Amuktha Malyatha

Andal is perhaps the most venerated and the best loved of all the Azhwars.  This human daughter of Vishnu Chithar is considered to be an embodiment of Neela Devi Herself, an avatara of the third Consort of Vishnu, the Universal Mother who personifies Sriman Narayana’s boundless Oudharyam.

The story of Andal is the moving story of the child-like devotion of a young girl for the Lord of the Universe and and her single minded determination to marry Him. Andal is said to have lived in the 7th century A.D. It is a story that most Sri Vaishnavas are familiar with. On an Aadi Pooram, Vishnu Chithar, a poor Vaishnava of Villiputhur, found a beautiful baby girl in a garden, lying quietly under some Thulasi plants. Upon realizing that she was quite alone, Vishnu Chithar took her home and raised her as his own. As she grew, Vishnu Chithar regaled her with stories from the Srimad Bhagavatham. Kodhai (as he named the child) listened enthralled to these narratives and before long, was passionately in love with Krishna.

One of Kodhai’s duties was to string together the mala that her father offered to the Lord Krishna ever day at the local temple. The young Kodhai would string the garland and then, imagining herself to be His bride, would adorn herself with it, admiring her reflection in a well as she did so. This happened for many months before Vishnu Chithar got wound of it. Enraged, he soundly scolded his daughter and did not offer the garland to the Lord that day as he considered it “defiled”.

That same night, Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam appeared in his dreams, asking him why he had not been offered a garland that day. Vishnu Chithar responded that his daughter, in her childishness, had defiled the garland by wearing it first, making it an unsuitable offering for Him. Lord Ranganatha than insisted that Vishnu Chithar offer the garland to Him immediately. He also insisted that, thenceforth, Kodhai should wear every mala offered Him first.

Vishnu Chithar woke up from his dream in a daze. Had he heard right? The Lord insisted on a garland that had been worn by Kodhai first? With trembling fingers, he picked the mala and went to the temple. There, he noticed that Sri Ranganatha’s Face was turned away from the devotees as though in anger. Still shivering, he placed the garland of Kodhai around Ranganatha’s neck. In a flash, the Lord’s Face turned once more to face the devotee. Vishnu Chithar realized then that his daughter was beloved by the Lord and was no ordinary child. This display of the Lord’s affection for Kodhai earned her the title of “Amuktha Malyatha” or  “Sudi Kodutha Sudarkodi”.

Years passed. It was time for Kodhai to marry. She, however, insisted on marrying none other than Lord Ranganatha. Vishnu Chithar was perplexed. Who had heard of a human child marrying the Lord of the Universe? Lord Ranganatha appeared in his dreams again and insisted on having Kodhai sent to Him as His Bride. The Lord also appeared in the dreams of the Chief Bhattar of the Srirangam temple and ordered him to prepare for the wedding of the Lord with the daughter of Vishnu Chithar.

Kodhai watched in delight and waited impatiently for the preparations to be completed. On the assigned date, she left Villiputhur for Srirangam in a palanquin with her father in tow. As the gopuram of Srirangam loomed closer, she could bear her excitement no longer. Leaping from the palanquin, she ran into the temple and into the sanctum santorium of Lord Ranganatha. A blinding light appeared, and Malyatha, in the form of a glowing flame, became One with the Lord. She was now Aandal, the Bride of the Lord, the one who ruled over Him with her love and devotion.

Marghazhi is the month traditionally associated with Andal. It is especially auspicious as Lord Krishna identifies Himself with Marghazhi in the Bhagavad Gita. The Sukla Paksha Ekadesi of Marghazhi is especially important as it is the Vaikunta Ekadesi, a day of great importance in all of the Divya Desa sthlams of Lord Sriman Narayana. Andal was supposed to have spent Marghazhi in penance, singing her Thirupaavai, in the fervent hope that she would soon unite with her Beloved Krishna.

To this day, before sunrise every morning, many temple towns through out the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu echo with the melodious tunes of the Thirupaavai.

The Thirupaavai comprises 30 paasurams and each paasuram traditionally corrosponds to one day of the month, starting with the Marghazhi Thingal paasuram that heralds the arrival of the month. Many young, nubile girls bathe before sunrise and chant the Thirupaavai in hopes that the Lord would send them as good a groom as the one Andal found!

I have found many online lyrics, translations and renditions of the Thirupaavai. I will post links to these soon.

Until then, have a Holy Marghazhi and may Thai bring good tidings and blessings to you and yours.