Thiruppugazh — Muthai Tharu — Word-by-Word Meaning

This is the very first song of the Thiruppugazh ('Glory to the Holy One'), the great Tamil hymn-cycle of Saint Arunagirinathar in praise of Lord Murugan. Tradition holds that Murugan Himself gave Arunagiri the opening words 'Muthai tharu' to begin his songs. The verse extols Murugan as the one whose pearl-like sacred smile bestows the pearl of liberation in devotion; the son of the Mountain-Goddess's Shakti; Saravanabhava; the seed of mukti and the supreme Guru — who taught the foremost meaning of the Vedas even to His three-eyed father Shiva, while the hosts of the gods cherish His feet. It recalls the deeds of Vishnu (Murugan's uncle): He whose arrow made Ravana's ten heads roll, who churned the ocean with Mount Mandara, who turned day to night with His discus — that emerald-hued cloud-dark Lord. Then comes the poet's prayer: 'Will there ever be a day when You protect me too with such loving grace?' The closing lines paint the battlefield where Bhairavi and the eight Bhairavas dance amid drum-beats and the cries of vultures and owls, as Murugan cuts down the friendless demons and pierces the great Krauncha mountain — O Great Lord (Perumale)!