Jothi Agaval meaning "The Divine Call" is a 1,596-line Tamil spiritual poem by Ramalinga Swamigal ( commonly known as Vallalar).
The song was originally composed in April 18, 1872 on the Tamil month of Chitirai, Aangirasa year. Vallalar is thought to have written it in Mettukuppam Siddhi Valaagam, near Vadalur, Tamil Nadu, then part of the British empire. It is in part of the Sixth Thirumurai (classical Tamil sextet) in Thiruarutpa(the entire poetry corpus).
according to oral history, Vallalar is thought to have created this poem in just the course of one night. The poetic meter & rhythm are set in classical Tamil Isai at Asiriyappaa.
Spiritual significance
The poem seeks to represent the spirit of Divineness through calling all forms parts of "light" or "Arutperunjyothi" meaning; the manifestation of God as Supreme Divine Light. The themes also touch on the idea of kindness and generosity; Thanipperunkarunai meaning "Infinite unique compassion". Asking for people to exercise moderateness, reason and morality.
while the poem identifies unique native or Hindu gods, it is not present that as mutually exclusive to the poetic thematics.
Tamil: அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ் ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருள் சிவ நெறி சார் அருள் பெரு நிலை வாழ் அருள் சிவ பதி ஆம் அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி ஆகம முடிமேல் ஆரண முடிமேல் ஆக நின்று ஓங்கிய அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி இக நிலைப் பொருள்ஆய்ப் பர நிலைப் பொருள்ஆய் அகம் அறப் பொருந்திய அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி ஈனம் இன்று இக பரத்து இரண்டின் மேல் பொருளாய் ஆனல் இன்று ஓங்கிய அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி
[The sacred light! The sacred light! The sacred light! The sacred light!
May the grace of Lord Shiva, the great status of the living, and the Lord's auspicious light be with you.
Oh, the glorious light that stands on the crown of the head, this divine light, both material and spiritual, is the innermost essence of the universe.
This day, the light of the divine light has risen above the two worlds.]
In 1864, Vallalar was called to Vettavalam to cure the Zamindar's wife's illnesses, there, upon his visit since the wife's instantly got cured from the illness, Vallalar was confirmed in his spiritual powers. After which, the Zamin declared no animal shall remain slain within his realm, this garnered much adoration & respect from others for Vallalar's ideals of Jeeva Karunyam"empathy for all living". This also created much news, Vallalar was called again in 1870 to treat an incurable disease of the dubash,Raja Ramanuja Pillai, which he upon just touching his forehead was told to have cured.
His spiritual affinity was cemented when apparently he passed away in a ray of light. Just couple months after composing this final poetic work, the Jothi Agaval. The 20th-century noblewoman Jothi Yashoda Pari was named after this poetic work.
References
Premananda, Swami (2024-11-01). "Embarking on a Spiritual Odyssey, Part 10: The Inspirational Influence of Sri Ramalinga Swamigal". Integral Yoga® Magazine. Retrieved 2026-10-28.
