Goda Stuti

Sri D. Ramaswamy Ayyangar

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 sung 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.