Thiruppavai - 18th verse- undhu mathakaLiRRan ODAtha thOL valiyan

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SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika mahadesikaya nama:

 

Dearest all,

 

Today’s verse is the 18th verse. 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.

 

un^thu mathakaLiRRan Otaatha thOL valiyan *

nan^thakOpaalan marumakaLE nappinnaay *

kan^tham kamazhum kuzhali katai thiRavaay *

van^thu eNGkum kOzhi azhaiththana kaaN * maathavip

pan^thal mEl palkaal kuyilinaNGkaL kUvina kaaN *

pan^thaar virali un maiththunan pEr paatac *

cen^thaamaraik kaiyaal cIraar vaLai olippa *

van^thu thiRavaay makizhn^thu ElOr empaavaay. (2) 18.

 

In this verse, Andal and her friends awaken Nappinnai, the

Lord’s consort, who is also the intermediary between the Jeevas

and the Lord, who persuades the Lord accept us to His holy abode.

Shurpanakha disregarded Sita and tried to attain Sri Rama while

Ravana disregarded Sri Rama and tried to win over Sita. Both of

them met with similar fates while Vibhishana who beseeched both

prospered. Since the awakening of Kannan went in vain, they

surrendered to Balarama, the preceptor and then attempted to

awaken Nappinnai, the Lord’s consort. Is it then not necessary to

have an intermediary between Piraatti and us? Yes, there is. Her

compassion itself does this job. Water is needed to put down fire

and water is sufficient to put down water.

 

Undhu mathakaLiRRan Odaatha thOL valiyan – The ensemble now awakens Nappinnai,

the daughter in

law of Nandagopa. Nandagopa was as strong as an elephant in

high. His strength matched that of an elephant and held a herd of

them in his possession. He held great strength in his arms and

would never take a step back in retreat. None had to worry about

the evil despicable plans of Kamsa as Nandagopa had the power to

shield Kannan from each and every one of Kamsa’s evil designs.

Nappinnai is the daughter in law of such great a noble man. She is

the daughter of Kumba, but yet Nandagopa the father in law was

referred and not her father. This is similar to the Ramayana

episode. Sita talks to Hanuman proudly associating herself to the

solar dynasty. She introduces herself as the daughter in law of

Dasharatha, whom she adored more than her father.

Gandham kamazhum kuzhalee kadai thiRavaay – Nappinnai is addressed as one

having a rich flow of tresses and one who has devoted her heart to Kannan alone

who has a divine form that disseminates a collective fragrance of all the

flowers.

 

They entreat her to throw open the door

and let the torrential flood of the fragrance of their divine unison

permeate the air around. Nappinnai then says, “What is the hurry.

 

Let the day break.†Vandhengum kOzhi azhaitthanakaaN– The day breaks and

there’s the croak of the rooster. Nappinnai replies –

“Will the mimicked croaking of one Gopi, make the Sun rise?†The

Gopis then say “No. Several roosters are croaking as if to brush the

sunlight on one and allâ€. Nappinnai then says, “Some roosters

croak as soon as they wake up. The sleeping ones are the real ones

that croak at day break.†The Gopis continue, “Is that so?â€

 

maadhavip pandhalmEl palkaal kuyilinangaL koovinakaaN

 

“cuckoos that slept on the jasmine beds are awake and chirping.

You hold familiarity with each other. They look up to you for your

compassionate glances as their life beat. Unable to reach you in

flocks, they have resorted to their sweet coo.†Having received no

response from Nappinnai, the ensemble of Andal and her maids

continued to extol her saying “pandhaar viraliâ€. It seems that during

the night before, Nappinnai and Kannan were engaged in a game of

ball and Kannan lost the game. Oh Nappinnai the one who is

holding on to Kannan with one hand in a tight embrace and the

ball in the other hand, you have been the chosen object of

enjoyment of Kannan. You are the go-between in the ballgame with

Kannan. On one hand you hold the Jeevans while on the other you

hold on to the Supreme Narayana. You therefore are the divine

mother who guides and walks the Jeevans and Sriman Narayana as

well, on their paths.â€

 

Nappinnai now questions the reason for their assembling

there, to which the Gopis reply, “It is to be with you. When you and

the Lord have a joyful rift, we would like to stay on your side and

sing the Lord’s playful defeat. We would then fill your ears with all

his misdoings playfully. (When parents are together, the children

follow them. When the two are in rift, the children stay with the

mother)†Nappinnai then invited them all inside.

 

The Gopis then replied “ Senthaamarai kaiyaal seeraar vaLaiyolippa

vandhu thiRavaay – Pray you come and open the door for us

delightfully. Your hands are the ones that have won the eternal

association of the beautiful, fragrant and blossomed lotus. They are

the objects of adoration of none but the Lord Himself. They are the

benefactors of all fruits of attainment. They have acquired a red

hue being engaged due to the clasping and throwing of the ball,

during the game with Kannan. When you are in stride, your hands

echo out an auspicious reverberation of jingling sounds due to the

brush of the bangles that adorn them. You, with Kannan should

bejewel us at the end of our observances. Pray come to us and open

the door with your beautiful hands and bless with the vision of

seeing your exquisite bearing.

 

Being subsumed by the joy of attaining Kannan, a Jeevan, in

order to reach the Supreme Lord, needs the divine Mother as the

go-between after having resorted to the lotus feet of a sadacharya

 

Andal ThiruvaDigaLE SaraNam

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan