Andal Kalyanam & Thiruppavai Mahotsavam - 9th Sept 2009

[Guest guest]

 

 

Love All Serve All Help Ever Hurt Never Visit www.srisathyasai.org.in official website of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust , Prasanthi Nilayam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home

 

 

 

 

 

What's New

 

 

 

Archivals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted at 11:20 hrs. on 10th Sept 2009

Andal,

a Tamil saint is known all over the world for her unparalleled devotion

to Lord Krishna. She is said to be always immersed in her devotional

ecstasy. Andal is known in the Tamil language as an Alwar, one who is

“immersed†in the depths of enjoyment of God. Of the twelve Alwars,

Andal is the only female Alwar of Vaishnavism. These saints revitilised

the Tamil region of South India between the fifth and ninth centuries

by their dedicated devotion for the Lord. She is credited with the

Tamil works of Thiruppavai and Nachiar Thirumozhi which are still

recited by the devout in the month of Margasira. The Srivilliputhoor

temple is dedicated to her and is also her birthplace.

 

It is a well known fact that Mother Sita, the consort of Sri Rama was

found in the royal gardens of Mithila by Janaka Maharaja. Andal was

born as the incarnation of Bhudevi in the garden of Vishnuchittar under

a Tulasi plant. Sri Vishnuchittar was endowed with the title of

“Periazhwar†meaning “the most enlightened who could rule over the Lord

Himself.†Periazhwar raised Andal with great love, affectionately

calling her as “Godai (child of the earth) or “Kodai†(garland of

flowers) and enchanting her with stories of Krishna. As a result, Andal

developed deep love for Krishna and considered herself as God’s bride.

This love for her Lord blossomed into the immortal work “Thiruppavai.â€

Andal was so profoundly enthralled by the Bhakti of Gopis and the deeds

of Krishna in Mathura and Brindavan during the Dwapara Yuga (aeon) that

she too desperately wanted to immerse in the Divine experience.

 

Sri Thiruppavai Mahotsavam is a three-day programme culminating on the

afternoon of 11th September with Sri Andal Kalyanotsavam. Sai Kulwant

Hall was elaborately decorated with flowers; the periphery of the hall

was punctuated with the portraits of the 12 Alwars. On the dais of the

hall was installed the lustrous idols of Sri Rangamannar in the centre

and Sri Andal and Sri Garudalwar on either side. The festivities began

on the morning of 9th September 2009 at 7 a.m. with Swasti Vachanam (in

Krishna Yajus, there is a topic called Swasti Vachanam, which comprises

4 Anuvakas. These Anuvakas are recited during Utsava Parayana,

accompanying the Acharyas and such other occasions). Then the

Prathishtaapana (ritualistic installation of the idols) and Puja

(worship) of the idols in the centre of the dais was done. Parayana of

1-10 Pasurams (an eight-lined verse) of Thiruppavai was performed by

the priests with devotional fervour. Collective chanting of Sri Vishnu

Sahasranama (1008 names of Vishnu) was then done by all devotees

present in the hall with Akshatas (sanctified rice) supplied by the

organisers. The morning programme came to a close with Bhajan and Arati

at 9.40. The function is being conducted by 7 priests headed by Sri

Gopala Bhattar.

 

 

 

 

The proceedings for the evening started with Puja at 4.00. Bhagawan

came to the hall at 4.15 and proceeded to the Sri Sathya Sai

International Centre for Sports. He returned to Sai Kulwant Hall at

5.10 p.m. The speaker for the evening was Vidwan (scholar) Nidumaamidi

Sri Srikanta Rao on the inner significance of Thiruppavai. Offering his

salutations to Bhagawan, the erudite speaker said that Thiruppavai was

suffused with Bhakti Rasa (essence of Bhakti). Beginning his speech

with the circumstances leading to birth of Sri Andal (explained

earlier), Sri Srikanta Rao said that Andal was called Choodikonda Nachiyar,

since she wore the garland before it was placed on the idol of the

Lord. Sri Andal transformed herself into a Yadava girl of Mathura and

beseeched the Lord for His love. She undertook a vrata (vow) much

similar to the Karthiyayani Vrata of the Gopis of Brindavan beginning

on the first day of Margasira (mid-December to mid-January) and

adorning each day of the month with a new Pasuram.

 

Sri Andal wanted all women to perform the Vrata and earn the grace of

the Lord, said the speaker. Thiruppavai is a mangalakara (sacred and

auspicious) vrata. In Tamil language, this text is very revered and

placed on an exalted state. There is Advaita Tattwa in Thiruppavai

since she worshipped the Lord with one-pointed devotion, said the

learned speaker. Thiruppavai function is held for Loka Kalyanam (good

of the world). There are 30 Pasurams in Thiruppavai, on each day of the

three-day function, 10 Pasurams will be chanted. Explaining the first

Pasuram of Thiruppavai – “Margazhi Thingal …â€, Sri Srikanta Rao said that the month of margazhi (margasira) is very sacred. Even Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita says, “Masaanam Margasirshohum†(among

the months, I am margasira). It is important for one to take a sacred

bath. By sacred bath, the learned speaker said is to take bath chanting

the name of the Lord. If we do such vrata, we will attain Narayana, he

said. In the second Pasuram, Sri Andal further reiterates that one

should chant the name of the Lord contemplating on His form while

taking bath and then do the vrata. This vrata should be done to attain

the grace of the Lord.

 

Continuing his speech, Sri Srikanta Rao said that in the third Pasuram,

Sri Andal waxes eloquent praises on the Vamana Avatar. He transforms

Himself into virat swarupa (gigantic form), having taken the form of a

dwarf. Samasta jiva sukhino bhavantu! (may all individuals of all the worlds be happy!) is the undercurrent of the sacred text Thiruppavai.

 

When Vishnuchittar comes to know that Sri Andal was wearing the garland

before offering to the Lord, he takes offence and feels that a sin was

being committed all these days by not offering a fresh garland to the

Lord. He does not offer the garland to the Lord on that day. Lord

Narayana appears in the dream of Vishnuchittar that night and says that

He wants only the garland worn by Sri Andal. Such was the devotion of

Sri Andal, opined the speaker. Even a small leaf, flower or water

offered with a sacred heart is enough for the Lord; He will accept it

gladly.

Goda Devi, as Sri

Andal was called used to beckon everyone to sing Nagarsankirtan in

Srivilliputhoor. While singing the name of the Lord, one should not

think of worldly matters. Lord Krishna says there are eight types of

flowers like santhi pushpam, daya pushpam … One should offer the flower

of mind to the Lord.

Sri

Srikanta Rao ended his speech by saying that the spiritual teaching of

Andal Kalyanam was to bestow peace, prosperity and happiness to the

whole world. After a few bhajans, prasadam was distributed to everyone

present in the hall. This evening it was the turn of Sri Vaidyanathan

serving in the Book Stall of Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust, Publications

Division to offer rose to the Lord. Arati was offered to Bhagawan at

6.15 p.m. Thus, ended the first day function of Sri Thiruppavai

Mahotsavam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and more.