Tiruppāvai of Āṇḍāḷ | Divya Prabandham
Here I continue to publish significant works of Drāviḍa Veda – Divya Prabandham – and this time – it is the work Tiruppāvai in 30 verses by an ancient Tamil saint – Śrī Āṇḍāḷ - the only female saint among the classical 12 Āḻvār saints of Śrī Vaiṣṇavism.
The work itself in original Tamil transliterated text and English translation can be read on this current page, but there are classical commentaries of each verse provided in the following pages. They are very recommended indeed, since the original text of Tiruppāvai is written in a very symbolical language and of very ancient times.
The Religious tradition of Śrī Vaiṣṇavism considers the birth year of Śrī Āṇḍāḷ herself is as ancient as 3005 BCE. The modern researchers call more recent dates, but it is without a doubt – Śrī Āṇḍāḷ and her work Tiruppāvai is one of the cornerstones of Śrī Vaiṣṇavism tradition.
Śrī Āṇḍāḷ is also known under other name – Godā and often identified as an incarnation of Nīla Devi, one of consorts of Lord Veṅkaṭeśvara, usually following right behind him. According to other sources - She is Bhū Devi, the Mother Earth, another consort of the Veṅkaṭeśvara.
Śrī Āṇḍāḷ is known also as the consort of Lord Krishna – Nappinnai. In Northern India the consort of Krishna is known as Rādhe, even this name is nowhere mentioned in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Purāṇa. But in Southern India the name of Krishna’s consort is Nappinnai, as it has come down through Āḻvār’s tradition.
The work Tiruppāvai is mostly dedicated to transcendental love and complete surrender to God, first of all – Lord Krishna and his story with uneducated, simple, yet loving Gopīs – who have not any spiritual or transcendental knowledge or abilities, except their deep-felt connection with Krishna – child and complete surrender to his leadership. Also several other Viṣṇu Avatars are mentioned in the poem.
Preliminary Invocations — Taniyangaḷ
nīḷātuṅga-stana giritaṭī suptam udbodhya kṛṣṇam
pārārthyaṃ svaṃ śruti śataśira˙ siddham adhyāpayantī |
svocchiṣṭāyāṃ sraji nigalitaṃ yā balātkṛtya bhuṅkte
godā tasyai nama idam-idam bhūya evāstu bhūyaḥ ||
I offer my obeisance again and again to Goddess Āṇḍāḷ, to Her alone who has awakened Lord Krishna sleeping on the mountain-like lofty breasts of Goddess Nīla.
Āṇḍāḷ has informed Him of her total dependence on Him in accordance with the hundreds of Vedāntic texts; Āṇḍāḷ who robustly enjoys Him: after binding Him with garlands that she had first worn.
anna vayaṛ puduvaiy āṇḍāḷ araṅgarku
pannu tiruppāvai palpadiyam, inniśayāl
pāḍi koḍuttāḷ naṛpāmālai, pūmālai
cuḍi koḍuttāḷai collu.
The saint-poetess Āṇḍāḷ was born in Srivilliputtur (puduvai) surrounded by paddy-fields and water reservoirs full of beautiful swans. She dedicated her beautiful garland of songs, singing them sweetly. She offered to Him (Krishna) the flower-garland, after wearing it herself. May all of us reverence her and sing her poems.
cuḍi koḍutta cuḍarkkoḍiyē! tolpāvai,
pāḍi aruḷavalla palvaḷaiyāi! nāḍi nī
veṅkaḍavaṛ kennai vidi yenṛa imāttam
nāṅgaḍavā vaṇṇame nalhu.
O Āṇḍāḷ radiant like flash of lightning! You bedecked yourself first with the garland intended for Lord Raṅganātha and then offered it to Him; by your great talent in poetry you composed the renowned and ancient hymn of Tiruppāvai.
O Āṇḍāḷ adorned with many beautiful bangles, please shower your grace on us so that we may become greatly devoted to Lord Krishna;
with the same sincerity of devotion that you asked of Kāmadeva — "O Kāmadeva, be pleased to make me a humble servant and bride of the Lord Veṅkaṭēśa!"
Stanza 1
mārgazhi tingal madi niṛainda naṇṇāḷāl |
nīrāḍa pōduvīr pōdumiṇō nērizhaiyīr |
cīr malhum āyppāḍi celva cirumīrhāḷ |
kūrvēl koḍun tozhilaṇ nanda gopaṇ kumaraṇ |
ērārnda kaṇṇi yaśodai iḷañciṅgam |
kār mēṇi ceṅgaṇ kadirmadiyam pōl muhattāṇ |
nārāyaṇane namakkē parai taruvān |
pārōr pugazha paḍindelōr empāvāy ||
The auspicious full moon of Margali is here -
maidens bejewelled and intent on bathing, come out!
Darling girls of the cowherd clan
whose hamlet brims over with beauty and wealth;
That cruel sharp spear — Nanda's son,
Young lion of Yaśodā with her love-filled eyes
Cloud-hued, red-eyed, sun and moon for his face
Nārāyaṇa, himself has offered
His gracious drum for us
To sing his praise and gain the world's.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 2
vaiyattu vāzhvīrhāḷ nāmum nam pāvaikku |
ceyyum kiriśaikaḷ kēḷīrō | pāṛkaḍaluḷ
paiya tuyinna paramaṇ aḍi pāḍi |
ney unnom pāl unnom nāṭ kālē nīrāḍi |
maiyiṭṭezhudōm malar iṭṭu nām muḍiyōm |
ceyyādana ceyyōm tīkuṛaḷai cennōdōm |
aiyamum piccaiyum āndanaiyum kai kāṭṭi |
uyyum āṛeṇeṇi uhandelōr empāvāy ||
O People of the world, listen to what we shall do,
How we shall observe these sacred days. We shall praise the feet
of that Supreme One Lying on the Ocean of Milk;
No ghee, no milk shall we take, and at dawn we shall bathe:
No collyrium for the eyes; no flowers bound in the hair.
Avoiding all proscribed deeds, refraining from gossip;
Giving alms, and making offerings all we can,
and joyfully seek our liberation.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 3
ōṅgi ulahaḷanda uttaman pēr pāḍi |
nāngaḷ nam pāvaikku śāttu nīrāḍināl |
tīṅginni nāḍellām tingaḷ mummāri peydu |
ōngu peruñ cennelūḍu kayal uhaḷa |
pūnguvalai pōdīl poṛivaṇḍu kaṇpaḍuppa |
tēngādē pukkirundu cīrtta mulai patti
vāṅga | kuḍam niṛaikkum vaḷḷal perum paśugaḷ |
nīṅgāda śelvam niṛaindelōr empāvāy ||
If we sing that Great One's name, who shot up and measured the earth
with a single stride; and go for our ritual bath,
Thrice a month will the rains fall and no drought will come,
Swelling red paddy, the kayil fish wriggling amongst them,
And spotted bees will doze in the blue lilies.
Big cows with their udders full will yield milk at a touch.
A flood of milk to fill our cans to the brim;
And wealth unfailing will fill the land.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 4
āzhi mazhai kannā onnu nī kai karavēl |
azhiyuḷ pukku muhandu koḍārtēṛi |
uzhi mudalvan uruvampōl mey kaṛuttu |
pāzhiyan tōḷ uḍaip paṛpanābhan kaiyil
āzhipōl minni | valamburi pōl ninnu adirndu |
tāzhāde śārṅgam udaitta śara mazhaipōl |
vāzhā ulahinil peydiḍāy | nāṅgaḷum
mārgazhi nirāḍa mahizhndelōr empāvāy ||
O Great Varuṇa, God of Rain, withhold not anything!
Plunge into the sea, fill up, rise with splendour;
Assume the dark hue of the Primordial Cause;
Blaze with lightning like the Discus in Padmanābha’s hand.
Thunder like the conch above His strong shoulder;
Pour down your showers in abundance,
like arrows from His bow Śārṅga. That we and the world
may live, and bathe in the joyous month of Margali.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 5
māyanai mannu vaḍa madurai maindanai |
tūya perunīr yamunai turaivanai |
āyar kulattinil tōnnum aṇi-viḷakkai |
tāyai kuḍal viḷakkan ceyda dāmodaranai |
tūyōmāy vandu nām tūmalar tūvit tozhudu |
vāyināl pāḍi manattināl cindikka |
pōya pizhaiyum puhudaruvān ninnanavum |
tīyinil tūśāhum ceppēlōr empāvāy ||
Northern Mathura's mysterious child,
The one who plays in the pure waters of the Yamuna river,
Emerald -like; the radiant lamp of the cowherd clan,
The Lord Dāmodara who has illumined his mother's womb,
Let us, all pure, adore him with fresh flowers, pay our obeisance
and sing his praises. Let us meditate upon Him.
Our sins both past and present and those yet to come will vanish
like cotton in a fire. Therefore let us sing His glory.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 6
puḷḷum cilampina kān puḷ araiyan kōyilil |
veḷḷai viḷi śangin pēr-aravam kēṭṭiḷaiyō ? |
piḷḷāy ezhundirāy | pēymulai nañju uṇḍu |
kaḷḷa cakaṭam kalakku kazhiya kāl ōcci |
veḷḷattu aravil tuyil amarnda vittinai |
uḷḷatu koṇḍu munivargaḷum yogihaḷum |
meḷḷa ezhundu ari enna pēr aravam |
uḷḷam puhundu kuḷirndu ēlōr empāvāy ||
The birds are chirping; can't you hear in the Bird King's temple
the thunderous sounds of the great white conch?
Awake, O Young maiden, ever contemplating in your mind
the One who drank the milk of Putana, the One who with a kick destroyed
Sakatasura, the One who is the Primal Cause of the whole cosmos,
and the One who reclines on the Serpent in the Milky Ocean;
the sages and the yogis have just arisen slowly from their yoga, loudly chanting
the names of Hari, resounding, let that Name enter our hearts and refresh us.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 7
kīsu kīsennu engum ānaiccāttan | kalandu
pēcina pēccaravam kēṭṭilaiyo? pēy peṇṇe! |
kācum piṛappum kalakalapak kaipērttu |
vāca naṛung kuzhal āycciyar | mattināl
ōsai paḍuttu tayir aravam kēṭṭilaiyo?
nāyaka peṇpiḷḷāy! nārāyaṇan mūrtti |
kēśavanai pāḍuvum nī kēṭṭē kiḍattiyō?
tēcam uḍaiyāy! tiravēlōr empāvāy ||
"Kisu kisu" the king-crows screech in chorus after copulating,
conveying senseless notes; can't you hear O deluded girl!
The matrons of the cowherd clan, with fragrance wafting from their locks
churn the curd, their arms going back and forth,
their bangles and necklaces making a tumultuous sound, do you not hear it?
O headman's daughter, how can you hear our hymns
in praise of Nārāyaṇa; The Killer of Keśī, and yet sleep on?
O damsel of glittering splendour, open your door!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 8
kīzhvānam veḷḷenṛerumai ciṛu vīḍu |
mēyvān parandana kāṇ mikkuḷḷa piḷḷaigaḷum |
pōvān pōkinnārai pōgāmal kāttu | unnai
kūvavān vandu ninnōm | kothukalam uḍaiya
pāvāy! ezhundirāy, pāḍi paṛai koṇḍu |
mā vāy piḷandānai mallarai māṭṭiya |
devādi devanai cennu nām cevittāl |
āvāvennārāyndaruḷ ēlōr empāvāy ||
Dawns breaks in the east, and the buffaloes
let loose a short while, are grazing all over.
We detained many that would have gone,
and have come here to call you out. O Jubilant Maiden,
rise up! Let us sing that He may give us the drum.
Let us go to the Killer of Kesi, to the Slayer of the Wrestlers,
To the God of gods let us go and offer obeisance and service.
Taking pity on us indeed, Krishna will bestow upon us His grace.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 9
tūmaṇi māḍattuc cuttam viḷakkeriya |
dhūpam kamazha tuyil aṇaimēl kaṇvalarum |
māmān mahaḷe! maṇi kadavam tāḷ tiṛavāy |
māmīr! avaḷai yezhuppīrō? un mahaḷ tān |
umaiyō? anṛic ceviḍo? anantalō? |
ēmap perunduyil mandira pāttāḷō? |
mā māyan mādhavan vaikuntan ennennu |
nāmam palavum navinnēlōr empāvāy ||
With the lamps blazing in a bejewelled chamber on a soft bed,
Fragrant smoke of incense wafting around; you lie asleep.
O Cousin! Arise! Open the bolt on the ornate door!
Auntie Dear! Won't you awaken her? Is your daughter
Dumb or deaf, exhausted or tired?
Or has she been bound by a spell of stupor?
Let us all recite as a remedy the names of Govinda;
O Lord of Maya! O Mādhava! O Lord of Vaikuṇṭha!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 10
nōttuc cuvarkkum puhukinna ammanāy!
māttamum tārārō vācal tiravādār ? |
nātta tuzhāi muḍi nārāyaṇan | nammāl
pōtta paṛai tarum puṇṇiyanāl | paṇḍoru nāḷ
kūttattin vāy vīzhnda kumbha karuṇanum |
tōttum unakkē perunduyil tān tandānō ? |
ātta anandal uḍaiyāy! arungalamē! |
tēttamāy vandu tiṛa vēlōr empāvāy ||
With fasting and prayer you would gain heaven
But will you open neither the door nor your mouth?
If we praise Lord Nārāyaṇa adorned with the tulsi on His head
He will surely bless us with His drum.
Has Kumbhakarṇa, killed in days of yore by Lord Rama
transferred to you his sleep everlasting; vanquished, but
in his sleep alive? O Lazy One! Our precious jewel!
Shake off your stupor and open the door.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 11
kattu kaṛavai kaṇangaḷ pala kaṛandu |
cettār tiṛal azhiya cennu cerucceyyum |
kuttam onnillādā kōvalartam poṛkoḍiyē |
puttaravalgul puna mayilē! pōdāray |
cuttattu tōzhimār ellārum vandu | nin
muttam puhundu muhil vaṇṇan pēr pāḍa |
cittādē pecādē śelva peṇḍāṭṭi | nī
ettukku uṛangam poruḷ ēlōr empāvāy ||
O golden creeper of that clan of cowherds,
expert milkmen of many young milch cows.
Faultless, skilled warriors who rout their foes in open battle.
O Charming peacock-like damsel! With hips like a snake's hood.
Will you not come out and join us, when we
your kinswomen and friends have entered your courtyard,
And are chanting the praises of the Lord the colour of the rain-cloud.
Wherefore now this sleep? Rich maiden, immobile.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 12
kannaittilaṅg katterumai kannuk kiṛaṅgi |
ninaittu mulai vazhiyē ninnu pāl cōra |
nanaittillam cērākkum naṛ celvan tangāy |
pani talay vīzhanin vāśal kaḍai patti |
cinattināl ten ilangai kōmānai cetta |
manattukkiniyānai pāḍavum nī vāy tiṛavāy |
inittān ezhundirāy itenna pēr uṛakkam |
anait-illat tārum aṛindēlōr empāvāy ||
Sister of that prosperous cowherd; whose buffaloes
yearning for their calves bellow and drip milk.
The floor turned into a mire from the flow.
Standing here at your door, unmindful of our
heads soaked with the morning dew,
We sing the praises of the Lord of our hearts, Rama
who in wrath slew the king of Lanka, yet you're silent!
Kindly arise now! The neighbours are scandalised.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 13
puḷḷin vāy kiṇḍānaip pollārakkanai |
kiḷḷi kalaindānaik kīrtimai pāḍi pōy |
piḷḷaigaḷ ellārum pāvai kaḷam pukkār |
veḷliy ezhundu viyāzham uṛangittu |
puḷḷum cilambina kān pōdāri kaṇṇināy! |
kuḷḷa kuḷira kuḍaindu nīrādādē |
paḷḷi kiḍattiyō? pāvāy! nī nannāḷāl |
kaḷḷam tavirndu kalandu ēlōr empāvāy ||
All the girls have reached the meeting ground,
They went, singing the praise of the One who Killed Bakāsura.
The One who decapitated the Demon King Ravana.
Venus has arisen and Jupiter has already set.
Look! the birds are chirping away, O lotus and doe-eyed one!
Will you forego the dip in the freezing waters and
lie abed and sleep? Dear girl, on this auspicious day
kindly leave off your aloofness, don't lie there, join us!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 14
ungaḷ puzhai kaḍai tōṭṭattu vāviyuḷ |
cengazhunīr vāy nehizhndu āmbal vāy kūmbina kāṇ |
cengal poḍi kūṛai veṇpal tavattavar |
tangaḷ tiru kōyil śangiḍuvān pōhinnār |
engaḷai munnam ezhuppuvān vāy pēcum |
nangāy! ezhundirāy! nāṇādāy nāvuḍaiyāy |
śankoḍu cakkaram ēndum taḍakkaiyin |
pangaya kaṇṇānai pāḍēlōr empāvāy ||
Look in your back-yard pools, already the day is dawning,
The red lotuses have bloomed and the blue lilies closed.
The ascetics in their saffron robes and white teeth,
Have gone to their temple to blow their conches.
You boasted that you would awaken before us.
Shameless braggart, get up, girl, you adroit talker!
Let us sing the glory of the Lotus-eyed Lord who holds aloft
The Conch and Discus in His mighty hands!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 15
ellē iḷangkiḷiyē innum urangudiyō |
cil ennazhaiyēnmin nangaimīr! pōdārkinnēn |
vallaiyun kaṭṭuraigaḷ paṇḍēyun vāy aṛidum |
vallīrgaḷ nīngalē nānēdān āyiḍuka |
ollai nī pōdāy unakkenna vēruḍaiyāi ? |
ellārum pōndārō ? pōndār pōndeṇṇikol |
vallānai konnānai māttārai māttazhikka
vallānai | māyanai pāḍēlōr empāvāy ||
Hello! tender young Parrot, yet sound asleep?
Don't be so sharp and shrill in calling me Great Ladies, I am coming.
We have known for long your promises and power of words.
Clever you all are in verbal altercation, but let it be me!
Come along quickly now, what restrains you?
Has everyone come already? Yes, come out and be counted too.
Let us sing about the Mysterious One, Who killed the mighty elephant,
and Who would destroy the arrogance of His foes.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 16
nāyakanāy ninna nanda gopan uḍaiya
kōyil kāppānē | koḍi tōnnum tōraṇa
vāyil kāppānē | maṇi kadavam tāḷ tiṛavāy |
āyar ciṛu miyarō mukku | aṛai paṛai
māyan maṇivaṇṇan nennālē vāy nērndān |
tūyōmāy vandōm tuyilezha pāḍuvān |
vāyāl munna munnam māttādē ammā! nī
nēya nilaik kadavam nīkku ēlōr empāvāy |
O Guard of the mansion of Nanda our leader,
O Keeper of the gate, with its flags and buntings flying aloft;
Unbolt the latch of the gem-set doors
Yesterday the charming Mysterious One of sapphire hue
Promised us, the cow-maids that He would give us the drum.
We have come pure in body and mind, to awaken Him with song.
Pray do not hinder us, O Compassionate Guard,
Open the giant twin gates and grant us access.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 17
ambaramē tannīrē cōrēyarañ ceyyum |
emperumān nanda gopālā! ezhundirāy |
kombanark-kellām kozhundē! kula viḷakkē!
emperumāṭṭi! yaśoday! aṛivurāy |
ambaram ūḍaṛuttōngiyulahaḷandu |
umbar kōmānē! uṛangād ezhundirāy!
cembor kazhalaḍi celvā! baladevā!
umbiyum nīyum uṛangēlōr empāvāy ||
Arise O Lord Nanda Gopa, who are so renown
for generosity with cloth, water and food to the needy.
Kindly wake up! O Yaśodā, the foremost of womankind,
the beacon light of our community of cow-herders.
O Lord of the gods Who measured the three worlds,
and pierced the sky, sleep no more! Arise!
O Baladeva opulent with red-gold anklets,
You together with your younger brother, sleep no more! Arise!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 18
undu mada kalittan ōḍāda tōḷ valiyan |
nanda gopālan marumahaḷē! nappinnāy!
gandham kamazhum kuzhalī! kaḍai tiravāy |
vandengum kōzhiyazhaittāna kāṇ | mādhavi
pandal mēl palkāl kuyil inangaḷ kūvina kāṇ |
pandār virali! un maittunan pēr pāḍa |
centāmarai kaiyāl cīrār vaḷai olippa |
vandu tiṛavāy makizhndēlōr empāvāy ||
O Daughter-in-law of Nanda Gopa the owner of many mighty elephants.
and who possesses strong shoulders never turned back on the foe.
Nappinai! Lady with charming fragrant tresses! Open the door!
Listen to the roosters crowing everywhere.
Flocks of cuckoos coo incessantly from the bowers of madhavi flowers.
You, so expert with the ball, we will chant the names of your Lord.
With your lotus-red hands and jingling bangles,
Come, joyfully open the door!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 19
kuttu vilakkeriyak kōṭṭukkāl kaṭṭilmēl |
mettenna pañca śayanattin mēlēri |
kottalar pūṅkuzhal nappinnai koṅgai mēl |
vaittu kiḍanda malar mārbā! vāy tiṛavāy |
maitaḍan kaṇṇināy! nīyun maṇāḷanai |
ettanai pōdum tuyil ezhavoṭṭāy kāṇ |
ettanai yēlum pirivātta killāyāl |
tattuvam annu tahavēlōr empāvāy ||
The standing lamps are burning all around, on a downy bed,
on a cot with five qualities, and ivory legs you lie, garlanded,
Your broad chest resting on the bosom of Nappinnai.
Her tresses adorned with flowers, at least open your mouth!
And you with wide eyes darkened with kohl,
Will you never allow him to rise?
Are you unable to bear separation from him for one second?
This is unfair and does not behove you.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 20
muppattu mūvar amararkku mun cennu |
kappam tavirkkum kaliyē! tuyilezhāy!
ceppam uḍaiyāy! tiṛal uḍaiyāy! | cettārkku
veppam koḍukkum vimalā! tuyilezhāy |
ceppanna men mulai cevvāy ciṛu maruṅguḷ |
nappinnai nangāy! tiruvē! tuyilezhāy |
ukkamum taṭṭoliyum tandun maṇāḷanai |
ippōdēy emmai nīr āṭṭēlōr empāvāy ||
O Valiant Lord who hastens before the Thirty Three gods,
out of grace, to remove the fear of their enemies; Arise O Lord!
Compassionate and skilful, you who strike fear into the hearts
of your enemies, O Lord Immaculate and Holy, Arise!
O Nappinnai! Goddess of beauty and fortune! with cup like breasts,
enchanting rosy lips and slender waist, please arise!
Give us the fan and the mirror and your husband too,
at this very moment, for helping us to fulfil our vow.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 21
etta kalangaḷ edir pōngi mīdaḷippa |
māttādē pāl coriyum vaḷḷal perum pasukkaḷ |
āttā paḍaittān mahanē! aṛivurāy |
uttam uḍaiyāy! periyāy! ulaginil
tōttamāy ninna śuḍarē! tuyil ezhāy!
māttār unakku vali tolaindun vāśaṛkaṇ |
āttādu vandun aḍipaṇiyumā pōlē |
pōtti yām vandōm pugazhndēlōr empāvāy ||
O son of the one who is blessed with countless, generous cows.
Showering milk, overflowing jars kept under their udders.
O Stable One, Protector of those who come to You for refuge,
The effulgent light of the universe, please arise.
Like Your routed foes, losing strength and pride,
surrendering and seeking refuge at your door;
We too have come singing Your praises,
To fall helpless at Your feet.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 22
aṅganmā ñālat-taraśar | abhimāna
bhaṅgamāy vandu nin paḷḷik kaṭṭiṛ kīzhē |
śanghaṃ iruppār pōl vandu talai peydōm |
kingiṇi vāy ceyda tāmarai pūppōlē |
śeṅgan ciṛu ciṛidēy emmēl vizhīyāvō ? |
tiṅgaḷum ādittiyanum ezhundār pōl |
aṅgan iraṇḍum koṇḍeṅgaḷ mēl nōkkudiyēl |
eṅgaḷ mēl śāpam izhindēlōr empāvāy ||
We have come here, like the kings of this beautiful wide world,
Humbled, renouncing pride and gathered at the foot of your throne,
We too have come seeking you, with bended head,
will not your benign eyes like half blossomed lotuses,
resembling little bells, open upon us little by little?
If you will deign to look upon us with your two eyes
that resemble the sun and the moon arisen;
We will be freed from the curse of all our sins.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 23
māri malai muzhaiñjil manni kiḍanduṛangum |
cīriya śingam aṛivuṛṛut tī-vizhittu |
vēri mayir ponga eppāḍum pērndudari |
mūri nimirndu muzhangi puṛappaṭṭu |
pōdarumā pōlē ni pūvaippu-vāṇṇa! | un
kōyil ninniṅganē pōndaruḷi | kōppuḍaiya
cīriya śingāsanattirundu | yām vanda
kāriyam ārāynd-aruḷēlōr empāvāy ||
Like a majestic lion that lies asleep in a mountain cave
during the rainy season, opening its fiery eyes,
Rises heroically, stretching and shaking its mane,
roaring loudly, it steps out majestically.
O Lord of the dark complexion like that of the Pūvāy flower, may it
please you to proceed from your mansion, and
ascend the grand and lofty throne in your temple, and
enquire into the purpose which has brought us here.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 24
anniv-ullagam aḷandāy aḍi pōṭri |
cenṛaṅgut tennilaṅgai ceṛṛāy tiṛal pōṭri!
ponna śakaṭam udaittāy pugazh pōṭri!
kannu kuṇilāverindāy kazhal pōṭri!
kunnu kuḍaiyāy eḍuttāy! guṇam pōtri!
vennu pagai keḍukkum nin kaiyil vēl pōṭri!
ennennun śēvakamēyēttip paṛai koḷvān |
innu yām vandōm iraṅgēlōr empāvāy ||
You measured the earth that day; blessed be Your feet!
You went and destroyed Lanka in the south; blessed be Your prowess!
With a kick You destroyed the cart-demon; blessed be Your glory!
You flung the calf-demon as if from a sling, blessed be Your anklets!
You lifted up the mountain like an umbrella; blessed be your goodness!
O Vanquisher of foes; blessed be the spear in Your hand!
Thus and thus singing about Your heroic exploits we have come for the drum,
Won't you relent, and have compassion on us?
| Commentaries |
Stanza 25
orutti mahanāy piṛandu | ōr iravil
orutti mahanāy oḷittu vaḷara |
tarikkilān āgit tān tīṅgu ninainda |
karuttai pizhai pittu kañjan vayittil |
neruppenna ninna neḍumālē | unnai
aruttittu vandōm paṛai tarudiyāhil |
tirut takka celvamum cēvakamum yām pāḍi |
varuttamum tīṛndu makizhundēlōr empāvāy ||
Born to one mother, and at the dead of night
lodged with another to be bred unknown.
You frustrated the chagrined tyrant's plots.
A raging fire within his (Kamsa's) belly.
We have come here your beggars O Nedumal (Trivikrama)!
Should you grant us the drum we seek,
We shall ever sing of Your bounty, befitting the Goddess of Wealth,
and Your might, our sorrows dispelled, we shall rejoice.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 26
mālē! maṇivaṇṇā! mārgazhi nīr āḍuvān |
melaiyār ceyvaṅgaḷ vēṇḍuvana kēṭṭiyēl |
ñālattaiy ellām naḍunga muralvana |
pāl anna vaṇṇattun pāñcajanniyamē |
pōlvana śaṅgaṅgaḷ pōy pāḍu uḍaiyanavē |
cāla perum paṛaiyē | pallāṇḍiśaippārē |
kōla viḷakkē, koḍiyē vitānamē |
ālin ilaiyāy! aruḷ ēlōr empāvāy |
O Love Incarnate! Sapphire-hued One, if You should ask what
we need to observe as of old the Mārgazhi bath,
An observance of ancient tradition,
It is conches like Your Pañchajanya, milk-white,
capable of setting the world atremble with their tumultuous sound.
Great big drums, choristers to chant your praises,
Decorative lamps, pendants and canopies kindly give us,
O Lord who reclines on the banyan leaf.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 27
kūḍārai vellum cīr govindā | undannai
pāḍi paṛai koṇḍu yām peṛu śammānam |
nāḍu pugazhum paricināl nannāga |
cūḍakamē tōḷvaḷaiyē tōḍē cevippuvē |
pāḍagamē ēnnanaiya pal kalanum yām aṇivōm |
āḍaiy uḍuppōm adan pinnē pāṛ śōṛu |
mūḍa ney peydu muzhangai vazhi vāra |
kūḍiyirundu kuḷirndēlōr empāvāy ||
O Govinda! you can easily win over those who are opposed to you,
The rewards we gain from singing Your praises,
and obtaining the drum will be universal acclaim,
Many ornaments we shall wear, bracelets and armlets,
rings for the lower ear and flower-like ornaments for the upper,
we shall wear lovely robes, and then partake of milk-rice;
soaked with ghee that drips down our elbows as we eat,
Thus shall we be in bliss, cool and united with You.
| Commentaries |
Stanza 28
kaṛavaikaḷ pin cennu kānam cērndunbōm |
aṛivonnum illāda āykkulattu | undannaip
piṛavi peṛundanai puṇṇiyam yām uḍaiyōm |
kuṛaivonnum illāda govindā | untannōḍu
uṛavēl namakkiṅg ozhikkavozhiyādu |
aṛiyāda pillaikalōm anbināl | undannai
śirupēr azhaittanavum cīriyarulādē |
iṛaivā! nī tārāy paṛai ēlōr empāvāy ||
We follow our cattle and eat in the woods,
ignorant folk of the menial cowherd clan. Yet it
is our good fortune that You have been born amongst us.
O Govinda, immaculate One, the bond we have
with You can never be undone by anyone.
Unsophisticated milk-maids as we are, out of love have
we called You by trivial names, don't be angry O Lord!
Nor withhold Your gracious drum!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 29
cittañ ciṛu kālē vandunnai cēvittu | un
pottā-maṛai aḍiyē pōttum porul kēḷāy |
pettam mēyttuṇṇum kulattil pirandu | nī
kuttēval engaḷai koḷḷāmal pōgādu |
ittai paṛai kolvān annu kāṇ govindā!
ettaikkum ēzhēzh piṛavikkum | undannōḍu
uttōmē yāvōm unakkē nām āt ceyvōm |
mattai naṅ kāmaṅgaḷ māttēlōr empāvāy ||
In the early hours of the morning, we have come to worship You,
and praise Your golden, lotus-like feet.
Born are we in the cowherd caste, You
should not decline our service and homage.
Harken O Govinda! Not only for today do we seek the drum,
but for ever more, seven times seven births, we
would be one with You, and serve You and You alone;
Change all our other desires O Lord!
| Commentaries |
Stanza 30
vaṅgak kaḍal kaḍainda mādhavanaik keśavanai |
tiṅgaḷ tiru-mugattu ceyizhaiyār cenniraiñji |
aṅgap paṛai koṇḍavāttai | aṇi puduvai
paiṅkamalat taṇ teriyal bhaṭṭa-pirān godai conna |
caṅgat tamizh mālai muppadum tappāme |
iṅgip pariśuraippār īriraṇḍu māl varai tōḷ |
ceṅgan tiru-mukkatu celva tiru-mālāl |
eṅgum tiruvaruḷ pettinbuṛuvar empāvāy ||
The lovely well-bedecked and moon-faced girls sang to Keśava,
Lakshmi's Lord, Who has churned the Ocean full of ships.
and secured the drum which they desired.
This story has been retold, by Godā, daughter of
the best of Brahmins, of Villiputur, with his garland
fresh and cool, In a garland of thirty verses in classical Tamil.
Whoever will chant these thirty stanzas regularly and faultlessly,
Will surely win the grace of the magnificent four armed Lord Tirumāḷ,
With red eyes and comely face, and be happy evermore.
| Commentaries |