Andal ..Cont....

Andal's Poetry:

Andal has given the world, 2 great masterpieces of literary works;Her longing and love for the Lord. She has sung 30 pasurams or Hymns of Thiruppavai and 143 Pasurams of Thirumozhi. Thiruppavai has been touched upon already. Her first work is the Tiruppavai, a poem of thirty verses in which Andal imagines herself to be a cowherd girl during the incarnation of Lord Krishna. She yearns to serve Him and achieve happiness not just in this birth, but for all eternity, and describes the religious vow (pavai) that she and her fellow cowgirls will take for this purpose.

The second is the Nacciyar Tirumoli, a poem of 143 verses. Tirumoli, literally meaning "sacred sayings", is a Tamil poetic style in which the work is composed. "Nacciyar" means goddess, so the title means "sacred sayings of our Goddess." This poem fully reveals Andal's intense longing for Vishnu, the Divine Beloved. Utilizing classical Tamil poetic conventions and intermixing stories from the Sanskrit Vedas and Puranas, Andal creates imagery that is quite possibly unparalleled in the whole gamut of Indian religious literature.

The Path of Surrender:

Tiruppavai is a song of wonder and love, of prayer and surrender; it sings of God's glory and man's devotion.Tiruppavai contains the very essence of her way of life; so let us learn something more about it.Andal took the story of the Vraja girls from the Bhagavata. But while they desired handsome and loving husbands, Andal desired that God Himself should be her husband. She loves God and God alone. She seeks to become one with Him. Then she will escape from the cycle of births and deaths, she will be free from disease and sorrow. So becoming one with God is supreme bliss; it is the highest goal.

But how can one become one with God? How can one become worthy of being accepted by God?In the first five hymns Andal explains how one may become so worthy. Both body and mind should be absolutely pure. And God must fill the mind. No other desire, another goal should enter it.

Then Andal preaches total surrender to God. Everyone who is filled with the desire to reach God is like a maiden looking forward to her joyful life with the husband she has chosen. Such a maiden lives only for her husband and wants nothing except to live with him. The devotee who wants to be accepted by God should show the same love and dedication.

My Favorite some poems from Thirupavai:

Actullay I love thiruppavai .but few of them r my favorite

ONGki ulakaLan^tha uththaman pEr paati *

naaNGkaL nam paavaikkuc caaRRi nIraatinaal *

thINGkinRi naatellaam thiNGkaL mummaari peythu *

ONGku peRuNY cen^n^el Utu kayal ukaLap *

pUNGkuvaLaip pOthil poRi vaNtu kaNpatuppath *

thENGkaathE pukkirun^thu cIrththa mulai paRRi

vaaNGkak * kutam niRaikkum vaLLal perum pacukkaL *

nINGkaatha celvam niRain^thu ElOr empaavaay -3

kanaiththu iLaNG kaRRerumai kanRukku iraNGki *

ninaiththu mulai vazhiyE ninRu paal cOra *

nanaiththu illam cERaakkum naR celvan thaNGkaay *

panith thalai vIzha nin vaacaR katai paRRic *

cinaththinaal thennilaNGkaik kOmaanaic ceRRa *

manaththukku iniyaanaip paatavum nI vaay thiRavaay *

iniththaan ezhun^thiraay Ithenna pEruRakkam *

anaiththu illaththaarum aRin^thu ElOr empaavaay. 12.

ellE iLaNGkiLiyE! innam uRaNGkuthiyO! *

cillenRu azhaiyEnmin naNGkaimIr pOtharukinREn *

vallai un katturaikaL paNtE un vaay aRithum *

vallIrkaL nINGkaLE naanE thaan aayituka *

ollai nI pOthaay unakkenna vERutaiyai *

ellaarum pOn^thaarO pOn^thaar pOn^thu eNNikkoL *

vallaanai konRaanai maaRRaarai maaRRazhikka

vallaanai * maayanaip paatu ElOr empaavaay. 15.

anRu ivvulakam aLan^thaay ati pORRi *

cenRaNGkuth thennilaNGkai ceRRaay thiRal pORRi *

ponRac cakatam uthaiththaay pukazh pORRi *

kanRu kuNilaa eRin^thaay kazhal pORRi *

kunRu kutaiyaay etuththaay kuNam pORRi *

venRu pakai ketukkum nin kaiyil vEl pORRi *

enRenRu un cEvakamE Eththip paRai koLvaan *

inRu yaam van^thOm iraNGku ElOr empaavaay. (2) 24.

oruththi makanaayp piRan^thu * Or iravil

oruththi makanaay oLiththu vaLarath *

tharikkilaanaakith thaan thINGku ninain^tha *

karuththaip pizhaippiththuk kaNYcan vayiRRil *

neruppenna ninRa netumaalE! * unnai

aruththiththu van^thOm paRai tharuthiyaakil *

thiruththakka celvamum cEvakamum yaam paati *

varuththamum thIrn^thu makizhn^thu ElOr empaavaay.

The 27th pasuram, “koodarai vellum” signifies the conclusion of the fast.Sri Andal and her friends complete their fast on the 27th day, and prepare to enjoy themselves for the last three days of the month.

Lord Narayana blessed Sri Andal with Thirukalyana Varam.Hence the 27th day of Margazhi month is celebrated as Koodaravalli.

koodaarai vellum seer gOvindhaa undhannai(p)

paadi(p) paRai kondu yaam peRum sammaanam

naadu pugazhum parisinaal nanRaaga(ch)

choodagamE thOL vaLaiyE thOdE sevip poovE

paadagamE enRanaiya palagalanum yaam aNivOm

aadai uduppOm adhan pinnE paaR chORu

mooda ney peydhu muzhangai vazhi vaara(k)

koodi irundhu kuLirndhElOr embaavaay

http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/prabandham/texts/tpavai.txt

VARANAMAYIRAM.

Vaaranam Aayiram is the composition of Kodhai Natchiar, popularly known as Andal. It is a paasuram from Natchiyar Thirumozhi – a heart-warming rendition of Andal’s desire to wed her ideal husband – Lord Krishna.

In her Famous VARANAMAYIRAM. IAndal confides to her friends about a dream in which she sees Lord Krishna walking towards her with a procession of a thousand elephants (Vaaranam Aayiram) to wed her. She sees her people welcoming him with poornakumbham and thoranam.

“vAraNam Ayiram SUzha valam Seidu

nAraNan nambi naDakkinRAn enRedir

pUraNa poRkuDam vaittup puRam engum

tOraNam nATTak kanAk kaNDEN tOzhi nAn”

Andal is recounting Her dream, in which The Lord is Marrying Her, to a friend. This group is sung with fervour during weddings. This group consists of various rites gone through in a wedding which Andal went through in Her wedding To The Lord ( Dream ) 1. She sees Sriman Narayana coming in a procession with 1000 (ayiram ) Varanam or Elephants. To welcome Him, Purnakumbhams are kept and everywhere thoranam or festoons are used in decoration to welcome Him. Purnakumbham is pot (kudam, here gold kudam ) filled with water and pot’s mouth is covered by a coconut and with bunches of green Mango leaves. This Kumbham or Pot is taken in front of Very important persons, a Guru , Heads of State like King etc. The bearer of Kumbha walks backwards facing the guest never showing his own back to the guest . 2. Andal sees the Lord Govinda entering the decorated wedding pandal for the wedding on the morrow.

matthaLam kotta vari sangham ninrUtha

mutthudaitthAmam nirai thAzhntha pantharkkeezh

maitthunan nambi MadhusUdhan venthennaik

kaitthalam paRRak kanAk kantEn ThOzhI naan

vaai nallAr nalla maRai Othi manthiratthAL

paasilai nANal padutthup parithi vaitthuk

kAicchina mAkaLRannAn yenn kaippaRRit

theevalam seyyak kanAk kantEn ThOzhi naan

ANDAL fondly recalls this scene in Her sixth paasuram of NaacchiyAr Thirumozhi ( MatthaLam kotta -. She hears the auspicious sounds of MattaLams , She experiences the purifying , sacrd sound of Vari Sankhus ( praNava Naadham ).Under the weddingcanopy bent with the load of flowers decorating it , She (ANDAL ) recalls the scene of the Lord ( MadhusUdhananambi) lifting her hand and covering it with the palm of His hand .

2.naaLai vadhuvai maNamendru naaLittu

paaLai kamugu parisuDai pandarkizh

koLari madhavan govindan enbaanor

kaaLai pugudha kana kanden thozhi naan

She says that She has dedicated Her Body solely for the Lord bearing the Discus and Shankham and cannot bear the thought of fixing the marriage with a Human Being.

3.indiran uLLitta devar kuzhamellaam vandhirindhu ennai magaL pesi

mandiriththu mandira kodi uduthi manamaalai

andhari naatta kana kanden thozhi naan

Indra and other celestials request Her hand for Lord and present the saree sanctified by chanting mantras. Sister of The Lord Goddess Durgai helps Andal to wear bridal saree and decorates Andal with flower garland

4.naaldhisai theertham konardhu naninalgi parpana chittargal pallaar

eduthethi poopunai kanni punidhanodendrenai kaappunaaN kaatta

kana kanden thozhi naan

Priests well versed in Religious rites have brought Water from Holy rivers from all directions. While the priests chant loudly the Mantras in benediction, Lord and Andal are tying Kankana (thread ) to take marriage vows

5.kadhiroLi deepam kalasamudan yendhi chadhiriLa mangaiyar

thaamvandhedhirkolla madhuraiyaar manna aDinilai thottengum adhira pugudha

kana kanden thozhi naan

Young damsels of beauty of age and form are bringing auspicious kalashms and lamps while Lord enters.

6.maththaLam kotta varisangam ninroodha muthuDai thamam

niRainthazh.ndha pandharkeezh maithunan nambi madhusudhan vandhennai

kaithalam patra kana kanden thozhi naan

With auspicious drums beating and blowing of conch I saw ( in dream ) The Lord taking my hand in His, beneath the pandal decked with strings of pearls says Andal.

7.vaai nallaar nalla marai odhi mandhirathaal pachilai naaNal p

aduthu paridhiveithu kaaichinamaakaLiranran en kai patri

theevalam seiya kana kanden thozhi naan.

Amidst chanting Matras by priests, I saw the Lord going round the Holy fire holding my hand says Andal.

8.immaikum ezhezhu piravikkum patravaan nammai udayavan

naaraayaNan nambi chemmai udaya thirukaiyaal thazh patri

ammi midhikka kana kanden thozhi naan

9.varisilai vaaL mugathu ennaimaar thaam vandhittu erimugam

 paarithu ennai munne nirutthi arimugan achuthan kai mel en kai vaithu

pori mugam thatta kana kanden thozhi naan

Andal Sees her brothers come and take part in Laja Homam, where brothers of bride come and give Pori or puffed rice for homam in fire by Both wedded couple.

10kumkugam appi kuLirchandham mattithu magala veedhi valam s

eidhy maNaneer angavanodum udanchenranganai mel manjanamaatta

 kana kanden thozhi naan

To ease the discomfiture of exposure to the heat of Agni during Homam couple is anointed with cool Kumkumam paste and Sandal paste and in all finery Andal is going round the decorated city with Lord on an elephant in Procession.

Finally her dreams come True.. Sri RanganAthan tied the auspicious knots around the neck of ANDAL to the sound of ghetti mELam and said : " Oh ANDAL ! This is the Mangala sUthram . I tie this Mangala sUthram around Your neck for enhancing my good fortune .You are the light and purpose of my life .Oh , SoubhAgyavathi ! May Thou be with Me eternally and grant the most glorious boons to our BhakthAs and protect them from any and every mishap " .

This hymn is giving the results of chanting these ten hymns with devotion. They are the reader will get good natured obedient children. Unmarried girls will get a good husband as good as Lord Krishna Himself !

Andal

Sri Andal, one of the twelve Alwars and the only female saintess, lived in the first half of 8th century A.D. Some scholars fix the possible date of Andal as far back as 3000 years B.C.

 Andal was born at Srivilliputhur near Madurai, in the Tamil month Adi, with the birth-star Pooram, on a Tuesday, on the fourth day of the bright fortnight.

Srivilliputhur is near to my village. In southern tamilnadu each and every one known about Andal’s history and thiruppavai. Andal wrote many verses in praise of Lord Krishna or Ranganatha, Thiruppavai is very popular with its 30 verses. It is a strong belief that young girls who recite these verses early in the mornings in the month of Margazhi.

Srivilliputhur is the birth place of two Alwars (Devotee of lord Vishnu) namely Periyalwar and Andal. Srivilliputhur (srivilliputtur or thiruvilliputtur) is one of the temple towns in Tamilnadu. It is located in Viruthunagar district, Tamilnadu. There are two big temples which are dedicated to Andal and Vadapadrasayi (lord Vishnu), located at the center of the town. Vadapadrasayi temple has the 2nd tallest tower in Tamilnadu. This tower (Gopuram) was built in 8th century. The temple car belongs to this temple is one of the largest in India.

The temple:

The temple tower was built in 8th Century and is one of the largest in the country.In 8th century inscriptions are seen in this temple which underwent extensive renovations during the Madurai Nayak period.. This temple has among the tallest towers in Tamilnadu. The 12 tiered Rajagopuram rises to a height of 192 feet. Exquisite carvings adorn the temple. The temple has two major areas; the north eastern segment is the Vatapatrasayee temple while the south western segment is Aandaal's temple. The flower gardens in between these two areas are said to have been maintained by Periyalwar. There are shrines to each of the ten avatarams of Vishnu. Andal's shrine is crowned with the gold plated Pranavakriti vimaanam with stucco work depicting themes from each of the 30 Tiruppaavai hymns.

Life of Andal :

The life of Andal is remarkable in its romantic simplicity. A devotee brahmin named Vishnucitta lived in Villiputtur, a town near Madurai. His daily duties included procuring flowers for the worship of the Lord at the local temple. One morning, as he went about his business, he discovered a baby girl lying under a tulasi plant in his flower garden. Having no family of his own, Vishnucitta felt it was God's grace that gave him this child and named her Godai, or "gift of Mother Earth." Filled with joy, he took her home and raised her as his own. Godai grew up in an atmosphere of love and devotion. Vishnucitta doted on her in every respect, singing songs to her about his Beloved Krishna, teaching her all the stories and philosophy he knew, and sharing with her his love of Tamil poetry. The love Vishnucitta had for his Beloved Lord intensified further in his daughter, and before long she was passionately in love with Lord Krishna. Even as a child, Godai made up her mind to marry none but the Lord of Brindavana, and refused to think of any human being in similar terms.

She imagined what it would be like to be His bride, playing the role of His beloved, enjoying His presence. Unknown to her father, she adorned herself daily with the flower garland he prepared for the Lord at the temple. After admiring her reflection and thinking of herself as His ideal bride, she would put the garland back for her father to take to the temple and offer to the Lord.

One day, Vishnucitta noticed a strand of Godai's hair on one of the garlands. Shocked and saddened by this desecration of what was meant only for the Lord, he scolded Godai for her misuse of the garland and discarded it. He carefully prepared a new one and offered it to the Lord, begging His pardon all the while.

That night, the Lord appeared to Vishnucitta in his dream and asked him why he discarded Godai's garland instead of offering it to Him. He told Vishnucitta that He missed the scent of Godai's body in the flowers, and that He preferred them that way. Would he please continue to give the garlands once worn by Godai? Overcome with emotion, Vishnucitta awoke and cried tears of both joy and remorse. It dawned on him that his daughter was someone whose love of God was so intense and pure that even he had not comprehended its extent. Her spiritual greatness was such that the Lord Himself wished to share her presence. From this day on, she became known as "Andal", the girl who "ruled" over the Lord.

Andal blossomed into a beautiful young woman as she came of marriageable age. When asked to marry, however, she stubbornly refused, saying that she would only agree to marry Sri Ranganatha, the Lord at the great temple town of Srirangam. Vishnucitta despaired, wondering what was to become of his daughter. One night, Lord Ranganatha appeared in his dream and asked that Andal be sent to Him in all her wedding finery. Simultaneously, the Lord appeared before the priests at Srirangam and asked them to prepare for the coming of Andal. Vishnucitta once again was filled with both joy and sadness; joy that his beloved daughter would attain her goal, but sadness at losing her at the same time. He made all the wedding preparations and arranged for Andal's journey in a palanquin to Srirangam.

Andal waited with excited anticipation as the wedding party approached Lord Ranganatha's shrine. As they entered the temple, she jumped out of the palanquin, unable to restrain herself any longer. Running into the temple sanctum, she embraced Lord Ranganatha and disappeared in a blaze of glory, having joined her Lord. She was only fifteen at the time.

Andal is now one of the best loved poet-saints of the Tamils. Pious tradition reckons her to be the veritable descent of Bhumi Devi (Mother Earth) in bodily form to show humanity the way to His lotus feet. She is present in all Sri Vaishnava temples, in India and elsewhere, next to her Lord, as she always desired.

Andal, known as Choodi Kodutha Sudarkodi, is considered an avatar of Bhooma Devi, who is one of the consorts of Lord Mahavishnu, the other one being Sri Devi. Andal wrote many verses in praise of Lord Krishna or Ranganatha, the deity at Srivilliputhur.

TIRUPPAVAI :

Her first work is the Tiruppavai, a poem of thirty verses in which Andal imagines herself to be a cowherd girl during the incarnation of Lord Krishna. She yearns to serve Him and achieve happiness not just in this birth, but for all eternity, and describes the religious vow (pavai) that she and her fellow cowgirls will take for this purpose.    Tiruppavai teaches us to feel emotion while praying to the Lord. It enables us to perceive the Prakriti, Paramatma and Jeevas merging with each other by Para Bhakthi

Among them the Thiruppavai is very popular with its 30 verses. It is a strong belief that young girls who recite these verses early in the mornings in the month of Margazhi (December - January), observing the 'nonbu' or 'vrat' will be blessed with a good husband. This practice is still in vogue. Andal also wrote the Nachiyar Thirumozhi in 143 verses. She attained the status of an Azhwar because of her total devotion to the Lord. Aadi Pooram is celebrated for 10 days in Vaishnavite temples.

kOdai piranda Ur, gOvindan vAzhum Ur, SOdi maNi-mADam tOnRum Ur — nItiyAl nalla pattar vAzhum Ur, nAn-maRaigaL Odum Ur, villiputtUr vEdak-kOn Ur !