திருப்பாவை - 11 (கற்றுக் கறவை)

கற்றுக் கறவைக் கணங்கள் பலகறந்து,
செற்றார் திறலழியச் சென்று செருச்செய்யும்
குற்றமொன் றில்லாத கோவலர்தம் பொற்கொடியே!
புற்றர வல்குல் புனமயிலே! போதராய்,
சுற்றத்துத் தோழிமார் எல்லாரும் வந்துநின்
முற்றம் புகுந்து முகில்வண்ணன் பேர்பாட,
சிற்றாதே பேசாதே செல்லப்பெண் டாட்டிநீ
எற்றுக் குறங்கும் பொருளேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
You prosperous (selva) girl (pEN)!, You are beautiful like a golden (pOn) creeper (kodi), among the flawless (kutram onRillaadha) caretakers of cows(kOvalar), who are capable of destroying (azhiya) the strength (thiRal) of the enemies (setraar) by going (senRu) to war (cheru cheyyum), who in their childhood have milked (kaRandhu) many (pala) youthful (katru) herds (kaNangaL) of cows (kaRavai)! You who has a waist (alkul) like that of a cobra (aravu) in his nest (putru)! You who are free like a forest (puna) peacock (mayil)! Come out (pOdharaay)!. while we, all (ellaarum) your relatives (sutram) and friends (thOzhi) have come (vandhu), entered (pugundhu) your (nin) living room (mutram) and are singing (paada) the names (pEr) of the Lord, who is dark like the color (vaNNan) of clouds (mugil); you are sleeping (uRangu) without even moving a bit (sitraadhE), ignoring (pEsaadhE) us. For what (etrukku = edhukku) purpose (poruL) are you sleeping (uRangu) so?

Purport
Oh, beautiful damsel, the pride of the guileless cowherd community! Our menfolk are justly famed for their energy for milking ever so many milch cows at a stretch and for their valor in going all out to destroy powerful foes. You charming peacock-like darling with your waist resembling the hood of the snake! Is it proper for you to lie motionless and without response to so many of us, your relations and friends who have gathered in the court-yard of your house, when we sing the praise of our Lord Naarayana in chorus?

More Insight
In this pasuram a gopi reputed for her exquisite beauty like a golden creeper (POR KODI) and born of a very noble family, is being woken up. Her father and kinsmen are known for discharging the duties pertaining to their cowherd caste, which entails milking an endless number of cows. So Andal seems to say that performance of one's duty as enjoined in the Scriptures is calculated to bring happiness to the Lord and thereby falls into the category of His Service. One should hence never discard one's duty.

SETTAR TIRALAZHIYA is noteworthy. SETTAR means enemies. Who are the enemies meant here? Not those who despise them but those who want to harm Sri Krishna. For a Sri Vaishnava there is no direct enemy; he will not mind or may even welcome (as it will take away his sin) someone trying to harm him. But he considers him his enemy who intends harm to the Lord.

SUTTATTU THOZHIMAR - the girl-companions of this gopi who are they? They are those who even after performing all kinds of services to the Lord, do not expect anything in return except His Supreme Satisfaction and Happiness. Praharshayishyami sanatha jeevitah"-I’ll make my life worthwhile by pleasing Him- says Sri ALAVANDAR.

Click title to hear the song by Sudha Raghunathan (Ragam: Huseni, Talam: Misra chapu)