top of page
Writer's pictureJohneh Shankar

Thiruvempavai - 1

In the first stanza of this song, a group of women are trying to wake up their friend who is still sleeping. Loosely depicting a person's soul which is bound in darkness, despite hearing the might of god.


They ask her if she is pretending to be deaf and encourage her to rise and join them in going to the river for a morning bath. The women sing praises of Lord Shiva, and the friend is urged to open her eyes and feel like crying out of gratitude for his mercy.


The first stanza suggests that the friend's soul is in a state of ignorance, represented by her sleeping and being bound by darkness.

The women's singing and the mention of the sharpness of the friend's eyes, symbolizing insight and understanding, imply that the act of singing praises and bathing can help to cleanse and awaken the soul, washing away ignorance. This stanza highlights the power of devotion and the importance of seeking spiritual enlightenment through practices such as singing and bathing, in the auspicious early hours of Margazhi Mornings!


The First Stanza

Adhiyum an^dhamum illA arumperuny chOdhiyai yAmpAdak kEttEyum vALthadaN^kaN mAdhE vaLarudhiyO vancheviyO n^inchevithAn mAdhEvan vArkazalkaL vAzththiya vAzththolipOy vIdhivAyk kEttalumE vimmivimmi meymmaRan^dhu pOdhAr amaLiyinmEl n^inRum puraNdiN^N^an EdhEnum AgAL kidan^dhAL en nEennE IdhE en^thOzi parichElOr empAvAy

Meaning: We sing of the rare, great flame that is eternal and has no beginning or end. Despite listening to these praises, my dear girl with sharp, beautiful eyes, you remain asleep. Are your ears numb to the sound of our singing, the praise of the perfect feet of the greatest deity that fills the streets and brings tears of devotion to those who hear it? You casually toss and turn on your soft, flower-strewn bed, as if nothing has happened. Is this the behavior of one who is supposed to be my dear friend? It is a shame, a shame that you do not awaken and join us in singing these praises and seeking enlightenment.





See you with the next stanza, in my next blog. Stay blessed, Stay awake, This is Margazhi!
11 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page