Chapter 4
Yadava girls falling in love with Kannan as He returns with the herd - (தழைகளும் தொங்கலும்)
கண்ணன் மீண்டுவருங் கோலம் கண்டு கன்னியர் காமுறல்
Krishna was an obedient child who never defied his mother's words. As per her request, he stayed with her without leaving for seven days. Then, he went back to graze the calves in the forest and returned. He came back joyfully with his friends, accompanied by various sounds of music and drums. Seeing his return, the cowherd women, filled with love for Krishna, spoke affectionate words. The āzhvār, embodying these women, also experiences and expresses these feelings.
கண்ணன் தாய் சொல் தட்டாதவன். தாய் வேண்டிக்கொண்டபடியே ஏழு நாட்கள் பிரியாமல் அவளோடு தங்கி இருந்தான். மீண்டும் கன்று மேய்க்கக் காடு சென்று திரும்பி வருகிறான். பல இசைகளும் மேளங்களும் முழங்க நண்பர்களோடு ஆரவாரமாக வருகிறான். அவன் வருவதைக் கண்ட ஆயர் பெண்கள் கண்ணன்மீது காமுற்றுக் கூறிய வார்த்தைகளை ஆழ்வாரும் கூறி அனுபவிக்கிறார்.
Verses: 254 to 263
Grammar: Eḻuchīrk Kaḻinediladi Āsiriya Viruththam / எழுசீர்க் கழிநெடிலடி ஆசிரிய விருத்தம்
Recital benefits: Will go to Vaikuṇṭam and remain there always
- Verse 1:
254. Decorated with fresh leaves and garlands, cowherds come while the sounds of flutes and songs are heard everywhere while drums are beaten. Govindan, his hair adorned with peacock feathers, comes with them and young women, coming to their doorsteps, see the cowherds and Kannan and say, “Is a cloud coming in the crowd?” They forget what they should do and stand there, forgetting even to eat. - Verse 2:
255. Kannan, wearing a soft garment on the waist that looks like the petals of flowers blooming on a vine, carrying a small sword, that clings like a lizard and adorned with a garland made of fragrant mullai and vengai blossoms mixed with fresh kachandi leaves, comes in the middle of a group of cowherds in the evening. O girls, if you go before him, your bangles will slip from your hands and you will lose them. - Verse 3:
256. His young friends wearing silk garments run behind him carrying small swords, bows, chendus and sticks. With one hand on the companion's shoulder and the other one holding the conch that would blow to signal the cows' return Kannan comes with them, weary and tired. Seeing his beautiful form adorned with turmeric powder my daughter approaches him. The people of the village see this and gossip about her. - Verse 4:
257. He, my beloved one, lifted the Govardhanā mountain and protected the cows when there was a big storm. Now he plays music on his flute as a cowherd, grazes the calves and comes with his friends. O beautiful friend, I see him on the streets. I have not seen anyone like him before. O friend, come and see him. All my bangles are getting loose, the garment slips from my waist and my young breasts are not in my control. - Verse 5:
258. I saw the cowherds carrying umbrellas made of peacock feathers standing around Kannan whose curly hair is bedecked with beautiful peacock feathers. They sang and danced in front of their doorsteps. I don’t want you to give me in marriage to anyone except Māyan, the lord of Thirumālirunjolai. You should realize that I belong only to the victorious one and give me in marriage to him. If you don’t, it will plunge me into sorrow. - Verse 6:
259. He wears a shining sinduram and a perfect nāmam on his divine forehead. As the lovely music of flutes and the sound of drums play, he will come into the flourishing grove with the cowherds carrying their grazing sticks He is a beautiful cowherd child, yet he is the eternal god When he walks on the street as if he knows everything, let's stop him and tell him that he stole our ball and see the lovely smile on his coral mouth. - Verse 7:
260. Kannan goes behind good cows in a flourishing grove with his divine body shining brightly, his fragrant hair decorated with peacock feathers. His beautiful lotus eyes shining, he comes among a group of cowherd children, plays the flute, sings songs and dances, as the cowherds come with him singing and dancing. Seeing the beauty of that cowherd child, my daughter is fascinated. - Verse 8:
261. A red thilak ( pottu ) made of red powder and a divine nāmam adorn his forehead. Wearing beautiful peacock feathers in his hair, the cowherd child comes like Indra, the king of the gods. I told my daughter, “If you go before him, you will lose your bangles. ” My beautiful girl stands before him in the middle of the street, and see, her bangles and clothes are becoming loose. - Verse 9:
262. On his left ear he wears a lovely thondri flower and his long hair is adorned with jasmine and forest mauval flowers. Seeing the beauty of the cowherd child, as he comes playing his flute, my daughter is in love with him. She stands before him without moving away and see, her lovely bangles become loose and she grows thin. - Verse 10:
263. While the Gods in Heaven wish to celebrate Kannan, the God of Gods, he walks casually behind the cows along the streets of Gokulam, the cowherds' village, Seeing him, the young girls fall in love with him. Vishnuchithan, the chief of Puduvai surrounded with lovely groves where bees swarm, composed ten pāsurams about how the cowherd girls get charmed, when they see Kannan Those who sing these songs happily, will reach divine Vaikuntam.