This is a lyrical English translation of the Natchintanai "Anbar Anbathu." The translation was a collaborative effort done as a team comprising Brahmanathaswami, Sheela Venkatakrishnan, Gayatri Rajan, Rishi Thondunathan in consultation with V. Muralitharan, the present caretaker of the Sivathondan Sociey in Jaffna. As a young man, he was present during discussions of senior devotees of Yogaswami about the meanings of Yogaswami's songs. Murali helped us sort out the final meanings of some difficult lines. The goal was to be true to Yogaswami's original, while as the same time finding a pleasing flow for the English phrases. Brahmanathaswami's recording style is deliberately simplified to make teaching and learning the song easy for anyone (especially children). Integrating Yogaswami's songs into your life is a transformative sadhana. More advanced artists may enjoy creating more musically elaborate versions. If you are interested in the original Tamil script and literal English source we suggest you click here to get a copy of "Good Thoughts" from our Minimela web site.

Original Script

Devotees love is, Siva Siva Siva
No desire - Siva Siva Siva
Bliss all-pervading - Siva Siva Siva
Siva's life in everything - Siva Siva Siva

No end or beginning - Siva siva siva
Silent beginning -- Siva Siva Siva
Self pervading - Siva Siva Siva
All powerful - Siva Siva Siva

Golden colored - Siva Siva Siva
Everlasting - Siva Siva Siva
That is with me - Siva Siva Siva
Everywhere is - Siva Siva Siva

Earth is - Siva Siva Siva
Mantra's form - Siva Siva Siva
Heaven is- Siva Siva Siva
Vedas are - Siva, Siva, Siva

No limitation - Siva Siva Siva
One-half woman - Siva Siva Siva
Flawless Siva - Siva Siva Siva
He is the Three - Siva Siva Siva

Unopposable - Siva Siva Siva
Form of grace - Siva Siva Siva
Eight forms are - Siva Siva Siva
Only One - Siva Siva Siva

Mother is - Siva Siva Siva
Father is - Siva Siva Siva
In the beginning - Siva Siva Siva
Sages praise - Siva Siva Siva

He who rules me - Siva Siva Siva
Raised up Foot - Siva Siva Siva
Even my mistakes - Siva Siva Siva
Difference, no difference - Siva Siva Siva

* Model for Study: A major impediment to the spread of Natchintanai has been the diversity of melodies used for any given song. Hindu music is very creative and professionally trained Carnatic singers have a great deal of freedom for improvisation, much like modern western jazz musicians. But this leaves the average lay person with a big problem as well as teachers of groups or children when they come to learn the song. "How should we sing it? What is the tune?" To facilitate the dissemination of Yogaswami's songs the Swamis at Kauai Aadheenam have selected standardized tunes. Wherever possible we have tried to source these melodies from the Sri Lankan Jaffna community itself. Sometimes a complicated carnatic melody by a professional Jaffna Tamil singer has been simplified. (Gamakams are reduced for children) In cases where melodies are not known or are "boring" from a modern youth angle, we have adopted a more rhythmic, upbeat melody. We have to give credit to the Tiruvadi Niliyam (Jaffna Sai Baba devotees) who have sponsored some recordings by the All Ceylon Radio Singers for leading the way in this regard. These are good examples of Yogaswami's songs sung in a pleasing style. It is well known that Yogaswami himself did on occasion tell his devotees to sing such-and-such a Natchintanai song according to the melody of a song sung by one of the current popular devotional singers of his day. The melodies for many Natchintanai have yet to be selected for groups and children. If you would care to suggest some tunes we would very much appreciate your suggestions. Please email studyhall@hindu.org