Poonthanam's Neeyathre Govinda (malayalam)

Neeyathre Govinda

By

Poonthanam

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(Poonthanam was possibly one of the greatest forerunners of Bhakthi cult in Kerala and his greatest work was Jnana Pana, Loosely it can be translated as “Pot of Knowledge”. But “pana” here is not pot but a style of folk poem. This is written in a common man’s language and in a common man’s verse. It preaches the greatness of repetition (singing) of the Holy God’s names. In between Poonthanam wrote about the world he saw and the world he wanted to see. Some people term it as the “Bhagavad Geetha of Malayalam Here is a philosophical devotional song trying to see   that Lord Krishna is everything.)

1.Lokamokkeyum nirmichathum bhavan,

Lokanayakanakunnathum Bhavan.

You are the one who created the world, Sir,

You   also the Lord of the world , Sir,

2.Loka rakshanam cheyyunnthum bhavan ,

Loka samhariyukunnathum Bhavan,

You are the one  who protects the world , Sir,

You are the one  who becomes the destroyer  of the world, Sir.

3.Pandu pandulla naadum nagaravum,

Kondu poi marikkunnathum Bhavan

You are the one who  took and put down,

The cities and countries which existed long back, Sir.

4.Malika meethe mevunna mannande,

Tholil marappu  kethunnathum Bhavan.

You are the one who made  the king,

Who used to live in palaces carry a burden  on his shoulders, Sir,

5.Jnan yennulloru bhavam nadappichu ,

Manushane valaykkunnathum Bhavan,

You are  the one who drags people on troubles,

By creating the feeling of “Me”, in them , Sir.

6.Jnana margathe dhanavum cheythudan,

Aanandathe  varuthunnathum Bhavan.

You are the one who taught us the path of Jnana,

And  made happiness and joy come in our life, Sir.

7.Randu nalu dhinam kondu oruthane,

Thandil yethi nadathunnathum , Bhavan.

You are the one who within three four days,

Makes an ordinary  man travel in a palanquin, Sir.

8.Kalla punchiri thoogunna  naariye,

Valli katti valaykunnathum Bhavan.

You are  the one who puts in to trouble and drags,

The woman sporting   a false smile, Sir.

9.Ulla kaalam janagalkku athingane ,

Ullil  aadhi valarthunnathum,  Bhavan.

You are the one who  makes worries grow inside .

A  man as  long as   he lives , Sir.

10.Anjana kannil artham vilayunna  ,

Manju bhashini mare kondangine,

11.Sishtanmaarkkum Prabhukkalkkum,

Nashta daridryam akkunnathum , Bhavan.

Making   use   of the pretty  damsels ,

Who showed meaningful attraction by their  black eyes,

You are the one  who made gentlemen and Lords ,

In to  very poor state  , Sir.

12.Ishta dhanathe cheyyunnathum , Bhavan,

Vrushti pushti valarthunnasthum Bhavan.

You are the one who willingly gives charity, Sir,

You are  the one who increases rain and prosperity, Sir,

13.Snehiyayathum  , snehangal aayathum,

Drohiyayathum, drohangal aayathum,

14.Garviyayathum  garvangal  aayathum,

SArvamayathum , Neeyathre  Govinda.

You are one who is a friend , the friendship,

The one who troubles, and the trouble itself,

One who is proud and  pride  itself,

And That which is everything, Sir.