Andal, in the style of Periazhwar, her father and preceptor, is at her best in hailing the Lord’s auspicious qualities. The truth that He alone can save us from the cycle of Samsara forms the predominant strain in her hymns. The Thriruppavai and Nachiyar Thriumozhi thus continue to foster and sustain the spiritual fervour to guide us towards salvation, Kalyanapuram Sri R. Aravamudhachariar said in a lecture.
She is able to convey (through the exclusive felicity of her expression) her experience of His supremacy (Paratva), accessibility (Saulabhya) and compassion (Saushilya).
When steeped in God experience, the Bhakti bhava takes firm root and Andal relives the experience of the Gopis in Ayarpadi, who had a special place for Krishna in their heart.
The essence of Bhagavata Dharma is emphasised through the system of collective worship. Andal shows that if a sense of pride intervenes in devotional practice, it is detrimental to the Jivatma as it puts a distance between oneself and God.
Andal describes their observance of Pavai Nombu. She is overwhelmed by the thought of how His little hand held the Govardhan mountain as an umbrella against the menacing torrent of rain caused by Indra for seven days at a stretch. Could there be any match for this display of indescribable compassion?
In verses six to 15, where the Gopis are woken up, they praise the valour of both Rama and Krishna. If one group of girls showed a preference for Rama and His chivalrous victory over Ravana, another batted for Krishna who had handled Bakasura who came in the form of a crane. The verse ‘elle elankiliye’ exemplifies the quality of absolute humility a Jivatma has to attain in the quest for God realisation.
Their initial request to Krishna to lend them His conch, parai, etc., for their vow has now morphed into supplication for the highest goal to serve Him at all times. “He is the supreme Lord and all of us are His servants” is the sentiment and spirit of worship that Andal advocates. This is the only goal to be sought since there is no lasting relationship for the Jivatma except what it has with the Lord.
