SRIMATHE RAMANUJAYA NAMAH
SRIMATYAI GODAYAI NAMAH
SRIMATHE BALADHANVI MAHAGURAVE NAMAH
SRIMAD VARA VARA MUNAYE NAMAH
TRIBUTE TO SRI ANDAL ON TIRUVADI POORAM (Friday, 28-07-2006)
Sri Andal's greatness is unparallel and beyond the ken of speech and
writing. Of the three divine consorts namely Sridevi, Bhudevi and
Neeladevi, she is the incarnation of Bhudevi and excels the other
two due to following reasons. They are worth remembering on this
happy day of her birth festival. That is the proper way of paying
our tributes to her.
Sridevi and Neeladevi are not born in this world without the company
of Sriman Narayana. But SriBhudevi incarnated in this world leaving
the company of her Lord at Srivaikunta. She was born at
Srivilliputtur as the dearest daughter of Sri Vishnuchita or
Periyalwar.
2. As she was the incarnation of Bhudevi , she was worried about her
children who are lying on her lap, i.e., in this mortal world. So
when she was retrieved from the deluge by her Lord Sriman Narayana
in the form of an wild boar, she requested Him to tell Her the
easiest means of salvation by having recourse to which all Her
children could reach Srivaikuntam. The Lord told her "if a man sings
songs of devotion and offers garland to Me, I will be pleased to
entertain Him to my world". Sri Bhudevi replied "o my dear! My
children (mortals) are steeped in the ocean of ignorance. Therefore
I go down to the mortal world and sing devotional songs (pamalai)
and offer You flowers of garland (poomalai) on their behalf. If they
recite these songs and offer garlands to you must certainly bless
them with your service, putting an end to their cycle of birth and
death, the root cause of all their sufferings. The lord became
speechless on observing the mother's affection. He gladly consented
to do so and bade farewell to her. So she came down to this world as
Periyalwar's daughter. This kind of motherly affection is not to be
seen in the case of the other two spouses namely Sridevi and
Neeladevi.
3. This behavior of SriBhudevi (Sri Andal) is reminding us of a
mother's benevolent attitude. When her child is afflicted by a
severe malady the mother takes a strong dose of medicine. That
medicine cures the child when it drinks the mother's milk. All the
mortals are suffering from the disease called Samsara (birth and
death) for their sake Sri Andal took the medicine namely birth in
this world. This proves her unlimited affection for her children.
She offered garlands and sang two divine poems Tiruppavai and
Nacchiyar Tirumozhi for our sake. The moment we sing these songs or
offer flowers to Him. He thinks of His promise to SriBhudevi and
keeps up His promise by granting salvation to all of us.
In Tiruppavai She made it very clear to us that taking refuge unto
the lotus like feet of Narayana is the sole means of salvation. But
Acharya Abhimana is much easier and safest means of salvation. She
declared in Nacchiyar Tirumozhi. Whenever a man takes refuge unto
the lotus like feet of the lord, he is not cocksure of reaching the
abode of the lord. It is because the lord is free to act according
to His wimps and fancies i.e., He is Swatantra. He may look at our
sins and may push us down to this world or He may grant us salvation
by showering His grace on us out of pity. Thus He may act in either
way. But an Acharya is full of the milk of human kindness and will
never allow us to be born in this world. He is sure to get us a
berth at Srivaikunta by his strong recommendation to lord. So
Acharya Abhimana i.e., the Acharaya's unbounded affection alone is
the surest and safest means of salvation. This cardinal and very
secret principle of our sampradayam which was closely guarded by our
Acharayas later on was first of all brought to light by Sri Andal,
which none other had done. Thus we can go on sketching the unique
and distinctive features of Sri Andal. Now our duty is to sing her
divine songs in front of Andal and Rangamannar by way of service to
them
I congratulate you all on this happy and memorable occasion for the
recital of both the Prabhandams. I thank you all for this golden
opportunity to speak to you about the glory of Sri Andal.
With Blessings
Sri U Ve., Elayavilli Srinivasa Bhuvarahachariar Swami, Bangalore
Azhvar EmberumAnAr JeeyAr ThiruvadigalE Saranam
http://www.vedics.net
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