Thiruppavai is a 30 stanza poem sung by the Tamizh Saint Poet SriAnDAL (aka kodai)
Verses 6 to 15 focus on awakening an aspirant to join the satsang as they move on to meet their Lord SriKrishna.
These verses are inspired by the verses of Thiruppavai
Lament of an aspirant
Every step towards reaching the Lord is bliss
Progressing with devotees is divine bliss
Collective energies nurture each other
Pilgrims progress with right thinking, right living.
Bird tweets herald the dawn; ’tis their instinct
Temple conches announce the dawn: ‘Tis their duty
Dawn starts our daily chores: ‘Tis our habit
Should krishnathvam dawn; ’twill be a blessing.
Dawn noises do not seem to impact
Neither bird song nor even churn rhythm.
Only the magic of krishna nama
Can awaken one from cozy slumber.
Slumbering in the comfort of ignorance
Awakened, realize it’s just apathy
Habit to be vanquished like Ravana
Rama, please rescue me from this demon.
Curse me not with kumbakarnan’s drowse instinct hugs pleasure of lazy lounging
Conspiring with the cosmic consciousness
May Volition overpower instinct.
Dawn arrived. Cuckoos’ sing, lotus blooms
Devotees’ chants enthralls, temple lamps glow
Ignorant, inert, yet to awaken
A helpless aspirant awaits HIS grace
Inadequate I am to deserve
The eternal bliss of Krishna-anubavam
And yet, what divine euphoria ’tis
To get drenched, drowned in Krishna karunya
Hand in hand with the enthralling Krishna
Swimming in chill waters of the cool dawn
Such divine joy. What! this only my dream?
Thozhis’ jolt me into reality.
I, the lead singer of this Bhajan troop;
Oh! What curse that I trail behind now !
No Curse? Just apathy? Shaking myself up.
Wait. Back with my muse. Let the Cymbals chime.
Am neither deaf nor dumb or in slumber
Adiyen, only slow to awaken;
oh! bhagavadas, pray, do include me.
Slow but sure, steady – this pilgrim’s progress
My apathy shall no more slow you down
I humbly accept all blame. No arguments.
Oh! Krishna, destroyer of all evil,
dissent and odium. Lead us to you.
May our Margazhi Sadhana fructify.
-Padmini Janardhanan
