thirup pAvai - part 11 - mathi niRaintha nan nAL

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Sri ANDAL thiruvadikaLE saraNam

 

"mArgazhi thingaL" means the margazhi month, ie., in

Tamizh the word thingaL is also addressed for month. "mathi

niRaintha nannAlAm - the main meaning is that "mathi" the moon is

full (niRaintha) and blooming. Such days is a good day. For

those who are in love and are seeking the company of their beloved

one's (eternally) nilA or moon comes to one's mind. Many times

the nila or moon becomes their companion in their solitude,

longing for the union with their beloved. Among nila or moon,

niRaintha mathi or (ie., niRaintha means the mean that is full)

full moon is an auspicious sign for lovers. It is said that when

the moon is full certain qualities are brought in the minds of

lovers due to the kiranangaL (the beam or rays of full moon) and

their longing for each other reaches a peak that night. This is

the role of the full moon in lover's game. Perhaps, Sri ANDAL

indirectly states here that just as similar to her (jiVatmnA's)

pakkuvam to enjoy the Krishna prEmai, Sri Krishna is as well ready

and is filled with such desrie to be in HER company and such is

indicated by this "niRaintha mathi" ie., full moon. ie., Sri

ANDAL is perhaps reminded of the night in full moon when "Sri Ras

Leela" took place and Sri Krishna entertained in multiple forms

all the aaychiyars in Gokul. This is a Sri KrishnA anubavam

(Bagwath kAma thaththuvam) said to be unique for Sri Krishna,

("mAthuryam"). May be that is the reason She is seeking the

company of other aaycchiyars as well, symobolising the bAgwatha

ghOsti and sathsangam of all bAgwathAs in seeking to enjoy Sri

Krishna premai.

 

 

Pournami is genarlly a good day. In every Tamil calender

year One of the Powrnami is also the most auspicious day. Such

day is celebrated as the second largest attended festival in Tamil

Nadu in the city of Madurai. And it is very auspicous because of

ANDAL's sambandham (ANDAL's connectivity). On the day of chithrA

powrnami, Sri ANDAL's maalai (garland) from srivillip puthtur

reaches Sri Kallazhagar at the banks of the river Vaigai. HE

accepts the garland and steps into the river symbolising HIS union

with ANDAL. Incidentally this is also the first day (night) the

illaRam (married life) starts for newly married couple in these

area. Many newly married couple are even made to wait to

celebrate their nuptial, ceremonially on this day. ie., even if

they are married a few months ago in the same year they wait for

the most auspicous moment of Sri Azhagar accepting ANDAL's maalai

or garland and stepping into the river bed. (*)

 

 

 

Talking of "Love" between newly married, the role of Lord

Manmathan was discussed earlier as mentioned in AzwAr pAsurams.

There was also an ancient custom, when maiden women take early

morning bath and worship to the Lord of Love (kAMA) known as Lord

Manmathan, and seek his blessisngs for a getting married to a

husaband of their choice. In srimad bAgwatham also there is a

mention about this on Sri KAthyAyini nOnbu. (10 Skandam). This

practice is also found widely in South India (kerala) and is

reported in tamil sanga ilakkiyams as well.

 

 

Sri ANDAL thiruvadikaLE saraNam

Sri Boomi devith thAyAr samEtha Sri Oppiliappan thiruvadikaLE

saraNam

Sampath Rengarajan

 

(*) some more details may be found in articles on thiru maal irum

sOlai.