ANDAL'S THIRUPPAVAI

SUMMARY

Now has arrived the month of Margasirsa. The days are auspicious and the nights are filled with moonlight. You, the beautiful young women, enjoying all the comforts of the prosperous village Vrepalle and wearing strange and attractive ornaments! Listen, all those who wish to participate in the morning bath, join us and move ahead. Krishna is the son of Nandagopa, who in his solicitude for his son, ever keeps alert, with his sharp spike always poised, to punish severely those who intend harm to him. Krishna is the beloved lion-cub of Yasoda who contemplates him with her large beaming eyes; Krishna with his body shining with the colour of a dark cloud, with his eyes bright as red lotus petals, with his divine face radiating the mingled beams of the bright sun and the mellow moon, this Krishna is no other than Narayana Himself. He is ready to give, only to us (people who never seek anything from any but him) what we badly need, namely, the instrument "parai" which is required for the fulfillment of this ritual. Therefore, join us in all your numbers in this ceremonial rite and make the world of onlookers happy.

"All ye who, though born in this world of sorrow, yet enjoy bliss as contemporaries of Krishna, listen to the manner of our performing this ritual. We shall gently sing benediction to the feet of the Supreme Person, who has been resting quietly on the sea of milk. During the period of the ritual, we shall take our bath before dawn. We shall not help ourselves to milk or ghee. We shall not smear our eyes with collyrium nor shall we deck our hair with flowers. We shall avoid actions not done by our elders; nor shall we ever utter anywhere falsehood or words that hurt others. We shall honour the wise with liberal gifts of grain and money. We shall bestow charity on the celibates and the ascetics. We shall always reflect upon the way of higher life. May you witness this and feel happy!"

This Pasuram exhorts the intending participants about the things that they should or should not do during the course of the Vrata.