English Translation of Thiruppavai

Each Pasuram (ode to Gods) of Thiruppavai is generally named by the first few words of the original poem which is in Tamil. These are given first and then an English translation follows:

1. Margazhi Thingal

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. Vaiyathu Vazhvirgal

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) prohibited 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. Ongi ulagalandha Utthmar peyar padi

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. Azhi mazhai kanna

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. Mayanai

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. Pullum chilambina kaan

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. Kisu kisu endrengum

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. Kizh vanam Vellendru

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. Thoo mani madathu

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. Notru Swargam

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. Katru karavai

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. Kanaithilam Katrerumai

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. Pullin Vay keendanai

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. Ungal puzhakkadai

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. Elle, ilam kiliye

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. Nayaganai ninra

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. Ambarame Thannere

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. Undhu Madha kalitran

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. Kuthu Vilakeriya

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. Muppathu Muvar

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. Etra kalangal

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. Angan maa gnalathu arasar

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. Maari malai muzhanjil

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. Anru ivvulagam

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. Oruthi maganai Pirandhu

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. Maale! Manivanna!

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. Kudaarai vellum seer Govinda

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. Karavaigal pin chendru

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. Chitram Chiru Kale

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. Vanga Kadal Kadaintha

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).

Translation courtesy of Dr. K. Srinivasan

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