Paasuram (Stanza)

puLLin vaay kINtaanaip pollaa arakkanai *

kiLLik kaLain^thaanaik kIrththimai paatip pOyp *

piLLaikaL ellaarum paavaikkaLam pukkaar *

veLLi ezhun^thu viyaazham uRaNGkiRRu *

puLLum cilampina kaaN pOtharik kaNNinaay *

kuLLak kuLirak kutain^thu nIraataathE *

paLLik kitaththiyO? paavaay! nI nannaaLaal *

kaLLam thavirn^thu kalan^thu ElOr empaavaay.

Meaning Courtesy: http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/vstp13.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/}

Context: Andal's thirty songs contain the cardinal principles of Vaishnava dharma during the month of Marghazhi. Vaishnavas sing these songs to bring peace, prosperity and Divine Grace. Andal assumes the guise of a cowherd girl in these 30 verses. Andal appears intent upon performing a particular religious vow to marry the Lord, thereby obtain His everlasting company, and inviting all her girl-friends to join her. Towards the end we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite; but is simply praying to be granted the service of the Lord for eternity. She yearns for everlasting happiness and service of the Lord.

Translation By Dr. V.K.S.N. Raghavan

(It is portrayed here that the Gopis , performing Paavai nOnbhu awaken another girl , who has earlier had a glimpse of Godly bliss, and who generally keeps aloof, avoiding association with others). All our friends have now reached the designated place for assembly ( Paavaik- KaLam pukkAr). They went there singing the praise of our KrishNan , who tore open the mouth of BakAsuran ( the demonn , who in the form of a crane , came to assault Him ), and who , in His earlier avathAram as RaamA , chopped off the ten heads of the treacherous demon king (RaavaNA ) and destroyed him . The Venus has now arisen and the Jupiter has already set. Harken , many birds (have gotten up ) and are chirping . Oh Young and beautiful girl with charming eyes resembling a flower and that of a doe ! all of us should go to the river and plunge deeply in the water that makes us shiver ; instead you are wiling away the time lying on the bed ,--is this peoper ? Oh dear girl ! it is truly a great day for us . Kindly

leave your restraint (and aloofness) and join us freely.