The Kamakshi Virutham is a revered set of Tamil devotional hymns dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi – the presiding deity of Kanchipuram, a form of Parvati as the goddess of love and devotion. A "Virutham" is a metrical composition sung in free-flowing, melodic style, often without percussion, usually before a main piece in Carnatic music concerts.
These lyrics praise the goddess's beauty, compassion, power, and her role as the destroyer of fear and bestower of blessings. The most popular Kamakshi Virutham is composed by Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar (though some verses are traditional and anonymous), and is often followed by the famous kriti "Kamakshi Navaratna Vilasam" or "Kamakshi Amba."
Below is a widely recognized version of the Kamakshi Virutham in English transliteration (Tamil pronounced as written), along with a simple meaning.
The Kamakshi Virutham is not merely a collection of words; it is a living, breathing invocation. By accessing the Kamakshi Virutham lyrics in English, you bridge a linguistic and cultural gap. Whether you are a devout Hindu seeking a deeper connection to the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, a student of Carnatic music, or a spiritual seeker drawn to the Divine Mother, these lyrics serve as your key.
Keep this article as your guide. Recite the verses slowly. Feel the vibration of "Kamakshi" on your lips, and visualize the gentle-smiling, fish-eyed mother seated on her lotus throne in Kanchipuram. As the Virutham concludes, silence remains – and in that silence, the Goddess resides.
Summary Table: Key Takeaways
| Element | Description | | :--- | :--- | | Deity | Goddess Kamakshi (Kanchipuram) | | Language | Tamil / Sanskrit (Romanized English provided) | | Main Theme | Describing divine beauty, the five elements, and seeking protection | | Best For | Morning chanting, Carnatic music practice, removing negativity | | Famous Artist | M.S. Subbulakshmi |
Om Kamakshi Namostute.
Before diving into the lyrics, it is crucial to understand the deity. Kamakshi (Kama = desires + Akshi = eyes) means "She whose eyes fulfil desires." Her famous temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Unlike the aggressive form of Kali or the serene form of Saraswati, Kamakshi represents Sri Vidya—the supreme knowledge that blends mercy with cosmic power.
The Kamakshi Virutham is traditionally attributed to the great sage Adi Shankaracharya, though some verses come from the collective works of later saints. It describes the goddess’s physical beauty, her divine weapons, and her compassionate nature. The verses are an outpouring of love, portraying the devotee as a child seeking refuge in the mother’s lap.
Long ago, in the city of temples, Kanchipuram, there lived a devout poet who had lost his way. Not physically, but spiritually. His mind was tangled in doubt, his heart heavy with the weight of ego, and his tongue could no longer praise without pride. He felt abandoned by the divine.
One evening, unable to bear his sorrow, he walked to the great temple of Sri Kamakshi Amman. She sat in the inner sanctum, not in a grand standing posture, but seated in Padmasana (lotus pose), holding a sugarcane bow, flower arrows, a noose, and a goad. Her eyes were neither fully open nor fully shut—they were daya (compassion) personified.
The poet fell at her feet and began to cry. He remembered an ancient tradition: the Virutham. A Virutham is not a song with a tune; it is a free-flowing, rhythmic chant of raw emotion—like a river breaking its banks. It has no chorus, only a cascade of names, praises, and pleas.
As he closed his eyes, the words poured out of him. He called out to her, not as a distant goddess, but as the very ground he walked on, the air he breathed, and the mother who knew his faults better than he did.
He chanted:
"Kaayai arumbum kanivum kanippay…" (You who ripen the unripe fruit and sweeten the sweet fruit…)
He realized that just as she turns a raw fruit sweet, she was turning his raw suffering into devotion. In that Virutham, the poet didn't just pray; he dissolved. And the story goes that Mother Kamakshi smiled, and a single strand of jasmine from her hair fell onto his head.
That poet was Muthuswami Dikshitar (or attributed to later composers in the Kamakshi tradition), and his Virutham remains a masterpiece of surrender.
Since a literal translation of a Virutham is complex, here is the essence of each verse:
Verse 1 (The Repetitive Chant)
Verse 2 (Her Divine Appearance)
Verse 3 (Her Compassion)
Verse 4 (The Prayer for Protection)
Verse 5 (The Cosmic Form)
Verse 6 (The Conclusion)
The Kamakshi Virutham is a revered set of Tamil hymns dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi, the presiding deity of Kanchipuram, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Unlike a standard suprabhatam (morning wake-up song) or a stotram (hymn of praise), a Virutham is a unique metrical composition often sung in a free-flowing, raga-based improvisation. It is designed to evoke the essence of the Goddess through intricate wordplay, deep devotion, and philosophical undertones.
For millions of Tamil-speaking devotees, reciting the Kamakshi Virutham is a daily ritual. However, for those who speak English or are new to the tradition, accessing Kamakshi Virutham lyrics in English is essential for understanding and pronunciation. This article provides the complete lyrics in Romanized English, a word-for-word meaning, and an exploration of its spiritual depth.
Translation: "She possesses the five arrows, the five subtle elements, and the five life forces. She sits on the five pretas. O Parameswari, your lotus feet hold the goad and noose, and your hand holds the sugarcane bow."
Verse 1: You make the raw fruit ripe and the ripe fruit sweet. You melt the iron of my karma, again and again. You remove the mountain of illusion (Maya) that covers me like a raw/bitter fruit. Will you not rule over me (take me as your own)? kamakshi virutham lyrics in english
Verse 2: Give me wisdom (intellect). Give me a pure mind. Remove my laziness/impurity and give me the medicine (of grace). Give me a goal (liberation), O ocean of compassion. Will you not rule over me?
Verse 3: Please cure the diseases that even the eyes can see (and the unseen ones). Give me the greatness that destroys karma. Grant me the highest state of realizing that both pleasure and pain are only You, And to always think of You alone.