Sharad Poornima

 Sharad Poornima: when the melodious flute echoed across to every Gopika in Vraj

Govinda Damodara Madhaveti

 When the Gopikas went about selling butter on the streets shouting "Govinda!! Damodara!! Madhava!!..." (Swami Bilvamangalacharya's Kriti - Govinda, Damodara, Madhaveti...) 

welcome of the snowflakes

 When the snow flakes welcome the 46th pontiff of the Ahobhila Matham, Sri Ranganatha Yatheendra Mahadesikan to Mukthinath. #AsmadAcharya #Acharyatirunakshatram #Krishnafortoday

Sky-high Grace

 

Vishwaroopa

 

Vishwaroopa - Details

Grace to Hanuman

 

Bhaghavata

 28-01-26 | Bhaghavata , Guru and Devotee , Shloka , Affordable Originals

When Sage Sukha began narrating the Srimad Bhagavatha to Parikshit, it was like nectarine fruits flowing from the tree of the sacred scriptures.

 

निगमकल्पतरोर्गलितं फलं शुकमुखादमृतद्रवसंयुतम् ।

पिबत भागवतं रसमालयं मुहुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुकाः ॥

Srimad Bhaghavatam - 1:1:3

Tiruppavai 30

 Andal's marriage.

Tiruppavai

 13-01-26 | Utsav , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Krishna accepts the gopikas’ request for eternal servitude. Everyone was happy.

Suddenly, Andal went close to Krishna and started prostrating repeatedly. Krishna held her by her shoulders and gently lifted her up.
“What is this, child? I have already given all that you desired. Is there something more you want? Don’t worry, reveal whatever you have in mind. ”

Andal was in tears. She was overwhelmed.

Slowly, she begins to speak: “We have come early in the morning, sung your glories and paid obeisance to you. There is one invaluable request that we wish to put forward at your lotus feet. Please listen.

“You were born as a cowherd amongst us. It is only natural that you should command and happily accept our services at any time…”

Krishna: “ I have already assured all that. But why the tears?”

“O’ Govinda! We agree that you’ve blessed us with everything, to the last detail. We are elated. Overjoyed. But then, the afterthought was devastating. You will go back to your mansion, and we’ll have to go back home.

“How do we suffer your separation? How do we spend our life? Even if it is heaven, the life of luxury is perishable. Fear grips us. The joy of being with you wanes. So I fell at your feet, seeking solace.”

Krishna: “Charming girl! …then, what more do you seek?”

“This sacred vow will be complete now. But we want the assurance that it will continue in all our successive births. Every day of every life, we want you to be amongst us. Not even a second of separation. We seek daily service to you — only you.”

Krishna: “It is customary for devotees to ask for servitude without rebirth — but you seem to have different ideas. Your nature is noble. Your Bhakti is endearing. Let everything happen according to your wish. ”

Andal: “We cannot trust that, Krishna! The cosmic power of illusion can hide you from us, and show itself as most desirable. Slowly it will lead us away from you!

“So we ask: Let our mind seek nothing else but you. Let it remain pure. Yes, the mind cannot remain without desires. If our desires go astray - please direct it towards you."

Krishna smiles: "Smart girl! Forever it'll be! Be at peace!

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 26

 10-01-26 | Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Andal and the others proceed for the sacred bath, along with Krishna.

Tiruppavai 25

 09-01-26 | Krishna Leela , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Krishna: “Dear children! You have come very early in this cold winter morning…”

 

Gopikas: “O’ Lord! We came singing your praises, so we didn’t feel the chill.”

 

Krishna: “What is it that you want?  

 

Andal unequivocally states the purpose of their visit.  She begins by articulating the objective of his avatara.

 

“You were born to one, but in the same night, you chose to grow up with another. One lost the experience of motherhood (Devaki), another one (Yashoda) fully experienced the joy of motherhood, without even giving birth to You.  You grew up with her, glowing vibrantly in Gokula. How can one hide your divine radiance?

 

“Kamsa could not bear this. He couldn’t stop thinking of you.  He wanted to do away with you by any means. You stood as a blazing fire in his belly, ultimately destroying him. 

 

“O’ Krishna! O’ infinite one!!   You ask ‘What do we want?’ — We want only You. 

 
“If you give us what we seek, We’ll sing about the glory of your valour.  We’ll sing about your stature as the consort of Lakshmi. That is infinite wealth.  Experiencing you, serving you eternally, is our goal.  It will end all our sorrows and bring eternal 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.)  

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 20

04-01-26 | Gajendra , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Devi

Andal’s efforts to wake up Devi and Krishna resulted in silence.

She thought again.

She tries to wake up Krishna first.

“O’ Lord! Krishna! You should protect us even before harm comes our way, just as you prevent the trembling of the thirty three devas* due to fear of their enemies.

“O’ valorous one! You are upright towards those who seek refuge in you. O’ Pure one! You have equanimity towards all, but cannot tolerate any ill-treatment towards your devotees.” (Gajendra and Prahlada)

No response. Andal understands that one has to approach Krishna only through Devi’s intercession.

She addresses Nappinnai:

“O’ beautiful and elegant lady! O’ Mahalakshmi!! Wake up! Give us the fan and a mirror, required to serve Krishna.

“Also wake up your dear husband Krishna! Help us perform our vow related ceremonial bath and bless us with eternal servitude.”

—————
*(The eight Vasus, eleven Rudhras , twelve Adhithyas
and the two Asvini devathas)

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.)

Tiruppavai 17

 “O generous Nandagopala! O blessed Yashoda! O Balarama! We seek your most precious treasure, Krishna!! He is our food, water and clothes. ”

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?)

Tiruppavai 15

 30-12-25 | Rajagopala , Bhaghavata , Gopika , Tiruppavai

A group of gopikas sauntered to their destination at Yamuna without waiting for Andal’s group. Then it struck them that Andal would be waking up Krishna too! What if they missed that moment?! They quickly turn back to join Andal. They were relieved to see Andal waking up the last of the Gopikas. Andal insisted that none should be deprived of the nectar of Krishna anubhava.

Reaching the residence of this girl, Andal calls out:
“O young lady, are you sleeping? The others have already reached Yamuna.”

At this moment, the girl inside was awake and humming the previous verse, immersed in the lotus-eyed Krishna. She was annoyed that it was interrupted.

She says: “Don’t be so curt, O noble ladies! I am coming.”

Andal: “We know about your oratorial skills and your quick wit.”

The girl inside: “Ok, agree you’re all more capable. Let the fault be mine.”

She apologises. This is a trait of a Srivaishnava — to seek pardon even if one is not at fault. This verse is considered a sum and substance of Tiruppavai.

The girl continues: “Have everyone gathered here?”
 

Andal: “Yes, everybody has come -- you can count them.
Let’s continue — We’ll sing the glories of the mayavi Krishna in the wrestling arena and how he tricked the rogue elephant Kuvalayapeedha.”