A rendition of six couplets from the famous Murugan chant in three Ragas. These three styles of rendering the composition are the most popular in Mauritius and inseparable from Cavadee celebrations. I wish everyone a pious and lovely Thaipusam!

Avanasi Pathu – Vatraatha Poikai

1. Oh! Lord Kumara who has been atop the hill and watching the wealthy land through which the un-drying
Poigai River flows! I don’t have any kith and kin (except You) Oh! Son of Uma Devi (Parvathy, Consort of Lord
Siva)!
Oh! Murugesa! You are The King (Ruler) of your slave (devotee), that is myself.
You should mount your peacock vehicle and come near me majestically (grandly, expansively)

2. You, who came as the son of the One who consumed Alaalam Poison, should help your devotees (Allalam
Poison is also known as Aalakaalam, the poison emitted by the snake Vasuki due to unbearable heat while
she was used as rope to churn the milk ocean with the Mandara mountain by Devas and Asuras to obtain
nectar, the amrit. As amrit would be contaminated by poison and rendered useless, out of grace Lord Siva
consumed this. The poison could kill all creatures as the whole universe rests in Him. So mother Uma Devi ran
and stopped the poison in His throat. So the throat became blue earning Him the name Neelakanta – Blue
Necked/throated)
Oh Lord, you eat the food soaked in milk, you open your beautiful pretty (fruity) mouth and you never forget
chanting the five letter mantra (Om Namasivaya) that is beneficial.
Oh! Kumara! You came in search of the Beautiful Maiden, Valli and remained as Vengai Tree (When Lord
Muruga was teasing and playing with Valli she threatened that she will complain to her father. When the
hunters came by that side He immediately changed into a Vengai Tree. This is one of many important
incidents in Muruga’s stories and invariably recalled by many poets in their verses).
You should mount the exalted victorious peacock vehicle and come near me!

3. Oh Lord! You recite the merciful Veda at entrances the sacred abodes and you would not forget the five
letters of Lord Siva (Na Ma Si Vaa Yah – the five letters)
You stood as the FIRST ONE (Para Brahmam or Supreme Truth) The Kumara, for even those who did not
know (out of ignorance) that you are the Murugesa.
Oh Gurunatha Swamy (Master, Teacher), Lord of Lady of the hunter tribe (Valli), Oh! That who is Kumaresa!
You are the meaning of Kumaresa.
You should not forget to mount your victorious peacock vehicle and come near me.

4. Oh Lord! Who is so cool (pleasantly cool) that even blood freezes and becomes solid, Before I come to the
entrance of your holy abode, you Suddenly appear before me and liberate me, Oh Greta Lord!
Oh Lord! Who is a wise little boy, Who wields the beautiful Spear, You should, please, come very soon near
me, mounting the peacock.

5. Oh! Lord! Who are the son of Lord Siva who rules the World, You should give me your Hilly Abode and bless
me.
Oh Lord! Who lives in Vayaloor where the beetles make the musical noise, You are the Kumara who took the
beautiful Spear in the reddish (usually a hand is said to become red when it gives lot frequently to others)
hand, You are the Guha who gave us life and gave us enjoyment.
You should not forget to come near me on your Victorious Peacock mount

6. Oh Lord Kuamara! Who kept the blue colored Valli (His consort) as His part, before the lord of death Yama
does his prayers and come with his rope (his tool to take away the life/soul when it comes to an end), You
must come in my support, on your peacock mount, wielding your Spear along with your retinue of soldiers to
save and bless me, your devotee/slave.

Avinassipathu (Vatrada Poigai) in three Ragas

Devaraj Moothoosamy