Meaning: We, the ones who hail from a humble herders clan that follows cows to their grazing area & eat while they graze, are blessed that you were born into our clan O’Kṛṣṇa! O’ all-perfect Govindā, our bond with . . .
you can never be broken no matter how one tries! We, young and naive girls, have called you by trivial names and indulged in gossip! Yet, we know and plead you won’t be angry with us, O’ Govindā, and that you’ll grant us our wish!
- Pāsuram 28 of the Thiruppāvvai
Some commentary on this pāsuram from Vedics Foundation, particularly on “kuṛaivonnum illāda govindā” (all-perfect Govindā):
Āndāl conveys here that, “Your [Govindā’s] greatness shines only when You shower Your grace on ignorant menial jīvā’s like us; how will You be . . .
complete if You don’t acquire us. Actually all the other means will send us away from you since it will make us depend on our self effort”.
While reading David Shulman's "Textures of Time: Writing History in South India, 1600-1800" came across this rare case of Jauhar in Andhra:
In 1710, the palace-fort and central base of the Sayapaneni Nayakas, a Vijayanagara military clan that survived the empire's demise . . .
and was ruling the area between the Krishna River & Nellore, was besieged by a Mughal Amir named Mir Fazlullah. Venkatadri, the incumbent ruler at that time, was killed in the proceedings while attempting to defend his turf. This is how Shulman describes the jauhar that . . .
occurred, principally of Sayapaneni women. This occurred near present-day Daddanala, which is in now Prakasam District. Fortunately, because of one maidservant who saved the five-year old Mallikarjuna Sayapaneni, who was raised by his Kamma relatives and a Niyogi Brahmin . . .
Meaning: As honey sweetens the mouth, a poem should make sense right away. Obscure sounds and sense are no better than the dumb and deaf conversing.
Practical writing advice from Atukuri Molla. Taken from a verse of her Molla Rāmāyaṇam, & it reflects her desire to written an easily understandable Telugu Rāmāyaṇam.
That said, she incorporates Saṃskṛtam derived words effortlessly, such as in this description of Ayodhyā:
మదనాగయూధసమగ్రదేశము గాని
కుటిలవర్తనశేషకులము గాదు. ఆహవోర్వీజయహరినివాసము గాని
కీశసముత్కరాంకితము గాదు సుందరస్యందనమందిరంబగు గాని
సంతతమంజులాశ్రయము గాదు మోహనగణికాసమూహగేయము గాని
యూధికానికరసంయుతము గాదు
సరససత్పుణ్యజననివాసము గాని
కఠిననిర్దయదైత్యసంఘము గాదు
కాదు కాదని కొనియాడఁ దగినట్టి . . .
Meaning: O’ Govindā, the One who wins over those who oppose You, if we sing your praises, here are the benefits we will get: bangles and amulets appreciated by all, earrings, hoops, and anklets, new clothes and finery! Pouring . . .
ghee on a rice boiled in milk dish and relishing it while it trickles downwards from our elbow! We will enjoy this bliss and coolness when united with You, O’ Govindā!
- Pāsuram 27 of the Thiruppāvvai
Some commentary on this verse from Vedics Foundation, specifically on . . .
As today is the Thirunakshtram of Periya Nambi, a small thread about a defining act of Nambi’s life:
There was a śiṣya of Svāmī Ālavandār named Maraneri Nambi, who was extremely devoted to his ācārya to the end. When his life was nearing, Maraneri Nambi, who was . . .
born in a marginalized caste, requested Periya Nambi, who was born in a priestly family, to conduct his final rites as Maraneri’s family were not devout Śrī Vaiṣṇavas, and hence, Maraneri Nambi did not want them to conduct his funeral. Periya Nambi agreed. When Maraneri . . .
Nambi passed away, Periya Nambi not only conducted his dear friend Maraneri’s funeral rites but also did so with the Brahma-medham rite, which was reserved principally for Brāhmaṇa-s.
When news of this reached others, some took objection and went to Rāmānujācārya to take . . .
Meaning: O’ dark sapphire hued one! Here is what we need from You to fulfill our Marghazi vows as instructed by our elders: white milky conches that quake the world with their sounds, just like the sound from your Pāñcajanya . . .
; large and wide drums made out of rawhide; singers to sing Your praises; bright lamps, flags, and canopies! O’ Lord, who survived the cosmic destruction while relaxing on top of a banyan leaf, please grant us these!
Meaning: O’ Supreme Lord, the one born as Devakī’s son one night and spirited away that very night to be raised as Yaśodā’s son. You turned to dust the evil plans and schemes of Kaṃsa, the man who couldn’t bear to see You live. Like a . . .
fire in his stomach, You made him frightened! My maidens and I have come yearning for You! If You grant our wishes, our pain and heartaches will end, we shall celebrate and sing the praises of Your valor and riches, and be in a blissful state!