Cross the doors of diversion, to reach goal

• Tiruppavai (Goda Govinda Geetham) – 16

After awakening 10 Aalwars and 10 Leader-Gopikas, Goda take 5 lakh Gopa and Gopis, (male and female) to the Palace of the Nanda Raja, father of Sri Krishna. It is well decorated.  In Nandavraja everyone is very rich with similarly designed palaces in Vrepalle village. To make a distinction Krishna got his father’s Palace decorated with Torana and Garuda Dwaja. Those doors are very attractive and shining with precious stones. Building itself is imposing and once you reach the main gate and doors, it is bright with lights and attractive designs. 

Naayaganai ninra Nandagopanudaya

Koil Kaappaane! Kodi thonrum thorana

Vaayil kaappaane! Mani-k-kadavam thal thiravaai

Aayar sirumiyaromukku arai parai

Maayan Manivannan, nennale vaai nerandhaan!

Thooyomaai vandhom, thuyil ezha-p-paaduvaan

Vaayal munnam munnam maatraadhe amma! Nee

Neyanilai-k-kadhavam neeku-el or empaavaai

The leader of the leaders, Nanda’s

Palace with flags & Torana’s secured by you

Open the doors studded with precious stones

Leela Krishna, Mani Varnan promised to give us-

 Gopa & Gopi-s the Parai, divine tool reach beyond

We came purified and to sing awakening songs

O Dwara Palaka, don’t  say  “no” even before, Kindly

Open this temple filled with love for Shri Krishna.

[Transliteration followed by Translation from Tamil, in bold and italics]

Goda awakened divine Jnanies, ten Aalwaars and leading-Gopikas with greater qualities and expertise. Father of Sri Krishna – Nanda has to open the doors. Nanda is lucky that Paramatma resides in his palace and mind always. He was worried about securing Little Krishna from the demons assigned to end him by Kamsa the Ruler of Madhura. Acharyas also do this. Teacher protects and showers affection on disciples. Acharya has to permit with all kindness, to realize the path of liberation.

Goda is leading all five lakh Jeevas of Vrepalle. She could recognize the Nanda Gopa’s Bhawan with Garuda Dhwaja, the flag with design of Vishnu’s vehicle -Eagle.  Door keepers have to check visitors for the security like examining identity, reasons and real purposes of their visit. They are presenting their credentials and pleading for opening of the doors.

Also Read : The Robber turned Aalwaar: Tirumangai

Narayana was busy in Vaikuntham with administration of entire universe. When descended as Sri Krishna, He is free from this task. He is now peaceful. Krishna loves to refer to father as His identity. He calls it Nanda’s palace.   Rama while returning from Lanka after winning the war, shows Ayodhya to Seetha from Pushpaka Vimana, saying “My father’s Capital City”.

Nanda is fortunate compared to Dasaratha, who could not see his son Rama being anointed as Prince of Ayodhya. Nanda saw Krishna growing, winning and finally killing Kamsa to rule Mathura.

Goda and Gopa Gopies praise the Dwara Paalakas as the responsible protectors of Nanda. With this they are acknowledging the greatness of the King and his committed servants.  With sweet tongue, and nice talk they want to gain entry.

Though Dhwaja and Torana establish identity of the owner of the palace, they lifeless and cannot help them to get into. Dwara Palakas can do it. The main door is very attractive, with decoration by precious stones. Sumanta, the Minister of Ayodhya, goes to invite Rama but stops at beautifully decorated Dwara and could not step forward. Gopikas request them to allow before they are attracted and diverted by door’s beauty. The decorated door is like Atma Soundaryam – beauty of self-soul. After Atma-Jnana, the knowledge of soul of oneself, he will realize its beauty, but if he continues to enjoy the Atma-soundarya, his pursuit for Paramatma will be stalled. One has to overcome the Aatma Soundarya. This is what Goda is teaching in this 16^th Pashuram. Dwarapalaka is thus Acharya who opens the next step for God loving disciple to move forward.

Also Read : Goda wakes up Tenth Alwar and Gopika

Only those without getting diverted by these physical beauties- decorated rich doors, designs and sculptures etc, can aspire to cross these obstacles on the path of Mukthi. The statues of female beauty or sculptures depicting copulation of male and female are also meant for testing the focus and attention of the devotees. The conversation goes on like this:

Goda and Gopikas: Please open the beautiful doors decorated with stones.

Door-keeper: Who are you, why did you come at midnight without any fear?

G: We have God in our minds, and He removes all fears.

D: We are always threatened by Kamsa’s demons, how can we be fearless?

G: We are ordinary girls of Gopa families. Why fear?

D: Shoorpanaka is also a lady, you know?

G: We are not women demons, but innocent Gopikas.

D: Poothana was also a Gopika. Since then we fear Gopika’s also.

G: Can’t you recognize that we are innocent? We are young and small, loving Krishna and pray for His security.

D: Vatsasura came like a young person. Being young is no assurance.

G: Krishna promised us to give Arai and Parai after our Vratam. Do not stop us.

D: Krishna might have promised but it is our duty to secure Him. And you are expecting something. Unless we are sure of your intentions, we cannot allow.

G: We want to sing for his welfare. Parai is one excuse. We bathed in early hours and purified.

Purification

To achieve Him, body purification is not needed. When Vibheeshan sought the Sharanu of Rama, he was standing above Sea on the other side of Lanka without dipping in Sea. Not needed. Similarly Arjuna listens to most divine Charama Shloka of Bhagavadgita among the blood-thirsty adamant war mongers. When Draupadi was humiliated in the midst of royal court hall of Dhritarashtra, she invoked the indulgence of Krishna, though she was Yeka Vastra wearing just one Sari (long cloth) during monthly period time. God helped them without bothering physical purity. What one needs is Bhava Shuddi or Antah Shuddi, purification of thoughts.

Also Read : Tiruppani Aalwar merges into Ranganatha

The Sleeping Beauty of Krishna

G: We do not want anything. We would like to see the amazing personality of Krishna while asleep. Enjoy the graceful posture, sing and awaken him with praise of His Gunas. Generally Krishna can be seen in Royal Court, but He will be in official mood. While asleep, His serenity and grace are totally different. Sita liked sayana soundarya. Vishwa Mitra loved it. Aalwars while singing Suprabhatam were ecstatic to see His sleeping beauty. Please do not stop us and don’t say no to our entry. Now you are our Guru who can show the path. In Gokulam not only humans, even non-living things love Him. Hence the doors are not opening. We request you to open the doors.

Here Nanda King is Guru, who protects Sri Krishna from the undeserved hands. His building is Mantra. Flag post and flag is a form. Toranam – decorative hangings from top of the door are symbols of meditating meaning of Namah. Doors are symbols of  Aatma swaroopa Jnana (knowing the soul of himself), which gives autonomy. Guru has to open them and Shishya has to cross it. Gopikas do not know any alternatives. Para means Godly service. Purity means those who do not have any purpose. Awakening means drawing attention of Guru. Kandadai Ramanujacharya says the kind guidance of Acharya is essential for God’s grace. Gurus need not be living beings. Honey-bee teaches us the lesson that if one collects more wealth than required, it would go to others. Python teach us that satisfy with what you get. For Gopikas, their devotion to Krishna is the real Guru. Gopikas are Acharyas or Alwars, says Dasarathi Rangacharya.

Also Read : Ego and Beauty are obstacles to reach Krishna or Rama