Sri U.Ve. M. A. Venkatakrishnan swamy is starting Thiruvirutham kaalakshepam in thiruvallikeni Sri Parthasarathy Sannidhi on 17th March. Swami will be conducting kaalakshepam in weekends (Saturday, Sunday) from 3.30pm to 5pm (approx). Swamy has already completed Thiruvasiriyam and Periya Thiruvandhaadhi grantha kaalakshepam in the same place last year. It is a great opportunity for srivaishnavas to understand the inner meanings in arulicheyal - Thiruvirutham is a difficult subject and lots of svaabhadhesa arthangal. Request everyone to participate and benefit.

adiyen sarathy ramanuja dasan

Andal captures the Bhakti bhava of the simple folk of Ayarpadi in the Thriuppavai. They have gathered together in the morning and entreat the guards at Nandagopa's house to open the door. “We are only young girls of Ayarpadi. We need your help to open the gates so that we can have dharshan of Lord Krishna. We told Him of our Nombu and we have come to collect the items for the Nombu which He had promised earlier. We are of pure heart and we have come to wake up the Lord,” they acknowledge in a humble tone.

Andal underscores the fact that Nandagopa was fortunate to be the father of the Supreme Being Who is the father of the entire creation, pointed out Sri M. A. Venkatakrishnan in a lecture. When the Lord chooses to take an incarnation, He decides His father as well and it is a great honour God confers on him.

In Rama Avatar, God chose to give Dasaratha that status. Rama was born in palatial security and Dasaratha's kingly accoutrements were keeping constant vigil on Rama and His brothers. In Krishna Avatar, Krishna was born in a prison in the enemy's camp and had to be transferred to a safe place in Nandagopa's custody. There were dangers to the life of the child from many unsuspecting sources — such as a crane, a wasp, and an asura woman posing as a nursing mother.

In Azhwar's hymns, the image of Nandagopa as a protector and father who alone can save Krishna from dangers seen and unseen is highlighted. Andal too celebrates this Saulabhya of the Lord who is the sole protector of one and all. Yet He allows a Yasodha or a Nandagopa to believe that it is their duty to protect Him. God has guards to protect Him and those who are engaged in this task are extremely lucky. This is a prerogative of those who serve Him.

Devotion inheres in a person and brings about an inner transformation, when one only longs to be with the Lord. In the presence of the Lord, the only surging desire is to serve Him. A chance to serve the Lord is deemed to be the greatest fortune ever that can befall a devotee.

Source: THE HINDU