Nachiyar Thirumozhi is an exquisite part of the first 1000 verses of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, celebrated as the 4th Divya Prabandham. This sacred collection of Tamil hymns, composed by the revered Andal, expresses her deep, unyielding devotion to Lord Krishna (Kannan).

Before singing the Nachiyar Thirumozhi, Andal composed the Thiruppavai, in which she performed the Paavai Nombu, a vow to attain Lord Krishna’s blessings. In her complete surrender to Him, she awaited His divine favor. However, Lord Krishna, wanting to hear more of her divine verses, did not immediately grant her the kataksham (divine glance). This delay led Andal into a state of longing and mild despair, wondering why her beloved Kannan was not responding to her devotion.

Her yearning was so profound that she took an unconventional step for a devout soul – praying to Kamadeva, the god of love, to make Lord Krishna fall in love with her. The first paasuram (verse) of Nachiyar Thirumozhi vividly portrays this yearning:

Tai oru ti’ngaLum tarai viLakki

Tan maNDalam iTTu mASi munnAL

Ayya nuN maNal koNDu teru aNindu

Azhaginukku alangarittu ana’nga dEvA!

UyyavumAm kolO enru Solli

Unnaiyum umbiyaiyum tozhudEn

VeyyaDOr tazhaL umizh cakkarakkai

VEnkaTavaRku ennai vidikkiRRiyE

தை ஒரு திங்களும் தரை விளக்கி

தன் மண்டலம் வைத்து மாசி முன்னாள்

அய்ய நுண் மணல் கொண்டு தெரு அணிந்து

அழகினுக்கு அலங்கரித்து அநங்க தேவா!

உய்யவும் ஆம் கொலோ என்று சொல்லி

உன்னையும் உம்பியையும் தொழுதேன்

வெய்யடோர் தழல் உமிழ் சக்கரக்கை

வெங்கடவர்க்கு என்னை விடிக்கிற்றியே

In these lines, Andal describes the preparations she undertakes, setting the stage with lamps and a decorated altar, and prays fervently to Kamadeva to bring her closer to Lord Krishna. She expresses her disappointment and prays in all ten of her paasurams, showcasing her unwavering dedication and the depths of her divine love.