“Karavaigal pin senru…” Aaṇḍaal begins not with pride or scholarship, but with humility. She places herself and all Gopis / Bhaktas behind the cows saying , we are followers behind the cows. Not leading. Not guiding. Nor claiming wisdom. Just following…trusting…walking behind.
This one line shatters every illusion of spiritual superiority, presenting Krishna simply as reachable.
She further describes herself as 'Ariv onrum illaatha', meaning someone with no special knowledge.
Aaṇḍaal does not hesitate to declare what many are reluctant to admit, We don’t know much.” No pompous mastery of scriptures. No flawless rituals. No philosophical debates and yet she walks straight to Govinda because love does not need a certificate.
'Unthannai puniyam yAm udaiyOm', she says, meaning, Our only good deed is surrendering to You. Not grand yajnas.Not years of tapas.Just one act of courage, placing faith where logic ends, Sharaṇaagati, surrender.
Isn’t that our story too? When life overwhelms us, when words fail, when explanations fall apart, we whisper only one name, 'Unnaiyē thunai endru' meaning, You alone are our refuge.
This is not desperation. This is Mahavishvaasam unshakable belief and faith."You are our only hope.” Not because we tried everything else but because nothing else feels as safe. Govinda...the Small Name with the Greatest Intimacy.
Aaṇḍaal dares even more when she says, “We may have called you by great names 'Narayaṇa, Aayiraiva' but now our heart chooses the simple ‘Govinda’.” Why? Because Govinda is closeness. Govinda is the God who walks among cows.
Govinda belongs to everyone, scholar or shepherd, saint or sinner.
She elaborates further, Unthan kulaththinil pirandhu meaning, we belong to Your clan. What a powerful declaration. Not “We worship You.” Not even that “We qualify for You.” but simply , “We are Yours.” As You protect innocent, helpless, dependent cows, protect us too.We are no different.
Aandaal knows Krishna has no flaws so she calls out to him as, 'Kurai onrum illatha Govinda' meaning , O flawless Govinda.
In contrast she acknowledges her flaws and never claims perfection. She calls Him perfect and knows He is perfect and still accepts her. That's His grace.
She also confesses gently:“We may have erred. We may not understand much but we love You.” Isn’t this the prayer of the everyday believer? Those who say, I don’t know shlokas, I don’t understand philosophy, I just believe.
This paasuram is for them, for us.
This is not desperation. This is Mahavishvaasam unshakable belief and faith."You are our only hope.” Not because we tried everything else but because nothing else feels as safe. Govinda...the Small Name with the Greatest Intimacy.
Aaṇḍaal dares even more when she says, “We may have called you by great names 'Narayaṇa, Aayiraiva' but now our heart chooses the simple ‘Govinda’.” Why? Because Govinda is closeness. Govinda is the God who walks among cows.
Govinda belongs to everyone, scholar or shepherd, saint or sinner.
She elaborates further, Unthan kulaththinil pirandhu meaning, we belong to Your clan. What a powerful declaration. Not “We worship You.” Not even that “We qualify for You.” but simply , “We are Yours.” As You protect innocent, helpless, dependent cows, protect us too.We are no different.
Aandaal knows Krishna has no flaws so she calls out to him as, 'Kurai onrum illatha Govinda' meaning , O flawless Govinda.
In contrast she acknowledges her flaws and never claims perfection. She calls Him perfect and knows He is perfect and still accepts her. That's His grace.
She also confesses gently:“We may have erred. We may not understand much but we love You.” Isn’t this the prayer of the everyday believer? Those who say, I don’t know shlokas, I don’t understand philosophy, I just believe.
This paasuram is for them, for us.
It echoes another immortal line part of a devotional song written by India's former Governor-General , Shri.C.Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), which expressed gratitude to Lord Krishna/Venkateswara and says, “Thiraiyin pin nirkindraai Kannaa, Unnai marai odhum gnyaaniyar mattumae kaaṇbaar…” Even if You stand behind curtains… Even if only scholars claim to see You… “Kurai ondrum enakkillai Kannaa.” I have no deficiency, Krishna because you never forget anyone, not the learned, not the ignorant, not the confident nor even the trembling heart. In simple words , Paasuram 28 is Sharaṇaagati, surrender, not born of fear but surrender born of belonging.
We are nothing without each other, You without devotees are incomplete and we without You are lost. This paasuram assures us, God is not the fiefdom of the learned. He is the home of the loving.
And so we ask, simply, “ IRaivaa nee thaaraay paRaiElOr empaavaai ” meaning ,Grant us the drum of Your blessings. Not wealth.Not status. Just Your presence. Just Your grace bcause that is more than enough.
And so we ask, simply, “ IRaivaa nee thaaraay paRaiElOr empaavaai ” meaning ,Grant us the drum of Your blessings. Not wealth.Not status. Just Your presence. Just Your grace bcause that is more than enough.
Paasuram 28 is for common people like you and me
who may not know much, but believe deeply.And in that belief, Krishna forever listens.
who may not know much, but believe deeply.And in that belief, Krishna forever listens.
R.Vimala, IAS,
Resident Commissioner & Secretary,
Government of Maharashtra &
PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay
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