TIRUPPAVAI 21 - ERRA KALANGAL
PASURAM 494
In this pAsuram, Nappinnai herself takes the side of the Gopis (ANDAL and her friends) and wakes the Lord on their behalf.
The milk vessels get filled and overflow with the milk given continuously by in-numerous, generous and big cows of NandagOpa. Oh Lord, You are the son of that NandagOpa who has accumulated the cows as his wealth . Oh Lord who is always interested in protecting your bhAktas! You show the five states, such as PARAMAPADAM (ooRRamuDaiyAi - supreme form), VYOOHAM (periyAy - expanded form), VIBHAVAM (ulaginil - incarnated form), ARCHAVATARAM (tORRamAi nindra - worshipable idol form), ANTARYAMI (chuDarE - the immanent soul in every sentient and insentient being). Please wake up from your sleep. Just as your enemies come and stand at your door step helplessly, defeated, so have we come to You singing and praising Your glories.
The hidden idea of the song is that of describing “A good sadAchArya lakshaNam”. As the cow discharges milk at the sight of the vessel, a well learned AchAryan will dispense his knowledge at the very sight of a sad-sishyan.
KEY WORDS: ERRa kalangaL - filled vessels, meedaLippa - overflow and fall on the vessel, mARRAdE - uninterrupted. ARRa paDaittAn - wealthy NandagOpa, ooRRam - the quality of protecting the universe, periyAy - the matchless one, tORRamAy ninRa - incarnation as the resplendent son of dEvaki, suDarE - the light, mARRAr - enemies, ARRAdu - helpless, pORRi - sing pallANDu
The tirunAmam of this pAsuram is "tORRamAi ninRa ChuDar". (21)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 21
TIRUPPAVAI 22 - ANGAN MANYALATTU
PASURAM 495
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pangamAy vandu nin paLLik kattiR kIzhE *
sangam iruppAr pOl vandu talaippeydOm *
kingiNi vAych seyda tAmaraip pUp pOlE
sengaN chiRuch chiRidE, em mEl vizhiyAvO *
tingaLum Adittiyanum ezhundAR pOl *
engaL mEl sAbam izhindElOr empAvAy (22)
In this vast beautiful earth, the kings shedding their ego and self-esteem come and gather around your throne (cot). In the same way, we have gathered around you with utmost servitude. Oh Lord!, with your exquisite eyes, like a half opened kingkini, a jingling round bell. resembling a lotus flower, won’t you cast your look slowly on us? That glance with both Your beautiful eyes like the rising sun and the moon will free us from the curse of sins.
This pAsuram indirectly denotes that sharanAgati is the only means to attain Him. And He is the only means for sharanAgati to fructify. He is the means (upAyam) and goal (upEyam).
KEY WORDS: am kaN mA gyAlam - beautiful, wide and huge world/earth, abhiman bhangamAy vandu - the kings (arasar) have come with subdued egoes, sangam - in flocks, talapEydOm - bowed their heads in surrender, kinkini vAy seyda - the half closed eye looks like the ghungroo that has a small slit in between, angaN iRaNDum - beautiful wide eyes, vizhiyAvO - will it not open? nOkkudiyEl - will you not shower your cool glance?, tingaL - moon, aditya - sun.
In this pAsuram, the tirunAmam is not literally specified. Our Acharyas have inferred that it is "madhusoodana", the Lord who killed the demons madhu and kaiTabha. (22)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 22
TIRUPPAVAI AUDIO LESSONS 22 TO 30
TIRUPPAVAI 23 - MARI MALAI
PASURAM 496
sIreeya singam aRivuRRut tI vizhittu *
vEri mayir ponga eppADum pErndudaRi *
mUri nimirndu muzhangip puRappattup **
pOdarumA pOlE, nee pUvaip pU vaNNA * un
kOyil ninRu inganE pOndaruLi * kOppuDaiya
seeriya singAsanattirundu * yAm vanda
kAriyam ArAyndu aruLElOr empAvAy (23)
During rainy season, the lion lies calm, asleep with its lioness in the mountain caves. The moment it smells an enemy, it emerges fiercely from its den with its sparkling fiery eyes and raising its mane in all directions with a thunderous roar. Oh dark kAyA flower hued KRISHNA (poovai poo vaNNA)! We pray that you come out of your decorated glorious chamber and adorn the royal throne gracefully and enquire of us and investigate the purpose of our visit and shower your blessings just like the lion. (Narasimha)
This song establishes the absolute power and divya anugraham of Lord Narasimha to grant us all our boons and lead us to the divine path of bhagavat kainkaryam.
KEY WORDS: mAri - in the rainy season, muzhainjil - cave, manni kiDanda - sleeping along with partner, aRivuRRu - get up with a jolt, teevizhittu - open the eyes like a fire ball, kOppu - decorated, celebrated, seeriya - vibrant, singAsanam - throne, vEri mayir - rich manes, veppADum - all directions.
The tirunAmam in this pAsuram is "poovai poo vaNNA". (23)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 23
TIRUPPAVAI 24 - ANRU IV ULAGAM
PASURAM 497
She sings MangalAshAsanam (PallANDu) like her father PeriyAzhwAr and expresses it six times. Her concern was that PerumAL after taking several avatAas in various yugas has walked through to fulfill our wishes. She fears that His glorious lotus feet (tiruvaDi) would have pained him after many avatAras.
1. PallANDu to Lord trivikrama's feet that measured the entire universe - aDi pORRi
2. PallANDu to Lord kOdaNDarAma's valour that vanquished the LankA king rAvaNa and rescued SeetA - tiRaL pORRi
3.PallANDu to little KaNNan's distinguished fame. Didn't He shatter the bedeviled cart while he was just a little baby?. - pugazh pORRi
4. PallANDu to the feet of Lord KrishNa who stay fixed on the gorund and used the demon-calf like a sling and flung it onto the wood apple tree and killed vatsAsura - kazhal pORRi
5. PallANDu to the quality of compassion that held mount Govardana as an umbrella and protected the people of BrindAvan for seven consecutive days - guNam pORRi
6. PallANDu to the spear that destroys all evil and wins over them - vEl pORRri
We resolve to offer eternal service to you. Kindly accept our servitude and grant us bliss that is paRai. As we come today beseeching you, please step down from your high throne and shower your mercy on us.
The sausheelya guNa (simple kindness) of the Lord through out His avatAras is brought out clearly in this pAsuram by ANDAL as she sings pallANDu for those guNas. As a beneficiary of His guNas, we shed our ahankAra and mamakAra, we are guided to balance our sattva, rajO and tamO guNas, We slowly learn to detach, shed our samsAra rasa and indulge in bhakti.
KEY WORDS: pORRi - Hail to thee, pallANDu, seRRAy - destroyed, poNRa - disguised , sakaTam - wheel, vEl - spear, spear is representative of all the weapons of Lord krishNa like chakra, shankh, gadA, shArnga, khaDgam, etc., kuNil - cudgel, a short stick or a sling.
The tirunAmams of this pAsuram are "ulagam aLandavan", "tennilangai cheRRavan, ponRa chagaDam udaittAn", " kanRu kunilA eRittAn", "kuNRu kuDaiyAy eDuttAn". (24)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 24
TIRUPPAVAI 25 - ORUTTI MAGANAY
PASURAM 498
ANDAL and the other gOpi girls now sing in praise of KrishNa and seek His anubhavam.
Oh Krishna! The one who is omniscient! You were born to that singular divine mother Devaki on that dark rainy night, and grew up in the secluded protection of the other singular mother, YashOdA, in order to stay safe from the asura king Kamsa (kanjan), who was planning terrible ways (karuttai pizhaipitta) to harm You. Oh, the greatest one! The fear you created in Kamsa is burning like a furnace in his stomach (neruppenna ninRa neDumAlE). We have come in search of You ( arutittu vandOm), pleading for mOksha (parai) that leads to the eternal bliss ( tiru takka selvam) and permanent servitude (sEvakam), so that we can get rid of the worries (varuttam) of samsAra.
ANDAL explains how only He can show us the path, give us the necessary equipment to reach Him and finally give Himself! He is the means and fruit of our birth and our ultimate goal is bhaghavat kainkaryam.
KEY WORDS: tarikkilAnAgi - unable to withstand your power (kamsa), tAn teengu ninaitta - he decided to harm you, karuttai pizhaipitta - destroyed kamsa's plans
The tirunAmam of this pAsuram is "neDumAl". (25)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 25
TIRUPPAVAI 26 - MALE MANIVANNA
PASURAM 499
Oh Krishna ! The blue hued gem who makes us lose our senses with his captivating love! The one who lies on the banyan leaf during the deluge! (Alin ilayAy). We are here having performed the holy mArgazhi bath and the vrata as prescribed by the elders (mElaiyAr seivanagaL). We want You to give us our desired gift with the thundering sound of your pure white conch that rattles the universe, the large resounding drums (pOypADu uDaiya sAla perum paRai), the tall, lovely, decorated lamps( kOla viLakku), the flags,( koDi ) festoons and canopy (vidAnam, वितान vitAna - canopy), and amidst devotees hailing You. Please bless us.
In this pAsuram, ANDAL lays emphasis on the need to follow the tradition as set by learned elders and the importance of shiShTAchAras and our AchAryas.
The tirunAmam of this pAsuram is "mAl", "maNivaNNA', "Alin ilaiyAy". (26)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 26
TIRUPPAVAI 27 - KOODARAI VELLUM
PASURAM 500
O Lord gOvindA who has the kalyAna gunAs of winning over your opponents! By singing your glories, now that we have won You, we deserve our gifts that are praised by the whole world. (ANDAL lists out the gifts). By singing Your glories, we have received the drum, (qualification to go near the Lord due to His kaTAksham). Now we ask for our gifts like bracelets (sooDakamE), shoulder chains (tOlvaLayE) , earrings (tODE), ornament on upper part of the ear or mATTal ( sevippUvE) and anklets (pADagamE) , and many more. Provide us with beautiful clothes (ADai uDuppOm) to adorn ourselves, In your divine company with Your grace on us, we will have ksheerAnnam (pAr sOru), laden with sumptuous ghee (mooDanai peydu) dripping down upto the elbow. Lastly, we together enjoy seeing You in the vicinity while You shower Your kaTAksham upon us.
In the second pAsuram, vayyattu vAzhveergAl, ANDAL showed us the path of vairAgya for the vrata, where in she advised a prapanna to refrain from wearing collyrium , garlands, consuming ghee and milk. But, in this pAsuram, she considers the same things as bhagavat prasAdam, a well-deserved gift for a vrata strictly observed. The gifts are - nearness to the Lord (sAmeepyam),residing in the same place (sAlOkyam), experiencing His roopA with jewellery and clothes worn by Him (sAroopyam) and ultimately eternal bliss (sAyujyam).
‘’ kooDi irundu kulirndu’’--The pAsuram gives the message that guided by bhAgavatAs (sadAcharyAs), a prapanna enjoys the proximity of the Lord along with other muktAs, just like the nityasooris.
The tirunAmam of this pAsuram is "kooDArai vellum seer gOvindA". (27)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 27
TIRUPPAVAI 28 - KARAVAIGAL PINSENRUSENRU
PASURAM 501
ANDAL and her friends totally surrender themselves to kaNNan or perform sharanAgati.
Dear krishNa ! We are innocent cowherds who seek livelihood by tending cattle and as they graze, we go behind them, have food in the woods ( kANam serndu unbOm). Our entire clan is naive, unintelligent, lacking general knowledge (aRivOndRum illAda), We do not have the qualities needed to pursue bhakti. Yet, You, Oh flawless gOvindA ! You chose to incarnate in the yAdavakulam. Our commendable association (undannOndu uravEl) with You cannot be renounced at any time ( Ozhikka OzhiyAdu). We called You by petty names ( siru pEr ), yet You endeared Yourself to us unassumingly. Do not get angry (seeri aRulAdE). Oh merciful Lord ! This behaviour towards You was due to our unbounded love for You alone ( anbinAl undannai). Please forgive us with Your abundant grace. Our master (iraivA)! We wish to live a life that will please You. Bless us by giving us the paRai ( katAksham) .
In the first pasuram, ANDAL says that Shreeman nArAyanAn is the only means and he is the only one supreme who can give us the our gifts. (’nArAyananE namakkE paRai taruvAn). In this pAsuram, ANDAL states that they do not desire for perishable pleasures, they want nitya kainkarya purushArtham as the Lord is the master( sEshi) and the prapanna is sub-servient ( sEshan).
This pAsuram elaborates the path of sharanAgati to attain mOksham. Totally surrender to Him, by worshiping with utmost devotion, by asking forgiveness, expressing gratitude and humbly renouncing the fruits obtained.
The tirunAmams of this pAsuram are "kuRai onRum illAda gOvindA" and "iraivA". (28)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 28
TIRUPPAVAI 29 - CHIRRAM SIRUKALE
PASURAM 502
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| CHIRRAM CHIRU KALE |
chiRRam chiru kAlE - ANDAL further points to the 5 limbs (angas) of prapatti. She explains to Lord Govinda: We did what should have been done i.e. we woke up in the early sAttvic hours of brahma muhoorta and worshipped your lotus feet singing your divine names sincerely (1. Anukoolya sankalpam). We refrained from that which should not be done. ie. we refrained from hurting people and doing things not approved by the Lord. (2. prAtikoolya varjanam).
peRRam meyttu - We are only ignorant cowherds ((3. kArpaNyam). But we were blessed that you were born in our cowherd clan whose only work is rearing cattle and eating. Don't turn us down, please shower your compassion on us.
uRROmE AvOm unakkE nAm ATseyvOm.....eRRaikkum EzhEzh piravikkum undannODu.* - Oh Govinda! We know only you. We promise that we will surrender only to You and be fully Yours not only in this janma but for many janmas to come and in all your incarnations. (4. mahAvishvAsam).
iRRai paRai koLvAn.....maRRai nam kAmangaL mARRElOr empAvAi* - Oh gOvinda! We seek only You as our protector. Hence please guide us so that we do not divert away from You. (5. gOptRutva varaNam)
The real meaning of the word "paRai" is finally revealed in the phrase - "eRRaikkum ezh ezh piRavikkum undannODu" which means "ananta kainkaryam". Eternal service of the Lord without separation is the ultimate bliss for a jeevAtmA/chEtana.
The tirunAmam of this pAsuram is "gOvindA. (29)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 29
TIRUPPAVAI 30 - VANGAKADAL KADAINDA
PASURAM 503
Having found the path to bliss, ANDAL prays to the Lord to shower His divine grace on all .
Oh Lord MADHAVA! As it is Shree, the consort of the Lord who recommends us to Him (purushakAram), ANDAL addresses the Lord as MADHAVA (the husband of Shree). The one who helped churn the turbulent ocean with with four strong shoulders. Oh Lord KESHAVA!
Oh benevolent Shriya:pati, the one with a beautiful face and red eyes full of compassion! You gave this kOdai, the daughter of SreevilliputtUr BhaTTar PirAn who wears a cool garland of fresh lotus and all those ornamented gOpis the rewards of nOnbu. In the same way, please bestow your everlasting grace on all those who recite all these thirty tiruppAvai pAsurams. May they live happily wherever they are.
It is the magnanimity of the elevated souls to ask for the emancipation of jeevAtmAs suffering in the world. So did ANDAL rise to do "purushakAram" so that we all enjoy the bliss that she experienced.
The last two pAsurams are the first two shlokas that are recited under the "sARRumuRai kramam - the concluding part of nitya bhagavat ArAdhanam". It is then followed by PeriyAzhvAr's tiru pallANDu.
KEY WORDS: vanga kaDal - The ocean with sprawling waves or ocean with ships, angu appaRai koNDa aRRai - resembling the rewards/ fruits given there (at brindAvan), aNipuduvai - beautiful Shreevilliputtoor, taN teriyal - cool garland, painkamala - fresh lotus, baTTar - periyAzhvAr, ANDAL's father, ingu i parisu uRaippAr - recite these pAsurams listed here.
ANECDOTES: The phrase "vangakaDal kaDainda mAdhavanai kEshavanai" denotes the "samudra manthana" charitram. Once, Sage DurvAsa offered Lord Indra a beautiful garland given by an apsara. Indra accepted it and placed it on his elephant airAvata's trunk. DurvAsa became furious and cursed Indra that all the dEvas under Him would lose their power and fortune. They approached VishNu for help. VishNu advised them to churn the milky ocean to get ‘amRutam’ - the nectar that grants everlasting powers. The dEvas decided to churn the ocean with mandara mountain as the churner and vAsuki snake as the rope. The mountain was so huge and tall that they sought the help of even the asuras to carry it. Lord ViShNu also sent GaruDa to hold still, the tip of the mountain. He Himself became a huge tortoise (koorma) and held mandara from below. Despite the muscle power, it seemed verily like an impossible goal to be achieved. It was the game played by Lord ViShNu to make everyone realise the importance of life. Then, VishNu Himself appeared with a thousand shoulders and completed the task of churning the tidal ocean in no time. The nectar was finally granted to the dEvas my mOhini, another incarnation of VishNu. During the churning, mahAlakshmi appeared from the ocean and married VishNu. Hence VishNu is called "mAdhava". Since He is the Lord of Brahma and Shiva, He is called "kEshava" .
The tirunAmam of this pAsuram is "tirumAl".
The divya dEsam for this pAsuram is "srivilliputtUr", - puduvai. (30)
TREASURES OF TIRUPPAVAI 30
Nitya Shree Nitya Mangalam.
