திருப்பாவை - 2 (வையத்து வாழ்வீர்காள்)

வையத்து வாழ்வீர்காள்! நாமும் நம்பாவைக்குச்
செய்யுங் கிரிசைகள் கேளீரோ! பாற்கடலுள்
பையத் துயின்ற பரமன் அடிபாடி,
நெய்யுண்ணோம்; பாலுண்ணோம்; நாட்காலை நீராடி
மையிட் டெழுதோம்; மலரிட்டு நாம் முடியோம்;
செய்யா தனசெய்யோம்; தீக்குறளைச் சென்றோதோம்;
ஐயமும் பிச்சையும் ஆந்தனையும் கைகாட்டி
உய்யுமா றெண்ணி உகந்தேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Oh! you people born to live (vaazhveer gaaL) in this world (vaiyam), won't you
listen (kELeerO) to the deeds (kirisai) we do (chey) to ourselves (naam) and
to our (nam) idol (paavai)!. We sing (paadi) in praise of the feet (adi) of
the Lord (paraman) who is in meditative sleep (paiyath thuyil) on the ocean of
milk (paal kadal). We do not eat (uNNOm) ghee (ney). We do not drink (uNNOm)
milk (paal). We bathe (neeraadi) early morning (naat kaalE). We do not use
(ezhudhOm) eye liner (mai). We (naam) do not braid our hair (mudiyOm) with
flowers (malar). We do not do (seyyOm) prohited things (seyyaadhana). We do
not go and recite (chenRu OdhOm) evil (theeya) demons (kuRaL) works. We donate
(kai kaattu) to poor people (pichchai), to deserving people (aiyam), to
ascetic people (aandhanai). We think (eNNi) about our salvation (uyya) and
feel happy (ugandhu).

Purport
People of this Earth! listen to the austerities we shall perform during the paavai-nonbu! We shall sing the praise of Naarayana who sleeps in the milky ocean. We shall abstain from ghee and milk. We shall bathe before daybreak. We shall not indulge in gossip nor perform actions which are taboo. Of alms and gifts, we shall give liberally. We shall follow the path of a life of contentment and happiness.



More Insight
At her cordial invitation a huge crowd gathered and the wonder-struck ANDAL exclaims, "in this ignorance-spreading world, are there so many interested in Emancipation!” She proceeds to prescribe "dos" and "don'ts" (which actually are the SAMBHAVITA SWABHAVA, the natural characteristics of the Adhikari).

While we appear to be performing this vow for getting rain, in reality it is different. She stresses the words "NAMUM NAM Pavaikku"- NAMUM- WE are quite different from others; we long for His company and firmly believe that He alone is the Means for achieving it. NAM Pavai- Indrajit did a malefic rite to put an end to Rama; but OUR beneficent rite is for securing Lord's and His World's prosperity and happiness.

The SriVaishnavite Code of Conduct as prescribed by her is as follows:
1. Recite the Samskrita and Dravida Veda which sings the glory of the Feet of the Lord reclining on the Serpent in the Milky Ocean, all the while thinking about one's Redemption.
2. Eschew all carnal and even worldly desires like eating ghee, drinking milk etc.
3. Bathe early in the morning. Don't adorn your eyes with collyrium, or your hair with flowers till the completion of the vow; meaning thereby that a SriVaishnava needs decoration etc only when he is in union with the Lord.
4. Never indulge in an act which was not practiced by our righteous minded ancestors. Bharata refused the kingship though granted by his father and permitted by Rama on the grounds that the tradition of Solar Kings did not permit a younger son to rule when the elder was living.
5. A SriVaishnava should not speak ill of others or even think about it (which is tantamount to reporting it to the God inside the heart, thereby ensuring their fall); Sita never uttered a word to Rama about the ill-treatment by the Rakshasis.
6. He should ever be ready to do charity and impart knowledge about God to all those who need it.

In short he should constantly be thinking about his upliftment and keep his mind filled with peace and happiness.

Click title to hear the song by Sudha Raghunathan (Ragam: Gowla Talam: Mishra Chapu)