Sri Raghavashram

Thiruppavai is a set of Tamil devotional religious hymns attributed to the female poet-saint Andal. She is Periyalvar's daughter. She was on complete fast, and bakthi for all the 30 days ( 'Paavai nonbu') during the month of 'Margazhi' (Dhanurmaasam) and composed 30 religious hymns at the age of 5, to attain Lord Ranganatha Perumal. Thirupavai consists of thirty stanzas (paasurams). 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.”