Pasuram 1 of Andals Thiruppavai

http://www.scribd.com/doc/76214700/Andal-s-Thiruppavai-in-easy-to-readTamil-text-and-English The full text of all 30 Pasurams may be found here. Also, a scholarly discussion can be found at the link given below. http://www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/sundarasimham/ebooks/Thiru1.pdf See below the images of the English and Tamil texts of Pasuram No. 1 of Andals Thiruppavai. For those who wish to read the text in other languages, please go to http://www.prapatti.com

Andal is considered to be Sridevis amsaavataaram. She was born at Srivilliputoor (close to Kanchipuram, also the city where Indira Gandhis son and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated), as the daughter of PeriyAzhwar. She is also the only female among the 12 SriVaishNavite Azhwars. She longed for union with Her Lord and insisted that she should be taken to Srirangam where she eventually merged with Lord Ranganatha. You can read more about Andal at the link given above (or click here). The immortal Thiruppavai, attributed to Her, is a divine composition, filled with deep esoteric meanings, on which many commentaries have been written over the centuries. In the first Pasuram, Andal describes Her decision to perform a vratam (a religious vow), and invites all of her young friends to join her, so that they may all find a virtuous husband. This is the superifical meaning. The deeper meaning is the merging of the Jivaatma with the Paramaatma. The holy month of Margazhi (Margashirsham in Sanskrit) is picked for performing this vratam. One day for the gods, which begins at UttaraayaNam (typically January 14 of each year), is equal to one year by human reckoning. Thus, this month is considered to be the time that corresponds to the dawn of the day for the devas (celestials). Andal picks this month for performing this vratam.

Page 1 of 3

To Andal, her hometown was nothing other than Gokula where Krishna grew up among the gopis. All the damsels of her town (Aaayarpadi) were the gopis. It is the auspicious full moon day of this month Margazhi thingal (moon) madiniraindha (full) nanaaLaal (auspicious). This is the first line of the pasuram. She calls all her friends, the noble ones, to join her and take a bath in the early hours. They all live in this holy place that enables one to engage their mind in the Lord and perform services to Him and attain moksha. The world, she says, will shower praises upon them if they would just do this (paarOr pugazha). Then she describes this Lord Narayana who will surely deliver them (namakke parai tharuvaan).
Page 2 of 3

O, He is son of Nandagopa Maharaja (nandagopan kumaran) who is so attentive and protective of his son that he holds a sharp spear (koorvel) and even pierces so insects with them (kodundhozhilan) out of fear that they might just be asuras in disguise who have come to harm his son. O, He is the young lion club (iLam singam) of His mother Yashoda. He has a beautiful dark complexion like that of the rain bearing cloud (kaarmeni). His eyes are beautiful and enchanting (kanni) and His face is radiant and glows like the sun and the moon. He adorns a beautiful garland of flowers. He will surely deliver us, if we would just surrender to Him. The act of surrender is emphasized in this very first pasuram. That will bring us all worldly praise. Others interpret this worldly praise slightly differently and attach the qualification with the Lord. He is always being praised by all in this world as being compassionate and protective of His devotees. If that be so, He shall surely accept our surrender as well. Let us just follow the vratam and offer our services with devotion. That will be enough to attain His everlasting grace.
LITERAL MEANING OF PASURAM 1 BY DR. V. K. S. N. RAGHAVAN:
It is the good full Moon day of the month of Marghazhi. Oh the well ornamented maidens! Those desirous of taking the bath (in the YamunA) may please come on. Oh the prosperous young girls of AaypAdi (Gokulam) that is rich and grand (in beauty and wealth)! Lord NaarAyana will surely yield to us alone the drum (paRai). He is the son of King NandagOpa, of cruel deeds (towards the enemies), and holding a sharp spear in his hand always. He (KrishNa) is the young lion-cub of Queen YasOdhA with very charming eyes. He (Lord NaarAyaNa) has a dark cloud-like divine complexion, (lotus like) reddish eyes and (lustrous) face (shining) like the bright Sun and Moon. (This Lord NaarAyaNan alone is the Saviour). (Let us) resort (to Him) performing the Paavai-Nonbhu and get the benefit of praise from the people of the world. (Oh dear friend, may You recite and learn this)- know the purport of this hymn}. Mention may be made of the slOkam of Bhagavath GitA: mAsAnAm mArgasirshOham-X. 35); Lord NaarAyanan alone will grant Moksha SaamrAjyam to the individual soul is indicated in the seventh line of this First paasuram.

Page 3 of 3