Pasuram 8 : Keezh Vaanam

Ragam : Dhanyasi

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

Through the eigth pasuram, Andal cajoles the still-sleeping village maidens to wake up early & join their waiting friends in the Lord's worship. 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 eastern sky lights up,

Look! Even the buffaloes, let out in the morn

Have spread out to graze

The rest of the girls

Who wish to go (to the temple)

Stand here, awaiting you

We have all come to call you,

O happy girl! Arise!

With song & drumbeats

To the One who split open the demon’s mouth (Bakasura)

And vanquished the evil wrestlers

To Him, the God of Gods,

If we shall go & pray

With compassion shall He look upon us

And bestow His Grace!

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

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