ஆண்டாள் திருப்பாவையில் ஆன்மீகம் / Spirituality in Andal’s Thiruppavai

Abstract

After the Sangam era, when our ancient religious norms and old cultural excellence were destroyed due to external invasions and external dominance, the sixty-three Nayanmars, the Saivite sages, and the Azhvars, who were deeply blessed by Tirumalinpal, increased the flood of devotion, swept Tamil Nadu, and blessed the whole of India and the whole world with hymns. Their vows and intentions were carried to every corner of India by devotees like Adisankar, Ramanusar, Kumaragurubar and others such as Tulsidasar, Kabirdasar, Jayadevar, Chaidanyar, Tukaram etc. appeared and spread the spiritual fragrance. Andal is also one of the benefactors who originated the Vaishnava devotional channel. Andal Nachiyar was the first woman who became the pioneer of Vaishnava spiritual literature to disprove the idea that women were not involved in spirituality. Andal belongs to Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu. She appeared as Periyazwar's adopted daughter. Vaishnavas say that she is an aspect of Bhudevi. Her period is said to be the eighth century AD. Andal has been very fond of Kannan since childhood. In Andal's youth, her religious consciousness shone brightly. Andal Nachiyar began to speak the words of infinite love and praise to God in her early childhood. Andal's hymns are “Tiruppavai” and “Nachiyar Tirumozhi”. Her hymns are referred to by Vaishnava commentators as “Pallamadai Vellam”. The expression of Andal's devotion to Kannan is found throughout “Tiruppavai” songs. In Aandal’s “Tirupavai”, besides mentioning the news like the month of Margazhi, the glory of the month of Margazhi, the benefits of fasting in the month of Margazhi, and the gathering and feasting, the Pasuram goes on to tell about all the glories of Tirumal's incarnation. It is a great pride for Tamil that Andal has sung “Tirupavai” and “Nachiyar Tirumozhi” in pure Tamil language because many vernacular words are mixed in the songs of other Azhwars. “Nachiyar Thirumozhi” is seen as an expression of Andal's love for Kannan. Andal sends auspicious objects like conch, chakram, quill, pitambaram, cloud etc. to reach Kannan as a messenger to convey her love. She gets complacent by ascribing her impotence to aphrodisiacs. This state of Andal is called Surrender Bhavam. About all the avatars, Andal has sung songs in a mesmerized manner. The songs sung in memory of Kannan are included in “Nachiyar Thirumozhi”. Andal's Pasuras are unique from other Alvars' Pasuras. Researchers also say Andal's Pasuram is feminine. This article highlights the spiritual excellence of “Tirupavai” sung by Andal. Andal's holy hymns and related articles have been taken for this study.

Keywords

• andal
• spiritual
• feminine
• pasuram.