Tiruppavai 06

21-12-25 | Bhagavatha , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Dashavatara , Bala Leela

In another ten verses, Andal wakes up devotees of Krishna to participate in the austerities for the rains.

 

It is said that something good, like the joy of experiencing Krishna, should not be enjoyed alone - it should be shared and enjoyed with many.

 

The first Gopi is very young and a novice in devotion to Krishna. Andal slowly tells her to wake up.

 

“O’ Gopi, get up! Don’t you hear the birds chirping? Don’t you hear the sound of the conch from the temple? Don’t you hear the slow chanting of ‘Hari, Hari’ by the many yogis and ascetics? You have to make an effort to experience Krishna anubhava. He is an embodiment of Rasa.”

 

Andal gently tells the young Gopi about the Lord’s different manifestations as

 

Param (the primordial cause of creation),

Vyuham (his four forms as Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumba and Aniruddha in the cosmic ocean),

Vibhavam (his avatars on the earth as Rama, Krishna etc.,), and

Antaryami (his presence in every soul) and Archavatara (his worship as deities in various temples).

 

Andal expands on the Krishna avatar with Putana samhara and Shakatasura vadha. She says Krishna’s deeds are atimanushyam - super human. But still, even Arjuna, a close friend of Krishna had to be shown the Vishwaroopa.

Tiruppavai 04

 

19-12-25 | Bhagavatha , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Andal assures the children that their vow will bring rains.  She decides to ensure that the rains pour in time. 
 
Varuna is the rain god. Andal prays to him. She instructs him not to hold back on the rains. She also describes the process of distributing the rain without discrimination. 

 

“O’ Lord! Be liberal with the rains. You should go deep down the sea and  draw as much of water as you can. Then with a thundering sound, you should go up the sky slowly."  

 

“O’ Lord! You should become as dark as the primordial cause of the world, Lord Padmanabha* of broad shoulders — shining like the divine discus Sudarshana and roaring thunderously like the divine conch Paanchajanya."

 

 “Then you can rain water on the earth like the powerful Sharnga (bow) releases a shower of arrows."

 

“When you help little girls like us by showering the much needed rains, it will be your service to the Supreme one and world alike. 
So with full of happiness, let the rains pour."

 

(The lotus which Andal holds suggests Lord Padmanabha.)