Aathichudi is an amazing creation from the renowned poetess Avvaiyar. This blog describes the verses in aathichudi and their meanings in English. 

Aathichudi  is a miraculous creation by the legendary poet Avvaiyaar. She was a wise poet who was always determined to inculcate values, wisdom and morality in young minds. Aathichudi is a collection of single lined, simple poetic phrases, but carried rich meanings and deeper understandings. The word ‘Aathichudi’ means a person who wears a garland made out of the flower ‘aathi’. This references to Lord Shiva. An interesting fact is that all the 109 poems from Aathichudi are alphabetically arranged by categories called varukkams. There are 9 varukkams in aathichudi. It is such an amazing way to learn the alphabet along with gaining moral values.

This blog describes the Tamil aathichudi, its translation and more importantly, aathichudi with meaning of each line in the poem. This is an important learning if you are looking forward to learn Tamil online and forms the cornerstone of our online Tamil classes. 

Tamil Aathichudi Meaning

The Tamil community gives immense importance to inculcating discipline and obedience to kids. This is why Aathichudi is included in the syllabus as early as we teach them alphabets in schools, padshalas, gurukulas and other educational institutions. The very first lesson for Tamil learners is always Aathichudi. Aathichudi is written in a very simple and uncomplicated language so as to make kids memorise and learn the quotations by heart. We at Powerkid Tamil academy teach Aathichudi at the pre-intermediate stage of our classes where you learn Tamil online. 

Do you know that aathichudi was written in 3rd century BCE and remains a timeless classic for Tamil people even now?

Kadavul valthu, the best way to start

Tamilians have the habit of invoking and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha everytime they begin something new. Aaathichudi is no exemption as it starts with a double lined poem called ‘kadavul valthu’ to invoke the blessings of lord Ganesha.

“ஆத்தி சூடி அமர்ந்த தேவனை

ஏத்தி ஏத்தித் தொழுவோம் யாமே.”

It means, we devote our heartfelt prayers for Lord Ganesha, who is deeply loved by Lord Shiva who always wears a aathi flower garland. This indeed fills the learner’s mind with faith and optimism at the very beginning of their lessons at our classes where you learn Tamil online. 

Varukkams in Aathichudi

“Varukkam” means fine order. Varukkams are the categories in which the alphabets are ordered. For instance, the uyir varukkam includes a set of poems in which each singlet starts with a uyir ezhuthu in the correct order while kagara varukkam includes those from uyir mei series where the mei ezhuthu is ‘tha’, த. The way the order is maintained is astonishing. The 9 varukkams are,

1. உயிர் வருக்கம் – Uyir varukkam
2. உயிர்மெய் வருக்கம் – Uyir Mei Varukkam
3. ககர வருக்கம் – Kagara varukkam
4. சகர வருக்கம் – Sagara Varukkam
5. தகர வருக்கம் – Thagara Varukkam
6. நகர வருக்கம் – Nagara Varukkam
7. பகர வருக்கம் – Pagara Varukkam
8. மகர வருக்கம் – Magara Varukkam
9. வகர வருக்கம் – Vagara Varukkam

உயிர் வருக்கம் (Uyir varukkam)

The following 13 singlets start with uyir ezhuthukkal in an orderly arrangement. The 13th one has aayudha ezhuthu ஃ as the second letter of the first word. 

Aathichudi with meaning in English.

1. அறம் செய விரும்பு – Aram seiya virumbu meaning.

Have a wish to do your duties and moral acts.

2. ஆறுவது சினம் – Aaruvadhu sinam.

Anger should always be controlled.

3. இயல்வது கரவேல் – Iyalvadhu karaveal. 

Offer Help as much as you can.

4. ஈவது விலக்கேல் – Eevadhu vilakkeal.

Don’t stop people from doing charity.

5. உடையது விளம்பேல் – Udaiyadhu vilambeal.

Do not brag about your possessions.

6. ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல் – Ookamadhu kaivideal.

Never lose hope. Always stay motivated and enthusiastic.

7. எண் எழுத்து இகழேல் – Enn ezhuthu igazheal.

Learning numbers and letters is very important. Do not undervalue those.

8. ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி – Earppadhu igalchi.

It is disgraceful to beg.

9. ஐயமிட்டு உண் – Ayyamittu un.

Eat after offering food to the needy.

10. ஒப்புர வொழுகு – Oppura vozhugu.

The world is always changing. Adapt yourself with it and co-exist.

11. ஓதுவது ஒழியேல் – Odhuvadhu ozhiyeal.

Never refrain from learning good books.

12. ஒளவியம் பேசேல் -Avviyam peseal

Never talk ill of others out of jealousy.

13. அஃகஞ் சுருக்கேல் – Ahgam surukkeal.

Do not cheat people for profit. This is particularly meant to denote people selling grains.Never measure it less and deceive the receiver. 

உயிர்மெய் வருக்கம் – Uyir Mei Varukkam

The singlets enlisted below form the uyir mei varukkam. Learn Uyir Mei Varukkam from Aathichudi with meaning in English.

1. கண்டொன்று சொல்லேல் – Kandonru solleal

Don’t exaggerate while speaking about what you saw.

2. ஙப் போல் வளை – gna pol valai

When in front of elders bend like the word gna, ங

3. சனி நீராடு – Sani neeraadu

Bath regularly with cold water. It is good for health.

4. ஞயம்பட உரை – Gnyayampada urai

Speak in a sweet way as it would make others happy.

5. இடம்பட வீடு எடேல் – Idampada veedu edael.

When you are constructing your house, don’t take up more space than required.

6.  இணக்கம் அறிந்து இணங்கு – Inakkam arindhu inangu.

Before befriending a person, get to know about their good and bad habits and activities.

7. தந்தை தாய்ப் பேண் – Thandhai thaaip pean.

Always protect your parents with love and affection.

8. நன்றி மறவேல் –  Nandri maraveal.

Don’t forget the help that others offered you. Stay with gratitude.

9. பருவத்தே பயிர் செய் – Paruvathae payir sei.

Each and every work has its good time. Make hay while the sun shines. 

10. மண் பறித்து உண்ணேல் – Mann parithu unnael.

Don’t grab others’ land for your prosperity.

11. இயல்பு அலாதன செய்யேல் – Iyalbu alaadhana seiyeal.

Don’t involve yourself in not-so-good or otherwise bad deeds.

12. அரவம் ஆட்டேல் – Aravam aatteal.

Don’t catch snakes and play with them.

13. இலவம் பஞ்சில் துயில் – Ilavam panjil thuyil.

Sleep on the mattress made out of cotton.

14. வஞ்சகம் பேசேல் – Vanjagam peseal.

Don’t speak in injust and dishonest way.

15. அழகு அலாதன செய்யேல் – Azhagu alaadhana seiyeal.

It is wrong to do disorderly acts.

16. இளமையில் கல் – Ilamaiyil kal.

It is indispensary to learn these skills from a young age.

17. அறனை மறவேல் – Aranai maraveal.

Charity is to be cherished forever.

18. அனந்தல் ஆடேல் – Aanandhal Aadeal.

Over sleeping isn’t good.

ககர வருக்கம் – Kagara varukkam

Kagara varukkam consists of singlets starting with uyirmei ezhuthukal of ‘ka varisai’. Learn Kagara varukkam with Tamil Aathichudi meaning in English.

1. கடிவது மற – Kadivadhu mara.

Be cautious when you are angry. Exercise caution while speaking. Take steps to get rid of constant anger.

2. காப்பது விரதம் – Kaapadhu viradham.

Protecting other living beings and not harming them is fostering.

3. கிழமைப்பட வாழ் – Kizhamaipada vaazh.

Do good deeds to others with your possessions.

4. கீழ்மை அகற்று – Keezhmai agatru.

Do not do things that are poor in standard.

5. குணமது கைவிடேல் – Gunamathu kaivideal.

Never lose your good characters and habits.

6. கூடிப் பிரியேல் – Koodi piriyel.

Don’t part from good friends.

7. கெடுப்பது ஒழி – Kedupathu ozhi. 

Don’t perform acts which may harm others.

8. கேள்வி முயல் –  Kelvi muyal.

Try to listen to what learned scholars and educated people say. 

9. கைவினை கரவேல் – Kaivinai karavel.

Learn handicrafts and empower yourself.

10. கொள்ளை விரும்பேல் – Kollai virumbel. 

Don’t yearn for others’ belongings.

11. கோதாட்டு ஒழி – Kodhattu ozhi. 

Give up or stay away from illegal games.

12. கெளவை அகற்று – Kavvai Agatru.

Get rid of the gloom caused by jealousy.

Conclusion

Other Varukkams such as Sagara, Thagara, Nagara, Pagara, Magara and Vagara Varukkams start with ச, த, ந, ப, ம, வ series Uyir mei letters. Every individual must learn all the verses from Tamil Aathichudi with meaning and imbibe its virtues and abide with it. Assimilating the singlets from Tamil Aathichudi meaning by Avvaiyar can help a person improve his moral values. In addition, it is such an excellent way to learn the alphabet too. 

We at Powerkid Tamil Academy teach Aathichudi along with other works of Avvaiyaar such as Moodhurai, Kondrai Vendhan and Nalvali at the pre-intermediate level. Learn Aathichudi and other literature with English meaning through Powerkid Tamil classes and learn Tamil online by signing up at www.powerkidtamil.com. Speak with us at  +1 (512) 575-3590 or +91 74033 33135