Tiruppāvai – Pāsuram 25
Krishna Revealed: From Hidden Birth to Sought Refuge
Opening Context: How We Have Come Here
From Pāsuram 17 onwards, Āṇḍāḷ has been steadily drawing us closer to Krishna—not physically alone, but relationally and spiritually.
The Sakhis (Companions) are gathered.
Doors have been opened, one by one.
Elders have been awakened.
Krishna has been asked to open His eyes.
He has been requested to rise, emerge, and take His royal seat.
In Pāsuram 24, every great deed across His incarnations was praised—Vāmana, Rāma, the child of Gokula, the lifter of Govardhana.
At this moment, Krishna is seated.
He is no longer hidden.
He is no longer silent.
Now Āṇḍāḷ answers the unspoken question:
“Why have you come?”
The Pāsuram (First Two Lines)
Tamil Text
ஒருத்தி மகனாய் பிறந்து ஓரிரவில்
ஒருத்தி மகனாய் ஒளித்து வளர
Transliteration
Oruththi maganāy piRandhu ōr iravil
Oruththi maganāy oLiththu vaḷara
Meaning and Reflection
This is one of the most compressed yet profound revelations of Krishna in Tiruppāvai.
The word “Oruththi” is not casual.
It is reverential.
It means “That One Woman”.
The first Oruththi is Devakī —
the one chosen to give birth to the Lord of all worlds,
in a single, incomparable night.
The second Oruththi is Yaśodā —
the one blessed to raise Him,
to see His smile, His mischief, His fear, His courage, His compassion.
In one night, Krishna belongs to Devakī.
For all nights thereafter, Krishna belongs to Yaśodā.
Here, Āṇḍāḷ reminds Krishna—and us—
that He accepted limitation, secrecy, danger, and separation
not out of necessity, but out of love.
The Threat That Could Not Touch Him
Tamil Text
தரிக்கிலான் ஆகித் தான்தீங்க நினைந்த
கருத்தைப் பிழைப்பித்து கஞ்சன் வயிற்றில்
Transliteration
Tharikkilān āgi thān thīngu ninaindha
Karuththaip piḻaippiththu kañjan vayiṟṟil
Meaning and Reflection
Kaṁsa could not endure Krishna’s existence.
“Tharikkilān” — he could not bear it.
Every plan Kaṁsa formed dissolved before it became action. Not because Krishna fought back, but because Krishna’s very being undid evil intent.
Āṇḍāḷ uses a powerful inner image:
“Fire in Kaṁsa’s belly.”
This is not a physical fire.
It is the fire of fear, envy, and helplessness.
Krishna did not need to strike Kaṁsa yet.
Kaṁsa was already burning.
Even the forest fire of Munjivana,
even demons like Bakasura,
are folded into this truth:
👉 Fire cannot harm the One who is the source of all fire.
Krishna Named Directly
Tamil Text
நெருப்பென்ன நின்ற நெடுமாலே!
Transliteration
Neruppenna nindra neḍumālē!
Meaning and Reflection
Āṇḍāḷ now speaks directly.
“O Neḍumāle!”
The tall One.
The immeasurable One.
The One who stands—unmoved—
while others burn within themselves.
This is Krishna as refuge,
not Krishna as child, hero, or king alone.
The True Request
Tamil Text
உன்னை அருத்தித்து வந்தோம் பறை தருதி ஆகில்
திருத்தக்க செல்வமும் சேவகமும் யாம் பாடி
Transliteration
Unnai aruththiththu vandhōm parai tharuthi āgil
Thiruththakka selvamum sēvagamum yām pāḍi
Meaning and Reflection
Now the truth is spoken.
“Unnai aruththiththu vandhōm.”
We have come seeking You.
The parai is mentioned,
but it is no longer the focus.
What do they truly want?
Thiruththakka Selvam
→ the wealth worthy of You
→ a life aligned with Your presence
Sēvagam
→ service
→ relationship
→ belonging
This is not bargaining.
This is belonging reclaimed.
Completion and Peace
Tamil Text
வருத்தம் தீர்ந்து மகிழ்ந்து ஏலோர் எம்பாவாய்
Transliteration
Varuththam thīrndhu magizhndhu ēlōr empāvāy
Meaning and Reflection
This is not excitement.
It is relief.
Sorrow ends
not because problems vanish,
but because Krishna is now acknowledged as sufficient.
This is where description ends.
From here onward, Tiruppāvai will move into asking, receiving, and resting.
Why Pāsuram 25 Is a True Turning Point
Pāsuram 25 closes the narrative arc of Krishna’s revelation.
From hidden birth
to public enthronement
to personal surrender
Āṇḍāḷ ensures that nothing about Krishna remains unspoken: His birth, danger, compassion, power, patience, and accessibility.
Only after this completeness
can the Sakhis (Companions) move to specific requests in Pāsurams 26 and 27
—without needing to justify, explain, or recall anything again.
Krishna is now fully present.
Everything that follows is relationship.
ANDAL THIRUVADIGALAI SHARANAM
We take refuge at the sacred feet of Andal
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