Goda Devi is addressing the fifth Gopika in this tenth Song.Oh dear girl, a jewel amongst the devotees, perhaps you are enjoying deep sleep, right, if not opening the door, at least respond. Naaraayana, has Tulasi strings on His crown. He inspires us to sing Pallaandu (Mangalasanam) and grants Parai, a musical instrument, and higher lokas. He is the embodiment of righteousness. HasKumbhakarna when he courted death at the hands of Lord Raama, handed over his sleep to you? Please shed your sleepy mood, do not trip from steps, be cautious, wake up and slowly come over here; open the door to meet us. Let us join the Nomu.
Goda’s Tamil Pashuram
NottrusuvargamPugugindraAmmanay MattramumThaaroro? Vassal Thiravadhaar NattraThuzhayMudiNaaraayananNammaal Pottra-p-paraiTharumPunniyanaalPandorunaal KootrathinVaayVeezhndaKumbakarnanum ThottramUnakkePerumThuyilthanThandaano AattraAnandhalUdayaiy! Arungalame ThettraamaiyVandhuThira-el or Empaavaai
English Poem
Enjoying Paradise after devotional Nomu (vow) Speak at least one word, Amma, open the door Naaraayana’ crown is decorated with Tulasi garlands He inspires us to sing in his praise & grants Parai Has dying Kumbhakarna gifted sleep to you? Do not slip in post-sleep-effect, step out cautiously. Slowly Get up from slumber, you are a jewel. Open the door and join us for our Nomu, dear.
Krishna initially promised that he would gift divine Parai instrument of music when Gopikaas reach Him. The inner meaning is that He promised to liberate the souls from the vicious cycle of birth, death to rebirth. On the tenth day, Goda approached a Gopika who is an ardent devotee of Krishna. She was not sleeping. She was always immersed in thoughts and meditating on the good deeds of Naaraayana. In such deep meditation, she may not listen to any or speak back. It looks as if she is deaf and dumb. Goda knew this. That is why she asks her “I know you are enjoying Sri Krishna Anubhavam.
Raama hesitates at first when Sita wants to accompany Him on His Exile. Then she says, “It’s heaven for me to be with you, and hell without you”. Gopika is also in a similar state of meditation. For them, Vratam is no issue. They are confident that Krishna will take care of everything and hence they were not worried. Bhagavan is an embodiment of happiness. Bhagavan has come in the form of Krishna. If you can go near him and fall in his good sight, there is no need for any other route. This is the prime message of this Paashuram, knowing Lord Krishna.
The conversation between Goda and the fifth Gopika goes on like this:
Goda: You are a jewel, please come and lead us. Kindly answer us. As you love Krishna most, we can gain easy entry if you are with us. But you are silent.
Gopika is silent as she is pleasantly surprised to be addressed as a leader. Another side of silence is she is in deep meditation on Krishna and thus cannot hear the calls.
Goda: You have closed doors and stopped talking? You alone are enjoying Krishna’s association. You surrendered everything to Him. Please think about us also. Tell something at least in anger.
Gopika: You say that I have given everything to Krishna. Do you think Krishna is with me inside this residence?
Goda: If Krishna is inside with you, you cannot hide Him. You may hide yourself. The fragrance of Tulasi strings decorating His Crown reveals Him. Krishna loves Tulasi, who is the wife of Vishnu. Wherever there are Tulasi gardens, you will find Krishna there. Wherever He is, there will be the fragrance of Tulasi.
Gopika: When He embraced me long back the Tulasi fragrance has been spread on my body. Perhaps you are getting that odour now. When you are around our house, how could He cross you and enter my house? Krishna is not here.
Goda: Can doors stop Him. He is spread every inch of the universe. And He can appear anywhere. He showers kindness to all. Please share the joy of Krishna with us also. He gives Punya also to all. Once Kumbhakarna walked into the death by attacking Him in war. When Raama protects everyone, why He should kill Kumbakarna. Did Kumbhakarna gift his sleep to you before his death?
Kumba Karna is also the name of AgasthyaMaha Muni. Agasthya is born from an earth-pot. While going to attend the marriage of Parvathi and Shiva, and climbing Himalaya, the legend says that Himalaya has bent towards Agasthya. On another occasion Meru and Vindhya Hills were competing and outgrowing each other. To stop the growth of Vindhya, Indra and other Devathas prayed to Agashya. When Agasthya went near him, Vindhya bent like a shishya. Agasthya blessed him to stay like that. Agam means Hill. Stha means stalling. Agasthya is the author of Dravida Vyakarana Rules. He killed Vaataapi demon by digesting him in his stomach. Goda asks even Agasthya is defeated with you.
