Introduction

In order to make ordinary humans realise the mercy of the Lord, Bhumi devi made a descent & assumed the avatar. According to the hindu Almanac the exact day is determined as Nala year - Aadi Month -Shukla Paksham - Pooram Star - Chathurthi Thithi - Tuesday. She was found in the gardens of Vishnuchittar (Periazhwar) without any gestation in the womb and under the sacred basil plant (tulsi).All our scriptures claim that the soul will be uplifted by bhagwat bhakti and nama sankirtanam and just to prove that the great Lordess took birth in the holy land.

She was always Krishna conscious right from her very young days and grew up listening to Perialwar's Krishnaleela. She was also known as 'Kothai'. In tamil, Kothai literally means one who has curly hair and 'Godha' in Sanskrit means one who is dear to the Lord. As a child, Aandal would get up at dawn, along with her father Sri Vishuchitthar (fondly known as Periazhwar) and would pluck flowers to make a garland and enjoy Krishnaleela. Perialwar was dedicated to the service of the Lord Vadapadrasayee and would offer a garland daily to the Lord. Aandal grew up in an atmosphere of love and devotion towards Lord Krishna.

She wondered if she could make an ideal bride for the Lord and hence started adoring the garlands made by Perialwar on a daily basis. She would bend and look at her reflection in the well and admire her match in marrying the Lord. All girls should get attracted to Lord Krishna alone and try to attain Him as husband. It is possible and only if we have total faith on the Lord. Human love is about physical attraction but is never related to the soul. The pure heart and the intense devotion of Aandal finally prevailed and helped her attain the Lord.

As days passed, The Lord too revealed His form when Aandal used to admire her reflection in the well. She would get immersed in Krishnaleela and the Lord would disappear before Perialwar arrived. Aandal in turn would place the garland that she had worn in the basket for Perialwar to take it to adorn the Lord. In order that the world understand Aandal's bhakthi, the Lord played a leela. One day while being immersed in Krishna Leela, the Lord made sure that Perialwar noticed this daily admiration of Aadal's reflection in the well. Perialwar was disheartened at this sight and by the desecration of what was meant only for the Lord and scolded Aandal for her action and in the process discarded the used garland. Kothai in turn was deeply saddened as she felt that she was the cause that deeply hurt her father.

The same night Lord appeared in Vishnuchittar's dream and declared that He liked only the garlands worn by Aandal. From that day onwards Aandal was known as "soodi kudutha" (Soodi - One who has worn -garland, Kudutha - Given).As days passed Aandal loved the Lord like a Gopi and had an intense desire to mingle with the Lord. Perialwar suggested that she observed the vows in the month of Margazhi as done by the Gopis. The Lord Himself has proclaimed in Bhagavad Gita that of all the twelve months He is the month of Margazhi.

Margazhi month signifies the end of dhaksinayanam (the sun changing its course). For all the devas, it signifies the beginning of a day. Hence Aandal, bearing the cold weather that is characteristic of the month, woke up early and tried to wake other fellow female friends and observed a vow to attain the Lord very much like the Gopis had done. This is what has come to known as Marghazhi nombu (or the vow taken in the month of Dec-Jan to realise God).This vow is not regulated by the vedas or shastras and since it has been casaded down by our ancestors we are continuining to observe it even today.

Each of the thiry days, Aandal sang in praise of the Lord which is collectively known today as "Tiruppavai". It has been said that Aandal had sang these verses in praise of the Lord as early as her fifth birthday. Is it possible for a girl of five to achieve such a feat and the answer would be yes if the blessings of Sathguru be made available. Periyalwar (father of Aandal) being her guru, it is no surprise that Aandal was able to achieve this feat at a very young age. Aandal to her part also exhibited all the qualities of a good disciple. It is of no use to have a illustrious teacher (guru) if the disciple had no faith or does not adhere to guru's words. If the guru and disciple both are exemplary then only can bhakthi and bhagawan (the Lord) can be realised very easily. Tiruppavai belongs to that rare category which was sung as a result of the blessing of her guru (her father).

Sri Nikamantha Desikar also has explained in his work Godaa sthuthi, the extraordinary character of Aandal.The first slokam of Godaa sthuthi goes thus :

SrI-vishNuchitta-kula-nandana-kalpa-vallIm

SrIrangarAja-harichandana-yOgadRSyAm

sAkshAt kshamAm karuNayA kamalAm-ivAnyAm

gOdAm ananya-SaraNaS-SaraNam prapadyE

Meaning :

The flower garden in which Aandal is termed as a golden vine which belongs to the clan of Perialwar, in conjunction with the Lord of Srirangam who is described as a sandal wood tree which hosts the golden vine, the incarnation of Bhooma devi, the divine Aandal who displayed the mercy of PeriyaPirati, I (Desikar), who does not have any means, offer my salutations.

Even a sinner if surrenders unto Thaayar, will make sure that She takes up the case with the Lord and ensure bliss and liberation from future births. Hence each of us should lead the life as prescribed by Aandal in her Tiruppavai.

1. MARGALI THINGAL

Maargazhi thingaL madhi niRaindha nannaaLaal
neeraada pOdhuveer pOdhuminO nErizhaiyeer
seer malgum aayppaadi chelva chiRumeergaaL
koorvEl kodundhozhilan nandhagOpan kumaran
Eraarndha kaNNi yasOdhai iLam singam
kaar mEni cengaN kadhir madhiyam pOl mugaththaan
naaraayaNanE namakkE paRai tharuvaan
paarOr pugazha padindhElOr empaavaay

MEANING:

In the sacred month of Margazhi, on an auspicious day of full moon, I (Aandal) beckon all the wealthy young girls of (Aayppadi) Gokulam to take a sacred dip and worship the almight Lord, son of Nandagopar, who by means of his sharp spear disposes off his enemies, mother Yasoda's child who resembles a fierce lion, has a dark cloud like divine complexion, with a pair of eyes that resembles a beautiful lotus, whose face shines like a combination of the sun and the moon, let us all pray and request the Lord to dictate us the service that He expects us to do.

2. VAIATTHU VALVEERAGAL

vaiyaththu vaazhveergaaL naamum nampaavaikku
cheyyum kirisaigaL kELeerO paaRkadaluL
paiya thuyinRa paramanadi paadi
neyyuNNOm paaluNNOm naatkaalE neeraadi
maiyittu ezhudhOm malarittu naam mudiyOm
seyyaadhana seyyOm theekkuRaLai chenROdhOm
aiyamum pichchaiyum aandhanaiyum kai kaatti
uyyumaaReNNi ugandhElOr empaavaay.

MEANING:

Mortals of this planet, listen to the things that we have to do to satisfy the vow (of worshipping the lord through the whole of this month) that we have undertaken. Let us sing the glories of the lord whose in milky ocean doing yoganidhra by getting up early in the morning to have a bath and by not including ghee or milk in our diet. Let us not beautify ourselves or adorn our hair with flowers. Let us abstain from doing things that have been forbidden by shastras and not speak ill about others. Let us donate to the needy, alms to brahmacharis and sanyasis and immerse ourselves in bliss

3. ONGI ULAHALANDA UTTAMAN

Ongi ulagaLandha uththaman pEr paadi
naangaL nam paavaikku chaatri neeraadinaal
theenginRi naadellaam thingaL mum maari peydhu
Ongu peRum senN nel oodu kayalugaLa
poonguvaLai pOdhil poRi vandu kaN paduppa
thEngaadhE pukkirundhu seerththa mulai patri
vaanga kudam niRaikkum vaLLal perum pasukkaL
neengaadha selvam niRaindhElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Let us take a dip for the sake of our vow and sing the glories of the Lord, who assumed a gigantic size and scaled the three worlds. This action of ours will result in eliminating the evil from our country, results in adequate rain three times a month. These inturn will lead to beautiful fishes enjoy between the saplings of the farmland, bees relaxing among the flowers, cows, without any hesistations, ensuring that milk overflows from their huge udders and overall resulting in wealth that does not vanish with time.

4. AAZHI MALAI KANNA

aazhi mazhai kaNNaa onRu nee kai karavEl
aazhi uL pukku mugandhu kodu aarthu ERi
oozhi mudhalvan uruvam pOl mey kaRuththu
paazhiy am hOLudai paRpanaaban kaiyil
aazhi pOl minni valamburi pOl ninRu adhirndhu
thaazhaadhE saarnga mudhaiththa sara mazhai pOl
vaazha ulaginil peydhidaay naangaLum
maargazhi neeraada magizhndhElOr embaavaay.

MEANING:

Oh Lord of the rains, who is as majestic as that of the beautiful sea, don't hesitate to dive into the ocean, collect as much water, rise to the sky and assume the colour of the Lord (black). As with the Lord, who has graceful and powerful shoulders, oh rain god, without any delay, shine like the discus (chakra) that he holds in His right hand and resound to produce the same impact that occurs when the conch (sangu) on his left hand is blown, instantly produce the rain as how the Lord will shoot his arrows, to allow us take bath during the vow and happily flourish and thrive in this world.

5. MAAYANAI MANNUVADA

maayanai mannu vada madhurai maindhanai
thooya peru neer yamunai thuRaivanai
aayar kulaththinil thOnRum aNi viLakkai
thaayai kudal viLakkam seydha dhaamOdharanai
thooyOmaay vandhu naam thoomalar thoovi thozhudhu
vaayinaal paadi manaththinaal sindhikka
pOya pizhaiyum pugudharuvaan ninRanavum
theeyinil thoosaagum cheppElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Lord of wondrous deeds, prince of Mathura, abiding in the banks of the pure Yamuna river, the sacred light that took birth in the shepherd's community, who by your very birth glorified the womb of mother Yasoda, whose belly was tied with a string (damodara). To You we come with a pure heart and worship by offering flowers, singing your praise, thinking about your wholeheartedly. Such worship shall burn our past sins and the ones to be committed in future much the same way cotton burns when it comes in contact with fire.

6. PULLUM SILAMBINA

puLLum silambina kaaN puLLaraiyan kOyilil
veLLai viLi sangin pEraravam kEttilaiyO
piLLaay ezhundhiraay pEy mulai nanchundu
kaLLa chakatam kalakkazhiya kaalOchchi
veLLaththaravil thuyilamarndha viththinai
uLLaththu kondu munivargaLum yOgigaLum
meLLa ezhundhu ari enRa pEraravam
uLLam pugundhu kuLirndhElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

The birds are up and chirping and did you (Aandal's female companions) not hear the sound from the great white conch emanating from the temple where the Lord of the king of birds (Garuda) resides? Oh girl, please wake up and worship the Lord who drank milk from the poisoned breast (of Putana, a female demon), who killed the demon (Sakatasura) who came in the form of a cart wheel, who rests on the snake in the milky ocean and who is the seed of the universe, who is worshipped at heart by the ascetics and yogis - whose resounding chants of Hari enter our hearts giving bliss

7. KEESU KEESU ENRU

keesu keesu enRu engum aanaich chaaththaan kalandhu
pEsina pEchcharavam kEttilaiyO pEy peNNE
kaasum piRappum kalakalappa kai pErththu
vaasa naRum kuzhal aaychchiyar maththinaal
Osai paduththa thayiraravam kEttilaiyO
naayaga peN piLLaay naaraayaNan moorththi
kEsavanai paadavum nee kEtta kidaththiyO
dhEsamudaiyaay thiRavElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Hey spellbound girl, do you not hear the birds chirping and talking to each other?

Dont you hear the rumblings from the necklaces of cowherd girls (with fragrant hair) as a result of the movement of their hands due to churning of the curd? Oh leader of the girls, why is that even after hearing the hymns and chants of Kesava (alias of Narayana), that you are inclined to sleep?Oh splendorous girl please come and open the door.

8. KEELAVANAM VELLNRU

keezh vaanam veLLenRu erumai siRu veedu
mEyvaan parandhana kaaN mikkuLLa piLLaigaLum
pOvaan pOginRaarai pOgaamal kaaththu unnai
koovuvaan vandhu ninROm kOdhugalam udaiya
paavaay ezhundhiraay paadi paRai kondu
maavaay piLandhaanai mallarai maattiya
dhEvaadhi dhEvanai chenRu naam sEviththaal
aavaavenRu aaraayndhu aruLElOr embaayaay

MEANING:

The eastern sky has been lit up (indicating sun rise), the buffaloes have been let loose to graze for a short time (before they are milked). The remaining girls who wanted to proceed (to worship) are held up and are standing outside. Oh happy girl, please wake up and sing the praise of the Lord, who split the wrestlers that opposed Him. If we worship the Lord of the lords, He is surely bound to analyze our needs with great compassion and satisfy them by His grace.

9. TOOMANAI MAADATTHU

thoomaNi maadaththu sutrum viLakkeriya

thoopam kamazha thuyilaNaimEl kaN vaLarum

maamaan magaLE maNi kadhavam thaazh thiRavaay

maameer avaLai ezhuppeerO un magaL thaano

omaiyO anRi sevidO ananthalO

Ema perunN thuyil mandhira pattaaLO

maamaayan maadhavan vaikundhan enRenRu

naaman palavum navinRElOr enbaavaay

MEANING:

Oh uncle's daughter, sleeping on a bed in a wonderfully ornamented hall with lamps and incense burning all around, get up and open the latches of your ornate door.Oh Aunty, please wake up your daughter, who is sleeping as if she is dumb and deaf and like a spell that has been placed on her to continue sleeping. Cast off your sleep and shall recite the many names of our Lord (Maadhavan) who is residing in Vaikunda (heaven)

10. NOTRUCH CHUVARAKAM

nOtru chuvarkkam puguginRa ammanaay!

maatramum thaaraarO vaasal thiRavaadhaar

naatra thuzhaay mudi naaraayaNan nammaal

pOtra paRai tharum puNNiyanaal pandu oru naaL

kootraththin vaay veezhndha kumba karaNanum

thOtrum unakkE perunthuyil thaan thandhaanO

aatra anandhal udaiyaay arungalamE

thEtramaay vandhu thiRavElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh girl , who observes vows and reaches heaven, why is that you are not responding to our calls to open the door? The Lord, who has a fragrant head gear made of tulsi, whose glory is being sung by us year after year, who gives us the much desired service to Him by our vows, who is an embodiment of truth, who made Kumbagarna fell into the mouth of death. Have you defeated that Kumbakarnan who in turn passed on his sleepy nature to you? Oh sleeping beauty, who is adorned with glittering ornaments please come and open the door.

11. KATRUK KARAVAI

katru kaRavai kaNangaL pala kaRandhu

setraar thiRalazhiya chenRu seru cheyyum

kutram onRilaadha kOvalartham poRkodiyE

putru aravu alkul punamayilE pOdharaay

sutraththu thOzhimaar ellaarum vandhu nin

mutram pugundhu mugil vaNNan pEr paada

sitraadhE pEsaadhE selva peNdaatti nee

etrukku uRangum poruLElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh girl, who manages and milks a herd of cows and calves,who destroys the enemies in battle fields, who is born in a flawless sheperd community and glitters like gold, who has a waist like that of a cobra's hood, oh beautiful like peacock, we have come singing the praise of Krishna (who is blue in colour) and arrived at the entrace of your mansion. Oh one who is dear to us why is that despite our chants that you are still asleep?

12. KAANAITTHU ILAM

kanaiththu iLam katrerumai kanRukku irangi

ninaiththu mulai vazhiyE ninRu paal sOra

nanaiththu illam sERaakkum naR chelvan thangaay

panith thalai veezha nin vaasaR kadai patri

chinaththinaal then ilangai kOmaanai chetra

manaththukku iniyaanai paadavum nee vaay

thiRavaayiniththaan ezhundhiraay eedhenna pEr uRakkam

anaiththu illaththaarum aRindhElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh dear sister who is ever ready to serve the Lord , your house has been made wet by unmilked she-buffaloes, as a result of their love for their young calves are producing milk that is overflowing from their udders. We have come to your house bearing this cold weather and are singing the praises of the Lord, who destroyed the King of Lanka , Ravana, as a result of the anger generated by the separation of Sita. Despite our hymns, why is that you are not yet waking up and the neighbourhood is now aware of your prolonged sleep.

13. PULLINVAI KEENDANAI

puLLin vaay keendaanai pollaa arakkanai

kiLLi kaLaindhaanai keerththi mai paadi pOy

piLLaigaL ellaarum paavai kaLambukkaar

veLLi ezhundhu viyaazham uRangitru

puLLum silambina kaaN pOdhari kaNNinaay

kuLLa kuLira kudaindhu neeraadaadhE

paLLi kidaththiyO! paavaay! nee nan naaLaal

kaLLam thavirndhu kalandhElOr embaavaay.

MEANING :

We have come singing in praise of the bravery of the Lord, who ripped apart the Asura (Bakasura) who came in the form of a bird (crane) and the lord, who destroyed the Ravana as if it were child's play and now we have entered the designated place to perform our vows.The Venus has now risen and the Jupiter has already set. Birds have started to move in flocks in search of food . Oh Young and naturally beautiful girl with charming eyes resembling a flower and that of a doe's, don't try to enjoy Krishna all alone by yourself and it is such a surpirse that you are sleeping in the bed instead of joining us to take a dip in the cold waters .

14. UNGAL PULLAKKADAI

ungaL puzhakkadai thOttaththu vaaviyuL

sengazhuneer vaay negizhndhu aambal vaay

koombina kaaN

sengaR podi koorai veNbal thavaththavar

thangaL thirukkOyil sangiduvaan pOdhanRaar

engaLai munnam ezhuppuvaan vaaypEsum

nangaay ezhundhiraay naaNaadhaay naavudaiyaay

sangOdu chakkaram Endhum thadakkaiyan

pangaya kaNNaanai paadElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh girl , who speaks kind words, who promised to wake us all, you should be ashamed for failing to do so. In your backyard pond, red lotuses have bloomed along with Aambal flowers. Sanyasis in their saffron robes and with pearl like teeth have started proceeding towards the temple to blow their conches. Please wake up to sing the praises of the Lord with beautiful lotus like eyes and powerful hands that holds a Conch in one hand and a Discus (Chakra) in the other.

15. ELLE ILAM KILIYE

ellE! iLam kiLiyE innam uRangudhiyO

chil enRu azhaiyEn min nangaiyeer pOdharuginREn

vallai un katturaigaL paNdE un vaay aRidhum

valleergaL neengaLE naanE thaan aayiduga

ollai nee pOdhaay unakkenna vERudaiyai

ellaarum pOndhaarO pOndhaar pOndhu eNNikkoL

val aanai konRaanai maatraarai maatrazhikka

vallaanai maayanai paadElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Aandal and Girls : oh girl whose beauty and speech resembles that of a parrot, why is that you are still not awake?

Sleeping Girl : Why is that you are pestering me, I am coming very shortly.

Aandal and Girls : Oh we are very well aware of your trickery and your utterences of harsh words from time immemorial.

Sleeping girl : Oh girls who are arguing with me, let me be the one who speaks harshly. What is that i can do for you now?

Aandal and girls : Please come and join us and that is all we are expecting you to do

Sleeping girl : Has everyone who is suppose to join us have arrived?

Aandal and girls : Oh yes please come and count all the girls standing should you have further doubts.

Sleeping Girl : What is that I will do if I come out and join your group.

Aandal and girls : Come and Join us to sing the praises of Krishna who destroyed the powerful elephant Kuvaliyapeedam, who renders His enemies powerless and who works wonders in this world.

16. NAYAKA NAYA NINRA

naayaganaay ninRa nandhagOpan udaiya

kOyil kaappaanE! kodi thOnRum thOraNa

vaayil kaappaanE! maNi kadhavam thaaL thiRava

ayaayar siRumiyarOmukku aRai paRai

maayan maNi vaNNan nennalE vaay nErndhaan

thooyOmaay vandhOm thuyil ezha paaduvaan

vaayaal munnam munnam maatraadhE ammaa! nee

nEya nilai kadhavam neekkElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Our favourite Lord's temple gate keeper,one who stands guard of the ornate palace of the Lord, please open the ruby studded entrace door to the temple. Lord of mysterious deeds with a hue that resembles a blue sapphire (krishna) had promised yesterday that He would give the announcing drum to our cow-herd group. We have come with a pure heart to awaken the Lord from His sleep. Oh guard, without refusal , please open the gate doors that are attached by devotion to the Lord.

17. AMBARAME THANNEERE

ambaramE thaNNeerE sORE aRam seyyum

emberumaan nandhagOpaalaa ezhundhiraay

kombanaarkku ellaam kozhundhE kula viLakkE

emberumaatti yasOdhaay aRivuRaay

ambaram ooda aRuththu Ongi ulagu aLandha

umbar kOmaanE uRangaadhu ezhundhiraay

sem poR kazhaladi chelvaa baladhEvaa

umbiyum neeyun uRangElOr embaavaay.

MEANING:

Oh King Nandagopa, reputed in charity for who donates many clothes, abundant water and large quantity of food, please wake up. Oh queen Yashodha, who is the head of our ladies group, who shines like a light among our cow-herd community, whom I adore, please wake up. Oh Lord, who took a gigantic form and pierced the space to scale all the worlds, please wake up Oh Lord Balarama, whose feet are adorned by anklets made of gold, please wake up along with your younger brother.

18. UNDHU MADA KALITRAN

undhu madha kaLitran Odaadha thOL valiyan

nandhagOpan marumagaLE nappinnaay

kandham kamazhum kuzhali kadai thiRavaay

vandhu engum kOzhi azhaiththana kaaN maadhavi

pandhal mEl pal kaal kuyilinangaL koovina kaaN

pandhu aar virali un maiththunan pEr paada

chendhaamarai kaiyaal seeraar vaLai olippa

vandhu thiRavaay magizhndhElOr embaavaay

MEANING :

Nappinnai, daughter in law of powerful Nandagopar (who has the strength of a elephant and who never retracts in a battle field), who has a fragrant hair please come and open the door. Roosters from all directions are crowing, cuckoos sitting on the bower of Maadhavi flowers have cooed gently many a times. As we sing in praise of the Lord, oh lady, who has fingers that defeated Krishna in a playful ball game, please come with joy with your bangles making sweets sounds and open the door with your red lotus like soft hands.

19. KUTTU VILAKKIRIA

kuththu viLakkeriya kOttu kaal kattil mEl

meththenRa pancha sayanaththin mEl ERi

koththalar poonguzhal nappinai kongai mEl

vaiththu kidandha malar maarbaa vaay thiRavaay

mai thadam kaNNinaay nee un maNaaLanai

eththanai pOdhum thuyilezha ottaay kaaN

eththanaiyElum pirivu aatragillaayaal

thaththuvam anRu thagavElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh Lord, with lamps glowing around you and sleeping on a bed with legs made of ivory and resting on a soft bed with your broad chest studded between the bosoms of Nappinai (whose hair is adorned with lots of flowers), please wake up. Oh young lady (reference to Napinnai) with black and wide eyes adorned with collyrium (kaajal) you have not decided to wake up your husband Krishna, even for a moment. You are not ready to bear the separation from the Lord even for a while and this does not suit your pure character with unbounded mercy.

20. MUPPATTHU MOOVAR

muppaththu moovar amararkku mun senRu

kappam thavirkkum kaliyE thuyil ezhaay

seppam udaiyaay thiRal udaiyaay setraarkku

veppam kodukkum vimalaa thuyil ezhaay

seppenna men mulai chevvaay chiRu marungul

nappinnai nangaay thiruvE thuyil ezhaay

ukkamum thattoLiyum thandhu un maNaaLanai

ippOdhE emmai neeraattElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh Lord of immeasurable strength who rises and protects the thrity three crore (330 million) devas and quells any trouble before they show up, who pure one saves all devotees and destroys their enemeis, please wake up. Oh Nappinai, who has a shapely soft bosoms, rosy lips, slim waist, embodiment of Lakshmi, please wake up. Kindly provide your Lord and us with a fan, a mirror and help us to take bath at this very moment.

21. ETRA KALANGAL EDIR

Etra kalangaL edhir pongi meedhaLippa

maatraadhE paal soriyum vaLLal perum pasukkaL

aatra padaiththaan maganE aRivuRaay

ootram udaiyaay periyaay ulaginil

thOtramaay ninRa sudarE thuyil ezhaay

maatraar unakku vali tholaindhu un vaasaR kaN

aatraadhu vandhu un adi paNiyumaa pOlE

pOtriyaam vandhOm pugazhndhElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh Lord, Son of Nandagopar who owns a herd of cows that continuously secrete milk from their udders resulting in overflow, the Lord who is glorified by the Vedas, and whose glory can't be described by the Vedas, the Lord who shines brightly, please wake up.We have come to the doorsteps of your palace, singing your praise and glory and surrendered to you like your defeated enemies who have lost their power and have taken refuge in you.

22. AM KAN MAA NYALATTHU

am kaN maa NYaalaththu arasar abimaana

pangamaay vandhu nin paLLi kattiR keezhE

sangam iruppaar pOl vandhu thalaippeydhOm

kingiNi vaay cheydha thaamarai poo pOlE

sengaN chiRu chiRidhE emmEl vizhiyaavO

thingaLum aadhiththanum ezhundhaaR pOl

am kaN irandum kondu engaL mEl nOkkudhiyEl

engaL mEl saabam izhindhElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

We have come and surrendered to you like the powerful kings who rule this beautiful earth have given up their egos and stand powerless in front of your throne.Please slowly open your eyes, that are red in colour, that resemble a half open lotus flower, appear like sun and the moon have been beautifully placed to form your eyes, shower your mercy and destroy all our grief.

23. MAARI MALAI MULAINCHIL

maari malai muzhainchil manni kidandhu uRangum

seeriya singam aRivutru thee vizhiththu

vEri mayir ponga eppaadum pErndhu udhaRi

moori nimirndhu muzhangi puRappattu

pOdharumaa pOlE nee poovaippoo vaNNaa un

kOyil ninRu iNGNGanE pOndharuLi kOppudaiya

seeriya singaasanaththu irundhu yaam vandha

kaariyam aaraayndhu aruLElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

Oh Lord of bluish colour, just as a Lion, who after a sleep in his den wakes up with his fierce looking eyes, shakes his mane in all directions, stretches and straightens its body and comes out with a loud roar, please come out of the temple and be seated in the throne and bless us by finding out the reason of us visiting your abode.

24. ANRU IV ULAGAM

anRu iv ulagam aLandhaay adi pOtri

senRangu then ilangai setraay thiRal pOtri

ponRa chakatam udhaiththaay pugazh pOtri

kanRu kuNil aaveRindhaay kazhal pOtri

kunRu kudaiyaay eduththaay guNam pOtri

venRu pagai kedukkum nin kaiyil vEl pOtri

enRenRum un sEvagamE Eththi paRai koLvaan

inRu yaam vandhOm irangElOr embaavaay

MEANING:

We praise the feet of the Lord who scaled the world by his two steps (Vaamana Avatar). We praise the power of the Lord who travelled, located Ravana and destroyed the beautiful SriLanka. We praise the fame of the Lord who kicked and destroyed Sadakasura (who came in the form of a chakra). We praise the pose of your feet which climbed on top of Vatsasura (who had assumed the form of a calf). We praise your virtues of Lord who lifted the Govardana mountain as an umbrella. We praise the spear on your hand which destroys your enemies. Please bless us as we have come to your place singing your glories.

25. ORRUTTHI MAGANAAY

oruththi maganaay piRandhu Or iravil

oruththi maganaay oLiththu vaLara

tharikkilaan aagi thaan theengu ninaindha

karuththai pizhaippiththu kanchan vayitril

neruppenna ninRa nedumaalE!, unnai

aruththiththu vandhOm paRai tharudhiyaagil

thiruththakka selvamum sEvagamum yaam paadi

varuththamum theerndhu magizhndhElOr embaavaay

Meaning:

Oh Lord, who was born to a mother (Devaki) and within the night period was taken up as a foster son by another mother(Yasoda), who destroyed the plans of Kamsa to kill you and who was like a burning fire in his stomach, we have come requesting you with our wish list of things. If you can satisfy our vow, we would sing your limitless wealth and your bravery and overcome the grief caused by Your separation and rejoice.

26. MAALE MANIVANNA

maalE! maNivaNNaa! maargazhi neeraaduvaan

mElaiyaar seyvanagaL vEnduvana kEttiyEl

NYaalaththai ellaam nadunga muralvana

paal anna vaNNaththu un paancha sanniyamE

pOlvana sankangaL pOy paadudaiyanavE

saala(p) perum paRaiyE pallaandu isaippaarE

kOla viLakkE kodiyE vidhaanamE

aalin ilaiyaay aruLElOr embaavaay

Meaning:

Oh Lord, who showers His mercy on bhaktas, who has the hue of a sapphire, who floated on a baby banyan leaf during Pralayam(great deluge) you had requested us to indicate the items that are required to do our Marghazhi vow. Please provide us with a conch lke the one that you have which is as white as milk and when blown shakes all the worlds, giant size drums, members who can sing your praise (tirupallandu), sacred and decorative lamps, banners and flags and a canopy and bless us with your grace.

27. KOODAARE VELLUM SEER

koodaarai vellum seer gOvindhaa undhannai

paadi paRai kondu yaam peRum sammaanam

naadu pugazhum parisinaal nanRaaga

choodagamE thOL vaLaiyE thOdE sevip poovE

paadagamE enRanaiya palagalanum yaam aNivOm

aadai uduppOm adhan pinnE paaR chORu

mooda ney peydhu muzhangai vazhi vaara

koodi irundhu kuLirndhElOr embaavaay

Meaning:

Oh Lord Govinda who defeats all who does not fall in line with you, the gift that we would get after singing your praise(on account of our vow) would be that we would adorn ourselves with beautiful ornaments on our hands, ears, legs in such a manner that the whole town would talk about them. We would drape ourselves in beautiful clothes and then cook rice in milk and mix ghee (clarified butter) to submerge the cooked rice and enjoy the delicious food.

28. KARAVAIGAL PIN SENRU

kaRavaigaL pin senRu kaanam sErndhu uNbOm

aRivu onRum illaadha aay(k) kulaththu undhannai

piRavi peRundhanai(p) puNNiyam yaam udaiyOm

kuRai onRum illaadha gOvindhaa undhannOdu

uRavEl namakku ingu ozhikka ozhiyaadhu

aRiyaadha piLLaigaLOm anbinaal undhannai

siRu pEr azhaiththanamum seeRi aruLaadhE

iRaivaa nee thaaraay paRaiyElOr embaavaay

Meaning:

Oh flawless Lord, we graze our cows in the forest and go home and have food. We have taken birth in the cowherd community and have not been blessed with any intellect. Despite that nobody can severe the links (eternal relationship) that we have with You. We girls who do not possess much knowledge of worldly affairs and out of love have addressed You by various names. Please dont get angry as a result and bless us to fulfill all our desires.

29.SIRRAM SIRUKKALE

sitram siRu kaalE vandhu unnai sEviththu un

potraamarai adiyE pOtrum poruL kELaay

petram mEyththu uNNum kulaththil piRandhu nee

kutREval engaLai(k) koLLaamal pOgaadhu

itrai(p) paRai koLvaan anRu kaaN gOvindhaa

etraikkum Ezh Ezh piRavikkum un thannOdu

utrOmE aavOm unakkE naam aatcheyvOm

matrai nam kaamangaL maatrElOr embaavaay

Meaning:

Lord Krishna may we kindly request You to ask the reason of our early morning visit singing the praises of your beautiful lotus like feet. Oh great one who took birth among the cow-herd community, You cant deny us the humble service rendered to You till now and have come requesting you to grant us the service for today. Please help us suppress all other desires (other than serving You) as we are ever related to You in birth after birth and would like to remain Your eternal servant.

30. VANGA KADAL KADIANDA

vanga kadal kadaindha maadhavanai kEsavanai

thingaL thirumugaththu sEy izhaiyaar senRu iRainchi

anga paRai konda aatrai aNi pudhuvai

painkamala thaN theriyal battar piraan kOdhai

sanga thamizh maalai muppadhum thappaamE

sonnaingu ipparisuraippaar eerirandu maal varai thOL

sengaN thirumugaththu chelva thirumaalaal

engum thiruvaruL petru inbuRuvar embaavaay.

Meaning:

Lord of the Devas, who churned the ocean, whose face shines like a beautiful moon, who is adorned with beautiful ornaments, the cow-herd community offers its prayers and worship. Those who recite the 30 hymns (Tiruppavai) composed by Aandal (who wears a garland made out of fresh lotus flowers) daughter of Periazhwar, they will have all the blessings of the Lord, who has beautiful red eyes and powerful shoulders like that of a mountain and thus those who recite will enjoy eternal bliss.