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.