வட்ட திகிரியாய் வாராயோVatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo — Lyrics & Meaning
An invocation to Lord Shiva as Nataraja of Thillai (Chidambaram) — 'come as the round disc, as the sixth tattva in which the mind dissolves, as nada-bindu, as the seed of the Vedas.' A philosophical potri-chant to the cosmic dancer who unfolds spotless (niranjana) in silence.
The Story Behind This Song
This is a philosophical potri (praise) chant to Lord Shiva as Nataraja of Thillai (Chidambaram). The devotee pleads: come as the round disc, as the sixth tattva — Maya, where the pure order ends and the mind itself dissolves; let the inner light expand; grant me your darshan. Shiva is then praised as Form, Formless, and Form-and-Formless — transcending the state of svarupa itself — as nada-bindu (the sound-dot), as the seed of the Vedas, as the self-evident and the motionless — the Lord who revealed Uma to consciousness. He dances in the hall-that-is-not-a-hall of Thillai (a Tamil wordplay — Thillai is both the name and means 'not there'), unfolding spotless in silence as Niranjana, the Lord of the Vedas. Changing rope, changing path, changing place, he stands like the festival-car (ther) that consoles the ones who come — this is the wonder that made the mind seek him. Each charanam ends with 'போற்றி' (praise be to you).
Lyrics in Tamil & English Transliteration with Meaning
Meaning: (Pallavi) Come as the round disc, O Lord! Come as the sixth tattva (Maya) in which the mind itself is hidden away, so that the inner light expands — grant me your darshan!
Meaning: (Charanam 1) With form, without form, and both form-and-formless — transcending the very state of svarupa — as nada-bindu, as the seed of the Vedas, as the self-evident, as the motionless — O Lord who revealed Uma to us, praise be to you!
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) Come as the round disc, O Lord — grant me your darshan!
Meaning: (Charanam 2) Dancing in the hall-that-is-not-a-hall of Thillai (Chidambaram), unfolding spotless in silence as Niranjana — O Lord of the Vedas, praise be to you!
Meaning: (Pallavi returns) Come as the round disc, O Lord — grant me your darshan!
Meaning: (Charanam 3) Changing rope, changing path, changing place — standing as the festival-car that consoles us who come — you graced my mind to seek You. O wonder, praise be to you!
Meaning: (Final Pallavi) Praise, praise, praise, praise! Come as the round disc, O Lord — grant me your darshan!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the meaning of Vatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo (வட்ட திகிரியாய் வாராயோ)?
- An invocation to Lord Shiva as Nataraja of Thillai (Chidambaram) — 'come as the round disc, as the sixth tattva in which the mind dissolves, as nada-bindu, as the seed of the Vedas.' A philosophical potri-chant to the cosmic dancer who unfolds spotless (niranjana) in silence.
- Who composed Vatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo?
- Vatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo (வட்ட திகிரியாய் வாராயோ) was composed and written by RG Madanagopal (இரா.கோ.மதன்கோபால்), a Tamil devotional composer. It is an original Tamil devotional song dedicated to Shiva (சிவன்).
- When should Vatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo be sung?
- Vatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo is most auspiciously sung on Mondays — the day traditionally associated with Shiva worship — and during shivaratri, karthigai-deepam.
- Where can I find the lyrics of Vatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo in Tamil?
- The full lyrics of Vatta Thigiriyaai Vaaraayo in Tamil script (வட்ட திகிரியாய் வாராயோ), along with the English transliteration and verse-by-verse meaning, are available on this page above.