Lyrics:
Yethath thirunama pathigam pathathi,
Sabarigiri vaasabhaktho ya,
Thasya krupaa sannidhaanath,
Sakala vaanchitha artham,
Hastha stham bhavathi, nama om.
Meaning:
Whoever recites this Thirunama Pathigam, that devotee of the one residing on Sabari Hill, by the grace of his divine presence, all desired objects will come into their own hands. Salutations.
Transliteration:
Kaayaa Uruvangal Kaanbaan Keezhvaa Ulagaththu Naan Endrum Aayaa Mayamaippu Aakkidave Aayiram Naamaame Aaraaynthidume.
Meaning: Here, the saint describes the frailty of the human body and the lower worlds. He speaks of the body as a mere vessel of flesh that deceives the onlooker. Realizing this illusion (Maya), the saint declares that he has realized the thousands of sacred names of the Lord, which are the true subject of research and bliss.
Transliteration:
Aadhiyil Enai Aaruthu Anbaai Veedhiyal Pizhaithu Veezhndhene Naan Paadhiyil Enai Parrri Padaithaay Baadhilaa Pukazh Naamaame.
Meaning: The saint reflects on his existence. "From the very beginning, out of Your boundless love, You created me. Yet, wandering in the streets of this world (Samsara), I fell into the trap of illusion. But You held my hand, lifted me up, and made me Your own. O Lord, Your flawless, glorious name is my only refuge!"
Tamil: திருநாமம் ஒன்றே துணை என்று அடைந்தேன் சிவபரமே
English: Thirunaamam onrae thunai endru adainthaean Siva paramae
(Note: There are traditional variations in the ordering of verses based on different Patikam manuscripts. The above represents the most commonly recited sequence from the Thirumurai Book 1 – Sambandar Thevaram.)
For a non-Tamil reader, the rhythm is powerful, but the meaning fuels devotion. Here is the gist of the hymn:
Core Message: The Pathigam declares that the Holy Name ("Siva") is superior to all physical rituals. The saint argues that by simply chanting the name "Siva" with a pure heart, one can attain liberation (Moksha).
In the realm of Saiva Siddhanta, few hymns possess the piercing intensity of the Thirunama Pathigam. Composed by the legendary Saint Manikkavasagar, this masterpiece is not merely a song; it is a cry of the soul realizing the futility of worldly attachments and the infinite grace of Lord Shiva.
The title Thirunama Pathigam translates to "The Sacred Name Decade." It focuses on the power of chanting the Lord’s name as the ultimate refuge. For devotees seeking the lyrics in English—both for recitation and understanding the depth of the Tamil verses—this post provides a transliteration and a brief exploration of its meaning.
In the vast ocean of Tamil Saivite literature, few compositions resonate with the raw, unbridled devotion of the Thirunama Pathigam. Often hailed as the very heartbeat of the Tirumurai (the Saivite canon), this specific decad (pathigam) is not merely a song; it is an ecstatic outburst, a theophany in verse. Attributed to the venerated saint Tirunavukkarasar (also known as Appar), the "Thirunama Pathigam" – literally "the decad of the holy name" – stands as a masterclass in bhakti lyricism. For English-speaking seekers, accessing the high-quality lyrics—meaning both a precise transliteration of the Tamil phonetics and a resonant English translation—is the key to unlocking a profound spiritual technology that has survived for over fourteen centuries.
Tamil: ஆலால விடம் உண்ட அண்ணலை நெஞ்சே அடைந்து பாடு
English: Aalaala vidam unda annalai nenjae adainthu paadu
