Skip to content Sri Perialwar: Exploring the Bhakti of Andal’s Father
To uplift mankind and to establish ‘dharma,’ God the Almighty, took many incarnations in this world, but His mission was not fully successful. So, He sent the divine people called the Sri Alwars to carry out His commands. They form the parts of His divine weapons, garland, the Divine Mother and so on.
The Lord’s chariot, Sri Garuda, took an avatar in a human form called “Sri Vishnu Chitthar”, a devout worshipper of Lord Vishnu at Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu.
Sri Vishnu Chitthar arranged a garden of flowers, made garlands and used to submit to local presiding deity, Sri Vatapatra Sai. This was his daily routine. The divine couple were pleased with his work to raise him up in a high level, which was natural to him as Sri Garuda, the Nityasuri.
Sri Vishnu Chitthar went to the garden for work one day. All of a sudden, he saw a female child lying near a tulsi plant. Being childless, he took her home and called her by name, Goda (the bestower of speech). The Mother Earth took Her part as Goda in the human form to preach ‘saranagathi’ to Her devotees to attain salvation. Sri Goda grew older day by day and used to listen to the stories of Lord Vishnu as outlined in the Sri Bhagavatars from her father.
She showed keen interest, especially and learned more about Lord Krishna and made up her mind to marry only Lord Krishna and no one else. She used to put questions to her father whether human beings can marry the Lord. Sri Vishnu Chitthar told her about the abduction of Sri Rukmini, who got married to Lord Krishna later in Dwaraka.
The famous seven verses written by Sri Rukmini to Lord Krishna showed her firm determination to marry Lord Krishna, just like Sri Rukmini. He narrated the greatness of Lord Srinivasa of the Seven Hills, Sri Azhagar of Tirumaliruncholai and Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam.
Sri Goda wanted to find out whether she would be a match to the Lord. One day, she wore the garlands kept ready to take to the temple. Finding some hair in them, the temple priest rejected the same. Her father had to prepare a fresh one and felt sad because he could not do the daily services. That day during night, the father had a dream wherein he was asked to bring such garland which was worn by Sri Goda. This was done, and the Lord was very much pleased with this. From that day onwards, she was called Sri Andal (one who won the Lord) and Choodikudutha Nachiyar.
Even her father was honoured by the Pandian King (on establishing the supremacy of the Lord). He asked her to perform Marghazhi Nombu (akin to that which was performed by the Gopis of Brindavan in Dwapara Yuga) and had a dream of marrying the Lord. Sri Andal started the ‘vratham’ daily for 30 days. She sang 30 verses called Tiruppavai to express her firm determination to attain Lord Krishna and surrender at His feet, and do service to Him forever. Her desire grew day by day, and she could not bear the separation from the Lord.
Lord Sri Ranganatha realised the time to bring Sri Andal to Srirangam and marry her. He appeared in the dream of all concerned and sent His temple authorities to bring Sri Andal with due honours. Upon approaching the sanctum, Sri Andal became one with the Lord.
The Alwar became the father-in-law of Sri Ranganatha, and he was honoured as Sri Perialwar (the great honour showered on him). However, the Alwar wanted to perform the marriage in his place. The Lord assured him that He will be ever remain in Srivilliputhur and would be called Sri Andal Sri Rangamannar along with Sri Perialwar (in Sri Garuda Form) The two ‘prabandams’ are included in the holy text Nalariya Divya Prabandam and are recited daily during the Seva of the Lord.
May Goddess Sri Andal and Her foster father bless one and all!
