A Revolutionary lady - Sri Anbil Ramaswamy's brilliant write up

[Guest guest]

SrI:

SrImathE Gopaladesika Mahadesikaya nama:

Dearest all,

 

Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Swami, it appears -was discussing

with a fellow Srivaishnavite in the USA and there were

lots of questions, discussions and enjoyment of AndAL

and her vaibhavam.

 

He has taken efforts to jot down the discussion and

elaborate for our sake and enjoyment

 

Let us enjoy in about four to five segments (day after

day)

 

Regards

Namo narayana

dAsan madhavakkannan

 

********************

 

A REVOLUTIONARY LADY

Anbil Ramaswamy

======================================================

We have heard of many revolutions in the history of

mankind like –

The Scientific Revolution, Industrial Revolution and

the French Revolution.. These were in the Scientific

or Economic or Political fields. But, we are looking

at how a lady brought about a silent revolution in a

different field. She did it not as a rebellion anybody

or revolt against anything but as a harmless

revolution for the benefit of humanity.

 

In many ways, she can be called a unique personality,

a pioneer, a role- model, a “Maargadarsi”, a

“VazhikaaTTi” and indeed a “Puratchi Thalaivi” in the

true sense of the term – in the field of devotional

love.

 

Who is this lady?

 

She is none other than our very own Andal, the bridal

mystic, also known as “Godha”. She composed two

Stotras of immeasurable beauty bringing forth the

intensity of Bhakti one should have for the Lord and

also how to “Learn and practice it the easy way”.

 

Andal is considered to be the incarnation of Goddess,

Mother Earth. In “Varaha Avatara”, when the Lord took

the form of a wild boar (not a pig as popularly

believed), she heard from the Lord what is known as

“Varaha PuraNam”. She demanded that because she was

the Lord’s disciple, servant and devotee, what was

advised to her should be made available to the

suffering humanity to adopt the “Easy way” to

liberation.

 

aham sishyaa cah daasee cha bhaktaa cha maadhava/

mathkritE sarva bhootaanaam laghu upaayam vada

prabhO//

 

The Lord agreed to her prayer. And, she was born as

Andal for this purpose.

 

1. The seed of all Vedas

 

Do you know the earliest scriptures of humanity? They

are the Vedas that exist from time immemorial. The

four works of Sage Nammaazhwar are considered to be

the essence of the four Vedas but Andal’s works are

eulogized as “Vedam anaithukkum Vithu aagum” meaning

that they constitute the very seed of the primordial

scriptures of our religion called the “Vedas”

 

Is this not a unique compliment?

 

2. Dual Role of Andal

Nammazhwar is known as “Chief among Azhwar” and “Chief

among Acharyas”. No other Azhwar has been credited

with this twin role. But, these honorifics are

justifiably applicable to Andal, who is ranked among

the 12 Azhwars and she is also an Achaarya in her own

right, as can be seen from the way she leads the Gopis

of AyarpaaDi in the path of Bhakti through her

Tiruppavai.

 

Is this not a unique combination?

 

 

3. Role of Lady Love

Bhakti is described as “Devotional love” towards

Bhagavaan. In other words, it is unshakeable faith in

the saving grace of the Lord and unconditional

surrender and single minded devotion to the Lord. Such

a love called “Naayaki bhaavam” can arise naturally

only in a woman. While all other Azhwars were men and

had to simulate this “Naayaki bhaavam” donning the

role of Ladylove as “Paraankusa Nayaki” (Namm Azhwar)

and Parakaala Naayaki” (Tiru mangai Mannan) since she

was herself a woman, the feelings of such pure love

came in naturally for her and flowed out as a

torrential stream in her works.There is a saying that

she was a daughter for the entire clan of Azhwars

(Slokam 8 of Godha Sthuthi)

(anju kuDikku oru Santadi)

 

In fact, Godha is considered to be a role model for

all other Azhwars.

 

Is this not totally different from “the mill of the

run” kind of Bhakti?

 

4. Literary excellence

Tamil literature bristles with love lores employing

techniques such as Thoodu and MaDal. MuthoLL Aayiram

and Sangam literature which depict the distinguishing

feminine aspects as Achcham (fear), naaNam (shyness),

maDamai (Innocence) and Payirppu (Exclusive single

minded devotion), the physical changes wrought by the

joys of union with and the pangs of separation from

the beloved etc.

 

Even Srimad Valmiki's Ramayanam takes a back stage in

relation to the portrayal in her Prabandhams which

exalt love and ennoble the soul, combining linguistic,

scenic and sense effects and blending the mundane with

the divine. Devotional poetry spontaneously emerging

from a God infatuated heart like that of Godha, the

sweetheart of Krishna, is sure to contain much more

than what appears on the surface .In Tiruppavai and

Nachiyaar Tirumozhi, generations of Achaaryas and

other scholars have been and still are seeing new

meanings and fresh beauties. And, the two provide an

inexhaustible goldmine of such delectable material and

an incomparably rich fare.

 

What is said of Valmiki applies with equal force to

Godha .

 

" Tad Upagatha Samaasa Sandhi yOgam,

Sama Madhuropanata Artha Vaakhya badham "

 

Is this not a revolution in the field of literature?

 

5. Layers of meanings

Her two works together are masterpieces couched in

simple but chaste Tamil, pouring forth her sentiments

which contain not only the apparent meanings (Baahya

artha) but also the inner esoteric meanings

(Svaapadesa) and the Supreme meanings (Para Artha).

The Tiruppavai is recited, especially 'one a day'

during the 30 days of the month of Margazhi (December

January) and selected hymns from Naachiyaar Tirumozhi

during the wedding functions of Hindu families. For

her, the words fall in place so inimitably, that you

cannot alter even a comma or a semicolon without

damaging the beauty and style of poetry or the depth

and sense of the sentiments expressed.

 

Is this not a rare combination of felicity and

diction?

 

[To be continued]

 

 

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