Godha’s Sandcastles – Verses from Nachiyar Thirumozhi

The Nachiyar Thirumozhi is a lesser read masterpiece by the poet Andal, compared to her Magnum opus, Thirupaavai. This spectacular work is a more visceral exploration of her relationship to her Lord, Sri Ranganatha. The second poem in this work describes the mischievous Krishna taking delight in destroying the girls’ sandcastles — a metaphor for how He ravages their inner minds too. I attempt to present an organic response to this emotionally-rich poetic prayer.

Translation by Author Ravi Shankar (Andal, The Autobiography of a Goddess)

We have toiled over them until our backs throb...

Allow us to enjoy the fruit of our labor,

O Lord, alpha and omega, let us gaze

with pride for a passing moment on what

we have so carefully built.

Sifting particles of sand, we've wearied

our wrists thick with bangles,

even as you lounge on approaching waves, laughing no doubt.

Don't wreck our sandcastles.

You cross our courtyard just to show us

your sublime smile, never revealing

whether or not you intend to smash our sandcastles

and our hearts as well.

Oh Govinda, who leaped to span

the waist of the earth and the wet

of the sky, if you embrace us like that,

what will our neighbors say?

Commissioned by Dr.Anita Ratnam for her series, 'Andal's Garden'.