This gopi is the sister of a cowherd who,unlike the
duty-conscious one in the previous verse,totally
neglects the daily duty of milking the young she-
buffalo so as to be close to Krishna and serving Him.
He is called NAR SELVAN ; thereby indicating that for
a Srivaishnava it is not the doing or neglect of
Nitya Karma which helps attaining salvation,but it
is God alone who is the Means for salvation.For example
for a temple priest who is always engaged in Antaranga
Kainkarya there may be neglect of his daily duties;
this would however not be considered as sin .
MANATTUKKU INIYAN- Sri Rama,unlike Krishna brings joy
to the minds of his devotees as well as adversaries.
This is said by Andal,the very personification ofthe
Love for Sri Krishna,and hence is the richest tribute
paid to Sri Rama.It might be recalled that she,in
NACHIYAR TIRUMOZHI goes to the extent of blaming Yashoda
for bringing up Krishna to be a very bad boy.(Vembeyaaga
valarthaale).It is not such an extraordinary thing or a
great wonder if Sri Rama is loved by His devotees and
subjects;but when even Ravana is fascinated by His
valour,it makes the derivation of His name apt
(Ranjaneeyasya Vikramaih).
SINATTINAAL - out of anger but without hatred.Rama had
no hatred towards Ravana.Actually He wanted Ravana as
a devotee;it was Ravana's own hatred which caused his
downfall.It was only when he tried attack Hanuman that
Rama became furious and showered arrows on Ravana
(kopasya Vasameyivaan).So He is always ready to forgive
sins against Himself but not against His devotees.
13. PULLIN VAAY KEENDAANAI
A girl with bewitching eyes (PODARI KKANNINAAY) is
woken up in this verse.She is of the view that Krishna
will come to her fascinated by the beauty of her eyes.
To add to this she is lying,brooding over Krishna's
heroic exploits,in the bed formerly shared with Him
and which still retains His fragrance.
The statement in the previous verse that Sri Rama
scored over Krishna in being "MANATHUKKU INIYAAN"
created a sort of mutiny among the girls,some of
whom disputed this by saying,"how can Rama be said to
be the receptacle of all the virtues? Did He,like
Krishna who acted as Pandavaduta,go as messenger for
anyone?Didn't Krishna's charms allure even the sages?
Even His mischievous pranks are meant for us only.
Moreover Krishna is our husband and irrespective of
how he treats us,it is not proper for us to praise
another as being greater."
Some mediators intervened and pointed out that both
are the same Sriman Narayana,and so where is the
cause for dispute.Thus reconciled the girls split
into two halves each praising the glory of Krishna
and Rama.This is the excellence of this verse.
14. UNGAL PUZHAKKADAI
A gopi who is an expert orator and who is also chief
among these girls is woken up.She had promised that
she would get up before the rest and wake them up.
She has conveniently forgotten all about it and is
sleeping comfortably and peacefully.This is an unpardonable
crime.But still her inclusion in the group is
most essential as,with her silver tongue,she can
easily subdue Krishna.Moreover it is essential that
not a single girl loses His grace.If she were to sing
of Krishna as He appears bearing the discus and conch
He is sure to relent.
Incidentally Andal tells us, " Use your tongue not
merely for tasting delicious dishes,but for singing
about the Lotus-eyed One.That was the main purpose
for which it was gifted to you in the first place
by God."
15.YELLE ILANKILIYE
This pasuram which brings out the caharacteristics of
a SriVaishnava is considered to be the very essence
of Tiruppavai by our Acharyas.
The girl who is woken up begins to sing.
1.YELLE ILANKILIYE -the implied sense is that the speech
of the devotees is most welcome.
2.INNAM URANGUDIYO -It is wrong to indulge in other things
if the company of Bhagavatas is available.
3.CHIL ENRU AZHAYENMIN - Not a single harsh word should
be used with the Bhaktas.
4.NANGAIMIR PODARGINREN - Devotees should be addressed
respectfully.
5.VALLAI UN KATTURAIGAL - Even the chastisement by a
Bhakta (which will always be constructive) should be
accepted gratefully.
6.VALLEERGAL NEENGALE NAANE THAN AAYIDUGA - owning others
mistakes as one's own is the hallmark of a Sri Vaishnava.
For ex. Bharata holds himself responsible for Rama's
exile.
7.OLLAI NEE PODAAY - Separation from devotees even for a
second is unbearable.
8.UNAKKENNA VERUDAYAI - The path laid down by one's
ancestors is to be followed,not what is dictated by
one's own mind.
9.ELLAARUM PONDAARO PONDU ENNIKKOL- seeing a congregation of
devotees is the most desired fruit in this life.The enjoyment
is not complete even if one devotee is missing.Their sight
and touch are all contributory factors to one's enjoyment.
10.VALLAANAI..etc - Singing His virtues,valour,victory etc
are vital to a Sri Vaishnava as a means of pleasing other
Srivaishnavas; as such it results in the service of
Bhagavatas.
These ten commandments (golden rules) are to be cherished
as they constitute the acid test for testing whether one
is really a Sri Vaishnava.
16.NAAYAKAN
Thus in ten pasurams Andal woke up girls of differing
natures and thereby all the girls of Gokula were woken
up and they all proceed to Sri Nandagopan's mansion and
request the door keeper to let them in.
Cowherd colonies in those days may have contained only
huts and Nanda's mansion may be a big hut,without a
doorkeeper.And all this may be Andal's fertile imagination.
But what she is doing is to tell us how one should enter
a temple in Archavatara,and worship the Lord.Sri PARASARA
BHATTAR in his SRI RANGARAJA STAVA lays down the procedure
for temple entry based on this stanza.The door keepers
are really our Acharyas.In our daily pooja we open the
door of our 'koyil azhwar' (the box where the home idol
is kept) by reciting the Acharya Parampara and finally
this verse without fail.
TUYOMAAY VANDOM - we have come with purity. What is
the purity meant here ? Not the usual physical or even
mental purity.The physical purity of cowherds is
well known,say the commentators.The purity referred to
here is the fact that they have come to do service to
the Lord WITHOUT ASKING ANYTHING IN RETURN.Kainkarya
itself is the end (Swayam Purushaartha) and is not the
means to an end.This point should be ever fixed in
the heart of a Sri Vaishnava.
Having entered Nandagopala's palace with the permission
of the guards,the Gopis (Andal) wake up Nandagopa,yashoda,
Krishna and Balarama,panegyrising their greatness.
Nanda has placed his bed near the entrance for fear that
the gopis,like Usha in the case of Aniruddha,may steal
Krishna;especially as Krishna is more handsome than His
grandson! Andal glorifies Nanda as a munificent donor of
clothes,water and food; but we do not come across any such
reference elsewhere.The commentator says:"As Krishna was
seen giving clothes to Draupadi to save her modesty;water
to the chariot horses at Kurukshetra;and food to his
boyhood companions in the forest - it could be presumed
that his qualities were inherited from His father."
But the gopis are not here for these items; they need only
Krishna (VAASUDEVAH SARVAM).Yashoda gave birth to Krishna
only to make Him their husband; and being a woman she
knows their plight.So they next wake her up.
Sri Krishna in his past incarnation as Trivikrama had
obtained Indra's kingdom for him.But the gopis do not
want Him to do any such thing for them.It is enough
if He allows them to do service to Him.Krishna does
not respond.
Realising their mistake in not approaching Him through
Balarama,they do so now and ask him to help them as he
had once done in the case of the gopis separated from
Krishna when He went to Mathura.
This is a very important pasuram.Even after waking up
all from Nanda to Balarama,when Krishna does not open
His lips,they realise their folly in not waking up
first NAPPINNAI,the chief queen and Purushakara (recom-
mending authority) during His sojourn in this world
as Krishna.They do it in this verse.
Nappinnai is Sri NEELA DEVI,the other two being SRI
DEVI (Rukmini) and BHOO DEVI (Satyabhama).Nappinnai's
name is not found anywhere in the Puranas and in
Sanskrit poems except in SRI YADAVABHYUDAYAM of Sri
DESIKA,where she is referred to as Neela; and in the
stotras of Sri KURATTAZHWAN.See also the "Taniyan"
of Sri Andal -"NEELA TUNGA..." by Sri PARASARA BHATTAR.
As we are sinners and the Lord is known for His "Swaa-
tantrya" (acting according to His own will),it is
necessary to approach Him through somebody who is very
near and dear to Him and whose advice is infallible.
Hence Nappinnai's intervention is is essential.
She is addressed as Nanda's daughter-in-law,because she
thinks that that is what gives her prestige and status
in society.Sita,when asked by Hanuman said," I'm the
daughter-in-law of Dasaratha first,and then only the
daughter of Janaka." So to an Indian woman Andal's
exhortation is: "After marriage a girl should always
prefer herself to be referred to as the daughter-in-
law of her father-in-law; which means that the welfare
of her husband's family should weigh more with her
than that of the family of her origin.This attitude
would enhance her own prestige and bring immense joy
to her own family."
This pasuram was the special favourite of our Acharya
Sri Ramanuja.He was in the habit reciting to himself
Tiruppavai stanzas while he went for his Maadhukara
Vritti (for collecting the alms the householders used
to give) .Once just as he reached the door of his Guru's
house he was meditating on this verse.While the last
line " SEERAAR VALAI OLIPPA etc " was on his lips the
door opened to the clinking of the bangles of the
daughter of his guru.Sri Ramanuja thought that it was
Nappinnai herself who opened the door and overwhelmed
with jubilation promptly prostrated himself before her.
The terrified girl ran to her father and narrated the
incident.The guru TIRUKKOTTIYUR NAMBI exclaimed,
"Jiya! were you reciting UNDU MADAKALIRU ? "
What an understanding between the Teacher and the
taught ! May that relationship save us all!.
A chola king who was constructing one of the ramparts
of the temple at Sri Rangam found that the beautiful
circular design was being spoilt by the house of a disciple
of KURATTAAZHWAN called PILLAI PILLAI AZHWAN,and ordered
it to be demolished.Sri PARASARA BHATTAR adviced him against
it explaining that it it is not his rampart but the
mangalasaasana (PALLAANDU) of the devotees which would
ensure safety to the Lord; and also that demolishing the
house of a SriVaishnava would be sure to bring down the
wrath of God.But the king turned a deaf ear to this advice,
and becoming furious caused trouble to Sri BHATTAR,as a
result of which he had to leave for Tirukkoshtiyur.While
he was suffering the grief of separation from Sri Rangam
and the Lord,his disciple NANJEEYAR requested him to
compose a song in praise of ANDAL to mitigate his feeling
of sorrow.There appeared from his lips the 'taniyan'
"NEELA TUNGA etc",which is the essence of the present
paasuram (KUTTU VILAKKU).
NAPPINNAI is lying on the costly couch along with Krishna.
The cot stands on four ivory bases,the ivory for which was
obtained by Krishna by his valorous act of plucking the
four tusks from the murderous mighty elephant Kuvalayapida.
Being the wife of a great hero she cannot get sleep anywhere
else except on such a cot.The references to the various
kinds of pleasures in this stanza is a suggestion by Andal
that all gopis should get them in Sri Krishna's company
and only for that reason Nappinnai is keeping company
with Him."If you don't ensure this,you surely don't have
mercy," Andal rebukes Nappinnai.
20.MUPPATTU MUVAR
Despite the rebuke, NAPPINNAI was moved to pity by the
wailing of the Gopis and getting up approached the door
to open it.Krishna thought," Nappinnai thinks that my devotees
are her own just as I consider hers to be mine.Hence
she should not open the door and get a good name ,leaving
me out.It is I who should open it." So He came from
behind and lifting her up bodily threw her on the bed
with Him.But the mutual touch was so pleasant to them
that they promptly forgot all about themselves and the
poor Gopis.
The inner meaning of this high drama,as given by the
commentator is that there is a Divine Couple who are
vying with each other to look after the welfare of all
of us (souls).Hence we have no cause for concern at all.
All we have to do is to accept their protection.
Andal says to Sri Krishna in this stanza: "You have on
several occasions in the past dispelled fear from the
minds of the Devas and rescued them from the Asuras.
Now by delaying in granting our boon you are going to
lose all that hard-earned reputation as a saviour.Note
also that we are not asking you to become the target
of the weapons of a Hiranya or a Ravana.We merely want
to see you get up from your bed and grant us the boon
of serving you.We are ANANYA PRAYOJANA ADHIKARIs.
NAPPINNAI opened the door and told the Gopis: "Know
that I am one amongst you.Don't think I was keeping
mum.I was just waiting for an opportunity to advocate
your cause to the Lord.I will certainly accomplish
your end."
So she joins them.The Gopis now eulogise the Lord:
"Your father Nanda's prosperity is immeasurable;his
cattle-wealth is endless.It is sufficient if you
understand our distress."
The phrases UTTRAMUDAYAAY etc have double meanings:
UTTRAMUDAYAAY - 1) You are perfectly described in a
holy Scripture called Veda,which is unshakable,is
not of known authorship,permanent,flawless and is
an Authority by itself. 2)You have a very strong
determination not to abandon those who
surrender to you(as you exhibited in the case of
Vibhishana).
PERIYAAY- 1)Even those Vedas cannot fully describe
you as you possess an indescribable greatness.2)
Even after doing everything for your devotees you
think you have done nothing for them;and that what
you did was your own personal work.This is your
greatness.
ULAGINIL TOTRAMAAY etc.. 1)Vedas are rendered trust-
worthy by your incarnations as Rama,Krishna etc.
You have shown your form even to the lowliest among
the low in this world. 2)You have a predilection for
your devotees;you show this by going as messenger for
the Pandavas and acting as charioteer for Arjuna.So
much so that your 'Aasrita-Pakshapaata' (undue predilection
towards devotees) became evident even to enemies
like Duryodhana and Sisupala.
SUDARE -1)while the lustre of all the souls who take
birth due to their good and bad deeds gets dimmer with
each birth,your lustre (SUDAR) gets enhanced each time, as
your births are out of your Mercy (Kripa) for the distressed
souls.2)By willingly subjecting yourself to slavery in
respect of your devotees you enhance the lustre of your
greatness.
Sri Krishna enquires with the Gopis the reason for
their visit; and they reply:
O Lord! even though you know very well that we have
approached you as refugees,having no one else to give
us protection,you have not condescended to cast your
nectarine glances on us.We are born of a family (of
Azhwars) whose constant prayer is for your Grace and
that you you should talk to them by moving your coral-
like lips.We,like vanquished arrogant kings,have cast
aside our ego and assembled under your bedstead in
search of refuge.Our sole ambition is to be the target
of your merciful eyes.Your enquiry regarding the purpose
of our visit appears to be a new practice in your
relations with us.Know that we,who should be always
united with you,are today pining in separation.This
situation,which appears to be due to some curse,can
be modified only by your nectarine glance.It is only
for this cool look that we have come to you and not
for any other favour.So open your eyes slowly and
steadily look at us."
This is the very pathetic but gentle and sweet prayer
of ANDAL to Sri Krishna which would melt even an
adamantine heart.
NOTE: Each limb of the Almighty is capable of nullifying
the evil effect of a curse as can be seen in these cases:
1.HIS FEET -Ahalya's curse by her husband
2.HIS KNEES- Nala Kubara and Manigriva ,sons of Kubera
transformed into joined trees.
3.HIS THIGHS - Madhu and Kaitabha who were crushed to
death by them
4.HIS CHEST - Durvasa's curse on Indra,removed by Sridevi
who resides in His bosom
5. Now HIS EYES -curse of separation in the case of ANDAL
Sri Krishna felt sad on hearing this pathetic appeal from
the Gopis who had come as refugees,when they were attendants
of Nappinnai.He also recollected two similar incidents in His
previous birth as Rama: 1)The Dandaka forest sages came and
exhibited their bodies mutilated by the demons;and He had
to apologise for His tardiness 2) When Vibhishana came to
Him,He thought He alone was responsible for all the
humiliations he had suffered at Ravana's hands.
When this is His behaviour towards even men,what then to
speak of women!So Sri Krishna consoled them and promised
to do whatever they wanted.They request Him to stir out
of His bedchamber with all splendour and grandeur.They
had seen His sleeping posture,but now they want to see
His grand gait as well as His sitting posture on His
royal throne.(Ninravarum Irundavarum Kidandavarum).
"Like a lion sleeping with a lioness in a mountain cave
during the rainy season,you sleep with Nappinnai,being
a jewel for Her bosom.Now O Lord,Awake and stride out".
Krishna asked: " Do you want me to appear before you like
RAGHAVA SIMHA or YADAVA SIMHA or NARASIMHA ?"
Gopis replied : "We merely gave the simile of the lion
to stress the fact that your greatness is natural to
you,just as a lion cub even at birth is the king of
the jungle and doesn't need any coronation.Further
it is like calling you POOVAI PPOO VANNA when this
comparison of your supreme bodily complexion to this
flower's is unworthy and highly improper."
UN KOYIL is noteworthy.In the 16th verse the Gopis said
"NANDAGOPAN KOYIL" (Nanda's mansion).Now they say "Krishna's
mansion".Strictly speaking to whom does it belong ? It
belongs to both; just like the Hridaya Kamalam (heart of
man) where both the soul and God reside;or like
AZHWAR TIRUNAGARI which belongs to both Saint NAMMAZHWAR
and the deity POLINDU NINRA BIRAAN.
In days of yore Arjuna ordered Sri Krishna,on the holy
battlefield of Kurukshetra,to park his chariot in between
the array of the two armies and the charioteer did so.
So also now the Gopis earnestly solicited Him to walk
out and embellish the royal throne by occupying it.He
did it.When He stirred out all the Gopis with Nappinnai
followed Him with prayers for His safety (Mangalaasaa-
sanam)and when He sat on the throne held His feet with
their very tender hands and pressed them to their heart
and eyes with veneration.They beheld quickly the change
in hue (i.e., the feet became very red owing to the strain of
walking and being pressed by their soft hands gently).
This reminded them of Sri Krishna's former heroic feat
of measuring the whole universe with His very delicate
feet.They thought they were also as cruel-hearted as
Indra and the devas who never thought about His tender-
ness (Saukumaarya).
That Andal is the very worthy daughter of Periyaazhwar
is proved in this verse.She says: " O Lord! you measured
this universe for the sake of Indra,who was intent on
getting back his kingdom;while Bali was after fame.No one
gave a thought to your tenderness;so we have come to
pray that you must be free from all evils.
Ravana was worse; he had neither the generosity nor the
aesthetic sense of Bali.Just like entering a cave and
waking up and fighting a wild beast you walked to Lanka
and fought with him.Hence we are afraid for you.
That was when you were 37 years of age.What about the
asura who entered the cart which was there to protect
you,at the time when you were an infant and unable to
distinguish between friend and foe? So we fear all the
more for that.
Then two asuras assuming the guise of a calf and fruit
tried to put an end to your life.They were hidden enemies.
We fear that all the more.
These were evil acts by your foes; but what about Indra for
whom you strained every nerve ? He suddenly became an
adversary, for the flimsy reason that you consumed his
food, and rained stony rain for seven days.You lifted up
the mountain and saved the entire Gokulam. Mangalam etc.."
UN SEVAKAME - only your (Krishna's) heroic feat.But it
may be remarked that in this paasuram Andal has sung
the glory of Vamana,Rama and Krishna.However there is
no contradiction here because they were all His own
previous births.Similarly her father Sri Vishnuchitta
sings of them all - "Varuga varuga inge Vamana nambi..
kariya kuzhal..Kaakutta nambi etc." As Sri Nanjeeyar
delectably puts it, "Both father and daughter had the
habit of building dams after all the water had flown
through to the sea."
Lord Krishna after hearing their mangalaasaasana said
with a melting heart and an affectionate tone: "O girls!
By your birth (as the daughter of Periyaazhwaar) you are
ever interested in my welfare and pray for that.You have
all come here braving the biting cold and unmindful of
your health.Have you anything else on your mind except
PARAI (accessories for the NONBU rite)?"
Gopis replied: "We have come under the pretext of petitio-
ning you for the accessories,but actually our request is
for your Service only."
Lord Krishna: " I may find it difficult to grant your
request immediately.After all it is not all that simple.
There may be so many impediments in the way."
Gopis: " You were born as the son of Devaki and on the
same night you became the son of Yasoda.To the former
you gave the pleasure of giving birth to you(avataara-
rasa), and to the latter the pleasure of enjoying your
sport (leela-rasa).Having falsified Kamsa's evil intentions
and you made them fall on his own head.All this you did
because of your love for your votaries.So nothing is
impossible for you.You can do away with all obstructions.
The only thing needed is that you should have the mind
to bless us with your Service."