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 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 08

 23-12-25 | Krishna Leela , Bhagavatha , Gopika , Tiruppavai

To remove darkness, we light a lamp. This lamp removes darkness and also spreads its aura of divinity around it. The oil that fuels it, is devotion.

 

Andal is determined to make everyone realise the Supreme:  “O learned girl, wake up and open your eyes. The beautiful eastern sky is lightening up the horizon. Even the buffaloes have left to graze the early morning grass, wet with dew".

 

“We have made the other gopikas to wait, so that you can join us all in the austerities. And you know why we insist that you join us?! You are an enthusiastic girl. It is only proper that we all complete all austerities with wholehearted zeal. It is a festive occasion. We need you to inspire us. Get up and join us".

 

“Krishna has reached Mathura. He has killed the rogue elephant  Kuvalayapeeda and also eliminated the wrestlers challenge with speed and alacrity.  He has come to Mathura to kill Kamsa. He’s a cowherd. Now he has proved to the world that he is the Supreme, the lord of lords.

 

“We have to go and worship him. Surrender to him. We will plead with him to ignore our sins born out of desire.  Let’s submit ourselves to all scrutiny and wait for his blessings. He’s generous. He would feel that he has made us wait.  He will call us closer and accept us with joy!”

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.)

Andal in Vraj 30

 14-01-25 | Bhagavatha , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Guru and Devotee

 Andal is one with Krishna

Andal in Vraj 29

 14-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

Andal: “Krishna! We’re overjoyed You have accepted our services - we can only do small services that we know of. We pray that You command and get things done from us according to your need.  “We also wish that You will always be with us in our heart and mind, in all future births. We cannot think of being separated from you even for a moment.  “And whenever our fickle nature aspires for worldly pleasures, correct it forthwith! "

Andal in Vraj 26

 10-01-25 | Tiruppavai

 

Now the gopis realise Krishna’s overwhelming vatsalya (compassion) and soulabhya (easy access) are incomparable. They address Him as the one with the hue of blue sapphire.

 “O’ Kanha!

To perform the vow, we request you to give the accessories we require:

We need conches akin to your Panchajanya, the sound of which (OM) will resonate across the whole world.

A big drum to announce the festivities.

Experienced devotional singers of hymns who will guide and bless us.

Auspicious standing lamps, which indicates servitude.

A banner to invite people to join the celebrations - Garuda.

A Canopy (Adisesha) to prevent the early morning dew-drops.

(Adisesha will not part from Krishna even for a second. So Krishna gives his upper garment as a Canopy).

“O’ Gopikas!  How can I give my Panchajanya to each one of you? Also Garuda and Adisesha? It’s impossible!”

To that the gopikas replied: “Aren’t You the One who slept on the banyan leaf during the deluge, protecting the whole universe in your belly? What is impossible for you?!”

Andal in Vraj 25

09-01-25 | Krishna Leela , Govinda Pattabhishekam , Bala Leela

Andal continues to sing the glory of Krishna. 

"You were born to Devaki, yet you chose to grow up with Yashoda. Even when you were hiding, your effulgence couldn't be hidden."

“Kamsa was afraid of the prophecy that his sister’s eighth child will kill him. That fear burned like fire in his stomach.”

Krishna asks, “What do you all want from me?” 

Andal replies, “O Krishna! we want You!”

“You’re asking Me!" He smiles. 

“I am all yours! worry not !!”

Andal in Vraj 23

 

07-01-25 | Narasimha , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Dashavatara

Andal now requests the Lord to move out of his abode and grace the throne (the lotus of our heart) And how! 

“O Krishna!! Walk towards the throne with the gait of a majestic lion, like it stretches itself after a long slumber, shakes its flowing mane, holds its head high, and with glowing eyes, surveys everything from the hilltop!"

 
“O Lord, we want to see the beauty of your stride as you walk towards the throne. After you’re comfortable seated, we want you to listen to our prayers.”

Andal in Vraj 22

 06-01-25 | Tiruppavai

Andal says: “This world is so vast, that the kings  rule just a minuscule part of it. Yet they become proud and arrogant.” 

In the Ramayana, the Ikshvaku dynasty ruled the entire land without the slightest pride. Especially King Ambareesha. Despite being a Chakravarthi, having multitude of servants, he picked flowers and made flower garlands for the Lord.  He smeared cowdung on the floor, decorating it with floral designs served Him with all love and humility. The Lord was so pleased with his devotion, that his Sudarshana chakra was always protecting Ambareesha.

“O’ Krishna, we have come before you, abandoning all pride. Please open your eyes ever so slowly, just as a bell peeps out of an anklet akin to a half-blossomed lotus. Your graceful glance will purify us for eternal servitude.”

Andal in Vraj 21

 

05-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai , Guru and Devotee

Andal hails the generous Gurus, who revealed the truths from the scriptures, without distorting the core thought.

Krishna is the Jagadguru and has shown the path through his Gita. The Gopikas of Vraj already knew that Krishna was the Supreme. They did not need any proof. 

Andal adds that such a Supreme is standing amidst us in different forms (param, Vyuham, Vibhavam, archavatar and antaryami). 

“You have conquered your enemies through your admirable qualities and made them surrender to you. But we have come to seek refuge in you, singing your infinite glories.”

Andal in Vraj 20

 04-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

Andal now begins to praise Krishna’s qualities in her effort to wake him up:

“O Vimala (one without blemish)!  You are always in the lead in protecting those who are in distress (Gajendra)! O Lord! You remove fear from trembling devas when they fear their enemies.” 

Krishna does not respond.

Andal realises that the process of surrender should begin with Lakshmi. She praises Lakshmi’s qualities of compassion etc., and surrenders to her.

“O Shree! Come along with your Lord and initiate the bathing ceremony for the completion of the austerities.”

Andal in Vraj 19

 

03-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

Neela Devi is awake but held back by Krishna. He does not allow her to open the door.  

krishna, appearing to be asleep, has heard the appeals of Andal. 

Andal persists : “O jaganmata! isn’t compassion your greatest quality? Couldn’t you recommend our case for surrender to your Lord, forgiving all our faults?!” 
Little did Andal know that Krishna was actually eager to accept their surrender. Both were only competing - as to who will bless her first.

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.

Andal in Vraj 17

 01-01-25 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

The sum and substance of Andal’s austerities is to make us realise : “The food that we eat, water that we drink and the clothes that we wear are all Kanha!”

 31-12-24 | Ramayana , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Guru and Devotee

Andal pleads with the Acharya to allow access to all of them to the temple, and to have the darshan of Krishna. They’ve come to sing his glories. She reminds that He has already made it clear when he gave refuge to Vibhishana.

 

Andal in Vraj 15

30-12-24 | Tiruppavai

Andal wakes up one bhakta and an argument  turns into an altercation - the girl inside realises and accepts blame saying:  ‘let it be me!!’ 
Andal stresses this most important quality — servitude to a Bhagavatha (devotee). This pleases Krishna more. This verse forms the crux of her teaching.

Andal in Vraj 14

 

Andal in Vraj 14

29-12-24 | Gopika , Tiruppavai , Dashavatara

Andal in Vraj 14   At dawn, the lilies fold up (withdrawal of the senses) and the lotus blooms (realisation of the Supreme within). Andal wakes up a girl who is eloquent with words(shanka). This is absolutely essential to address the one with lotus eyes - and hail his adorable qualities.