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Stotras of Vedanta Desika
by Sri D. Ramaswamy Ayyangar
Page 14
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21. Goda Stuti
Goda or
Andal, the foster-daughter of Vishnucitta (Periyalvar) of
Srivilliputtur in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu, has a
place among the twelve Alvars
who have suiig the 4000
Divya Prabandham and is also a Consort of the Lord. She is
described as an avatara (incarnation) of Bhumi Devi and is often
addressed as such in this Stotra. Yet she has had this separate
stotra sung in her praise because unlike Bhumi Devi, who was the
Consort of Varaha (a vibhava-avatara), Goda is the Consort
of Lord Ranganatha,
Who is an arca-avatara. Goda is famous for the
garland of praise (paa-maalai) and also for her garland of
flowers (poo-maalai) which she offered to the Lord after first
wearing the same herself. Sloka 5 says that the Lord relents
towards us, sinners, only at the behest of Goda Devi who has
bound Him down by her garlands of flowers and pleasant praises
sweet like the sound of the veena.
Slokas 6 to 9 deal with Goda's works, (paa-maalai). Sloka
8 points out how the other Alvars, who were all males, converted
their bhakti into sringara (eroticism) and copied her ways
of giving expression to the same. From sloka 13 onwards Goda's
svayamvara is sung about. The garland worn by her first and then
offered to the Lord figures in slokas 10 and 14 to
21. Incidentally, all the paraphernalia of a wedding
such as music (16), umbrella (14), tea-party (16), exchange of
garlands (21), maangalyam (22) and even pleasant banter (23)
are brought to our minds. Sloka 22 is a fine pen-picture in
colour depicting the Lord in the company of Sri and Goda as
possessing the attractive multi-colour of the peacock's neck and
as conferring auspiciousness on their devotees.
Devout Sri Vaishnavas enjoy Goda Stuti a sloka daily
along with Tiruppavai
a paasuram daily during the sacred month of Margali (Dhanus)
December-January every year.
Devanagari Text
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