Potri Thiruthandagam

Historical Background

Thirunavukkarasar, one of the four great Saivite preceptors (Samaya Kuravar), developed a deep yearning to see Lord Shiva’s abode, Mount Kailash, in his advanced age. Despite his frail physical condition, he embarked on a grueling journey toward the North with unwavering determination.

Moved by his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in the guise of an elderly sage and instructed him to bathe in a nearby pond. Upon submerging and rising from the waters, Appar was miraculously transported to Thiruvaiyaru, where he was blessed with the divine vision of Mount Kailash. Overwhelmed by this celestial sight, he sang these verses in ecstasy.

Significance of the Hymn

As every line of this pathigam ends with the word ‘Potri’ (meaning ‘Hail’ or ‘Praise be to Thee’), it is celebrated as the Potri Thiruthandagam. It is considered one of the highest forms of litany to the Divine.

Benefits (Phalashruti)

It is firmly believed that those who chant these verses with true devotion will be cleansed of their past karmas (sins), attain a life of prosperity in this world, and eventually achieve the supreme merit of Shiva-punya.

Potri Thiruthandagam Song Lyrics

Vētrāgi viṇṇāgi nintrāy pōtri
mīḷāmē āḷennaik koṇḍāy pōtri
ūttrāgi uḷḷē oḷithāy pōtri
ōvādha sathath tholiyē pōtri
āttrāgi yangē amarnthāy pōtri
āraṅgam nālvēdha mānāy pōtri
kāttrāgi yeṅguṅ kalanthāy pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (1)

Picchāḍal pēyō ḍuganthāy pōtri
piravi yarukkum pirānē pōtri
vaicchāḍal nandru magizhnthāy pōtri
maruviyen sinthai pugunthāy pōtri
poycchār puramūndru mey thāy pōtri
pōgādhen sinthai pugunthāy pōtri
kacchāga nāga masaitthāy pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (2)

Maruvār puramūndru mey thāy pōtri
maruviyen sinthai pugunthāy pōtri
uruvāgi yennaip padaitthāy pōtri
uḷḷāvi vāṅgi yoḷitthāy pōtri
thiruvāgi nindra thiramē pōtri
dhēsam paravap paduvāy pōtri
karuvāgi yōḍu mugilē pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (3)

Vānatthār pōtrum marunthē pōtri
vanthendran sinthai pugunthāy pōtri
ūnatthai nīkku muḍalē pōtri
ōṅgi azhalāy nimirnthāy pōtri
thēnatthai vārttha theḷivē pōtri
dhēvarkkun dhēvanāy nindrāy pōtri
kānatthī yāḍa luganthāy pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (4)

Ūrāgi nindra ulagē pōtri
ōṅgi azhalāy nimirnthāy pōtri
pērāgi yeṅgum paranthāy pōtri
peyarādhen sinthai pugunthāy pōtri
nīrāvi yāna nizhalē pōtri
nērvā roruvaraiyu millāy pōtri
kārāgi nindra mugilē pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (5)

Silluruvāyc chendru thiraṇḍāy pōtri
dhēva rariyādha dhēvē pōtri
pulluyirkkum pūtchi puṇartthāy pōtri
pōgādhen sinthai pugunthāy pōtri
palluyirāyp pārthōrum nindrāy pōtri
patri ulagai viḍādhāy pōtri
kalluyirāy nindra kanalē pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (6)

Paṇṇin isaiyāgi nindrāy pōtri
pāvippār pāva maruppāy pōtri
eṇṇu mezhutthunjol lānāy pōtri
ensinthai nīṅgā iraivā pōtri
viṇṇum nilanunthī yānāy pōtri
mēlavarkkum mēlāgi nindrāy pōtri
kaṇṇin maṇiyāgi nindrāy pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (7)

Imaiyā thuyirā thirunthāy pōtri
ensinthai nīṅgā iraivā pōtri
umaibāga māgat thaṇaitthāy pōtri
ūzhiyē zhāna oruvā pōtri
amaiyā arunanjam mārnthāy pōtri
ādhi purāṇanāy nindrāy pōtri
kamaiyāgi nindra kanalē pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (8)

Mūvāy piravāy iravāy pōtri
munnamē thōndri muḷaitthāy pōtri
dhēvādhi dhēvarthozhun dhēvē pōtri
chendrēri yeṅgum paranthāy pōtri
āvā aḍiyēnuk kellām pōtri
allal naliya alanthēn pōtri
kāvāy kanagath thiraḷē pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (9)

Neḍiya visumbōḍu kaṇṇē pōtri
nīḷa agala muḍaiyāy pōtri
adiyum mudiyum igali pōtri
aṅgon drariyāmai nindrāy pōtri
kodiya vankūttra mutaitthāy pōtri
kōyilā ensinthai koṇḍāy pōtri
kaḍiya urumoḍu minnē pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (10)

Uṇṇā thuraṅgā thirunthāy pōtri
ōthādhē vēda muṇarnthāy pōtri
eṇṇā ilaṅgaikkōn rannaip pōtri
iraiviralāl vaitthugantha īsā pōtri
paṇṇā risaiyinsol kēttāy pōtri
paṇḍēyen sinthai pugunthāy pōtri
kaṇṇā yulagukku nindrāy pōtri
Kayilai malaiyānē pōtri pōtri. (11)

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Umamaheswari Sivanesan

Vanakkam! I'm Uma, currently living in Chennai. I hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry (M.Sc.), but my true passion lies in spirituality and the rich cultural heritage of Tamil traditions.

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