Andal shows us through Her Thiruppavai that we should chant Lord Narayana’s names and sing His praise. She thinks of this as Her profession. This attitude of Andal’s is a result of Her father, Periazhvar, whose family had served the Lord for generations. When a child is born in a family devoted to Lord Narayana, the new arrival is not announced in the usual way. A proud father does not declare beamingly that he is now the father of a child. Instead, he says humbly that a child is born to sing Lord Narayana’s praise.
Periazhvar’s given name was ‘Vishnuchitta.” He acquired the name Periazhvar later, said P.T.Seshadri in a discourse. Manavala Mamunigal, in his Upadesa Ratnamala, explains why the name was justified in the case of Vishnuchitta. Andal, his foster daughter, married Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Ranganatha is also known as ‘Peria Perumal.’ So his father-in-law became Peria Azhvar. ‘Peria’ also indicates Brahman — the Supreme One. Periazhvar sang to ward off evil eyes from the Lord. Imagine someone doing that for the Supreme One! So he began to be called Periazhvar. Periazhvar showed paternal concern for the Lord. Hence the name Periazhvar was justified in his case. Periazhvar saw the Lord with His Consort, and broke into verse, blessing the Lord Himself!
Andal follows in Her father’s footsteps, but actually She goes one step further. She imagines Herself as living in the time of the Lord’s avatara as Krishna, and sings of Him. One can understand embankments being reinforced when a river is in spate. But will anyone do so after the threat of a flood has abated? Andal’s concern for Krishna, centuries after the avatara, is like building embankments after flood waters have receded. Yet this act of Hers shows Her love for Lord.
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