Aandaal's twenty-fifth Paasuram brings out the uniqueness of Devaki and Yashoda. It takes us from to Mathura to Gokulam as she talks about his birth to Devaki and upbringing by Yashoda. She also talks about Kamsa's fears and his futile attempts to destroy Krishna making Him Supreme. As a devotee she therefore slowly moves from asking things to God to suurendering themselves fully to Him.
Andaal imagery in the 25th Paasuram without mentioning names is brilliant as she refers to Devaki as "Orutthi maganaai pirandhu" born to one and brought up by another, "iravil orutthi maganaai oḷittu vaḷara" that is Yashoda.
To her Devaki is unqiue, 'Orutthi' , who gave birth to Krishna in the dead of night. She does not even name her, because “Everyone knows this great mother, a name is not needed.” Devaki symbolises sacrifice, because despite giving birth to Krishna she lets him go for his safety. She accepts the pain of separation only for the sake of love, telling us that devotion is not just joy at times it is also means the courage to let go of what we love most, trusting that Bhagavan has a better plan in store.
In the next line, she says Krishna was secretly brought up as the son of “another unique woman.” This is Yashoda and once again she does not use the name. The metaphors used by her are more important as Yashoda represents the sweet, homely side of bhakti. She gets to live with him, feed him, scold him, chase him, hug him all the simple joys that any mother wants from her child.
Here Aandal portrays a devotee who is able to enjoy God’s closeness in everyday life whether in the kitchen, courtyard and in small, ordinary moments that become divine because He is there.
So Devaki and Yashoda show two sides of love, one is sacrifice and the other, enjoyment and both are dear to Krishna.
The third image is of Kamsa, the cruel king who is terrified of losing his power. For him, Krishna is not joy but a threat. She says that Krishna stayed like a fire in Kamsa’s stomach, burning his peace from inside. "Tharikkilaanaagiththaan theengu ninaindha"
Kamsa symbolises the ego in us, which knows the truth but refuses to accept it and lives in constant fear. The more Kamsa tries to destroy Krishna, the more restless he becomes, until the very presence of the Lord inside his thoughts becomes a fire that finishes him.
Aandal tells us this story of Kamsa, a bad king showing what happens to us when we fight against God, dharma, or against our own conscience. Krishna then becomes a fire that will not let that wicked Kamsa rest. "Karuththai pizhai piththu Kansan vayitRil"
In this paasuram Krishna is a combination of a helpless baby born in the middle of the night, who is carried to Gokulam like a secret child. He grows up as a simple cowherd boy in a village and destroys Kamsa like a hidden fire.
Aandaal's genius portrays the same child as the Lord who protects the whole world and burns down evil from inside. The same Krishna who lies in a cradle also stands unseen in Kamsa’s heart, shaking his kingdom.
The 'Parai' of gopis and Aaṇḍaal transforms from seeking material goods to seeking kindness by singing Krishna’s glory. Ariththiththu vandhOm paRai tharudhiyaagil"
Aandaal’s desire becomes more clear now, Dont “Give us things,” but “Give us you.” "Dont make my life comfortable,” but “Let my life be an instrument in your hands.”
This is where she rises above merely singing praises, she is placing herself before him and asking for Sharaṇaagati, complete surrender. Thiruththaka selvamum sEvagamum yAmpaadi"
Pāsuram 25 is not only a memory of a night in Mathura and a village in Gokulam. It is a picture of what happens inside a devotee’s own heart, the inner darkness, the birth of faith, the burning of inner Kamsa, giving up and finally the quiet, sweet decision to surrender and live only for him. "Varuththamum theerndhu magzhilndhElor embaavaay"
Oruththi maganaay ppiRandhu Oriravil
Oruththi maganaay oLiththu vaLara
Tharikkilaanaagiththaan theengu ninaindha
Karuththai pizhai piththu Kansan vayitRil
Neruppenna ninRa nedumaalE unnai
Ariththiththu vandhOm paRai tharudhiyaagil
Thiruththaka selvamum sEvagamum yAmpaadi
Varuththamum theerndhu magzhilndhElor embaavaay
Andaal Thiruvadigale Sharanam...
R.Vimala, IAS,
Resident Commissioner & Secretary,
Government of Maharashtra &
PhD Scholar at IIT Bombay
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