Subramhanya bhujangam – 22

A few years ago, I came across a beautiful short piece of writing about prayer. I don’t exactly remember it word for word nor whose quote it was, but it was something like a discussion between a student and a Guru. The student asks the Guru when does one need to pray and the Guru

Subramhanya bhujangam – 15

Eyes, the most defining feature of the face for anyone. It is said that face is the index of mind but eyes are the ones that express anything the most. Happiness, sadness, peace, compassion, hatred, anger, grief and even sarcasm, all these and more are very effectively conveyed by the eyes. If this is the

Margazhi 2020-21 – Day 28

As we reach the end of thiruppavai, the paasurams get richer. It is not an understatement that the paasurams from 22 onwards are overwhelming and have layers and layers of meaning. I was wondering if I should write or skip as I know for sure no matter how much ever I write, I wouldn’t be

Margazhi 2020-21 – Day 25

Oruthi maganaai pirandhu is a simple and beautiful paasuram. In this Andal describes how intolerable Krishna was to Kamsa. தரிக்கிலான் ஆகித் தான் தீங்கு நினைந்தகருத்தைப் பிழைப்பித்துக் கஞ்சன் வயிற்றில்நெருப்பென நின்ற நெடுமாலே! Kamsan couldn’t live with the thought that Krishna was safe somewhere. He sent demons one after the other to kill Krishna but none of them returned

Margazhi 2020-21 – Day 24

This paasuram is called as ‘thiruppavaiyil thiruppallandu’. Following the footsteps of her dad Periyazhwar Vishnu Chittar, Andal prays for the safety and well-being of Krishna. On seeing His majestic gait and the way He is seated on His simhasanam, Andal and others cannot stop extolling His handsomeness. She forgets that she is the refugee and

Margazhi 2020-21 – Day 23

In this paasuram 23 – மாரி மலை முழைஞ்சில், Andal describes Krishna as the valiant lion and also the softest flower. The first 4 lines describe how a lion, that hibernates in a den in the mountains, in the rainy/winter seasons with his mate, comes out when the season changes. The lion doesn’t need anyone to

Margazhi 2020-21 – Day 21

Sometimes we will be able to interpret some connection among different paasurams of thiruppavai. There would be similar phrases or description or the meaning. Although similar, these might not be a repetition or a copy. In fact when we realize some of those connections (yes I prefer to call it realization than interpretation ), we

Margazhi 2020-21 – Day 20

The third paasuram in the set of appealing to Nappinnai is paasuram 20. Here, Andal tries to wake up both Krishna and Nappinnai. She describes Krishna as the one who is always the first to help people in distress, even before any of the 33 types of Devas could come for aid. Also interpreted as

Margazhi 2020-21 – Day 18 and 19

In the paasurams 18, 19 and 20, Andal addresses Nappinnai, consort of Krishna. Nappinnai is the incarnation of Nila Devi. She is the daughter of Kumbha, Krishna’s uncle. And apparently Krishna had to fight and control 7 bulls (similar to our own jallikattu) to marry her. It is always considered appropriate as per Shri vaishnava

Margazhi 2020 – Day 17

This paasuram is about Andal waking up Nandagopalan, Yashodha, Balarama and Krishna. She dedicates exactly 2 lines to each of them. This paasuram is also where Andal dedicates one line to Vamana avatara.அம்பர மூடறுத்து ஓங்கி உலகளந்தThe one who tore open the sky with his foot. Andal also describes about the charity that Nandagopalan offers to