Unthu Madha Kalitran

(Thiruppavai Paasuram #18)

 

Ragam: Saveri (15th Melakartha Janyam)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saveri   

ARO:        S R₁ M₁ P D₁ Ṡ              ||

AVA:     Ṡ N₃ D₁ P M₁ G₃ R₁ S      ||

 

Talam: Misra Chapu

Composer: Andal / Kodai / Nachiyar (Thiruppavai: Thiruppavai Wikipedia Page)

Version: Akkarai Sisters & Kunnakudi Balamuralikrishna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGuGHkC1p7c )

Lyrics / Meaning Courtesy: http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/vstp18.html

Youtube Class: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU4jVOvL0dY

Audio MP3 Class: http://www.shivkumar.org/music/Thiruppavai18-class.mp3

 

Paasuram (Stanza)

un^thu matha-kaLiRRan Otaatha thOL valiyan *

nan^tha-kOpaalan maru-makaLE nappinnaay *

kan^tham kamazhum kuzhali katai thiRavaay *

van^thu eNGkum kOzhi azhaiththana kaaN * maathavip

pan^thal mEl palkaal kuyili-naNGkaL kUvina kaaN *

pan^thaar virali un maiththunan pEr paatac *

cen^thaamaraik kaiyaal cIraar vaLai olippa *

van^thu thiRavaay makizhn^thu ElOr empaavaay.

.

 

Meaning Courtesy: http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/tpv/vstp18.html

{Additional sites: http://www.asayana.com/religion/18-2/ ; https://www.sadagopan.org/pdfuploads/Thiruppavai-VS.pdf }

 

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.

 

In this Paasuram, an esoteric doctrine of Sri Vaishnavism is included. According to this

doctrine, the Lord and Sri Devi are inseparable and they serve together as UpAyam (means)

and UpEyam (Ultimate goal). This fundamental doctrine is known as “Yeka Seshithvam”.

With this in mind, ANDAL wakes up Goddess Nappinnai, the consort of the Lord now and

appeals to Her.

 

LITERAL MEANING OF THE PAASURAM

 

Oh daughter-in-law of King NandagOpA, who has the proud gait of elephants and who is

known for His valiant shoulders with invincible strength (that he would never leave a battle

field without victory). Oh Nappinnai with enchanting fragrant black tresses! Kindly unlock

Your door. Hearken, the cocks have awakened now everywhere and are making loud noises.

Hearken, even the group of cuckoos, sitting on the bower of Maadhavi (Kurukkatthi) flowers,

have cooed gently many times. Oh Young Lady holding the sporting ball with Your fingers as

BhOgOpakaraNam! As we wish to sing about Your Lord's names, please come with joy and

open the door with Your red lotus-like soft hands, which create a pleasant sound (sunAdham)

from the movement of Your bracelets adorning Your forearms

 

Sahityam: un^thu matha-kaLiRRan Otaatha thOL valiyan *

Meaning:  

un^thu             matha                kaLiRRan       Otaatha                    thOL                 valiyan *

Showing off (your) excitement (like an) elephant (who) does not retreat (and has) shoulders (that are) powerful

un^thu             - Showing

matha              - excitement

kaLiRRan       - elephant

Otaatha          - does not retreat

thOL           - shoulders

valiyan *    - powerful

 

Sahityam: nan^thakOpaalan marumakaLE nappinnaay *

Meaning:  

nan^thakOpaalan marumakaLE                    nappinnaay *

NandagOpan's    daughter-in-law (Oh you !) .  Oh Nappinai

nan^thakOpaalan   - Nandagopalan’s

marumakaLE          - daughter-in-law (you!)

nappinnaay *          - Oh Nappinay (PirAtti, incarnation of NilA dEvi, wife of Krishna)

 

Sahityam: kan^tham kamazhum kuzhali katai thiRavaay *

Meaning:  

kan^tham        kamazhum  kuzhali            katai         thiRavaay *

(with) fragrant smelling  head of hair (the) door (please) open .

kan^tham          - fragrant (aka gandham)

kamazhum        - smelling

kuzhali            - head of hair

katai                 - door

thiRavaay *     - please open

 

Sahityam: van^thu eNGkum kOzhi azhai-ththana kaaN * maathavip

Meaning:  

van^thu     eNGkum       kOzhi              azhaiththana kaaN *  maathavip

Are up and  everywhere   the hens (and are) calling      Look !  Kurukkathi flowers

van^thu     -  They are up

eNGkum      - everywhere

kOzhi              - the hens

azhaiththana   - are calling

kaaN *             - Look!

Maathavip       - Madhavi (Kurukkathi) flowers

 

Sahityam: pan^thal mEl palkaal kuyili-naNGkaL kUvina kaaN *

Meaning:  

pan^thal             mEl  palkaal       kuyili        naNGkaL             kUvina  kaaN *

bower   (sitting on) top several times  cuckoo birds  of many sorts (are) singing Look !

pan^thal             - the bower arch

mEl                    - on top of

palkaal              - several times

kuyili                - cuckoo birds

naNGkaL         - of many sorts

kUvina  kaaN *  - are singing, Look!

 

 

Sahityam: pan^thaar virali un maiththunan pEr paatac *

Meaning:  

pan^thaar           virali       un    maiththunan        pEr               paatac *

(Holding) ball (in) fingers (He) your  husband   (we his) praises (want to) sing (if you)

pan^thaar             - Holding a ball in  

virali                     - fingers

un    maiththunan        - your husband

pEr               paatac *   - names (praises) we want to sing

 

Sahityam: cen^thaamaraik kaiyaal cIraar vaLai olippa *

Meaning:  

cen^thaamaraik          kaiyaal         cIraar    vaLai     olippa *

(with your) red Lotus   hands    (with) beautiful bangles  jingling

cen^thaamaraik          - red-lotus

kaiyaal                        - hands (with your)

cIraar                         - beautiful

vaLai                         - bangles

olippa *                     - jingling

 

Sahityam: van^thu thiRavaay makizhn^thu ElOr empaavaay.

Meaning:  

van^thu          thiRavaay       makizhn^thu    El                                Or empaavaay

(can) Come (and) open (the door) with joy.    Come (Let us do) (the penance of) paavai nOmbu

van^thu             - Come

thiRavaay           - open (the door)

makizhn^thu    - with joy

El   Or empaavaay    - lets do the penance of paavai nombu

 

 

Paasuram (Stanza)

un^thu matha-kaLiRRan Otaatha thOL valiyan *

nan^tha-kOpaalan maru-makaLE nappinnaay *

kan^tham kamazhum kuzhali katai thiRavaay *

van^thu eNGkum kOzhi azhaiththana kaaN * maathavip

pan^thal mEl palkaal kuyili-naNGkaL kUvina kaaN *

pan^thaar virali un maiththunan pEr paatac *

cen^thaamaraik kaiyaal cIraar vaLai olippa *

van^thu thiRavaay makizhn^thu ElOr empaavaay.

 

 

Sahityam: un^thu matha-kaLiRRan Otaatha thOL valiyan *

Meaning:  

un^thu             matha                kaLiRRan       Otaatha                    thOL                 valiyan *

Showing off (your) excitement (like an) elephant (who) does not retreat (and has) shoulders (that are) powerful

un^thu             - Showing

matha              - excitement

kaLiRRan       - elephant

Otaatha          - does not retreat

thOL           - shoulders

valiyan *    - powerful

 

 

; ; pd   |   S ;   ;  R   || S ; - s r | sn P  D ; ||   ;  ;  pm   |  pd N     P  D   || mP dpm  | G S    R ;   ||

    Un-    thu   -  ma   tha   ka-  Li- -  tRRan      O-      taa- -     -   tha    thOL - -    va li  yan *

 

; ; pd   |   sr G   R-  R   || S ,  nsrSr | sn P  D ; ||   ;  ;  mp   |  pd pd rsnp ;   D   || mP dpm  | G S    R ;   ||

    Un-    thu   -  -   ma   tha   ka-  -  Li- - tRRan        O-      taa- -     -   -  tha    thOL - -    va li  yan *

 

Sahityam: nan^thakOpaalan marumakaLE nappinnaay *

Meaning:  

nan^thakOpaalan marumakaLE                    nappinnaay *

NandagOpan's    daughter-in-law (Oh you !) .  Oh Nappinai

nan^thakOpaalan   - Nandagopalan’s

marumakaLE          - daughter-in-law (you!)

nappinnaay *          - Oh Nappinay (PirAtti, incarnation of NilA dEvi, wife of Krishna)

 

; ; S  |   rr G   R – rg  || rsS , snd  | ddrs    R ;  ||  ;  , s R  |  M M     P  ;   || mp ; dpm | G R   R ;    ||

    Nan tha-   -     kO    paa-  -  -    -  - -    lan -    -  maru   ma ka   LE      na-   ppin-  -   -   nay- 

 

; ; sr  |   rpmg  R – rg  || rsS , snd  | ddrs    R ;  ||  ;  , s R  |  M M     P  ;   || mp ; dpm | G R   R ;    ||

    Nan   tha-   -     kO    paa-  -  -    -  - -    lan -    -  maru   ma ka   LE      na-   ppin-  -   -   nay- 

 

; ; sr  |   rpmg  R – rg  || rsS , snd  | ddrs    R ;  ||  ;  , s R  |  P M     P  ;   || mp ; dpm | G R   R ;    ||

    Nan   tha-   -     kO    paa-  -  -    -  - -    lan -    -  maru   ma ka   LE      na-   ppin-  -   -   nay- 

 

Sahityam: kan^tham kamazhum kuzhali katai thiRavaay *

Meaning:  

kan^tham        kamazhum  kuzhali            katai         thiRavaay *

(with) fragrant smelling  head of hair (the) door (please) open .

kan^tham          - fragrant (aka gandham)

kamazhum        - smelling

kuzhali            - head of hair

katai                 - door

thiRavaay *     - please open

 

; ; D  |  P ;  dm-  P  || D ; R |  S  ;     ,- p    D  ||  S ;  ;    |   ;  ;      ; -R  ||  S ;  ,r |- N P     D ;    ||

   Kan  tham - -   ka   ma- -    zhum   kkuzha    li                           ka    tai   -    thiRa vaay *

 

 

; ; D  |  P ;  dm-  P  || D ; R |  S  ;      , p    D  ||  S , r G    |   S  R    ;  R  ||  S nsrs , r |  N D    pdrs    ||

   Kan  tham - -   ka   ma- -    zhum   kkuzha    li                              ka    tai   -    -   thi Ra  vaay *

 

ndpm- D  |  pdnd  pm-  P  || drsn dNm ; |  , d S    , p D  ||  sr G rSr    | G R    ;  R  ||  S nsrs , r |  N D    pdrs    ||

          Kan  tham - -      ka   ma- -       -     zhum  kkuzha   li                 -   -      ka     tai   - -  -   thi Ra  vaay *

 

ndpm- D  |  pdnd  pm-  P  || drsn ddmm ,d | S S   , p D  ||   sr srpmmg | ; R  ;  R  ||  S nsrs , r |  N D     D ;     ||

          Kan  tham - -      ka   ma- -       -    -   - zhumkkuzha li               -   -      ka     tai   - -  -   thi Ra  vaay *

 

Sahityam: van^thu eNGkum kOzhi azhai-ththana kaaN * maathavip

Meaning:  

van^thu     eNGkum       kOzhi              azhaiththana kaaN *  maathavip

Are up and  everywhere   the hens (and are) calling      Look !  Kurukkathi flowers

van^thu     -  They are up

eNGkum      - everywhere

kOzhi              - the hens

azhaiththana   - are calling

kaaN *             - Look!

Maathavip       - Madhavi (Kurukkathi) flowers

 

 

;  ;  D  |  D G    R  S    ||     S ;  ,r    |  sn D       , p M   ||  P d  S r  |   sn P    D ;   ||  mP, d dpm | G,s  R ;  ||

     Van   then  -   Gkum    kO - -      zhi -         a  zhai   tha- na-     kaaN *  - -     -  -     -  -  -    - -   -  -

 

;  ;  D  |   srpm   gr -  S    ||    S ; dsrg    | rsnd D       , p M   ||  P d  S r  |   sn P    D ;   ||  mP, d dpm | G,s  R ;  ||

     Van   then  -   - Gkum    kO - -          zhi -           a  zhai   tha- na-     kaaN *  - -      -  -     -  -  -    - -   -  -

 

;  ;  pd |   srpm   gr -  S    ||   S,n dsrg    | rsnd D       , p M   ||  gr nd gr  | pm gr   S ;  || mP; dNdpM | GS  R ;  ||

     Van   then  -   - Gkum    kO - -          zhi -           a  zhai   tha- - na-    -  -  - kaaN* maa-  -  - -     tha-  vi

 

 

Sahityam: pan^thal mEl palkaal kuyili-naNGkaL kUvina kaaN *

Meaning:  

pan^thal             mEl  palkaal       kuyili        naNGkaL             kUvina  kaaN *

bower   (sitting on) top several times  cuckoo birds  of many sorts (are) singing Look !

pan^thal             - the bower arch

mEl                    - on top of

palkaal              - several times

kuyili                - cuckoo birds

naNGkaL         - of many sorts

kUvina  kaaN *  - are singing, Look!

 

 

; ; sr  | M ;   rM,  ;  || P ;  ;  | mpD    P ;  || ; , P p  | pm dp    D ;  || mp ; dpm | G S   R ;  ||

    Pan thal   mEl       pal       -  - -    kaal      kuyil I – naN  GkaL kU-  - - -    vina kaaN *

 

; ; sr  | M ;   pmmRM,  || P ;  ;  | mpD    P ;  || ; , P p  | pm dp    D ;  || mp ; dpm | G S   R ;  ||

    Pan thal   mEl            pal       -  - -    kaal      kuyil I – naN  GkaL kU-  - - -    vina kaaN *

 

 

 

 

Sahityam: pan^thaar virali un maiththunan pEr paatac *

Meaning:  

pan^thaar           virali       un    maiththunan        pEr               paatac *

(Holding) ball (in) fingers (He) your  husband   (we his) praises (want to) sing (if you)

pan^thaar             - Holding a ball in  

virali                     - fingers

un    maiththunan        - your husband

pEr               paatac *   - names (praises) we want to sing

 

; ; S  |   rr G   R – R  || S , snd  | ddrs    R ;  ||  ;  ; S  | R M , M ,  || P  ;  ;  | mpD   P ;     ||

    Pan  thaar  -     vi    ra   - -     li- -     un- -    -   mai – thu  nan    pEr     paa- -  ta -  *

 

Sahityam: cen^thaamaraik kaiyaal cIraar vaLai olippa *

Meaning:  

cen^thaamaraik          kaiyaal         cIraar    vaLai     olippa *

(with your) red Lotus   hands    (with) beautiful bangles  jingling

cen^thaamaraik          - red-lotus

kaiyaal                        - hands (with your)

cIraar                         - beautiful

vaLai                         - bangles

olippa *                     - jingling

 

; ; D  |  P ;  dm-  P  || D ; S |  S  ;     S ;   ||  S ;  ;    |   ;  ;      ;  ;  ||  

   Cen  thaa -  -   ma  raik -    kai     yaal 

 

; ; D  |  P ;  dm-  P  || D ; S |  S  ;     S ;   ||  ;  ;  pd    |   S  ;      ;- S  ||  S ,  S r |  sn P   D ;   ||

   Cen  thaa -  -   ma  raik -    kai     yaal          cI-        raar     -  va    Lai  o-     li- -   ppa *

 

; ; D  |  P ;  dm-  P  || D ; S |  S  ;     S ;   ||  ;  ;  pd    |   srG      R- R  ||  S ,  nsrSr |  sn P   pdrs   ||

   Cen  thaa -  -   ma  raik -    kai     yaal          cI-        raar       -  va    Lai  o-   -    li- -   ppa *

 

ndpm- D  |  P ;  dm-  P  || D ; S |  S  ;     S ;   ||  ;  ;  pd    |   srG      R- R  ||  S ,  nsrSr |  sn P   pdrs   ||

          Cen  thaa -  -   ma  raik -    kai     yaal          cI-        raar       -  va    Lai  o-   -    li- -   ppa *

 

ndpm- D  |  pdnd  pm-  P  || drsn dNm ; |  S  ;     S ;   ||  ;  ;  sr   |   GrsrG      R- R  ||  S ,  nsrSr |  sn P   pdrs   ||

          Cen  thaa -  -       ma  raik -             kai     yaal          cI-      raar            -  va    Lai  o-   -    li- -   ppa *

 

ndpm- D  |  pdnd  pm-  P  || drsn ddmm ,d | S-S , S ,  ||  ; ;  S   |   sr srpmmg r R  ||  S ,  nsrSr |  sn P   D ;    ||

          Cen  thaa -  -       ma  raik -                -   kaiyaal        cI-     raar          -  va    Lai  o-   -    li- -   ppa *

 

Sahityam: van^thu thiRavaay makizhn^thu ElOr empaavaay.

Meaning:  

van^thu          thiRavaay       makizhn^thu    El                                Or empaavaay

(can) Come (and) open (the door) with joy.    Come (Let us do) (the penance of) paavai nOmbu

van^thu             - Come

thiRavaay           - open (the door)

makizhn^thu    - with joy

El   Or empaavaay    - lets do the penance of paavai nombu

 

 

;  ;  D  |  D G    R - S    ||    S ;  ,r    |  sn D  -   , p M   ||   P d  S r  |  sn P    D ;   ||  mP, d dpm | G,s  R ;  ||

     Van   thu-    -   thi        Ra - -      vaay-        makizhn thE  -  -     - -       lOr      em-   -   - -   paa- vaay.

 

;  ;  D  |   srpm   gr -  S    ||    S,n dsrg  | rsnd D       , p M   ||  P d  S r  |   sn P    D ;   ||  mP, d dpm | G,s  R ;  ||

     Van   thu-    - -    thi        Ra - -       vaay-         makizhn thE  -  -       - -       lOr      em-   -   - -   paa- vaay.

 

;  ;  D  |   srpm   gr -  S    ||   S,n dsrg    | rsnd D       , p M   ||  gr nd gr  | pm gr   S ;  || mpP;dndpM | ; gS R,  ||

     Van   thu-    - -    thi       Ra - -          vaay-        makizhn thE  -  -       - -       lOr    em-   -   - -     paa- vaay.

 

; ; sr   |   M ;   ;  M   || P ; - pm | dp  D   ; ; ||   ;  ;  ;  |   ;  ;      ;  ;   ||

    Un-    thu   -  ma   tha   ka-    Li- tRRan       

 

=================================-==========

 

INNER MEANINGS ACCORDING TO ABHINAVA DESIKAN

https://www.sadagopan.org/pdfuploads/Thiruppavai-VS.pdf

 

In our AarAdhanam, we awaken (invoke) AchAryan and Ananatha-Garuda-VishvaksEnar

(nithyasooris) first and then awaken PirAtti. Here through the awakening of Nappinnai, all the

three parties are awakened.

 

In KrishNavathAram, until the time of the Lord's residence in Gokulam, Nappinai PirAtti was

PradhAnam (chief wife) and enjoyed the andharangam of the Lord. Nappinnai is the

incarnation of NeeLA dEvi. Therefore, the Gopis approach Nappinnai seeking her intercession

(PurushakAram). Without PurushakAram of PirAtti, Saasthrams say that one should not

approach BhagavAn. Even PirAtti would not intervene unless that the chEthanam has sath

sahavAsam and SadAchArya sambhandham. Therefore as poorvAngam (preliminaries), the

Gopis related to the gate keepers, and NandhagOpan. Nappinai's close relative is

NandhagOpan. Therefore, the Gopis address Napinnai cleverly as “NandhagOpAlan

MarumahaLE” here.

 

NandhagOpan's Isvaryam is indicated with “Unthu mathakaLiRRin OdAtha ThOlvaliyan” in

this paasuram. Besides his wealth of cattle, NandagOpAlan is known for the herd of elephants

befitting his role as the king of GopAs. His Bhuja bala parakramam is also indicated by the

reference to the elephants in rut, which NandhagOpan is able to subjugate.

 

INNER MEANINGS BY PERUKKARANAI SWAMY

 

Here the PrAdhAnyam of PurushakAra BhUthai, Nappinnai is saluted.

 

“vanthengum KOZHI azhaitthana KaaNN”: The reference to kOzhi (Cock) is a reference to

one of the Vaishnava LakshaNams. VaishNavAs are said to be like (1)Kokku (Crane), (2)kOzhi,

(3) Uppu (salt) and (4) Oomai (dumb). In the case of kOzhi, it wakes up in the morning and

wakes others up by crowing three times. The reasons for crowing thrice are given as: (1) to

remind us about thrikAla sandhyAvandhanam (2)To remind us about the japam of three

rahasyams: Thirumanthiram, Dhvayam and charama slOkam (3) to remind us that We need the

three lakshaNams: BrAmanathvam, VaishNavathvam and Prapannathvam.

 

kOzhi also stirs up the dirt and picks the essentials and discards the rest (kuppai kiLaruthal). It

is hence a Saara-grAhi.

 

INNER MEANINGS OF INDIVIDUAL PASSAGES

 

Unthu madha KaLLiRRIn: One who has got Ubhaya VibhUthi and therefore does not pay heed

to others

 

OdAtha thOL valiyan: One with unobstructed sankalpam

 

NandhagOpAlan marumahaLE: Oh MahA Lakshmi, who embraces that Lord of Ubhaya

VibhUthi and unobstructed sankalpam!

 

ghandham kamazhum Kuzhali kadai: Please banish the obstacles that stand in the way of

attaining Kesavan (Your Lord of fragrant tresses). Please remove our sins and say “asthu tE

dayaiva sarvam sampathsyathe”

 

kOzhi vanthu yengum azhaitthana kANN: SaaragrAhis like us (like kOzhi) are going

everywhere you are and performing our prapatthi. Please take note of this.

 

Maadhavi pandhal mEl pal kaal kuyil Koovina KaaNN: Valmiki, Sukhar and other sages are

sitting on the VedAntha SaakhAs and are singing Your Lord's glories.

 

panthAr virali unn maitthunar pEr paaDa: For converting us, who are like instruments of play

(LeelOpakaranam) for Him into bhOgOpakaraNam for Him

 

senthAmarai olippa: Please create sunAdhams (auspicious dhvani) from the ornaments that

You are wearing

 

Vanthu thiRavAi: and remove the anger of Your Lord at us!

 

This paasuram is the second of the three Paasurams, where the most merciful Mother of ours

and the PirAtti of Lord KrishNA, Nappinnai (ILaya Piratti) is being awakened by the

assembled Gopis.