Tiruppavai 22

 06-01-26 | Ramayana , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Andal addresses Krishna:

 
“O Lord!  The kings of this vast beautiful earth, their pride crushed, gather together at the foot of your cot. So also, we have all gathered together before you, overcome by your excellent qualities.  

“Oh Lord!  Won’t you cast your glance at us? Open your eyes slowly. Slow, like a blossoming lotus, akin to the small bells of the dancing anklets. 

“Won’t you look at us with your comforting glances?

“The grief of separation from you is unbearable. Its a sin.  

“Your graceful look clears all our sins and also our ignorance — we’re here to experience the other outcome: ecstasy!”

Tiruppavai 21

 05-01-26 | Ramayana , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Nappinnai opens the door and comes out to meet the gopikas.  

She explains the delay: “I did not ignore your appeals. I was waiting for the appropriate time to recommend you to the Lord.”  Nappinnai also joins the group.

The Gopis were elated.  They sing glories of their Lord.   

Andal: “O’ Krishna! You are the son of Nandhagopa who has an immeasurable treasure of generous, gigantic cows that pour forth copious milk in huge vessels.  What a fortune!*

“You are Paravasudeva (creation)!  You are the Vyuha murthy (in milky ocean)!  You are the Vibhava avataras (Rama / Krishna)! You stand as deities in temples (archavatara)! You are Antaryami (ensconced in our hearts). Yet you were born here amongst us to make us realise who we are.    

“Your enemies seek refuge in you — not finding solace in all three worlds**.  We have come to seek refuge in you, attracted by your infinite noble qualities.
___________________________

Notes:

*Here, the cows are symbolic of the generous acharyas.  
A confused Arjuna becomes Krishna’s disciple and surrenders to him.  The generous Krishna listens to him patiently.  Then he comforts Arjuna with his wisdom on the human predicament and the resolution thereof.  

** When in exile, Rama was taking a nap in Sita’s lap.  Kakasura (Indra’s son Jayantha), in the form of a crow, hurt  Sita by pecking her bosom and drawing blood.  Enraged, Rama took a blade of grass, empowered it with the Brahmastra and threw it at the crow for his unforgivable fault. The crow went around the three worlds for protection and ultimately surrendered at Rama’s feet.

Tiruppavai 19

 03-01-26 | Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Devi

Andal now appeals again to Nappinnai to get up and open the door for them. 

 

Devi is represented in three different personas. (Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Neela devi).  She is inseparable from the Lord, meant only to bless the souls. Yesterday, Andal addresses Devi as Neela. In today’s verse, she addresses her as Bhoodevi.  In tomorrow’s verse, she will address her as Mahalakshmi.   

 
She is with Krishna in a cot with a soft and luxurious mattress. The cot is supported by four elephants representing the guardians of the four directions (or the four purusharthas - Dharma, Artha, Kama and moksha.  There is a five-face oil lamp lit inside. (The five lights represent the senses, through which soul infers, experiences and gets the required knowledge. Only the divine couple Lakshmi and Narayana can make us realise the soul. Devi makes the Lord overlook all our faults and makes him bless us.)

 

Andal says, “O’ Devi,  Krishna is the Lord of the Universe, does he not belong to us too? You should recommend our plea to him.  As Bhoodevi, you tolerate everything for us all. You are patience and kindness personified. It doesn’t behove you to be silent. 

 

“Krishna, you’re the one with a generous heart, Shouldn’t  you answer us?!”

 

But what was happening? The divine couple were competing with one another on who will bless them first. 

Tiruppavai 18

 02-01-26 | Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Guru and Devotee

Andal appeals to Nappinnai (NeeLa Devi), the daughter-in-law of King Nandagopa. Andal first praises her father-in-law Nandagopa’s invincible strength.  

 

Nappinnai is holding a ball of flowers in her hand. 

 

Andal: “O Neela Devi*!! The cocks are giving their wake-up call. The cuckoos are singing. (Suggesting the outpouring of songs of bhakti by the Azhwars and sages like Valmiki and Shuka.)   

  
“Please come and open the door with joy with your lotus-like hands! Let’s smell the flowers which adorn your tresses. Let’s hear the jingling sound of the bangles.” 

 

(*Neela Devi is the consort of Krishna, likened to Radha.)

Andal in Vraj 18

 02-01-25 | Tiruppavai

Andal approaches the consort of Krishna, Nappinnai (known as Neela Devi, akin to Radha). Nappinnai is holding a ball of flowers, won in a play with Krishna. (Leela of the divine couple) That represents the world of the Jeevathmas.  

Why seek the mother’s grace before surrendering to Krishna?  Krishna may not excuse the transgressions of the soul. But the mother is an epitome of mercy.  She will ask her Lord to pardon the sins of the soul and recommend Him to accept the child’s surrender.