Thiruppavai - 11th verse- kaRRu kaRavai... mugil vaNNan pEr paada...

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SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama:

 

Dearest all,

 

Today’s verse is No. 11th. Let us continue to enjoy the wonderful commentary

of His Holiness Srimath Paravakkottai Andavan of Sri Poundarikapuram Swami

ashramam, Srirangam – translated into English by Sri CG Balaji Swami.

 

kaRRuk kaRavaik kaNaNGkaL pala kaRan^thu *

ceRRaar thiRalazhiyac cenRu ceruc ceyyum *

kuRRam onRillaatha kOvalartham poRkotiyE *

puRRaravalkul punamayilE pOtharaay *

cuRRaththu thOzhimaar ellaarum van^thu * nin

muRRam pukun^thu mukilvaNNan pEr paata *

ciRRaathE pEcaathE celvap peNtaatti * nI

ERRukku uRaNGkum poruL ElOr empaavaay. 11.

 

After the birth of Kannan, it is believed that even the old cattle

turned back to the younger days. It is said that king Dasharatha,

found himself back in his youth after the birth of Sri Rama. Such is

the effect of one’s association with the Lord. It is difficult to keep

count of the cattle individually. It is also difficult to keep track of

them in herds. Taking this advantage, the celestials descended on

the earth in the form of cattle and endeared themselves to Lord

Krishna. Kannan is popularly upheld as a master cowherd who

milked the entire herd. He made the livestock flourish with

richness. The cowherds would not continue with their trading of

milk and ghee. They proclaimed that they followed their practice of

milking the cows, only to free them off their soreness. They were

determined to fight the offenders like Kamsa and the like, who

would dare touch upon the pristine glories of Kannan. They would

not harm one who had put their weapon down. They were akin to

Sri Rama and showed the magnanimity of allowing their opponents

to retire and came back the next day. Andal continues addressing

one of her mates “Oh illustrious! The one who is upheld as the

celebrity of the town, oh beauty personified! Your bewitching charm

makes the women folk lament for not having been born as men.

Your grace and the beauty of your tresses that resemble the

feathers of a peacock do enchant Lord Krishna and us. Arise

therefore and join us in our journey.â€

 

The mate questions from inside “Have the others joined you

yet?†To this, comes the reply “You do know well about the entire

habitation of Ayirpadi. We have all come and gathered in front of

your dwelling nowâ€. The mate replies, “Why did you choose mine?

That place is reserved for my Kannan when he comes to meet me.â€

Andal replies, “It is indeed to sing the divine names of the Lord who

has the hue of the rain bearing cloud and who is the object of your

choicest delightâ€. Having heard of the mention of the Lord with the

dark hue of the cloud that referred to Kannan, the maid plunged

into a delightful ecstasy immersing herself in Kannan’s glories and

withdrew herself back to her bed even without taking notice of the

breaking day.

 

Andal replies, “You are his favourite spouse. Your heart is now

filled with the bliss of having heard the glories of Kannan and you

have immersed yourself in his virtues. It would be our fortune if we

get to go to our morning showers in your company. You have

retired back to your bed, refusing our invitation. Is this really worth

a thing? The greatest bliss is indeed to join in the celebration along

with the Lord’s sub-servients. Why are you acting like a recluse in

self-experience? Why are you still in a slumber forgetting your

ambition, failing to consider our desperate pleas and at the same

time overlooking the possibility of the wonderful fortune of joining

with Kannan. Had Kannan not been in your house, and then you

too would have participated in our observances of nombu. Is it not?

Inner purport – Preceptors who are like the cattle impart the

milk of divine teachings to their disciples who are like the calves.

Wealth does not join a Jeevan in his spiritual journey. It only

bestows momentary material pleasure. The divine names of the

Lord, on the other hand bestow one with the eternal wealth of

beatitude

 

Andal ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan