Kodai Andal of Srivilliputhur

Born of garden soil by a 

Tulasi bush, so the legend

goes, Kodai came to human

parents of her own accord. 

Of her own accord 

she loved. Loved the God the

others became devotees to. 

Garlands of woven jasmine 

she put on herself first,

the legend goes, before 

putting it on her God. 

She showed up at his door,

his marital bed,

demanded to be loved back. 

Even the God gave in. 

Stepped out of his bounds

walked to her 

to bring her to the throne. 

Ruled by what could 

only have been love. 

In her temple, stands Kamadeva

wielding a sugarcane bow 

and arrows of flowers. 

She rewrites, to this day,

rituals of worship as demands of love.