Thiruppavai Paasuram -22 - "AngaN maaGyAlaththu arasar"

Thiruppavai paasuram 22 describes the submissiveness of the entire world at the feet of God, with no more egoism to seek His blessings and protection. The gopikas, headed by Goda, and accompanied by the support of NeeLa Devi (Nappinnai), who guided them to the bed of Lord Krishna,  praise Him and appraise Him that they have discarded all pride and ego that possessed them previously, and seek His graceful vision that can wash their sins and purify their body and soul.

Tiruppavai- Paasuram 22

AngaN maaGyaalaththu arasar abimAna
BangamAy vandhu nin paLLikattiRkeezhE
SangamiruppAr pOl vandhu talai ppeyidhOm
KiNgiNi vaay chCheydha thAmarai ppooppOle
SengaN SiRichchiRidhe Emmel VizhiyAvO
ThingaLum Adiththiyanum EzhundaaR pOle
AngaNiraNdukondu engaLmEl nOkkudhiEl
EngaLmEl sAbamizhindheLor embaavaay

The literal meaning of this Paasuram

Just like the vanquished kings released by their ego (on facing your presence or even by hearing your name) have surrendered at your feet by gathering below your bed in groups to serve you, we also have come to rest at the feet of your bed after banishing our pride and ego to receive your protection.

Just like little bell-shaped pearls opening their mouth slowly, please open your lotus-like eyes gradually so that we may bear the radiant glow of your glances.

As if the Sun and Moon are rising at the same time, please look at us with your beautiful eyes with the coolness of the moon and the brightness of the sun, so that all our sins and defects get washed away.

Inner, in-depth meaning of this Thiruppavai Paasuram 22

As human beings, we are always deceived and deluded into believing that we are superior in whatever field we are in. 

We consider ourselves to be the authority here, and that this position, place, or thing belongs to us, and that we can do whatever we like with it because we are independent in all respects. 

But once you become helpless before circumstances and unable to control things, you gradually realize the reality and the existence of something superior that controls everything. You will then discard all your ego and pride and seek help and protection from God. This fact is preached to people through this paasuram.

Thiruppavai Paasuram - 21- "EtRa KalanGaL Edhirpongi"

Nappinnai got awakened and opened the doors after the gopis along with Goda Devi pleased her with their praises and requests. Now, Nappinnai also joins with the gopis to awaken Lord Krishna from his sleep.

Thiruppavai Paasuram 21

Etra kalanGaL edhRpongi meedhaLippa
MaatRaadhE paal sorium vaLLal perum pasukkaL
AatRa padaiTTHaan magane! aRiuRaay
OotRam udaiyaay periyaay ulaginil
ThOtRamaay ninRa sudarE thuyilezhaay
Maatraar unakku vali tolaindhu unvaasaR kkaN
Atraadu vandhu unnadi paNiyumaa pOlE
POththiyaam vandhOm pugazhndhElOr embaavaay

Literal, explicit meaning of this paasuram

Oh, Lord, the son of NandagOpan, whose innumerable, big cows pour milk incessantly even before the vessels get changed quickly and thus get overflowing! Please kindly get up.
Oh, Supreme being, Oh Lord! even though you have no limits in this universe and are unreachable, you have taken this human form for us, Oh, the effulgent streak of light! Please awaken.
Just as your enemies, who got defeated and made powerless, come to your house and stand up at your doorsteps in line,  we have come here singing your praise and glory. Kindly listen to our prayers.

Inner, in-depth meaning of this Thiruppavai Paasuram 21

The in-depth meaning of this paasuram is too much complex to understand by us. It is based on some very highly spiritual knowledge. There are some deep explanations to be found on sadagopan.org some of which I am providing here.

The phrase "maatRadhe paal sorium vaLLal perum pasukkaL" is interpreted as referring to the capabilities of brilliant disciples who are able to produce the knowledge derived by them from their previous teachers in exactly the same manner without changing anything in an incessant flow. Their knowledge spills out overflowing but nothing is changed or twisted that has been imparted by their Acharyas. Further, it is mentioned in the same website that "VaLLal perum pasukkaL" refers to the brilliant Acharyas who have been able to pass on the knowledge gained from their previous Acharyas as it is without changing anything. So, the knowledge that has been directly derived from God and Goddess are passed on from generation to generation through this ever-maintained chained relationship of brilliant teachers and brilliant disciples.

The passage "matRaar unakku vaLi tolaindhu un vaasaRkkaN" is interpreted as the gopis surrendering before Lord Krishna telling Him that they have left all their pride and ego (of thinking themselves as the most beautiful gopis after seeing His amazing beauty and virtuous qualities).

Thiruppavai Paasuram 20 - Muppaththu Moovar Amararku

In this Paasuram, Goda Devi and her gopis continue awakening NeeLa Devi (Nappinnai) and Sri Krishna.

Tiruppavai - Paasuram 20

Muppaththu moovar amaraRku mun senRu

Kappam thaviRkum kali ye thuyilezhaai

Seppamudaiyaay thiRaludaiyaay settaarku

Veppam kodukkum Vimalaa thuyilezhaai

Seppannamenmulai Sevvaay chchirumarunGul

Nappinnai nangaai thiruve thuyilezhaai

Ukkamum thattoLiyum thandhu un maNaaLanai

IppOde emmai neerattelor embaavaay

The literal, explicit meaning of this Paasuram

Oh, Lord Krishna, who removes the trembling fear of the thirty-three crore angels (it is believed by ordinary people that there are thirty-three crore angles in heaven) by standing in front of them (during their battles with demons), Oh, valorous one, kindly wake up from sleep.

Oh, Lord, who takes care and protects your devotees and possesses enormous strength! You are blemishless in doing so by saving your dependants and punishing their enemies. Oh, blemishless, please wake up.

Oh, Nappinnai! Who possesses a charming body with soft bosoms, red lips, and a narrow waist! Oh, Goddess Lakshmi! Please awaken.

Please give your Lord to us along with a fan (of peacock feathers generally) and a bronze mirror and bathe us in the holy waters just now.

Inner, in-depth meaning of this Thiruppavai Paasuram 20

The number 33 angels or gods, in this context, comprises the total figure of ashTa Vasu (8 vasus), 12 Sun-Gods of Bhagavata Purana, 11 Rudras, and 2 Ashwini Devatas.

Andal tells that Lord Krishna should come even before all to protect us as he does with them.

God always protects his devotees and has an equal attachment with all beings. But, if anybody harms his devotees, He will destroy them.
Nappinnai is regarded here as the Goddess Lakshmi herself. So, she is referred to as Thiru in "thiruve". She is the PurushakAram just like Goddess Lakshmi who always involves herself with God in the protection of devotees. So, the gopis request Her to help them in taking this holy bath by giving them Lord Krishna.

Thiruppavai Paasuram 19 - "Kutthu viLakkeriya"

When Andal praises Nappinnai (NeeLA) and reminds of the duties, she wakes up and wants to open the doors. But Krishna wants to open the door himself and so prevents her from going to the door. So, the gopis now appease both Krishna and Nappinnai again in this 19th paasuram.

Paasuram 19

Kutthu viLakkeRiya kOttukkaal kattil mEl
Metthaina panja sayanathin mEl ERi
Kotthalar pUngudal Nappinnai kongai mEl
Vaitthukidandha malar maarbaa vaay thiRavaay
Maththadan kaNNinaay nee un maNaaLanai
Etthanai pOdum thuyilezha vottaay kaaN
Etthanai yElum pirivaatRagillaayaal
ThatthuvamandRu thagavElor embaavaay

Outer, explicit literal meaning of this paasuram

Oh, Krishna, you are sleeping even when the lights are glowing beside the ivory bed, on the soft mattress (having all the five qualities of coolness, freshness, fragrance, softness, and filled with flowers) resting your broad chest on the lofty bosom of Nappinnai whose braid is adorned with fresh bunches of flowers. Oh, Krishna, please open your mouth (and answer to our calls).

Oh, Nappinnai, whose eyes are dark and wide as if decorated with collyrium lotion! Won't you allow your Lord to wake up even after so long duration to come to us? Won't you bear separation from Him even for a while? It is not just for you or noble on your part.

Inner, in-depth meaning of this Thiruppavai Paasuram 19 

In this paasuram, Andal is referring to the Purushakaara element or nature of Nappinnai and reminds her of this nature and the other important point that Lord is not the possession of a single being. He belongs to all and He should attend to all his people's needs and calls.

The glowing lights refer to the knowledge imparted by teacher or Acharya.
The bed with its four legs refers to the four goals of life - Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
The mattress is the five-headed serpent's ShEshatalpam or universe.
MaiththadamkaNNi means the best disciple of her Teacher as Nappinnai always has been close and dear to Lord.

Thiruppavai Paasuram 18 - Undhu madagaLitRa nodadha

When Krishna does not awake, Goda Devi realizes that she should first awaken Nappinna piRaati (NeeLa Devi) as they are both inseparable and Krishna would not awake without her. So she awakens NeeLa first.

Thiruppavai Paasuram 18

Undhu madhagaLitRan Odaadha thoLvaLiyan

Nandagopalan marumagaLe Nappinnaay

Kandham kamazhum kuzhali kadai thiRavaay

Vandhengum kozhi aLaiththanagaaN Madhavi

Ppandhalmel pal kaal kuzhilinanagaL koovinakaaN

Pandhaarvirali un maiThThunan peRpaada

Chendhaamarai kayyaal Siraar vaLaioLippa
Vandu Thiravai maghindu Elor enbaavaay

Literal, explicit meaning of this Paasuram

Oh, daughter-in-law of the great warrior Nandagopan who is famous for his invincible valor and army of giant elephants and so never faces defeat!
Oh, Nappinnaay! you, whose hair is dark and beautiful with locks, please open the door.
Even the cocks have arrived now making loud noises and even the cuckoo birds sitting on the bower of creeping flower plants have cuckooed many times very sweetly.
Oh, Lady with lofty round fingers! As we want to sing in praise of your Lord, please open the door making a loud noise of the bangles on your lotus like hands, so that He can awaken.

Inner, in-depth meaning of the Thiruppavai Paasuram 18

Here, Nappinnai is the PurushakAram or the important recommendation for reaching Lord Krishna. So, she is to be pleased and requested for seeking the blessings of Krishna.
Now, to appease Nappinna, Goda Devi first praises her father-in-law Nandapopan. Goda is clever enough to know that if she praises Nappinna's father-in-law, she would get much pleased and listen to her requests as Nandagopan is a close relative of Nappinna. Goda Devi praises his great valor and then praises Nappinna's good qualities. She praises her beautiful long hair, her lotus-like hands, and her bangles. She further adds that the shouting of the cocks and the cuckoo birds making pleasant sounds as the signal for people to awaken and indulge in their duties. The cock generally crows three times to awaken people. It is a symbolic reference to the three mantras that are imparted by Vaishnava Acharyas for attaining moksha, the Thirumanthram, Dvayamanthram, and Charama slokam.  So, Andal requests Nappinna to kindly open the door so that Krishna will awake.

The opening of door refers to the removal of obstructions in the path of reaching God. Goda Devi requests Nappinnai to help us in crossing the obstacles in the path of reaching God.