Margazhi and Aandaal's eighth paasuram - Laziness, reluctance doubt and Krishna's blessings

Margazhi and Aandaal's eighth paasuram - Laziness, reluctance doubt and Krishna's blessings 

In the eighth paasuram of Tiruppavai,  Saint Poetess Aandaal is  standing at the closed door of a friend's house once again to wake her up from her slumber and sloth. 

She points out towards the sky which is beginning to brighten in the morning glow saying, 'Kizhvaanam',  the lower horizon has turned pale, the darkness is thinning. Dawn has entered quietly and not just the sky but even the buffaloes, 'erumai', who symbolize heavy inertia and comfort, have risen and moved to graze in 'seervidu', dew moistened grass nearby. Yet her dear friend remains unmoved.
This gopi is not only lazy but also cleverly resistant. She argues that what Aandaal sees as dawn may only be a reflection of the gopikas radiant faces. She also expresses a subtle doubt, Will Krishna truly respond to our prayers?
This is no longer simple sleepiness. It is hesitation masked as logic.Doubt disguised as wit.
Understanding this Aandaal responds with reassurance.She tells her friend that even those who had already started toward the temple have stopped and are waiting for her. "POvaan pOkinRaarai pOgaamal kaaththu, unnai". No one is willing to go ahead without you. This is the quiet power of collective devotion.
Our acharyas remind us again and again that Bhagavan is pleased not by individual brilliance, but by shared surrender.
When voices join and intentions align, when effort becomes united grace flows more easily. ''DEvaadhidEvanai chchenRu naam sEviththaal, Aavaa enRu arayndhu aruLElOr embaavaay."
Aandaal’s mention of the buffalo is deliberate.
Buffaloes love to sit in water, still, unmoving, comfortable. They resist effort until necessity pushes them forward.
This pasuram tells us that even the buffalo has risen, so what excuse remains for the human soul to rise?
The eighth pasuram therefore moves us beyond waking up. It asks us to walk forward despite doubt, clarifying that when signs are clear, do not argue with them, when grace hints, do not demand proof and when others wait for you, do not hold them back.
Most importantly, it teaches that spiritual progress cannot be a solitary journey.  Being together would speed up our salvation. 
In essence the seventh paasuram challenges procrastination but the eighth paasuram rebuts laziness, reluctance and doubt.
So let us rise not alone, but together because when all bhaktas will go as one, Krishna's blessings will be received soon.

Paasuram 8
KeeL vaanam veLLenRu erumai siRuveedu
MEyvaan paranthana kaaN! mikkuLLa piLLaigaLum
POvaan pOkinRaarai pOgaamal kaaththu, unnai
Kkoovuvaan vandhu ninROm; kodhukulamudaya
Paavaay! ezhundhiraay ppaadi ppaRaikondu
Maavaay piLandhaanai mallarai maattiya
DEvaadhidEvanai chchenRu naam sEviththaal
Aa vaa enRu arayndhu aruLElOr embaavaay.

Aandaal.Thiruvadigale Sharanam. 

R.Vimala,  IAS, 

Resident Commissioner & Secretary, 

Government of Maharashtra & 

PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay 

Margazhi Paasuram 7-A Gentle prod to the Procrastinating Soul

Margazhi Paasuram 7-A Gentle prod to the Procrastinating Soul

Margazhi mornings do not whisper, they  arrive before dawn to summon and awaken us. The month is warm with purpose so does not believe in postponement. It therefore knocks softly at first, then insist with love.
So on the seventh day of Margazhi, Aandaal stands outside her friend’s door calling out to her as “pey” , ghost,  not as an insult, but in a teasing manner as mirror of a ghost of laziness, clinging to sleep when life has already begun its sacred rhythm. Her call is like a playful rebuke to the part of us that chooses the warmth of sleep over the light of awakening.
She points out that outside, the world has already begun its worship.The birds are chirping as they fly into dawn, women churn curd as their bangles jingle. Homes are busy with people doing their own work or praying  in devotion. Yet one soul still lingers in laziness.
Aandaal’s call is timeless not just to her friend, but to every procrastinating heart like me that knows what must be done yet continues to delay.
Aandaal reminds her friend of Bhagawan Krishna the protector, the one who shattered arrogance, who destroyed the horse-headed demon, a symbol of uncontrolled speed, ego, and blind force. She urges her to remember that inertia or inaction too is like a demon  subtle, silent and equally destructive.
Our acharyas too never separated bhakti from action she says. So remembrance of God without effort is incomplete just as knowledge without practice is indulgence.
So, Margazhi is not about cold mornings alone, it is about discipline with devotion.
Aandaal’s “wake up” is not just physical but  a spiritual alignment guiding us to wake up from postponement masked as patience, comfort disguised as contentment or sheer laziness justified as waiting for the “right time”
This pasuram is not harsh but an affectionate truth where Aandaal teaches us that the right time is now. It is not about waking early but about waking inwardly.
• Waking from “I’ll start tomorrow”
• Waking from knowing-but-not-doing
• Waking from comfort that dulls purpose

So, Rise, not because the world demands, but because the soul remembers. Even a tired step toward duty,  is like worship in motion. So leave the bed of excuses and step into clarity even if cold because Bhagawan Krishna walks with those Who rise when called.

Thiruppavai Paasuram 7

Keesu keesenRu engum aanaichchaattan kalandhu

PEsina pEchcharavam kEttilaiyyO pEyp peNNE!

Kaasum piRappum kalakalappak kai pErththu

VashanarunguLal aaychchiyar maththinaal

Oshai paduththa tayiraravam kettilaiyO

Naayaga ppeN piLLaay! NaaraayaNan moorthy

Keshavanai ppaadavam nee kEttE kidaththiyO

Teshamudaiyaay! ThiRavElOr Embaavaay!

R.Vimala,  IAS, 

Resident Commissioner & Secretary, 

Government of Maharashtra & 

PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay 

निमित्त...

निमित्त...
अलीकडेच नवी महाराष्ट्र सदन येथे पार पडलेल्या खाद्य महोत्सवाला मिळालेला उत्स्फूर्त प्रतिसाद आणि कौतुक मनाला समाधान देऊन गेला. दिल्लीकरांनी मनापासून आस्वाद घेतलेला अस्सल महाराष्ट्रीयन स्वाद, आणि उमेदच्या स्वयं-सहायता गटांतील महिलांच्या चेहऱ्यावर दिसलेले समाधान—या दोन्हींचा सुंदर संगम म्हणजे हा महोत्सव.
मात्र या सगळ्यापेक्षा अधिक भावलेली गोष्ट म्हणजे निमित्त होण्याची भावना.
उमेदमधील स्वयं-सहायता गटांशी असलेले माझे भावनिक नाते या संपूर्ण उपक्रमामागील खरी प्रेरणा ठरले. या महिला केवळ चविष्ट पदार्थ बनवत नव्हत्या, तर त्या त्यांच्या स्वाभिमानाची, मेहनतीची आणि आत्मनिर्भरतेची चव प्रत्येक घासात उतरवत होत्या. त्यांच्या हातच्या अन्नात केवळ मसाले नव्हते, तर संघर्ष, आशा आणि आत्मविश्वास मिसळलेला होता.
दिल्लीकरांसाठी हा महोत्सव एक खाद्यअनुभव ठरला; तर या महिलांसाठी तो केवळ व्यवसाय नव्हता, तर स्वतःच्या क्षमतेवर मिळवलेला विश्वास होता. चांगली विक्री, मिळालेले कौतुक, आणि “आपण काहीतरी साध्य केले” ही भावना—हे सर्व त्यांच्या डोळ्यांत स्पष्ट दिसत होते. हा खरा विन-विन क्षण होता.
या साऱ्या प्रवासात मला जे समाधान मिळाले, ते कोणत्याही औपचारिक कौतुकापेक्षा मोठे होते. एखाद्या चांगल्या उपक्रमाचे सूत्रधार होणे नव्हे, तर त्याचा निमित्त होणे—ही भावना फार वेगळी असते. आपण केंद्रस्थानी नसतो, तरीही काहीतरी सुंदर घडण्यामागे आपली छोटीशी भूमिका असते. हीच भूमिका मनाला शांतता देते.
कधी कधी आपण मोठे बदल घडवतो असे नाही, पण एखाद्या बदलाच्या वाटेवरचा पहिला टप्पा ठरतो. आणि तेवढेच पुरेसे असते.
या खाद्य महोत्सवाने मला पुन्हा एकदा शिकवले—समाधान हे यशाच्या आकड्यांत नसते, तर इतरांच्या यशात आपला वाटा असल्याच्या भावनेत असते. 

निमित्त होण्याचे समाधान शब्दांत मावणारे नाही, पण मनात खोलवर रुजणारे नक्कीच आहे.

आर. विमला, भा.प्र.से. 

निवासी आयुक्त & सचिव,

महाराष्ट्र शासन

दिल्ली 

Margazhi, Margashish, Krishna & Meera : Aandaal, the Tiruppavai and the Quiet Power of Bhakti

Margazhi, Margashish, Krishna &  Meera : Aandaal, the Tiruppavai and the Quiet Power of Bhakti

"Meera kahe prabhu", is a well-known line found in many bhajans composed by the 16th century mystic poet Meera. However much before her in the 8th century a Saint poet , Aandaal was born at Srivilliputtur in Tamil Nadu. She composed  the "Tiruppavai" 30 verses, one for each day in the Tamil calendar of 'Margazhi'. 

Come December, we welcome this sacred month of Margashish, or Margazhi, in the Hindu calendar. This month is extremely special for Hindus as Bhagawan Krishnaji  himself states in the Bhagavad Gita: “Among the months, I am Margashish.” So traditionally this is a time of great devotion and spiritual discipline as Margazhi invites bhaktas to look inwards and reconnect with the divine.

It is during this month of great devotion we remember Saint Poetess Aandaal, one of the most luminous yet relatively lesser-known figures of the bhakti tradition. While most people are familiar with Meera, the celebrated poet-saint of North India, fewer know of Aandaal, the poet-devotee of Krishna from the South. Yet Aandaal’s devotion, wisdom, and spiritual authority are no less profound.

She was the only woman among the twelve Aalwaars, the great Sri Vaishnava saint-poets of Tamil Nadu. The thirty verses in her  Tiruppavai, are not merely hymns of devotion but are layered with philosophical depth, ethical guidance, and social consciousness, reflecting Aandaal’s extraordinary spiritual insight and scriptural understanding.

Despite differences in time and geography there is striking similarity between Meera and Aandaal. Their devotion to Krishna was exclusive and absolute. Meera looked up to Bhagawan Krishnaji as her eternal husband and rejected worldly ties. Similarly for Aandaal, Krishna was her beloved she is therefore believed to have refused an earthly  marriage. 

Both saints symbolised a divine union, Meera through her legendary merging with Krishna at Dwarka, and Aandaal through her merging with the deity Sri Rangamannar at Srirangam.

Both of them challenged social norms through devotion. 

Meera sang and danced in public, defying royal expectations and patriarchal boundaries. Aandaal, in her own quiet yet powerful way, challenged conventions by composing sacred verses traditionally authored by men and by placing women at the centre of spiritual practice, urging young girls to become seekers of divine grace and liberation.

Krishna is intensely personal in their compositions because Meera seeks refuge in him as her beloved especially in moments of suffering. Aandaal addresses Krishna more intimately and with confidence praising, teasing , even questioning to  invoke his compassion. 

Krishna is not distant or abstract in the verses of Tiruppavai but very accessible, responsive and deeply involved in the lives of his devotees. And  Aandaal’s vision expands beyond personal devotion. Meera’s bhakti is a reflection of the self in love and surrender to Him.  Andal’s devotion is extraordinary as it embraces the welfare of the entire world. Her verses repeatedly entail spiritual discipline with social good, timely rains, abundant crops, prosperity, harmony, and the removal of suffering. 

For Aandaal, true devotion naturally leads to collective well-being.

The Tiruppavai opens with “Margazhi Thingal,” where Andal introduces the sacred vow of the month, inviting young girls to rise early, bathe in holy waters, and seek Krishna’s grace as He is the only saviour who will lead them to salvation. 

Her second paasuram or verse , “Vaiyathu Vaazhveergaal,”  is like a gentle moral code, singing Krishna's glory, asking us to practise austerity, renounce excess, speak kindly, respect teachers, give generously to the learned and the needy not as rigid commands but compassionate guidance toward a purposeful life.

The third paasuram, “Ongi Ulagalandha Uttaman Perpaadi,” beautifully expresses Aandaal’s belief that devotion benefits not only the individual but society at large. She assures that sincere devotion to Sriman Narayana or Krishna who measured the universe in three strides, will lead to timely rains, flourishing nature with birds, bees and cattle thriving , leading to abundant milk ,food, and universal prosperity. Her vision portrays the fact that sincere spiritualism will give strength to achieve the cosmic balance.

In the fourth paasuram, “Aazhi Mazhai Kanna,” Aandaal invokes Lord Varuna, the deity of rain, describing clouds dark like Krishna, lightning like the Sudarshana Chakra, and thunder like the divine conch. She prays to Him for abundant and impartial rains not for personal pleasure, but for the welfare of all beings. The joy of the devotees lies in the joy of the world.

The remaining twenty-six verses continue this journey from awakening and collective prayer to surrender and ultimate grace culminating in the thirtieth verse on Sankranti / Pongal where Aandaal describes the spiritual merit of reciting the Tiruppavai and observing the Margazhi vow.

If Meera represents the soul crying out in love for God, Aandaal represents the soul leading society toward God. Together, they remind us that bhakti transcends region, language, and era. 

As Margazhi unfolds, this blog is both a personal reflection and an invitation, to rediscover Aandaal, to understand the wisdom embedded in her verses, and to walk, verse by verse, toward that final crescendo of grace.

R.Vimala, IAS, 

Resident Commissioner & Secretary 

Government of Maharashtra,  & 

PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay 

मुस्कुराना यूहीं..

आज फिर दिल टूटा, ख्वाब बिखरे हजार,

बन अश्क़ बहा दर्द का इज़हार।

कभी क़िस्मत का दोष, कभी सितारों का,
वो होकर भी हमारे न हुए दिलदार।

हर लम्हा उनकी यादों से सजा,
फिर भी सफर में अकेलापन रहा।
पलकों पर तस्वीर, दिल में अरमान,
फिर भी अधूरा है उनके दीदार का गुमान।

चांदनी रातों में भी उनकी ही बात,
दूर रहकर भी वो हैं करीब हर रात।
दिल क्यों खोया, क्यों रोता ये बार-बार,
जन्मों के बंधन फिर भी क्यूँ बेकरार।

हकीकत के साए में लिपटे हुए,
ख्वाबों की मुस्कान को भी भूले हुए।
आज फिर दिल टूटा, मगर हौसला लिए 
तेरे प्यार में फिर से खुद को रिझाए

जो किस्मत से न मिला, उसका गिला नहीं,
यादों के दामन में खुद खोने लगा यहीं

अब तन्हाई ही बनी है मेरी हमसफ़र सही टूटकर भी दिल ने सीखा है, मुस्कुराना यूहीं 

मन विमल 

A poster exhibition & Journey Through Time & Travel at the Heritage Transport Museum

A poster exhibition & Journey Through Time & Travel at the Heritage Transport Museum

It was Sunday but I woke up with excitement. I had been invited for a curated visit to a unique exhibition of ,"Posters that Moved India: Tourism, Travel & Transport (1930s–1970s)" at the Heritage Transport Museum in Taoru, Gurgaon, as a part of  it's 12th anniversary celebrations. And as expected it became an unforgettable journey filled with stories, nostalgia, and delightful surprises with new friendships.
After a delicious breakfast at Le Meridien, Delhi, our group boarded the bus to Taoru, Gurgaon. The long drive lulled me to sleep until I was gently awakened by Ms.Sudesh Chawla, the organiser of the visit.
A few minutes later, we stepped into a world where road, rail, water, and air travel came alive through timeless artefacts and captivating visuals. 
Listening to Shri Tarun Thakral, the Founding & Managing Trustee of the museum was a delight. His narration during the walk through of the poster exhibition reflected his passion and the tremendous efforts made by him to  create this  treasure house of transport history.
Walking through the exhibition was like travelling across decades. Each poster was a visual time capsule , a slice of India’s travel destinations from the 1930s to the 1970s. It had ships sailing around oceans to trains winding through hills, bikes racing along roads and aeroplanes soaring across skies and each of them celebrated discovery, style, and aspiration. 
A poster depicting, 'Holland British India Line', was fascinating as showed elephants and camels were transported from India to 'Ceylon' and Europe. The 'Anchor Line' poster was inviting travellers to sail in luxury to India and Pakistan; and posters of the 'Great Peninsular Railway' promoted pilgrimages and mountain retreats. One even promised a stop at Victoria Gardens in 'Bombay' to see giraffes! 
The aviation section was truly breathtaking. 'Fly the World the Air-India Way' stood out for its grace, elegance and humour as it had  jetliners imagined as giant elephants to posters showcasing destinations from Tokyo to Nairobi, Mauritius to Sydney. 
Pan American Airways promised Americans a luxurious passage to India and Pakistan! Scandinavian Airlines highlighted India’s lush jungles with swinging gibbons! Air France paid tribute to the Brihadeeswara Temple, while Swissair proudly celebrated Mysore’s royal heritage! These posters weren’t just advertisements they were art that captured India's heritage, curiosity and pride. 
Among the most memorable pieces were the quirky snake charmer twirling spaghetti to spell “Rome,” and early wildlife conservation posters, far ahead of their time. 
The Highlight of the exhibition was that it extended beyond transport to feature radiant tourism posters from Madurai, Kashmir, Puri, and Banaras, Panchavati and Maharashtra’s lagnachi varhaad, ( 'Baaraat' ) to Agra and Manipur’s dance traditions. Each image felt like a window into India’s living heritage, culture, and artistry. 
The museum itself is a vibrant wonderland  filled with vintage cars, bicycles, scooters, train carriages, small boats, children’s toys , various artefacts and colorfully painted trucks. The Royal Jodhpur Carriage and the creative mobility corner with futuristic, interactive displays add a modern touch to this historical space. Each  gallery at the four levels makes you pause, wonder, smile and remember the golden age of travel. 
Whether you are residing in Delhi or a traveler exploring NCR, the Heritage Transport Museum is an experience not to be missed. It’s educational, inspirational, and delightful for families, students, history lovers, curious adventurers and those who love India for it tells us of our glory.
The 'Posters that Moved India' exhibition will be open to citizens till February 2026. Your visit can  take you on a visual voyage through  dream destinations and timeless stories the world once travelled. This is one place you must travel to experience India and it's glory through the poster art which has ceased to exist. We owe at least this to the coming generations. 

R.Vimala, IAS, 

Resident Commissioner, Maharashtra, 

Compassionate Civil Servant & 

PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay 

Igniting Dreams, Inspiring Futures: Tribal Youth Exchange Programme

Igniting Dreams, Inspiring Futures: Tribal Youth Exchange Programme

I had never visited Anand Dham Ashram at Bakkarwala in Delhi so when I got invited as a speaker at  the tribal youth exchange program there, I was excited. The atmosphere was calm and serene and reverberated with a spirit of aspiration, courage and unity. Over hundred  tribal youth from the states of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, supported by 20 officers from BSF, CRPF, and ITBP, had gathered there under the banner of the 17th Tribal Youth Exchange Programme (TYEP), organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYAS) for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It was program to empower the tribal youth by exposure to democratic institutions and  cultural exchange so as to promote national integration and strengthen leadership.

I had the privilege of interacting with this bubbly group whose energy was nothing short of extraordinary. Their faces reflected ambition, courage, and a quiet determination to shape a better tomorrow.
The first thoughts which I shared with them was that, “You are not behind anyone. You are capable of reaching the highest peaks of success.” We discussed the legacy and identity of about ten crore strong tribal community which is about 8.6% of India’s population. This was not just some demographic ­data but a reflection of heritage, resilience, creativity and cultural wisdom.of the tribals.
Examples of tribal icons who rose to greatness despite adversity came forth. These included Birsa Munda ,the symbol of youth-led revolution against the mighty British,  Jaipal Singh Munda, an astute leader, Oxford scholar and Hockey champion, Mary Kom , the World champion boxer and our Hon’ble  Smt. Droupadi Murmu, the First Tribal Woman President of India
“If they could rise to greatness despite obstacles, why not you?” I asked them.
The remarkable growth in tribal literacy  from 8% in 1961 to nearly 72% today,  maybe a  powerful testament to progress. However attitude towards reading and writing was more important than such percentage. Real stories of tribal youth cracking NEET, joining IAS, and serving in the armed forces proved that, “Education changes everything, income, opportunities, confidence and generations.”
Also skill is the new currency, with several opportunities in tourism, logistics, nursing, mechanical work, food processing, bamboo products, forest-based livelihoods, honey production, eco-tourism, and digital entrepreneurship.
Traditional knowledge and natural resources, when combined with innovation, could unlock tremendous economic potential.
Quoting research that 85% of people fail due to lack of confidence, not lack of ability, I urged them to rise beyond fear and hesitation:
“You are allowed to fall  but you are not allowed to stay down.”
We also spoke about discipline, healthy lifestyle choices, and digital mindfulness. 

Today, a smartphone can be a library, a classroom, and a mentor  if used wisely. Addiction, whether to substances or screens, destroys futures, but good habits build them.
The conversation also honoured the dignity and respect that women traditionally hold in tribal communities. I urged continued commitment to education, sports, leadership, and financial independence for women:
“A girl with education uplifts three generations.”
The hall united with patriotic fervor as we remembered Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Ramprasad Bismil and countless young revolutionaries whose courage changed the destiny of India. They realised that nation-building is not just a slogan but a big  responsibility.
I also spoke about how deeply my tenure as Sub Divisional Officer in Jawhar from  Maharashtra increased my understanding of tribal culture and service. Living and working in a tribal subdivision taught me far more than what any classroom could have.
I shared how families would struggle over land rights simply because they did not know their legal entitlements. Those experiences revealed that,“Information holds power” and that is why it was important to seek information and learn from it so that the voice of awareness could spread in every household and village. 

The opportunities where tribal youth can contribute meaningfully to development were also highlighted.  Schemes like NRLM enabled self-employment & entrepreneurship through Self Help Groups & local enterprises along with branding unique tribal products, Jal Jeevan Mission improves rural water infrastructure, Samagra Shiksha strengthens education and Khadi Village Industries Commission supported traditional crafts & local industry.
So without limiting their dreams they could explore public service, governance, innovation and leadership. Their identity is not a barrier but their greatest strength. The nation needs  them, their culture, values and  leadership. So wherever they went they must remember their parents, community, nation, values and purpose.”
The programme ended with warm conversations, photographs, and heartfelt exchanges. The participants left with a shared promise:“I will rise and I will lift others with me.”
The Tribal Youth Exchange Programme did more than bring young people together
it ignited ambition, strengthened identity, and awakened leadership.
And as they return to their villages carrying confidence, knowledge, and purpose, they carry the future of India with them.

R.Vimala,  IAS,  

Resident Commissioner, Maharashtra & 

PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay