ANDAL

ANDAL

Vaishnavite  saints  or Alwars twelve

among them one and only female

Vishnuchitta, called  Periazwar

ardent devotee of Perumal

childless couple ,longing for a child

found a child near Tulasi  plant in garden

periazwar  treats  as a blessing from heaven

couple brought up the child with love and care

named the child as KODHAI

Kodhai  grew up with devotion to Lord  Kannan

made garlands to be worn by Kannan

Perazwar  used to offer the garland to god Kannan

Kodhai  used to wear garland on herself,  look in to mirror

How nice with this  garland  my dear lord appear

Periazwar noted this once

His anger grew no bounds

reprimanded  Kodhai  on her act

Lord Kannan appeared in dream of Periazwar

"I love the garlands worn by Kodhai better

Dedicate to me the one worn by Kodhai"

Kodhai  was named  Andal

Andal a poetic genius

at fifteen she composed verses precious

She opens out her heart to the lord

her happiness is pleasing Him, the  Lord

Thiruppavai, a collection of 30 songs

sung all over Hindu temples in month of Marghazhi

Andal  imagines herself as Gopi

cowherd girl dedicated to Krishna or Kanna

Eternally devoted to Kanna

She describes religious vows or pavai

She and her gopis will observe

Thiruppavai teaches philosophical values

moral values, love, devotion, dedication

single mindedness, ultimate goal of life

Nachiar  Thirumozhi, her  second creation

an erotic genre of spirituality

not encouraged by Vaishnavas

Poetic genius, brings out her innate feelings

Towards the lord Krishna she ever longs

At fifteen years young

Emotions in her ring

Andal  is called SOODI KODUTHA SUDAR KODI NACHIAR

Meaning bright creeper like woman

who gave her garlands

after wearing them, to god

She merged into Lord

Wih her Bhakti  marg

ANDAL THIRUVADIGALE SARANAM

Meaning I prostrate at the divine feet of Andal

K.S.V.SESHADRI