Thiruppavai - Introduction

[Guest guest]

SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama:

 

Dearest all,

 

During this divine and most auspicious maargazhi month, adiyEn wished to share

with you Thiruppavai verses everyday... I remembered the brilliant and simple,

short bhAshaNam that asmadhAcharya His Holiness Srimath Poundarikapuram Andavan

Swami had blessed us with on ThiruppAvai. adiyEn wished to share the same with

everyone of you in this month. I requested Sri CG Balaji Swami (for the English

translation of these divine blessing by Acharyan and of Andal) to grant

permission to share his kainkarya with all of us. He has kindly consented for

the same. Thanks to him. With Acharyan’s and Godha’s blessings, let us begin

to enjoy.

 

Srimath Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam at Srirangam

is known for its austerity and is extolled as a place where Kali has

not yet set in. Glorified by an illustrious Achaarya paramparai, the

high seat is at present being held by H.H Paramahamsetyadi

Paravakkottai Srimath Poundarikapuram Srimath Andavan Sri

Gopala Deshika Maha Deshikan. Prakrutham Swamy is veritably

held as Abhinava Vasishta, having known for his strictest

conformance to anushtaanam. His precincts of knowledge are

boundless and he beams resplendently as the central gem amongst

all the Achaarya sarvabhoumars of present day. He has been

tirelessly working towards the betterment of Sri-sampradaayam for

nearly twenty seven years now, after he took to the Achaarya Peetam.

 

Swamy is verily the incarnation of Gitaacharya or Kannan, the

Yadava cowherd, who gave us one of the Prasthaana-traya namely

the Bhagavad Gita. He has come back again in this Kali Yuga as

Srimath Gopala Deshika Maha Deshikan Swamy to uplift mankind

from the samsaaric mire and to complete his imparts that were not

possible during the Dwaapara Yuga. Kannan always adorned a

musical flute in His hand. This flute that could not bear His

separation, has manifested itself as ‘tridandam’ or staff and now

decorates the hand of asmad achaaryar Srimath Gopala Deshika

Maha Deshikan. We, his disciples, are all Gopis indeed, awaiting

his benediction

 

Thiruppavai of Andal needs no introduction. Though they are

only thirty in number, they are acclaimed to be the seed to the

entire imperial collect of the Vedas. A minute seed that sprouts into

a huge tree, gives refuge to the likes of kings and emperors.

Similarly, Thiruppavai enshrines in itself the finest truths of

Vedantha. Thiruppavai has been embellished with many authentic

commentaries by the Poorvacharyas. Out of Swamy’s infinite

mercy, His Holiness had assented to give a series of concise and

succinct lectures on the topic of the most delectable Thiruppavai of

Andal. These lectures were broadcast on Radio Trichy. The same

was later brought out in a printed edition from the illustrious

house of ‘Sri Kanchi Perarulalan’. This tamizh treatise was released

during the occasion of Swamy’s shathabhishekam during Vikrama-

Panguni-Rohini, year 2001

 

The original tamizh treatise has now been translated to English for the benefit

of a wider audience.

This tribute of words is placed at the divine feet of Sri Andal

Rangamannar, during the auspicious month of margazhi. This

translation is presented to Asmadacharyar as a mark of respect for

Swamy’s infinite mercy and upakaaram.

 

The author is none other than our Sri CG Balaji Swamin (dhouhithran of our

revered Dr Sri U VE NS Anantharangachar Swami, Bangalore. Balaji’s acharya

bhakthi is seen to be believed. I thank him for granting permission to share

this during the maargazhi month. adiyEn intends to post verse a day for

everyone’s enjoyment.

 

Sri Balaji Swami is the thiruvadi of the 35th

pattam Parakala matam Jeeyar, H.H Srimath Abhinava Ramanuja

Brahmatantra Swatantra parakala Yatindra Maha Deshikan. He is also the recipient

of Swamy’s abundant grace and anugrahams and has obtained initiation into

Shrimath Rahasyatrayasaaram of Swamy Deshika at the lotus feet of Shrimath

Paravakkottai Andavan.

 

Sri Balaji says that it is only the parama kataaksham and anugraham of Swamy on

him that has made him attempt to celebrate the glories of the Lord as told by

Andal and as celebrated by asmad Swamy.

 

Sri Balaji adds with utter humility:

 

Swami’s anugraham is so powerful that it can even make an unworthy being like

this author attempt to write on the greatness of this divine work. The author

has composed this work within the limits of his intellectual prowess and

qualifications. The original tamizh monograph of asmad Swamy is blemishless and

is one of the most profound commentaries that are available on Thiruppavai. The

original tamizh treatise is an outstanding example of asmad Swamy’s profound

knowledge. Its lilting style and power of expression makes it endearing to the

peruser. The author takes responsibility for all the mistakes present in this

translation work and at the same time requests the merciful indulgence of asmad

Swamy and

Bhaagavathas in forgiving the same. With these words adiyen

humbly presents this work at the feet of his master, Srimath

Gopala Deshika Maha Deshikan.

 

Andal, like Sita Piratti was born at Rangamannar’s

nandavanam, just like the ethereal fragrance of the tulasi growing

nearby. After she attained a marriageable age, when Periyazhwar

was searching for a groom, Andal said, “If you get me married to

mere mortals, I shall not wish to live, I shall not allow you to do so,

I shall get wed to Paraman aloneâ€. Whenever Azhwar used to sing

the glories of the Perumals of the hundred and eight divya

deshams, and whenever he mentioned about Aranga, His divine

form and the beauty of His thirumeni, she used to feel mesmerized

and shed tears of joy and at the same time feel thrilled. She, like

the gopikas of Nandagokulam, decided to get married to Kannan

alone and adorned herself with similar attire like that of gopis and

would talk hours together like them and observed the “Paavaiâ€

nombu or festival. These actions were sung by her as Thiruppavai.

 

This is also referred to as Godai Tamizh that is “oru peNNin thamizh†(a

girl’s tamizh). The Tamizh sung by those born as a female. Other

divyaprabandhams are tamizh, which have been basically sung by

Azhwars who were male with naayaka-naayaki bhavam or bridal

mysticism.

 

Thiruppavai can give one a divine experience of unity with

Bhagavan. It is based on those pasurams which were accepted by

the changa palakai at Madhurai, that is Thiruvaimozhi. Kodai says

“sangatthamizh maalai muppadhum thappAmEâ€, one who sings this

garland of psalms or pasurams in chengattamizh, shall definitely

get the divine blessings of Thirumal.

 

There are certain periods for Vedam, when it should not be recited, but for a

few days, Thiruppavai can be recited at all other times. The shastras taught to

us by our parents are two in number. The first one being Geethai taught by our

father Kannan. The other one being taught to us is by our mother, which is

Thiruppavai. Its glory is said thus “Vedam anaitthukkum vitthuâ€, that is

Vedam is the basis for everything. And Thirppavai is the seed of all Vedas.

 

And so it is said that one who does not know these (5 x 5 + 5 = 30)

thirty pasurams of Thiruppavai is a burden to the earth. There are

six main topics in Thiruppavai –

1. Paavai nombu – The observance of paavai festival

2. Going together for observing the paavai nombu

3. Awakening Kannan

4. Singing the glories of Kannan

5. Preaching

6. Sharanagathi or Self surrender

 

Andal talks about the above in the same order mentioned.

Andal becomes an acharya to Bhagavan for having taught him

of his own duties. The shastras proclaim that a pupil can eat the

left overs of his acharya. It is for the same reason as to why

Rangamannar wishes to adorn the flower garland of Andal after her

having worn it. This is conveyed by her name “soodi koduttha nAcchiyArâ€.

Just like Gopis, Andal takes all her friends and others to

observe the festival of paavai and having preached them the

ultimate truths, helps everyone to perform sharanagathi at the

lotus feet of the Lord to attain the eternal bliss of moksham.

 

Let us enjoy thaniyans and first verse in next post

Andal ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan