NTM

 nAchchiyAr thirumozhith thaniyangaL................................

thaiyoru thingkaLum 

nAmamAyiram 

 kOzhiyazhaippathan 

theLLiyAr palar 

mannu perumpugazh 

vAraNamAyiram

 karuppUram nARumO  

viNNIla mElAppu 

sindhurach sempodi

kArkkOdal pUkkAL 

thAmugakkum

matRirundhIrgatku

kaNNanennum

 patti mEyndhu 

Andal marries Rangamannar and merges with the Lord. Her father – Periyalwar, a Vishnu baktha himself, is distraught that he is parting from his dear daughter. Taking pity on Periyalwar, the Lord grants salvation to Periyalwar too.

504. Oh Kama (God of Love)! In the cool months of Thai (Jan-Feb) & Maasi (Feb-Mar), I have laid out beautiful kolams on the streets to welcome you and your brother Syama (probably refers to Krishna)! I worship both of you. Unite me with Venkata – the wielder of the fiery discus!

505. Oh Kama! I have decorated the streets with Kola Maavu (white powder). I have fed the holy fire with dry wood. I have taken bath before dawn to propitiate you. Write the name of the ocean colored Lord on your arrow of flowers, wield it on the one who slew Bakasura and help me to reach him.

506. Oh Kama! I worship you in the morning, noon and night with fragrant Oomatham flowers (Datura flowers – these are supposed to cause hallucinations!). Lest, I think that you are a false God, pick up your flower decked arrow, write the name of Govinda on it and wield it on Venkata so that I can unite with him.

507. Oh Kama! To avoid forgetting your name, I have written it on the walls. I have decorated it with the Fish emblemed flag, galloping horses, maidens who wield the fans and the sugarcane bow. (The Pandya kings, whose emblem is the Fish, ruled during Andal’s time.) My chest swells in anticipation of the Lord of Dwaraka. Deliver me to him.

508. Like jackals trying to gulp the offerings to the Lord, Manmadha, my blossoming body is only for the one who holds the conch and discus. I will never allow a mere mortal to lay his hands on me. If that ever happens, I will shed my life.

509. Oh Kama, the eternally youthful God of all desires, I am observing a fast for you in Panguni (Mar-Apri). Make the ocean colored Lord with lotus bud eyes to glance at me. (Months are passing by! Andal sings the Tiruppaavai in Margazhi. Then in Naachiyaar Thirumozhi, she takes Kama’s help in the months of Thai, Maasi and Panguni, with no result!)

510. Oh Kama! I worship you with grains, sugar cane & other delicacies made of rice and jaggery. Make the Trivikrama, who measured the three worlds, to touch me and bring me everlasting praise in this mortal world.

511. Oh Manmadha who unites even quarreling lovers! Remember that I am observing fast so sincerely that I heed not that my hair is disheveled, my clothes have become dirty and my lips have become parched. You have to do one thing for me. Grant me the boon to clasp the legs of the one that I love.

512. Everyday, I worship you by offering these fragrant flowers. Remember that you will be blamed when I wander here & there if I don’t reach the feet of the Lord. It will be like denying food to a bullock that is working hard on the field for you! (So, give me what I seek!)

513. Vishnuchittar’s (Periyalwar) daughter Godhai (Andal) who resides in Srivilipputtur, which abounds in fragrant gardens, has composed this garland of Tamil verses worshipping Kama, who wields the sugarcane bow and the arrow of flowers, seeking his help to unite with the blue colored Lord. Those who recite these verses will find refuge in the Lord of Vaikunta.

514. Oh Narayana who is called by a thousand names! Husband of Sri! You are our aunty Yashoda’s son. So, how can we escape from your mischief? We are eagerly waiting for Manmadha’s arrival in the month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Oh mischief making Sridhara! Don’t destroy our sand castles. (This perhaps implies – don’t destroy our hopes!)

515. Look keenly at this sand castle that we made sitting here all day long, breaking our backs! Oh Lord who floated on a banyan leaf as an infant during the deluge! Show mercy on us for ever.

516. Oh lion who slumbers on the ocean! Oh Lord who rescued Gajendra! Don’t slay us adoring girls by your mischievous glances! We have constructed this sand castle with our tender bangle clad hands. Oh Lord who resides on the milky ocean, don’t destroy our sand castle.

517. Oh Lord colored like the dark rain bearing clouds! What enchantment does your face has that makes us girls go dizzy? Lest you think that we are just silly girls, we will never use any harsh words. Don’t destroy our sand castle.

518. Oh mischievous Madhava! Keshava! If you destroy the beautiful kolams that we made, even if our hearts break, we will never raise our voices against you. Such is the beauty of the eyes in your face.

519. We are young girls who have not blossomed into women. Oh Lord who built a bridge to Lanka and made it a battle ground! There must be some reason why you are destroying our sand castles. We understand it not. Don’t make us sad!

520. Oh Lord who crossed the ocean and built a bridge to Lanka! It will be good if you talk to those who are educated and scholarly instead of us girls! What is the use of harassing us young girls? If you love your wives well, don’t destroy our sand castle.

521. Oh Lord who wields the fiery discus! Oh Lord who is colored like the ocean! Using a pot and a broom, we girls have made this sand castle with so much difficulty. Don’t touch the castle with your hands or kick it with your legs. Don’t you know that when the heart is broken, even sugar doesn’t taste sweet?

522. Oh Govinda! Taking one step you measured the lower world and with another step you measured the higher world! We girls have made this sand castle to entertain ourselves. How can you come with a mischievous smile and destroy both our heart and our castle? When you embrace us, the people around are talking ill about us!

523. Vishnuchittar’s (Periyalwar) daughter Godhai (Andal) who resides in Srivilipputtur, where the Vedas are recited, has composed these garland of Tamil verses where the young cowherd girls in their lisping voices say – “Oh Lord who enjoyed the elixir with Sita! Don’t destroy our sand castles!” Those who recite these verses will reach Vaikuntam with no effort.

524. Oh Lord who slumbers on the serpent bed! We wanted to take bath before rooster announces the sun rise. But. It’s already dawn and the sun has risen to skies. We will never come here for our bath here after! My friends & I are helpless without our saris. Give it back to us, please!

525. Why did you come here? How did you find this pond? Oh Lord who wears the celestial garland! Oh illusionist! You are like nectar to us. This behavior doesn’t suit you! Oh Lord who danced on the Kaliya snake! Give us our saris that you have carried off to the tree above!

526. Oh Lord who defeated Lanka! What childishness is this? If our families see us unclothed, they will never allow us to dally with you. Everyone will ridicule us. Don’t you know this? You are sitting unconcerned on top of this tree! Give us our saris and we will listen to all that you say. Allow us to face everyone, please!

527. Oh Lord who defeated Lanka! Look at our eyes filled with tears! We are afraid that others approaching this pond will see us in this state. Don’t you have mercy? You seem to be the chief of all those who effortlessly climb trees (i.e. monkeys!) Give us our saris that you have hung on the branches of that tree!

528. Oh dark colored Lord! The fish are tickling our feet. (We have been in the pond for so long!) Our mothers are going to come here anytime now in search of us and they are going to throw spears at you for the mischief that you have done. Oh Lord who came to the rescue of Panchali! Give us back our beautiful saris and bless us!

529. Like the sting of a scorpion, the stalks of the lotus flowers are hurting our dainty legs. Oh Lord who dances after flinging our pots sky high! Leave behind your mischief and return our saris to us.

530. Oh Lord who protected all living beings during the deluge! We stand in distress in this water. Don’t do these mischievious deeds. We are not even able to go and complain about you. (We are unclothed!) Even then, our love for you knows no limits. Our mothers will not accept you playing with us like this. Don’t climb on top of this tree to do mischief. Return our saris to us!

531. After doing mischief early in the morning, you sleep all day closing your lotus bud like eyes. We are not your mother’s daughter-in-law to do as you please! I am telling you truthfully, what you are doing is just not right! Oh child of the cowherd clan! Return our saris to us!

532. You escaped from the murderous clutches of Kansa. Was it just to make us helpless damsels suffer like this? Yashoda will never rebuke you. She has allowed you to stray like this making mischief. Oh shameless one who suckled Putana’s poisonous milk! Return our saris to us!

533. Vishnuchittar’s (Periyalwar) daughter Godhai (Andal) who resides in Srivilipputtur, where there are plenty of beautiful gardens, has composed these garland of Tamil verses describing how the dark colored Lord playfully teases the cowherd girls. Those who recite these verses will find place in Vaikuntam.

534. Oh Lord of Koodal (Azhagar), Grant me the opportunity to seek refuge at the feet of the bridegroom who resides in Tirumal Iruncholai (Azhagar Koil)

535. Oh Lord of Koodal, May the Lord of Venkata hills and the Lord of Tirukannapuram who manifested as Vamana take me in his arms!

536. Oh Lord of Koodal, May the son of the illustrious Vasudeva & Devaki who is worshiped by Brahma and other devas, embrace me tightly!

537. Oh Lord of Koodal, May the one who jumped on to the head of the Kaliya snake which was feared by the cowherd clan, come for me!

538. Oh Lord of Koodal, May the one who strolled through our streets of Mathura and subdued the Kuvalaya elephant by kicking its head, ask for me!

539. Oh Lord of Koodal, May the one who crawled to uproot the Maruda trees and killed the evil Kansa and who rules all of Mathura, reach for me!

540. Oh Lord of Koodal, May the one destroyed the evil Sisupala, uprooted the Maruda trees, defeated the seven bulls and defeated Kansa come for me!

541. Oh Lord of Koodal, May the one who responds to the love of his devotees, protects the doors of Dwaraka & who loves to graze his cows unite with me!

542. Oh Lord of Koodal, unite me with Vamana, who wearing the sacred thread & covering himself with a deer skin, manifested before Mahabali and took a step each and covered both the world above and the world below.

543. Oh Lord of Koodal, attract the Lord, who is the essence of the four Vedas, rescuer of Gajendra elephant and who is the heart-throb of all the girls of the cowherd clan, to me!

544. Those who recite these ten verses of Godhai (Andal), who has beautiful tresses, describing how the girls of the cowherd clan seek to unite with the Lord, will be free from all sins in this world.

545. Oh Koel who resides in the fragrant grove comprising of Punnai (Alexandrian Laurel), Kongu (Shala) and Naval (Jambu) trees! I have fallen in love with Madhavan – the Lord who is beyond compare, the Lord is who blue hued, the Lord who decorates himself with nine precious stones. Yet, I have lost my bangles. (Is it fair?) Rush to my Lord uttering his names and ask him to come here without any delay. (He has to search for my bangles!)

546. Oh Koel who is resting after partaking honey from the Champak flower! The Lord who wields the conch is refusing to see me. Yet, he pierces my heart, resides there and refuses to leave me alone. You go to Venkata, cajole him with soft soothing words and bring him to me.

547. Oh Koel who lives with your beloved in this grove filled with fragrant flowers and humming bees! I see no sign of the Lord who drove his chariot in front of Ravana & beheaded him. Please sing for the blue hued Lord to come here without any delay.

548. Oh Koel! My bones have become brittle thinking always of Krishna. I am no longer able to sleep. You surely will understand the pangs of separation. Without the Lord of Vaikunata, I struggle in this ocean of existence! Please sing and beckon the Lord who carries the flag of Garuda to come here.

549. My eyes refuse to go to sleep as they wish to feast on the Lord who has manifested in Srivilipputtur – where swans wander here & there taking slow steps. Oh Koel! Call for the Lord who measured the three worlds to come here. If you do so, I will ask my pet parrot to be friends with you!

550. Oh Koel who slumbers in the grove where a bunch of flowers blossom! My body has lost its lustre as the Lord who is praised by the celestials, is refusing to see me. I have no other go but to rest my head at your feet requesting you to bring him to me!

551. Oh beautiful Koel! My chest heaves in desire to unite with the Lord who resides in the ocean of milk. What do you gain by standing in this tree’s shadow? Do some good by beckoning the Lord who wields the discus and the conch to me.

552. Oh Koel who resides in this grove where delicious fruits grow! My broad shouldered Lord who can effortlessly bend the bow also bends to those who affectionately call for him. Only the two of us know about our pact of love. If you don’t go to him right now, you will see for yourself how I behave!

553. Oh Koel who resides in this grove where bees hum lazily after indulging in honey! Listen to this carefully. I have fallen in the web of love! If you wish to continue to live in this grove, bring my Lord to me. If not, at least search for the gold bangles that I have lost! (Andal is very practical!)

554. When I am suffering from the pangs of love with the Lord who measured the three worlds, it is unfair that this pleasant breeze and the full moon in the sky are tormenting me even more! Oh Koel who resides in this grove! Torment me not! If you don’t call Narayana here, I will throw you out of this forest!

555. Periyalwar’s daughter – Godhai (Andal) who has spear shaped eyes and who is feminity personified has composed these verses asking the dark colored Koel to take a message to Narayana. Those who recite these verses will forever take the name of the Lord in their lips.

556. My friend! I dreamt that Narayana is leading a thousand caparisoned elephants to wed me. The entire village is decked up with colorful flowers and people are holding golden pitchers filled with holy waters to welcome the Lord.

557. My friend! I dreamt that a young man, majestic like the lion, called as Narasimha, Madhava & Govinda, confirms that our marriage will take place tomorrow and walks to take his place in the canopy that has been decorated with betel nut leaves for the marriage function.

558. My friend! I dreamt that Indra and the other Devas have finalized my marriage and they discuss amongst themselves the preparations for the wedding. My sister-in-law helps me tie the engagement sari and garlands me too. (Yoga Maya, the seventh child of Devaki who slips away from Kansa, is considered to be an aspect of Durga. Thus, Durga is considered to be the elder sister of Krishna!)

559. My friend! I dreamt that the Vedic pundits have brought holy waters from all the rivers and chant mantras – clearly and fluently. They then tie protective holy threads in the hands of the garland wearing Narayana and me. (These holy threads are meant to ward off the evil eye from the newly married couple!)

560. My friend! I dreamt that beautiful girls welcome the Lord of Mathura with twinkling lamps and pots filled with holy waters into the marriage canopy. Accepting their welcome, the Lord walks majestically to take his place.

561. My friend! I dreamt that amidst the beat of drums and the blowing of holy conches, Madhusudhana, who wears the best of pearls, walks into the marriage canopy and clasps my hand.

562. My friend! I dreamt that the learned Vedic pundits chant the marriage mantras flawlessly. The one who weds me clasps my right hand and walks around the holy fire chanting mantras. (These mantras are chanted to invoke blessings of food, strength, piety, progeny, wealth, comfort and health to the wife. It implies that only if the wife is happy, will the family be happy!)

563. My friend! I dreamt that Narayana – our refuge in not just this birth but in all subsequent births, takes my right feet and gently places it on the grinding stone with his flower-like hands. (The grinding stone, called as Ammi in Tamil, symbolizes that the bride has now taken charge of the kitchen!)

564. My friend! I dreamt that my brothers who have eyebrows shaped like arrows, feed the holy fire well and lead me to it and give my hand to Achutha, the lion faced one. They then fling puffed rice into the fire. (It is after this ceremony that the bride completely identifies herself with her husband’s family. She is henceforth, just a visitor to her parents’ home!)

565. My friend! I dreamt that applying Kumkum and cooling Sandal, my Lord and I ride an elephant around the decorated streets. We then bathe in fragrant waters.

566. Those who recite this garland of Tamil verses composed by Godhai (Andal) of Srivilipputtur, describing her dream of marrying the Lord, will be blessed with a happy marriage and good hearted children.

These verses (also referred to more popularly as Vaaranam Aayiram – a thousand elephants) are especially dear to my heart. These verses describe traditional Tamil Hindu weddings just the way it happens today too. 

567. Majestic conch in flawless white! You have kissed the lips of Madhavan who broke the tusks of the mad elephant. Tell me! Does his lips taste of camphor? Or does his lips smell like the fragrant lotus?

568. Oh conch who is from the deepest of oceans! You were born in the stomach of the wicked Panchajana. Despite this, you found place in the hands of the Lord. When you make a sound, it frightens even the wicked of Asuras! (When Krishna completes his studies, his Guru Sandipani requests Krishna to rescue his son who was kidnapped by an asura named Panchajana. Krishna dives into the ocean, slays Panchajana and rescues Sandipani’s son. The conch of Panchajana – called as Panchajanya was taken by Krishna for his use. The Kurukshetra battle starts when Krishna blows the Panchajanya conch!)

569. Oh beautiful conch! Like the full moon rises behind tall mountains, you found place in the hands of the Lord of Mathura – Krishna and you look resplendent when he holds you!

570. Oh conch! When the Lord holds you in his hand, it seems as though you are whispering secrets in the Lord’s ear. It is no wonder, that Indra himself treats you with great respect. You are truly peerless.

571. Oh conch! Other creatures of the ocean remain unknown. Yet, you command respect of all because you alone have tasted the Lord’s lips!

572. Oh conch! You don’t have to go through the hassle of travelling to far off destinations to bathe in holy waters. You are already in the hands of the Lord who has eyes like lotus buds. All that you need to do is to kiss the lips of the Lord who felled the Maruda trees!

573. Oh best among conchs! Like the swan that tastes the nectar on the lotus bud, you have climbed the hands of the dark colored Lord who has eyes like red buds. You are truly famous!

574. Oh Panchajanya! You taste the lips of the Lord who has measured the three worlds. You even slumber in the palm of the lord who is colored blue like the ocean. You are inviting the jealousy of all the girls because of this! Why are you tormenting these poor girls?

575. When 16,000 girls are eagerly waiting, nonchalantly, you kiss the lips of the Lord. Will this not invite trouble for you from all these girls? (Narakasura kidnaps 16000 girls and imprisons them. When Krishna slays Narakasura and rescues these girls, they refuse to return to their respective families and instead insist that Krishna marry them. Krishna obliges!)

576. These ten verses describing the relationship between Panchajanya & Padmanabha are composed by Periyalwar’s daughter – Godhai (Andal) who resides in Srivillipputur. Those who recite these verses will unite with the Lord

577. Oh clouds spread like blue colored flowers across the sky! Is the Lord of Venkata Hills, where water flows crystal clear, with you? Does it suit him to make a girl cry so much that tears flow down her chest?

578. Oh clouds who shower rain drops that look like pearls & precious stones! Is there any news of the blue colored Lord? I have succumbed to the fires of desire. I wait anxiously for the evening breeze to cool me. What can I do?

579. Oh clouds that bless all! My body has lost it’s lustre. Can you soothe me by singing of Govinda who resides by the cooling waters of the Tirumala hills?

580. Oh clouds who cause flashes of lightning! Tell the Lord who carries Lakshmi in his heart that my chest longs to embrace him. (The Lord of Tirumala is called as Srinivasa as Lakshmi, also known as Sri, resides in him!)

581. Oh clouds that drench the flowers of Tirumala with rain showers! You soar far above the skies. Ask the one who slew Hiranya with his bare hands whether he intends to return my bangles or not!

582. Oh clouds who cool the skies above! You shower on the Tirumala hill where the one who measured the three worlds resides (Vamana). Like pests in the Wood Apple, tell Narayana that my love for him is tormenting my body!

583. Oh clouds who cool the hill where the Lord who churned the ocean resides! Please carry a petition to the Lord who has beautiful eyes and flower-like feet. Tell him that the only way for me to survive is if he tightly embraces me and smears Kumkum all over my chest just once!

584. Oh clouds who grace Tirumala with your presence during the rainy season! I fall to the ground like withered leaves. Does the Lord who emerged victorious in battle (Rama) have any word for me?

585. Oh clouds who rise above like gigantic elephants in Tirumala! What’s the message from the Lord who slumbers on the serpent bed? Does he not remember that a young girl thinking of him all the time may end her life soon? (Andal is slowly getting angry!)

586. Those who recite these verses describing the love of Periyalwar’s daughter – Godhai (Andal) for the Lord of Tirumala, who slumbers on the serpent bed, will forever become devotees of the Lord.

Clouds help couples in love. In Kalidasa’s Meghadoota, clouds carry a message (in Sanskrit) of love & longing from a Yaksha to his wife while in Andal’s Naachiyaar Thirumozhi, clouds carry a message (in Tamil) from Andal to the Lord. These clouds carrying beautiful verses of Kalidasa and Andal transcend geographic as well as linguistic boundaries.

587. Thirumaal Iruncholai (Azhagar Koil) is filled with red colored insects as though carpeted in Sindhoor! Who can avoid falling in love with the broad shouldered Lord who churned the ocean and is wedded to Shri (Lakshmi)?

588. In Thirumaal Iruncholai, even ferocious elephants frolic and play. The flowers and creepers in Thirumaal Iruncholai seem to laugh at me. Oh girl, it is unbearable for me who desired the garland in the Lord’s shoulders!

589. Oh dark colored flowers! You remind me of the dark colored Lord! Tell me a way to survive as I wallow in his memory! The Lord who sports with Shri in Azhagar Koil has broken into my house and has stolen my bangles. Tell me, is this fair?

590. Oh Koels, Oh Peacocks! Oh Karu Vilam Flowers (Butterfly Pea), Oh Kaya Flowers (Ironwood tree), Oh Black Plum fruits! The five of you are the villains of Thirumaal Iruncholai. What do you get by reminding me of the Lord’s dark colored body?

591. The groves of Thirumaal Iruncholai have tall trees with flowers on which bees hum reminding me of the the Lord’s lotus shaped eye buds and his dark rain cloud colored body! Oh Lotus flowers! Pray show me the way!

592. In the fragrant groves of Thirumaal Iruncholai, I have brought hundred pots of butter for the Lord. I have brought hundred pots of Akkaara Vadisal. Will Azhagar accept them? (Akkaara Vadisal is a traditional Iyengar preparation that resembles Sakkarai Pongal!)

593. If the Lord accepts the humble offering that I have prepared today and enters my heart, I will make hundred thousand time more offerings to please him!

594. The sparrows have woken up at sun rise and speak the language of the Lord of Thirumaal Iruncholai, the master of Dwaraka and the one who slumbers on the Banyan Leaf. They herald his arrival. I hope it comes true!

595. In Thirumaal Iruncholai which is filled with Kongu Flowers, I stand like a garland of withering flowers, waiting for the Lord who blows the conch and wields the Saranga bow. When will he come?

596. Those who recite this garland of verses composed by Godhai (Andal) describing the beauty of the handsome one who resides in Thirumaal Iruncholai – where Sandalwood fragrance mixes with the waters of the Silambaar river, will forever find refuge in the feet of Thiru Maal.

597. Oh dark colored flowers! Where is the ocean hued Lord who sent you thus to injure me? To whom can I go to get justice? When will I get the garland that I most desire?

598. Oh dark colored flowers blossoming high above the ground! Instead of wallowing in this earth, will you not take me to worlds above, to the world of the one who has mastered the Vedas so that the discus on his hand can dazzle me with it’s flames?

599. Oh creeper! You are trying to take my life with your juicy succulent fruits. They resemble the lips of my Lord. I have become shameless in the love of my Lord! Just like the snake on which he slumbers, the Lord also has a forked tongue! (He is a fluent liar!)

600. Oh majestic looking Jasmine flower! Don’t torment me by resembling the angelic smile of my Lord. I seek refuge in you. If the word of the Lord who drove away Surpanakha turns false, then even my birth as Periyalwar’s daughter is false!

601. Oh Koel bird! Why are you singing now? Only when the Lord of the Venkata hills deigns to answer me, then you can come here to sing! When the Lord who flies the flag of Garuda embraces with love, I myself will invite you to come here and sing!

602. Oh Peacocks! You resemble Krishna himself. I worship your feet that dance so well! It is by the grace of the Lord who slumbers on the snake, that I have the fortune of falling at your feet.

603. Oh Peacocks who fan your feathers so beautifully! Govindan has looted everything from me. I have nothing to give you in return for your beautiful dance! Is it then proper for you to torment me?

604. Oh rain bearing clouds! Like wax melting within a coating of mud, the Lord melts the soul within my body by his embrace. Why don’t you shower rains after uniting me with the Lord of Venkata hills?

605. Oh ocean! The Lord who infused amrut in you when he churned your waters has infused into my soul too! Will you go and tell his serpent (Adi Sesha) about my turmoil?

606. My dear friend! What can we lesser mortals do to seek the attention of the Lord who slumbers on the serpent bed? When my father Vishnuchittar of Srivilliputtur honors the Lord and duly invites him home (to take my hand), only then can I worship him!

607. Bejeweled ladies, Aren’t the bangles on my hands as dear to me as the conch that he holds in his hands? Oh Mother, Ranga who reclines in the serpent bed is not even looking at my face!

608. Oh elegant ladies, the Lord who manifested in Srirangam, who holds a flute as sweet as his lips, from whose navel grows a lotus and who is my beautiful bridegroom, is wearing my bangles as his anklets. Alas!

609. The Lord who reclines in Srirangam, rules this world surrounded by seas, making this world as good as the heavens above. Are my bangles helping him do his job?

610. Not satisfied with the alms that he got as Vamana, will the Lord of the beautiful mansions of Srirangam come to my house begging for my bangles?

611. Not satisfied with the alms he got in his beautiful hands from Mahabali, the Lord who reclines in his serpent bed in Srirangam, where good hearted people reside, intends to loot everything from us poor souls.

612. The lord who embodies the four Vedas manifests in everything in Srirangam, by the banks of the river Cauvery. Not content with what he has looted with his hands, he now desires to loot my body!

613. The Lord of Srirangam which is filled with houses protected by high walls once went without food and water when he was parted from Sita. He built a bridge over the sea that separated him from her. In his pride, he has perhaps forgotten that! (Andal expects the same treatment from Ranganatha!)

614. Taking the body of a dirty boar (as Varaha), the wealthy Lord of Srirangam, rescued Bhumi Devi from the netherworlds. Who knows what words he spoke to her as he carried her?

615. Sisupala was so sure that he would be wedding Rukmini. However, the Lord of Srirangam snatched Rukmini from the clutches of Sisupala!

616. My father Vishnuchithar (Periyalwar) has heard Ranganatha speak. He has said that the Lord loves those who love him. What will happen if this is not true?

617. In my love for Madhava, I remain resolute and your words of advice are wasted on me as I can neither hear nor speak anything more. Do me a favor. Lead me to Mathura where lives the Lord who left his birth mother Devaki to grow up with his foster mother Yashoda and where the Lord jumped into the wrestling arena even before the champion wrestlers arrived.

618. There is no point in being shy. Everyone knows about my predicament. Without any further delay lead me to where the Ayar clan (Yadavas) live so that I am cured of my ailment.

619. Though I have parents, relations and friends, I am now accused by my clan of leaving them all in search of the Lord. What to do? He is enticing me with his beauty! Do me a favour. Take me this very night to the house of Nandagopa who is the father of that mischievous one!

620. My chest is filled with love for the Lord who holds the conch. I have tied it tightly with a red cloth and it will enter the home of no one else other than Kanna. Leave me in the banks of Yamuna so that I can end my life!

621. Oh ladies! No one can even guess the extent of pain that my ailment is causing me. Leave me by the river where Krishna dances on the hood of the Kaliya snake. I will be cured only if Krishna caresses me with his gentle hands.

622. The flowers that blossom in the rains, the Karuvilai (Butterfly Pea flower), the Kaya (Ironwood flower) and the Lotus are asking me to go to Krishna’s side. Lead me to Bhaktavilochana where the Lord is waiting hungry & thirsty after grazing the cattle. (Bhaktavilochana doesn’t seem to be a geographical location. Vilochana means ‘seeing’. Bhaktavilochana probably means where the Lord sees his devotees.)

623. The tan of my skin, my loss of appetite, my parched tongue, my addled brain and the danger to my femininity will all go away in a trice if the dark colored Lord approaches me with a garland. Take me to the banyan tree under which Balarama felled Pralamba asura.

624. You will hear angry words from me if you speak disparagingly of the Lord who grazes cattle, who roams around in the forest and who got caught stealing butter. Take me this instant to the Govardhana Mountain that the Lord lifted with his little finger.

625. Even the parrot that I have at home chants the name of the Lord – ‘Govinda! Govinda! Govinda!’ If I forget to feed it in time, it calls for the Lord who measured the three worlds to come to its rescue. (My parrot is just like me!) If you want to avoid being shamed by me, take me immediately to Dwaraka.

626. Those who recite this garland of verses composed by densely coiffured Godhai (Andal), the daughter of Vishnuchittar (Periyalwar) where she boldly asks her friends to take her to Dwaraka, Mathura and other holy places, will forever find place in Vaikuntam.

627. Like putting tamarind on an open wound (it hurts!) you ladies gossip about the love that I have for the dark colored Lord. That Lord has no idea what a girl goes through. Do me a favor. Throw at me the cloth that Krishna uses to cover himself.

628. Your words mocking me for loving the Lord who resides in the ocean of milk, hurt like a spear piercing my skin! Avoid doing this and instead bring to me the Thulasi garland worn by the cowherd who slumbers in Kudanthai (Kudanthai is the present day – Kumbakonam. Andal probably refers to the Sarangapani temple in Kumbakonam.)

629. The Lord who felled Kansa pierces my heart with the fiery arrows of love launched by his bow shaped eye-brows. That Lord says not a single word to console me! If you truly want to avoid deceiving me, get hold of his Thulasi garland so that I can wear it cool myself!

630. Who is there to console me for falling in love with the one who like a thief, steals the hearts of all those lasses in the cow-herd clan? Obtain for me the nectar that oozes in his mouth!

631. Whether I beg or cry, he doesn’t appear in front of me! He utters not a single word to reassure me. Yet, he hugs me tight and doesn’t let me go! Freshen up my face by splashing the waters from the grove where Kanna plays the flute melodiously.

632. In this world where traditions are breaking, I stand forlorn after having been forsaken by the one who is famous as Nandagopan’s son. He has mercilessly deceived me. To save my life, bring me the dust from the Lord’s feet!

633. Yashoda has poorly brought up her son who has Garuda on his flag. (Andal gives performance feedback on her future Mother-in-law!) Bind my breast tightly to the Lord’s chest that is as broad as the branches of the Karpaga tree.

634. If it turns out that I will never unite with the Lord who is indifferent to my plight and who relentlessly plays with feelings of ladies, my rage will subside only if I fling my innocent breast on him!

635. What is the benefit in leading a life where this innocent breast of mine is never to unite with the Lord? It will be good if the Lord takes me to his chest. Let him look at my face and tell me that he doesn’t need me! (Andal believes any answer is better than no answer!)

636. Those who recite these verses praising Andal’s love for Krishna, will never drown in the ocean of sorrows.

637. (Andal asks) Have you seen the younger brother of Baladeva – Kanna straying here and there like a dark colored bull? (Her friend replies) We saw a cowherd frolicking in the water with his herd of cows & calves in Brindavan.

638. (Andal asks) Have you seen the Lord who attracts all, smells always of stolen butter and who lifts the Govardhana mountain to protect his herd of cows & calves? (Her friend replies) Like thunder gathering with lightning, we have seen the Lord wearing a flawless garland on his chest, with his friends, in Brindavan.

639. (Andal asks) Have you seen Tirumaal born as a baby, dressed like a bride-groom and who tells lies fluently? (Her friend replies) We have seen the Lord who is shielded from the hot sun by Garuda, in Brindavan.

640. (Andal asks) Have you seen the Lord whose eyes are like the lotus buds cooled from the chill waters of the dark rain bearing clouds and who has drawn me to him in love? (Her friend replies) We have seen the Lord who looks like an elephant cub on which sweat drops glisten like pearls in an oyster, in Brindavan.

641. (Andal asks) Have you seen the Lord who looks like a boar that has escaped from the forest which defends itself ferociously? (Her friend replies) We have seen the Lord who looks like a decorated temple elephant that strolls through the streets in Brindavan.

642. (Andal asks) Have you seen the Lord who plays the mischief without knowing anything about mercy and who doesn’t deserve those beautiful eye-brows shaped like the Saranga bow? (Her friend replies) We have seen the dark colored Lord whose body shines like the first rays of the sun falling on the earth, in Brindavan.

643. (Andal asks) Have you seen the dark colored Lord whose body is as black as his mind, who is peerless in making his dear ones suffer and who completely disappoints me? (Her friend replies) We have seen the Lord and his friends, who look like a constellation of stars, in Brindavan.

644. (Andal asks) Have you seen the Lord who holds the white conch, who wears the yellow colored garment, who holds the discus and who is Tirumaal himself? (Her friend replies) We have seen the Lord who is broad shouldered, who wears a fragrant garland on which bees buzz intoxicated by honey, in Brindavan.

645. (Andal asks) Have you seen the flawless one who made a banyan leaf as his home and who created Brahma, Indra and other Devas? (Her friend replies) We saw the Lord who hunted down Bakasura and Denukasura in Brindavan.

646. Periyalwar’s daughter Godhai (Andal) has composed these verses on the Lord of Brindavan who rescued Gajendra. Those who recite these verses will never part from the feet of the Lord.