Lyrics and meanings in English

The Month of Margazhi is here, for simpler understanding it is the period approximately mid Dec to mid Jan.

Introduction

What does this mean for us all in 2023-24 as we prepare to enter the next year 2024  with  promise and hope,  living in cities across this wide world ? We are not going to bathe in a river, wake up very  very early morning, draw a Kolam (rangoli) in front of our doors and keep a nice yellow pumpkin flower stuck on a blob of cowdung (gobar) in the center of that kolam (rangoli) et al.

We may not be able to do many of the physical acts (rituals ?) but that is okay ;  Today we are grateful that we are able to visit temples with the fervour that we had earlier. To the devout, prayers can be done in any situation and on any day amidst all the hustle and bustle that our lives today are, right ?  Here we go !.

The most famous thing about Margazhi is Thiruppavai. Sri Andal’s thirty verses  for the thirty days of this holy month, dedicated to the worship and praise of the Lord to the exclusion of all other celebrations and earthly events.

Sri Andal’s story very briefly is as follows.

Andal was discovered as a baby by her foster father Periazhwar in his garden at a town called Srivilliputhur in Tamilnadu India.

Andal grew up with intense devotion to the Lord and was so fond of Lord Krishna that she pictured herself as one of the Gopikas and aspired to wed the Lord. Her father used to make a garland for the Lord everyday and take it to the temple and adorn the God. Andal used to take that garland and wear it herself and picture the scene of the Lord putting the garland on her (symbolic of the marriage) and then admire the enhancement of her beauty and glow as she wore the Lord’s garland. Legend has it that one day, like every other day she had worn the garland before her father took it to the temple. But on that day the priest notices a strand of hair on the garland and refused to put it on the Lord saying this is not pure and that someone had already worn it. Periazhwar was totally crestfallen at this very inauspicious happening and came home dejected and scolded the child severely.  In some time, the Lord appears in the mind of the priest and orders him to bring the garland back saying that is the garland that He likes, The priest and andal’s father Periazhwar, realise the true nature of Andal’s intense devotion and the appreciation of the same by the Lord and wear the garland on the Lord to everyone’s joy.

Andal continues to celebrate her Lord and sing His praises in many a verse and does her penance to attain Him. The Thiruppavai is one such work in which her worship manifests. Eventually the Lord one fine day comes and marries her and takes her into His fold.

(Note – The pictures in this page are what I found in a framed picture that has been at my home for ages. I do not know who the artist is and my humble Pranams to him/her for such a beautiful work that brings the tale alive) 

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Understanding the structure of Thiruppavai 

Let me take you through my simplistic, simplified sometimes trivialized explanation of how I understand the Thiruppavai.  I claim no correctness or completeness of my understanding – my merit is that it is my interpretation (perhaps influenced partly by what I have heard or read ) written by me, my admiration for the work is sincere and my devotion to the Lord in whose name it is written is total  and has no ulterior motive.

The framework  – before we commence the study of the 30 verses let us see the framework of the Thiruppavai. Once you understand the framework it is that much easier to understand and appreciate the work and also slowly divine the inner meanings that emerge from the rich poetry in these verses.

Thiruppavai can be broadly  split into three major sections with a few subsections  inside them.

Section 1  ( Verses 1 – 5 )– Andal announces the intention to perform a month long Nonbu (let’s say a divine mission )  a sustained and intense  worship of the Lord Narayana manifesting in the form of Lord Krishna. This section has five verses. In these five verses the fact of the Nonbu, some details of how it is going to be done, some do s and don’t s  are described in the first two stanzas and in the next three verses the glory of the Lord in whose name the Nonbu is being done is extolled to create the motivation and the energy for carrying on the Nonbu and achieve success of the mission.

Section 2 (Verses 6 – 15)– Any good activity is enhanced when done together by a group of like minded good people. Every project works with a good team right ? so here is Andal in section 2 collecting her team, a group of ten young girls like her to join her in her penance. Section 2 contains 10 verses.  Each verse describing how Andal goes to the house of one of the girls, waking her up and imploring her to join the band. Each verse besides waking up the girl is rich in poetry describing the environment then, alluding to the Lord in His many forms and glory. (The act of making some one wake up  is not just physical waking up after sleep, it is the waking up to realise God and serve Him.)

Section 3  (Verses 16 -20 waking up the Lord, 21-28 His praise and Worship 29 – the Prayer 30- the blessing)  –  In the  Sixteenth verse  Andal and her friends reach the entrance to the Temple of the Lord and beseech the guard there to let them inside. The next four verses gently wake up the Lord and his consort Nappinnai . And as the Lord wakes up, opens his Lotus Eyes and walks up majestically to the yard, the next verses sing eloquent praise of the various great qualities and  victories of the Lord.

More about these later as the days unfold…….

Let me recall the verses in English for the benefit of those who cannot read Tamil, and then the simplified meaning of the verses and some comments.

The 30 pasurams and their meanings 

Sunday  17 December 2023  (1^st verse) (Section I Verse 1 of 5)

You can also listen to the song here – (Ragam Nattai)

Margazhi  thingal madhi niraindha nannalal           

On this full moon day this Month of Margazhi 

Nirada podhuvir, podhu mino neridaiyeer                  

All ye who set out to bathe the holy bath  

Seermalgum aayppadi ch chelva chirumeergal        

the young girls of the prosperous Ayarpadi town

Koorvel kodunthozhilan nandagopan kumaran     

the son of Nandagopan who wields a cruel sharp spear

Erarndha kannni yasodhai ilan singam                        

the young lion cub of Yashoda with the beautiful eyes

Karmeni chengann kadir madiyam pol mugathan    

  the black hued,red eyed Lord who shines like the mid day Sun

Narayanane namakke parai tharuvan                      

It’s  only that Narayana who will give us boons

Paror pugazha p padinthelor empavai.                

Let us join with the world in praising his glory, Girls              

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This first  verse sets the time as the first day of the month of Margazhi (When Sri Andal sung this verse that was probably  a full moon day ) thingal – month  madi – moon). Andal  invites the young girls of the prosperous Ayarpadi and everyone to symbolically bathe and join in the excellent and exemplary worship of Lord Narayana who will bless us and give us succor.   Like in all the verses the Lord is referenced not just by name but by a number of lines of praise about His Form, lineage, beauty, valour, kindness and many virtues and also anecdotes from his victories and other illustrious events. In this verse the Lord is referenced as Krishna, the son of Nandagopan (who is ever vigilant with a sharp spear to protect the baby Krishna, the  lion cub like son of the beautiful eyed Yashoda, the Lord who is dark, and whose face is radiant like the sun.

Monday  18 December 2023 (2^nd verse) (Section I verse 2 of 5)

You can also listen to the song here – (Ragam Gowlai)

Vaiyathu Vazhveerkal ! nanum nam pavaikku  

All ye who live in this world ! Listen, to our plan

Seyyum kirisaikal keleero ! Paarkadalull

of our actions for our Lord, who on the ocean 

Paiyya thuyindra paraman adi paadi

is asleep while we sing at his feet, his praise

Neyy unnom paal unnom naatkale neeradi

we fast, forsake milk and ghee,  and bathe early

Maiyittezhudom malar ittu naam mudiyom

not decorate ourselves with eyeliner or flowers

Seyyadana seyyom theekkuralai sendrodhom

not do inappropriate acts, nor say harsh words

Iyamum pichaiyum aandanaiyum kai kaatti

Will give charity, give alms and be good to the saints

Uyyumarenni ugandhelor empavai

think noble thoughts to attain salvation, my girls  

In this second verse  Sri Andal enumerates the dos and don’ts for the month long Nonbu ( intense worship) that she is setting out to do with an invitation to everyone to join in.  We will sing the praise of the feet of the Lord who is sleeping gently on the serpent in the middle of the wide ocean.  We will wake up early and bathe, we will not adorn ourselves with eyeliner (kajal) and flowers, we will not eat Ghee and milk, we will not do inappropriate deeds, will not speak evil and and harmful words, we will do charity and righteous deeds. Think noble thoughts and work to attain salvation and unification with the Lord.

The reference to not eating and not adorning is an advice to change the focus from the self and enjoyment of worldly pleasures to increasing the focus intensely on God and godly matters. When intensity of one activity increases the intensity and time on other activities automatically decreases. Conversely when we make the choice to eschew some activities, we automatically create the time and inclination for other activities.

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As you are into the second day of Margazhi it is a good time to introduce a nice little verse that can be recited every day before you recite the Thiruppavai. This verse is in praise of Sri Andal, was written by Sri Uyyakondar   and goes like this.

Anna-vayal puduvai Andal

Andal from the rich land

arangarku Pannu thiruppavai palpadiyam –The wonderful verses for the Lord Rangan

innisai yaal Paadi koduthallai nar-paamalai

Sang the verses beautifully like a garland

poomalai Soodi koduthalai sollu

She also wore the flower garland before offering it to the Lord 

Soodi kodutha chuddar kodiaye ! tholpavai

The maiden who wore and then offered it to the Lord 

Paadi arula valla palvalaiyaai  

You graced us all with the songs

Naadi nee Vengadavark kennai vidhi endra immatram

You sought the Lord with no other recourse 

Naam Kadava Vanname  Nalgu

May we benefit from all your grace

 This is a beautiful verse that can be recited everyday before reciting the Thiruppavai and sings the praise of Sri Andal the author of Thiruppavai.

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Tuesday   19 December 2023  (3^rd verse ) (Section I  –  3 of 5)

You can also listen to the song here – (Ragam Arabhi)

Ongi ulagalandha utthaman per padi

Singing the praise of the good Lord who rose and measured the worlds

Naangall nam pavaikku sattri neeradinal

When we do the holy bath and  begin our intense prayers

Theengindri  nadellam  thingal mummari peydhu

It will rain all through the season, but without losses

Ongu perun sennnell oodu kayalugala

and the fishes happily prance amidst the irrigated paddy crops

Poonkuvalai  p podir pori vandu kannpaduppa

and the bee rests gently in the petals of the flowers

Thangathe pukkirindhu seertha mulai pattri

the overflowing udders of the cows so full

Vaanga kudam niraikkum vallall perum pasukkal

the benevolent cows that fill pots with prosperity

Neengadha selvam niraindhelor empavai

Everlasting riches fill our lives, my girls

Referrring to the Lord as the One who rose to the Viswaroopa form and measured the three worlds with three giant strides during the Vamana Avatar , in this third stanza, Andal describes the good that will follow when during this prayer, we all sing the praise of the names of the Lord  during the Margazhi Nonbu.

All throughout the nation, without any disaster(floods), we will have adequate rains during all the months, the crops will flourish making the fields of tall well grown paddy lively with the fish jumping around, honey bees gently sleeping in the beautiful flowers, the big cows, like great philanthropists will fill the pots with milk from their abundant udders  and in all prosperity and plenty will fill the lives of the devotees who are performing this prayers.

Andal cited the measures of prosperity in these terms in the days that she lived. Will these measures mean prosperity now ?  We may be preoccupied with other measures like the GDP and the Sensex but with the focus on the environment as the single largest concern for humanity, Andal’s metrics appear truly  farsighted.

And the everlasting wealth that she is alluding to as we will discover later is really the Grace of the Lord.

Wednesday  20  December 2023  (4^th Verse)  (Section I – 4 of 5)

You can also listen to the words here –

Aazhi Mazhaik kanna ondru nee kai karavel

The lord of the rains, Krishna, shower in plenty

Aazhi ullpukku mugandhu kodaarththeri

sweep down into the ocean bringing up all the water

Oozhi mudalvan uruvam pol mey karuthu

the clouds dark like the form of the Lord Krishna

Paazhiyan tholudai p padmanabhan kaiyyil

in the hands of the Lord with powerful arms who rose from the Lotus

Aazhi pol minni  valampuri pol nindr adhirndhu

Shining bright like the Disc and the shattering cry of the conch

Thazhadhe sarngam  udiatha  saramazhai p pol

Like the stream of arrows that issue from the powerful bow of yours

Vazha ulaginil peydhidaay nangalum

Shower in plenty in this world so that we

Margazhi neerada magizhndelor empavai.

will bathe and rejoice in your glory this margazhi month my girls

Continuing the prayers that she commenced, Andal in this fourth verse, refers to the Lord as the master of all the rain that falls on this earth. She picturises the Lord as going deep into the ocean, taking the water and rising high in the sky to deposit it in the magnificent black clouds to eventually precipitate into rain. The Lord’s dark colour, his mighty and handsome shoulders are compared to the clouds, the sound of thunder to the  sounds from His Conch (Valampuri), the lightning to the shine on the Lord’s Disc (Aazhi – Chakra) and the plentiful rain compared to the stream of arrows issuing out of the Lord’s Bow (Sarngam). Timely and adequate rain is referred to as the precursor of many gains and prosperity and the Lord Padmanabha as the master of that phenomena is offered prayers   seeking that bountiful rain for the welfare of the devotees and all beings on earth.

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Thursday  21  December 2023  (5^th Verse) (Section I -5 of 5)

You can also listen to the song here – (Ragam Sree) 

Maayanai mannu vada Madurai maindhanai

The magician Lord the boy from Northern Mathura

Thooya peru neer yamunai th thuraivanai

from the banks of the pure waters of the river  Yamuna

Aayar kulathinil thondrum   ani-vilakkai

The bright lamp who was born into the clan of cowherds

Thaayai k kudal vilakkam seydha Damodaranai

The child who made his mother proud and was tied up with a rope

Thooyumai vandhu naam thoomalar thoovi thozhudhu

We have come to you pure and with beautiful flowers to worship

Vayinar padi manathinaal sindhikka

to sing your praise with our tongues and to contemplate in our minds

Poya pizhaiyum pugutharuvan nindranavum

All our past sins and mistakes without remiss

Theeyinil thoosagum cheppelor empavai

will be made to disappear like cotton burnt in a flame

The way to worshipping the lord is described here in this fifth verse as follows – come with cleansed body and pure mind, offer fresh flowers to the Lord, sing verses and songs in praise of the Lord with your mouth and think deeply of the Lord in your mind.   And how do you think of the Lord – think of Him in his many forms, as the One who incarnated in Mathura, as the one who is the Lord of the Yamuna, as the scion of the cowherd community, as the One who made his mother proud, as the One who was bound by a rope as a naughty child.

And if you do so, all the sins that one had done unknowingly and our bad thoughts will be burnt away like cotton in a flame, therefore come my dear friends, let us worship and perform our Nonbu.

Thus concludes the first section of the Thiruppavai consisting of the first 5 verses, Sri Andal has established the fact of the worship, described the do s and don’t s, described the Lord in whose name the prayers are to be performed, described the method of doing the worship, explained the benefits that will accrue on account of the worship and put the energy and motivation into the worship.

Good idea to recite these five verses together at one go and imbibe their essence  ; will give you the energy to keep you going for the month – make time for it. We will go the next section (10 verses)  the next day.

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Friday  22 December 2023 ( 6^th Verse) (Section II – 1 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 1 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

The second section of Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai consists of 10 verses beginning with the above 6^th verse and sets out to wake up 10 girls  to join Andal for the Margazhi worship. Each verse is an attempt to awaken one of the girls and adopts a different reasoning and pleading. The common theme however is citing the reason for waking up ie to worship the Lord, and the  Lord who is to be worshipped is referenced citing his many splendorous qualities and pertinent deeds that He performed during his incarnations in this earth.

Like any scripture or any great literary work, the meanings inside the verses are far far greater than what they appear to be on first reading. The more we know and are involved in the subject, the more we understand it. These deeper meanings have been explained by many of the respected scholars in their discourses. You may listen to them in person during the Margazhi month in temples or on any digital media.  The purpose if this site is to keep it simple and for people who may not be familiar with Tamil or have adequate expertise to understand these verses easily. 

Now in to Verse 6 

You can listen to the words of the song here –  

Pullum silambina kaann pullaraiyan kovilil

The birds are awake and from the temple of the Lord

Vellai vili sangin per-aravam kettilaiyo

Can you not hear the loud sound of the white conch

Pillaay, ezhundhiray pey mulai nanjundu

Oh young lass, wake up, the Lord who suckled poison into the demon’s breasts

Kallla chagadam kalakkazhiya k kaalochi

The Lord who vanquished the demons

Velllath tharavil thuyilamarndha vitthinai

The Lord who is resting gently on the serpent in the ocean

Ulllathu k kondu munivargalum yogigalum

the One who is meditated by the sages and the yogis

Mellla ezhundhu ariyendra per-aravam

As you wake up gently may the magnificent glory of the Lord

Ulllam pugundhu kulirndhelor empavai

Fill your mind and make you joyful , my girls

Andal cites signs that indicate that the day has dawned, others – humans, animals and birds are up from their sleeps and therefore so should the girls. In this verse Andal says the birds are up and setting out, the sound of the white conch from the nearby temple is heard, so it is really daybreak, so dear girl, please wake up.  The great Yogis and Munis  invoke deep in their minds the Lord who finished the she-demon by suckling poison into her breasts, the Lord who vanquished the demon in a cart, the Lord who is resting gently on a serpent in the wide ocean and their minds are filled with the sound of “Hari”. As you wake up may a similar godliness enter your mind to enable you to begin our worship.

Saturday  23 December 2023 (7^th Verse) (Section II – 2 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 2 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Keesu Keesendrengum aanai ch chatthan kalandhu

The wild chirping of the many  birds  singing together

Pesina pecharavam kettilaiyo ? Pey pennne !

Are you not able to hear it, devilish girl

Kasum pirappum kalakalappa k kai perthu

their hands bedecked with bangles and other jewellery

Vasa narunguzhal aaychiyar matthinal

The lovely scented cowherd maidens, with their mixers

Osi paduttha th thayir-aravam kettilaiyo?

can’t you hear the sounds as they churn the curds

Nayaga p pennppillaiy ! Narayanan Murthy

Oh the Lord’s Girl, the embodiment of Narayana

Kesavanai p padavvum  nee kette kidathiyo

who is Kesava ( Krishna), to sing his praise you are made

Desamudaiyai thiravelor empavai.

You are sleeping, please come and open the door my girl

Sounds wake us up from sleep. Andal asks the girl, can you not hear the sound of the birds (the reference here probably is to the black drongo commonly found in the villages ) that are chirping, conversing before they leave the company of each other in their nests and setting out on their own to search for their food ? The beautiful ornamented women of the cowherd community with  fragrant  tresses are up and at work churning the curds for butter, and as they churn the curds with their dainty hands  can you not hear the sounds ? We think of you as our leader, but you are asleep, why are you not awake even as we sing the praise of the Lord Narayana as Kesava who vanquished the demon Kesi, Is the sound of our music lulling you to sleep instead of waking you up ? Please open the door !

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Sunday  24 December 2023 ( 8^th Verse) (Section II – 3 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 3 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Keezhvanam vellendru erumai siruveedu

The lower horizon is brightening and the buffaloes are grazing the tender grass

Meyvaan parandhanakan mikkulla pillaikalum

The animals, the birds and the young children all

Povaan pogindrarai pogaamal katthu unnai

Instead calling everyone passing by we came

Koovuvan vandhu nindrom kodhugalamudaiya

unto you to call you, Oh girl of happy disposition

Paavai ezhundirai paadi p parai kondu

Oh girl, wake up, sing along and seek boons

Maavay pilandhanai mallaraia mattiya

From the Lord of tore apart the demons and wrestlers

Devadi devanai sendru naam sevitthaal

We will worship the King of all the Lords

Aavaa vendra rayndh arulelor empavai

He will be pleased and bless us my girls

Pointing out the signs of dawn ; the slow brightening of the lower skies, the buffaloes out to graze the tender dew laden grass, Sri Andal says to the next girl whom she is calling upon, –  many of the girls are going out to worship, but leaving them aside, we are at your doorstep, please wake up and let’s get to the Lord ; the Lord who vanquished the demon kesi  in the form of a horse, the Lord who defeated the wrestler  demons, the Lord who is the king of all kings and devas. When we sing and pray and get to Him, He is going to be so pleased that we sought him out instead of Him coming to us, that He will joyfully bless us and remove all our deficiencies.

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Monday  25^th December 2023 ( 9^th Verse) (Section II – 4 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 4 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Thoomani Madathuch chutrum vilakkeriya

In a stately well appointed bedroom lit by lamps

Dhoopam kamazha thuyilanai mel kann kavarum

on a bed, fragrant from the burning incense, you sleep

Maaman magale manikkadavam thall thiravaay

Oh Uncle’s daughter, please open the door with the bells

Mameer avalai ezhuppeero ? un magal than

Oh, Mother of the girl,  can you please wake her up ? 

Oomaiyo ! andri sevido ! anandhalo !

Is she dumb or deaf or just slovenly

Emapperunthuyil mandirappattalo

Is she in slumber because of some magic spell ?

Mamayan madhavan viakuntan endrendru

by  many sacred names like madhavan and vaikuntan

Naamam palavum navindrelor empavai

Let us call unto Him, my dear girl !

A nice bed, comfortable and a conducive environment make for good deep sleep. In this verse Sri Andal and her friends struggle to wake up a girl (a relative – her Uncle’s daughter) who is sleeping in a nice bed, with nice lights and scented aromas  so soundly that they suspect she has become deaf, not hearing anything, dumb not responding to their calls and so overcome by sloth so as not to wake up and come to open the ornate door. The girls plead to the mother of the girl to wake her  up  to which she responds, sing the many many names of the Lord as Maamayan, Madhavan and Vaikunthanan and being a pious and God loving girl, she will wake up on hearing the Lord’s names being chanted.

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Tuesday   26^th December 2023  (10^th Verse) (Section II – 5 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 5 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Nottru suvargam pugugindra ammanay

The girl who is experiencing heaven ( being with the Lord) due to her penance in the previous birth 

Mattramum thaaroro ? vassal thiravadhaar

Why are you not speaking ? Can you atleast please open the door ? 

Nattra thuzhay mudi Narayanan nammaal

The Lord Narayana who is wearing a fragrant Tulasi garland 

Pottra parai tharum punniyanaal pandorunaal

Will give us our boons for our penance on an auspicious day 

Kootrathin vaay veezhnda kumbakarnanum

The asuran Kumbakarnan (Ravana’s brother) who was infamous for his excessive sleep 

Thottram unakke perundhuyil than thandaano

Did you inherit your excessive sleeping  habit from him ? 

Aattra anandhaludayaiy  ! arungalame

Wonderful girl, but immensely lazy girl 

Thettramaiy vandhu thiravelur empavai

Come gracefully and open the door my girl  !

Oh blessed girl, who by virtue of her earlier worships is destined to unite with the Lord in heaven, please open the door, why are you not even responding with words to our call ? Have you been handed over the sleep of the demon Kumbakarna ? Kumbakarna who was slain by Lord Rama, the embodiment of dharma who is adorned by tulsi mala, with fragrant hair, who is worshipped by us and is full of virtues. Oh sleepy slovenly girl, please wake up adorn yourself and come and open the door and join us in the Paavai Nonbu.

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Wednesday  27^th December 2023  (11^th Verse) (Section II – 6 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 6 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Kattru karavai kanangal pala karandhu

After milking the many bountiful cows 

Settrar thiralazhiya chendru seruchcheyyum

and who are capable of vanquishing their foes 

Kuttramondrilladha kovalar tham porkodiye

You are the blemishless maiden who is like a golden creeper 

Puttravalgul punamayila podharay

Maiden of exquisite beauty like a peacock 

Suttratthu thozhi marellarum vandhu nin

The neighbouring girls have all gathered here 

Muttram pugundhu migilvannan per paada

in your forecourt in order to sing the praise of the dark skinned Lord 

Chittradhe pesadhe selvap pendatti nee

Do not say anything dear girl 

Ettrukk urangum porulelor empavai.

Why do you still sleep and not join our worship my girl ?  

We are all blessed to be in this land and community of Lord Krishna, You are the unblemished golden jewel of the cowherds who have milked their many cows  and are capable of vanquishing their enemies in battle. Oh beautiful one, all your friends are gathered in your yard, singing the praise of the cloud like dark skinned Lord, and how  do you still sleep and not wake up to join the worship ?

Thursday  28^th December 2023 (12^th Verse) (Section II – 7 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 7 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Kanaithilan kattrerumai kandrukk irangi

Ninaitthu mulai vazhiye nindru paal sora

Nanaitthillam cherakkum narchelvan thangay

Panitthalai veezha nin vasar kadai pattri

Sinathinal thennilangai k komanai ch chettra

Manatthukkiniyanai paadavum nee vaay thiravaay

Initthan ezhunthiraay eedhenna p perurakkam

Anaithilltharum arindhelor empavai

Sri Andal continuing her pursuit of waking up the girls to join her on the Margazhi Nonbu ( worship) has enrolled 6 girls till now and is now on the door step of the 7^th girl. The scene is the house of a cowherd whose magnificent cows are so laden with milk that when the milking is delayed by the cowherd, the cows thinking of their calves start secreting so much milk from their udders  in overflow that the ground below becomes slushy.  The reference here is that when anything is in great abundance it pours forth, abundance of devotion for the Lord, pours forth as divine music. So is the Lord’s compassion for his devotees that it can pour forth for us. Oh girl, we are standing in your courtyard with the early morning winter dew drenching our heads, and singing the praise of the Lord who destroyed the King of Lanka, the Lord who is so dear to our hearts and you are not even responding ! Everyone can see us here and you are in such deep sleep, wake up girl and join us for the worship.

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Friday  29^th December 2023 (13^th Verse) (Section II – 8 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 8 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Pulll in vaay keendanaip polla varakkanai

Killi kalaindhanaik keerthimai paadi poiy

Pillaikal ellarum pavai kalam pukkar

Velli ezhundhu Vyazha muzhangittru

Pullum silambinakann podhari kanninaay

Kullak kulira kudaindhu neeradadhe

Palli kidatthiyo paavay nee nannallal

Kallam thavirndhu kalandhelor empavai

In this verse the effort is to wake up a girl with beautiful eyes, the girl appears to be sleeping lost in the thoughts of Lord Krishna, indicating that the girls were all inherently deeply devoted to the Lord and had Him in their thoughts most times, only given to laziness and reluctance to get out of their sleep in the early morning. The girls refer to the Lord as Krishna who tore up the jaws of the demon who took the form of a bird and as Rama who vanquished Ravana and destroyed his demon clan. Singing His praises the girls have gone forward to the holy place of worship, the evening planet has set and the morning planet is  visible, the birds are out to search for their food,  Oh beautiful girl, do not enjoy the thoughts of Krishna by yourself alone, come join us and let’s worship Him together.

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Thursday  29 ^th December 2022  (14^th Verse) (Section II – 9 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 9 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Ungal puzhakkadai thottathu vaviyul

Sengazhuneer vaay negizhnindhu aambal vaay koombinakann

Sengal podikkoorai venpall thavathavar

Thangall thirukkovil sangiduvaan podandaar

Engalai munnam munnam ezhuppuvaan vaay pesum

Nangay ezhundhiray naanadhay naavudayay

Sangodu chakkara mendhum thadakkaiyan

Pangaya k kannanai paadelor empavai

This girl had promised that she would wake all others up, but she is now still sleeping. The red lotus and other flowers in the small pond in her backyard have blossomed, the ascetics with saffron robes and shining white teeth are on their way to the temple, Oh clever speaking girl, please wake up, let us sing the praise of the Lord who with the Conch and the Chakra in His hands has such Lotus like eyes and perform our worship.

Friday  30th  December 2022  (15^th Verse) (Section II – 10 of 10)

(Awakening and inviting girl 10 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Elle, Ilankiliye, innam urangudhiyo

Chillendrazhaiyenmin nangaimeer podharugindren

Vallai un katturaigall pande un vayaridhum

Valleergal neengale nanedhanayiduga

Ollai nee podhay unakkenna verudaiyai

Ellarom pondaro ponder pondennik koll

Vallanai kondranai matttrarai mattrazhikka

Vallanai maayanai padelor empavai.

We are at the halfway mark of the Thiruppavai and the end of part II, the effort in this verse is to wake up the 10^th the last on the list of girls that Sri Andal desires accompanies her to the worship. The girl here engages her callers in conversation as they call her a young parrot endearingly, she complains coyly unwilling to wake up, why are you crying out ? Have all others come ? etc,. the group chides her for being oversmart and clever with words.  The girl accepts all that and the conversation continues with the girls pulling each others leg, but being firm in the request to join singing the praise of the Valiant Lord, who killed the demons and destroyed those who were his enemies.

With this the girls proceed to the Temple to see the Lord. Tomorrow ie on the 16^th day they will all reach the doorsteps of the Temple. Then begins Thiruppavai’s  third section’s I part. In many households the 16^th day of the Thiruppavai is celebrated with Joy by preparing as prasad  special chakkarai pongal to enjoy the arrival of the girls at the temple.  Section III consist of three parts waking up the Lord, worshipping the Lord and singing his glory and finally the prayer and the summation.

Sri Andal will set out to wake up the Lord and worship him. What is the objective of the “Nonbu” ? What is that special “parai” that Andal is going to seek from the Lord? As is commonly believed – is it marriage with the Lord that she seeks ? No Andal like the rest of the true gopikas had united with the Lord long back in thought and mind completely, their devotion is so strong and sincere that they actually do not have to seek that as a boon from the Lord.  Andal saves the suspense of revealing what is it that she seeks from the Lord till the very end of the Thiruppavai.

Stay  with me and we will be with Andal and her group at the temple to sing the Lord’s glory in the coming days…

Saturday 31  December  2022 (16^th Verse ) part I of section III 1 of 10)

(Requesting the Temple Gate keeper to open the doors )

Nayakanai nindra Nandagopanudaiya

Kovil kappane kodith thondrum thorana

Vaayil kappane,  manikkadavam thall thiravaay

Aayar sirumiyoromukku arai parai

Maayan manivannan nennale vaay nerndhaan

Thooyomay vandhom thuyilezhap paaduvaan

Vayal munnam munnam mattredhe yamma nee

Neya nilaik kadavan neekelor empavai.

Having woken up the ten girls and collected her retinue,  Sri Andal has reached the temple of the Lord, it is either the Temple or the palace of of Krishna’s foster father Nandagopan.  They find that the ornate doors and the festooned doorstep are bolted and guarded by sentries, so the girls address the gate keeper and   ask him to open the bolts and let them in. The girls plead with the gatekeeper “we are small girls from the cowherd community and we seek the grace of the Lord. The Magical dark skinned Lord has made promises to us. We are pure and we come to sing the wake up song for Him. Please do not refuse entry for us, Please do open the door to enable us to obtain the grace of our Lord.

 

Happy New year  ! 

Sunday  1st  January 2023  (17^th Verse) Verse I of section III 

(Waking up the Nandagopala , Yashoda and the Lord)

Ambarame thanneere sore arancheyyum

Emperuman nandagopala ezhunthiray

Kombanarkellam kozhunthe kulavilakke

Emperumatti yashoda ! arivuray

Ambaramoodaruththongi ulagalandha

Umbar komane uranga ezhundhiray

Semporkazhaladich chelva baladeva

Umbiyum neeyum urangelor empavai

 

The doorkeeper appears to have let Andal and the girls inside and it looks like Andal’s work of waking up people is still a long way to go. Why is everybody sleeping in the Thiruppavai and why is there so much waking up ? There appears to be a very strong inner meaning to this whole waking up business. Is Andal subtly waking up the whole world not from physical sleep but from something else. Is the request not just to wake up to the day but to wake up to a new thought, habit and orientation ? Let’s see that later.

Sri Andal is now attempting to wake up Nandagopan and mother Yashodha, singing their praise as the munificent giver of food and water and clothes to everyone, as my Lord, Ruler of many kings, please wake up. She also attempts to wake up Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama, praising the Lord as the one who rose up to the sky to measure the three worlds and one who is wearing a red golden anklet, please do not sleep, wake up !

Monday  2^nd January 2023   (18^th Verse)

(requesting Nappinnai to open the inner door)

Undhu madhagalittran odadha thollvaliyan

Nandagopalan marumagale nappinnaaiy

Gandham kamazhum kuzhali! Kadai thiravai

Vendengum kozhi azhaiththanakann madhavip

Panthal mel palkal kuyilanangal koovinakaan

Pandharvirali ! un maithunan per paadach

Chenthamaraik kaiyal seerar valai olippa

Vandhu thiravaay magizhnthelor empavai

Sri Andal now sets out to wake up the Lord’s consort Nappinnai – addressing her as the daughter in law of  Nandagopan who is as powerful as the elephants in heat and one whose broad shoulders have known no defeat, Andal describes her as one who has fragrant tresses and tells her that  many birds are awake and chirping on the lines laid out for the creepers so its dawn and so please wake up. With your beautiful hands that are like red lotuses and with your bangles jingling come joyfully and open the door to make us all happy.

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Tuesday  3^rd January 2023 (19^th Verse)

Kuthuvilakkeria kottukkal kattil mel

Meththendra panjasayanaththin meleri

Kothalar poonkuzhal Nappinnaik kongaimel

Vaitthtu kidanda malarmaarba ! Vaay thiravaay

Maiththadan kanninay  nee un manalanai

Eththanaipodum thuyilezha vottay kann

Eththanayelum pirivattra killayaal

Thaththuvamandru thagavelor empavai

The Lord is in his sleeping chamber, on a majestic cot with legs made of Ivory and an ambience heightened by the tall lamps, resting on a soft mattress with beautiful Nappinnai bedecked with beautiful flowers in her tresses closely by His side and leaning on His broad chest. The girls beseech Him to open his mouth and plead with Nappinnai “oh beautiful eyed one, why cannot you let go of your Lord and allow Him to wake up even though it is well past dawn now, we know you cannot bear separation from Him even for a second, but that is not fair ; this should not be your nature !”

Wednesday  4^th January 2023   ( 20^th Verse)

Muppathu moovar amararkku mum chendru

Kappam thavirkkum kaliye ! thuyilezhaai

Cheppamudaiyay thiraludaiyay !chettrarkku

Veppam kodukkum vimala ! thuyilezhay

Cheppenna menmulai chevvay sirumarungul

Nappinnai nangai thiruve thuyilezhaay

Ukkamum thattoliyum thandhun manalanai

Ippodhe emmai neerattelor empavai

In the 20^th verse, the waking up effort continues, why is the Lord asleep ? Why is Nappinnai too not awake ? There is obviously more meaning to this whole business of waking up. Waking up the Lord is found not just in the thiruppavai but is a practice in all temples, the idea is that the devotee’s enthusiasm to see the Lord makes him/her wake up really really early ; much before even the Lord does. And the devotee also does not want the Lord to wake up and wait for the devotees right ? think about it – we will go into the deeper meanings of waking up some other time. May be next year in version 2.0 of this work.

The  girls begin the praise of Lord Sri Krishna as a King to whom other Kings also subservient, as one who gives the shivers to His enemies, Lord Wake up ! They then turn their attention to Nappinnai and address her as the very beautiful well endowed one,   please wake up, please give oil, mirror and other things essential for a bath to your husband and send him out, so that we all may be bathed in His glory.

Thursday   5^th January 2023 (21^st Verse)

Ettrak Kalangall edhirpongi meedhalippa

Maatradhe paal soriyum vallal perumpasukkall

Aattrap padaithaan magane ! Arivuraay

Oottramudaiyay ! periyaay ! ulaginil

Thottramaay nindra chudare thuyilezhay

Maatrar unakku vali tholaindhu un vaasarkann

Aattradhu vandhu unnadi paniyumam pole

Pottri yam vandhom pugazhndhelor empavai.

The girls are getting closer to waking up Sri Krishna, the glory of the Lord is infinite, cannot be contained in few descriptions and in every verse there is a reference to that greatness, Oh Son of the Nandagopan who is the owner of magnificent cows that yield milk in torrents, Oh learned one, Oh one who protects all people of the world, Please wake up ! Your enemies lose all their courage on seeing your valour and seek refuge at your feet, likewise we your ardent devotees, sing your glory and praise and offer our worship at your feet.

Friday  6^th January 2023 (22^nd  Verse)

Anganmagyalath arasar abhimana

Bangamay vandhu nin palllikattir keezhe

Sangamirippar pol vandhu thalaippeydhom

Kinnkini vaych cheydha thamaraip poo pole

Chengann chiri chiridhe em mel vizhiyavo

Thingalum adithiyanum ezhundhar pol

Angann irandunkondu engal mel nokkudiyel

Engal mel saapam izhindhelor empavai.

Having woken up Nappinnai and persuaded her to help them and  join in the worship in the previous verse, the girls now proceed to wake up the Lord and sing His Praise. As  the first step to waking up the girls beseech the Lord to gently open His eyes.  Oh Lord, the Kings of many lands shed their arrogance, and gather at your threshold to pay their respects to you, likewise we too have gathered before you, to wake you up gently, like the beautiful red lotus flower blossoming, will you so ever gently open your eyes and look at us ? When you open both your bright eyes, it looks as if the Sun and the Moon are shining at the same time, but if you look at us with both your eyes, we will be absolved of all our sins and sorrow and be filled abundantly with your grace.

Saturday  7^th January 2023   (23^rd Verse)

(The Lord has woken up !)

Maari Malai muzhanjil mannik kidanthurangum

Seeriya singam arivuttru thee vizhitthu

Veary mayir ponga eppaadum porndhuthari

Moori nimirndhu muzhangip purappattu

Podharuma pole nee poovai poovannna ! Un

Kovil nindrangane pondharulli koppudaiya

Seeriya singasanaththirundhu yam vandha

Kaariyam aarayndharulelor empavai

The Lord has woken up ! and when the almighty wakes up the world knows about it ! The girls request is finally answered and Sri Andal here in this 23^rd verse becomes ecstatic describing the Lord’s waking up.  The Lord of the world is likened to the Lord of the Jungle, like a magnificent Lion who earlier sleeping with his mate inside a cave in the mountains, wakes up from sleep and stirs to action as if spitting fire and shaking his fiery mane vigorously, scattering the scent symbolizing his presence all over the place, stretching his body and  coming out of the cave with a fierce loud roar. Oh Lord whose skin is the colour of a dark flower, we request and desire that you please go from your temple to the majestic throne in the shaded courtyard and enquire from us our wishes and fulfill them.

Please note that Andal has not yet spelt out her desire to the Lord. She began performing the Nonbu (worship)  describing how it is to be done,  ( pure mind, no indulgences, offerings of flowers and prayers through the lord’s songs, praise and chanting of His names through our lips and the all enveloping  thoughts of the Lord in our minds )  also informs that by doing this worship, the rains and prosperity will bestow on the land and the people who live in that land(1-5). She then gathers the ten girls waking each one of them patiently, alluding to many signs of the dawn and conveying the objective of worshipping the Lord by referring to many of his virtues and acts of valour(6-15).  She reaches the temple, similarly wakes up Nandagopan and Yashoda, enlists the support of Nappinnai (16- 21) and now has the Lord also awake(22-23). Throughout these verses the glory of the Lord, his acts of greatness  are referenced in many different forms, but there is yet no reference to a specific request to God for any favour.  Hold on – we will get to it soon..

Sunday   8^th January 2023    (24^th verse)  (Verse 1 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Andri ivvulagam alandhay ! adi pottri

That day you measured this world, Praise your feet

Sendranguth thennilangai chettray ! thirall pottri

Vanquished the ruler of  Lanka in the south, Praise your valour

Pondrach chagadamudathaai ! pugazh pottri

Kandru kunila verindhaay! Kazhal pottri

Kundruk kudaiyai edutthay ! gunam pottri

You picked up a mountain to make it an umbrella to protect us , Praise your  goodness

Vendru pagai kedukkum nin kaiyyil vel pottri

Endrendrum un sevakame aethi parai kolvaan

Indru yaam vandhom irangelor empavai.

The Lord has woken up, is majestically seated on His throne, Sri Andal and he band of girls are having their eyeful of the lord, standing in front of Him finally and what does she do ? Does she go ahead and list her demands of boons ? No; wonderstuck by the glory and beauty of the Lord, she starts singing His praise ; this 24^th verse is a wonderful verse that is fully devoted to rhythmically singing the Lord’s praise referring to his various victories.

Once you measured the whole world ! Praise to thee and your feet

You went downsouth to Lanka and destroyed the demon there Praise thee valour!

You destroyed a demon who came in the form of a cart ! praise your fame !

In one  stroke you vanquished two demons in the form of a calf ! praise to thee

You picked up a hillock to protect your people from the rain ! Praise your kindness

Praise to the sharp spear in your hands that kills your enemies

We come here to praise your valour and offer our worship

Hear our pleas and bless us with your grace

Sunday  9^th January 2022 (25^th Verse)  (Verse 2 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

you can listen to the song here

Orutthi maganaayp pirandhu oriravil

Born to a certain woman in one night

Orutthi maganaay olitthu valara

Brought up hidden as another’s child

Tharikkillanagith thaan theengu ninaittha

in Many ways sought to harm you

Karutthai pizhaippitthuk kanjan vayittril

created terror in his stomach

Neruppenna nindra nedumaale ! unnai

You who stood like the fire, to You

Aruththithu vandom parai tharudiyaagil

Wantonly we came to you seeking your grace

Thiruthakka selvamum sevakamum yaam paadi

We sing about your limitless grace and service to you

Varuthamum theerndhu magizhndelor empavai

will be rid of our sorrows and be happy my girls

Andal continues singing the Lord’s praise. Krishna, you were born to one woman (Devaki), but had to be hidden and brought up as the son of another woman (Yashoda) . the demon Kamsan who came to know about this sought to harm you in many ways, but you creator terror in his mind and made his stomach burn like a raging fire. We are here to sing about your Glory and if you bestow grace on us and fulfill our wishes we will rejoice and be rid of all our sorrows and be happy ever.  This is the second of the five verses that sing the praise of the Lord after he wakes up. In all these five verses the worship is so powerful invoking the great qualities of the Lord with appropriate references  and reiterating the fact and desire that the Lord will bestow grace and fulfill the desires, but not mentioning the desire till the very end.

Monday  10^th January 2022 (26^th Verse) (Verse 3 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

You can listen to the song here

Maale manivanna ! margazhi neeraduvaan

Lord, deep blue pearl colored, we will bathe the holy bath of Margazhi

Melaiyar seyvanagall venduvana kettiyel

All the good deeds of the month, let us recount

Gyanathey ellam nadunga muralvana

the whole world trembles

Palanna vannnathu un panchajanniyame

the milk white colored conch of yours called the Panchajanya

Polvana sangankal poyppadudaiyanave

Salapperum paraiye pallandu isaippare

Kola vilakke kodiye vithaname

Aalin ilaiyaay ! arulelor empavai

Oh Lord, who is in the color of deep blue pearl, let us recount the purity that devotees have observed for the Margazhi nonbu, we salute your Conch Panchajanyam that is milk white hued, which can make a sound that can make the whole world tremble and that has huge spaces inside.  Oh beautiful Lord, you were so nonchalantly resting on a peepul leaf in the flooded ocean during pralaya, holding your devotees, and your grace and the lamps and the flags all protected in your fold, Bestow your grace on us.

Andal’s cup of joy is overflowing, she has woken up the Lord, who has now settled down to the worship and Andal is at His feet, singing His praise in verse after verse and is feeling very satisfied that her Nonbu is close to fulfillment, she is ready for some celebration.  In the next verse (Koodarai vellum seer Govinda) she describes the celebration and some treats.  So you can prepare to make as Prasadam some wonderful “chakkarai pongal” tomorrow  ( 27^th verse – 11^th January 2019). More about the verse tomorrow.

Monday  11^th  January 2021  (27^th Verse ) (Verse 4 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Koodarai vellum seer Govinda ! Undrannai

Govinda, who vanquishes those who do not join, to you

Paadi parai kondu yaam perum sammanam

Singing and receiving the gifts from you

Naadu pugazhum parisinaal nandraga

With these gifts that are praised by all in the land nicely

Soodagame tholvalaiye thode sevippoove

Garlands, ear rings, and other ornaments

Padagame yendranaiya palkalanum yaam anivom

We will wear all these when given by you

Aadai yuduppom adhan pinne paar soru

We will wear the garments and then eat Milk rice

Mooda neiy peydhu muzhankai vazhivara

With ghee dripping till our forearm

Koodiyirundhu kulirndhelor empavai

will join together and be divinely happy my girls

Sri Andal has in the early verses described the rigors of the Nonbu as not decorating themselves and  not eating ghee and other delicacies to enable focus on the Lord. Now that She is in front of the Lord, she addresses the Lord as one who wins over those who are not willing to join Him or vanquishes those who are not following the righteous path and sings, we are singing your praise and seek from your hands gifts that the nation will be enamored of.  We seek from Your hands lovely garlands and ear rings and many other ornaments ; then lovely garments. We will adorn ourselves when these are given by your hands or you adorn us yourselves. Our beautification is for you to see and enjoy. And after adorning ourselves we will eat paal soru ie rice cooked in milk and ghee as your prasadam and the delicacy will be so full of ghee that the ghee will flow down our elbow as we eat.   And being in unison with you, in your company, partaking of the gifts and the food that you give us, we remain together and happy and blissful.

Tuesday  12^th January 2021 (28^th Verse) (Verse 5 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Karavaigall pin chendru Kaanam serndhunnbom

We will go behind the cattle in the forest and eat  together

Arivondrum illadha aaykkulathu un drannaip

We are ignorant, cowherds, we are

Piravi perundhanaip punniyam yaamudaiyom

Blessed to be born in your midst

Kuraivondrum illadha Govinda ! undrannodu

Govinda without any blemishes, with you

Uravel namakkingu ozhikka vozhiyadhu

our relationship with you should never cease

Ariyadha pillaiygalom anbinal undrannaich

Ignorant Children we are, out of love, we

Chiruper azhaiththanavum seeriyaruladhe

Called you small names, don’t be angry with us

Iraiva nee thaaraay paraiyelor empavai

Lord, please give us our boons, my girls

Sri Andal is at the verge of asking her boon for which she performed the month-long nonbu, she has seen the Lord, got His attention, sung his praise to her heart’s content ,  asked for some gifts, got ready to celebrate. She now feels it is the right time to also reiterate the context,  reintroduce themselves and also ask for forgiveness before asking for the real boon.

So she goes on to say we are the simple cowherds who drive the cattle to the forest and thus earn our daily bread, we are without much intelligence, but have been wonderfully fortunate to be born in this clan and be in your midst, You are the truly blemishless Govinda,  the bonds and relationship that we have with you cannot ever be broken, We are small girls and it is possible that out of our enthusiasm and deep love for you, we might have taken liberties with you and in calling  your name in singular, so please pardon and forgive us. Oh Lord, please grant us the “parai” boon that we seek.

Wednesday  13^th January 2021  ( 29^th verse)  (finally asking for the boon )

Chittran sirukale vandhunnaich sevitthu un

Very very early morning, we came to worship you

Pottramarai adiye pottrum porull kelaay

At your golden Lotus feet, let us tell you why ?

Pettram meytthunnum kulathil pirandhu  nee

Born into the cowherd clan, you

Kuttreval engalai kolllamall pogadhu

You cannot refuse to give us your grace

Ittrai parai kollvaan indru kaan Govinda

Not for the boons now and not just for today, Govinda

Ettraikkum ezheazh piravikkum  undrannodu

Forever and for the next seventy seven births, with you

Vuttrome yavom unakke naam aatcheyvom

We seek to be bound to you and to you alone we should pay obescience

Mattrai nam kamangal mattrelor empavai.

Please change all our other desires my girls

Thus Andal finally gets down to asking for her boon. This is the most famous of the verses of the Thiruppavai and this verse and the next one are often recited in isolation often in the daily prayers of most people.  This is indeed a very powerful plea and shows the intensity of the devotion that Sri Andal had for Krishna.

So Andal says to the Lord, let me tell you the objective of why we come to you in this early early morning, bow at your lotus feet and sing your praise ! Born alongwith us in the cowherd community who look after the cows to earn a living,  you cannot refuse to take our worship or bestow your grace on us. What we have come for us not to just get your grace and boons today alone.  What we seek is this – Forever and forever, in the next seven times seven births that we may take we should be privileged to have a relationship with you in all your avatars and we should be beholden and offer worship only to You and none other. You should give us this as a boon and also ensure that any other desires of ours other than this are removed from our minds.

So this is the final boon – that we should worship and serve the Lord without any other thought or desire in our minds, not just for today but for ever and ever. Unwavering, unquestioning, totally dedicated faith in Krishna at all times and occasions is what should rule our minds.

Thursday 14^th January 2021 (30^th Verse) (phalasruti – the good that will come out of reciting these verses)

Vangak Kadal kadaintha Madhavanaik Kesavanai

That Madhavan Kesavan who churned the Ocean

Thingal thirumugatthuch cheyizhaiyar sendrirainji

That one who is worshipped by women with faces that glow like the moon 

Angap parai konda vaatrai anipuduvai p

Painkamalath than theriyal pattarpiran Kodhai sonna

Sangath thamizh maalai muppadum thappame

Ingip parisuraippar eerirandu maal varaith tholl

Senkann thirumugaththu selvath thirumaalal

Engum thiruvarul pettru inburuvar empavai

Sri Andal has actually completed her Nonbu with the previous verse and this verse is more in the form of a “phalasruthi” – a last verse that describes the benefits that will accrue to a person who devotion follows the work or recites these verses.

The Lord Madhava, who churned the oceans for the devas, one who killed the demon Kesi, one whose face is like the moon and one who is worshipped by the women of the cowherd clan who are dressed with fine ornaments, was worshipped by Sri Andal of Srivilliputtur thru these garland of thirty tamil verses that are greatly enjoyable. All devotees who worship the Lord whose four shoulders that are strong, whose eyes are bright red and who is the embodiment of all riches with these verses with similar zeal, will forever obtain the grace and blessings of the Lord and be supremely happy.

Thus we come to the conclusion of Thiruppavai.  It is said that the Thiruppavai can be chanted on all days, not just during Margazhi although chanting this during Margazhi does have a distinct charm.

I am thankful to the Lord for His Grace to help me complete this work and

Let me end with the verses that sing the glory of Andal who wrote the Thiruppavai.

Kodhai pirandha oor, Govindan vazhum ooor

This is the town where Kodhai ( Sri Andal) was born, this is the town where Govindan ( Lord Krishna) lives

Needhiyal Nalla Bhaktarkal vazhum oor,

Honest and Good Devotees live here

naan maraigall odhum oor,

the town where the four vedas are chanted

Padhagankal theerkum paramanadi kaattum

The remover of distress, one that shows the divine feet of the Supreme

Vedamanaithukkum viththagum

the root source of all the Vedas

Kodhaith thamizh iyyaindhum iyndhum

Kodhai’s tamil work that consists of 5 into 5 (25) plus 5 ( 30)

Ariyadha manidarai vaiyyam sumappadum vambu

Carrying a person who does not know these 30 verses is a burden for this Earth

Thiruvaadi p poorathu jagath tudithal vazhiye

Long Live the one who was born into this world on the star of Pooram in the month of Aadi

Thiruppavai muppadum cheppinall vazhiye

Long live the one who spoke the thirty verses of the Thiruppavai

Periyazhvaar pettreduththa pennpillai vazhiye

Long live the one who was brought up by the saint periazhwar

Perumpoodur maamanikku pinnanall vazhiye

Long live the one who came after the leading light of Perumpoodur

Oru nootru narpathu moondr uraiththall vazhiye

Long live the one who recited the 143 lines

Uyararangarke kanni ugandhaliththal vazhiye

Long live the lady who was created for the Lord Srirangam

Maruvarum thirumalli vada nazhi vazhiye

Long live the one who was in the northern lands

Van puduvai nagar Kodhai malar padangall Vazhiye

Long live the flower like verses of Kodhai who lived in the town of Van Puduvai.

Sri Andal Thiruvadigale Charanam !

At the holy feet of Sri Andal I bow !

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As we complete another year and the divine month of Margazhi, I offer my very sincere thanks to all the visitors who read my writing and offered kind comments. I am humbled and grateful. It motivates me to do more in the Service of the Lord and to mankind.

Anantha Sayana 14 January 2021