Tiruppavai 28

 12-01-26 | Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Krishna: “O’ Gopikas !  You sought conches, drums, flags etc., and later clothes, ornaments and sumptuous food — aren’t they perishable? Is there something higher that you had in mind?  If so, have you observed any austerities to achieve whatever you desire?” 

Andal sums it up : 

“O’ Lord! It might appear that we were seeking worldly pleasures. Our ultimate aim is to be of eternal service to you. But we are clueless on the means to achieve it.  You are our only way. You have to fulfill our desire.   

“O Govinda! We are simple folks.  What learning do we have?  Every morning, we follow the cows to the forest and let them graze. When they take rest under shade of the trees, we have our bath in the Yamuna and have some simple curd rice. And with you at the centre, we eat our lunch while you play the flute.  

“O Krishna! We are blessed and extremely fortunate that you have chosen to descend upon this earth — specifically amongst common folks like us!  

“O Govinda - you are the one without a fault!  Poorna. The Complete one!   Our relationship is indestructible — neither by you, nor by us. We cannot live without you nor can you live without us!  

“O’ compassionate one! We’ve have taken liberties with you, calling you with inappropriate names - but it is out of affection. Don’t be angry with us!

“O’ Almighty God! Please grant us eternal servitude.”

Tiruppavai 27

 11-01-26 | Govardhana , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Aabharana

The austerities near completion -

Andal exults:

“O’ Govinda ! You have a graceful way of winning over your opponents, just as you humbled Indra’s rage by holding the Govardhan mountain for seven days to protect the cowherds. And it was he, who anointed you as Govinda.

“Govinda! As a reward our austerities, we’ll adorn ourselves with bracelets, shoulder ornaments, ear-studs, rings, anklets et al. We will wear new clothes. We will have food prepared using milk, and the sumptuous ghee will rise over the food and flow down our elbow.
"With your grace, we eulogize you. That’s the real reward. We shall be eternally united and experience infinite joy.”

Tiruppavai 24

Krishna is elegantly seated on the throne.  

The gopikas adore his magical charm. They are grateful that Krishna has accepted their request to participate in the sacred bath.

Overwhelmed with the Darshan of the Lord, they express their gratitude and sing the glory of the Lord’s feet.   

“Long ago, you measured this Universe with your feet. Glory to those feet !!

“You went south to Lanka and killed Ravana, who held Sita captive. Glory to your valour !!

“Shakatasura came in the form of a cart to kill you. You destroyed him with your kick, even as a child.   (It was so unbelievable, you became famous.)  

Glory to your feet and Glory to your everlasting fame !!

“You used Vatsasura as a stick and smashed it against a wood-apple tree (another asura), in one shot.

Your admirable stance when you used your feet to whirl the calf around and throw it at the tree!  Glory to those feet !! 

“You lifted the Govardhan mountain like an umbrella ; Glory to that quality of extraordinary grace !!  

“You wield a powerful spear that wins over your opponents and removes any trace of enmity !!  Glory to that spear in your hand.   

“We’ve all come today to seek the accessories required for the sacred bath.  Please be compassionate to us. We only seek eternal servitude to you.”  

(The word Bhagavan has six attributes. Gnana, Shakti, Balam, Aishwaryam, Veeryam and Thejas. Andal praises all these aspects in this verse.)  

Govardhanadhari

 

Govardhana

 

Govardhana Krishna

 

Giridhara Gopala

 

Andal in Vraj 24

 

08-01-25 | Krishna Leela , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Dashavatara

Andal now sings the glories of Krishna. There are six qualities which are in Him, which make Him Bhagavan. 

1. O’Krishna! Glories to your feet (as Vamana) which straddled the entire earth!
    
2. Rama! you’ve walked all the way to Lanka for the sake of Sita. How much pain your legs must have borne!! Glories to your feet!
    
3. O’ Krishna! Your soft little feet kicked an asura in the form of a cart and broke it into pieces. Glories to those feet! 
    
4. O’ Lord (Balarama)! You threw the asura calf as a stick to bring down another asura in the form of a wood apple tree — Glories to your feet! (as it was the slight bend of feet which gave more momentum to hit the tree). 
    
5. O’ Krishna! You held the Goverdhan standing on your feet for seven days, to protect your devotees. Glories to such quality of protecting your devotees! 
    
6. O’ krishna! Glory to your thejas! Your Sudarshana chakra always protects us from all harm.
7. 
   
   
   
   

Govardhanadhari

 

Govardhanadhari

 

Vidyunmali

 

Govardhanadhari

 

Srinathji

 

Govardhana

 

Govardhana

 

Krishnapremi

Krishnapremi: The orangutan means the wise man of the forest. It has an orange coat suggesting renunciation. Here he is used as a symbol of detachment and surrender to God. So he is Krishnapremi.

Surrender:  Krishnapremi surrenders to Krishna. The peacock feathers represent the leaves of a tree (at the top half). Water from the root reaches the leaves keeping them "attached" to the tree. When the water dries, the leaves are shed signifying detachment shown as brown leaves (at the bottom half) of the painting.

Goverdhana