Tag: Andal

On Samadhi day of Ananthalvar, which also happens to be the birthday of Goda Devi (who is popularly known as Andalu) too

The Privilege of Kulasekhara Alwar

Posted on by

Kulasekhara Alwar

Kulasekhara Alwar wrote in Sanskrit called ‘Mukundamala’, a garland of poems in praise of Lord Krishna. He was also a staunch devotee of Lord Rama and his eleven Pasurams on the Lord of Seven Hills reflect his ‘Saranagati’ to Lord Venkateswara.

His pasurams dedicated to Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala Hills are to be read by everyone to finally seek the grace of Lord Srinivasa. His poems on Vengadam are exceedingly moving and of a very high literary merit.

Tirumala and Tirumala temple

The glorious Tirumala Temple, located on Tirumala Hills, has been an ancient and historically famous temple for centuries. The God Venkateswara is known as the incarnation of Sri Mahavishnu and descended to earth to save His devotees from the evil acts of Kaliyuga and protect Dharma, whenever it is in danger. He is fulfilling the wishes of His devotees. He is being worshipped with prayers and rituals in a systematic method as mentioned in Vedas and Agamas.

Impressed by this, several saint poets and musicians contributed their creative works in Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu languages for future generations. We are fortunate enough to have this rich literature with us today as hereditary property with the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.

Tirumala Hills - Tirupati Balaji Temple

12 Alwars

The Tamil saint poets called as Alwars are twelve in number- (Poigai alwar, Pudatt alwar, Peyalwar, Tirumalisai alwar, Madurakavi alwar, Tiruppanalwar, Tondaradipodi alwar, Tirumangai alwar, Kulasekhara alwar, Periyalwar, Nammalwar, Andal). They belong to the Vaishnava cult.

The Nalayira Prabandham, a collection of four thousand hymns, was sung by the famous twelve Vaishnavite alwars of South India in praise of Vishnu and His Avataras. Of the twelve alwars only two Madurakavi and Tondaradipodi have not sung of Tirupati.

The hymns of the remaining ten alwars have reference to Vengadam and its Lord. Kulasekhara alwar is one among them. The alwars dived deep into the ocean of devotion and they immersed in the Lord. Their poetic outpourings laid a mystic experience to the Lord.

Kulasekhara alwar was a king, who ruled the prosperous Chera kingdom of Malai Nadu during the Post Sangam period (around 7th – 9th century A.D.). He was a devotee of Lord Sri Rama, at an early age. He became not only a great king but also an ardent follower of Vaishnavism.

He expressed his desire to be born on Tirumala Hills as a bird or a beast, a fish in the holy tank or a tree, or be a stream or stone, a post or a statue in preference to all earthly riches and kingdoms so that he can stay much closer to the Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala. Lord Vengadavan is venerated as one who could free human beings from all sins.

Kulasekhara Alvar / Kulasekhara Alwar- An Avatar of Kousthubham

Kulasekhara Padi

The Kulasekhar alwar devoutly prayed to be at least a step on the sacred hills.

“Oh!Tirumal who is capable of freeing me from all sins, Universal Lord, Lord of Vengadam! I would like to be feasting at the sight of your coral-like lips even if I could get the form of a stone step in front of your temple at whose doors your devotees, gods and celestial nymphs crowd to worship you”.

In Tirumala temple, the step leading to the Sanctum Sanctorum is called “Kulasekhara Padi” (Kulasekhara’s step).

Kulasekhara Alwar in his “Perumal Tirumozhi” contributed 105 stanzas to the Nalayiram, divided roughly into ten sections, trace in one sense the growth of religious consciousness. In that, he speaks about the interest created in the matter of love towards God.

His devotion did not just stop with following Vaishnavism, but also by showing extreme respect and affection to all Vishnu Bhaktas. He considered them as images of the Lord Himself and treated them with due diligence. All Vishnu Bhaktas, who entered his kingdom were looked upon with great favour and found resource in his palace. However, his growing fondness for the Vishnu Bhaktas did not go well with his ministers. They plotted to ruin the reputation of the devotees in the eyes of their king.

Given this, they stole the Lord’s divine ornaments and blamed the devotees for the same, as they had free access to the Lord’s Sanctum Sanctorum. The king, when apprised of the situation, didn’t accept the accusation and wanted to prove to all that Vishnu Bhaktas would never resort to such tactics. He called for a pot filled with venomous snakes and declared that if the Vishnu Bhaktas had indeed committed the crime, then the snakes would bite him.

Else, he would remain unharmed. In front of all, a pot of snakes was brought and the king put his hand in the pot. Much to the chagrin of his ministers, he wasn’t bitten by snakes. Kulasekhara Alwar considered this as divine providence and felt ecstatic that he was able to prove the innocence of the Vishnu Bhaktas. This incident is just one of many that stand out to prove not only his stead fast devotion to Lord Sri Rama but also his belief in the Vishnu Bhaktas and his reverence of them.

Final Word

Due to his pious devotion, he became the Sixth Alwar and the only royal born to attain such spiritual heights. He is also the only alwar to have the distinction of being called “Kulasekhar Perumal”.

Sri Godambika Sri Vratam Nirattotsavam

Sri Godambika Sri Vratam Nirattotsavam

Posted on by

Sri Godambika

Godambika or Goda Devi or Andal as popular in Tamil Vaishnava Tradition are the names of the same great person. Godambika was the only female of Vaishnava Dharma among the 12 alwars or azhwars.

She was praised as the human incarnation of Goddess Bhudevi as a baby found in the Tulasi Garden at Sri Villiputtur having not been born from any mother’s womb. Vishnuchitta or Periyalwar while collecting Tulasi leaves for preparing garlands for Lord Vishnu’s worship found this female baby in the Tulasi Garden brought home and started nourishing.

Thus she was brought up as the daughter of Vishnuchitta. Since her childhood, she had been a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. She took worshipping Lord Vishnu as the only prime duty of her life. While growing up, she used to adorn her hair with garlands to be offered to God.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram / Goda Devi Dressed up as a child - Godambika or Goda Devi or Andal
Goda Devi Dressed up as a child – Godambika or Goda Devi or Andal

Vishnuchitta who had no knowledge of this used to offer those garlands to the God Vishnu. One day he saw his daughter’s hair on a garland and worried badly. He observed fasting for the mistake done. Then he had a dream in which Sri Ranganatha Swami (an aspect of Lord Vishnu) asked him to offer the garlands to Him every day only after Godambika bedecks them first.

It became a practice in the Temple ever since to offer the garlands in that manner only. Then onwards she was called Amuktamalyada in Sanskrit and Cudikodutta nacchiyar in Tamil. Godambika’s devotion and love for Lord Vishnu were growing stronger and stronger. She had a strong desire to be the spouse of Sri Mahavishnu (Vatapatra Sayi) of Sri Villiputtur.

Hence she decided to perform a one-month length austerity worshipping Lord Vishnu just as the Gopikas performed Katyayani Vrata in the Dvapara Yuga to procure Sri Krishna as their husband. The day she began the austerity, was the first day of Dhanurmasa.

Thus during those 30 days, she wrote 30 Pasurams praising Sri Maha Vishnu. At the end of the 30th day, Sri Ranganatha graced and accepted her hand in marriage. Thus she became the spouse of Sri Ranganatha Swami. The thirty pasurams written by her occupied a very prominent place among the four thousand PASURAMS written by all the 12 Alwars.

Tiruppavai Vratam at Tirumala

Since that day in all the Vaishnava Temples, a festival has been celebrated for Thirty Days in the entire Dhanurmasa by the name TIRUPPAVAI which means “The Austerity of the Divine Goddess”.

As in all the other traditional Vaishnava temples in the Tirumala Temple also this TIRUPPAVAI is grandly celebrated. As a part of these celebrations at Tirumala in the early morning, instead of Suprabhata the recitation of the Tiruppavai Pasurams of Sri Godambika is done in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

On the bosom of Sri Venkateswara Swami just by the side of the small idol of Sridevi a golden parrot is decorated in all the thirty days of Dhanurmasa.

Nirattotsavam at Tirupati - Sri Govinda RajaSwamy Temple

Nirattotsavam at Tirupati – Sri Govinda RajaSwamy Temple

While Dhanurmasa is celebrated on the Tirumala hill in this manner the Nirattotsavam is celebrated as a part of the Dhanurmasa festival at Sri Govindarajaswami Temple (clicking here will take you to Google Maps) at Tirupati.

Nirattotsavam is an annual festival performed for seven days before the annual BHOGI festival.

The NIRATTAM means ABHISHEKA or Sacred bath to the Goddess. The sequence of the daily events in the seven-day festival is performed in the following manner. After the early morning Dhanurmasa Puja at the Govindarajaswami Temple, the idol of Godambika is brought out in a beautifully decorated Palanquin to the banks of the Ramachandra Pushkarini through the holy streets surrounding the Govindaraja Swamy temple.

There on an elevated platform of Niratta Mandapa, Goddess Godambika is seated to be visible to all the devotees and starts the performance of Nirattam (Abhishekam) with sacred waters, cow milk and other panchaamritam reciting various Suktams like Sri Sukta, Bhu Sukta, Nila Sukta etc. After Nirattam or Abhisheka, the priests offer Naivedyam or Sacred Food to the Goddess.

Then Sattumora prayers are recited followed by the Divine Assembly called ‘Asthanam’. This process goes on till the evening. In the evening, Goddess Godambika is well decorated with flower garlands and seated in the Tirucchi vahanam.

A procession starts from the Ramachandra Pushkarini through the holy streets and the Goddess is brought back to the temple of Sri Govindarajaswami while the Vedic scholars chant Vedic hymns and the musicians play on various instruments throughout the procession.

In this manner, this NIRATTOTSAVAM is celebrated for seven days.

Bhogi Teru

On the eighth day i.e., BHOGI which is the previous day to Makara Sankranti the BHOGI TERU festival is performed with festive fervour. As a part of this festival, the well-ornamented idols of Sri Godambika and Sri Krishna Swami are seated in a beautifully decorated Chariot and a procession is led around the sacred streets around the Holy Temple of Sri Govindarajaswami.

Bhogi Teru - Sri Govindarajaswami Temple Tirupati

The Nirattotsavam and Bhogi Teru together is a nine-day festival in all the Vaishnava Divya Desams. But in the Govindarajaswami temple of Tirupati, this is celebrated for eight days of which in the first seven days the Nirattotsavam is celebrated and on the eighth day Bhogi Teru is celebrated.

With the advent of Makara Sankramanam the holy Dhanurmasa comes to an end and the Makaramasa begins.

Chakra Snanam and Procession of Deities

In the morning hours of MAKARA SANKRANTI day, the Sacredbath is performed to Sri Chakrattalwar in Alwar Tank at Kapila Tirtham. In the evening a procession of the deities Sri Godambika and Sri Krishna Swami is led in the holy streets of Sri Govindarajaswami temple.

Goda Devi Kalyanam

The grand celebration of the Divine Kalyanam of Sri Godambika with Sri Krishna Swami is performed on the day of KANUMA, the next day to Makara Sankranti in the Kumbha Harati Mandapam following the scriptural instructions of Agamas.

During that Kalyanam event, the Purana recitation of Sri Goda Kalyanam also goes on as a customary part.

Final Word

Thus the grand series of Godambika Festival with various month-long events is celebrated with great devotion, dedication to the God and Goddess and with an unparallel festive zeal.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram

Andal Thiruvaadipooram

Posted on by

Andal Thiruvaadipooram (Birthday of Andal or GodaDevi)

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

Goda Devi – Incarnation of Bhumi Devi

Goda Devi, hailed as Sri Andal is an incarnation of Bhumi Devi. She was bought up by Perialwar named Vishnuchittar in the temple town of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu. She is considered one of the 12 Vaishnava Saints known as Alwars who are devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Click here for the Google Maps Location of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu

Adding auspicious to Aashada month, she came to earth as a cute baby girl lying near the Tulasi plant. Perialwar was extremely happy to get the girl and brought up with care. She was raised like a Gopika of Vrindavan.

 

Andal Thiruvaadipooram – Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star

In Tamil, the birthday of Goda Devi is celebrated as “Thiruvaadipooram” means “Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star”, this little superstar was born to eradicate all our ignorance in our lives.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram is celebrated by walking up early in the morning, cleaning the house, putting nice kolams, decorating that with flowers, and then taking a holy bath.

Clean the puja room and decorate it with flowers. Sri Andal is decorated with a new dress especially green as she is Mother Earth, offering flowers Sandal Paste and Scented water. As Andal has lengthy hair, the hairdressing for Andal is made in a style.

She also carries a parrot in hand, so one can make a parrot out of leaves to decorate her. Then, offer her with bangles and donate to women. Fortunate to get those bangles as they give prosperity, a good family, good progeny, health and blessings.

Andal Thiruppavai & Goda Stuti

“Kalkandu Rice”, sugar candy rice can be prepared to be offered to Goddesses and distributed to devotees. “Andal Thiruppavai”, “Goda Stuti” etc can be recited. Young girls dress up like Andal and perform “Kolaatam” with sticks and dance with garlands in praise of Lord Krishna and Sri Andal.

Andal Thiruvaadipooram
PC – Sapthagiri Magazine published by TTD

Sri Villiputtur, Sri Rangam and many Vishnu Temples celebrate with pomp and glory.

One Among 12 Alwars

“Thiruppavai” and “Naachiyaar Thirumoli” sung by little Goda Devi were the essence of all the philosophies to attain Lord Krishna. Eleven Alwars were men, but Sri Andal was the only girl Sri Vaishnava Saint who surpassed all of them as her songs reached out even to the common people.

The simple style and positivity of the verses boost our minds with more self-confidence, energy and enthusiasm. That is the reason, “Thirupaavai” is famous and recited by all of them.

It is a known incident, where Goda Devi used to decorate herself as a Gopika and wear the garland that is meant for “Vatapatrasayee Perumaal”. When Vishnuchittar found this, he was very much upset.

But Lord himself told, that he loved the garland that is worn by Sri Goda Devi. She is hailed as “Andal” because she ruled the Lord. She decided not to get married to a human and started observing “Kartyayani Vrata”.

Thiruppavai

“Thiruppavai” has 30 songs that talk about the Vrata, way of living, hails Lord Vishnu and his incarnations, prosperity of the mother earth, how one should always be united and the blessings to be celebrated in groups highlighting the “Bhaagavatha Sangamam” – “Union of Satsang -the wise”.

The second set of Paasurams is “Naachiyaar Thirumoli”, where she talks about the Lord’s beauty, the weapons of the Lord, the Divine Marriage through a dream, Vrindavan’s infant-Little Krishna, the messenger, the Divya Desams etc.

As she is the incarnation of Mother Earth – Bhumi Devi, always wanted the residents of Earth to be happy. She was born to show us how easily one can get the blessings of the Lord. In Varaha Avatara, Bhumi Devi gets a promise from the Lord Varaha that he should always bless the devotees despite their time. Thus, is the affection shown by Bhumi Devi to her children.

Goda Devi or Andal

Paasuram’s of Andal talks about

The paasuram’s of Andal talks about the Supreme Lord who prevails everywhere. Hence, all are prosperous, and she prays for the well-being of all. The verses say about the good rain which makes the crops grow healthily, ultimately fills the fields with plants where humans are hunger-free, and the animals and birds enjoy nature flooded with food which finally leads to a healthy environment.

The animals serve humanity by giving good milk in terms that give more health. She says, getting up early in the morning is good. Taking a bath early in the morning is good. Doing good things with friends, and teaching friends all good things that each of us knows leads to a healthy society.

She describes the beauty of nature, flowers blooming, flooded rivers, clear waterfalls, honey overflowing, cows milking themselves without a milkman, crops growing tall, churning of buttermilk, and temple bell sound during naivedhyam.

To complete the Vrata, she says, she will dress up nicely, decorated with flowers, adorned with ornaments and will eat jaggery rice filled with ghee flowing from her hand to elbow. She enjoys going with her friends and calves to the forest to graze cows, shares food with her friends, and prays to Lord Krishna to be with her always.

She proudly says that she is the daughter of Vishnuchitta and as per his guidance (as Guru), she overcame this mundane life. Thus, Goda Devi talks only about the positivity that is needed for today’s life to come out of depression.

Final Word

As per Sri Andal’s wishes, let this World be filled with Joy, let this World be filled with prosperity, let this World be filled with Devotion, let this World be filled with Peace and Harmony.

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

Posted on by

Thiruvaadipooram (Birthday of GodaDevi)

Thiruvaadipooram of Sri GodaDevi

Goda Devi – Incarnation of Bhumi Devi

Goda Devi, hailed as Sri Andal is an incarnation of Bhumi Devi. She was bought up by Perialwar named Vishnuchittar in the temple town of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu. She is considered one of the 12 Vaishnava Saints known as Alwars who are devoted to Lord Vishnu.

Click here for the Google Maps Location of Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu

Adding auspicious to Aashada month, she came to earth as a cute baby girl lying near the Tulasi plant. Perialwar was extremely happy to get the girl and brought up with care. She was raised like a Gopika of Vrindavan.

Goda Devi or Andal

Thiruvaadipooram – Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star

In Tamil, the birthday of Goda Devi is celebrated as “Thiruvaadipooram” means “Auspicious Aadi month Pooram Star”, this little superstar was born to eradicate all our ignorance in our lives.

Thiruvaadipooram is celebrated by walking up early in the morning, cleaning the house, putting nice kolams, decorating that with flowers, and then taking a holy bath.

Clean the puja room and decorate it with flowers. Sri Andal is decorated with a new dress especially green as she is Mother Earth, offering flowers Sandal Paste and Scented water. As Andal has lengthy hair, the hairdressing for Andal is made in a style.

She also carries a parrot in hand, so one can make a parrot out of leaves to decorate her. Then, offer her with bangles and donate to women. Fortunate to get those bangles as they give prosperity, a good family, good progeny, health and blessings.

Andal Thiruppavai & Goda Stuti

“Kalkandu Rice”, sugar candy rice can be prepared to be offered to Goddesses and distributed to devotees. “Andal Thiruppavai”, “Goda Stuti” etc can be recited. Young girls dress up like Andal and perform “Kolaatam” with sticks and dance with garlands in praise of Lord Krishna and Sri Andal. Sri Villiputtur, Sri Rangam and many Vishnu Temples celebrate with pomp and glory.

One Among 12 Alwars

“Thiruppavai” and “Naachiyaar Thirumoli” sung by little Goda Devi were the essence of all the philosophies to attain Lord Krishna. Eleven Alwars were men, but Sri Andal was the only girl Sri Vaishnava Saint who surpassed all of them as her songs reached out even to the common people.

The simple style and positivity of the verses boost our minds with more self-confidence, energy and enthusiasm. That is the reason, “Thirupaavai” is famous and recited by all of them.

It is a known incident, where Goda Devi used to decorate herself as a Gopika and wear the garland that is meant for “Vatapatrasayee Perumaal”. When Vishnuchittar found this, he was very much upset.

Sri MalyappaSwamy Decorated as Goda Devi

But Lord himself told, that he loved the garland that is worn by Sri Goda Devi. She is hailed as “Andal” because she ruled the Lord. She decided not to get married to a human and started observing “Kartyayani Vrata”.

Thiruppavai

“Thiruppavai” has 30 songs that talk about the Vrata, way of living, hails Lord Vishnu and his incarnations, prosperity of the mother earth, how one should always be united and the blessings to be celebrated in groups highlighting the “Bhaagavatha Sangamam” – “Union of Satsang -the wise”.

The second set of Paasurams is “Naachiyaar Thirumoli”, where she talks about the Lord’s beauty, the weapons of the Lord, the Divine Marriage through a dream, Vrindavan’s infant-Little Krishna, the messenger, the Divya Desams etc.

As she is the incarnation of Mother Earth – Bhumi Devi, always wanted the residents of Earth to be happy. She was born to show us how easily one can get the blessings of the Lord. In Varaha Avatara, Bhumi Devi gets a promise from the Lord Varaha that he should always bless the devotees despite their time. Thus, is the affection shown by Bhumi Devi to her children.

Paasuram’s of Andal talks about

The paasuram’s of Andal talks about the Supreme Lord who prevails everywhere. Hence, all are prosperous, and she prays for the well-being of all. The verses say about the good rain which makes the crops grow healthily, ultimately fills the fields with plants where humans are hunger-free, and the animals and birds enjoy nature flooded with food which finally leads to a healthy environment.

The animals serve humanity by giving good milk in terms that give more health. She says, getting up early in the morning is good. Taking a bath early in the morning is good. Doing good things with friends, and teaching friends all good things that each of us knows leads to a healthy society.

She describes the beauty of nature, flowers blooming, flooded rivers, clear waterfalls, honey overflowing, cows milking themselves without a milkman, crops growing tall, churning of buttermilk, and temple bell sound during naivedhyam.

To complete the Vrata, she says, she will dress up nicely, decorated with flowers, adorned with ornaments and will eat jaggery rice filled with ghee flowing from her hand to elbow. She enjoys going with her friends and calves to the forest to graze cows, shares food with her friends, and prays to Lord Krishna to be with her always.

She proudly says that she is the daughter of Vishnuchitta and as per his guidance (as Guru), she overcame this mundane life. Thus, Goda Devi talks only about the positivity that is needed for today’s life to come out of depression.

Final Word

As per Sri Andal’s wishes, let this World be filled with Joy, let this World be filled with prosperity, let this World be filled with Devotion, let this World be filled with Peace and Harmony.

Tiruppavai

Tiruppavai

Posted on by

What is Tiruppavai

Tiruppavai is writing describing the religious ritual (Vratam) undertaken by the spinsters (milkmaids) to get a good husband. This was rendered in 30 stanzas.

What is Pasura(Stanza)

In Tamil, a poem that is written in a classical style and lyrical tradition with utmost devotion is called a ‘Pasura’ (Pausra = Stanza). In Tiruppavai, there is the word ‘pavai’ at the end of each stanza, which means a religious ritual. Some say, it also means a song.

That is why, the title, Tiruppavai is quite befitting.

God himself as one’s spouse

‘Tiru’ is a reverential expression. It is sung devotedly and respectfully in the Brahmi muhurt of Mrugasira month. It is a very strange wish to select God himself as one’s spouse.

Radha, Gopikas (milkmaids), Jayadeva, Annamaya, Meera Bai, etc., are devotees for such delightful wishes. Andal too acquires such a high place in that tradition.

Tiruppavai – 30 Stanzas in Total

“Tiruppavai” has 30 divine songs. Each stanza has 8 lines. Each of these thirty stanzas provides us with in-depth meaning, enlightenment, clarity, natural beauty, ornate vocabulary, etc.

Four Sections

Tiruppavai can be broadly divided into four sections.

  • Stanzas 1 to 5, dealing with an introduction to nature;
  • 6 to 15, dealing with the waking up of Gopikas;
  • 16-20 series of valourous episodes;
  • 21-30 total surrender to the lord.
  • The last ten stanzas depict more of the philosophy of surrender. stanzas 26, 27, and 29 have great significance; especially the 29th one delights us with the philosophy of Vaishnavism.

Some researchers feel that the foundations relating to Vaishnavism were incorporated in Tiruppavai.

To get a Good Husband

The girls go to each house to wake up other unmarried girls early for a holy bath and pray Lord to get a good husband. This practice is being done during winter and in the month of Margazhi.

Andal in love with Lord Krishna

From a young age, Andal fell in love with Lord Krishna. She imitated a Gopika of Vrindavan and was playing with Krishna always.

She disguised herself as Gopika and made her father Vishnuchitta (Perialwar)’s house as yadava kingdom and made him the King of Yadavas. She made her friends as Gopikas of Vrindavan and celebrated utsavams like Vrindavan Gopikas.

The style, beauty, and music reveal the ancient practices and rich Indian culture. As part of her marriage with Sri Krishna, Andal got rid of unwanted desires. She led simple living, and expressed divine love towards the Lord.

The entire poetic writing is in the form of “Nayika Nayaka” bhava (emotion), showing the way to express spiritual feeling. This bhava made her attain Supreme Lord, which is highly appreciable.

Even today, Andal’s poetry is highly commendable in Tamil literature and she still lives in the hearts of true devotees.

*Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine

Story of Goda Devi (Andal)

Story of Goda Devi (Andal)

Posted on by

Born of Goda Devi

Vishnuchitta was born in Sri Villiputtur, in the Sanctum of Vatapatra Sai. He found a baby, in the garden of Tulasi. He named her “Goda” – which means a garland.

Preparing Garlands for Lord

Goda used to prepare the garlands that her father carried to the temple to decorate the Lord. Once she prepared the garlands, she would try them on herself to make sure that they look beautiful and then used to give them to her father for an offering. Unaware of this, Vishnuchitta carried on offering them to the Lord.

One day, he found some hair in the garland. He realized the reason and was worried about the sacrilege committed. But that night the Lord appears in his dream and tells him that he prefers the ones worn by Goda.

Marrying Sri Ranganatha

Vishnuchitta brought her up in an environment of love and devotion towards the Lord. The intensity of her love and dedication towards the Lord grew so much that she decided to marry Sri Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu.

When Andal was nubile, the Alwar began looking for a groom. But Andal insisted that she marries none other than Lord Ranganatha. Vishnuchitta takes Andal to Srirangam.

At the auspicious moment, the Lord marries Andal then she merges with the Lord.

Thus Goda became “Amuktamalyada” Mukta – worn and removed, mala – garland, da – one who gives.

Goda’s Marriage

Goda Kalyanam is performed in all Vishnu temples on Bhogi day with fervor and devotion, especially in the South.

Sri Krishnadevaraya, the famous king of the Vijayanagara empire (16th century) authored “Amuktamalyada”, a prabhanda, based on Goda Devi’s story.

He introduces the legends of Vishnuchitta, Yamunacharya, Khandikhya, and Kesidwaja to establish the philosophy of Vishistadvaita.