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First day of Dhanur Masam: AndAL& Sri Raghuveeran

From the Bhakti List Archives

V. Sadagopan • December 16, 1996 


Dear Members of the Bhakthi group :

Yesterday , I had the good fortune to conclude the Yuddha
KhAndham section of Swami Desikan's Raghuveera Gadhyam ,
where he paid singular tribute to the MahA Veeram of Sri RamA
in the battle field . Swami Desikan had special affection for 
GodhA PirAtti , NammAzhwAr and ThiruppANAzhwAr. He eulogized
GodhA PirAtti in GodhA Sthuthi , NammAzhwAr in PadhukhA sahasram
and ThiruppANar in MunivAhana Bhogam . 

GodhA Piratti is the incarnation of Bhumi Devi as indicated by 
Swami Desikan's 21st slokam of GodhA sthuthi , where he 
addresses her as VasudhE . His reference is based on the 
nature of GodhA's incarnation as a child in  the TuLasi vanam
of PriyAzhwAr , when he ploughed the field . Her incarnation
is exactly the same as that of SitA devi ( UtthithA medhinim BhithvA ).
The Vedic reference binding both of them in Taittiriya SamhithA :

" GruthEna SitA madhunA samaktha  ----"
-- Taittiriya SamhithA , 4th Khaandham, 2nd prasnam ,5th anuvAkam

This manthram used to offer salutation to the plough end ( Laankala
Paddhathi ) is also a tribute to Sitha and her avathAram . This can therefore
be extended to the avatharam of GodhA as SitA( VasudhA ) in 
Sri Villiputthur . One of the etymological intrepretation of the name
GodhA is GavAdheeyathE ithi GodhA ( One who appeared splitting
the earth ). 

It is no wonder that this "Sita " of Kali Yugam had a great reverence for 
her consort the MahA veeran, Sri Raghu Raaman . 

In a series of postings during this sacred month of Marghazhi / Danuhr
Maasam , I will salute the  way in which GodhA devi eulogised the 
Valour of Sri Ramachandra  in NacchiyAr Thirumozhi and Thiruppavai .
We will also enjoy the concept of Prapatthi as experienced by AandAL ,
Her Sanga Tamizh , Her concept of Kaimkaryam and Her PurushaKAram ,
Her special realtion to Govindan .

Srimathai VishNu ChittArya ManOnandana HetavE I
Nandanandana sundaryai GodhAyai Nitya MangaLam II

Sri VaishNava Daasan ,

Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan