The month of Margazhi

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Thiruppavai and Thiruvembavai

 

 

In the Tamil bhakti literature two great compositions

stand as testimony to realization of god. It also

establishes the real truth about god. The song

composed by Shri Andal is called Thiruppavai. The song

composed by Manikkavachagar is called Thiruvembavai.

Even though they were sung at different periods, they

are sung together in the early mornings during the

month of Margazhi (from 15 Dec to 15 Jan). In the

spiritual bhakti movement in Hinduism this period is

considered very auspicious, as during this month the

god hears all prayers from his devotees. In tamilnad,

during this month many people get up early in the

morning and go to temples and listen or sing these

songs.

 

In thiruppavai Shri Andal assumes the place she lives

as that of lord Krishna’s gokul and her friends as the

Gopikas of Krishna. The songs are in simple Tamil and

have deep meanings as told in Vedas and Upanishads.

Manikkavachgar sings his songs at the famous

Arunachala after seeing the lord in the form of

dazzling light. He says the Shiva who is in the form

of hill has no beginning or end. Let us all sing in

his praise. The songs which were composed by the poet

on the lord at thiruperumdurai is also famous as it is

here the lord came in the form of a Brahmin and showed

him the place where he dwells. This is the only temple

where there is no idol to be seen. All worship is done

to a small platform, which is considered as god. The

poet says the lord here is in the form of “Giana” and

can be seen as per the devotee’s visualization. The

set of 10 songs in praise of this lord is called

“Thiruppaliezuchi”.

 

pranams,

 

cdr bvn

 

 

The month of Margazhi

 

 

V Rajagopalachariar

 

 

THE life of Sri Andal is remarkable for its romantic

simplicity. A devout Brahmin of Srivilliputtur,

Vishnuchitta (Periazhvar) one morning discovered a

baby girl lying under the tulasi. He named her Goda,

which in Sanskrit signifies proficiency in speech or

words; giver of sweet hymns, one given by earth, giver

of garlands. Legend says Goda is the incarnation of

Bhudevi (Mother Earth). Even at a tender age Goda

decided that she would marry none but the Lord.

Therefore, everyday she would secretly bedeck herself

with flower garlands made by her father for the Lord

in his temple. When Periazhvar came to know of it, he

was aghast at his daughter’s indiscreet act and

chastised her. He then proceeded to make fresh

garlands for the Lord. That very night the Lord in a

dream told Periazhvar and the temple priest (archaka)

that nothing pleased Him so much as the flowers and

garlands, which were first worn by Goda. It was then

that Vishnuchitta understood the greatness of Goda.

Since then she came to be known as Chudikkodutta

Nachiaar, she who wove a garland. Hagiography further

details the wedding of Sri Andal with Lord Ranganatha

of Srirangam.Sri Andal has written two works in Tamil,

the Tiruppavai and the Nachiaar Tirumozhi, unique in

literary, philosophical, religious and artistic

content. We have no other record of women composing

Tamil poetry at this time. Internal evidence available

in Vaishnava hymns, and historical inscriptions

indicate that the Tiruppavai was sung by Sri Andal in

731 A.D. Though she was a teenager when she wrote

them, Sri Andal’s verses display literary and

religious maturity, allowing several interpretations

to the delight of scholars.The Tiruppavai is a poem of

thirty verses. In this Andal imagines herself to be a

cowherd girl during the incarnation of Lord Krishna

and yearns to serve Him not just in this birth but for

all eternity. Tiruppavai means a divine, sacred vow

observed to attain the Lord and engage in His services

(kainkarya). The word pavai means girl, nombu means

vow or vratham, doll, pupil of the eye and Tiru

denotes Sri, splendour, Lakshmi, wealth, brilliance.

Tiruppavai is also called so because of the refrain

Elorempavai that appears at the end of each hymn. Yet

It means ‘our young woman who embraced’ (the Lord).

During the month of Margazhi (December 15-January 15),

Tamil Nadu is woken every dawn by the Tiruppavai of

Sri Andal.

 

Extracted from ‘Nrisimhapriya’ magazine, Sri Ahobila

Math

 

 

 

 

 

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