The threshold in front of Lord Venkateshwara in Sanctum Sanctorum is worshipped as Kulasekhara. In this Paashuram, Goda is waking up KulasekharaAlwaar. He is a shining jewel among the 10 Aalwaars. He is a Kshatriya, of the ruling class, He is a guru of gurus, i.e. Parama Acharya. Thus, the Acharya mantra is ‘AsmatParamaGurubhyonnamah”. When God appears and offers a boon to Kulasekhara, he seeks to be a threshold at the sanctum sanctorum of Tirumala Temple so that he would be looking at God always and enjoy the touch of the foot (padasparsha) of devotees. The threshold before Lord Venkateshwara is thus called KulasekharaPadi, none except the ardent archakas can cross it.
Goda’sTamil Pashuram7
KeechuKeechuEndruEngumAanaichathanKalandhu PesinaPecharavamKettilaiyo? Peypennnay! KasumPirappumKalakalappa-k-kai Perthu VaasanarumKuzhalAaychiyarMatthinal OsaipadutthaThthayir-aravamKettilaiyo? NayagaPpennppillaiy! Naaraayanan Moorthy KesavanaiPpadavvum Nee Kettekidatthiyo ThesamudaiyaiThirav-el or Empaavaai.
English poem 7
As dozens of birds chirp together at dawn O, crazy, listen to morning dialogues of Bharadwaja birds. Hear the music of golden necklaces & bangles. Of lovely hands; feel the fragrance of flowers of their hair Churning curds by staff, can’t you hear? O, the lady of Naaraayana, get up, to lead us. To Keshava and to sing with us, His praise. Awaken, open the doors & let us go, my girl.
Goda in this 7th song is waking up KulasekharaAlwaar. She sang the morning song for Periyaalwaar, her father in her 6thPaashuram, which embodied the Acharya Vandana “Asmat Guru Bhyonnama” (Namaskarm to my Gurus). In this song, Goda is saying “AsmatPaRaamaGurubhyonnamah”. (Salutations to Guru of Gurus, ex:Kulasekhara)
Gopika at the doorstep indicates three points to convince the Gopika inside about the passage of night and the beginning of dawn. In the 6th Paashuram chirping of birds, the Conch sound, chanting of Hari Hari by Yogis and Munis are the three sounds of the morning to be noticed. Birds render great service to mankind by waking them up at the right time with their sounds unknowingly. Sankha Naadam (sound of the Conch) tells us that it is time to pray to God. It is Omkaram, which links us to God, whereas the third sound is the chanting of Munis and Yogis which is the result of human effort.
What is the meaning of the chirping sounds of birds? Goda says, they are planning to fetch food together for their children. They can fly with two wings- Knowledge and Practice. Rishis meditate for some time, then come out to discuss with other Rishis, and they go back to penance. The chirping is nothing but such conversation, Goda says.
Bharatha, great brother of Rama
This Song mentions Bharadwaja Muni. Bharadwaja birds which are found in Kerala-Tamil Nadu coastal region make sounds like Parrots. Prince Raama during his exile, stays for a night at Bharadwaja’s Ashram (residence). Thereafter, Bharatha, with his family, Gurus, royal staff, and army arrives at the forest in search of Raama, and pays respects to Bharadwaja in his Ashram. Bharadwaj asks Bharatha, “What else do you want to do to Raama, who is innocent and harmless: Why are you searching for him?”.
The question is quite derogatory and suggestive of suspicion. Pained, Bharatha falls on his feet and cries: “Muni, you know past, present and future, don’t you know my role and can’t you read my mind?”. Bharadwaja wants to test him further. He creates a spacious Royal palace for all who came with Bharata and asks him to take the King’s seat. Bharatha leaves it and goes to a nearby seat meant for the Minister and operates the hand-fan towards the Simhasana as if Raama is sitting there. This proves that he was not fond of occupying the king’s seat.
Buttermaking is better penance
In Brindavan, Gopikaas always meditate on Sri Krishna. Even when they are immersed in their daily activities, they do not forget Sri Krishna. What all they think, say, and do, they offer it to Sri Krishna. Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanam. (Everything is dedicated to Him).
Gopikaas attained Bhakti not because of their learning and knowledge. It is because of their association with Krishna in Vrepalle. Each of those villages used to bring what all they made or cooked for Krishna. A mother-in-law could not tolerate this madness and to teach a lesson to daughter-in-law, she entrusted a huge stock of Curds and Milk to be sold in a day. Gopika took it to the nearby town for sale and could sell it all easily by chanting the names of Govindaa, Damodaraa, and Maadhavaa instead of the milk products she carried. They dissolved themselves in the thoughts of Krishna.