We generally know that Devathas are around 33 crores. But, according to the Vedas, they are only 33, not 33 crores: Eight Vasuvus, Eleven Rudras, Twelve Aadityas, and Two celestial physicians (Ashwini). These celestials are superior and immortal bodies. When they also find it difficult to ward off the problems created by demons, they seek refuge in You. But even before they seek your help, you rush to ward off the dangers. Will you help only immortals?
(Courtesy pic: Late Dr Ramacharya Sribhashyam Srinivasa Family.)
Goda’s Tamil Pashuram 20
Muppaththumoovar Amarar-ku-Munsenru
Kappam Thavirkkum Kaliye! Thuyilezhaai!
Seppamudayaai! Thiraludayaay! Settraarku
Veppam Kodukkum Vimalaa! Thuyilezhaai!
Seppanna Menmulai-ch-chevvaai-ch-Chirumarungal
Nappinnainangaai! Thiruvey! Thuyilezhaai!
Ukkamum Thattoliyum Thandun Manaalanai
Ippothe Emmai Neer Att-el or Empaavaai.
English Poem 20
Valiant warrior, you confront enemies, before,
33 crore celestials complain of fear of demons,
Pure, upright with immense strength, and kind,
Inclined to protect always: You have no enemies,
But you terrorize the Foes of your devotees; Awake!,
O beautiful Neela, with two golden pots of bosom, pink lips,
Slender waist; Perfect, No less than Lakshmi, wake up!
Get us a fan, and mirror, and let Krishna bathe with us.
It is a romantic song intertwined with philosophical wisdom, symbolic lessons, and devotional waking up of Sri Krishna and his lovely Neela concert. Gopikas led by Goda address Krishna: O Warrior, you rush to fight the demons even before the celestial beings approach you with fear of Asuras. You shower unlimited favours to 33 crore angels unasked. Don’t you hear the devotional prayers of five lakh Gopikas? Is it because they are less in number? We request you to get up and fulfill your promise to us.
Do you help those who are already strong, immortal, and not devotees like us who depend on Your grace? We completely surrender to You, but we are ignored. We are not asking for nectar and immortality. Your face and your looks are more than amritha for us. We can no longer tolerate separation from you. We have no fear of enemies. But we fear losing the privilege of watching your beauty while waking up. We want to sing your praise. Help us win over this fear. You need not fight for us, nor wage war against demons, or lift a mountain like Mandhara during the churning of Milk Ocean. You have saved Arjun from the mortal weapon Shakti hurled by Bhagadatta. Facilitate us to have a glimpse of your radiant beauty while You sleep and wake up, your affectionate looks and hear your melodious words.
You are the personification of great uprightness and insurmountable valour. O stainless person, you instill enormous fear in the enemy. Get up from sleep for us. Seppam means both protection and uprightness, which means consistency in thought, word, and action. You never breach your words. But you have asked us to come together and promised to bless us. You are efficient enough to protect all the Lokas. You can inflict chilling fear in the enemies. You are unblemished. Do not be angry with us for using harsh words with Nappinna. Having said thus to Sri Krishna, they turn to Neela and invoke her generosity. They praise her physical beauty – rosy lips, full bosom, and thin waist and call her a perfectly complete personality. Krishna wins her after a tough fight with seven strong bulls. It was a great hardship for him. As he won her with valiant efforts, He loves her most. That is her perfection referred to by Goda and her companions. I am awake and aware of your prayers. I am just thinking about what to give you. What do you want?
They are asking to give us the fan and the mirror; and arrange for our association with Krishna while bathing.
The words though give the obvious meaning of shringara, their inner meaning is divine and philosophical. Rosy lips indicate affection for the progeny, the whole world of beings. Her pair of fully-grown bosom indicates Jnana and Bhakti or Para Bhakti and Paramabhakti. Para Bhakti is a desire to have darshan. For bathing, they are asking for a mirror and a fan. One needs to look into a mirror to see the face. The moment we watch our face in the mirror, we are proud of it. An element of ego enters. That is indicated by micro drops of sweat on face immediately after bathing, which can be wiped out by the fan. They ask for three objects- mirror, fan, and Paramatma. Mirror gives knowledge about the self, (Swa Swaroopa Jnana); it is Omkaram (Pranava). The fan removes ego (Ahamkaram). Ego is replaced by the Namah, and the third is Paramatma Himself. Everyone should always remember that it is not ‘me’ and it is ‘not mine’. Namah means ‘not mine’. Asking for Paramatma Himself means desiring proximity with Him. Snana means Saannihityam. (Bathing with Krishna means being nearer to Him). Om Namah encourages detachment, then, one will enjoy the real bliss- Brahmananda. Omkara (mirror-given self-knowledge) is replacing Ahamkara with Namah (sweat removed by a fan), enjoying proximity with Him and having undisturbed meditation i.e., Brahmanandam. This is the message of this Pashuram.