O mother, though I was born and raised on this earth, I have never sought out great sacred temples. I have not had the fortune to see great saints and sages. I have never used my mouth to sing your praises. I have never bowed down at the feet of my own parents. I have never stood humbly with my hands folded in the presence of the wise. I have never truly reached for the lotus feet of a true guru. Have you ever seen a greater fool than me on this earth? Oh mother Kamakshi, who lives with great fame in the beautiful city of Kanchipuram!
If you are interested in deepening your practice, I can provide a word-by-word translation, musical notations, or instructions for a Kamakshi Amman Pooja at home.
Prithvi rupena sthitha devi, Ambhu rupena sthitha devi, Agni rupena sthitha devi, Vayu rupena sthitha devi, Akasha rupena sthitha devi. Pancha bhuta swarupini, Kamakshi. kamakshi virutham lyrics in english
I come to you joyfully, praising you and telling you all my problems. But why do you cause me confusion by placing poverty and suffering upon me in return? I did not realize that this could be seen as cheating; I simply trusted you completely, thinking you were my only refuge. Is it not your responsibility to protect me, even a little? Oh mother who gave birth to the radiant, elephant-faced Lord Ganesha! You are the sister of Lord Vishnu (Maya), the consort of Lord Shiva, and the one who stands fearlessly in the cremation grounds. I believed you were my supreme authority. Please rule over me with love. Oh mother Kamakshi, who lives with great fame in the beautiful city of Kanchipuram!
As we contemplate the Kamakshi Virutham, we may find ourselves drawn into a world of devotion, where love and surrender become the gateways to spiritual transformation. O mother, though I was born and raised
Maayavan thangai nee maragathavalli nee manimanthrakaari neeye, Maaya swaroopini nee, Maheswariyum aana nee, malaiyarasan magalaana nee...
Om shreem hreem kleem Kamakshi, varadayaki, karpagambal Kanchi nagar vasini, karunai leelai Devi jagat janani, dayaa nidhiye Aadhi parashakti, annaiye unai Saranam, saranam, kamakshi. I have never bowed down at the feet of my own parents
(This verse mixes Tamil and Sanskrit – common in Viruthams.)
A key feature of the Kamakshi Virutham is its unifying refrain, which appears at the end of every stanza. It serves as a constant reminder of the Goddess’s abode and a reaffirmation of the devotee’s devotion.
In the vast ocean of Carnatic music and Tamil devotional literature, few compositions strike a chord as deeply as . Composed by the revered poet-saint Muthuswami Dikshitar , one of the Musical Trinity, this piece is not merely a song—it is a spiritual ladder.