Hanuman could not find Seeta in Sri Lanka despite his best efforts. Thoroughly frustrated, Hanuma for a moment goes into depression and thinks of ending his life. But he recovers soon realizing that such a senseless act would fail the entire mission of uniting Rama and Seeta. Unless they are together Jeevas cannot gain the grace of God. Shoorpanakha desires Rama alone without Seetha, attempts to separate Rama from Seeta, and suffers the consequences. Ravana desires Seeta in an isolated form separate from Rama, takes away Seeta, and meets the end despite witnessing the destruction of Lanka. Though he served Rama with great devotion, only when Hanuma united them and served them together, become a complete devotee.
Goda’s Tamil Pashuram
Undhumadakalitran, Odhaadha Thol Valiyan
Nandagopalan Marumagale! Nappinnai!
Gandham Kamazhum Kuzhalee! Kadai Thiravaai?
Vandhengum Kozhi Azhaithana Kaann! Maadhavi-p-
Pandalmel Palkaal Kuyilinangal Koovina Kaan
Pandhaar Virali! Un Maiththunan per paada-ch-
Chenthaamarai-k-kaiyaal Seeraar Valai Olippa
Vandhu Thiravaai Magizhundhu-el or Empaavaai
English Poem 18
His army has thousands of elephants,
Nandagopa, a strong warrior who never defeated,
His niece, Neela, with fragrant hair,
Please hear the wakeup calls of the Rooster and
Amidst leaves and fruits the nightingale’s sweet tweets,
One hand on Him and a playing ball in the other,
We praise your lover, Krishna, walk with anklet’s sounds,
And open doors with your lotus hand of golden bangles
In previous Pashuram, Goda, and Gopikas could wake up Yashoda and Nanda Raja. They could not ask Krishna to get up. They realized that they should approach Balarama and Neela Devi, niece of Yashoda and Nanda, first before Krishna. Neela was fondly holding Krishna with one hand and a ball with the other. She must have played ball games with Him throughout the night. She was neither disturbed by the wake-up calls of the rooster at regular intervals nor was she able to hear the sweet sounds of the nightingale happily sitting on the creepers amidst flowers and fruits.
(Courtesy pic: Late Dr Ramacharya Sribhashyam Srinivasa Family.)
Neela is very beautiful. Wonderful fragrance is spreading from her well-decorated hair. Her anklets are making gentle sounds as she moves on in style. When she extends her lotus hands, the golden bangles are spreading bright light. Goda is asking Neela to get up and open the doors to shower the generosity to recommend to Krishna to meet and greet them.
Neela is called Nappinna. She mediates between Jeeva and Bhagawan. Sometimes, God might be a strict disciplinarian in the interest of His children, but it is Mother Neela who helps the Bhagawan understand the merits of her progeny and bless you. She is dynamic and living the link between the Jeeva and Brahman. Unless she is pleased, it is difficult for the progeny to get His grace. It is called the attribute of Purushakaram.
Lakshman wants to join Rama in exile. But Rama did not accept. Then Lakshman approaches Seeta to recommend and succeeds. Kaakasura, the crow-demon, harasses Seeta when Rama was resting in the lap of Seeta. Angry Rama converts a piece of grass into a dreaded missile as Brahmastra targets that demon. The Demon runs from pillar to post, and begs Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva for rescue, but fails in his attempt. Finally, he surrenders to Seetha, who recommends Rama to generously excuse him and save his life.
Who is Neela?
Neela Devi is to Krishna what Bhu Devi (Goddess of Earth) is to Varaha and Sri Devi (Sita) to Rama. Neela Devi took the avatar as Nappinnai, daughter of Kumbakan (brother of Yashoda), and Krishna won her hand after conquering seven ferocious bulls owned by her father. Nappinnai’s brother is Sudama. Sri Parasara Bhattar describes Sri Krishna, intoxicated by her beauty, as “Neelathunga Sthanagiri thati Suptham“. She is called Nappinnai in Tiruppavai and Dravida tradition. She is equated with Shakti Swaroopini called ‘Radha’, Radharani’, or ‘Radhika” in north India.
Krishna marries eight women. One is Naagna Jithi. He marries her after killing seven Bulls. It is said that Neela and Naagna Jithi are the same.
Ramanuja’s devotion
Ramanuja worships Goda and meditates on Tiruppavai and Nappinna Piraatti, i.e., Neeladevi. One day after meditating on Neela, he goes to his guru Mahapurna, and knocks at the door. Guru’s daughter Attullayamma opens the door. Imagining her to be Neela, he falls unconscious in ecstasy. Highly knowledgeable saint Mahapurna could guess what happened and tell his daughter that Ramanuja must have seen Neela in her. For this devotion to density, Ramanuja is known as Tiruppavai Jeeyar.
