Goda Devi’s Nachiyar Tirumoli – It’s beauty and Significance
Sri Goda Devi or Sri Andal is the incarnation of Mother Earth. She was found near the Tulasi plant at Srivilliputtur by Sri Vishnuchittar (Periyalvar). As described by Swamy Vedanta Desika in Goda Stuti, she is ‘Sri Vishnu Chitta Kula Nandana Kalpavalleem. She grew up hearing the ‘leelas’ of Lord Krishna and developed devotion towards him.
She is the only girl among the twelve saints in Sri Vaishnavism. She is hailed as the gem among them. She has sung the ‘Tiruppavai‘ and the ‘Nachiyar Tirumoli’ in praise of Lord Vishnu and His incarnations.
It is part of the ‘Nalayira Divya Prabhandham’ in four thousand verses. It is also said that whatever other Alwars have written does not match Sri Goda Devi’s emotions. It is because she is a little girl with so much philosophical knowledge which was sung in an elementary form.
The greatness of Sri Andal is that she always sings in a positive manner which talks about the beauty of nature, prosperity of the Mother Earth, divine blessings, the well-being of the universe etc. The Tiruppavai is sung during the Tamil month “Maargazhi” and it is well-known.
Let us know the crux of the Nachiyar Tirumoli.
This song was sung after the Tiruppavai by Sri Andal to ensure that she is getting married to Lord Ranganatha. There are one hundred and forty three pasurams written in Tamil, categorized into fifteen sections including the Thaniyans (the praise of the poet).
The first section the ‘Thaniyan’ is in praise of Sri Andal. The pasurams have many incidents from the Bhagavatham, the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha but a few points are highlighted.
Beginning of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The Nachiyar Tirumoli starts first with “Thai Oru Thingal” in which she requests Kamadeva or Manmadha to unite her with Lord Govinda. Those who recite this pasuram will be attained the divine feet of Lord Sriman Narayana.
2nd Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The second section is with ‘Naamam Aayiram’, she talks about “Govardhana Leela” and stresses that Lord Krishna wants His ‘gopikas’ only to play with Him always, if not, He plays mischievous pranks at them. Those who recite this pasuram will reach Sri Vaikuntam easily.
3rd Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The third section is with ‘Kozhi Azhaippadham’ which deals with the stealing garments of Gopika during their bath. Those who recites this pasuram will reach Sri Vaikuntam easily as the path will be lighted for an easier commute.
4th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The fourth section is with “Thelliyar Palar” which talks about many Divya Desam of the Lord and the other incarnations. Those who recite these pasurams will have their sins removed and be united with Lord Vishnu.
5th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The fifth section is with “Mannu Perum.” In it, she sends messages to the Lord through a cuckoo bird. She chooses the cuckoo because its voice is sweet, and it imitates whatever she tells. So, it would be appropriate to send the bird as a messenger. Those who recite this pasuram will perform ‘kainkaryam’ i.e., the continuous service to the Lord.
6th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The sixth section with “Vaaranam Aayiram” is the most important among all other paasurams, where she explains her dream to her friend. The entire song beautifully narrates the marriage that is happening between her and Lord Krishna. Each section elaborates on the marriage ritual. Even today, this song is sung during the marriages. Unmarried girls should sing this song to get a good husband and married girls should sing this song to get good progeny.
7th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The seventh section is with “Karpooram Naarumo” is also an important song as she has chosen “Panchajanya”, the conch of Lord Govinda. Though the conch is considered a soft weapon, it is harsh for the enemies but soothing for the devotees. She praises that “Panchajanya” is gifted because it is always in constant touch of the Lord’s sweet lips.
She asks how the lip of Lord is tasting. Those who recite this pasuram will always be close to the Lord.
8th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The eighth section is with “Vineela Melappu” She calls out “Thiruvengadam” the Lord of Seven Hills to come and bless her as she is very tired and desperate to get the grand ‘darshan’ of the Lord. She says that she is stricken with disease and will get cured only by the divine ‘darshan’ of Lord Govinda. Those who recite will get a chance to perform rituals and services to the Lord without fail.
9th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The ninth section is with “Sindhurach Chempodi” where she is struck by the beauty of the Lord, and no one can escape from the enchanting charm. She says she wanted to offer “Nooru Thadavinil Vennai…Noor Thadavinil Aakaradisal” as ‘prasadam’ which is one hundred pots of butter and sweet ghee pongal with dal.
Hearing this pasuram, Swamy Ramanuja offered “Thirumaliruncholai Lord Azhagar” the same as per Sri Andal’s wish. Seeing this incident, Sri Andal from Sri Villiputtur, called him “Anna – Brother.” Whoever sings this pasuram will attain the divine feet of the Lord.
10th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The tenth section with “Kaarkoodal pukkal” is beautifully sung with utmost devotion where many Acharyas crying as Goda Devi’s emotions fill with love to get united with the Lord. She begs the Lord and realizes that only her father who is a staunch devotee will be able to help her to bring the Lord.
11th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The eleventh section with “Thaamugakum” is about the Lord of Sri Rangam, Lord Ranganatha Swamy where the incarnations of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are described. She is worried that even being the daughter of Periyalvar, she is still being tested by the Lord. But she has consoled herself by stating that Bhishma, Sita, and Rukmini received blessings from the Lord during their distressed times. She questions the Lord that those who like him should be blessed.
12th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The twelfth section with “Matrirundheer” is about the places like Mathura, Govardhan, Gokulam, Vrindavan, Dwaraka where the Lord was present. As she could not find the Lord after so much distress, she wanted to go directly and check the places where the Lord was born and played.
She asks the river Yamuna, Govardhana Hill, she talks to the parrots, and she wanders desperately to get the grand ‘darshan’ of Lord Krishna. These pasurams are very sweet to the Lord.
13th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The thirteenth section is with “Kannan Ennum,” she talks about any object of the Lord that consoles her and brings life to her. She criticizes “Pennin Varuttham Ariyaadha Perumaan” where the Lord does not know the pain of her or the pain of ‘gopikas’. She describes objects like yellow garments, garland Vanamalai, Flute, dust from His holy feet etc and the touch of those will cure from this seperation. Those who recite will not be in the ocean of sorrow.
14th Section of Nachiyar Tirumoli
The fourteenth section, “Patti Meindhu” is replete with superb questions posed to the people of Vrindavan enquiring where the Lord is hiding. Sri Andal enquires the people of Vrindavan about Lord Krishna who always runs in and around Vrindavan. The dark boy who is always covered under the shadow of Garuda, who wears Vanamala, who always tells lies, has beautiful lotus eyes, like a small, cute baby elephant, one who saved the elephant Gajendra in distress etc. Those who recite will not be born again and will always be united with Lord Sriman Narayana.
Each pasuram has its unique way of representation. It has a devotion to the core as she is the only girl Alwar. She was born as Sri Andal purposefully to show the compassion that every human being should develop devotion towards the Lord to get rid of worldly sorrow. As she is Mother Earth, she wants to save her children from the cycle of birth and death.
The ‘Goda Stuti’ hails her as ‘Saakshaat Kshamaam Karunaayaa Kamaalaamivaanyaam’, she is so compassionate, showering mercy, and forgiving as she is the Mother of all. Hence, each word uttered by Sri Goda Devi is very significant for the recital.
