108 Potri — Select Thiruppugazh Verses
The 108 Potri is a curated collection of 108 select verses drawn from Arunagirinathar's vast Thiruppugazh corpus. Arranged specifically for daily recitation, this compilation makes the spiritual power of Thiruppugazh accessible in a compact form suitable for regular practice.
'Potri' in Tamil means 'praise' or 'glorification.' Each verse in this collection is a complete praise of Lord Murugan in his various forms and abodes. The number 108 is considered sacred in Hindu tradition — representing the 108 Upanishads, 108 marma points in the body, and the 108 beads of the japamala.
Selection Principle
The 108 verses are carefully selected to represent the full spectrum of Thiruppugazh — verses from different temples, different metrical patterns, and different moods. The selection includes:
- Verses from all six abodes (Aarupadai Veedu)
- Hymns expressing different emotional modes (love, surrender, praise, petition)
- Verses with different sanda sandhi patterns
- Shorter verses suitable for daily chanting
- Verses that capture the essence of Thiruppugazh's spirituality
Daily Practice
The 108 Potri is designed for daily recitation as a compact sadhana (spiritual practice). The entire recitation takes approximately 30-40 minutes, making it manageable for devotees with busy schedules. Many Murugan temples include the 108 Potri in their daily prayer schedule.
| Potri 1 | ஆசையில் வெந்திடும் | O lord who burns with desire in this world | Thiruchchendur |
| Potri 2 | சிந்தையில் நின்றிடும் | O lord who dwells in the mind | Thiruchchendur |
| Potri 3 | குன்றுகள் தோறும் | Upon every hill, Kumaran plays | Palani |
| Potri 4 | கந்தன் கழலினை | Skanda's feet that we contemplate | Palani |
| Potri 5 | வேதங்கள் தோறும் | Murugan smiles through all Vedas | Swamimalai |
| Potri 6 | ஓம் என்ற சொல்லில் | The meaning shining in OM | Swamimalai |
| Potri 7 | தணிகை மலை மீது | On the Thiruthani hill | Thiruthani |
| Potri 8 | வள்ளி மணாளனே | O husband of Valli | Thiruthani |
| Potri 9 | பழமுதிர் சோலை | In Pazhamudhircholai | Pazhamudhircholai |
| Potri 10 | மயில் மீது வரும் | He who comes on the peacock | All abodes |
108 போற்றி — மாதிரிப் பாடல்கள்
108 போற்றித் தொகுப்பிலிருந்து சில முக்கிய பாடல்கள்.
— போற்றி 1
— போற்றி 2
— போற்றி 3
— போற்றி 4
— போற்றி 5
IAST Transliteration
— Potri 1
— Potri 2
— Potri 3
— Potri 4
— Potri 5
English Translation — Sample Potris
— Potri 1
— Potri 2
— Potri 3
— Potri 4
— Potri 5
Commentary on 108 Potri
The Significance of 108
The number 108 is not arbitrary. In Hindu cosmology, there are 108 Upanishads (principal texts of Vedanta). In yoga, there are 108 marmas or energy points in the body. The japamala (prayer beads) has 108 beads. The distance between the Earth and the Sun is approximately 108 times the Sun's diameter. By selecting 108 verses, this collection aligns the devotee with cosmic harmony.
A Miniature Thiruppugazh
The 108 Potri functions as a miniature Thiruppugazh. While it cannot match the full text's 1,368 hymns, it provides a representative sample that introduces the devotee to the major themes, meters, and temple-specific praises of Arunagirinathar's masterpiece. Many devotees use the 108 Potri as a gateway, eventually progressing to the full Thiruppugazh.
Benefits of Daily Recitation
- Establishes a regular devotional discipline
- Creates familiarity with Thiruppugazh's unique rhythm
- Connects the devotee with all six sacred abodes daily
- Purifies the mind through repetitive exposure to sacred sound
- Builds concentration and inner peace
Audio Recordings
Audio recordings of the 108 Potri collection are available.
- Complete 108 verses in a single recording
- Daily recitation track (~40 minutes)
- Individual verse tutorials for learning
Recitation of 108 Potri verses
About the Author
LordMurugan.in Editorial Team
Text Compilation & Annotation
Text sourced from traditional manuscripts and published scholarly editions.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-13 by LordMurugan.in Editorial Team · Version 1.0 · Methodology