72. RAAKAALAM PETHLAEM MEIPARKAZHL (While shepherds watched their flocks)

1.       Raakaalam pethlaem meiparkazhl

          Tham manthai kaathanar;

          Karthaavin thoothar iranka

          Vin jothi kandanar.

2.       Avarkazhl achankozhlavum

          Vin thoothar: ‘thikil yen?

          Ellaarukkum santhoshamaam

          Narchaithi kooruvaen.’

3.       ‘Thaaveethin vamsam oorilum,

          Mei kiristhu naathanaar

          Poolokathaarkku ratchakar

          Intraikku piranthaar.’

4.       Ithunkazhl adaiyaazhlamaam,

          Munnanaimeethu neer

          Kanthai pothintha kolamaai

          Appaalanai kaanpeer’

5.       Entruraithaan; akshanamae

          Vinnoraam kootathaar

          Aththoothanodu thontriyae

          Karthaavai pottrinaar.

6.       ‘Maa unnathathil, aandavaa

          Neer maenmai adaiveer;

          Poomiyil samaathaanamum

          Nallorkku eekuveer.’