Tiruvadipooram

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhaktas,

 

For the occassion of TiruvAdipooram, I wish to remember our blessed

mother, Goda Piratti, and share a few thoughts about this wonderful

Azhwar. First, the birth of this Azhwar was not through residence in a

mother's womb. Instead it was an Avirbhava as described by Swami

Desikan. The fact that she was located by Sri Periya Azhwar in his

garden of flowers, illustrates the salutation "PadmavanAlayAm" for Sri

Mahalakshmi Thayar. The glory of Srivilliputtur stems from the fact that

it is the birthplace of Andal and the residence of Lord Govinda

(Godai Piranda Oor Govindan Vazhumoor). Indeed such is the love of

our Lord for Goda Piratti that the Moolavar at Srirangam is

southfacing. This helps him keep his promise of Nitya Darshanam

to Vibhishana and Andal since both Srivilliputtur and Lanka are to

the south of Srirangam.

 

Andal is the embodiment of the BhuSooktam salutations "YattE

ManyuParOptasya PruthivI ManudadvashE. Adiyta VishvE taddeva

Vasavascha Samabharan. MedinI Devi VasundharAsyAd Vasudha Devi

VasavII"

 

Her outporuings in the thirty delectable Tiruppavai verses contain

the essence of all Vedas. If one is unable to undertake Nitya

Veda Parayanam, recitation of Andal's Sarrmurai verses paves the

way for salvation. The key salutations are "UnakkE NamazhchaivOm"

and "NamakkE ParadaruvAn". These reflect the message from the Lord's

assurances "Yogakshemam VahAmyaham", "Maamekam SharaNam Vraja",

"Sambhavami Yuge Yuge" and "MokshayishyAmi Ma Shucha". The

salutation "UnajjE NamazhchaivOm" brilliantly summarizes the

Sama Vedam, which is exclusively in praise of Lord Narayana.

 

The uniqueness of Andal lies in the fact that she was one of two

Azhwars who attained Parama Padam before the Lord Himself. In

accepting his consort, Lord Ranganatha brilliantly illustrates

the three meanings of the word Gauh, i.e., from the

earth, from the cow, from the Vedam. Let us see how this came about.

(1)Andal arose from the earth as the Amsam of Bhoomi Piratti and

was accepted by Lord Ranganatha as his consort. This illustrates

the meaning of Govinda as the Lord of the earth.

(2)In the thirty verses, Andal eulogized Govinda- the protector of the

cows. Accordingly the greatest cowherd heeded her prayers.

(3)The outpourings of Andal contain the essence of all Vedams. As

a result her wish for eternal union with Lord Govinda was granted

by the Veda Purushan.

(4) The term Govinda is also related to the PraNava Swaroopam of

the Lord. This can be gleaned from the salutation UnakkE

NamAzhchaivOm. This is refers to the Narayana Upanishad

salutations "Pratyagananadam Brahma Purusham PraNava Swaroopam"

and "BrahmaNyO DevakI PutrO BrahmaNyO MadhusudhanOm"

 

Another reason for Andal's uniqueness is that since she was a woman,

pining for her beloved and expressing her sorrow at separation from

her consort came to her naturally. She did not have to specifically take

on the Nayaki Bhavam.

 

Her message of Trikala SmaraNam is beautifully portrayed in three

key verses of the Tiruppavai, i.e., remembering the Lord at three

important times.

 

(1) Upon waking up from sleep: Marghazhi Tingal.. is the relevant

Pasuram.

(2) While engaging in SnAnam: Ongi Ulahalanda Uttaman PEr Paadi...

is the Pasuram which illustrates this.

(3) While partaking of food: Koodarai Vellum Sheer Govinda...

This illustrates the Taittriya Upanishad salutation "Aham Annam

Aham Annam Aham Annam..." rendered in Saman. Again this points

to the Sama Vedam aspect associated with Govinda.

 

Andal TiruvadigalE SharaNam,

 

Namo Narayana,

 

Muralidhar Rangaswamy

 

 

 

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