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

Goda Devi 37
The Patience of Mother Earth
And the compassion of Mahalakshmi.
I seek no other refuge.
Goda Devi’s re-creation of Gokula in the Tiruppavai is an indi-
cation of all that is spoken in Bhu Sukta. Prime importance is
given to rain and cows, both of which are associated with plenty
since Vedic times. Bhu Devi is Vasundhara (carrying precious
stones), Vasavi (image of corn) and Sadana (residence for all beings)
who wears the garment of ocean (Samudravati) and has the Sun
as the saffron-mark (Savitri).
The brief Neela Sukta names her Ghrutavati (maker of ghee)
and Payasvati (maker of milk). She is Aghora (cool, gentle), Asha
(guardian) and is ever associated with happiness for she walks in
beauty. As the milk and ghee give pleasure for our body, Neela
Devi’s beauty gives joy for our soul. Looking at her, a figure of
infinite beauty and compassion and patience, our sorrows are
destroyed. A strange ecstasy thrills through our being and we feel
a closeness to the Divine. Even as Goda Devi has described Neela
Devi (Nappinnai) as a ravishing beauty (such a divine cool figure
that flowers don’t fade when worn on her tresses throughout the
night—kothalar poonkuzhal Nappinnai), Krishnadeva Raya has des-
cribed Goda Devi’s beauty with infinite aesthetic joy. Because she
is, “we draw nearer to God”.
As we walk into the central area of this glorious theme, a rich
mythological and legendary feast is laid before us. Krishnadeva
Raya, who inaugurated a Hindu renaissance in South India,
gives us rich glimpses of our Arya Sampath. The immediate con
text is Goda Devi’s entry into the portals of the Palace of Divine
Love:
“Vishnuchitta, though grown prosperous due to the grace
of the Lord, continued to perform his pushpa kainkaryam
to the temple. He spent the rest of his time explicating the
Vishnu Purana to his devotees”.
The maiden’s consciousness, imbibing the figure of Krishna
and watching the lovely garlands being offered to Him, was fixed
upon the loveliness of the fresh flowers. Attracted by them and
wishing to decorate herself, she began wearing the garlands and