Tiruppavai 01

 

Tiruppavai 01

16-12-25 | Bhagavatha , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Introduction:

 

Andal is an avatar of Bhoodevi. 

She was found by Periyazhwar or Vishnuchitta - an avatar of Garuda, in a Tulasi grove.

He brought her up as his daughter. Vishnuchitta offered garlands for the Lord Vatapatrasayee in Srivilliputtur. Andal used to wear the garland, admire herself in a mirror and keep it back in the basket before Vishnuchitta took it to the temple.

This happened every day. Vishnuchitta discovered this practice of Andal. Admonishing her, he offered a fresh garland for the Lord, removing the one worn by her. That night, the Lord appeared in his dream and said that he liked the garlands worn by Andal and asked Vishnuchitta to continue the practice.  

 

Describing the greatness of Andal, Sri Parashara bhattar (of Srirangam) says that Andal handcuffed Krishna with her garland, and announces her subservience to Krishna, as mentioned in the scriptures. He praises Andal’s ecstatic devotion, and says he prostrates to her again and again and surrenders to her. 

 

Among the avataras, Krishna’s was the most lovable, and especially easily accessible one. Most of the azhwars (drowned in Bhakti) composed verses praising the pastimes of Krishna. Andal’s avatar was exclusively  to propagate the devotion to Krishna and servitude to him. He is not sleeping somewhere in the milky ocean. He has made himself accessible to all of us. He is amongst us, here and now. Andal decides to wake up all the sleeping souls. She leads them all to Krishna in Gokula and wakes him up from his pretended sleep and seeks his blessings. 

 

Tiruppavai 01 

 

Composed by Andal, Tiruppavai is a step by step approach in the path of love. 

 

The grammar of Bhakti.

 

She begins by asserting that Narayana is the only refuge. 

 

She creates a scenario, where everyone imagines to be in Gokula, with the entire family of Krishna in her own village of Srivilliputtur. Yashoda, Nandagopala, the gopikas, the cows etc., 

There was a drought in Gokula. The elders decide to have some austerities to propitiate Varuna, the rain god. She takes the lead in a vow to propitiate the rain god Varuna for rains. 

 

“Let’s have our bath early morning. We need a drum, as an instrument for the austerities.”

 

Any pretext to have access to Krishna. Andal’s vow will continue for a whole month, when she will reveal the ultimate objective of the vow. 

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.

Andal in Vraj 13

 28-12-24 | Ramayana , Gopika , Tiruppavai , Hanuman

Jatayu and Hanuman play a significant part in the battle against Ravana. When his devotee is harmed, Rama does not restrain himself. He  intensifies the attack until Ravana (RajoGuna) is killed.   Andal, while waking up another girl, tells her to stop her reclusive approach to Bhakti.  “Dive deep into the waters of Krishna Anubhava - and  share the experiences with other bhaktas.

Andal in Vraj 12

 27-12-24 | Ramayana , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Rama: The one who delights everyone. (Ramayati ithi Rama).  Andal elaborates on the necessary duties of a devotee - if one has to choose between servitude to the Lord and one’s daily duties,  service wins. Lakshmana personifies this wealth of service, (Lakshmanah - Lakshmi sampannah) - which doesn’t diminish.) 

Andal in Vraj 11

Andal in Vraj 11

26-12-24 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

“O wise one! Please wake up —— Shouldn’t you be dancing?”

 

For your reference

Andal in Vraj 10

 

25-12-24 | Tulasi Priyam , Gopika , Tiruppavai

Eternal Svarga — Refuge in Sriman Narayana in Vaikuntha with the wafting fragrance of divine Tulasi.

Andal in Vraj 09

 

24-12-24 | Gopika , Tiruppavai

When the guru helps one realise the Supreme within:  The Jeevathma is housed in the body in a place called the Brahmapuram. It has bejewelled doors with padlocks.  The Guru, with his grace, opens the padlocks (the Rajo and Thamo gunas) and opens the doors of Ahankara and mamakara— revealing the Antaryami (Krishna) within.