This opening verse sets the stage by inviting the maidens of the prosperous cowherd settlement (Sīrmalkum Aayppādi) to join the observance of the vow.

The Gathering Call 👭

Andal addresses her companions as those well-adorned with ornaments (nērizhaiyīr) and wealthy young women (selva chirumīrgāl).

The Auspicious Time ⏰✨

She notes that it is the auspicious month of Mārgazhi (a month the Lord Himself claims as his own) and a day graced by the full moon (madhi niraindha nannāḷāl). 🌕

The purpose of gathering is to prepare for the holy bath (nīrāḍa pōdhuvīr) associated with the vow.

Divine Praise of Krishna 💙

Andal praises the glories of the Lord, Krishna:

Son of Nandagopalan 👑

• He is the son (Kumaran) of Nandagopalan, who is described as a fierce protector (kūrvēl kodunthozhilan)
• Armed with a sharp spear, used even to protect Krishna from small creatures like ants 🐜

Yashoda's Young Lion 🦁

• He is the young lion (ilam singam) of Yashoda
• Possessing her beautiful eyes (ērārndha kaṇṇi) 👁️

Divine Form ☁️

• His divine form (Tirumēni) is the color of a dark rain cloud (kār mēni)
• He has red eyes (seṅkaṇ) 🔴
• His face shines like the sun and the moon combined (kadhir madhiyam pōl mugathān) ☀️🌙

The Ultimate Goal 🎯

The ultimate identity of the Lord is given as Narayana. The vow is undertaken because Narayana is the one who will grant them the Parai, which signifies Moksha (liberation). 🕉️

Andal provides a detailed list of the actions (kiriyaigal or krisaigal) required and forbidden for the participants who wish to follow the Paavai Nonbu.

The True Living 🌍

She addresses those who are truly "living" in the world (Vaiyatthu Vaazhveergaal), suggesting that immersion in the Lord's glory elevates life.

Prohibitions - What NOT to Do 🚫

The maidens must observe austerity:

• They shall not eat ghee (Neyyuṇṇōm) 🧈
• They shall not drink milk (Pāluṇṇōm) 🥛
• They shall not decorate their eyes with kohl (Mai yiṭṭu eḻudhōm) 👁️
• They shall not adorn their hair with flowers (malar iṭṭu nāmuḍiyōm) 🌸
• They must avoid harmful speech, gossip, or slander (thīkuralai senru ōdhōm) 🗣️
• They commit generally to avoiding all prohibited actions (seyyādana seyyōm) ⛔

Prescriptions - What TO Do ✅

• They must bathe early in the morning (nāṟkālē nīrāḍi) 🌅
• They must sing the praise of the Lord's feet (Paramaṇ aḍi pāḍi) 🎵
• They must engage in charity, offering alms (aiyamum pichchaiyum) and inspiring others to do the same (āndhaṇaiyum kaikāṭṭi) 🤲

The Resting Lord 🌊

The Lord is referenced as Paraman, the Supreme Lord, who rests gently (paiyat tuyiṇra) upon the Ocean of Milk (Pārkaḍaluḷ). He is capable of bearing the sorrows of all beings while still enjoying His rest. 💙

This pasuram serves to assure the maidens of the material prosperity and well-being that their observance of the vow will bring to the entire country.

The Supreme Uthaman 👣

The verse centers on the Supreme Lord, the Uthaman (Supreme Being/Good Person), who performed the act of measuring the worlds.

This refers to the Vamana-Trivikrama Avatara. Andal specifically calls him Uthaman because the Lord showed no distinction or partiality (vyathiyasam pēdha bhāvam) when His holy feet touched all regions of the earth. 🦶✨

Abundant Blessings 🌈

If the maidens observe the vow and praise the Lord's name (pēr pāḍi), great fortune follows:

Weather and Rain ⛈️

• The country will experience well-being and be free from harm (thīṅginṟi nāḍellām)
• It will rain three times a month (thiṅgaḷ mummāri peydhu) 🌧️

Agricultural Prosperity 🌾

• The rice fields (sennel) will flourish
• The fish (kayal) will be thick and healthy, gliding through the water 🐟

Natural Abundance 🐝

• Bees (poṟivaṇḍu) will rest in the fragrant Kuvalai flowers (pūṅkuvaḷai pōdhil) 🌺
• The cows (vaḷḷal perum paśukkaḷ) will be so generous that milk will overflow the pails (vāṅga kuḍam niṟaikkum) when they are milked 🐄
• Ensuring enduring wealth (nīṅgādha selvam) 💰

In this verse, Andal directly addresses the rain god, though she directs her petition through the Lord, whom she recognizes as the inner divinity controlling the elements.

The Divine Controller 🌟

The appeal is made to Kannan (Krishna), addressed as Āḻi Mazhaik Kaṇṇā (Lord of the Ocean Rain).

Andal knows that the elements like rain (Indra) and water (Varuna) are overseen by the Lord, who is their inner controller (Antaryāmi).

Divine Identities:

• The Primal Lord (Ūḻi Mudhalvaṇ) 🕉️
• Pārpaṇābhan (Padmanabha) 🪷

The Rain Command ☁️⚡

Andal asks the rain cloud (represented by Krishna) to absorb water from the ocean and become dark like the form of the Primal Lord (Ūḻi Mudhalvaṇ uruvam pōl meykkāruttu).

Divine Manifestations:

• The lightning (miṉṉi) should flash like the Lord's Āḻi (Sudarshana Chakra) ⚡
• The thunder (adhirndhu) should sound like the roar of the Vaḷam puri (Paanchajanya conch) 🐚
• The rain should fall continuously like a shower of arrows (sara maḻai) discharged from the Shārnga bow 🏹

The Purpose 🌍

The rain must descend upon the world such that life flourishes (vāḻa ulagiṉil peydhiḍāy), enabling the maidens to perform the joyous Mārgazhi bathing ritual.

Andal frames this request as an assertion of their right (urimai), based on a historical covenant related to the Pandya King and Indra. 👑

This verse extols the virtue of worshipping the Lord with purity and enumerates the spiritual benefit: the total destruction of all sins.

The Wondrous Lord 🌟

The verse focuses on praising the Lord's unique nature and form:

Māyan - The Mysterious One ✨

• Referred to as Māyan because of his astonishing and unimaginable playful deeds (Līlā Chēshtithangaḷ)
• Such as dancing on the serpent Kalinga 🐍
• Or lifting Mount Govardhana like an umbrella ⛰️

Lord of Northern Mathura 🏰

• Born in the exalted city of Mathura (Maṇṇu Vaḍamadhurai Maindhaṉai)

Lord of the Yamuna 🌊

• The one the sacred Yamuna River honored by giving way to him (Thūya Peru Neer Yamuṇai Thuṟaivaṉai)

Lamp of the Cowherd Clan 💡

• The jewel-like light who appeared to illuminate the cowherd community (Āyar Kulatthiṉil Thōṉrum Maṇi Viḷakkai)

Dāmōdhara - The Bound One 🪢

• The one who was bound with a rope (dāma) around his stomach (udara)
• Signifying his subjugation to the love of Yashoda 💕

Mother's Pride 👩‍👦

• The one whose actions brought great glory to his mother, Yashoda (Thāyai Kuḍal Viḷakkam Seydha)

The Path to Purity 🙏✨

If the maidens approach Him with purity (Thūyōmāy vandhu nāam):

The Sacred Offerings:

• Offering pure flowers (thūmalar thūvi thozhudhu) 🌸
• Singing with their mouths (vāyināl pāḍi) 🎵
• Meditating with their minds (manatthināl sindhikka) 🧘‍♀️

The Promise of Liberation 🔥

Then all sins will be destroyed:

• Past sins (pōya piḻaiyum) - already committed ⏮️
• Present sins - currently happening 🔄
• Future sins (pūdhāruvān niṉṉaṉavum) - yet to come ⏭️

All will be destroyed, becoming mere dust in the fire (thīyiṉil thūśākum). 🔥

The Ultimate Freedom 🕊️

This collective act of devotion, focusing on the Lord's names and deeds, ensures total freedom from the consequences of all committed, ongoing, and impending sins.

These five pasurams establish the foundation of the Thiruppavai - inviting devotees, setting the rules of the vow, promising material and spiritual blessings, commanding nature itself through divine authority, and offering complete liberation through pure devotion. 🙏💫

Thiruppavai Pasurams Playlist

These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit https://desikadaya.org for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.