Pasuram 12 : Kanaithillam Kattru

Ragam : Kedaragowlam

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

In the twelfth pasuram, Andal encourages the cowherd’s sister to awaken, as every household in Gokulam is now busy in worshipping the Lord except for her. This song was composed in chaste Tamil over 1200 years ago by the only female Vaishnavite saint Kodhai Alwar, or Aandal as she is popularly known. The pasuram is a part of the Thiruppavai, a set of thirty songs sung in Margazhi (mid-December to mid-January).

Meaning of the pasuram

The compassionate buffaloes, thinking of their calves,

Have let flow plentiful milk from their udders

And as they stamp the wet muddy floor,

O younger sister of that blessed cowherd

Who serves the Lord

With dew drops falling on our head, we stand outside your door

Of the Lord whose anger slayed the King of Lanka

Of that delightful God do we sing

Yet you do not speak

At least now, please wake up!

What deep slumber is this?!

Even the neighbours,

Are now awake & know!

Arise O maiden!

(Lyrics from www.vedics.org, www.ramanuja.org, & Wikipedia; Translation by Anuradha S)

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