Thevaram — Thodudaiya Seviyan (Sambandar) — Word-by-Word Meaning
தேவாரம் — தோடுடைய செவியன்
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
தோடுடைய செவியன்
thōḍuḍaiya seviyan
He who wears the woman's ear-ornament (thodu) in one ear — the Ardhanarishvara aspect, half Uma.
விடைஏறி
viḍaiēṟi
Riding upon the bull (Nandi, the vidai).
ஓர் தூவெண்மதி சூடி
ōr thūveṇmadhi sūḍi
Adorned with a single pure white (crescent) moon (upon His matted hair).
காடுடைய சுடலைப் பொடிபூசி
kāḍuḍaiya suḍalaip poḍipūsi
Smeared with the ash of the cremation-ground in the forest.
என் உள்ளம் கவர் கள்வன்
en uḷḷam kavar kaḷvan
The thief who has stolen away my heart.
ஏடுடைய மலரான்
ēḍuḍaiya malarān
He of the petalled flower — Brahma, who is seated on the lotus.
முனைநாள் பணிந்து ஏத்த
munaināḷ paṇindhu ēththa
In ancient days, bowing and praising (Him).
அருள் செய்த
aruḷ seydha
He who bestowed His grace.
பீடுடைய பிரமாபுரம்
pīḍuḍaiya biramāpuram
The glorious, majestic town of Brahmapuram (Sirkazhi).
மேவிய
mēviya
Who has gladly taken His abode / dwells in.
பெம்மான் இவன் அன்றே
pemmān ivan anṟē
Is this not the great Lord (Pemman) Himself? — indeed, He is.
Complete Translation
This is the very first verse of the Thevaram, sung by the child-saint Thirugnana Sambandar at Sirkazhi (Brahmapuram).
He who wears the woman's ear-ring in one ear (as Ardhanara), who rides upon the bull, who is adorned with one pure white crescent moon, who is smeared with the ash of the forest cremation-ground — He is the thief who has stolen my very heart. He who, in ancient days, graced even Brahma of the lotus when he bowed and worshipped Him — the great Lord who dwells in glorious Brahmapuram (Sirkazhi) — is this not He Himself? Indeed, this is that very Lord.
Origin & History
Source: Thevaram, Tirumurai 1 — first padhigam of Thirugnana Sambandar (Tamil, c. 7th century CE)
Author: Thirugnana Sambandar (Nayanar saint)
Period: Tamil Bhakti era (c. 7th century CE)
Tradition holds that as a small child at Sirkazhi, Sambandar was left by the temple tank by his father; crying for his parents, he was nursed by Goddess Uma (Parvati) with the milk of divine knowledge. Pointing to the Lord, the child sang his first hymn beginning 'Thodudaiya Seviyan Vidaiyeri' — and so this verse became the opening of the entire Thevaram. Sambandar went on to compose thousands of hymns and to perform many miracles in praise of Shiva.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Thevaram?▼
The Thevaram is the collection of Tamil Saiva devotional hymns by the three saints Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) and Sundarar. Forming the first seven books of the Tirumurai, it is the central scripture of Tamil Saivism and is sung in Shiva temples to this day.
Why is 'Thodudaiya Seviyan' so important?▼
It is traditionally regarded as the very first verse of the entire Thevaram, sung by Thirugnana Sambandar at Sirkazhi (Brahmapuram). Because of this, it is held especially sacred and is often the opening hymn of Saiva worship and recitation.
Who was Thirugnana Sambandar?▼
Sambandar was one of the most celebrated of the 63 Nayanar saints of Tamil Saivism. Tradition holds that as an infant at Sirkazhi he was fed the milk of divine wisdom by Goddess Parvati herself, and thereafter poured forth hymns of Shiva; he is revered for the many miracles wrought through his songs.
What does 'en ullam kavar kalvan' mean?▼
It means 'the thief who has stolen my heart' — a famous and beloved phrase in which Sambandar describes how Lord Shiva, by His enchanting beauty and grace, has carried away the devotee's very heart in love.
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