Krishna for Today: Rama

Showing posts with label Rama. Show all posts

Jan 8, 2026

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.)

Dec 31, 2025

Tiruppavai 16

31-12-25 | Ramayana , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Guru and Devotee

Andal and the gopikas now reach the mansion of Nandagopa. They see a dwara-palaka (gate-keeper) at the entrance.

Andal asks him to open the bejeweled doors of the mansion and allow them in. “O’ Nayaka! We are here to sing Krishna’s glory and awaken him. He has already assured us yesterday, that he would give us the tools required for our vow.

“He is a mayavi — with a hue of dazzling blue-sapphire. But we can manage to read his thoughts. We know him. Please grant us entry.

“Please don’t send us away with trivial excuses. We are simple cowherd folk who have come to you with a pure heart. And don’t make us unlock the door and find our way in. You should hold our hands and take us where we should go.”

(Notes for the seeker):

The Acharya is the dwarapalaka. Andal addresses him as Nayaka — one who leads people. The doors are our ahamkara and mamakara (‘me’ and ‘mine’). The lock to the doors are the meanings of the mantra, which will be initiated by the Acharya.

Andal says “Krishna has already assured to protect all those who seek his protection — In the Rama avatar when he accepts Vibheeshana’s surrender and proclaims: “Anyone who surrenders to me completely, will be assured of protection.” And so also in the Bhagavadgita, Krishna tells Arjuna — Maam ekam sharanam vraja.)

(Andal wakes up the gopikas and goes on to wake up everyone until Krishna. But the dwara-palaka was not woken up. Can he ever sleep?)

Dec 27, 2025

Tiruppavai 12

27-12-25 | Vatsalya , Rajagopala , Ramayana , Bhagavatha , Gopika

Andal wakes up a gopika who is sleeping even after daybreak.

She is the sister of a great devotee and a close personal attendant of Krishna (Sridhama).

He milks the buffalo in his home. On a particular day, he had rush to the temple on an important errand to the Lord. Due to the urgency, he left the buffalo unmilked. The buffalo was unable to bear the delay, and pours out her milk. It forms a slush in the gopikas house. Andal and the others couldn't get in.

Andal stays outside, holding the door step with the dense morning dew falling on their heads.

Andal: "You're still asleep? How can you be so ignorant? You're so fortunate to have a brother who has earned auspicious wealth? (Sharanagathi to Krishna.)

Since she didn't wake up by hearing glories of Krishna, Andal decides to sing the glories of Rama. "Rama is sweet to the mind (Ramayati iti Ramah)*. The one who would be affectionate even to his opponent. These should not only be enjoyed by the mind, but should also be talked about.

Everyone nearby is already awake. Get up now!"

Here, Andal lists the types of services to Krishna, and how to prioritise it.

Dec 25, 2025

Tiruppavai 10

25-12-25 | Utsav , Bhagavatha , Tulasi Priyam , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Guru and Devotee , Vishnu

Next Andal wakes up another devotee of the topmost order, immersed in devotion to Krishna (the Azhwars).

“O’ dear sakhi! You’ve got absolute confidence in completing the austerities (kanya vrata) and attaining heaven! (Here heaven means union with the Lord - not Indra’s heaven, where our senses wander - looking for worldly pleasures.)

“You sleep like Kumbhakarna, not answering our efforts to wake you up. Has he ceded his wealth of sleep to you? The righteous Rama made him leap to death.

“Oh, wait! Are you already clinging to his feet in total surrender? There’s a divine fragrance of Tulasi leaves wafting from inside!!

“O’ great devotee! You’re a gem of a character and the most precious ornament in our group. Please come out and lead us in singing paeans of Narayana, adorning the fragrant Tulasi* garland on His head.”

———————

*Among flowers, Tulasi is considered the most sacred. Tulasi emerged from the great churning of the ksheersagar.

Apr 17, 2024

Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy

Wishing all a very blessed Sri Rama Navami

Sri Seetha Ramachandra swamy: Bhadrachalam
#Ramayana #Ramanavami #Ayodhya #krishnaffortoday #watercolour

Dec 26, 2023

Gopika Geetam - Tiruppavai 10

Andal wakes up a wise girl who has realised the supreme, Narayana. She stresses the glory of Tulasi and the Sattva guna. The Lord’s favourite is Tulasi. He wears a garland of Tulasi as a crown. She refers to Kumbhakarna, whose tamasa guna led to his downfall. (the brothers Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibheeshana — represent the Rajas, Tamas and Satva guna respectively.) Narayana gives supreme importance to sattva guna, as demonstrated by Vibheeshana. Andal addresses the realised girl as a precious vessel which can hold the best of qualities.