Azhi Mazhai Kanna: Thiruppavai Pasuram Day 4 Upanyasams

Today, December 19, 2013 is Day 4 of Margazhi masam. The fourth pasuram of Thiruppavai, Azhi Mazhai Kanna, is to be recited today.

Margazhi month assumes special significance for Srivaishnavas. Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita says masanam margashirso aham (of months, I am Margazhi). Of the 12 sub-Vyuhas which are representative of the 12 months beginning from the Tamil month of Margazhi, Kesava is the lord for the month of Margazhi.

Most importantly, the month derives its auspiciousness primarily due to its association with ThiruppAvai. It was during Margazhi that Sri Andal observed the pious Pavai Nombu for Sriman Narayanan and composed the 30 pasurams of Thiruppavai for  the ujjeevanam (upliftment) of jeevatmas like us. Thiruppavai is very sacred and all our Acharyas have given commentaries on this prabhandam. The very fact that Swami Ramanuja was called ‘ThiruppAvai Jeeyar’ because of his deep attachment to this, illustrates the special place Thiruppavai had with Swami Ramanuja. In this Vijaya Varusham, the Margazhi month began on December 16, 2013.

For the benefit of Anudinam readers, we bring detailed Tamil commentary, musical recitation and detailed upanyasam audio by various vidwans (scholars) for each pasuram. It may be noted that the audio files are also available at www.sravanam.org

The following is an article about the fourth pasuram (Azhi Mazhai Kanna)…

In this Pasuram Andal prays for copious rains that would result in JalaSamriddhi (Water availability). The dark rain-bearing clouds remind her of Sriman Narayana’s hue. She reminds us that He is Mudhalvan, the First. Though  Varuna is the rain-god, he functions  by the order of  Sriman Narayana. He is addressed as Padmanabha that is One from whose navel Brahma was born. Andal talks of His beautiful strong shoulders and hands holding  the Sudarshana chakra flashes lightning, the conch Panchajanyam  produces thunder and the Sarngam bow releases  numerous arrows in the form of rain. Enough and timely rains are portents of plenty and prosperity and that is what the Margazhi Nonbu will bring in. In this pasuram, Andal reveals that Perumal is Antaryami for every creation of His including Varuna and Brahma.

ஆழி மழைக் கண்ணா!, ஒன்று நீ கை கரவேல்*
ஆழியுள்புக்கு முகம்து கொடு ஆர்த்தேறி*
ஊழி முதல்வன் உருவம் போல் மெய் கறுத்துப்*
பாழியன் தொளுடை பற்பநாபன் கையில்**
ஆழி போல் மின்னி, வலம்புரி போல் நின்றதிர்ந்து*
தாழாதே சர்ங்கம் உதைத்த சர மழை போல்*
வாழ உலகினில் பெய்திடாய்* நாங்களும்
மார்கழி நீராட மகிழ்ந்தேலோரெம்பாவாய்  (௪)

aazhi mazhai(k) kaNNaa onRu nee kai karavEl
aazhi uL pukku mugandhu kodu aarthu ERi
oozhi mudhalvan uruvam pOl mey kaRuththu(p)
paazhii am thOLudai(p) paRpanaaban kaiyil
aazhi pOl minni valamburi pOl ninRu adhirndhu
thaazhaadhE saarnga mudhaiththa sara mazhai pOl
vaazha ulaginil peydhidaay naangaLum
maargazhi neeraada magizhndhElOr empaavaai

Thiruppavai Pasuram 4 Musical/Recitation

Thiruppavai Pasuram 4 Upanyasams

Tamil Upanyasams

HH 45th Srimath Azhagiyasingar


HH Thirukkudanthai Andavan


Sri U.Ve. Madhavachar

Oragadam Sri U.­Ve. Lakshmi Nar­asimhachariar

Sri U.Ve. Velukkudi Krishnan

Sri U.Ve. Kuruchi Narayanan

Sri U.Ve. M.V. Ananthapadmanabhachar

Sri U.Ve.M.A Venkatakrishnan

Sri U.Ve. P.B. Annangarachariar




Sri U.Ve. K.B. Devarajan

Sri U.Ve. E.S.Boovarahachar

Telugu Upanyasams

Sri U.Ve. Aachi Srinivasacharya

Sri U.Ve. Sribashyam Appalacharya

Sri U.Ve. Santhana Gopalacharya