During
his absence, his daughter Goda used to wear the garlands on her tresses, unnoticed, and
observe the reflection of her face in well-water in order to adjudge whether she looked
beautiful and whether she would be a suitable consort to Lord Vishnu. That well is still
preserved in the precincts of Andal's temple, with iron raili- ngs covering the
top.Mirrors were probably unknown then.
Decorating herself with the garland and looking at her own beauty in the well became a
routine with Goda in the absence of her father. But one day, her father returned while she
was doing so and was surprised to see that his daughter had worn the garland prepared by
him for Lord Vishnu and was looking at her own reflection in the well. This act shocked
Vishnu Chitta, as offerings to God should be clean and holy, unused by anybody, and fresh
from Natures lap. |
