When someone asked Acharya Sri Ramanuja to explain the significance of Tiruppavai, Acharya said to have remarked that it would be difficult to find someone efficient to explain Tiruppavai. This statement shows the significance and complexity of the 30-poem Kavya of Goda Devi in praise of Lord Ranganatha, which is recited every day in Dhanurmasam – that starts in the middle of December and goes up to Bhogi on January 15. Tiruppavai explains the essence of Vedas through examples from the divine stories of Srimad Bhagavatham and Srimad Ramayanam. One should try to understand the enormous meaning, symbolism, alankara, and in-depth concepts that form the content of the eight-line Pashuram -A poem written by Goda Devi.
Goda’s Tamil Pashuram (in English script.)
Margazhi Thingalmadi Nirainda Nannalal Niradapoduvir, Podumino Nerizhaiyeer Seermalgum Aayppadi Selva Chirumeergal Koorvel Kodum Thozhilam Nandagopan Kumaran Er Arndha Kanni Yasodhai Ilansingam Karmenichengann Kadir Madiyam pol Mugathan Naaraayanane Namakke Parai Tharuvan Parorpugazha Ppadintdul-el or empaavaai.
English Poem
Nature shines in the moonlight of Margazhi month Come, dear friends, let us bathe before the Sunrise O Team of enriched and enlightened devotees of our rich village Where Nanda wields a protective spear for his son, Lotus-eyed young cub of mother Yashoda His resplendent face with eyes shining like the Sun and Moon. Aiming to reach the ultimate Lord Narayana Let us commission the mission together.
Goda asks her friends to wake up and join her in bathing in the light of the moon on this day of Marghazhi month, and pray to the Hero Sri Krishna, son of Yashoda and Nanda, who wears a weapon to protect all of us, his garlands spreads fragrance. He is a cub of a lion in cloud color, with sharp red eyes, whose face glows like a full moon, none other than Shriman Narayana. Let us bathe and pray together to start our Vrata for thirty days. This is the message of Goda.
Like Radha, Mirabai in the north, Goda is a devotee full of love for Sri Krishna from southern part of India. Goda was found in the Garden of Periyalwar – Vishnu Chitta. When her father collected flowers from the Garden, which were later made into a garland, Goda used to wear it and verified how it looked on her person standing before a mirror or watching her reflection in water in the well, then she used to put the garlands in a basket that was taken to Vatapatra Sai, the Lord of Sri Villiputhur. Once the father notices a piece of hair, finds that his daughter has used it. He was worried as he offered used flowers all these days. The legend says Sri Maha Vishnu appeared in a dream that he loved to wear only those that were once decorated on Goda’s person. Since then she was called Chudi Kodutha Nachiayaar meaning the lady who wore and gave her garland to Lord Vishnu. This is the meaning of the title of a great poem by Sri Krishna Devaraya – Amukta Malyada (one who wears and gives away garlands) in Telugu.
Paavai means Vow or vratam in Telugu or a ritual observed throughout the month of Marghazhi.
The essence of the First song
It was a nice time for starting any Vrata. On the earth nature is beautiful. Even God likes to come down and enjoy the breeze on the banks of Yamuna in Brindavan. Sri Villiputtur is also transformed into Brindavan in her dreams. The quantum of one year in our world is just a day for the angels (Devathas) in a different world. Dakshinayanam (Sun swerving to south – July to January) is the night for them and Uttarayanam (Sun tilting to north – from January to July) is the day. Even as the Sun tilts from the southern route to the northern side, the month Marga Sheersha greets us. It is counted as the pre-dawn hour. Serene morning with a fresh breeze of air and light that inspires fresh ideas and brings smiles to faces. The time is conducive for prayers and meditation. Let us all go to the river for holy bathing. When we sing in praise of Krishna and remember his good deeds, all our evils get washed off. That is real sanctification of us. This mission is our Deeksha. The Bhagawan Naaraayana descended amongst us to elevate our lives and thoughts. He came to be with us like a simple innocent cowherd. Krishna, the cub in the lap of Yashoda, shines like a generous cloud and rains blessings. Naaraayana is both the means and destination. He is the Vrata and the purpose of the Vrata. He is the tool and route to reach Him. Let the mission to reach Him begin in universally acceptable way. Let everyone recognize it. Come let us go and invoke Him asking for an instrument of music to sing in His praise.