ANDALS THIRUPPAVAI PASURAM 29

FOR DAY 29 OF MARGAZHI, JAN 12, 2015

Courtesy: www.ibiblio.org/sadagopan/sundarasimham/ebooks/Thiru3.pdf
The images for all the pasurams added in my posts are from the above compilation of all
Thiruppavai commentaties by Sriman Sadagopan. I am still unable to open this link on my
laptop for the last 10+ days and get the Gateway timeout error. I had similar issues with the
Sripedia website which gives the word-for-word meaning. See also earlier post on Jan 12,
2013, https://www.scribd.com/doc/120036980/Pasuram-29-of-Andal-s-Thiruppavai

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This is the third pasuram of three pasurams in which Andal calls her Lord by
the name Govindhaa. The name Govindhaa was used for the first time in the
entire Thiruppavai in pasuram 27 (kooDaarai vellum seer Govindhaa). This is
equivalent to saying Shree Govinda Govinda Govinda where the name
Govindaa is uttered three times at the beginning of all prayers. The priest will
tell us to recite Shree Raama Raama Raama and say the Raamnaamam three
times and then the Govindanaamam three times. Andal is doing the same here
in her Thiruppavai.
Also, the Tamil word poruL used by Andal in this pasuram has two
commonly understood meanings. First it means an object (like a book, car,
house, musical instrument, etc.). The second, is the meaning of something.
Andal tells the Lord, with whom she and her friends are now in direct union
and conversation (since pasuram 26), Listen, let me tell you the reason, the
object, the very meaning of our worship of Your lotus-feet and the
performance of our nombu (vratam, religious vow) during this sacred month
of Margazhi un poTRaamarai adiyE poTRum poruL kELaai. She points out
to Him that they have been doing this in the very early hours of the morning
(ciTRam ciru kaalE) during this cold winter month (Dec-Jan), which also
symbolizes the early morning hours of the day (called the Brahmamuhurtam)
in the celestial world (devalokam). Dewdrops literally cover the head in these
early morning hours. (It has been especially cold, with temperatures dropping
to as low as 0F (-18C) here in Metro Detroit during this past week. Many
have stayed indoors for several days.)
The early morning hours of any day are considered to be the best time to pray.
One year of human reckoning is equivalent to a day in the celestial world and
UttrayaNam, which begins on Jan 14 is like the sunrise time. The preceding
hour (hence the preceding month of Margazhi) is therefore the most
auspicious time to pray. Andal is pointing out that she and her friends have
done so for the entire month now with the opening words, ciTRam ciru kaalE
vandhu unnai seviththu. Then she states her objects, purpose, reason, the
very meaning of what she and her friends have been doing very clearly. There
are three reasons, object stated.
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1. Un thannoDu uRREmEyaavom may we be joined together with you

2. UnakkE naam aaT cheyvom may we serve You and You alone
3. MaTRai nam kaamangaL maaTRu - turn away any other desires that we
might have, destroy them, turn them into love for You and a wish to
serve You.

Aalin Ilaiyaai and KuNDRu kuDaiyaai eDuththai guNam poTRi

These are stated in lines 6 to 8. In the preceding lines Andal says that they are
all humble folks who know nothing. They just know how to graze cattle
(mEyththu) and take them into the forest and then sit around and have a meal
(uNNum). This was also stated in yesterdays pasuram 28 (karavaigaL pin
chEnDru kaanam chErndhu uNNbom, kaanam means forest and karvaigaL
means the cows, those that produce milk). Yet, O Krishna, You chosen to be
born in the family of such humble cowherds. We are so blessed just by this
family and blood relationship that we have with You. Now, please bless us also
for seven-upon-seven births to be always joined with you and serve you and
you alone. And, if do have any other desires, may You be compassionate
enough to correct us and remove theose desires from our hearts so that we
can become Your true devotees and serve You forever and ever and become

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deserving of ultimate liberatioin (paRai, or moksham) that You on Your own

will then choose to bestow upon us.
Andal says ezhu ezhu piravikkum. It is believed that the family associations
that we have last for seven births. We will have the same parents, siblings,
spouse, children, etc. (Some might wonder if this is such a good thing! Let us
think of being blessed in the most auspicious associations, as also noted by
Krishna in the Gita, chapter 6, verses 40 to 45.) But Andal goes beyond seven
when she says ezhu ezhu, which means seven-upon-seven. She wants the
same association to continue for seven more and seven more and seven more
ad infinitum ultimate her objectives (and those of her friends) are met the
ultimate Union and liberation. Krishna also describes the same process in the
Gita, as noted above and concludes with Aneka janma samsiddhahaa tathO
yaati paraam gatim, verse 45 chapter 6. Krishna says that the efforts that we
make, even a little effort, even one that we fail in, will NOT be forgotten. He
will reward us and place us in the family of the pious, the wealthy, the great
yogis and will draw us (as if by some invisible and uncontrollable force) to
Him. Na hi kalyaaNa krut kascit durgatim taatha gacchati.. verse 40 and tathO
yaati paraam gatim, verse 45.
Andal is expressing a wish in her Thiruppavai. Krishna is stating it to be a fact
in His Bhagavad Gita, chapter 6.
Govindaa! Govindaa!!
VaTapatra shaayinE Govindaa!!
Bala Mukunda Govindaa!!
Now do chant the Bala Mukunda Ashtakam which is included in the post made
with Pasuram 26, where Andal calls the Lord Aalin ilaiyaai the one lying on
the leaf of a banyan tree. The name Mukunda means one who liberates.

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