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thirup pAvai - part 11 - mathi niRaintha nan nAL

From the Bhakti List Archives

Sampath Rengarajan • December 18, 1997 


Sri ANDAL  thiruvadikaLE  saraNam

	"mArgazhi  thingaL"  means  the  margazhi  month,  ie., in
Tamizh  the word  thingaL  is also  addressed  for  month.  "mathi
niRaintha  nannAlAm - the main meaning is that "mathi" the moon is
full  (niRaintha)  and  blooming.  Such  days is a good  day.  For
those who are in love and are seeking the company of their beloved
one's  (eternally)  nilA or moon comes to one's  mind.  Many times
the  nila or moon  becomes  their  companion  in  their  solitude,
longing  for the union  with  their  beloved.  Among nila or moon,
niRaintha  mathi or (ie.,  niRaintha  means the mean that is full)
full moon is an auspicious  sign for lovers.  It is said that when
the moon is full  certain  qualities  are  brought in the minds of
lovers due to the  kiranangaL  (the beam or rays of full moon) and
their  longing for each other  reaches a peak that night.  This is
the role of the full  moon in  lover's  game.  Perhaps,  Sri ANDAL
indirectly  states  here that just as similar to her  (jiVatmnA's)
pakkuvam to enjoy the Krishna prEmai, Sri Krishna is as well ready
and is filled  with such desrie to be in HER  company  and such is
indicated  by this  "niRaintha  mathi"  ie., full  moon.  ie., Sri
ANDAL is perhaps  reminded of the night in full moon when "Sri Ras
Leela" took place and Sri Krishna  entertained  in multiple  forms
all  the  aaychiyars  in  Gokul.  This is a Sri  KrishnA  anubavam
(Bagwath  kAma  thaththuvam)  said to be unique  for Sri  Krishna,
("mAthuryam").  May be  that  is the  reason  She is  seeking  the
company of other  aaycchiyars as well,  symobolising  the bAgwatha
ghOsti and  sathsangam  of all  bAgwathAs  in seeking to enjoy Sri
Krishna premai.


	Pournami is genarlly a good day.  In every Tamil  calender
year One of the  Powrnami is also the most  auspicious  day.  Such
day is celebrated as the second largest attended festival in Tamil
Nadu in the city of Madurai.  And it is very auspicous  because of
ANDAL's sambandham (ANDAL's  connectivity).  On the day of chithrA
powrnami, Sri ANDAL's  maalai  (garland)  from  srivillip  puthtur
reaches  Sri  Kallazhagar  at the  banks of the river  Vaigai.  HE
accepts the garland and steps into the river symbolising HIS union
with  ANDAL.  Incidentally  this is also the first day (night) the
illaRam  (married  life) starts for newly married  couple in these
area.  Many  newly  married  couple  are  even  made  to  wait  to
celebrate  their  nuptial, ceremonially on this day.  ie., even if
they are  married a few  months ago in the same year they wait for
the most auspicous moment of Sri Azhagar accepting  ANDAL's maalai
or garland and stepping into the river bed.  (*)



	Talking of "Love" between newly  married, the role of Lord
Manmathan was  discussed  earlier as mentioned in AzwAr  pAsurams.
There was also an ancient  custom,  when  maiden  women take early
morning  bath and worship to the Lord of Love (kAMA) known as Lord
Manmathan,  and seek his  blessisngs  for a getting  married  to a
husaband  of their  choice.  In srimad  bAgwatham  also there is a
mention about this on Sri  KAthyAyini  nOnbu.  (10 Skandam).  This
practice  is also  found  widely in South  India  (kerala)  and is
reported in tamil sanga ilakkiyams as well.


Sri ANDAL thiruvadikaLE saraNam
Sri Boomi devith thAyAr samEtha Sri Oppiliappan thiruvadikaLE
saraNam
Sampath Rengarajan

(*) some more  details may be found in articles on thiru maal irum
sOlai.