Tiruppavai

1. Maargazhith thingaL

maargazhith thingaL madhi niRaindha nannaaLaal * neeraadap pOdhuveer pOdhuminO nErizhaiyeer * seer malgum aayppaadic celvac ciRumeergaaL * koorvER kodunthozhilan nandhagOpan kumaran * Eraarndha kaNNi yasOdhai iLaNYsingam * kaar mEnic cengaN kadhir madhiyam pOl mugaththaan * naaraayaNanE namakkE paRai tharuvaan * paarOr pugazhap padindhElOr embaavaay.

Now is the month of Marghazi. It is the auspicious full moon day. Lovely young ornamented cowherds colony which is flourishing in wealth! Don’t you want to bathe in Yamuna? Please come along and take part in the festival! Narayana, the son of Nandagopa, who is the terror of his enemies, the young lion cub of Yahsoda, of charming eyes, with his dark cloud complexion, and eyes of crimson lotus hue, with his lustrous face shining like the sun and cool like the moon will surely grant us our desires. Come and let us celebrate the festival, for which the world will praise us.

2. Vaiyaththu VaazhveergaaL

vaiyaththu vaazhveergaaL! naamum nampaavaikkuc * ceyyum kirisaigaL kELeerO * paaRkadaluL paiyath thuyinRa paraman adi paadi * neyyuNNOm paaluNNOm naatkaalE neeraadi * maiyittezhudhOm malarittu naam mudiyOm * ceyyaadhana ceyyOm theekkuRaLai cenROdhOm * aiyamum piccaiyum aandhanaiyum kai kaatti * uyyumaaReNNi ugandhElOr embaavaay.

People of this earth! Listen to the austerities we shall follow during the Paavai-Nanbu. We shall sing the praise of Narayana who sleeps gently on the milky ocean. We shall abstain from ghee and milk. We shall bathe before day break. We shall not indulge in gossip nor perform actions which are taboo. Of alms and gifts we shall give liberally. We shall follow the path to a life of contentment and happiness.

3. Ongi ulagaLandha

Ongi ulagaLandha uththaman pEr paadi * naangaL nam paavaikkuc caaRRi neer aadinaal * theenginRi naadellaam thingaL mum maari peydhu * Ongu peRuNY sen^n^el oodu kayal ugaLap * poonguvaLaip pOdhil poRi vandu kaN paduppath * thEngaadhE pukkirundhu seerththa mulai paRRi vaangak * kudam niRaikkum vaLLal perum pasukkaL * neengaadha selvam niRaindhElOr embaavaay

When we sing the glory of Lord who took His cosmic form and measured the three worlds in two gigantic strides and put His third foot on the head of the arrogant emperor Mahabali, and when we perform the paavai-nonbu the whole country will be rid of evils. And then it will rain three times a month. Fish will glean and leap amidst the rich paddy plants. Spotted bees will fall asleep among the water lilies. Cows milked tirelessly will yield copious bounties enough to fill many pots. Prosperity will then pervade the whole land.

4. Aazhi mazhai

aazhi mazhaik kaNNaa! onRu nee kai karavEl * aazhiyuL pukku mugandhu kodu aarththERi * oozhi mudhalvan uruvam pOl mey kaRuththup * paazhiyan^ thOLudaip paRpanaaban kaiyil * aazhi pOl minni valamburi pOl ninRadhirndhu * thaazhaadhE saarngam udhaiththa saramazhai pOl * vaazha ulaginil peydhidaay * naangaLum maargazhi neeraada magizhndhElOr embaavaay.

O Varuna ! Please don’t hold back your gift of rain. Forthe sake of the prosperity of this world and our sake, so that we can bathe gleefully in the river during this auspicious month. Plunge in to the se and gather as much water as there is, then raise into the sky in the from of a cloud mass which would resemble, in the black color the primordial Lord Vishnu. May you then pour down your bountiful showers. You will then become resplendent lightning like the discus held by Lord Padmanabha. Your thunderous roar will reverberate like conch Panchajanya held by our Lord in His left hand. May your bring the rain in abundance without pause like the arrows from the bow of Sri Rama called Sarngam

5. Maayanai

maayanai mannu vada madhurai maindhanaith * thooya peru neer yamunaith thuRaivanai * aayar kulaththinil thOnRum aNi viLakkaith * thaayaik kudal viLakkam seydha dhaamOdharanaith * thooyOmaay vandhu naam thoomalar thoovith thozhudhu * vaayinaal paadi manaththinaal sindhikkap * pOya pizhaiyum pugudharuvaan ninRanavum * theeyinil thoosaagum ceppElOr embaavaay.

Our mysterious Lord born at North Mathura who sports in the deep waters the great river Yamuan, and who is the veritable jewel-light of the race of the cowherds gloried his mother Devaki by being born of her and transported hi foster mother Yashoda into a world of joy by showing her his little belly with the imprints of tiny ropes with which she had bound him to put him out of mischief. If only we approach Him with pure mind and body and worship Him with fresh fragrance flowers singing His praise and meditating on Him we can be certain that our since of the past birth and those which ensured without our intentions will all be extinguished in the way cotton is reduced to ashes in the fire.

6. PuLLum Silambina KaaN

puLLum silambina kaaN puLLaraiyan kOyilil * veLLai viLisangin pEraravam kEttilaiyO * piLLaay ezhundhiraay pEy mulai nancundu * kaLLac cakatam kalakkazhiyak kaalOcci * veLLaththaravil thuyilamarndha viththinai * uLLaththuk kondu munivargaLum yOgigaLum * meLLa ezhundhu "ari" enRa pEraravam * uLLam pugundhu kuLindhElOr embaavaay.

Young girl! Don’t you hear the chirp of the early birds? The beckoning sound of the white conch from the temple of Vishnu who ride son the king of the birds., Garuda. Wake up innocent girl. The sages and ascetics ever focused their minds on the great Lord who sleeps on the serpent-couch on the milky ocean have risen. These sages starting chanting the name Hari again and again in a rising cresendo. When they chant the name Hari, no doubt they are reenacting in their mind the deeds of the child– God ho sucked the poison from the breast of demoness Putana, who was kicked to death with his little toe, who came to kill Him in guise of a cart. Don’t you hear the loud chanting which enters hearts and make their rejoice?

7. Keecu Keecu

keecu keecu enRu engum aanaic caaththan * kalandhu pEsina pEccaravam kEttilaiyO pEyp peNNE * kaasum piRappum kalakalappak kai pErththu * vaasa naRuNGkuzhal aaycciyar * maththinaal Osai paduththa thayiraravam kEttilaiyO * naayakap peN piLLaay naaraayaNan moorththi * kEsavanaip paadavum nee kEttE kidaththiyO * dhEsamudaiyaay thiRavElOr embaavaay.

You deluded girl! Don’t you hear the screeching scatter of the king-crows? And the sound of the cowherd women wearing fragrant flowers in their locks of hair churning the curd in the urns using both their hands, with their bracelets and other ornaments clashing against each other producing that jingling sound? Oh! prominent damsel! How can you keep on sleeping even after you heard us singing our Lord Narayana( who is called Keshava for having slain the demon called Kesi in His incarnation as Krishna) Dear girls of radiant presence! Come on! Open the door!

8. Keezh Vaanam

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 aruL ElOr em paavaay!

Wake up! Your vivacious young girl! The eastern sky has already brightened. The buffaloes already set out to feed themselves on the dewy grass. We have even kept other girls from moving ahead, for your sake and here we are, at your door step. Come, let us march singing the praise of our Lord of Lord who killed the demon Kesi, who came in the guise of horse by cleaving his mouth and who slew the wrestlers sent by Kamsa. Our Lord will surely bestow His grace on us after due consideration for our devotion.

9. ThoomaNi Maadaththu

thoomaNi maadaththuc cuRRum viLakkeriyath * thoopam kamazhath thuyilaNaimEl kaN vaLarum * maamaan magaLE! maNik kadhavam thaaL thiRavaay * maameer! avaLai ezhuppeerO * un magaL thaan oomaiyO? anRic cevidO? anandhalO? * Emap perunthuyil mandhirap pattaaLO? * maamaayan maadhavan vaikundhan enRenRu * naamam palavum navinRElOr embaavaay.

Dear maternal cousin1 How long are you going to sleep on the luxurious bed in the gem studded mansion surrounded by lights all around and bathed in the fragrance of incense. Open the lever lock of that ornamental door (after a pause). Aunty1 won’t you wake her up please! What’s wrong with her? SI she gone dumb or deaf or is she exhausted? Or has she fallen into deep trance as a result of some magical incantation? Shall we chant the thousand and odd names of our Lord– God of the mystic power, the spouse of goddess Mahalaksmi the supreme God of Vaikunta and so on to wake her up?

10. NORRu Cuvarkkam

nORRuc cuvarkkam puguginRa ammanaay! * maaRRamum thaaraarO vaasal thiRavaadhaar * naaRRath thuzhaay mudi naaraayaNan * nammaal pORRap paRai tharum puNNiyanaal * pandu oru naaL kooRRaththin vaay veezhndha kumbakarNanum * thORRum unakkE perunthuyil thaan thandhaanO * aaRRa anandhal udaiyaay! arungalamE * thERRamaay vandhu thiRavElOr embaavaay.

Oh You? Striving to enter heaven through practicing austerities? If you can’t open the door , can’t you respond to our call? Have you by any chance taken on the habit of Kumbhakarna of virtually interminable slumber, the rakshasa who was dropped by Narayana(Lord Sri Rama), our Lord, the protector and the benefactor of all living beings, who was bedecked by fragrant Tulasi leaves on His head. Come on our precious gem? Shake off your inertia and come with a clear head. Do open the door!

11. KaRRu KaRavai

kaRRuk kaRavaik kaNangaL pala kaRandhu * ceRRaar thiRalazhiyac cenRu ceruc ceyyum * kuRRam onRillaadha kOvalartham poRkodiyE * puRRaravalkul punamayilE pOdharaay * cuRRaththu thOzhimaar ellaarum vandhu * nin muRRam pugundhu mugilvaNNan pEr paada * siRRaadhE pEsaadhE celvap peNdaatti * nee eRRukkuRangum poruL ElOr embaavaay.

Oh beautiful damsel, the pride of guileless cowherd community. Our men folk are justly famed for milking ever so many milch cows at a stretch and for their valor in going all out to destroy powerful foes. You, charming peacock like darling with your waist resembling the hood of a snake! Is it proper for you to lie motionless and without response to many of us, your relations and friends who have gathered in the court yard of your house, when we sing the praise of our Lord Sriman Narayana.

12. Kanaiththu ILam

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) chetramanaththukku iniyaanai(p) paadavum nee vaay thiRavaay iniththaan ezhundhiraay eedhenna pEr uRakkam anaiththu illaththaarum aRindhElOr embaavaay

Oh, younger sister of the prosperous cowherd! The mansion is filled with slush and mud with the buffaloes pouring forth milk from their udder in their yearning to suckle their young calves. Here we are at your threshold unmindful of falling dew on our head singing the glory of our Lord Rama, who destroyed out of righteous indignation, thinking of Lanka in the south. What about you? Not a word in response to our call. All the residents are awake and about. What is all this slumber? At least get up and now and get going!

13. Pullin Vaay Keendaanai

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.

You dainty girl with those red lotus like eyes! Don’t you see? All the girls have arrived at the river bed for worship (pavai nonbu, singing the glory of our Lord ( in the incarnation of Krishna) who killed the demon Bakasura in disguise as bird, by breaking up the mouth of, and who just plucked away ten heads of the wicked Ravana and slew him( in Rama Avathara). It is time you got up! Venus has risen and Jupiter has gone to sleep. Can’t you hear the chirping of birds in flight? Don’t you pretend to be asleep! Come, join us! Get to the river \for a refreshing bath on this auspicious day.

14. UngaL Puzhakkadai(th)

ungaL puzhakkadai(th) thOttaththu vaaviyuLsengazhuneer 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.

You, boastful chatter box! You promised to wake us all up. All tall-talk, get up fast. Already. If you take a look at the pond in your back garden. The red lotus has blossomed and the night lilies have closed up. Ascetics in ochre-robes with their sparkling teeth are striding toward the temple to blow the conch. Are you not ashamed? Come on, get up! Come, let us sing the praise of our Lord, the lotus eyed Kannan (Krishna), who holds the conch, Panchajanya, and the discuss, Sudarshana, in hi broad, powerful hands.

15. Elle Ilamkiliye

ellE! iLam kiLiyE innam uRangudhiyOchil 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

The girl: Don’t you scream! My good friends! I shall come presently! Group:Yes indeed! Don’t we know you? Full of eloquent promises!Girl: Oh, I agree! You are the ones with gifted eloquence. Or let it be myself if you insist.Group: Enough of this banter! Come along! Don’t you be thinking of this and that.Girl: Have all the girls come?Group: Sure you can count them if you choose.Girl: Pardon me! What is the program?Group: As we move on to the river we will keep singing the praises of our Lord Krishna, who killed a mighty elephant, Kuvalaya Peetham, sent by Kamsa who vanquished many other foes as well.

16. Naayaganaay Ninra

naayaganaay ninRa nandhagOpan udayakOyil 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 empaavaai

You, the sentry guarding the temple of our Lord, Nandagopa. And you sentinel at the gate ornamented with flags and festoons! Please open the latch of the gem studded door! For us the cowherd girls, our mysterious and radiant Lord Krishna promised yesterday itself to give us the heralding drum. We have all come here with a pure mind to wake Him up with songs. Please therefore, open the heavy doors and let us in.

17. Ambarame Thannere

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 empaavaai.

O Lord, King Nandagopa! You who are reputed for magnanimity in presenting clothes, water and food to the needy. Kindly wake up! O Queen Yashoda, the foremost among noble women., the beacon life of our race, do wake up! Our Lord,as you who pierced the sky with your full stature (Vishwaroopa), and measured the entire universe your feet. The Lord of Lords, may you please wake up. O the strong powerful Balarama. May your brother and you please do wake up!

18. Undhu Madha Kalirran

undhu madha kaLiRRan 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 empaavaai.

Oh, Nappinnai, the daughter-in-law of Nadagopalan, who has the strength of a furious elephant, and who will never run away from the battle, you Nappinnai in your fragrant tresses, kindly open the door. The shrill clarion of the cocks fill the air. Cuckoos perched on the bower of the jasmine plant have been singing away with their shrill notes. You young lady unlock the door. The jingling sound of your bangles we will hear and rejoice.

19. Kuththu Vilakkeriya

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

Oh, Lord! Resting as you are on a couch supported by elephant tusks, on a bed which is soft, cool, white, beautiful and fragrant, with bright lit lamps all around, with your broad chest on the bosom of your consort, Nappinnai wearing bunch of fragrant flowers on her tresses, please open your mouth and speak to us. You Nappinnai! With your eyes darkened with collirium. You never would let your Lord get up? You can’t bear the separation from Him, even for a minute, ah? This is hardly in tune with your nature and temperament (preventing Him from granting us His grace).

20. Muppaththu Moovar

muppaththu moovar amararkku mun senRukappam thavirkkum kaliyE thuyil ezhaayseppam udaiyaay thiRal udaiyaay seRRaarkku veppam kodukkum vimalaa thuyil ezhaay seppenna men mulai(ch) chevvaay(ch) chiRu marungulnappinnai nangaay thiruvE thuyil ezhaayukkamum thattoLiyum thandhu un maNaaLanai ippOdhE emmai neeraattElOr empaavaai

O, Lord! You who always rugs to the aid of all the 33crores of Gods. Do wake up! You the perfect union of thought, word and deed. You who have the matchless valor to subjugate your foes. Blemishless Lord, you make life miserable for those who challenge your might. Please get up!

(To Nappinnai): Oh, the incarnate of Goddess Laksmi, you with exquisite beauty, soft and lovely breasts, coral lips and slender waist! Please wake up and give us the fan and the mirror which we need for the rites. And get our Lord to join us! Help us to get bathed at once.

21. Erra Kalangal

ERRa kalangaL edhir pongi meedhaLippamaaRRaadhE paal soriyum vaLLal perum pasukkaL aaRRa(p) padaiththaan maganE aRivuRaay ooRRam udaiyaay periyaay ulaginil thORRamaay ninRa sudarE thuyil ezhaay maaRRaar unakku vali tholaindhu un vaasaR kaN aaRRaadhu vandhu un adi paNiyumaa pOlE pORRiyaam vandhOm pugazhndhElOr empaavaai

Awake, the son of Nandagopala, who has reared those large cows, which yield plentiful milk which overflows the receptacles! Your zeal towards your devotees is so well renowned. Your glory defies our comprehension. You are the great light of the universe. It is time you got up! Just as your enemies, with their valor and pride got exhausted in battle, surrender to you at your doorstep, we have to you singing your praise, and unburdening our ego.

22. Am Kan Maa Nyaalaththu

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 vizhiyaavOthingaLum aadhiththanum ezhundhaaR pOl am kaN irandum kondu engaL mEl nOkkudhiyEl engaL mEl saabam izhindhElOr empaavaai

Oh, Lord! We have sought refuge at your feet in just the same way as the rulers from all over the world, shorn of their pride gather under your throne seeking your patronage. Won’t you favor us with just a glance with your gentle eyes resembling partially opened lotus buds like kinkinis( bells which adorn the feet of dancers)? If only you cast a glance at us, with your eyes shining like the sun and the moon; all our sins will be wiped up.

23. Maari Malai

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

Our Lord, of eternal enchanting bluish hue, the color of the Kayyambu flower! Just as the lion wakes up from its winter hibernation in the mountain cave, opening its fiery, flashy eyes, shaking all its limbs vigorously, ruffling its mane in the action, standing upright and stepping out with a mighty roar, may your proceed from your bed-chamber to your lofty ornamented throne! Won’t your please grant us your audience and pray, listen to our entreaties.

24. Anru Ivvulaga

anRu ivvulagam aLandhaay adi pORRisenRangu(th) then ilangai seRRaay thiRal pORRiponRa(ch) chakatam udhaiththaay pugazh pORRikanRu kuNil aaveRindhaay kazhal pORRikunRu kudaiyaay eduththaay guNam pORRivenRu pagai kedukkum nin kaiyil vEl pORRienRenRum un sEvagamE Eththi(p) paRai koLvaaninRu yaam vandhOm irangElOr empaavaai

Time was when you measured the three worlds with your two feet. Glory to oh, Lord! Your strode into Lanka in the south and destroyed the evil Raakshasa, Ravana! Glory to your valor , Oh, Lord! As child Krishna, you kicked the cart with your tender feet and destroyed the demon Shakatasura(in disguise) Glory to you oh, Lord! Did you not use the demon Vatsaasura, who came in disguise of a calf as a missile, to destroy the demon Kapitththaasura as well, who had taken the form of a wood-apple tree? Glory to you match less Lord! Who can forget a great deed of lifting Govardhana hill and holding it as an umbrella for saving cow-herds from the deluge caused by the Irate Indra? Hail to you oh, Lord for your compassion! Glory to the spear in your Hands, which works the destruction of your foes. We are at your service all the time. Bless our Nonbu. Shower your grace on us.

26. Oruththi Maganaay

oruththi maganaay(p) piRandhu Or iraviloruththi maganaay oLiththu vaLara(th)tharikkilaan aagi(th) thaan theengu ninaindhakaruththai(p) pizhaippiththu(k) kanchan vayitrilneruppenna ninRa nedumaalE!, unnaiaruththiththu vandhOm paRai tharudhiyaagilthiruththakka selvamum sEvagamum yaam paadivaruththamum theerndhu magizhndhElOr empaavaai

Oh, Lord of the three worlds. Born of the matchless queen Devaki. You were taken on the same night as concealment to Gokulam to be brought by another peerless noble woman, Yashoda. The evil king Kamsa who would not bear the thought of your growing up, tried many strategies to harm you, but you foiled all his wily schemes virtually tormenting him like fire in his stomach. We have come to beseech you for favors. If only you could condescend to give us the drum, we would sing extolling your great prosperity befitting your consort. Mahalakshmi and your valorous deeds. And then we will rejoice with all our pining coming to an end.

26. Maale ManiVanna

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 isaippaarEkOla viLakkE kodiyE vidhaanamEaalin ilaiyaay aruLElOr empaavaai

God, you are the embodiment of pure love for your devotees. Oh, Lord with the fascinating blue color of Sapphire! Please listen to us as we prepare ourselves for sacred river-bath in the serene month of Maarghazhi. In keeping with the traditions set by our forebears, we require. For our austerities, conches similar to your Panchajanya, shining white like milk and which produces sound that threatens to shatter the entire universe. Also big drums, a group of musicians who would sing your glories, decorative lamps, flags and canopies. Lord, the light of the race of cowherds! You who recline on the leaf of banyan leaf, as a child, at the time of great deluge, please grant us our request.

27. Koodaarai Vellum

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

Oh, Lord! The protector of cows. You overwhelm your enemies with your valor and virtues! The rewards we get by singing your praise and getting the drum (for spreading your word) are no less than those which the whole country commends us for. Now, that our austerities have borne fruit, we shall bedeck ourselves with sparkling jewellery –bangles, anklets, armlets ad ear-rings. We shall dress ourselves in lovely robes. And with Nappinnai and yourself, we shall si down for a gorgeous meal of rice cooked in milk and suffused with ghee. That will be our bliss!

28. Karavaigal Pin Senru

kaRavaigaL pin senRu kaanam sErndhu uNbOm aRivu onRum illaadha aay(k) kulaththu undhannai(p) piRavi peRundhanai(p) puNNiyam yaam udaiyOm kuRai onRum illaadha gOvindhaa undhannOduuRavEl namakku ingu ozhikka ozhiyaadhuaRiyaadha piLLaigaLOm anbinaal undhannaisiRu pEr azhaiththanamum seeRi aruLaadhEiRaivaa nee thaaraay paRaiyElOr empaavaai

Oh, blemishless Lord! What a great blessing for us that You are one with us. After all, we are in unlettered clan of cowherds who tend cattle, sing carelessly and eat food in the open. The bond between and You and us can never be dissolved. If ever we have out of ignorance and out of love for You, caused you hurt by calling You names which belittle your unbounded magnificence, please do not take offense. Oh, compassionate Lord, grant us the drum and eternal devotion to You.

29. Sirram Siru Kaale

siRRam siRu kaalE vandhu unnai sEviththu un potRRaamarai adiyE pORRum poruL kELaay peRRam mEyththu uNNum kulaththil piRandhu nee kuRREval engaLai(k) koLLaamal pOgaadhuiRRai(p) paRai koLvaan anRu kaaN gOvindhaa eRRaikkum Ezh Ezh piRavikkum un thannOdu uRROmE aavOm unakkE naam aatcheyvOm maRRai nam kaamangaL maaRRElOr empaavaai

O Lord Govinda, (Krishna)! Why have we come so early at dawn to worship You and adore your lotus feet? You have taken birth in our cowherd community and You live amidst us who tend cattle for a living. It is only proper that your permit us to render our humble service to You. It is not only today that we would seek your grace but in all our births to come. You and You alone we shall ever be committed to in servitude. Everything else is of no concern to us.

30. Vangakkadal Kadaindha

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

Just like the gopiaks, wit moon like beauty , obtained salvation, by surrendering to the Lord who churned the ocean of milk. Sri Andal wearing fresh lotus flowers, who was born in beautiful Sri Velliputhhoor, as the daughter of the Brahmin priest Peria Aazwar, present this. Those who recite these thirty literary Tamil garlands daily without fail will obtain the grace and derive pleasures from God, who has beautiful eyes, and shoulders which can stretch between two pairs of mountains who is accompanied by beautiful Laksmi.

Useful Links to Thiruppavai Commentaries•

http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/ahobilavalli/thiruppavai.pdf

• http://www.ibiblio.org/ramanuja/thiruppavai/

• http://thiruppavai.etemples.net/

• http://namperumal.tripod.com/TPMain.htm

• http://www.thiruppavai.org/

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the Telugu Artist Sri Bapu and unknown author who provided a wonderful

commentary to all Pasurams