I want to bathe in Sri Krishna affection

Tiruppavai – 26

Madabhushi Sridhar

10 January 2024

Tamil Pashuram

Maaley! Manivanna! Maargazhi Neeraaduvaan

Melaiyaar Seivanangal Venduvana Kettiliye

Gnalath-thai Ellam Nadunga Muralvana

Paalanna Vannathu un Paanchajanyamey

Polvana Sangangal poi-p-paadu Udaiyanave

Saalap-perum Paraiyey Pallaandu Isaipparey

Kola Vilakkey Kodiyey Vithaaname

Aalin Ilayai! Arul-el or empaavai

English Poem 26

Lord on Banyan Leaf, like lively Blue Sapphire,

 We came doing best practices for Margali Bath,

If You listen, We tell our desire: Grant the Conches

Like your milky white, resounding Panchajanya

That sends spine-chilling terror in enemies and

Free your devotees from fear; Big Drums to

Attract many; melodious Singers; Bright Lamps

Flags & Decorative cloths to hail your glory.

Gopikas and Goda asked for Conch – the Sankh. Not the Chakra – a sharp disc which cannot be handled by anybody except Krishna.  Once his childhood friend Sri Malikudu, insisted to have Krishna’s Chakra. He warned him about the risks with Chakra. He still wanted. Krishna gave it to him, but he has mishandling that resulted in his death. It is like risking life by mishandling the dangerous weapons like AK 47.

When they asked for Conches, Parai (drum), bright lamps, Singers, Flag and Decorative Cloths, Tents to protect their heads from snow, God doubts, do I have so many with me to give you all?  Then Goda says, you contain the several families of Universes within you and sleep like a pretty baby on banyan leaf as if you do not know anything. Can’t you give us these small things?

Krishna then thinks that he should give them certain things similar to those they asked. Gets one conch from Vishnu temple and offers a musical instrument used by him at the time of eating butter in Nanda Vraja. Singer Nammalwar was given. Towards flag, Garuda was asked to join Gopikas. For Umbrella he gave the Shesha Vastram, a cloth he has worn. And above all, to meet their demand for light, He asked Mother Lakshmi to be with them. Mother is of such a great light and life for all, equal to God Himself. It is said as He cannot be everywhere, He created Mothers. Gopikas desired them as they were all closely related to and associated with Vishnu.

Also read: A small or Lord Brahma: The Power along with Ego

Krishna was born to one and came to the other mother only to associate with Gopikas, who were thinking how to get Him nearer.  He was mad after Gopikas, makes Gopikas go mad for Him, enabling comparison between themselves. He is mad with these feelings, says the great interpreter of Tiruppavai, Sri Bhashyam Appalacharya. Krishna is an embodiment of love.  Lakshmi who is born out of lotus, loved the colour of Hari and settled permanently on His chest.  He is like a precious stone, whoever has it feels Krishna Mani is his life; without Him there is no life at all. The Mani – diamond will always help others and cannot do anything for self.

As child on banana leave, Krishna Beginning to Create

Oh Vishnu, Your shining is like the blue sapphire resting on the leaf of Banyan tree, when the whole universe is on the edge of devastation. You are capable of making possible those impossible things. We want to have your divine association like holy bath during Marga Shirsha month of winter mornings. Following the path of elders, we came to You to tell what we want, if You are willing to listen to us. Grant us such conches like the milky white Panchajanya that can send spine-chilling terror in enemies and make the devotees feel assured and fearless- Abhayam; big drums (Parai) which can give notice and attract many melodious musicians who can sing praising Your glory and hail You; the bright lamps that guide us; flags, decorative cloths so that we all worship You as part of this Vratham.

Vibhishana’s apprehensions

Goda addresses Krishna as Maale, the Supreme Being, which explains the unbounded affection of Krishna for his devotees, over and above the love of devotees. Rama is known for accepting and protecting those seeking his help. Vibheeshan was apprehending whether Rama would suspect him as he was brother of Ravana, while Rama was thinking why Ravana was not coming to him, expecting at least his brother. Sri Krishna loves his associates, friends, Gopikas, Cows and every being and non-living thing that is around.

Ashwatthama Undeserving

One should deserve to hold the weapons of mass destruction. Brahmastra is one such weapon, which in the hands of Ashwatthama, an undeserving person, created havoc.

When Vishnu appears before Subhrahmanya Swamy who did penance on the banks of Pushkarini in Tirumala, (That is why it is called Swami Pushkarini), Shiva also appeared to meet Vishnu. Attracted by the environmental beauty of Tirumala Hills, Shiva expressed desire to stay over there. Vishnu says that entire Tirumala Hills is the Adishesha, his cot and bed and Shiva can reside at the serene end point of Tirumala Hills, which is now known as Kapila Teertham. This place is very sacred with the spring of divine water flowing from Tirumala Hills, where Alwars used to stay and take bath. Hence it is also called Alwar Theertham. Shiva being a great friend of Vishnu, also desired to have the Disc of Vishnu. Vishnu did not give because of the risk involved. Sankh and Chakra of Vishnu generally cannot be handled by others. Sankh is so dear to Vishnu, that He cannot imagine life without it. Hence, Gopikas wanted it as that compels Vishnu to be always with them.

Also read: All tools of knowing Krishna are Vedas

Krishna loves Alwaars

Maale Mani Varna means one who love us most. His love for those who take shelter under Him is self-shining light like blue sapphire emitting light on its own. His affectionate character is reflected in His bodily colour. Krishna always thinks as to how he can help his devotees. Unparalleled warrior Krishna does not hesitate to do small jobs like a charioteer for his five Pandava devotees. Alwar means one who strongly loves Vishnu. But Vishnu loves Alwars many times more than them. Perumal desires to have Alwars more than Alwars desire to have Perumal.

What Gopikas are seeking from Krishna

Maale Manivanna is the pet name which Yashoda used to call Krishna. When Gopikas thoughtfully addressed Him with this lovely name of his mother, He was pleased but hiding his pleasure he smiles and asks them to come out with their desires. There is no reciprocal bargain with God, like I break coconuts, you grant me this, etc. Gopikas know that. We have not performed Vrata expecting anything. You said you would give us something. Okay, if you think of giving something to us, we will take it. But we have not come for that. We want You, Your association, Your affection, to bathe in Your glory, to sing it and to hail you.

Goda proposes three principles of Vrata, for our general life too. One- we should follow the path suggested and trodden by elders and should not do what they have not done. Do not do such works prohibited by the experienced elders.  Two- from those good deeds of elders, you can do a few agreeable to you in your context and for your welfare. And three- if someone questions you why are you doing so, you can have enough courage to say that I am convinced with what elders practiced and hence doing.  It does not mean that you have to do all those better practices of the elders of their times.

This 26^th song of Goda symbolizes the Charama Shloka –

Sarva Dharmaan Parityajya Maam Ekam Sharanam Vraja,

Aham Twa Sarva Paapebhyo Moksha Yishyami Maashuchah.

He says give up everything, surrender totally, I will take care of everything.  Holy bath in Marga Shirsha means the association with Krishna.

Also read: Only 33 Deva’s, not 33 crore!Only 33 Deva’s, not 33 crore!