The Humble Variant
Nāyanthe (Tamil: a humble self-referential form; possibly from nāyan = 'I who am lowly/the servant' + -the suffix) is an alternate first-person expression similar to adiyēn in its function of expressing the speaker's identity as a humble servant. While adiyēn emphasizes 'the one at your feet,' nāyanthe carries the sense of 'the one who is lowly/dependent.'
Usage Context
Nāyanthe is used in formal Śrī Vaiṣṇava speech, letters, and devotional contexts — particularly in older Tamil discourse and formal liturgical language. Like adiyēn, it replaces the ordinary first-person pronoun as a continuous reminder of the speaker's servant-nature.
Same Theological Root
Both adiyēn and nāyanthe root in the doctrine of śeṣatva — the soul's eternal identity as Bhagavān's servant. Using any form that expresses this identity is considered spiritually purifying, as it aligns the speaker's self-concept with their actual theological reality.