Goda’s Tamil Pashuram 16
Naayaganaininra Nandagopanudaya
Koil Kaappaane! Kodi Thonrum Thorana
Vaayilkaappaane! Mani-k-kadavamthal Thiravaai
Aayar Sirumiyaromukku Araiparai
Maayan Manivannan, Nennalevaai Nerandhaan!
Thooyomaai Vandhom, Thuyilezha-Ppaaduvaan
Vaayal Munnam Munnam Maatraadhe Amma! Nee
Neyanilai-kkadhavam Neeku-el or Empaavaai
English Poem 16
The leader of the leaders, Nanda’s
Palace with flags and Toranas secured by you,
Open the doors studded with precious stones,
Leela Krishna, Mani Varnan promised us-
Gopala, Gopis, to give the Parai, a tool to reach God
We came purified and to sing awakening songs
O Dwara Palaka, don’t say “no” even before, Kindly
Open this temple filled with love for Shri Krishna.
After awakening 10 Aalwars and 10 Leader-Gopikas, Goda takes 5 lakh Gopa and Gopis, (male and female) to the Palace of the Nanda Raja, father of Sri Krishna. It is well-decorated. In Nandavraja everyone is very rich with similarly designed palaces in Vrepalle village. To make a distinction Krishna got his father’s Palace decorated with Torana (festoon) and Garuda Dwaja. Those doors are very attractive and shining with precious stones. The building itself is imposing and once you reach the main gate and doors, it is bright with lights and attractive designs.
Goda awakened divine Jnanies, ten Aalwaars, and led Gopikas with greater qualities and expertise. Father of Sri Krishna–Nanda has to open the doors. Nanda is lucky that Paramatma resides not only in his heart but also physically in his palace. He was worried about securing Little Krishna from the demons assigned to end him by Kamsa, the Ruler of Madhura. Acharyas also do this. The teacher protects and shows affection to the disciples. Acharya has to generously permit us to realize the path of liberation.
(Courtesy pic: Late Dr Ramacharya Sribhashyam Srinivasa Family.)
Goda is leading all five lakh Jeevas of Vrepalle. She could recognize the Nanda Gopa’s Bhawan with Garuda Dhwaja, the flag with the design of Vishnu’s vehicle -Eagle. Doorkeepers have to check visitors for security like examining identity and purpose of visit. They are presenting their credentials and pleading for others to open the doors.
Narayana was busy in Vaikuntham governing the entire universe. When descended as Sri Krishna, He is free from this task. He is now peaceful. Krishna loves to refer to the Father as His identity. He calls it Nanda’s palace. On the way back to Ayodhya after the war, Rama shows Ayodhya to Seetha from Pushpaka Vimana, referring to it as “My father’s Capital City”.
Nanda is fortunate compared to Dasaratha, who could not see his son Rama being anointed as Prince of Ayodhya. Nanda saw Krishna growing up, strength by strength and finally killing Kamsa to win Mathura.
Goda and Gopa Gopies praise the Dwara Paalakas as the responsible protectors of Nanda. Thus, they acknowledge the greatness of the King and his committed servants. With a sweet tongue and nice talk, they want to gain entry into the palace.
Though Dhwaja and Torana establish the identity of the owner of the palace, they are lifeless and cannot help the Gopikas to get into it. Dwara Palakas can do it. The main door is very attractive and decorated with precious stones. Sumanta, the Minister of Ayodhya, goes to invite Rama but stops at the beautifully decorated Dwara and cannot step forward. Gopikas requests them to allow before they are attracted and diverted by the door’s beauty. The decorated door is like Atma Soundaryam – the beauty of the self. After Atma-Jnana, knows about himself and self-knowledge or knows the soul, he will realize its beauty, but if he continues to enjoy the Atma-soundarya, his pursuit for Paramatma will be stalled. One has to overcome the Aatma Soundarya. This is what Goda is teaching in this 16thPashuram. Dwarapalaka is thus Acharya who opens the next step for God-loving disciples to move forward. It is said mother shows the father, who directs him to the Guru and the Guru leads him to path of the God. Guru opens the doors of real knowledge.
Only those not distracted by these physical beauties- decorated rich doors, designs and sculptures etc, can aspire to cross these obstacles on the path of Mukthi. The statues of female beauty or sculptures depicting copulation of male and female are also meant for testing the focus and attention of the devotees. The conversation goes on like this:
Goda and Gopikas: Please open the beautiful doors decked with stones.
Door-keeper: Who are you, why did you come at midnight without any fear?
G: God is in our minds, and He removes all fears.
D: We are always threatened by Kamsa’s demons, how can we be fearless?
G: We are ordinary girls of Gopa families. Why fear?
D: Shoorpanakha is also a lady, you know?
G: We are not women demons, but innocent Gopikas.
D: Poothana was also a Gopika. Since then, we have also feared Gopikas.
G: Can’t you recognize that we are innocent? We are young and small, loving Krishna and praying for His security.
D: Vatsasura also came like a young person. Being young is no assurance.
G: Krishna promised us to give Arai and Parai after our Vratam. Do not stop us.
D: Krishna might have promised but it is our duty to secure Him. And you are expecting something. Unless we are sure of your intentions, we cannot allow.
G: We want to sing for his welfare. Parai is one excuse. We bathed in the early hours and got purified.
Purification
To achieve Him, body purification is not needed. When Vibheeshan sought the Sharanu of Rama, he was standing above the sea on the other side of Lanka without dipping in the sea. It was not needed. Similarly, Arjuna listens to the most divine Charama Shloka of Bhagavadgita among the blood-thirsty adamant war-mongers. When Draupadi was humiliated amid the royal court hall of Dhritarashtra, she invoked the indulgence of Krishna, though she was YekaVastra wearing just one Sari (long cloth) during a monthly period time. God helped them without bothering for physical purity. What one needs is Bhava Shuddi or AntahShuddi, purification of thoughts.
The Sleeping Beauty of Krishna
Goda: We do not want anything. We would like to see the amazing personality of Krishna while he was sleeping, enjoy his graceful posture, sing and awaken him with the praise of His Gunas. Generally, Krishna can be seen in the Royal Court, but He will be in official mood. While asleep, His serenity and grace are totally different. Sita liked sayana soundarya of Rama. Vishwa Mitra loved it. Aalwars while singing Suprabhatam were ecstatic to witness His sleeping beauty. Please do not stop us and don’t say no to our entry. Now you are our Guru who can show the path. In Gokulam not only humans, even the non-living things love Him. Hence the doors are not opening. We request you to open the doors.
