Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

Amman makes a once a year trip to Coloroon on Thai Poosam to collect gifts from Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam

Jambukeswarar of Thiruvanaikaval also sends her gifts during the Chariot Festival

Located 15kms North of Srirangam Ranganatha Temple on the Trichy – Madras NH is the Mariamman temple in Samayapuram, a temple whose legend dates back to the period of Vikramaditya. He undertook penance in this Neem Forest and had darshan of kali. It was then that Ambal appeared here as a swayambu idol

Samayapuram is said to be the headquarters of Amman temples.

Amman’s Grand Posture

Mariamman is seen in a Grand, Majestic sitting posture with the Serpent Lord providing her cover over her head. Mariamman is seen with 8 hands, a special feature at this temple and holds all the weapons that Lord Shiva normally possesses.  After destroying the evil forces, she adorned herself with the garland. Her left leg is seen folded with her right leg placed down on the ground in a posture of killing three Asuras. 

In ancient times, amman was seen with wild teeth. However, in one of the Kumbabishekam during the last century this was changed to normal teeth featuring her as a ‘Shantha Swaroopi’ and with a beautiful smiling face.

Gifts from Shiva and Vishnu

Shiva, Vishnu and Brahmma are believed to have invoked the blessings of Mariamman of Samayapuram. To this day, in memory of this legend, she receives gifts on the day of the Chariot Festival from the Jambukeswarar temple in Thiruvanaikaval. Only after receiving the gifts, does she alight from the Chariot and head back to her sanctum.

Similarly on Thai Poosam day, Amman makes an early morning trip to the Coloroon and stays in the Coloroon in the night and returns the next day only after collecting gifts from her family - Srirangam Lord.

When Devaki and Yashoda’s children interchanged and the girl child went with Devaki to Jail, Kamsa tried to kill her thinking it was Devaki’s child. It was there that she displayed her full weaponry with bow/arrow, conch/chakra, soolam, knife, bell, skull and a drum.

Amman changes Form!!!

In the middle of the last century, Tamil cinema actors funded the Poochoodal festival. Dhadhyonam was presented to several thousands of devotees who came in from villages across the state. During the Poochoodal festival, one can see the Mariamman in bo and see the slim and plump forms. During those 28 days true devotees are able to visualise her change from slim to plump form. This was seen as an aakrosham period for her and she is anointed with only Uthiri flowers and not garlands.

Historical Temple

With Kannanur as their capital, the Hoysalas under Veesomavaran built this village and named it as Vikramapuram.  He also built Bhojeswaram, a Shiva temple near Samayapuram. His son Veera Ramanathan’s rule was a golden period for Samayapuram with grand festivals being conducted and several improvements being seen at the temple. Later Vijayanagar rulers too contributed to the development of the temple. 

The utsava deity of mariramman was one for whom pooja was performed by Vijayanagara kings. Once when the Utsava idol was placed here after a tiring trip, to their utter dismay, they found that they could not lift the idol. Later Vijaya Ranga Chokka Nathar (known for the famous event on Kaisika Dwadasi morning) picked up the idol and installed it at Kannanur and then constructed the temple in its current form and structure with three prakaras.

In centuries gone by, it was the noise of the bullock carts that brought Archakas to the temple!!!

Samayapuram Mariamman is believed to be a powerful goddess providing solutions to all the problems of devotees who offer their sincere prayers to her at the temple.

Five Sacred Theerthams

There are several sacred temple tanks associated with this temple. Sakthi Theertham in the South where devotees take bath prior to Anga Pradakshanam, Mayamayi Theertham in the North West was constructed by Vijayanagar kings. Theppotsavam takes place here in Chitrai. This tank is connected to the Peruvalai canal, a tributary of Cauvery. There is inflow and outflow through this canal.

Sakthi Theertham (Aadi Pooram Theerthavari and Aadi 18 festival)

Mahamaayi Theertham (Grand Float Festival on Thai Poosam day and in Chitrai)

Sarveswaran Theertham ( Maha Magam Theertham)

Jatayu Theertham ( created to help Jatayu stay alive till he passed on the information about Ravana to the son of his friend Dasaratha) and

Ganga Theertham (created by Vikramaditya after he invoked the blessings of Goddess Kali).

Festivals

Thai Poosam 10 day festival

Maasi Poochoodal Festival on last Sunday

Brahmotsavam Chariot Festival in Panguni

The temple is open between 530am and 9pm without a break. Contact: 99762 77029

Thiruvarur Thyagaraja Temple

Foremost and Largest among Saivite Temples
Praised by all Four Great Saint Poets

Food for the Needy, Justice for the People, Special Initiatives for Cultivation for the Harvest Season were highlights of Vikrama Chozha's contribution to Thiruvarur

Dance Arangetram took place every year in Chitrai and Certificates were awarded personally by the Chozha King at the Mandapa inside the temple

The Birth place of Somaskandar and the foremost among the temples praised by Saivite Saint Poets, the Thyagaraja temple in the heart of Thiruvarur is the largest Saivite temple in Tamil Nadu with 9 huge Gopurams, 5 Prakaras 108 Lingams and 54 Vimanas.  The temple tank and the temple chariot are both huge and special features at the temple. The temple represents Sand among the Pancha Bhootha Sthalams.

It was here at this temple that the famous Saint Poet Sundarar got his right eye (He got his left eye at Kanchipuram). It was also here that Lord Shiva walked for Sundarar (The only other temple where a similar event happened was at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple).

There are several inscriptions dating back over a 1000 years on the walls of the inner and outer prakaras.  Just under a 1000 years ago, there were 56 festivals celebrated every year in a grand manner during the rule of the Chozhas. Vasantha Utsavam is celebrated now in a grand manner in memory of the legend relating to Manmatha, the God of Love.

Thyagaraja’s idol

Lord Vishnu took the idol back to Parkadal and held him in his chest and performed pooja even while in his yogic state. Once when an asura continuously troubled the Devas, Indra sought Vishnu’s help in Parkadal. Vishnu handed him the idol of Thyagaraja and asked him to perform pooja to this idol to help him in his battle with the asuras. With this, the troubles for Indra went away.

Later when another asura troubled him, Vishnu informed Indra to seek the help of Chozha King Musukuntha as the asura had obtained the boon of being killed only by humans and that the king.  Musukuntha was also a great Saivite Devotee.

Indra had kept the idol in a big temple in the Indra Loga. Thanks to the King’s help, the asura was trounced. A delighted Indra took Musukunta to his abode. There when Musukuntha found the idol of Thyagaraja, an invisible voice directed him to take the idol to Thiruvarur.

After having taken him around, Indra offered a boon to the king for helping him win. The king asked for the idol leaving Indra stunned. That night, Indra asked sculptor Vishwakarma to make 6 similar idols. The next day, Indra offered the king any of the 6 idols hoping that the king would not be able to distinguish the real one and would take one of the 6 that were created the previous night.

Thanks to his true devotion, as he stood in front of the original idol, Musukuntha Chozha sensed that this was the original one. Delighted with the sincerity of the king’s devotion to Lord Shiva, Indra handed him all the 7 idols. Musukuntha made his way to Thiruvarur in a Chariot procession and celebrated with a grand festival.

Saptha Vidanga Kshetram

He took the other 6 idols and installed it at Thiru Kolili, Thiru Kaaraayil, Thiru Maraikkadu, Thiru Vaaimoor, Thiru Nallaru and Thiru Nagai. These 7 are referred to as Saptha Vidanga Kshetram.

Thiru Navukarasar in his Devaram song states that Musukuntha stayed in Thiru Nallur (near Papanasam) and then passed through Patteeswaram, Manakkal, Thalichathangudi before arriving in Thiruvarur where he built the temple and installed the idol of Thyagaraja (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2015/04/thiru-nallur-sundareswarar-temple.html).

At the entrance to the Thyagaraja Sannidhi, there is a beautiful sculpture of Musukuntha Chozha in memory of this event. There is also a sculpture of Indra.

The Lord’s dance is special here at Thiruvarur and presents the true philosophical meaning of each of his steps.  18 musical instruments are used to praise Lord Thyagaraja at different pooja times ( earlier it used to be 21)

The story of Musukuntha

Once while Shiva and Parvati were resting in the groves of Kailasam, a male monkey kept throwing Vilva leaves on them. This irritated Parvati who was about to curse the monkey when Shiva intervened. He reminded her that it was Shivarathri that day and the monkey had indeed performed a divine deed by placing Vilva leaves on them. Thus, a likely curse turned into a blessing and the two. Pleased with this, the male monkey requested that he be born with a monkey face in memory of his previous birth. Also, he asked if he could be born as a great devotee of Lord Shiva.  This was Musukuntha Chozha who ruled the Chozha kingdom with Karuvurai as his capital.

Manmatha’s Birth

It was here that Goddess Lakshmi undertook penance invoking the blessings of Lord Shiva. The severity of the penance is seen from the fact of standing on water and on hot sand in the summer. Pleased with the penance, Shiva, Devi and their son appeared before Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and blessed them with a child. However, Uma Devi was upset that Vishnu had ignored her presence and cursed that the new born will also see death from the same person (Lord Shiva) who blessed his birth.

A saddened Vishnu asked sculptor Viswakarma to create an idol similar to the one who appeared before him. This was Somaskanda and he offered his prayer to this idol. The three of them appeared again and a pleased Uma Devi said that while the curse will have to be fulfilled, she will bring him back again and will make him the leader of the army. He was to be the God of Love.

Vasantha Utsavam is one of the most special festivals at the Thiruvarur temple. Manmatha who knitted flowers for the Lord had grown arrogant and was reduced to ashes by Lord Shiva’s eyes as per the earlier curse of Uma Devi. Rathi invoked the blessings of Uma Devi who then provided Rathi with an exclusive darshan of Manmatha (for her alone).  Delighted at this, the two celebrated by creating a festival for Lord Thyagaraja in Panguni invoking his blessings. In his memory is celebrated the Vasantha Utsavam.

Lord’s right foot – 2 days a year

Two days in a year, the right foot of the Lord can be seen – on Panguni Uthiram and Margazhi Thiruvathirai. On these days, Uma Devi’s left foot can be seen. At Chidambaram, on Margazhi Thiruvathirai, the Lord’s left foot can be seen.

Chitrai Prayers and the reward

In the 2^nd prakara is the sannidhi for Aada Kechchuvram. Vishnu, Brahmma and Indra invoked the blessing of this Lord. Belief is that those who offer their sincere prayers to this Lord on Chitrai Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi will be blessed to attain the status equivalent to Indra.

All four great Saivite Saint Poets have sung praise of the Lord at this temple. This is also the temple with the highest amount of praise from the saint poets along with Chidambaram, Sirkazhi and Madurai.

Inscriptions

Sembian Devi built the temple in its current form and structure converting it to stone construction. She donated generously for the daily pooja and rituals handing silver vessels to the temple.

During the Raja Raja I, a special palanquin was made for the street procession of Lord, for which money was granted from the temple coffers.

Grand Celebrations in Aipasi Sathayam and Aadi Thiruvathirai were introduced. There was a temple assembly  that met regularly at the mandapa to discuss the activities of the temple.

There were 56 grand festivals each year during the rule of Kulothungo I.

Vikrama Chozha and Thiruvarur

During the rule of Parakesari (Vikrama) Chozha, a mandapa was created at the temple where in food was distributed to the needy and to the travelling devotees.

Vikrama Chozha also stood in front of the ‘Mandapa for Justice’ that was erected at the temple from with God as Witness, cases were heard and Justice provided to people.

Also it was during his rule that dance arangetram was initiated in the month of Chitrai every year for young talented dancers at the Devasiriyin mandapa and he awarded them a certificate as proof of the event.

Inscriptions at the Eastern entrance provide insights into the appointment of temple staff during his rule.

Also, during this period, the respected and senior residents of Thiruvarur congregated and made donations for ghee  that was to be used to light the lamp for the Lord every day.

Even though he ruled from Gangai Konda Cholapuram, he had special liking for the Lord of Thiruvarur and organised special grants for the people of Thiruvarur. A couple among these were granting of lands for the people and construction of lakes for cultivation purposes ahead of the harvest season - which were well appreciated by the people of Thiruvarur. 

The Names

In centuries gone by, the temple has been referred to as Aadaga Kshetram, Kamala Puram, Vanmeega Puram, Muchu Kunda Puram, Andar Gadheswara Puram, Sri Puram, Inder Maageswara Puram and Skanda Puram among many other names.

One finds Nava Durga inside the temple.

Festivals

Grand Panguni Utsavam

Aruthra Utsavam – Lord’s legs can be seen on that day.

Chariot Festival in Panguni

Vasantha Utsavam

Quick Facts

Moolavar          : Vanmeegar

Ambal:              Soma Kulambai / Kamala Ambal / Nilothpalaambigai

Utsavar            : Thyagaraja

Time                 : 6am-12noon and 430pm-9pm

Contact             : Somaskanda Gurukal @ 99659 57725 or 04366 244484 /

                           Ravichandran Gurukal @ 94439 72209

Andal missing her beloved

Andal shares her grief with the Flowers, Koels, Peacocks, Rain and the Ocean

Like her father’s praise in the Periyazhvar Thirumozhi of the different flowers adorned by the Lord, Andal too praises the flowers. But she addresses them with sorrow. Through the verses, she follows the praise of the flowers with an expression of disappointment at not being able to meet with her beloved.

Starting off with the Dark Kodal flowers that she compares with her dark hued Lord, she continuously makes enquiries about her Lord. She wants the Kantal flowers to take her to the Lord. Else she will be left alone in the company of the dead and consigned to the place where He is not remembered!!!!

மேல் தோன்றிய பூக்காள் மேலுலகங்களின் மீது போய்

மேல் தோன்றும் சோதி வேதமுதல்வர் வலங்கையில்

மேல்  தோன்றும் ஆழியின் வெஞ்சுடர் போலச் சுடாது எம்மை

மாற்றொலைபட்டவர் கூட்டத்து வைத்துக் கொள்கிற்றிரே

TWO TONGUED!!!

She compares the Kovai flowers and the red berries to the red lips of her Lord. She says that she feels dreaded of the Lord’s red lips and of the shame that she has shed!!! She complains that  since the time of her birth, her Lord seems to have become two tongued referring to him not reaching out to her despite promising to take care of the sincere prayers of the devotees.

கோவை மணாட்டி  நீ உன் கொழந்க்கனி கொண்டு எம்மை

ஆவி தொலைவியேல் வாயழகர் தம்மை அஞ்சுதும்

பாவியேன் தோன்றி பாம்பணை யார்க்கும் தம் பாம்பு போல்

நாவு மிரண்டுள வாய்த்து நாணிலியேனுக்கே

The Mullai flowers she says are ones with a beautiful white smile. She tells them that if his promises are not being fulfilled and turning out to be false, then even her birth in this world may be considered a fictitious one ‘I too was never born in this world’!!!!

சொல்லும் பொய்யானால் நானும் பிறந்தமை பொய்யன்றே

Positive with the Koels

With the koels, she turns a little positive. While she currently finds their songs dull and gloomy given her mind set, she promises them that if the Lord comes back to her on his Garuda Vahana, the two of them can sit at this same place and sing happy soul stirring songs.

ஆடும் கருளக் கொடியுடையார் வந்து அருள் செய்து

கூடுவராயிடில் கூவிநும் பாட்டுக்கள் கேட்டுமே

I am a Pauper now without the Lord

Addressing the Peacocks she praises them as beautiful dancers with appealing feathers and finds their steps to be quite graceful. While she is in such tearful state missing him, he is happily reclining and relaxing on the Serpent hood. Further appreciating their dance, she says she has nothing to offer them for their beautiful performance as the Lord has looted everything from her and left her a pauper. And then she provides a beautiful comparison of her current state.

குடமாடு கூத்தன் கோவிந்தன் கோமிறை செய்து எம்மை

உடைமாடு கொண்டான் உங்களுக்கு இனியொன்று போதுமே

MELTED (IN LOVE) LIKE A WAX

She has become empty just like a metal caster casing his model with clay and melting out the wax inside. Her beloved has melted her life by entering her mind and heart and she is feeling like a wax inside an earthen mould.

Addressing the dark rain cloud, she asks if she will pour all over her and cast the Lord’s image in her heart for ever.

மழையே மழையே மண் புறம் பூசி உள்ளாய் நின்று

மெழுகூற்றினாற் போலூற்று நல் வேங்கடுதுள் நின்ற

அழகர் பிரான் தம்மை யென்னெஞ்சத் தகப்பட

தழுவி நின்று என்னை ததைத்துக் கொண்டு ஊற்றவும்  வல்லையே

She then turns her attention to the ocean and explains that the Lord has taken over her completely similar to how he churned the ocean and took out the nectar. She wants the ocean to communicate her love and her current state of life of sorrow to the Lord as he is her only solace in life.

உடலுள் புகுந்து நின்று ஊறலறுக்கின்ற மாயற்கு

என் நடலைகளெல்லாம் நாகணைக்கே சென்றுரைத்தியே   

Andal Maliruncholai

An angry Andal lashes out at the five Sinners of Thiru Maliruncholai!!!!

Lures the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai with 100 pots of butter and sweet morsel if he accepts her love

In memory of Andal’s promise, on the 27^th day of Margazhi, 100 pots of Akkarai Vadisil is spread out and offered by Andal to Lord Sundararaja Perumal at Azhagar Koil 

Both Andal and Periyazhvar had special devotion to and closeness with the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai. In the ninth decad of Nachiyar Thirumozhi, Andal praises the garden of Thiru Maliruncholai, presenting the scenario there during her days of waiting patiently for the Lord to arrive.

It is a joyful mood all around in the huge groves. Red insects fly everywhere. Elephants are playing happily with each other. Mullai creepers and Pata flowers are enjoying a fully bloomed state.

But she bemoans the fact that her desire for her Tulasi garland has left her in this unbearable state while insects and animals and even flowers are enjoying thus in the groves of Thiru Maliruncholai.

The dark Karuvilai flowers bring her memories of the dark Lord. And for the third time in Nachiyar Thirumozhi, Andal once again brings the point of her beloved taking away her bangles.

திருவிளையாடு திண்தோள் திருமாலிருன்சோலை நம்பி

வரிவளையில் புகுந்து வந்தி பற்றும் வழக்குளதே

The 5 Sinners of Maliruncholai!!!!

She refers to the singing Cuckoos, dancing Peacocks, the beautiful Karuvilai, the fresh Kala Fruits and the multi-coloured Kaya Flowers as the 5 sinners of Thiru Maliruncholai for they are enjoying life there in all happiness while she is in a troubled state waiting restlessly for her Lord.

பைம்பொழில் வாழ் குயில்காள் மயில்காள் ஒண் கருவிளைகாள்

வம்பக் களங்கனிகாள் வண்ணப் பூவை நறுமலர்காள்

ஐம்பெரும் பாதகர்காள்

அணி மாலிருஞ்சோலை நின்ற எம்பெருமானுடைய நிறம்

உங்களுக்கு என் செய்வதே

Lakes were deep with Red Lotuses found in large numbers reminder her of the Lord’s Lotus eyes. Dark Beetles that were sitting in big numbers in the tall groves reminded her of the Dark Lord. She is unable to bear these reminders and is missing him badly.

Thiru Maliruncholai was abound with Kongu trees but unfortunately like the drooping strings of Konrai flowers, Andal's hopes too are fading and she wonders if she will ever again hear the twang of the Saranga bow and the conch.

100s of 1000 of Pots

She promises 100 pots of fresh butter that same day and 100 pots of morsel cooked in milk and special ghee and will fill it to the brim. Will he accept these and unite with her.

And then excited at the prospect of being with him, she lures him with more. If he accepts to come immediately and consume the butter, she promises to offer him one hundred 1000 times more of these and also promises to serve all of these to her beloved with her own hands

நாறு நறும் பொழில் மாலிருஞ்சோலை நம்பிக்கு நான்

நூறு தடாவில் வெண்ணெய் வாய் நேர்ந்து பராவி வைத்தேன்

நூறு தடா நிறைந்த அக்கார வடிசில் சொன்னேன்

ஏறு திருவுடையான் இன்று வந்து இவை கொள்ளுங்கொலோ

As has been her state in recent times, she wonders if the Lord would come and meet with her for he is enjoying his own fragrant state in the huge groves of Thiru Maliruncholai. Will he find time to reside in her lonely heart?

Early Morning Signals

And then as she wakes up the next morning, she is enlightened with some positive coos. The black birds sung tunes of the Lord of mountain groves, the king of dwaraka and the Lord who slept on fig leaf during the deluge. Was this an indication of the things to follow, she wondered in happiness, for birds are believed to foretell a likely event. And this sent positive vibes in Andal and renewed her hopes of uniting with the Lord.

காலை எழுந்திருந்து கரிய குருவிக் கணங்கள்

மாலின் வரவு சொல்லி மருள் பாடுதல் மெய்ம்மை கொலோ

Andal Megha Sandhesham

Taking her message to the Lord through the Clouds

First it was the Cuckoo, then the Conch and Now its the Beautiful Dark Clouds

Having earlier addressed the Cuckoo seeking help to attain her beloved and then praising the special position of the Conch and making enquiries with him about the Lord, Andal now engages with the cloud. Through the Nachiyar Thirumozhi verses, Andal showcases the different modes of communication adopted in those days to reach the Lord.

She enquires if the Lord accompanies the dark cloud that spreads the entire sky like a canopy. With her breasts swollen out of anxiety she poses a question to the clouds if the Lord finds pleasure in destroying a lady’s beautiful personality. While the dark clouds are bringing in streams of water at Venkatam, tears of sorrow are rolling down her cheeks one to her bosom. She asks if seeing his beloved in such a sorrowful state will bring him any fame!!!

விண்ணீல மேலாப்பு விரித்தார் போல் மேகங்கள்

தெண்ணீர் பாய் வேங்கடத்து என் திருமாலும் போந்தானே

கண்ணீர்கள் முலைக் குவட்டில் துளி சோரச் சோர்வேனை

பெண்ணீர்மை யீடழிக்கும் இது தமக்கு ஓர் பெருமையே

Cool Breeze of the night impacting her

Praising the clouds as raining precious pearls, she enquires on the latest news about her beloved and his well being. She is waiting for the cool breeze of the night to come and give her some comfort. And then the fever of love has beseeched her entire body and through the night the cool breeze is adding to the vigour of the flame that has been lit by the oil. However, she stands waiting for him unmindful of this torrid chilly state looking for solace in him.

Losing her physical features

Andal provides insights into how women can lose their personality as a result of the unresponsive attitude of their beloved.

She has been missing the Lord so much that she informs the clouds that she has lost her lustre, colour, bangles, senses and ever her sleep. Her longing for the Lord and the absence of communication from him have all of a sudden taken away her beautiful personality. The grief caused by the Lord has resulted in a lot of her physical assets deserting her one by one.

Her special features in her body, bangles, bracelets and her peace have all gone. She asks the clouds if she can hold on to her soul singing his praise for a little while longer and if the clouds will share her current state with the Lord and help them unite.

She wants to know from the beautiful rain bearing clouds as to how much longer will she have to keep up her high flying spirits that seem to be slowly fading.

ஒளிவண்ணம் வளைசிந்தை உறக்கத்தோடு இவை யெல்லாம்

எளிமையால் இட்டு என்னை ஈடழியப் போயினவால்

குளிரருவி வேங்கடத்து என் கோவிந்தன் குணம் பாடி

அளியாத்த மேகங்காள் ஆவி காத்திருப்பேனே

Praising her beloved as one whose chest is resplendent with the presence of Sri, Andal directs the clouds to inform her Lord that her breasts are waiting for his embrace.

Heavy Rains as a communication message

Andal directs the dark clouds to hover over Venkatam and share this message with her Lord. And then getting a little angry and a bit frustrated, she wants to use the rain as a communication tool to pass on the message of her anxiety. She asks the clouds to gather dark over Venkatam and pour in buckets there so the Lord understands her woes.

What about my bangles that he took

Praising the clouds as one congregating in big waves and rising high in the sky and then resulting in torrential downpour, she wants the beautiful dark clouds to ask her beloved if he will return the bangles that he took away from her (like she did with the cuckoos). The remaining bangles are sliding down as the hands have become thinner. With the sadness that has been gripping her of late. And the only reason she has managed to survive is because of the fact the she continues to recite his names.

வான் கொண்டு கிளர்ந்தெழுந்த மாமுகில்காள் வேங்கடத்துத்

தேன் கொண்ட மலர் சிதறச்  திரண்டேறிப் போழிவீர்காள்

ஊன் கொண்ட வள்ளுகிரால் இரணியனை உடலிடந்தான்

தான் கொண்ட சரி வளைகள் தருமாகில் சாற்றுமினே

She compares her current dry status to the wood apple that has been dried by fruit flies hovering over them. Praising the cloud as covering the entire landscape of sky, she requests the clouds to share her current deplorable state of ailing with her Lord.

உலங்க்குண்ட விளங்கனி போல் உல்மெலியைப் புகுந்து என்னை 

நலங் கொண்ட நாரணற்க்கு என் நடலை நோய் செப்புமினே 

Seeking the Lord’s Love

She wants the clouds to share her desire to achieve complete surrender at the Lord’s feet. And she is seeking union with him just for a day so his loving embrace will erase the saffron smeared on her breasts. She wants the clouds to communicate to the Lord that her breasts are still young and yearning for his loving embrace.

சங்கமா கடல் கடைந்தான் தண்முகில்காள் வேங்கடத்து

செங்கண் மால் சேவடிச் கீழ் அடி வீழ்ச்சி விண்ணப்பம்

கொங்கை மேல் குங்குமத்தின் குழம்பழியப் புகுந்து ஒரு நாள்

தங்கு மேல் என்னாவி தங்குமென்று உரையீரே

Spring Goes, Monsoon Arrives

And then months pass. It is now monsoon time. Referring to the clouds as dark monsoon clouds, she says that her hopes have fallen apart in recent times like a withered leaves that fall to the ground following a heavy rain. Similar to the falling leaves of Erukku plant that are lying scattered in dust on the ground, Andal shares her sadness with the clouds saying that her hopes too are fading and that her body has drooped in recent times due to the tiredness of waiting for his arrival. She asks the clouds if there is any hope for her at all.

கார் காலத் தெழகின்ற கார்முகில்காள் வேங்கடத்து

போர் காலத் தெழுந்தருளிப் போருந்தவனார் பேர் சொல்லி

நீர் காலத் தெருக்கில் அம்பழ விலை போல் வீழ்வேனை

வார் காலத்து ஒரு நாள் தம் வாசகம் தந்தருளாரே

With the monsoon having arrived, Andal now compares the magnitude of the clouds to a huge mad elephant that is roaring and raging in anger. Hitting out angrily at the Lord, she threatens him that the world will lose the reverence for him if he continues his current attitude. He had promised refuge to his true devotees but has failed to keep his word. He will be seen as the one responsible for her death arising out of misery of not being able to attain him.

What happens to Devotees' belief in Him

She shares her lonely feeling with the clouds stating that she seeks refuge only in him. And how then can he let her down. The blame that he deserted a loving girl will ever be cast on him by the people of this world. Despite her sincere meditation, she has not heard from him. She has not received even a word of solace. His message that he offers protection may be deemed as untrue in the future, if she commits suicide. And that will bring him a bad name from his devotees across the world.

மத யானை போலெழுந்த மா முகில்காள் வேங்கடத்தைப்

பதியாக வாழ்வீர்காள் பாம்பணையான் வார்த்தை என்னே

கதியென்றும் தானாவான் கருதாது ஓர் பெண் கொடியை

வதை செய்தா னென்னும் சொல் வைய கத்தார் மதியாரே

In several of these verses in NT, Andal showcases the different approaches that can be adopted to reach out to the Lord and instils confidence in us that even birds and clouds can be addressed to communicate our messages to the Lord provided we have true devotion.