An Orison

Nalladhohr veenai seidhe - adhai
nalam keda puzhudhiyil yerivadhundo?
Solladi Sivasakthi! - Yenai
sudarmigum arivudan padaithuvittaai,

To condemn a veena skillfully made -
Is it wise - to the doom of negligence?
Speak out Goddess - you have created me
with sparkling intelligence..

Vallamai thaaraayo, indha
maanilam payanura vaazhvadharkke?
Solladi Sivasakthi! - Nila
sumayena vaazhndhida puriguvayo?

Wont you give me the ability,
to live a life beneficial to this society?
Tell me - Would you make me
a burden to this land, rather be?

Visaiyuru pandhinai pol - ullam
vendiya padi sellum udal ketten,
nasaiyaru manam ketten - Nitham
navamena sudar tharum uyir ketten,

I ask for a body that propels to my heart's will,
- an accelerated projectile to mime..
I ask for a clean mind and a pure soul
that glows anew every instant of time..

Thasayinai thee sudinum - Siva
sakthiyai paadum nal agam ketten,
Asaivaru madhi ketten, ivai
arulvadhil unakkedhum thadaiyuladho?

Though flames should finger my skin,
I seek an inner self that can sing in your praise.
I ask for unwavering astuteness -
Do you hesitate to grant me these?

- Subramania Bharathi