Note:This famous kriti is sung on the 9th navarathri night. Dr M Balamuralikrishna, Dr Semmangudi Sreenivasa Iyer, Maharajapuram Santhanam, Palakkad K V Narayanaswami, M D Ramanathan, R K Sreekantan, T V Gopalakrishnan, TV Sankara Narayanan, … many masters have rendered this at the navarathri mandapam. It is on the devi of Attingal, the family deity of Travancore royal family. The reference to Attingal is through the phrase “vaahini thada nivasini”. This kriti has no mudra of the composer but makes an unusual reference to “vanchi nripalaka vamsa subhodaya” (One who brings rise in well-being to the king of Vanchi, or Travancore).
Oh! Daughter of the mountain! Kindly protect me. Your face resembles the full moon.
You reside on the banks of the VAHINI river and you ride on the lion. You destroyed the clan of demons.
You are worshipped by INDRA. Your bosoms are like the forehead of a youthful elephant. You are born from the fire of the third eye of SIVA. Your excellence are infinite.
Your eyes are like the lotus petals. You are gentle and moderate in speech. The beauty of your gait rivals the swaying of the most beautiful elephant.
Your beautiful forehead, framed by tremulous curls, is adorned with TILAKA. Crescent moon adorns your tresses. You are worshipped by the kings of VANCINADU-THIRUVANATHAPURAM. You give prosperity to their dynasty. You are the abode of excellencies. Kindly accept my hymns.
