SrI-vishNuchitta-kula-nandana-kalpa-vallIm
SrIrangarAja-harichandana-yOgadRSyAm
sAkshAt kshamAm karuNayA kamalAm-ivAnyAm
gOdAm ananya-SaraNaS-SaraNam prapadyE
The flower garden in which Aandal is termed as a golden vine which belongs to the clan of Perialwar, in conjunction with the Lord of Srirangam who is described as a sandal wood tree which hosts the golden vine, the incarnation of Bhooma devi, the divine Aandal who displayed the mercy of PeriyaPirati, I (Desikar), who does not have any means, offer my salutations.
Even if a sinner surrenders unto Thaayar, will make sure that She takes up the case with the Lord and ensure bliss and liberation from future births. Hence each of us should lead the life as prescribed by Aandal in her Tiruppavai.
Life story of Sri Andal:
The Sri Vaishnava tradition holds that Sri Andal was found in the flower garden in kali yuga 98, Adi (Ashata month), Shukla Chathurthi, Tuesday with Puram star in SRIVILLIPUTHUR in the Pandiya dynasty.(8th of June 3004 B.C), but modern historians fix a date the first half of the 8th century A.D. Our account follows the "Guru Parampara" tradition.
Upbringing of Sri Andal by Periyaazhvaar/Vishnuchithan:
Similar to Sita found by king Janaka while tilling the land for doing yagna, Vishnuchitha (a great vedic scholar, poet, known as Periyazhvar found the divine child under a tulasi plant while he was tending his garden in Srivilliputhur. She was aptly named Kodai/Godha. He brought her up in simple and pious surroundings natural to a Krishna bhakta. The child prodigy thus fostered lovingly, grew into a beautiful maiden and became an embodiment of love for Sri Krishna.
Sri Andal's love for Krishna/Sri Vatabhadrasayee:
Being a devotee of "Sri Vadabhatrasayee", the presiding deity of Srivilliputhur, Vishnuchitha would weave a garland of tulasi leaves daily and keep it sacredly rolled in a flower basket for taking it later to the temple for offering to the lord. The child "kodai"(Andal) in her profound innocence would take out the garland daily without her father's knowledge, adorn herself and look into the mirror to satisfy herself whether she was suitable bride to the lord and then would remove the garland and replace it in the basket in its original form. This was going on for days. Without knowing that her daughter had adorned the garland, Vishnuchitha would offer this to the Lord, who wore it beatifically.
One day Vishnucitha saw the child wearing the garland before he could take it to the temple. He was shocked for he considered this as a great defilement. He remonstrated her for this act and fasted that day without offing that garland. But to his surprise, the lord appeared in his dream asked 'why you did not offer me the tulasi wreath today? I am ever eager to have the things touched by my devotee. Think not kodai to be a mere mortal.'
Vishnuchitha observed that tulasi wreath worn on the previous day by Andal had not faded. But apperaed fresher than a freshly made garland. Thereafter, he offered the garland to the deity after being worn by Andal. (Even today, this practice is being observed at the temple of Srivilliputhur.)
When Andal attained her marriageable age, her father was worried to find a suitable match for her. But, the divine child would not marry anyone except lord Krishna. Therefore, Vishnuchitha narrated all the KALYANA GUNAS of all the Archa-Murthis of the one hundred and eight Sri Vaishnava Kshetras in India, so that she may for herself choose the deity. When she heard of the Soundarya of lord Sriranganatha, tears of joy came over her and her heart prayed to HIM to come and accept her in wedlock.
Wedlock of Sri Andal with Sri Ranganatha:
Vishnuchitha, not knowing what to do, meditated on Sri Ranganatha appeared in dream and said "Do not hesitate to offer your daughter to Me, for she is Bhudevi herself." Simultaneously the lord bade the Srirangam temple officials to go to Srivilliputhur and bring Andal in a palanquin in all royalty.
King Vallabhadeva along with his retinue joined the procession from Srivilliputhur to Srirangam with Sri Andal in a palanquin. The whole route was decorated on either sides with flowers and wreaths of finely weaved green saplings (called thoranam). As sri Andal entered the inner shrine of Sri Ranganatha, the magnetic beauty of the lord instantly attracted her. She boldly mounted up His serpent couch and joined the eternal lustrous light of Sri Ranganatha in the presence of the gathering.
Sri Andal's works:
To posterity, Sri Andal gave two gems as masterpieces:-
THIRUPPAVAINAACHIYAAR THIRUMOZHI (143 verses).
Article by: Sundaram Varadan and Ramesh Varadarajan