Sri Raghavashram

This is the twentieth pasuram sung in Ragam Senchurutti. This pasuram is another joint appeal  by the gopis to both Krishna and nappinnai by propitiating both of them. “Oh valiant lord, you eliminated the distress experienced by the thirty three celestials (2 ashwins, 8 vasus, 11 rudrAs, and 12 AdityAs) by leading them to battles against their enemies. With integrity and strength you terrorized and vanquished such enemies. Please wake up. Oh, nappinnai, with soft bosom resembling golden pots, ruddy lips, and slender waist, please wake up. You are the embodiment of Lakshmi. Please give us each a fan and shiny plate and send your husband with us to enable us to take our ceremonial bath.”

This is the nineteenth pasuram sung in Ragam Sahana. The gOpis now make a joint appeal to both nappinnai and Krishna. Krishna is sleeping in the soft bed resting his head on nappinnai’s chest. They also appeal to nappinnai to let go of her husband in the interest of fairness to the gOpis. “We see the lamp burning brightly and on the bed which has legs of ivory and a spread of soft featherbed Krishna  is sleeping with his head on the chest of nappinnai who has decorated her hair with a fragrant flower bunch. Please Krishna, open your mouth and say something.  Oh, nappinnai who has broad eyes to which collyrium has been applied, you do not let your husband wake up because you cannot bear to let him go away from your watchful eyes. You should let him wake up for our sake since it does not behoove your lofty status to be unfair to us by keeping your husband (who is our lord) all for yourself.”

This is the eighteenth pasuram sung in Ragam Saveri. The gopis persevere in waking up all the members of the household of nandagopan by targeting them one by one. In this pasuram they target nappinnai, the niece of nandagopan. “Oh, nappinnai, the niece of the mighty nandagopan who has the majestic gait of the strong elephant and one who never leaves the battlefield without a victory, your locks of hair waft with pleasant fragrance. Please open the door. All over the roosters are crowing announcing the arrival of dawn. The cuckoos too are climbing on top of the jasmine creepers and chirp to welcome the dawn. You have delicate hands which delight in bouncing soft balls.  We want to sing the praise of your spouse. Please do come out with precious bangles jingling in your wrists which are as delicate as the lotus. We shall be happy if you do so.”

This is the seventeenth pasuram sung in Ragam Kalyani. Having gained entry into the palace the gopis now wake up the members of the household of wealthy nandagopan one by one---nandagopan, Yashoda, Krishna, and his brother Balaraman. “Oh, our lord nandagopa, who provide us in plentiful amounts our needs for clothing, water, and food as an act of kindness, please wake up. Lady Yashoda, who is a shining beacon for all the slender-waisted ladies in the village, please be advised to get up. Krishna!  the lord of the celestials, you spanned the entire space while seeking three measures of land from Mahabali, please sleep no more and get up. Baladeva, who wears golden anklets, you too should stop sleeping and both you and your brother should get up.”

This is the sixteenth pasuram sung in Ragam Mohanam. The girls, after assembling all the members in their group march towards the palace of nandagopan and beseech the gatekeeper to let them inside for an audience with Krishna. Oh, the guard at the palace of the leader nandagopan and the guard of the festooned flag post at the entrance, please open the decorated gate. The lord Krishna had promised us young gopis yesterday that we can visit him today and that we can avail his grace. We have come with pure hearts  and want to sing his praise to wake him up.  You are benevolent like a mother. Do not refuse our entry outright. Do not give excuses. Kindly open the mighty gate and let us come in.”

This is the fifteenth pasuram sung in Ragam Begada.In this pasuram ANDAL and her friends wake up the 10th gopi to join the group and they have a back and forth conversation with the youngest gOpi in the group who  is buying some time before she gets up. The girls waiting outside ask the sleeping girl, “Oh, young dame, are you still asleep?” to which the girl inside responds, “please don’t use harsh words, I shall come out forthwith.” The girls outside say, “you are weaving great stories; we know your smart talk from before.” The girl inside retorts,  “you are the smart ones in wordy combat. Let me apologize.” The girls outside concede her point and say, “Alright get going quick. Why are you still separating yourself from us?” The girl inside wants to make sure all the girls are outside to which the girls outside say “come out and make sure for yourself. Let us sing the praise of the lord who killed the mighty elephant (kuvalyApITam) and destroyed the enmity of those who opposed him.”

This is the fourteenth pasuram sung in Ragam Anandabairavi. More evidence is presented for the daybreak to wake up a girl who promised to lead the march ahead of other girls but was still unabashedly asleep. “It is daybreak already. In the pond in your backyard garden the red lotuses have blossomed while the lilies have closed up anticipating the arrival of the sun. The saints in their saffron robes sporting white teeth are marching towards their temples to blow the conch. You told us before that you would be the first to wake up and wake us all up and lead the march. It appears it is all empty talk. You don’t seem to be ashamed for not keeping your word. Please get up quick. It is time to sing the praise of the lord who has lotus-like eyes and who wields the conch and the discus in his mighty hands.

This is the thirteenth pasuram sung in Ragam Atahna. The gopis sang the praise of Rama in the previous pAsuram. It is the turn for both Krishna and Rama in the present one. They talk of the slaying of the demon who took the form of a stork and the killing of Ravana. “After singing the praise of Krishna who killed Bakasuran (who took the form of a crane to assault him) by tearing his mouth open and the praise of Rama (who killed RavaNa by severing his heads) our friends have gone to the bathing ghat. Jupiter has set and Venus is up on the horizon. All the birds are chirping. Oh, beautiful girl with eyes resembling a lotus flower circled by bees, don’t you want to immerse yourself in the cool waters of the river and enjoy the bath? It is going to be a great day, dear girl, you are still in bed. Shed your pretension (of being asleep) and join us.”

This is the twelfth pasuram sung in Ragam Kedaragowla. O young sister of the prosperous cowherd, whose cows spilled continuous flows of milk from their udders experiencing as if feeding their unfed calfs! So, your front yard has become very slushy and muddy with the flowing milk due to which we are unable to enter your doorstep thereby waiting outside even though the cold dew is drenching our heads.And, we are singing the glories of Lord Rama to our heart's satisfaction who killed with great anger the Southern Lanka King. Even then, you are not opening your mouth. At least get up now. Why this deep sleep? Even all the neighbors are becoming aware. Oh, my Dear!

This is the eleventh pasuram sung in Ragam Huseni. Another slumbering girl, a scion of a prosperous family, is awakened in this somg pointing out her privileged status and her apparent reluctance to  wake up and get ready for the austerity ritual. “Oh, golden creeper of a girl, you are born in the family of wealthy cowherds who are adept at milking a slew of young cows in quick succession and vanquishing their enemies while maintaining a virtuous conduct. You are like a beautiful peacock and you have a shapely waist  rivaling the hood of a cobra. Please come out. Several of your friends have gathered in front of your courtyard singing the praise of the lord who has the complexion of dark clouds. But you are still fast asleep without any movement or response to our calls to you to come out. Why are you indulging in this indifferent action, oh wealthy girl?”