Thiruppavai
The Tiruppavai (Tamil:திருப்பாவை) is a collection of thirty stanzas (paasuram) in Tamil written by Andal also Nachiyar, in praise of the Lord Perumal, (Vishnu). It is part of Divya Prabandha, a work of the twelve Alvars, and is important in Tamil literature. Kodhai Devi or Andal incarnated on this earth in the 98th year after the beginning of the Kali Era (3102 BC).[1] She performed a wonderful vratham or prayer 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 Dhanurrasi or Sagittarius and until it moves out to the constellation of Makara or Capricorn is known as Dhanurmasam. In Thiruppavai Andal gives a universal call to all people to recite the name and glories or Lord.[2]
What Tiruppavai says
A summary: After the sun sets, the period just before the ensuing dawn is called Bramhamuhurtham according to vedic scriptures. It is an auspicious time for it gives good thoughts and intentions. Practices like meditation and penances done during this hour, gives favorable results. According to Vedic calendar, 1 Earth-year is equal 1 celestial day. So the last 6 months on the earth (every year) is equal to 1 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).
According to the poem God is only one and he appears in various forms for our sake. He accepts our offerings and blessings even when he is worshipped in an idol-form in our house. It is for this reason Kodha Devi performed the vratham near the deity Vatapathrasai. She desired for Lord Sri Ranganatha, she worshipped Lord Sundarabahu, she asked us to reach Sri Venkatachalapathi. This she did to create the faith that God exists in all forms. By whatever name one calls, he is there for us, dwelling on the 7 hills as Srinivasa or Lord Balaji in Tirumala, the God of the Kali Yuga, the primeval cause of the creation, the husband of Lakshmi Devi who is Srimannarayana. In order to remind us of this, Andal prayed, so we might be able to do service in the temple of Venkateshwara.
According to the poem the symbolic undertone behind Andal’s entreaty to her friends to wake up and seek Krishna subsumes the essence of the three basic mantras in the Vaishnava tradition — the Tirumantram, Dvayam and Charama Sloka that signify the truth of the Paramatma or the Supreme being who dwells in everything. There is a hidden meaning in the 27th Pasuram for example, where Andal explains the importance of an acharya whose guidance is mandatory for a disciple to get these trio of mantras. If the meaning is taken literally, it appears that Kodhai Devi is asking for some of the ornaments for the vratham, but in there explains the importance of these 3 mantras in a symbolic way. Every Pasuram has this detailed undertone which must actually be realized.
Tiruppavai is said to be 'Vedam Anaithukkum Vithagum', meaning it is the seed of the vedam. As the entire tree and the trees coming from it are hidden in the subtle seed, so is the entire essence of vedam hidden in Tiruppavai which can be revealed only under the guidance of an acharya or a guru who is well versed in vedic scriptures.
This entire hidden essence is mentioned in the Andal's verses in the form of poetry.
Pavai Genre
Thiruppavai belongs to the Pavai genre of songs, a unique Tamil tradition sung in the context of the Pavai vow (Vratham or ritual) observed throughout the month of Margazhi. Sri Vaishnavas sing these stanzas every day of the year in the temple as well as in their homes. This practice assumes special significance during Margazhi: each day of this month gets its name from one of the thirty verses. There are references to this vow in the late-sangam era Tamil musical anthology Paripadal.[3]
Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord. [4]
Overview
The first five stanzas provide an introduction to the main theme, its principle and purpose. According to Andal one should give up luxuries during this season. Sincere prayers to the God would bring abundant rain and thus prosperity. Offering Lord Krishna fresh flowers would expiate sins committed earlier and those that may be committed in future.
In the next ten stanzas she describes the importance of community participation. She invites her friends to gather flowers. She essays the ambience at her village, the chirping of birds, colorful blossoms, the musical sound of butter-churning, herds of cattle with tinkling bells, the sounding of the conch from the temple.
She visits each household and awakens all her friends to join her for a bath in a nearby pond. She also praises the incarnations of the Lord. The next five stanzas describe her visit to the temple accompanied by her friends. She desires to render Suprabhata gently to wake up the Lord. The group appeases the temple guards, enters the temple and recites prayers extolling the parents of Lord Krishna and begging them to wake up Krishna and Balarama. Then they approach Neela Devi, the consort of the Lord, to have a darshan.
The last nine stanzas are on the glories of the Lord. On receiving his blessings Andal lists her demands; milk for the vrata, white conch, lamps, flowers, and rich costume and jewellery, plenty of ghee and butter. The concluding stanza is an envoie identifying her as the daughter of Vishnucittar who made this garland of 30 pasurams and says those who recite with devotion will have Lord’s blessings. [5]
Verses and Explanation
The Thiruppavai also includes 3 thaniyans (literally, 'singletons' or stand alone verses) composed by later authors to introduce older texts. The first tanniyan, 'Nila tungastana...' in Sanskrit was composed by Parasara Pattar, and the next two tanniyans, 'Anna vayal pudhuvai...' and "Choodi kodutha..." (translated below) were composed by Sri Uyyakondar.
Thaniyan[6]
This is a song which is a prelude to Tiruppavai and is generally termed as taniyan or "that which stands separately".
Andal from the swan filled Puduvai,
Sang she, in her sweet voice,
Several enchanting sweet odes,
For being sung during,
The worship and adulation of Pavai.
They are but a garland to him,
From her who wore them first,
Before presenting them to Him.
Each Pasuram(ode to Gods) of Thiruppavai is generally named by the first few words of the poem.These are given first and a translation into verse given then:-
Song Name-Raga-Thala | Verse | Explanation |
---|---|---|
1. Margazhi Thingal Nattai - Adi |
மார்கழித் திங்கள் மதிநிறைந்த நன்னாளால்; நீராடப் போதுவீர்! போதுமினோ, நேரிழையீர்! |
In this month of Marghazhi, On this day filled with the light of moon, |
2. Vaiyathu Vazhvirgal Gowla - Adi |
வையத்து வாழ்வீர்காள்! நாமும் நம்பாவைக்குச் செய்யுங் கிரிசைகள் கேளீரோ! பாற்கடலுள் |
Oh, people of this world, Be pleased to hear of those penances, |
3. Ongi Ulagalandha Arabhi - Adi |
ஓங்கி உலகளந்த உத்தமன் பேர்பாடி நாங்கள் நம் பாவைக்குச் சாற்றிநீர் ஆடினால், |
If we sing the praise of Him, Who grew big and measured the world, |
4. Azhi Mazhai Kanna Varali - Adi |
ஆழி மழைக்கண்ணா! ஒன்று நீ கைகரவேல் ஆழியுள் புக்கு முகந்துகொ டார்த்தேறி, |
Please obey our wishes, Oh rain God who comes from the sea, |
5. Mayanai Mannu Sri - Adi |
மாயனை மன்னு வடமதுரை மைந்தனை, தூய பெருநீர் யமுனைத் துறைவனை, |
To Him the enchanter of all, To Him the son of Mathura in the north, |
6. Pullum Chilambina Shankarabharanam - Misrachapu |
புள்ளும் சிலம்பினகாண்; புள்ளரையன் கோயிலில் வெள்ளை விளிசங்கின் பேரரவம் கேட்டிலையோ? |
Did you not hear alternate twittering birds making loud noises, Did you not hear the loud sound of white conch, |
7. Keesu Keesu Bhairavi - Misrachapu |
கீசுகீ சென்றெங்கும் ஆனைச்சாத் தன்கலந்து பேசின பேச்சரவம் கேட்டிலையோ? பேய்ப்பெண்ணே! |
Did you not hear, Oh slow witted girl, The twittering sound of black birds of the morn, |
8. Keezh Vanam Dhanyasi - Adi |
கீழ்வானம் வெள்ளென்று, எருமை சிறுவீடு மேய்வான் பரந்தனகாண்; மிக்குள்ள பிள்ளைகளும் |
The eastern sky has become white, The buffaloes are free to walk and graze, |
9. Thoomani Madaththu Hameer Kalyani - Adi |
தூமணி மாடத்துச் சுற்றும் விளக்கெரிய, தூபங் கமழத் துயிலணைமேல் கண்வளரும் |
Oh my uncle’s daughter, who sleeps, In the soft cotton bed, |
10. Notru Swargam Todi - Misrachapu |
நோற்றுச் சுவர்க்கம் புகுகின்ற அம்மனாய்! மாற்றமும் தாராரோ வாசல் திறவாதார்? |
Oh lady fine, who has entered the heaven, Due to penance done in last birth, |
11. Katru Karavai Huseni - Misrachapu |
கற்றுக் கறவைக் கணங்கள் பல கறந்து
செற்றார் திறலழியச் சென்று செருச் செய்யும் |
Oh daughter of the cattle baron, Who milks herds of cows, |
12. Kanaithilam Katrerumai Kedaragowla - Adi |
கனைத்து இளம் கற்றெருமை கன்றுக்கு இரங்கி நினைத்து முலை வழியே நின்று பால் சோர |
Hey, sister of the rich one, who owned, The mooing she buffalo with a calf, |
13. Pullin Vaai Keendanai Atana - Misrachapu |
புள்ளின் வாய் கீண்டானைப் பொல்லா அரக்கனைக் கிள்ளிக் களைந்தானைக் கீர்த்தி மை பாடிப் போய்ப் |
The lasses have reached, The place of prayer for Pavai, |
14. Ungal Puzhakkadai Anandabhairavi - Adi |
உங்கள் புழக்கடைத் தோட்டத்து வாவியுள் செங்கழுனீர் வாய் நெகிழ்ந்து ஆம்பல் வாய் கூம்பின காண் |
In the pond in the backyard of your house. The lily in the ponds have opened, |
15. Elle Ilam kiliye Begada - Misrachapu |
எல்லே. இளம் கிளியே இன்னம் உறங்குதியோ சில் என்று அழையேன் மின் நங்கையீர் போதருகின்றேன் |
“Hey, little bird, Are you still sleeping? ” |
16. Nayaganaai Ninra Mohanam- Adi |
நாயகனாய் நின்ற நந்தகோபன் உடைய கோயில் காப்பானே. கொடி தோன்றும் தோரண |
Hey, He who guards the palace of Nanda Gopa, Hey, who guards the ornamental door with flags, |
17. Ambarame Thanneere Kalyani - Khandachapu |
அம்பரமே தண்ணீரே சோறே அறம் செய்யும் எம்பெருமான் நந்தகோபாலா எழுந்திராய் |
Hey Nandagopa, who does good deeds and charity, Who gives water, cloth and food to others, |
18. Undhu Madha Kalitran Saveri - Misrachapu |
உந்து மத களிற்றன் ஓடாத தோள் வலியன் நந்தகோபன் மருமகளே நப்பின்னாய் |
Hey, Who is the fair daughter in law, Of Nanda gopa, who has several elephants, |
19. Kuthu Vilakeriya Sahana - Misrachapu |
குத்து விளக்கெரிய கோட்டுக் கால் கட்டில் மேல் மெத்தென்ற பஞ்ச சயனத்தின் மேல் ஏறிக் |
In the light of the oil lamp, On the ornamental four legged ivory cot, |
20. Muppathu Muvar Senchurutti - Misrachapu |
முப்பத்து மூவர் அமரர்க்கு முன் சென்று கப்பம் தவிர்க்கும் கலியே துயில் எழாய் |
Please wake up Oh, Lord, Who removed sorrow and fear, |
21. Etra Kalangal Nadanamakriya - Misrachapu |
ஏற்ற கலங்கள் எதிர் பொங்கி மீதளிப்ப மாற்றாதே பால் சொரியும் வள்ளல் பெரும் பசுக்கள் |
Oh son of him,
Who owned several cows, |
22. Angan Maa Gnalathu Yamuna Kalyani - Misrachapu |
அம் கண் மா ஞாலத்து அரசர் அபிமான பங்கமாய் வந்து நின் பள்ளிக் கட்டிற் கீழே |
Like all the famous kings Of the wide World, that is pretty, |
23. Maari Malai Muzhainjil Manirangu - Adi |
மாரி மலை முழைஞ்சில் மன்னிக் கிடந்து உறங்கும் சீரிய சிங்கம் அறிவுற்றுத் தீ விழித்து |
Like the majestic lion wakes up with ire, From the mountain cave in the rainy season, |
24. Anru Ivvulagam Sindhu Bhairavi - Adi |
அன்று இவ் உலகம் அளந்தாய் அடி போற்றி சென்றங்குத் தென் இலங்கை செற்றாய் திறல் போற்றி |
We worship your feet which measured the world then, We worship your fame of winning over the king of Southern Lanka, |
25. Oruthi Maganaai Pirandhu Behaag - Adi |
ஒருத்தி மகனாய்ப் பிறந்து ஓர் இரவில் ஒருத்தி மகனாய் ஒளித்து வளரத் |
Being born to woman, And in the same night in hiding. |
26. Maale! Manivanna Kunthala Varali - Adi! |
மாலே. மணிவண்ணா. மார்கழி நீராடுவான் மேலையார் செய்வனகள் வேண்டுவன கேட்டியேல் |
Oh Lord Vishnu, Oh lord who is like the blue sapphire, |
27. Koodaarai Vellum Poorvi Kalyani - Misrachapu |
கூடாரை வெல்லும் சீர் கோவிந்தா உந்தன்னைப் பாடிப் பறை கொண்டு யாம் பெறும் சம்மானம் |
Hey Lord Govinda, who is known for victory over enemies, |
28. Karavaigal Pin Chendru Kambhoji - Adi |
கறவைகள் பின் சென்று கானம் சேர்ந்து உண்போம் அறிவு ஒன்றும் இல்லாத ஆய்க் குலத்து உந்தன்னைப் |
Belonging to the ignorant family of cow herds, Drive we would the cattle to the forest, |
29. Chitram Chiru Kale Malayamarutam - Misrachapu |
சிற்றம் சிறு காலே வந்து உன்னை சேவித்து உன் பொற்றாமரை அடியே போற்றும் பொருள் கேளாய் |
Please hear why, In this very early dawn, |
30. Vanga Kadal Kadaintha Surutti - Misrachapu |
வங்கக் கடல் கடைந்த மாதவனை கேசவனை திங்கள் திருமுகத்து சேய் இழையார் சென்று இறைஞ்சி |
He who sings with out error, The thirty odes in sweet Tamil, |
Recital in Thailand
In Thailand, an annual Giant Swing ceremony known as Triyampavai-Tripavai was held in major cities until 1935, when it was abolished for safety reasons.[7] The name of the ceremony was derived from the names of two Tamil Hindu chants: Thiruvempavai (a Shaivite hymn by Manikkavacakar) and Thiruppavai. It is known that Tamil verses from Thiruvempavai — poet pratu sivalai ("opening the portals of Shiva's home") — were recited at this ceremony, as well as the coronation ceremony of the Thai king.[8] According to T.P. Meenakshisundaram, the name of the festival indicates that Thiruppavai might have been recited as well.[9]
Trivia
- Thiruppavai is also recited in Thailand. The last two stanzas (of the 30 verses) are recited in Tamil along with Thiruvampavi during coronation of the Rama (King of Thailand).[10]
- Thiruppaavai is sung in lieu of Suprabhatam during the month of Maarkazi at Tirumala[11]
References
- ↑ K. K. Nair (1 September 2007). Sages Through Ages - Volume IV: India's Heritage. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4670-6410-1.
- ↑ http://ebooks.tirumala.org/Home/Download/?ID=1929
- ↑ "Paavai genre of songs". ntyp.org. Retrieved 2007-07-13. External link in
|work=
(help) - ↑ "Importance of Tiruppavai". namperumal.tripod.com. Retrieved 2007-07-13. External link in
|work=
(help) - ↑ "Thiruppavai - OVerview". kerela4u. Retrieved 2007-07-13. External link in
|work=
(help) - ↑ http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/ramachander/Thiruppavai.doc
- ↑ M. E. Manickavasagom Pillai (1986). Dravidian Influence in Thai Culture. Tamil University. p. 69.
- ↑ Upendra Thakur (1986). Some Aspects of Asian History and Culture. Abhinav. pp. 27–28. ISBN 978-81-7017-207-9.
- ↑ Norman Cutler (1979). Consider Our Vow: Translation of Tiruppāvai and Tiruvempāvai Into English. Muttu Patippakam. p. 13.
- ↑ "Coronation of Thai king". ntyp.org. Retrieved 2007-07-13. External link in
|work=
(help) - ↑ "Thiruvengadam-Thiruppavai". ramanuja.org. Retrieved 2007-07-13. External link in
|work=
(help)
External links
- Short essay on Thiruppavai
- Commentary on Thiruppavai
- Audio Commentary on Thiruppavai
- Tiruppavai - viewable in multiple Indian scripts
- PDF of Thiruppavai
- Explanation of Thiruppavai by Prof. Dr. Chenni Padmanabhan M.D.,
- Thiruppavai Tamil & English Lyrics