Koodaarai Vellum....Saint poet Andal's Tirupaavai 27th Verse.....and its uniqueness....

Koodaarai Vellum....Saint poet Andal's Tirupaavai 27th Verse.....and its uniqueness....

It was four o' clock in the morning. I shifted sides in my slumber and was awakened by a sweet aroma floating around the house. My eyes popped wide open with wonder at this sweetness. I realised that it was the aroma of Akkaarai Vadisal prasadam made by none other than Ramesh, my thoughtful husband on the occasion of Koodaarai Vellum, the 27nd day of Marghazi.
Indeed , 22 days have passed since I wrote a small blog on Thiruppavai. It was the fifth day then. I had resolved that I would listen to the paasurams everyday and understand their glory.
And sure enough I have been listening to the pasurams written by Andal,  dedicated to Govinda or Narayana each day. The beauty of the verses, paasurams of Thiruppavai kept unfolding each day and filled me with joy.
Yesterday was Kudaarai vellum and extremely special. Till now Andaal was cajoling her friends to wake up early and immerse themselves in the bhakti of Narayana. She is in a totally different state of mind now, as her consistent bhakti has made her attain the blessings of the Lord. She feels one with him . The penance which she and her friends did during the 26 day period of consecration had borne fruit. Till now they had abstained from all luxury, avoiding sumptuos food, milk, not decorating their hair with flowers or applying Kaajal to their eyes. However now that they had attained oneness with Krishna they wished to adorn themselves beautifully. They ask bangles for the hands, ornaments for their shoulders, beautiful flowers for their hair, golden earrings and other ornaments including tinkling anklets for their feet. They want to wear flowing Silk garments along with the ornaments. Dressed up , they want to celebrate their Bhakti for the Lord by offering the prasadam cooked in milk, sugary sweet with jaggery and dripping with ghee down to the elbows.
These actions reflect the bountiful nature of Krishna who fills their life with blessings. They are elated to have achieved their goal of being one with the Lord. They ask him to shower them with his compassion.
Wasn't he the one who ultimately wins over the hearts of even those who turn away from him? The very name Govinda is a favourite of his devotees and its utterance gives sheer joy. Their praise for him was unconditional and so will be his benevolence.
 In some ways this is also similar to what her father, Periazvar has composed in the Thiru Pallandu :
"Neyyidai Sorum, niyathamum atthanai chevagamaum, kaiadaikkAyum, kazutthukku poon, kaadhukku kundalamm, meiyida nalladhor sandham thanthu ennai velluyuriakka valla"
It is the Lord who is the provider of abundance with rice and ghee, ornaments for the neck, earrings, and fragrant sandal paste to apply on the body along with the opportunity to do service to Him daily and yet purify us as white butter to ultimately recognise the Lord and be one with him.
The deity never expects his devotees to lead a puritan existence but to enjoy the blessings of the Lord and His gifts with joy.
Similarly Andal on receiving the blessings of the Lord adorns herself.
In the beginning of the month they had vowed to abstain from milk and ghee but now it was time to rejoice. A devotee ultimately aspires to constantly be with the Lord and enjoy bliss with him. This was what she achieved.
She also breaks her fast and offers 100 vessels of butter and Akkaarai Vadisal prasadam. In fact it was Saint Raamanujam.who had done this personally and she acknowledges him as her brother in one if her verses. Tadha Utsavam is celebrated in most Vaishnavite temples by offering 100 vessels to the Lord in a similar manner.
Religion and spirituality are states of mind which should make us descend above our base feelings. Literature, ancient or modern  is replete with examples of saints, seers and thinkers who have written about the greatness of the Lord and experienced his benevolence. It is for us to understand the true spirit and follow it in best way we can. The beauty of Hinduism is that it offers us various paths to be human. Knowledge, that is Nyaana, Bhakti that is devotion, Karma that is duty and work or Vairagya that is total surrender. We can chose our path. This is beautifully highlighted in the 27th Paasuram, Kuddarai Vellum....
The sweetness of the prasadam made by my husband and the realisation of these thoughts made me smile. With the blessings of Narayama and Govinda in our lives what more do we want?