తిరుప్పావై వ్రతవిధానం పాశురముల భావసహితముతో సహా ...

తిరుప్పావై వ్రతవిధానం పాశురముల భావసహితముతో సహా ...

ధనుర్మాసము గూర్చి కొన్నివిషయాలు తెలుసుకుందాం..ముందుగా ధనుర్మాసము వ్రత విశిష్ఠత,వ్రతనియమాలు తెలుసుకుందాం.ఆ తరువాత ఏరోజు పాశురం ఆ రోజు భావ సహితం తెలుసుకుందాం...
ధనుర్మాసంలో చేసే వ్రతం కనుక దీనిని ధనుర్మసవత్రంగా పిలుస్తున్నాం. మనకు మేషం నుండి మీనం వరకు పన్నెండు రాశులున్నాయి. సూర్యుడు నెలకో రాశిలో ప్రవేశిస్తుంటాడు. దీనిని సంక్రమణం లేక సంక్రాంతి అంటున్నాం. ఉదాహరణకు సూర్యుడు మేష రాశిలో ప్రవేశిస్తే ధనుస్సంక్రమణం లేదా మేష సంక్రాంతి అవుతుంది. అలాగే సూర్యుడు ధనూరాశిలో ప్రవేశిస్తే ధనుస్సంక్రమణం లేక ధనుస్సంక్రాంతి అవుతుంది. ఒక రాశిలో ప్రవేశించిన సూర్యుడు నెలపాటు ఆ రాశిలో వుంటాడు కనుక ఆ రాశి పేరున ఆ సంక్రాంతిని వ్యవహరిస్తారు. ధనూరాశిలో ఒక మాసం పాటు సూర్యుడు వుంటాడు కనుక ఆ మాసాన్ని ధనుర్మానం అనడం జరుగుతోంది. మార్గశీర్ష మానం ఆరంభమైన ఏడు రోజులకు ధనుస్సంక్రమణం జరుగుతుంది. అంటే మార్గశీర్ష మాసపు ఏడవ రోజునుండి పుష్యమాసం ప్రారంభమైన ఆరవ రోజు వరకు ఉంటుంది. 30వ రోజును భోగి పండుగగాను, ఆ మరుసటిరోజున మకర సంక్రాంతి పండుగగాను మనం జరుపుకుంటాం.
ఈ ధనుర్మాస వ్రతం మార్గశీర్షపు ఏడవ రోజునుండి ప్రారంభమై పుష్యమాసపు ఆరవ రోజువరకు నిరంతరాయంగా సాగుతుంది. వ్రతాన్ని ధనుర్శాసంలోనే ఎందుకు చేయాలన్న సందేహం రావచ్చు. శ్రీకృష్ణ భగవానుడు స్వయంగా 'మాసోహం మార్గశీర్షోహం' అని తానే మార్గశీర్ష మాసాన్నని భగవద్గీతలో సెలవిచ్చాడు. ఇది శ్రీకృష్ణ భగవాసునికి ప్రీతి పాత్రమైన మాసం కాబట్టి స్వామిని ఈ మాసంలో విశేషంగా ఆరాధిస్తే విశేష ఫలితాలు కలుగుతాయని శ్రీ గోదాదేవి మనకు నిరూపించి చూపింది. మనకు ఉత్తరాయణం, దక్షిణాయనం అని రెండు పుణ్యకాలాలున్నాయి. ఇందులో ఉత్తరాయణ పుణ్యకాలం దేవతలకు పగలుగను, దక్షిణాయన పుణ్యకాలం వారికి రాత్రిగాను పరిగణించబడతాయి. ఇందులో మార్గశీర్ష మాసం ఉత్తరాయణ పుణ్యకాలానికి ఉషఃకాలమాట. అంటే బ్రహ్మీ ముహూర్తమన్నమాట! కావుననే మార్గశీర్షమాసం ఇంత ఆధిక్యతను సంతరించుకుంది. ఇక ధనుర్మస వ్రత విషయానికొస్తే శ్రీ ద్వాపరయుగంలో శ్రీ కృష్ణ సంశ్లేషమును పొందగోరిన గోపకన్యలు వ్రేపల్లెలో కాత్యాయినీ వ్రతాన్ని చేశారని విని, తానూ అలాగే చేయాలనుకుంది. తానున్న విల్లిపుత్తూరును వ్రేపల్లెగను, తన్ను ఒక గోప కన్యకగను, తన స్నేహితురాళ్ళను వ్రజ కన్యలుగను భావించి, తాను గొల్ల కన్య రూపాన్ని ధరించి విల్లిపుత్తూరులో వేంచేసియున్న వటపత్రశాయినే శ్రీకృష్ణునిగా భావించి, అతి శ్రేష్ఠమైన మార్గశీర్షమాసాన ధనుర్మాససమయంలో శ్రీ స్వామివారిని నెలరోజులూ అర్చిస్తూ రోజుకొక పాశురాన్ని(పాట) సమర్పించింది. ఆమె పాడిన పాటలు సామాన్యమైనవి కావు.(1) శ్రీ సీతాకళ్యాణం "అష్ఠాక్షరీ మంత్రాన్ని "ఓం నమోనారాయణాయ.(2) శ్రీ గోదాకళ్యాణం" ద్వయమంత్రాన్ని "శ్రీ మన్నారాయణ చరణౌ శరణం ప్రపద్యే శ్రీమతే నారాయణాయ నమః 3) శ్రీ రుక్మిణీ కళ్యాణం చరమశ్లోకాన్ని
శ్లో|| సర్వధర్మాన్ పరిత్యజ్య మామేకం శరణం వ్రజ
అహం త్వా సర్వ పాపేభ్యో మోక్షయిష్యామి మాశుచుః" అని ప్రతిపాదిస్తాయని ఆచార్య సూక్తి -
శ్రీ గోదాదేవి స్వామికి సమర్పించిన పాశురాలు ప్రణవమంత్ర, అష్టాక్షరీ మంత్ర, స్వరూపాలే. వేదోపనిషత్తుల సారాంశమే! నియమ నిష్ఠలతో స్వామిని ఆరాధిస్తే ముప్పది దినాల్లోనే తరుణోపాయం లభిస్తుందని చాటి చెప్పింది మన ఆండాళ్ తల్లి చూపిన మార్గంలో పయనించి మన జీవితాలను ధన్యం చేసుకుందాం.


వ్రతం చేయదల్చుకున్న వారెవరైనా ఆచార్య నిష్ఠను కలిగి కులమత వర్గ భేదాల కతీతంగా ఉండి బ్రాహ్మీ ముహూర్తంలో బహిర్ స్నానం చేయటం అంతర్ మనస్సుకు భక్తిజల స్నానాన్నవలంభించటం ముద్గాన్నం వండి ఆరగింపు చేయగలగటం ఇవే నియమాలు.
సూర్యదేవుడు ధనుస్సురాశిలో ప్రవేశించడంతో మొదలై భోగిపండుగ రోజువరకూ, సూర్యుడు మకరరాశిలోకి ప్రవేశించేంతవరకూ ఉండే మాసం - "ధనుర్మాసం". వైష్ణవ సాంప్రదాయంలో అత్యంత పవిత్రమైన మాసం ఇది. మాసమంతా వైష్ణవాలయాల్లో ప్రత్యేక పూజలు చేస్తారు. గోదాదేవి రచించిన "తిరుప్పావై" ని ఈ మాసం రోజులు పఠిస్తారు. ముఖ్యంగా కలియుగ వైకుంఠమైన తిరుమల శ్రీవేంకటేశ్వర స్వామి వారి ఆలయంలో ఈ నెల రోజులు సుప్రభాతానికి బదులుగా తిరుప్పావైని పఠిస్తారు. అటువంటి పవిత్రమైన ధనుర్మాసంలో శ్రీమహావిష్ణువును "మధుసూదనుడు" అనే పేరుతో పూజించాలి. ప్రతిదినం పూజించి మొదటి పదిహేను రోజులూ నైవేద్యంగా పులగం లేదా చెక్కరపొంగలిని, తర్వాతి పదిహేను రోజులు దధ్యోదనమును సమర్పించాలి. ధనుర్మాసం మొత్తం ఇంటి ముందు ఆవుపేడను కలిపిన నీటిని చల్లి బియ్యపుపిండితో అందమైన ముగ్గులు పెట్టి, ముగ్గుల మధ్యలో ఆవు పేడతో చేసి, పసుపు, కుంకుమలు, వివిధ పూలను అలంకరించిన గొబ్బిళ్ళను ఉంచాలి. ఈ విధంగా చేయడం వల్ల కన్యకు మంచి భర్త లభిస్తాడు, సౌభాగ్యం కలకాలం వర్థిల్లుతుంది అని నమ్మకం.
ప్రత్యక్ష భగవానుడైన శ్రీసూర్యభగవానుడు మేషరాశి మొదలు పన్నెండు రాశులలో సంచరిస్తుంటాడు. ద్వాదశాత్మడైన ఆదిత్యుడు, తన దివ్యయాత్రలో ధనస్సు రాశిలోనికి ప్రవేశిస్తూనే "ధనుర్మాసం" ప్రారంభమై, సూర్యుడు మకర రాశిలోనికి ప్రవేశించేంతవరకూ, అంటే మకర సంక్రాంతి పర్వదినం ముందురోజు భోగి వరకు వుంటుంది. ఈ నెలరోజుల పాటూ "ధనుర్మాసవ్రతం" ఆచరించాలి. ధనుర్మాసం గురించి మొదట బ్రహ్మదేవుడు స్వయంగా నారద మహర్షికి వివరించినట్లు పురాణకథనం. ధనుర్మాస వ్రత ప్రస్తావన, మహాత్మ్యాలు బ్రహ్మాండ, భాగవత ఆదిత్యపురాణాల్లో, నారాయణ సంహితలో కనిపిస్తుంది.
వ్రతం చేయాలనుకునే వారు బంగారం లేదా వెండి లేకపోయినట్లయితే శక్తి మేరకు పంచలోహలాతోగాని, రాగితో గానీ శ్రీమహావిష్ణువు విగ్రహాన్ని ఒకదాన్ని తయారుచేయించుకుని పూజాపీఠంపై ప్రతిష్టించుకోవాలి. విష్ణువును 'మధుసూదనుడు' అనే పేరుతో వ్యవహరించాలి. ప్రతి రోజు సూర్యోదయానికి కంటే ఐదు ఘడియలు ముందుగా నిద్ర లేచి కాలకృత్యాలను పూర్తిచేసుకుని, తలస్నానం చేసి నిత్యపూజలు, సంధ్యావందనాలను ముగించి, తరువాత ధనుర్మాస వ్రతాన్ని ఆచరించాలి. మధుసూధనస్వామిని ఆవు పాలు, కొబ్బరి నీరు, పంచామృతాలతో అభిషేకించాలి. అందుకోసం శంఖాన్ని ఉపయోగించడం శ్రేష్ఠం. శంఖంలో అభిషేక ద్రవ్యాలను ఒక్కొక్కదానినే నింపుకుని, అభిషేకం చేయాలని శాస్త్రవచనం. తర్వాత తులసీ దళాలతోనూ, వివిధ రకాలైన పుష్పాలను ఉపయోగించి స్వామి వారిని అష్టోత్తర శతనామాలతోగానీ, సహస్రనామాలతోగానీ, పూజించాలి. నైవేద్యంగా మొదటి పదిహేనురోజులూ 'చెక్కర పొంగలి' ని గానీ, బియ్యం, పెసరపప్పు కలిపి వండిన 'పులగం'ను గానీ సమర్పించాలి. తర్వాత పదిహేను రోజులూ 'దధ్యోదనం' నైవేద్యంగా సమర్పించాలి. తర్వాత ధూప, దీప, దక్షిణ, తాంబూలాలను సమర్పించి నమస్కరించుకోవాలి. మధుసూధనస్వామివారిని పూజించడంతో పాటూ బృందావనంలో తులసిని పూజించాలి. ఈ మాసమంతా విష్ణుపురాణాన్ని, విష్ణుగాథలను చదువుతూగానీ, వింటూగానీ గడపడం, వైష్ణవాలయాలను దర్శించడం చేయాలి. ఈ విధంగా ప్రతిరోజు ధనుర్మాసం మొత్తం ధనుర్మాస వ్రతాన్ని ఆచరించడం శ్రేష్ఠం. నెలరోజుల పాటూ చేయలేనివారు 15 రోజులుగానీ, 8 రోజులుగానీ, 6 రోజులుగానీ, 4 రోజులుగానీ, లేదంటే కనీసం ఒక్కరోజు అయిన ఆచరించాలని శాస్త్రవచనం.
వ్రతాన్ని ఆచరించడం పూర్తయ్యాక శ్రీమధుసూధన స్వామివారి విగ్రహాన్ని - "మధుసూదన దేవేశ ధనుర్మాస ఫలప్రద తవ మూర్తి ప్రదానేన మమసంతు మనోరథాః||" అనే శ్లోకాన్ని పఠిస్తూ పండితుడికి దానం ఇవ్వాలి. పండితుడు దానన్ని స్వీకరిస్తూ - "ఇందిరా ప్రతి గృహ్ణాతు" అని పండితుడు ఇచ్చే ఆశీర్వచనాన్ని స్వీకరించడం వల్ల సకల కోరికలు సిద్ధిస్తాయని చెప్పబడుతోంది. ఈవిధంగా ధనుర్మాసవ్రతాన్ని ఆచరించడం వలన కోరిన కోరికలు తీరడంతోపాటూ ఇహలోకంలో సౌఖ్యం, పరంలో మోక్షం సిద్ధిస్తుందనేది పురాణ కథనం. ధనుర్మాసవ్రతాన్ని ఒక్కరోజు ఆచరించడం వల్ల వేయిసంవత్సరాల పాటూ నిత్యం వివిధదేవతలను ఆరాధించినంత ఫలం లభిస్తుందనేది పండితుల అభిప్రయం. కాత్యాయనీవ్రతం లేక శ్రీ వ్రతం. ఈ వ్రతాన్ని ధనుర్మాసంలో వివాహం కాని అమ్మాయిలు ఆచరించాలని చెప్పబడుతోంది. పూర్వం ఈ వ్రతాన్ని స్వయంగా శ్రీకృష్ణుడి సలహా మేరకు గోపికలు ఆచరించి శ్రీకృష్ణుడినే భర్తగా పొందినట్లు కథనం. శ్రీ గోదాదేవి ఈ వ్రతాన్ని ఆచరించి శ్రీరంగనాథుడిని భర్తగా పొందినట్లు పురాణాలు వెల్లడిస్తున్నాయి.
ధనుర్మాసంలో ప్రతిరోజూ తెల్లవారుజామునే నిద్ర లేచి, కాలకృత్యాలు తీర్చుకుని తలస్నానం చేయాలి. ఇంటిముందు శుభ్రపరిచి పేడనీటితో కళ్ళాపి చల్లి, బియ్యపు పిండితో ముగ్గులను తీర్చిదిద్ది, ముగ్గుల మధ్యలో ఆవుపేడతో చేసిన గొబ్బిళ్ళను ఉంచి, వాటిని గుమ్మడి, బీర, చామంతి, బంటి వంటి పూలతో అలంకరించి నమస్కరించాలి. అనంతరం కాత్యాయనీదేవిని షోడశోపచారాలు , అష్టోత్తరాలతో పూజించి నైవేద్యం సమర్పించాలి. ఈ విధంగా ప్రతిరోజూ ధనుర్మాసమంతా ఆచరించాలి. తెలుగునాట గొబ్బెమ్మల వ్రతంగా పేరు పడిన ఈ కాత్యాయనీ వ్రతాన్ని కన్యలు ఆచరించడం వల్ల మంచి భర్త లభిస్తాడని శాస్త్రవచనం. పాశురాల సాయం..
1 నుంచి 5 వరకు ఉన్న పాశురాలలో వ్రత విధానం గురించి, 6 నుంచి 15 వరకు పాశురాలలో తన తోటి చెలికత్తెలను నిద్రలేపి నందగోపుని గృహానికి వెళ్లడం, 16 నుంచి 17,18 పాశురాలలో నందగోపుడు, యశోద, బలరాములను మేల్కొల్పడం, 23వ పాశురంలో మంగళాశాసనం చేయడం, 25, 26 స్వామివారికి అలంకారలైన ఆయుధాలను 'పర' అనే వాయిద్యాన్ని కోరుకుంటూ తమ శరణాగతిని అనుగ్రహించి తమ సంకల్పాన్ని నెరవేర్చమని ప్రార్థిస్తుంది. 27వ పాశురంలో పరమాత్మకు, జీవాత్మకు గల సంబంధాన్ని 'కూడారై' ప్రసాదంతో పోల్చి వివరించింది. 30వ పాశురం ఫలశ్రుతితో భగవంతునికి, మనకు గల సంబంధం తెలిస్తే కోరికలను మనం కోరవలసిన పనిలేదని స్వతంత్రించి భగవంతుడిని అడిగి పొందవచ్చని తెలియజేసింది గోదాదేవి.

వ్రతం ప్రాతఃకాలములో ప్రారంభం అయితే రోజూలాగ కాక సూర్యోదయానికి ముందే పూజ అయ్యేటట్టు చూసుకోవాలి..ఈ సంవత్సరం సాయంత్రం 4.35 కి ప్రారంభం కాబట్టి ఉదయం నుండి ఉపవాసం ఉండి సాయంత్రం చన్నీటితో తల స్నానం చేసి అప్పుడు పూజ ప్రారంభం చేయాలి...

రోజులానే ముందు పూజ చేసుకోవాలి... ఆ తరువాత శ్రీ కృష్ణ అష్టోత్తరం,గోదా అష్టోత్తరం చదువుకోవాలి..రంగనాధ అష్టోత్తరం కూడా చదివితే మరి మంచిది... ముందుగా ప్రార్ధన చదవాలి...ఆ తరువాత వరుసగా తనయ చదవాలి...తిరుప్పళ్ళి యోళుచ్చి చదివేటప్పుడు ప్రారంభం కదిరవన్ చదవకుండా అది మొత్తం ఒక్క సారి చదివాక రెండవసారి చదివినప్పుడు కదిరవంతో కలిపి చదవాలి...తనయ చదువుతూ తొమ్మిది,పది తనయలు రెండు సార్లు చదవాలి..చివర తిరుప్పళ్ళి యోళుచ్చి సంపూర్ణం అని చదవాలి..ఆ తరువాత ప్రార్ధన చదవాలి..ఆ తరువాత గోదాదేవి తనయ చదవాలి..ఆ తరువాత పాశురములు చదవడం ప్రారంభించాలి.. పాశురములు చదివేటప్పుడు మొదటి పాశురము రెండు సార్లు చదవాలి..అల మొత్తం అన్ని పాసురాలు రోజు చదవాలి...అలా వీలు కాని వారు మున్నిడి పిన్నిడి గా చదవాలి.(అంటే మొదటి పాశురంలో ఒక లైను,చివరపాశురంలో ఒక లైను చదవాలి..

చివరగా గోదా హారతి చదవాలి..మంత్ర పుష్పం కూడా చదవాలి..మళ్ళి ఏరోజు పాశురం ఆ రొజు రెండు సార్లు చదివి హారతి ఇవ్వాలి...నైవేద్యం సమర్పంచాలి(రోజు పొంగలి,తద్ధోజనం,పరవన్నం ఉండి తీరాలి....కాలము ఉంటే గోదాదేవి పాటలు కూడా పాడుకోవచ్చు...కాని ఒక్క విషయం గుర్థుకు పెట్టుకోవాలి..పైవి అన్ని కూడా సూర్యోదయానికి ముందే అవ్వాలి..
ఆచరిద్దాం! శ్రీ గోదా రంగనాధుల అనుగ్రహాన్ని పొందుదాం.

Thiruppavai can be broadly split into three major sections with a few subsections inside them.
Section 1 – Andal announces the intention to a perform a month long Nonbu (let’s say a project) 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 in the project.
Section 2 – 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.
Section 3 – 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.

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 that only that Narayana who will give us boons
Paror pugazha p padinthelor embavai.
Let us join with the world in praising his glory, Girls
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 lioncub like son of the beautiful eyed Yashoda, the Lord who is dark, and whose face is radiant like the sun.

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
nor 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 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 arangarku
Pannu thiruppavai palpadiyam – innisai yaal
Paadi koduthall nar-paamalai poomalai
Soodi koduthalai sollu
Soodi kodutha chuddar kodiaye ! tholpavai
Paadi arula valla palvalaiyaai – Naadi nee
Vengadavark kennai vidhi endra immatram
Naam Kadava Vanname Nalgu
This is a beautiful verse that can be recited everyday before reciting the Thiruppavai and sings the praise of Sri Andal the author of Thiruppava

Ongi ulagalandha utthaman per padi
Singing the praise of the 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
Thengathe 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 cherish 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.

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.

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 – this is a weekend – so you could make time for it. We will go the next section (10 verses) the next day.

(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 6th 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 the Lord who is to be worshipped is referenced citing his many splendorous qualities and pertinent deeds 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. For now I will stay with the simple meaning of these verses, We will revisit the deeper inner meanings later. While retaining this format for the beginners, we will open up a level 2 section in a couple of months as also other sections of this site.

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.

(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 that are chirping, conversing before the 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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(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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(Awakening and inviting girl 4 to join the Special Worship -Nonbu)

Thoomani Madathuch chutrum vilakkeriya

Dhoopam kamazha thuyilanai mel kann kavarum

Maaman magale manikkadavam thall thiravaay

Mameer avalai ezhuppeero ? un magal than

Oomaiyo ! andri sevido ! anandhalo !

Emapperunthuyil mandirappattalo

Mamayan madhavan viakuntan endrendru

Naamam palavum navindrelor empavai



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

Nottru suvargam pugugindra ammanay

Mattramum thaaroro ? vassal thiravadhaar

Nattra thuzhay mudi Narayanan nammaal

Pottra parai tharum punniyanaal pandorunaal

Kootrathin vaay veezhnda kumbakarnanum

Thottram unakke perundhuyil than thandaano

Aattra anandhaludayaiy ! arungalame

Thettramaiy vandhu thiravelur empavai

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

Kattru karavai kanangal pala karandhu

Settrar thiralazhiya chendru seruchcheyyum

Kuttramondrilladha kovalar tham porkodiye

Puttravalgul punamayila podharay

Suttratthu thozhi marellarum vandhu nin

Muttram pugundhu migilvannan per paada

Chittradhe pesadhe selvap pendatti nee

Ettrukk urangum porulelor empavai.

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 ?

(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 7th 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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(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 morning planets are visible, the birds are out to search for their food, Oh beautiful girl, do not enjoy the thoughts of Krishna alone, come join us and let’s worship Him together.

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(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.

(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 10th 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 your parrot endearingly, she cribs 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 the 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 16th day they will all reach the doorsteps of the Temple. Then begins Thiruppavai’s third section’s I part. In many households the 16th 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…

(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.

1 st January 2011 (17th Verse)

(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 the girls and Andal 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 or 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 !



(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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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 !”

4th January 2011 ( 20th 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 20th 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.

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.

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.

(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 23rd 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 to reference to a specific request to God for any favour. Hold on – we will get to it soon..

(Verse 1 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Andri ivvulagam alandhay ! adi pottri

Sendranguth thennilangai chettray ! thirall pottri

Pondrach chagadamudathaai ! pugazh pottri

Kandru kunila verindhaay! Kazhal pottri

Kundruk kudaiyai edutthay ! gunam pottri

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 24th 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

(Verse 2 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Orutthi maganaayp pirandhu oriravil

Orutthi maganaay olitthu valara

Tharikkillanagith thaan theengu ninaittha

Karutthai pizhaippitthuk kanjan vayittril

Neruppenna nindra nedumaale ! unnai

Aruththithu vandom parai tharudiyaagil

Thiruthakka selvamum sevakamum yaam paadi

Varuthamum theerndhu magizhndelor empavai

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.

(Verse 3 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Maale manivanna ! margazhi neeraduvaan

Melaiyar seyvanagall venduvana kettiyel

Gyanathey ellam nadunga muralvana

Palanna vannnathu un panchajanniyame

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 ( 27th verse – 11th January 2011). More about the verse tomorrow.



(Verse 4 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Koodarai vellum seer Govinda ! Undrannai

Paadi parai kondu yaam perum sammanam

Naadu pugazhum parisinaal nandraga

Soodagame tholvalaiye thode sevippoove

Padagame yendranaiya palkalanum yaam anivom

Aadai yuduppom adhan pinne paar soru

Mooda neiy peydhu muzhankai vazhivara

Koodiyirundhu kulirndhelor empavai

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.

(Verse 5 of 5 Singing the Lord’s Praise)

Karavaigall pin chendru Kaanam serndhunnbom

Arivondrum illadha aaykkulathu un drannaip

Piravi perundhanaip punniyam yaamudaiyom

Kuraivondrum illadha Govinda ! undrannodu

Uravel namakkingu ozhikka vozhiyadhu

Ariyadha pillaiygalom anbinal undrannaich

Chiruper azhaiththanavum seeriyaruladhe

Iraiva nee thaaraay paraiyelor empavai

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.

13th January 2010 ( 29th verse) (finally asking for the boon )

Chittran sirukale vandhunnaich sevitthu un

Pottramarai adiye pottrum porull kelaay

Pettram meytthunnum kulathil pirandhu nee

Kuttreval engalai kolllamall pogadhu

Ittrai parai kollvaan indru kaan Govinda

Ettraikkum ezheazh piravikkum undrannodu

Vuttrome yavom unakke naam aatcheyvom

Mattrai nam kamangal mattrelor empavai.



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.

(phalasruti – the good that will come out of reciting these verses)

Vangak Kadal kadaintha Madhavanaik Kesavanai

Thingal thirumugatthuch cheyizhaiyar sendrirainji

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 on 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 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

Needhiyal Nalla Bhaktarkal vazhum oor,

naan maraigall odhum oor,

Padhagankal theerkum paramanadi kaattum

Vedamanaithukkum viththagum

Kodhaith thamizh iyyaindhum iyndhum

Ariyadha manidarai vaiyyam sumappadum vambu



Thiruvaadi p poorathu jagath tudithal vazhiye

Thiruppavai muppadum cheppinall vazhiye

Periyazhvaar pettreduththa pennpillai vazhiye

Perumpoodur maamanikku pinnanall vazhiye

Oru nootru narpathu moondr uraiththall vazhiye

Uyararangarke kanni ugandhaliththal vazhiye

Maruvarum thirumalli vada nazhi vazhiye

Van puduvai nagar Kodhai malar padangall Vazhiye



Sri Andal Thiruvadigale Charanam !