Tiruppavai 12
Tamil Parusham
KanaithuilamKatrerumaiKanrukkIrangi
NinaitthuMmulaiVazhiyeNindruPaal Sora
NanaitthIllamserarkkumNarchelvanThangay
PanitthalaiVeezhaNin VasarKadaiPattri
SinathinaalThennilangai-k-komanai-ch-chettra
ManatthukkiniyanaiPaadavumNee VaayThiravaay
InitthanEzhunthiraayEedhennaPerurakkam
AnaithuIllaththuaarumArindh-elor Empaavaai
English Poem 12
Thinking about absent calves, the mother cows
Releasing flows of milk flooding the floors
Your brother is serving Krishna, skipping chores,
We are holding your door frame, but no word from you,
Ram destroyed Lanka and Ravan for abducting Sita,
Though we all sing for Raama, you are unmoved and dumb,
All in Vrepalle knew about your deep sleep habit,
O dear wake up and Join us for Sri Nomu.
The milk that flows out of mother-cows indicate abundance of unlimited compassion of the Mother. They are showering streams of milk, imagining their loved ones unasked and the floors are flooded with overflowing milk. The 7thGopika who is being awakened today is the sister of a devotee. He ignores his daily chores totally, including milking of cows and immersed in serving Krishna. He belongs to a class of devotees who does all karmas for Krishna only and does no other work for his purposes. As he is fully immersed in service of Krishna, he forgot or skipped the daily duty of milking cows. Imagining calves suckling, the mother cows flooded the floor with milk. It refers to the mother’s love, Acharya’s commitment and Bhagavan’s unconditional affection, extended without kids/disciples asking for it.
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They are like Lakshman, who never bothered about his personal requirements and family, but thinks only of serving Raama which firmly believes to be real devotion. Goda believes that if they take this Gopika with them, Krishna will easily recognize her as sister of Bhagavatottama, who is always with Him and bless them. She says, your brother is enjoying service to Krishna, we are also serving Krishna, and then why are you not joining us. Goda’s expression “Nar ChelvanTangay (=sister of Krishna Sevaka) indirectly refers to Sri Raama Mishra, another Aalwaar, who loves the Ram most.
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Sri Raama Mishra
Raama Mishra was serving his Aacharya very obediently. When his Acharya’s daughter was hesitating to cross a small slushy pond on the way, Raama Mishra entered in that slushy water to serve as a base for her to cross the pond without stepping into the muddy water. That shows his deep love for Acharya and his family. Goda indirectly refers to this AalwarRaama Mishra in this song.
Lakshmana serves his brother without bothering about his chores and duties. He does not even perform Sandhya Vandan etc. For him service to Ram itself is worship of God. Lakshmana is a Yogi, whereas Bharatha performs all his poojas, duty and administersAyodhya, without being a King. Bharata rightly expects that Raama will surely not come back to Ayodhya to rule for 14 years because he would not violate the promise. Hence, he brings a pair of Paadukaas from Ayodhya to Forest. When Ram refuses to take back the kingdom, Bharat requests Him to step intoPaadukaas, which he wants to place onSimhasan of Raama and he will take care of administration as His representative. Bharat performs the duties very well, but never forgets Ram, whom he would be silently meditating upon forever. Hence, Bharath is a Muni. Lakshmana is Yogi and Bharath is Muni.
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Goda chose to praise Ram, by narrating how Ram was very angry because Raavan abducted Seetha. Ram reached Lanka and destroyed Raavan. He does not sleep or take food ever since he was separated from Seeta. Ram did not feel pain when arrows struck him in battle. But when Lakshman, Anjaneya or Vibheeshan etc were injured, he used to be very angry. He is also so kind, that though he could kill Ravan with one arrow, he gave him several opportunities to realize his mistake.
Goda says: “Oh dear Gopika, we are standing at your doorstep in these early hours, and singing the praise of Raama, who destroyed the King of Lanka, but you are not even responding at all. Everyone can see us here that you are in such deep sleep, wake up girl and join us for the worship.”
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Through Bhagavadgita, Krishna explains about SthithaPrajna, who is not disturbed by any attractions or distractions around him. They have no desires even in heart of hearts. He observes many pleasant things but never thinks to have them for his happiness. One who does not worry about losses or troubles, and not get excited about the pleasures he could get is SthithaPrajna. Though he knew things around him, he does not get involved in them and continues to meditate on God. Such a person is the second type of devotee. The Gopika referred in this Paashuram belongs to that category.
Also read: The stories of Tiruppavai: Krishna’s boon to Poothana who gave poisonous milk
