आमुक्तमाल्यदा (विजयनगर सम्राट् श्रीकृष्णदेवराय - गोदा देवी आण्डाल भक्ति एवं साम्राज्य-नीति)

16 Goda's Garland of Devotion
devotional fervour or playful praise, the Vaishnavites had made
prayers a way of life. The harsh Sun above or the dry road below
did not affect the pilgrims, for they held the umbrella of hymno-
logy. The Sahasranāma and the Divya Prabhandham were truely their
gayatri, for these prayers save those who sings them (gayantam traa-
yate).
Krishnadeva Raya's description also warns us that we should
not turn pilgrimages into mere pleasure-trips. Increasingly our
travels even up the Tirupati Hill have become debased with flip-
pant talk and pointless conversations. Every physical movement in
this world of human affairs should be linked to divine consciousness
so that our life becomes one continuous pilgrimage towards the
Goal. By linking ourselves to our fellow human beings by the golden
hoops of nama-smarana, by making even chance meetings a sat-
sangha, we would be able to arrive at our destination fresh and
happy. That is why the Tiruppāvai, which describes such a sat-
sangha, also refers often to singing (paadi). This is the first step for
Bhakti Yoga, as detailed by Goda Devi when indicating the ritual
of the Margasirsa vrata:
“Oh people of the world! Lend your ears
To the code of our ritual.
Singing the glories of the gently-sleeping Lord
Floating on the milky sea;
We will refrain from taking milk or ghee,
Apply no collyrium to our eyes or wear flowers.
No wrongful things will we do or say.
But take our morning bath and do acts of charity
As the best way to life and prosperity”.¹
The third Aswasa of Āmukta Mālyada begins with the royal
welcome awarded to Vishnuchitta. The debate in the Pandyan
court had been going on for quite some time. Different sectarian
leaders had been advancing arguments in favour of several gods
and goddesses. The guard knew this, and hence he sent the Villip-
puttur Brahmin straight into the Audience Hall. There was no
need for any introduction. The aura about Vishnuchitta was
enough. The King, the courtiers and the assembled scholars paid
homage to him, and he was escorted to a jewelled chair. After

1. Translated by R. Bangaruswami.