திருப்பாவை - 8 (கீழ்வானம் வெள்ளென்று)

கீழ்வானம் வெள்ளென்று, எருமை சிறுவீடு
மேய்வான் பரந்தனகாண்; மிக்குள்ள பிள்ளைகளும்
போவான் போகின்றாரைப் போகாமல் காத்துன்னைக்
கூவுவான் வந்து நின்றோம், கோதுகலமுடைய
பாவாய்! எழுந்திராய்; பாடிப் பறைகொண்டு
மாவாய் பிளந்தானை, மல்லரை மாட்டிய
தேவாதி தேவனைச் சென்றுநாம் சேவித்தால்
ஆவாவென் றாராய்ந் தருளேலோ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
The eastern (keezh) sky (vaanam) is whitening (vEL). The water buffaloes
(eRumai), which started grazing (mEyvaan), just a little (siRu) while
(veedu) ago, have spread all over (parandhana) the place. Look! (kaaN). The
children (piLLai), who are serious (mikkuLLa) about 'maargazhi nonbu', are
going (pOvaan). We have stopped (pOgaamal) those people who are going
(pOginRaarai) and have come (vandhu) standing (ninROm) and are waiting
(kaaththu) and calling (koovuvaan) you (unnai). You happy (kOdhugalam
udaiya) girl (paavaay), wake up (ezhundhiraay) If we (naam) sing (paadi),
observe the 'paavai nOnbu' (paRai kondu) and go (chenRu) and worship (sEvi)
the Lord of the devas (dhEvaadhi dhEva), who split (piLandhaan) the Asura
who came as a horse (maavaay), who conquered (maattiya) the wreslers
(mallar), he will examine (aaraayndhu) our requirements, and bless (aruL) us
with plenty (aa aa enRu).

Purport
Wake up you vivacious young girl! The Eastern sky has already brightened. The buffaloes have already set out to feed themselves on the dewy grass We have even kept the other girls from moving ahead, for your sake and here we are, at you doorstep. Come, let us march singing the praise of our Lord of Lords who killed the demon Kesi who came in the guise of a horse by cleaving his mouth and who slew the wrestlers sent by Kamsaa. Our Lord will surely bestow His grace on us after due consideration for our devotion.

More Insight
Here a girl who is Krishna's particular sweetheart is being woken up. She can be compared to NAMMAZHWAR (Krishna- trishna tatvam) the very embodiment of deep devotion to Sri Krishna. Her company is certain to accomplish their desire. KOTHUGALAMUDAYA PAVAAI is a most beautiful form of address.

"The horizon has become bright. Get up." say the girls. But she astonishes them by replying, "It is the luster from your moon-like faces which has brightened the Eastern quarter. The day is yet to dawn."

The second sign of daybreak mentioned in this stanza indicates that Andal has indeed been transformed into a gopi - "The buffaloes are fast dispersing in the fields searching for the tender green grass with the dew drops of dawn clinging to them. If we delay, Krishna would have followed them into the forest and our purpose would be lost." This statement could not have come out of the lips of anyone other than a true cowherdess. So Andal has totally identified herself with a gopi, living with the cowherds and taking part in all their daily chores.

Her father Sri Vishnuchitta was a learned Vedic authority and had even written a rule book for conducting sacrifices called Kalpa Sutra. He too assumed the role of Yasoda to the extent of participating in every childish activity of Krishna. For this his daughter affectionately calls him, "Bhogattil Vazhuvada Puduvayarkon"(one who has not missed a single opportunity to enjoy Krishna). Now his daughter does the same.

The conclusion is this: Only that caste is desirable, which is congenial for the enjoyment of God and which is calculated to bring down His Grace on us.

Click title to hear the song by Sudha Raghunathan (Ragam:Dhanyasi Talam:Khanda Chapu)