21. Tiruppavai – stories
Sri Bhashyam Appalacharya interprets that these are the qualities of Acharya also. 1. They love Bhagawan so much that they think it is their duty to protect Him, to pray for His welfare (Mangalasasanam), 2. they want to share their experience they had in mediation to God, like a leader, 3. for achieving that purpose they gave a tool –Tirumantra- which sustains, nourishes and gives enjoyable experience to all, 4. strength to defeat elephant like enemies who disturb their meditation on God and getting God under their control, and 5. training and preparing of disciples who can effectively communicate and spread the experience of meditation of God to many. God remains obedient to Guru. Great attribute of a good leader is having firm strength, considering that it is their duty to protect those who are dependent on Him. Rama says during the exile, “it is my vow and duty to serve the Saadhus and Sages even if it costs my life, you and Lakshmana”.
Also read: Neela is the Deepa Rekha of Sri Krishna
Sri Krishna is Narayana proposed by the Vedas. “SarveVedah Krishna’, all tools of knowing Krishna are Vedas. It is difficult to know Him completely even through Vedas. He is not reachable by word, voice, or mind. But you can only know Him through the word, mind, and sight. He is embodiment of light. Each can see him as he desires. One can see Him in temple. He is in Pooja rooms in Residences. He is behind doors and within minds. He is in the shape and form as much as you can afford to thinkof. It is said that He is waiting to bless those who might desire Him at some point of time.
Vibheeshana surrenders to Rama
He is kind enough to give shelter to Vibheeshana, who is none other than brother of Ravana who separated Seeta from Him. Though He could have killed Ravana once, he changes his mind and gives him one more day to live and relent. He does not think that He is helping others, for Him it is His routine duty. He feels relieved when he gave Kishkinda to Sugreeva and Lanka to Vibheeshana. He does not, even for a moment, think of merging their Kingdom with His.
Also read: Romantic Thiruppavai with divine inner meaning
Kaakasura Harasses Seeta
When Hanuma wishes to carry back to Rama some sign to indicate that he has met Seeta, she recounts an intimate incident at Chitrakuta, which even Lakshmana was not aware of. Once, tired Rama falls asleep in Seeta’s lap. A crow flies close by and pecks at Seeta’s bosom. It was Indra’s bad son, Jayanth, who took the form of a crow with lustyintentions. Seeta realises that it was no ordinary crow causing deep injury and it could not be warded off by pelting a pebble. While Seeta was thinking so, Rama wakes up and understandsSeeta’s injury and found culprit crow with blood-stained nails. He decides to punish him. He picksup a blade of grass, turns it intoa Brahmastra and throws it on the crow. None in the three worlds — including its father Indra, the celestial beings or the sages —could rescue the crow from Rama Baana. Finally, the crow surrenders to Seeta Rama seeking forgiveness. Seeta pleads with Rama not to kill it. A true Purushakara, she treats even a wicked creature as worthy of her blessings. But to honour the power of Brahmastra and as punishment for wrong deed of assaulting Seeta, Rama asks him to sacrifice any part of his body. He agrees to lose one eye. Kaakaasura survives with a single eye.
Also read: The Mother: Neela Devi, NappinnaPiratti
Govardhana episode
Krishna descended on the earth as a Tejo Roopa (an embodiment of bright light) who inspired to blossom the lotus called the universe. Neela, with Goda and Gopikas say: “Enemies are defeated and they surrender to Him. We also shed our ego, praise your glory, surrender at your feet. We give up our ego-of-beauty anddecorative ornaments. Please wake up and protect us. He always looks at the possibility of personsshedding their ego. He teaches Indra a strong lesson without assaulting him. Krishnawithstands the heavy downpour of rains with thunder and lightning at Brindavan for sevendays and holding the huge GovardhanaGiri on his little finger. There is an interesting story in the Bhagawata and other Puranas about Shri Krishna lifting the ‘Govardhan Parvat’ when he was onlyseven year old.
Shri Krishna questionsIndra Yajna performed by Nanada Raja every year to please Lord Indra for rains. But little Krishna convincesthe elders that it is Govardhana and its environment thatgives rains, and not any God’s worship. And if they want, they can express gratitude towards the Hill by worshipping it. Having been convinced, the King and people worship Govardhana. Offended by this act of defiance, furious Indra orders the Dikpalakas, the administrators of eight directions, to devastate the land of Vrindavan with torrents of rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.
Also read: Krisha Tames Seven Bulls to win Neela
Krishna lifts the Govardhan Hill at once with His left little finger and holds it up like an umbrella providing shelter to all the inhabitants, along with their cows. Stunned and mystified, Indra realizes the Supreme Soul in Sri Krishna, and surrenders to Him. Thus, Krishna destroys the false pride of Indra. At that time, he was hailed as Govinda. Of allthe names, Krishna loves this name, as he gained the title after holding the huge hill for seven days and nights on his little finger.
Also read: A selfless king of Vrepalle: Nanda
