Andal Nachiyaar’s Thirumozhi
Vengrai Parthasarathy
On Fridays the Piratti gets down from her permanent place in the Lord’s chest for the holy bath and climbs back again to His chest after it is over. But the separation during the interrugnum afflicts her with viraha thaapam to over come which she assumes the role of Andal, an incarnation of Bhumi devi, to celebrate and enjoy the Lord and being unable to be with Him sends messages through various agencies.
(says Sri P.B.Annangrachariar)
Thus was born the Nachiyaar thirumozhi. (Ramanuja book) ??????
Sri Andal, the popular author of Thiruppavai and the Nachiyaar Thirumozhi is considered an ayonijaia—i.e.One not begotten, she having been found as a baby by Sri Periya alvar in his Thulasi garden.She grew up in a highly religious atmosphere, her father being one of the Alvars or Immersed souls. She has been extolled by many Acharyas, the prominent ones being Sri Manavala Mamuni, Sri Parasara Bhattar, and Sri Vedanta Desika.
Andal had infused sacreness to two tamil months, Adi and Margazhi, the former being the month in which Sri Periyalvar found her in his Thulasi garden and Thiruppavai is celebrated with great eclat in the month of Margazhi. She has a separate temple in Srivilliputhur and has her own shrine in many/most Vaishnavite temples In Srivilliputhur where she is consecrated in a temple of hers, Adi pooram Brahmothsaavam is celebrated
In the Nachiyar Thirumozhi Andal, who is considered a reincarnation of Bhoomi Devi is depicted as one with a mystic longiing for union with Sri Krishna represented by Sri Ranganatha presiding deity of Srirangam.
Andal had composed 173 pasurams, 30 in Thiruppavai and 143 in Nachiyar Thirumozhi. The latter includes the popular Varanam Ayiram, a decad of cloying sweetness which is recited even today at weddings. In the NTM Andal pines for union with Sri Ranganatha. She surrenders herself body and soul to the Deity of Srirangam whom whe sees as Lord Krishna.
In the NTM pasurams she dreams of the Lord and sends him love messages, running the whole gamut of emotions. through the icon of of Love, Kamadeva and through various intermediaries, She pines for Sri Krishna (in His archa form as Sri Ranganatha) and prays all the time for union with Him.She appeals to Lord Ranganatha, resolute in her mind to achieve union with Him.Her heart is restles and will not rest until she achieves her goal.
In a pitiable state of longing she talks to the wind and to birds and even to inanimate plants.
Her true love maniffests itself in her hope and impatience. In her frustration and feeling of being neglected which rouses even her ire, she sends angry messages.. But she has no doubt in her mind that the Lord’s sousheelyam (benignant disposition) and soulabhyam (accessibility) will ultimately make Him accept and embrace her.