On the 22nd Day, Gopikas wanted the cool and kind glances of Sri Krishna, asked Him to gradually open his eyes. Neela led them to Him. He felt that He should not have neglected them. He saw them and asked “What do you want’. Gopikas said we want to experience the sight of your approach towards the Singhasan like a Lion, and He moves on.
Goda’s Tamila Pashuram 23
Maarimalai Muzhainjil Manni-k-kidandhurangum
Seeriya Singam Arivuttru-th-thee Vizhiththu
Verimayirponga Eppaadum Perndhthari
Moori Nimirndhu Muzhangi-p-purappattu
Podharuma Poley Nee Poovai-Ppoovanna! Un
Koil Ninru Ingane Pondharuli Koppudaya
Seeriya Singaadhanath-thirundhu Yam Vandhakaariyam
Aaraindhu Arul-el or empaavaai.
English Poem 23
In a mountain den, the fierce Lion
Spending winter in sleep with a lioness
Opened fire-emitting eyes, erect,
Straightened fragrant hair to all directions,
Stretching the mane, with a roar for starting
as blue lotus eyes shine, is stepping out with a bang.
From your abode towards the divine
Throne exquisite, to settle on and bless us.
Lord Krishna of eternal enchanting bluish hue and the shine of the Kanuga flower is arriving now like a fierce Lion who just woke up from its four-month winter hibernation in the mountain cave. He opened fiery, flashy eyes, shook up limbs vigorously, ruffled his mane in the action, stood upright, and stepped out with a mighty roar. Welcome from your Bed-Chamber to the exquisite and well-carved Throne- Singhasan, and settle on it to consider the purpose of our visit and bless, Krishna.
Narashaardoola
His Shayana Soundarya is enchanting. Kausalya used to forget herself watching Rama while asleep. Viswamitra enjoyed the sight of sleeping beauty of Rama. He wakes Him with Suprabhatam.
Kausalya Supraja Rama, Poorva Sandhya Pravarthate,
Utthishta Nara Shardoola, Kartavyam Daiva Mahnikam.
This is Valmiki Shloka written for Viswamitra. Tirumala Lord’s Suprabhatam starts with this shloka. Not only this, all other suprabhatams in Vishnu Temples in India start with this Aadikavi Valmiki Shlokam, Vishwaamitra calls him narashaardoola — Lion among men. In Ramayana Valmiki admires Rama with expressions like Purusharshabha, Rama Saardulam, Matta Maatanga Gaaminam, and Simha Vikraanta Gaaminam.
Yashoda watches with admiration Balakrishna when asleep. Gopikaas also watch Him, His graceful personality, while sleeping in Nanda’s Palace, with Yashoda and then with Neela. He is called Yadu Simha.
They want to see the transformation of Energy from a sleeping posture to a kinetic process. He is Narasimha. Till yesterday, they likened His eyes with lotus. Today they are emitting fire. Gopikas like the fiery looks of Hari against the enemies of the devotees. Other than those who had no other desires, none can watch the sight of His fiery eyes just as one cannot see the bright Sun.
The Yadu Simha woke up, stretched the body, shook the mane, roared like a bursting cloud, breaking the hearts of enemies, stepped out of his Palace, gracefully started moving towards his well-decorated Singhasana, even as Gopikas call him O Lion of Yadava Clan, the Valiant Hero, please come and settle on the grand chair and consider our desire and purpose of our vrata.
First Goda describes how Vrata has to be performed. The terms and conditions include pure mind, no indulgences, offerings of flowers and prayers through the Lord’s songs, praise and chanting of His names through our lips, and all-enveloping thoughts of the Krishna in our minds. She says that this kind of worship, the rains, and prosperity will be bestowed on the land and the people, in the first five Pashurams 1-5.
In the second part, Goda goes on waking up the ten girls, with unique qualities, showing many signs of the dawn and conveying the objective of worshipping and explaining the glorious attributes, valour, and virtues in songs 6-15.
Then, Goda approaches the abode of Krishna, seeks permission of doorkeepers, wakes up Nandagopan and mother Yashoda, and enlists the support of Nappinna Piratti in six pashurams – 16- 21. Next, Goda and Gopikas pray to Krishna to wake up in Songs 22-23. In Song 17 the mantra and its artha (meaning) were explained, invoking Lakshmi’s kindness in Song 18, and in the 19th song, Goda says there is no alternative to Gopikas other than reaching out to Narayana; in Song 20 Gopikas explains that they have shed self-love; they declare their eligibility in Song 21 and request for considering their prayer in song 22.
