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Tiruvadipooram

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muralidhar rangaswamy • July 27, 1998 


Dear Bhaktas,

For the occassion of TiruvAdipooram, I wish to remember our blessed 
mother, Goda Piratti, and share a few thoughts about this wonderful 
Azhwar. First, the birth of this Azhwar was not through residence in a 
mother's womb. Instead it was an Avirbhava as described by Swami 
Desikan. The fact that she was located by Sri Periya Azhwar in his 
garden of flowers, illustrates the salutation "PadmavanAlayAm" for Sri 
Mahalakshmi Thayar. The glory of Srivilliputtur stems from the fact that 
it is the birthplace of Andal and the residence of Lord Govinda
(Godai Piranda Oor Govindan Vazhumoor). Indeed such is the love of 
our Lord for Goda Piratti that the Moolavar at Srirangam is 
southfacing. This helps him keep his promise of Nitya Darshanam 
to Vibhishana and Andal since both Srivilliputtur and Lanka are to 
the south of Srirangam.  

Andal is the embodiment of the BhuSooktam salutations "YattE 
ManyuParOptasya PruthivI ManudadvashE. Adiyta VishvE taddeva 
Vasavascha Samabharan. MedinI Devi VasundharAsyAd Vasudha Devi 
VasavII"

Her outporuings in the thirty delectable Tiruppavai verses contain 
the essence of all Vedas. If one is unable to undertake Nitya 
Veda Parayanam, recitation of Andal's Sarrmurai verses paves the 
way for salvation. The key salutations are "UnakkE NamazhchaivOm"
and "NamakkE ParadaruvAn". These reflect the message from the Lord's 
assurances "Yogakshemam VahAmyaham", "Maamekam SharaNam Vraja", 
"Sambhavami Yuge Yuge" and "MokshayishyAmi Ma Shucha". The 
salutation "UnajjE NamazhchaivOm" brilliantly summarizes the 
Sama Vedam, which is exclusively in praise of Lord Narayana. 

The uniqueness of Andal lies in the fact that she was one of two 
Azhwars who attained Parama Padam before the Lord Himself. In 
accepting his consort, Lord Ranganatha brilliantly illustrates 
the three meanings of the word Gauh, i.e., from the 
earth, from the cow, from the Vedam. Let us see how this came about. 
(1)Andal arose from the earth as the Amsam of Bhoomi Piratti and 
   was accepted by Lord Ranganatha as his consort. This illustrates 
   the meaning of Govinda as the Lord of the earth.
(2)In the thirty verses, Andal eulogized Govinda- the protector of the 
   cows. Accordingly the greatest cowherd heeded her prayers.
(3)The outpourings of Andal contain the essence of all Vedams. As 
   a result her wish for eternal union with Lord Govinda was granted 
   by the Veda Purushan.
(4) The term Govinda is also related to the PraNava Swaroopam of 
    the Lord. This can be gleaned from the salutation UnakkE         
NamAzhchaivOm. This is refers to the Narayana Upanishad 
    salutations "Pratyagananadam Brahma Purusham PraNava Swaroopam"
    and "BrahmaNyO DevakI PutrO BrahmaNyO MadhusudhanOm" 

Another reason for Andal's uniqueness is that since she was a woman, 
pining for her beloved and expressing her sorrow at separation from 
her consort came to her naturally. She did not have to specifically take 
on the Nayaki Bhavam.

Her message of Trikala SmaraNam is beautifully portrayed in three 
key verses of the Tiruppavai, i.e., remembering the Lord at three 
important times.

(1) Upon waking up from sleep: Marghazhi Tingal.. is the relevant 
    Pasuram.
(2) While engaging in SnAnam: Ongi Ulahalanda Uttaman PEr Paadi...
    is the Pasuram which illustrates this.
(3) While partaking of food: Koodarai Vellum Sheer Govinda...
    This illustrates the Taittriya Upanishad salutation "Aham Annam 
    Aham Annam Aham Annam..." rendered in Saman. Again this points 
    to the Sama Vedam aspect associated with Govinda.

Andal TiruvadigalE SharaNam,

Namo Narayana,

Muralidhar Rangaswamy



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