Thiruppavai

The Tiruppavai (Tamil:திருப்பாவை) is a collection of thirty stanzas (paasurams) written in Tamil by Andal (also known as Nachiyar), in praise of the Lord Perumal, (Vishnu). It is part of Divya Prabandha, a work of the twelve Alvars, and is important part of Tamil literature. Kodhai Devi or Goda Devi/Andal incarnated on earth in the 98th year after the beginning of the Kali Era (3102 BC). She performed a wonderful vratham or vow called Dhanurmasa vratham to tell us that, by practicing this vratham, one can attain all materialistic happiness along with the eternal bliss. The period, from when the sun moves into the constellation of Dhanur-rasi or Sagittarius and until it moves out to the constellation of Makara-rasi or Capricorn is known as Dhanurmasam. In Thiruppavai, Andal gives a universal call to all people to recite the name and glories of Lord Vishnu.

A summary: After the sun sets, according to the Vedic scriptures, the period just before the ensuing dawn is called Bramhamuhurtham. It is an auspicious time, for it gives good thoughts and intentions. Practices like meditation and penances done during this hour, give favorable results. According to the Vedic calendar, one Earth-year is equal one celestial day. So the last six months on the earth (every year) is equal to one celestial night. Hence, the predawn period, the Bramhamuhurtha, for the heavenly beings falls in the month of Dhanurmasam. Andal taught us this Dhanurmasa vratham because she wanted us to spend these auspicious days in contemplation of God. This vratham was performed for Krishna. Krishna means good happiness. Man is always in the quest for happiness, in order to attain which, he engages himself in various kinds of jobs. But pursuit of materialistic happiness will eventually lead to sorrow. So, Andal performed this vratham desiring the eternal blissful God. She desired and attained Him.

It is not easy for man to know who God is and the means to reach him. Air is not visible to our naked eye. We know the presence of air, because if we stop breathing, we die. Similarly, according to the poem, we must realize that there is a divine energy which is the cause and controller of our activities, our present form and name. He can be easily attained in His form as an idol or archa murthi. He exists as an archa murthi with the same auspicious qualities as He is in His highest divine abode Paramapadam. Let us worship Him and ask Him whatever we want. He will suitably grant us everything. Kodhai Devi instilled such a faith through her pasurams (poems).

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