaanam
naadu pugazhum parisinaal nanRaaga(ch)
choodagamE thOL vaLaiyE thOdE sevip poovE
paadagamE enRanaiya palagalanum yaam aNivOm
aadai uduppOm adhan pinnE paaR chORu
mooda ney peydhu muzhangai vazhi vaara(k)
koodi irundhu kuLirndhElOr embaavaay

Great (seer from siRandha) Govinda (gOvindhaa) who wins (vellum) against
the enemies (koodaarai)! If you ask us what gift (sammaanam) we (yaam) want
to obtain (peRum) for singing (paadi) about you (undhanai) and chanting
your names in public (paRai kondu); We (yaam) will wear (aNivOm) jewels
worthy (parisinaal) of being praised (pugazhum) by the whole country
(naadu), bracelet (choodagam), shoulder (thOL) oranaments (vaLai), earrings
(thOdu), ear 'maattal' (sevip poo), anklets (paadagam), and many (pala)
other (anaiya) ornaments (kalan) like (enRu) those. We will dress up
(uduppOm) with beautiful clothes (aadai). There (adhan) afterwards (pinnE)
all of us together (koodi irundhu) will enjoy (kuLirndhElOr) the milk
(paal) and rice (chORu) covered (mooda) and dripping (peydhu) in Ghee (ney)
flowing (vazhivaara) down to our elbows (muzhangai). (This refers to
kaNNamudhu or paayasam).

28. rakmf@ kamfEpati  taqmf@ ~ti
kbAvkqf pi[f ec[fB ka[mf EcrfnfT u]fEpamf
`biv< o[fBmf ;lflat ~yf(kf) KltfT unft[fA[(pf)
pibvi epBnftA[(pf) p<]f]iymf yamf uAdEyamf
KAb o[fBmf ;lflat Ekavinfta unft[fE[aD
ubEvlf nmkfK ;gfK ozikfk oziyaT
`biyat piqfAqkEqamf `[fpi[alf unft[fA[
ciB Eprf `Aztft[Mmf cIbi `RqaEt
;Abva nI tarayf pAbEyElarf 'mfpavayf

kaRavaigaL pin senRu kaanam sErndhu uNbOm
aRivu onRum illaadha aay(k) kulaththu undhannai(p)
piRavi peRundhanai(p) puNNiyam yaam udaiyOm
kuRai onRum illaadha gOvindhaa undhannOdu
uRavEl namakku ingu ozhikka ozhiyaadhu
aRiyaadha piLLaigaLOm anbinaal undhannai
siRu pEr azhaiththanamum seeRi aruLaadhE
iRaivaa nee thaaraay paRaiyElOr embaavaay

Following (pin senRu) the cows (kaRavai), after reaching (sErndhu) the
forest (kaanam or kaanagam), we will eat (uNbOm). We, of the cowherd
community (aay kulam) without (illaadha) any (onRum) enlightenment (aRivu);
what good deeds (puNNiyam) do we (yaam) claim to our credit (udaiyOm) for
having (peRundhanai) you (undhannai) born (piRavi) in our community? If we
have no relation to you (uRavEl), we (namakku) will not be able
(ozhiyaadhu) to bear (ozhikka) it here (ingu). We, the innocent (aRiyaadha)
children (piLLai) call (azhai) you (unnai) using your short (siRu) names
(pEr) out of affection (anbinaal). Please do not be angry (seeRi
aruLaadhE). Oh Lord (iRaivaa)! Please give us (thaaraay) your word (paRai).

29. rakmf@ mtfymavti  taqmf@ ~ti
cibfbmf ciB kaEl vnfT u[fA[ EcvitfT u[f
epabfbamAr `FEy EpabfBmf epaRqf Ekqayf
epbfbmf EmyftfT u]f}mf Kltftilf pibnfT nI
KbfB "vlf 'gfkAq(kf) ekaqfqamlf EpakaT
;bfAb(pf) pAb ekaqfva[f `[fB ka]f Ekavinfta
'bfAbkfKmf "zf "zf pibvikfKmf u[f t[fE[aD
ubfEbaEm ~Evamf u[kfEk namf ~dfecyfEvamf
mbfAb nmf kamgfkqf mabfEbElarf 'mfpavayf

sitram siRu kaalE vandhu unnai sEviththu un
potraamarai adiyE pOtrum poruL kELaay
petram mEyththu uNNum kulaththil piRandhu nee
kutru Eval engaLai(k) koLLaamal pOgaadhu
itrai(p) paRai koLvaan anRu kaaN gOvindhaa
etraikkum Ezh Ezh piRavikkum un thannOdu
utrOmE aavOm unakkE naam aatcheyvOm
matrai nam kaamangaL maatrElOr embaavaay

Govindha!, Listen (kELaay) to the reason (poruL) for our coming (vandhu)
and worshipping (sEviththu) you and praising (pOtrum) your golden lotus
(pon thaamarai) feet (adi) at such an early hour (sitram siRu kaalE). You
(nee), who were born (piRandhu) in the community of people (kulaththil),
who eat (uNNum) by rearing (mEyththu) cattle (petram), should not go away
(pOgaadhu) refusing our (engaLai) offerings (kutru Eval). Look (kaaN), we
are not (anRu) desiring your grace (paRai koLvaan) just for today (itrai).
Forever (etraikkum), for sevens (Ezh Ezh) of births (piRavikkum), we will
be (aavOm) in peace (utrOmE) with you (un thannOdu). We (naam) will let
ourselves be ruled (aatcheyvOm) by you (unakkE). Please remove (maatru) our
(nam) other (matrai) desires (kaamangaL).

30. rakmf@ CRdfF  taqmf@ micfrcap<
vgfk(kf) kdlf kAdnft matvA[ EkcvA[
tigfkqf tiRMktfT Ecyf ;Azyarf ec[fB ;Abwfci
`gfk(pf) pAb eka]fd ~bfAb `]i p<TAv(pf)
Apgfkml(tf) t]f etriylf pdfdrf pira[f EkaAt-
cgfk(tf) tmizf maAl MpfpTmf tpfpaEm  (-eca[f[
;gfK ;pfpriCArpfparf :rir]fD malf vAr Etaqf
ecgfk]f tiRMktfT(cf) eclfv(tf) tiRmalalf
'gfKmf tiRvRqf epbfB ;[fp<Bvrf 'mfpavayf.

vanga(k) kadal kadaindha maadhavanai kEsavanai
thingaL thirumugaththu sEy izhaiyaar senRu iRainchi
anga(p) paRai konda aatrai aNi pudhuvai(p)
painkamala(th) thaN theriyal battar piraan kOdhai-
sanga(th) thamizh maalai muppadhum thappaamE  [-sonna
ingu ipparisuraippaar eerirandu maal varai thOL
sengaN thirumugaththu(ch) chelva(th) thirumaalaal
engum thiruvaruL petru inbuRuvar embaavaay.

Just like the gopikas (sEy izhaiyaar), with moon (thingaL) like beauty
(thirumugaththu), obtained salvation, by surrendering (senRu iRainchi) to
the Lord, who churned (kadaindha) the ocean (vangak kadal) of milk, Sri
Andal (kodhai) wearing fresh (pai) lotus flowers (kamalam), who was born in
beautiful (aNi) Sri Villiputhoor (pudhuvai), as the daughter of the Brahmin
priest (bhattar piraan) Peria aazhwaar, presents this. Those who recite
(ingu ipparisuraippar) these thirty (muppadhum) literary (sangath) Tamil
(thamizh) garlands (maalai), daily without fail (thappaamE), will obtain
the grace (thiruvaruL) and derive pleasures (inbuRuvar) from God
(thirumaal), who has beautiful (sen) eyes (kaN) and shoulders (thOL) which
can stretch (varai) between two pairs (eerirandu) of mountains (maal), who
is accompanied by the beautiful (thirumugaththu) Laxmi (chelva).

vazi tiR nammf
EkaAt pibnft Urf Ekavinft[f vaZYMrf
Ecati m]i madmf Eta[fBmf Urf
nItiyalf nlfl ptftrf vaZmf Urf na[fmAbkqf OTYMrf
vilflip<tfT\rf Evtkf Eka{\rf
patkgfkqf tIrfkfKmf prm[f `F kadfDmf
Evtmf `A[tfTkfKmf vitftaKmf EkaAt tmizf
_AynfTmf _nfTmf `biyat ma[idAr
Avymf CmpfpT vmfp<.

tiRvaFpf p>rtfT ecktfTtitftaqf vaziEy
tiRpfpaAv MpfpTmf ecpfpi[aqf vaziEy
epriyazfvarf epbfebDtft ep]f piqfAq vaziEy
epRmfp<T\rf maM[ikfKpf pi[f[a[aqf vaziEy
oR W\bfB nabfptfT YM[fBArtftaqf vaziEy
uyrrgfkbfEk k]f]iy<knftRqitaqf vaziEy
mRvaRmf tiRmlfli vq naF vaziEy
v]fp<TAv nkrfkf EkaAt mlrfpf ptgfkqf vaziEy

vaazhi thiru naamam
kOdhai piRandha oor kOvindhan vaazhumoor
sOdhi maNi maadam thOnRum oor
needhiyaal nalla paththar vaazhum oor naanmaRaigaL Odhumoor
villipuththoor vEdhak kOnoor
paadhagangaL theerkkum paraman adi kaattum
vEdham anaiththukkum viththaagum kOdhai thamizh
aiyaindhum aindhum aRiyaadha maanidarai
vaiyam sumappadhu vambu.

thiruvaadip pooraththu segaththudhiththaaL vaazhiyE
thiruppaavai muppadhum cheppinaaL vaazhiyE
periyaazhvaar petreduththa peN piLLai vaazhiyE
perumpudhoor maamunikkup pinnaanaaL vaazhiyE
oru nootru naaRpaththu moonRuraiththaaL vaazhiyE
uyararangaRkE kaNNiyugandharuLithaaL vaazhiyE
maruvaarum thirumalli vaLa naadi vaazhiyE
vaNpudhuvai nagark kOdhai malarp padhangaL vaazhiyE

Sri Andal is the only lady Aazhvar (Vaishnava Saints). One of her
compositions is the 'Tiruppavai' a set of 30 verses. These are very popular
in the month of maargazhi, Dec 15/Jan 15.

The first part deals with her inviting other girls of the village. The
second part deals with entering the temple and the third with the actual
worship.

As the story goes, she used to wear the flowers which were to be offerred
to god. When this was found out, her father sought the mercy of God to
pardon his daughter for her mistake. But instead, god refused fresh flowers
and kept insisting on getting flowers worn by Andal. This figuratively
signifies, that good intentions will override the flaws in the rigour of
rituals.

Her decided preference for worship in the Tamil language of the natives,
instead of just in Sanskrit, as is traditional, is clear in many verses.

Also she prays from a viewpoint of a rich and contented society, and not
from one of misery asking for relief from hardships in this life on earth.

Thanks to Sundarapandian ah724@yfn.ysu.edu, Selvakumar
selvakumar@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca and others who suggested several
improvements.

This translation is by Dr. K. Srinivasan email Internet: srini@ireq.ca
snail mail: 1109 Rue Gaboury, St.Bruno, QC. J3V 5X4 Canada.

Please feel free to send me suggestions and corrections. This file can be
printed using a HTML 3.0 viewer, capable of using MYLAI-SRI.TTF truetype
font.

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