From the verses 11 and 12 we observe that there are two types of personalities. Though following the varnashrama dharmas (daily duties prescribed by the sastras) is a common rule there are certain exceptions. If one is engaged in service to the Lord, then not performing his duties is not a sin. These are classified as samanya dharma (regular rules) and visesha dharma (exceptions). The samanya dharma (always talking the truth, charity, not harming anyone etc) has to be followed by everyone but in case of exceptions like when we lie to protect a cow (from butcher/thief) by saying we haven’t seen it at all, it is not a sin or if a doctor operators on a patient and induces pain for a short period it is not himsa (harm). Similarly if one is involved in service to Bhagavan (paramapurusha/almighty) and hence unable to perform his duties in time or not able to do it at all then it is not a sin. Because performing the duty or not performing the duty – both are not means to moksha(salvation). The pleasure of the Lord who grants us salvation is the only means and hence Andal highlights both the performance of daily duties (which is very important in normal cases) and the non-performance (in special cases) in Her wonderful thiruppavai.
All of us have to be cautious while leaving our duties. It shouldn’t be because of lethargy or laziness if we are really immersed in the divine service at the time of performance of our duties then we surely will be pardoned by the Lord for leaving or postponing the same.
Tiruppavai Paintings/Illustrations Courtesy: Keshav’s KrishnaforToday. Religion World would like to acknowledge and thank the FB page of Mr Keshav for using them.
Must read Dhanurmasam : Tiruppavai – Pasuram 1
KanaitthiLam Katterumai
kanaitthiLam kattrerumai kanrukkirangi
ninaitthu mulaivaziyE ninru pAl sOra
anaitthillam sErAkkum narselvan thangai
panitthalai veeza nin vAsalkadaipattri
sinandhingu thennilangai kOmAnai chettra
manatthykku iniyAnai pAdavum nee vai thiravAi
initthAn ezundhirAi eedhenna pErurakkam
anaitthu illatthArum arindhElOrempAvai
Word by word meaning
ilaṅg katterumai– Buffaloes with young calves;
kandruk kiṛaṅgi – feeling pity for the calves;
mulai vazhiyē nindru pāl cōra -(due to immersed thinking) milk starts flowing constantly from the cow’s udder;
ellamnanaittu- make the whole place wet;
cērākkum – making the surroundings soggy (due to stamping);
naṛ celvan – one who is blessed with the greatest wealth of service to Krishna;
tangāy – Oh! His sister;
talay panivīzha- with dew drops falling on our head;
nin vāśal kaḍai pattri – we stand in your courtyard;
ten ilangai kōmānai –the king of the gorgeous kingdom of lanka;
cinattināl cettra – killed due to anger (for abducting Sita Devi);
manattukkiniyānai – Sri Rama who gives pleasure to our minds;
pāḍavum – even after (we) sing;
nī vāy tiṛavāy vai – you are speechless;
inittān – at least now;
ezhundirāy – please wake up;
itenna pēr uṛakkam – what a great slumber?
anait-illat tārum – (in tiruayppadi) all households;
aṛindu – have come to know;
Listen to Tiruppavai – Pasuram 12 by Chinnajeeyar Swamy
Tiruppavai rendition Pasuram 12 by M L Vasantha Kumari
