First day of Dhanur Masam: AndAL& Sri Raghuveeran

[Guest guest]

Dear Members of the Bhakthi group :

 

Yesterday , I had the good fortune to conclude the Yuddha

KhAndham section of Swami Desikan's Raghuveera Gadhyam ,

where he paid singular tribute to the MahA Veeram of Sri RamA

in the battle field . Swami Desikan had special affection for

GodhA PirAtti , NammAzhwAr and ThiruppANAzhwAr. He eulogized

GodhA PirAtti in GodhA Sthuthi , NammAzhwAr in PadhukhA sahasram

and ThiruppANar in MunivAhana Bhogam .

 

GodhA Piratti is the incarnation of Bhumi Devi as indicated by

Swami Desikan's 21st slokam of GodhA sthuthi , where he

addresses her as VasudhE . His reference is based on the

nature of GodhA's incarnation as a child in the TuLasi vanam

of PriyAzhwAr , when he ploughed the field . Her incarnation

is exactly the same as that of SitA devi ( UtthithA medhinim BhithvA ).

The Vedic reference binding both of them in Taittiriya SamhithA :

 

" GruthEna SitA madhunA samaktha ----"

-- Taittiriya SamhithA , 4th Khaandham, 2nd prasnam ,5th anuvAkam

 

This manthram used to offer salutation to the plough end ( Laankala

Paddhathi ) is also a tribute to Sitha and her avathAram . This can therefore

be extended to the avatharam of GodhA as SitA( VasudhA ) in

Sri Villiputthur . One of the etymological intrepretation of the name

GodhA is GavAdheeyathE ithi GodhA ( One who appeared splitting

the earth ).

 

It is no wonder that this "Sita " of Kali Yugam had a great reverence for

her consort the MahA veeran, Sri Raghu Raaman .

 

In a series of postings during this sacred month of Marghazhi / Danuhr

Maasam , I will salute the way in which GodhA devi eulogised the

Valour of Sri Ramachandra in NacchiyAr Thirumozhi and Thiruppavai .

We will also enjoy the concept of Prapatthi as experienced by AandAL ,

Her Sanga Tamizh , Her concept of Kaimkaryam and Her PurushaKAram ,

Her special realtion to Govindan .

 

Srimathai VishNu ChittArya ManOnandana HetavE I

Nandanandana sundaryai GodhAyai Nitya MangaLam II

 

Sri VaishNava Daasan ,

 

Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan