Goda says determining to travel to reach God itself is a pleasant thought. The goal is good but the travel equally is a happy process. If several people travel together to reach God’s place, it will be a great pleasure. Godasays the journey of a Jeevi after death towards the abode of God (Archiradi), the Journey of Akrura to Nanda Vraja village to invite Sri Krishna to Mathura, and the journey to Tirumala to have darshan of Lord Venkateswara are the pleasant journeys greater than the destination. The thought of a journey or the determination (Sankalpa) for a journey gives great joy. Goda says such a journey with a team is a greater joy. She preaches in this ‘greater joy of going together for good deeds and God.
Goda’sTamil Paashuram 8
KeezhVanamVellendruErumaiSiruVeedu MeyvaanParandanakanMikkullaPillaikalum PovaanPogindraraiPogaamalKatthuunnai-k KoovuvanVandhuNindromKodhukulaMudaiya PaavaiEzhundiraiPaadi-p-paraiKondu Maavay-p-PilandanaiMallariaMaattiya DevadidevanaiChenrunaamSevitthaal Aa vaaEendruAaraindu Arul-el or Empaavaai.
English8
As the east brightens, cattle start to graze tender grass. Moving along with birds, and young kids. Instead of calling each other, we stopped all to drive To Him and call you, the God-loving girl. Awake dear and join us to get God’s gift of Parai. Krishna, who tore Keshi’s mouth apart & killed Chaanura-Musthika Prostrate & Pray before the King of Gods, O Girls, come He will bless us with all compassion.
Awakening Nammalwar
Goda is awakening the third Gopika and Nammaalwaar here. She refers to Guru Mantra “AsmatSarvaGurubhyonnamah”, saluting all Gurus. Having a great interest in Bhagavan, His devotees – Bhagavatottama, and in all who love Bhagavan, symbolises Nammaalwaar- when Goda says ‘KodukulaMudaiPaavaay’. In the 7th song, she referred to KulasekharaAalwaar and in the 6th song her father Periyaalwar.
Goda knocks at the doors of a Gopika, who is inside her residence: With the gradual rise of pre-dawn brightness, the cattle started to graze the dew-covered tender grass, along with young cowherds. Instead of calling all of them individually, we stopped them to divert to Krishna’s palace. We want you also to join us and hence we are standing at your doorstep. Krishna, the wonder boy has torn the mouth of Keshi, the demon in the form of a Horse, defeated and killed wrestlers Musthi and Chaanura, the rogue elephant Kuvalayapeedam, and pulled out its tusks. Balaram and Krishna carried a tusk each on their shoulders and entered Raja Sabha. Krishna pulled down Kamsa from the throne and killed him with his punches. He did all this in his teenage itself. I know you have a deep interest in reaching Lord Krishna. Then, why don’t you get up, we all shall sing his praises and seek the gift of Parai (Dakka- musical instrument) as promised.
Mushtikaasura is a symbol of unsatiated desires while Chaanura represents anger (Krodha).
Keshi is the embodiment of Ego. Kamsa deputes Horse Demon – Keshi to kill BalaRaama and Krishna. The horse was happy when Krishna thrust his hand into his mouth. Demon thought it was easy to eat out the hand. But Krishna increased the size of the hand suffocating him to death. Some fools open their mouth only to eat and do not open to ask for knowledge. But Krishna can open it to more than its size. Only through the generosity of Krishna, one can get relieved of Kama, Krodha and Ahankara.
There is another strategy followed. Demon thought it was easy to eat out the hand. But Krishna increased the size of the hand suffocating him to death. Some fools open their mouth only to eat and do not open them to ask for knowledge. But Krishna can open it to more than its size. As Krishna thrusts his left arm into Keshi’s mouth, all of Keshi’s teeth fall. Krishna’s arm expands, and Keshi chokes to death, as sweat flows from his body, his eyes roll and he struggles to kick his feet. Keshi falls lifeless on the ground. He assumes his true demon form.
The Harivamsa from the epic Mahabharata also narrates the incident in a similar fashion complete with Narada’s praise identifying Krishna as Vishnu. The Vishnu Purana and the Harivamsa (1st – 2nd century BCE) tell that Keshi is the last agent sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna, after Keshi’s killing, Krishna and Balarama go to Mathura, where Kamsa is killed. However, the Bhagavata Purana describes the killing of the demon Vyoma sent by Kamsa, before he leaves for Mathura.
