திருப்பாவை - 30 (வங்கக் கடல்கடைந்த)

வங்கக் கடல்கடைந்த மாதவனைக் கேசவனைத்
திங்கள் திருமுகத்துச் சேயிழையார் சென்றிறைஞ்சி
அங்கப் பறைகொண்ட ஆற்றை, அணி புதுவைப்
பைங்கமலத் தண்தெரியல் பட்டர்பிரான் கோதை சொன்ன
சங்கத் தமிழ்மாலை முப்பதும் தப்பாமே
இங்கிப் பரிசுரைப்பார், ஈரிரண்டு மால்வரைத்தோள்
செங்கண் திருமுகத்துச் செல்வத் திருமாலால்
எங்கும் திருவருள்பெற் றின்புறுவ ரெம்பாவாய்.



Explanation
Just like the gopikas (sEy izhaiyaar), with moon (thingaL) like beauty (thirumugaththu), obtained salvation, by surrendering (senRu iRainchi) to the Lord, who churned (kadaindha) the ocean (vangak kadal) of milk, Sri Andal (kodhai) wearing fresh (pai) lotus flowers (kamalam), who was born in beautiful (aNi) Sri Villiputhoor (pudhuvai), as the daughter of the Brahmin priest (bhattar piraan) Peria aazhwaar, presents this. Those who recite (ingu ipparisuraippar) these thirty (muppadhum) literary (sangath) Tamil (thamizh) garlands (maalai), daily without fail (thappaamE), will obtain the grace (thiruvaruL) and derive pleasures (inbuRuvar) from God (thirumaal), who has beautiful (sen) eyes (kaN) and shoulders (thOL) which can stretch (varai) between two pairs (eerirandu) of mountains (maal), who is accompanied by the beautiful (thirumugaththu) Laxmi (chelva).

Purport
This garland of thirty verses in classical chaste Tamil, celebrating the devotional fervour of the beautiful cowherd women who worshipped Naaraayana, variously incarnating Himself as Maadhava (the Lord who churned the ocean of milk) and Kesava (the Lord who slayed the demon Kesi), has been strung together by Kothai, the daughter of Periaazhwaar, who belongs to the lovely place called Srivillipuththur.

All those who recite these hymns with passion and sincerity are bound to receive the favour of Naaraayana, the Lord with four mighty arms and resplendent face with crimson eyes. Theirs will be joy eternal and bliss manifold.

More Insight
Those who study this Tiruppavai are forever acceptable to Sri Mahalakshmi and Sriman Narayana - this is the gist of this stanza. In days of yore, in Dwaapara Yuga, Gopis actually performed this Nonbu. Later on Sri Andal imitated them in her heart. Both Gopis and Andal got the service of the Lord. So also even without performing the rite or imitating it, just by chanting this Divya Prabandha, people will get the same fruit (Kainkarya).Sri PARASARA BHATTAR said, "Just as the mother cow gives milk even in the presence of its dead and stuffed calf (TOL KANRUKKUM IRANGUMAPOLE) so also the Lord will bless us even though we are absolutely devoid of the supreme devotion of Andal, merely because we are repeating her words."

Gopis had surrendered themselves to Sri Krishna; but their Saranaagati would gain fruit only through the PURUSHAKAARA (recommendation) of Sri Mahalakshmi. The Lord had churned the Milky Ocean to get her; and so the Gopis begin by chanting that Herculean effort of the Lord. VANGAKKADAL was churned only to get Sri Devi who had remained hidden there. Thus He became MAA (Lakshmi's)-DHAVA(husband).In stanza 2 Andal said ADI PAADI- singing the glory of His Feet; here in 30 she says KESAVANAI -of Him who has fascinating locks of hair. Thus she enjoys the Lord's Form from His Holy Feet to His Head (Aa paada choodam).

The meaning of the POORVA KHANDA (first half) of the DVAYA Mantra is implied in this first line.

The word "SRIMAT" (He who is ever in the company of SRI) in DVAYA mantra is represented here by MAADAHAVANAI.

"NARAYANA" in DVAYA means He who has the noble qualities of VAATSALYA, SWAAMITVA, SAUSHILYA, SAULABHYA, GNAANA and SHAKTI.

These are brought out in the present paasuram as under:

1. KADAL KADAINDA -Lord Vishnu, turning a blind eye (Kaanaa-kkannittu) towards the blemishes of all the gods and demons, churned the ocean to get them nectar; this is VAATSALYA.
2. He established His Supremacy by managing the entire operation single-handedly; this is SWAAMITVA.
3. He even worked in cooperation with worst criminals - the lowliest of the lowly; this is SAUSHILYA.
4. He took the guise of a charming cherub and personally distributed the nectar; this is SAULABHYA.
5. He had the requisite knowledge, the know-how to churn the ocean; this is GNAANA.
6. And He had the required strength to complete the task up to the end; this is SHAKTI.

KESAVANAI- By referring to the locks of hair, His Form is implied; that is the meaning of "CHARANAU" in the DVAYA.

Those who recite the Tiruppavai paasurams are sure to be blessed by Him. They will get everything here and finally attain Salvation. Sri PARASARA BHATTAR used to say, "every one should every morning recite all the 30 verses; or at least the 29th one-SITTAM SIRUKALE; if he finds even that difficult, he should at least bring to his mind how much exquisite joy WE added to our days and nights through chanting, understanding, discussing and in fact living with these Divine Verses (Naam irunda iruppai ninaippadu)."

Those who thus take refuge unto Him will serve Him for ever and ever; no rebirth for them. Let us also chant these sweet songs and make our mother SRI GODA DEVI's appearance in this world useful and purposeful.