WOMEN IN EPICS

14.ANDAL

Ayonija Andal is the only female Azhwars , daughter of another Azhwar called Vishnuchitar who was later known as Periazhwar.Periazhwar was born in Kurodhana (785A.D )and lived for 85 years. Andal was born in Nala (836A.D ) , and so we can conclude that they lived around 850A.D . Andal was born under the asterism of Puram in the Tamil month of Adi. This asterism generally falls in July August when the annual monsoon rains bring peace and plenty to land. Like Sita, Andal was Ayonija, not born of a womb. She was a gift of mother earth to all humanity.In Srivilliputhur of Madurai district while procuring flowers, Vishnuchitar saw a baby girl lying under Tulasi plant. He felt so much happy as he had no child before and so considered it as God's Gift. He named the baby as Kothai or Gift of Mother earth and raised her as his own daughter. Kothai with lot of love and devotion from her father ,started singing songs about her beloved Lord Krishna, with her knowledge of Tamil poetry. Andal As Vishnuchittar had already highest respects on Lord Ranganatha , it was intensified further in Andal. Andal adorned herself daily with the flower garland prepared by her father for the Lord Vadabadrasai in Srivilliputhur temple. She first admired her reflection , with an idea of herself as Rnganatha's bride, and then she put the garland back for offering to Lord Ranganatha by her father. Vishnuchittar one day noticed a strand of Kothai's hair on one of the garlands and got shocked . After identifying the reason he scolded Kothai for her childish activity and discarded the garland. Then he prepared another one and offered it to the Lord, and pleaded for God's excuses. Lord Ranganatha then

appeared in Vishnuchittar's dream on that night and told that He missed the scent of Kothai's body in the flowers, as He preferred only that. Vishnuchittar then awoke and cried tears of both joy and remorse. As Andal's greatness was such that the Lord Ranganatha Himself wished to share her presence, she became known as "Andal", the girl who "ruled" over the Lord. She is also known by a phrase "Soodi kodutha Sudarkodi" or Soodikodutha nachiar which means "The bright creeper-like woman who gave her garlands after wearing them". Andal said as " These swollen breasts of mine are meant for Krishna, Like a sneaky jackal from the forest toppling and sniffing the sacrificial Havis that vedic seers had kept for the gods, if you marry me to a mortal, I shall not live," and she was saying that she would only marry Sri Ranganatha, the Lord at the great temple town of Srirangam. Again Lord Ranganatha appeared in Vishnuchittar's dream and told that Andal be sent to Him in all her wedding dress and arrangements. Vishnuchittar then filled with both joy of his beloved daughter going to attain her goal, but a bit of sadness on losing her . All the wedding preparations and journey in a palanquin to Srirangam were then arranged . Andal then jumped out of the palanquin, unable to restrain herself any longer. Andal at her fifteenth year, embraced Lord Ranganatha and disappeared in a blaze of glory, having joined her Lord. Nachiar

When Andal was hardly fifteen, She sang Thiruppavai in 30 verses (Pasurams ) and Nacchiyar Thirumozhi, in 143 verses (in 14 Thirumozhis) steeped in her love for Krishna. Traditionally it is told that Andal began to practise Pavai nonbu to secure Lord Krishna as her husband. Andal ranks as a saint poetess on par with the Azhwars, and so her works are included in the Mutalayiram, or the first thousand in the Nalayaira Divya Prabandham. In Tiruppavai, Pasurams ancient Tamil custom of maidens undertake vows happy married life and community. Pasurams 6plight from door to door 1to 5 explains the Pavai Nonpu, when during Margazhi for a for the good of the 15, deals with Andal's rousing her friends, her

bath in river with friends and worship with flowers images made of sand. Pasurams 16 to 22 ,Arrival of friends in Krishna palace, and their seeking permission to wake up Nandagopala, Yasodha, Balarama and Krishna , who is sleeping in the company of Nappinnai
.Pasurams 23-28, Andal's talking with Krishna . Pasuram 29, conveys the purpose of their visit,and Pasuram 30 is palasruthi (Engum Thiruvarul petru Inbura ) benediction for all who recite the work faultlessly .The famous song of Rajaji's Kurai onrum illatha Govinda is only from 28th pasuram Karavaigal. Tiruppavai gives us a divine experience of unity with Lord Krishna . As Andal says"Sanga Thamizh muppathum Thappame, one who says this garland of verses in Sangathamizh are sure to get the blessings of HIM. Thiruppavai recited in all Srivaishnava temples throughout the year has no restriction on resitation. This is basis for vedas and so called as Vedam anaithukkum vithaghum .In very first poem Saranagathi is stressed as Narayane namakke parai tharuvan as Krishna said in Gita , bhakthi or saranagathi is necessary for everyone. An element of swapadesa or inner allegorical meaning is available to the verses iof Tiruppavai. Verses 6 to 15 are interpreted as each directed towards the awakening from sleep of one of the ten Azhwars. Likewise some songs are considered as rousing Bhagavathas from sleep. Many scholars right from SriRamanujar have given meanings, explanations in plenty . Just like teachings in Gita, as one can see lot of such guidelines for everyone to adopt in one's life in this Tiruppavai , this is termed as 'Kothageetha'.The guidelines from a word of each pasuram in Tiruppavai is furnished below. Kothai Just like teachings in Gita, as one can see lot of such guidelines for everyone to adopt in one's life in this Tiruppavai , this is termed as 'Kothageetha'.The guidelines from a word of each pasuram in Tiruppavai is furnished below. 1..Religious observations are to be done for getting more wealth and peace. (padinthu) 2.All the prescribed dos and don'ts of the vow have to be followed strictly.(Kirisai)

3.Sincere prayers will always bring abundant rain ,causing more prosperity.(Perpadi) 4.Water fetched from ocean ,is poured as rain over the good and bad alike.(Peithidai) 5.God thinking, disappears accrued Karmas from deliberate or accidental acts.(sinthikka) 6.The mentality to aid inexperienced seeker to help the way to realization is good. (kettu) 7.Full attention in any activity is needed for getting complete grace of god.(Padavum) 8. Most wise people when they do not teach others ,are sure to slip and accused. (Kathu) 9. A step of surrender,by uttering God's name, cause many steps of protection (Navindru) 10.God is embodiment of grace, light , wisdom, strength,love and power. (potra) 11.A family of generosity, pure and wise characters will have a good offspring.(Karanthu) 12.Moksha is prefered as bondage start from babies, with the love of parents. (irangi) 13.Use of power ,specially gifted is needed and must not be going inactive.(Thavirnthu) 14.Prescribed duties for daily and seasonal have to be performed in dedication.(Nanathu) 15.Taking the responsibilty of errors ,encomiums will come automatically.(nanayiduga) 16.Praising and Worshipping God in word,mind and action,pave way for Grace .(Thiravu) 17.Avoid inactivity .If we succeed evils in resisting, calmness will then come. (Urangathu) 18.Enjoy pleasures of righteousness, with family and friends without prejudice.(Magizndu)

19.Thinking must be raising the lower ,helping the needy and feeding the poor.(Meleri) 20. A man of faith constructs something beautiful even in the midst of chaos.(Thiral) 21.Avoid unpleasant truths which make one of rude and loss of sensitivity. (Matrathe) 22.When the mind goes after various things , divert the same at the feet of God. (Nokku) 23.Vishnu took avatars to teach a virtuous life, and to take the lives of bad. (Arainthu) 24.Incarnations of God in human form is for easy approach of us to understand.(Vandom) 25.Money may fetch your today's bread. but it is not to be taken as sole end or aim.(Thiru) 26.Trust in hopes and achievements of senior people and take the same as guide.(Kettu) 27.Community participation,is stressed for the welfare and happiness of all.(Kudiirunthu) 28.Ever help others to achieve their aims for salvation by complete devotion.(Serndu) 29. The ego that asserts "I am the servant of God' is true character of a devotee.(Sevithu) 30.The whole world is sure of attaining the benifits of all actions done properly.(Inbutru) Note; Due to Audi month , Andal is discussed in women in epics , and this will be continued in next issue also. Other Mahabharatha

ARUMBULIYUR JAGANNATHAN RANGARAJAN