The first thing that everyone remembers on hearing the name Avvaiyar is Aathichudi. Aathichudi is said to have been written by the later Avvaiyar. Aathichudi stands as a crown for tha works of Avvaiyar. Its simplicity and the moral values it inculcates has a wide acceptance among people. It is so simple that is even taught to kids just out of kindergarten, and even used by people as quotes during their ordinary day to day talks or speeches.
Aathichudi has 109 verses explaining the morals. The beauty is that it is organized in such a way that each verse is in the order of the vowels (Uyir Ezhuthu), consonants (Mei Ezhuthu) of the Tamil alphabets and the combinant alphabets (Uyir Mei Ezhuthu).
அறம் செய விரும்பு
Aram seyya virumbu
Desire doing righteous deeds
ஆறுவது சினம்
Aaruvadhu Sinam
Anger is to be controlled
இயல்வது கரவேல்
Iyalvadhu Karavael
Help others in whatever ways you can
ஈவது விலக்கேல்
Eevadhu Vilakkael
Never prevent others from providing charity
உடையது விளம்பேல்
Udaiyadhu Vilambael
Never proclaim/boast what you have
ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல்
Ookamadhu Kaividael
Never give up the confidence and hope
எண் எழுத்து இகழேல்
Enn Ezhuthu Egazhael
Never despise learning
ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி
Yaerpadhu Igazhchi
Accepting alms (begging) is despicable
ஐயமிட்டு உண்
Ayyamittu Unn
Share your food with the needy, before you eat
ஒப்புர வொழுகு
Oppuravu Ozhugu
Act virtuously
ஓதுவது ஒழியேல்
Odhuvadhu Ozhiyael
Never stop learning
ஒளவியம் பேசேல்
Ouviyyam Paesael
Never gossip about others
அஃகஞ் சுருக்கேல்
Akkam Surukael
Never cheat on quantity of items you sell
The name Aathichudi is because of the head verse is in praise of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganapathy, who is adorned with the Aathi flowers.
ஆத்திசூடி அமர்ந்த தேவனை
ஏத்தி ஏத்தி தொழுவோமே
Aathichudi Amarndha Devanai
Yaethi Yaethi thozuvomae
meaning, we will praise the The God (Lord Vinayaka) who sits in the lap of the Lord (Lord Shiva) who wears the Aathi flowers
The simplicity of these verses are not only easy to comprehend but also easy to remember. Very easy for learning kids, that they remember through out their life.
Another work, the Kondrai vendhan, is also by the later Avvaiyar, which is similar to the Aathichudi in many respects. The same one-liner style, along with the order of the alphabets makes it easy to read and remember too. This is praise of Lord Shiva, who is adorned with the Kondrai flowers, and Lord Vinayaka. Usually all Tamil poems being with a song that is in praise of the poet's favourite God. This verse is called the Kadavul Vaazhthu. Now, the verses from Kondrai Vendhan.
கொன்றை வேந்தன் செல்வன் அடியினை
என்றும் ஏத்தி தொழுவோம் யாமே
Kondrai Vendhan Selvan Adiyinai
Endrum Yaethi Thozhuvom Yaamae
We will ever worship and praise the Son (Lord Vinayaka) of the Lord (Lord Shiva) who wears the Kondrai flowers.
அன்னையும் பிதாவும் முன்னறி தெய்வம்
Annaiyum Pidhavum Munnari Dheivam
The mother and the father are the Gods to be realised first
ஆலயம் சென்றடல் சாலவும் நன்று
Aalayam Sendridal Saalavum Nandru
It is good and noble to worship the God in temples
இல்லறம் அல்லது நல்லறம் அன்று
Illaram Alladhu Nallaram Andru
It is ignoble to not follow a peaceful marriage
ஈயார் தேட்டை தீயார் கொள்வர்
Eeyaar Thaetai Theeyaar Kollvar
The belongings of the miserly will be plundered by the evil-minded
உண்டி சுருங்குதல் பெண்டிருக்கு அழகு
Undi Surungudhal Pendirukku Azhagu
Reducing the quantity of food intake, by women is good for them
ஊருடன் பகைக்கின் வேருடன் கெடும்
Oorudan Pagaikkin Verudan Kedum
Hostility with the society/country will destroy everything one has right from the root
எண்ணும் எழுத்தும் கண்ணென தகும்
Ennum Ezhuthum Kannena Thagum
Education and knowledge is like the eye for everyone
ஏவா மக்கள் மூவா மருந்து
Yaeva Makkal Moova Marundhu
Children who do the right things without the parents' guidance are like curative medicine
ஐயம் புகினும் செய்வன செய்
Aiyyam Puginum Seivana Sei
Even under impecuniousness do your duties
ஒருவனை பற்றி ஓரகத்து இரு
Oruvanai Pattri Oragathu Iru
Marry one and be loyal the spouse
ஓதலின் நன்றே வேதியர்க்கு ஒழுக்கம்
Odhalin Nandrae Vedhiyarkku Ozhukkam
Discipline is more important to a priest than uttering the sacred hymns
ஔவியம் பேசுதல் ஆக்கத்திற்கு அழிவு
Auviyam Pesudhal Aakkathirkku Azhivu
Gossiping is destructive to one's fame
அஃகமும் காசும் சிக்கென தேடு
Akkamum Kaasum Sikkena Thaedu
Earn cultivation lands and the money soon in your life
The beauty of these verses are their simplicity and the greatness of the values they inculcate in such curtness. Moreover, all of these are easy to remember as they have been composed in the order of the Tamil Alphabets, that one can easily related to these verses based on the alphabets.
Children and kids find it very easy to take it by heart, also explaining these to them does not take much effort as they are easily understood.
I will try to post the meaning of the other verses too in the upcoming posts. The complete verses can be downloaded here.
There are more fascinating songs by Avvaiyar that served as technological insights to great construction feats like the Brahadeeshwara Temple at Thanjavur. We will see those in the upcoming posts.
More to come, until then...
Aathichudi has 109 verses explaining the morals. The beauty is that it is organized in such a way that each verse is in the order of the vowels (Uyir Ezhuthu), consonants (Mei Ezhuthu) of the Tamil alphabets and the combinant alphabets (Uyir Mei Ezhuthu).
அறம் செய விரும்பு
Aram seyya virumbu
Desire doing righteous deeds
ஆறுவது சினம்
Aaruvadhu Sinam
Anger is to be controlled
இயல்வது கரவேல்
Iyalvadhu Karavael
Help others in whatever ways you can
ஈவது விலக்கேல்
Eevadhu Vilakkael
Never prevent others from providing charity
உடையது விளம்பேல்
Udaiyadhu Vilambael
Never proclaim/boast what you have
ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல்
Ookamadhu Kaividael
Never give up the confidence and hope
எண் எழுத்து இகழேல்
Enn Ezhuthu Egazhael
Never despise learning
ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி
Yaerpadhu Igazhchi
Accepting alms (begging) is despicable
ஐயமிட்டு உண்
Ayyamittu Unn
Share your food with the needy, before you eat
ஒப்புர வொழுகு
Oppuravu Ozhugu
Act virtuously
ஓதுவது ஒழியேல்
Odhuvadhu Ozhiyael
Never stop learning
ஒளவியம் பேசேல்
Ouviyyam Paesael
Never gossip about others
அஃகஞ் சுருக்கேல்
Akkam Surukael
Never cheat on quantity of items you sell
The name Aathichudi is because of the head verse is in praise of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganapathy, who is adorned with the Aathi flowers.
ஆத்திசூடி அமர்ந்த தேவனை
ஏத்தி ஏத்தி தொழுவோமே
Aathichudi Amarndha Devanai
Yaethi Yaethi thozuvomae
meaning, we will praise the The God (Lord Vinayaka) who sits in the lap of the Lord (Lord Shiva) who wears the Aathi flowers
The simplicity of these verses are not only easy to comprehend but also easy to remember. Very easy for learning kids, that they remember through out their life.
Another work, the Kondrai vendhan, is also by the later Avvaiyar, which is similar to the Aathichudi in many respects. The same one-liner style, along with the order of the alphabets makes it easy to read and remember too. This is praise of Lord Shiva, who is adorned with the Kondrai flowers, and Lord Vinayaka. Usually all Tamil poems being with a song that is in praise of the poet's favourite God. This verse is called the Kadavul Vaazhthu. Now, the verses from Kondrai Vendhan.
கொன்றை வேந்தன் செல்வன் அடியினை
என்றும் ஏத்தி தொழுவோம் யாமே
Kondrai Vendhan Selvan Adiyinai
Endrum Yaethi Thozhuvom Yaamae
We will ever worship and praise the Son (Lord Vinayaka) of the Lord (Lord Shiva) who wears the Kondrai flowers.
அன்னையும் பிதாவும் முன்னறி தெய்வம்
Annaiyum Pidhavum Munnari Dheivam
The mother and the father are the Gods to be realised first
ஆலயம் சென்றடல் சாலவும் நன்று
Aalayam Sendridal Saalavum Nandru
It is good and noble to worship the God in temples
இல்லறம் அல்லது நல்லறம் அன்று
Illaram Alladhu Nallaram Andru
It is ignoble to not follow a peaceful marriage
ஈயார் தேட்டை தீயார் கொள்வர்
Eeyaar Thaetai Theeyaar Kollvar
The belongings of the miserly will be plundered by the evil-minded
உண்டி சுருங்குதல் பெண்டிருக்கு அழகு
Undi Surungudhal Pendirukku Azhagu
Reducing the quantity of food intake, by women is good for them
ஊருடன் பகைக்கின் வேருடன் கெடும்
Oorudan Pagaikkin Verudan Kedum
Hostility with the society/country will destroy everything one has right from the root
எண்ணும் எழுத்தும் கண்ணென தகும்
Ennum Ezhuthum Kannena Thagum
Education and knowledge is like the eye for everyone
ஏவா மக்கள் மூவா மருந்து
Yaeva Makkal Moova Marundhu
Children who do the right things without the parents' guidance are like curative medicine
ஐயம் புகினும் செய்வன செய்
Aiyyam Puginum Seivana Sei
Even under impecuniousness do your duties
ஒருவனை பற்றி ஓரகத்து இரு
Oruvanai Pattri Oragathu Iru
Marry one and be loyal the spouse
ஓதலின் நன்றே வேதியர்க்கு ஒழுக்கம்
Odhalin Nandrae Vedhiyarkku Ozhukkam
Discipline is more important to a priest than uttering the sacred hymns
ஔவியம் பேசுதல் ஆக்கத்திற்கு அழிவு
Auviyam Pesudhal Aakkathirkku Azhivu
Gossiping is destructive to one's fame
அஃகமும் காசும் சிக்கென தேடு
Akkamum Kaasum Sikkena Thaedu
Earn cultivation lands and the money soon in your life
The beauty of these verses are their simplicity and the greatness of the values they inculcate in such curtness. Moreover, all of these are easy to remember as they have been composed in the order of the Tamil Alphabets, that one can easily related to these verses based on the alphabets.
Children and kids find it very easy to take it by heart, also explaining these to them does not take much effort as they are easily understood.
I will try to post the meaning of the other verses too in the upcoming posts. The complete verses can be downloaded here.
There are more fascinating songs by Avvaiyar that served as technological insights to great construction feats like the Brahadeeshwara Temple at Thanjavur. We will see those in the upcoming posts.
More to come, until then...
25 comments:
Hi Prabhu, am your great fan of your blogs...
Ur explanations are very simple to understand...
when i first tried to gather information about aathichudi... urs was the best source...
very well explained...
Auvvai was great...
I never remember learning aathichudi in school days...
I think it should made a repeatable course from 1st to +12..
only then it will get into people's mind...
keep writing...
@Anonymous
Thank you very much
forgot to leave my name in above comment.. My name is Ganesh...
Think ur busy now a days... no blogs for past 2 months...
When one of friend was feeling very rejected, i send here ur blog about "Sorrows -part1, part2", u wont believe she became all ok from then..
:-)
Awaiting for more blogs from u...
Ganesh
Thank you very much Ganesh. Yeah, I have been a little busy over the past few months. Will start to write the other parts of the post soon.
I am really happy to hear that some of the posts help consoling your friend.
Thanks once again!
Hi Prabhu...
Great job u have done.
The meanings of aathichudi given by u very easy.
Used to write some messages in notice board, when i searched for aathichudi, urs i find best.
Congrats and continue your job...
thank u.
Thanks Hariharan!
sir, i am dr.sundar from salem. i read some of your translations of famous quotes told by our ancestors. good work sir. keep continuing. i need the english translation of our famous avvaiyar quote "arithu, arithu manidarai pirathal arithu; athanin goon, kurudu, sevidu neengi pirathal arithu". sir please send me as early as possible to my email id: chinsunsundar@yahoo.co.in
Sundar Sir,
Nice to get in touch, and glad to hear that you liked the blog. I have posted your requested song in a subsequent post. http://rprabhu.blogspot.com/2011/05/austere-avvaiyar-part-6.html
ங ப்போல் வளை - இதற்கான சரியான விளக்கமென்ன?
@Raja
தமிழில் 'ங' வரிசையில் 'ங்' என்ற எழுத்து தவிர எதுவுமே வழக்கத்தில் இல்லை. (சங்கு, தங்கம்). இந்த எழுத்தும் இல்லாமலிருந்தால் 'ங' வரிசையே தமிழ் எழுத்துக்களிலிருந்து எடுக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும். ஒரு எழுத்து அதன் வர்க்கத்தையே காப்பாற்றிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது. அவ்வாறு ஒருவன் தன்னை சேர்ந்தவர்களை காப்பாற்ற வேண்டும் என்று பொருள். தமிழில் 'வளைதல்' என்றால் காப்பாற்றுதல் என்று ஒரு பொருள் உண்டு.
Hope that helps!
Hi,Prabhu.. I know this Quote but i didnt know the meaning of it. Thanks for letting us know the meaning..keep up your good work.
Thanks Anonymous!
Meaning of 'koodippiriyel'?
Koodi Piriyael means "After becoming friends with someone, don't part with them"
Hi prabhu,
You are doing a great job. I am not that good in Tamil. In my daughters current school Tamil is compulsory. She is in 2nd std , for teaching her ur explanations are simple n easy. Thanks.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/vidyuth-publications/auvaiyaars-aathisoodi-translated-into-english/paperback/product-21244029.html
nice work, tnx for the same.....ippani sirakka vaazhthukkal
Thanks D!
Thanks Prabhu,
Repeating and explaining the work of Great Souls to common people is equivalent to the Great Souls themselves.
Thanks Anon!
Very nice work.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Manoharan!
Thank you very much. your work is helpful and great service to the society.
Thank you Albert!
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