Dhan Urmas A
Dhan Urmas A
Dhan Urmas A
Andal is an incarnation of the Divine Mother Earth, who became the foster
daughter of the great Vishnuchitha or Periyalwar ofSrivillipuththur in Tamil
Nadu. Through Her penance, she became Lord Ranganatha’s Bride. Her beautiful
30 verses called Thiruppavai are recited by devotees every day, and become
especially important during the month long Dhanurmasam celebrations that
takes place during the months of December and January. Women who wish to
get married to the man they love perform this vratam during the Dhanurmasam
month.
Godha Devi/Andal:-
The picture here posted above tells the entire life of Aandal. The life history of
Andal tells us that a person named Vishnucitta found her, as a little baby girl,
under a Tulsi plant in the temple garden of Srivilliputtur. He gave her the name
of Goda, meaning 'the gift of Earth'. Vishnucitta brought her up in an
atmosphere of love and devotion towards the Lord. The intensity of her love
and dedication towards the Lord grew so much that she decides to marry Sri
Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu. As she grew, her determination to marry
Lord Ranganatha also increased. She also started making a unique offering to
the Lord. She used to wear a flower garland first herself and then offer it to God.
As an explanation, she said that first wanted to see whether the garland looked
good or not by wearing it herself and looking in the mirror. Only after she was
convinced that the garland looked nice, did she offer it to God.
When it is time for Aandal to get married, Perialwar looks for a groom. But
Aandal insists that she would marry Lord Ranganatha Himself. Ordered by
Ranganatha, Perialwar takes Aandal to Srirangam. Aandal, at the right
auspicious moment, goes into and merges with Sri Ranganatha.
Godha Devi/Andal:-
Andal was a 10th century Tamil poet who is revered as a saint in the southern
parts of India. Godha Devi/ Andal composed two poetic works in her lifetime,
both in Tamil. Aandal has written totally 143 songs. 30 of them are Thiruppavai
and the other 113 are Nachiar Thirumozhi. Even though she compiled the poems
in her teenage years, they display a high level of literary and religious
maturity.In Aandals verses we see Bakthi in its purest form. It is not the Bakthi
as we see today where people trade with God, making God as their instrument
to fulfill their desires. The Great Acharyas have written volumes about the
meaning of Aandals Thiruppavai.
That apart Aandal was one of the finest poets I have ever known. She has
mastered the technique of using the simplest of words to convey the
profoundest of meanings. Aandal's verses are not about religion. They are about
love. And her Valentine was the Almighty Himself! Through her poems, she
disclosed her passionate yearning for Lord Vishnu.
In all vrathams I like dhanurmasa vrata pooja because of its theme and we can
learn best values from this vratham.Gonedays will never come back.I along with
all all my friends did this vratham, enjoyed lot, drawing rangoli,stringing of
garlands, decorating the temple premises etc., Early hours going to temple at
sharp 4 A.M after completing all rituals and pooja at home, all my friends
gathering going to temple. But now all my friends including my sister sheeja are
married and settled and spread to different places.From last three years I alone
doing this Dhanurmasa vratham, and all other married friends including my
sister stopped doing this vratham.This post I am dedicating to My loving friends
Aruna, Vasavi and to my sister sheeja who encouraged me alot and I miss them
very much. I sincerely pray lord krishna to give me a boon that to continue this
vratham for ever even after my marriage and in my rebirths also.