Vishnuchitta was born in Sri Villiputtur, in the Sanctum of Vatapatra Sai. He found a baby, in the garden of Tulasi. He named her “Goda” – which means a garland.
Goda used to prepare the garlands that her father carried to the temple to decorate the Lord. Once she prepared the garlands, she would try them on herself to make sure that they look beautiful and then used to give them to her father for an offering. Unaware of this, Vishnuchitta carried on offering them to the Lord.
One day, he found some hair in the garland. He realised the reason and was worried about the sacrilege committed. But that night the Lord appears in his dream and tells him that he prefers the ones worn by Goda.
Vishnuchitta brought her up in an environment of love and devotion towards the Lord. The intensity of her love and dedication towards the Lord grew so much that she decides to marry Sri Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu.
When Andal was nubile, the Alwar began looking for a groom. But Andal insisted that she marries none other than Lord Ranganatha. Vishnuchitta takes Andal to Srirangam. At the auspicious moment the Lord marries Andal then she merges with the Lord. Thus Goda became “Amuktamalyada” Mukta – worn and removed, mala – garland, da – one who gives.
Goda Kalyanam is performed in all Vishnu temples on Bhogi day with fervour and devotion, especially in the South. Sri Krishnadevaraya, the famous king of Vijayanagara empire (16th century) authored “Amuktamalyada”, a prabhanda, based on Goda Devi story. He introduces the legends of Vishnuchitta, Yamunacharya, Khandikhya and Kesidwaja to establish the philosophy of Vishistadvaita.
॥ Sri Godadevi Ashtottara Shatanamavali English Lyrics ॥
1) Om Kodhayai Namaha
2) Om Sri Ranga Nayakyai Namaha
3) Om Vishnu Chithadhmajayai Namaha
4) Om Sathyai Namaha
5) Om Gopieshadharayai Nama
6) Om Devyai Namaha
7) Om Bhoosuthayai Namaha
8) Om Bhogadhayinyai Namaha
9) Om Tulasivasajnayai Namaha
10) Om Srithanvipuravasinyai Namaha
11) Om Bhattanadha Priyakaryai Nama
12) Om Sri Krishna Yudha Bhoginyai Namaha
13) Om Amughdhamalyadayai Namaha
14) Om Balayai Namaha
15) Om Ranganatha Priyayai Namaha
16) Om Varayai Namaha
17) Om Viswambharayai Namaha
18) Om Kalalapayai Namaha
19) Om Yathi Raja Sahodaryai Namaha
20) Om Krishna Nurakthayai Namaha
21) Om Subha Gayai Namaha
22) Om Durlabha Srisulakshanayai Namaha
23) Om Lakshmi Priyasakiyai Namaha
24) Om Syamayai Namaha
25) Om Dayanchitha Druganchalayai Namaha
26) Om Bhalgunya Virbhavayai Namaha
27) Om Ramyayai Namaha
28) Om Dhanumasakrutha Vruthayai Namaha
29) Om Champaka Sokapunaga Malavilasath Kachayai Namaha
30) Om Akarathraya Sambanayai Namaha
31) Om Narayana Padangrithayai Namaha
32) Om Srimad Ashtakshare Mantra Rajasthitha Manoradhayai Namaha
33) Om Moksha Pradanani Punayai Namaha
34) Om Manurathnadi Devathayai Namaha
35) Om Brahmanyai Namaha
36) Om Lokajananyai Namaha
37) Om Leelamanusha Roopinyai Namaha
38) Om Brahmajnanapradayai Namaha
39) Om Mayayai Namaha
40) Om Sachidananda Vigrahayai Namaha
41) Om Mahapathi Vruthayai Namaha
42) Om Vishnu Gunakeerthana Lolupayai Namaha
43) Om Prapannarthi Harayai Nama
44) Om Nithyayai Namaha
45) Om Veda Soudha Viharinyai Nama
46) Om Sri Ranganatha Manikya Manjaryai Namaha
47) Om Manju Bhashinyai Namaha
48) Om Padma Priyayai Namaha
49) Om Padma Hasthayai Namaha
50) Om Vedandadvaya Bodhinyai Namaha
51) Om Supra Sannayai Namaha
52) Om Bhagavathyai Namaha
53) Om Janardana Deepikayai Namaha
54) Om Sugandha Vayavayai Nama
55) Om Charuranga Manga Deepikayai Namaha
56) Om Dwajavajran Gusabjanga Mrudupadakalanchithayai Namaha
57) Om Tharakakara Nagharayai Namaha
58) Om Pravala Mrudulangulyai Namaha
59) Om Koormopameya Padordhwa Bhagayai Namaha
60) Om Sobhana Parshnikayai Namaha
61) Om Vedardhabhava Thathvajnayai Namaha
62) Om Lokaradhyanghri Pangajayai Namaha
63) Om Anatha Budbudakara Sugulbhayai Namaha
64) Om Paramam Sakayai Namaha
65) Om Athula Prathibhabhasvadam Guleeyaka Bhooshithayai Namaha
66) Om Meenake Thunathooneera Charujanga Virajithayai Namaha
67) Om Kubjajanudvayadyayai Namaha
68) Om Visalajaghanayai Namaha
69) Om Peenasusronyai Namaha
70) Om Manimeghalayai Namaha
71) Om Anantha Sagaravarthan Gambheera Bhojana Bhikayai Namaha
72) Om Bhasvathava Lithrikayai Namaha
73) Om Charupoornala Vanya Samyuthayai Namaha
74) Om Navavalleromarajyai Namaha
75) Om Svochitho Jwala Vidyotha Vichithra Subhaharinyai Namaha
76) Om Sudhakumbhayitha Sthanayai Namaha
77) Om Kalpa Saghanibha Bhujayai Namaha
78) Om Karna Kundala Kanchithayai Namaha
79) Om Pravalangulivinyastha Maha Rathnan Guleeyakayai Namaha
80) Om Kambhu Kandyai Namaha
81) Om Suchum Bukayai Namaha
82) Om Bimboshtyai Namaha
83) Om Kunda Danthayuthe Namaha
84) Om Karunya Rasanishyanda Lochanad Vayasalinyai Namaha
85) Om Kamaneyapprabhaswacha Chambeyani Bhanasikayai Namaha
86) Om Darpanakara Vipulakapola Dwithayanjikayai Namaha
87) Om Anantharka Prakasothpath Manitha Dangasobhithayai Namaha
88) Om Kodi Suryagni Sangasanana Bhooshana Bhooshithayai Namaha
89) Om Sugandhavadanayai Namaha
90) Om Subhruve Namaha
91) Om Ardhachandrala Ladakayai Namaha
92) Om Poornachandra Nanayai Namaha
93) Om Neelakatilalaka Sobhithayai Namaha
94) Om Soundarya Seemavilasath Kasthurethilakojwalayai Nama
95) Om Dahad Dahayanamanodyath Manibhooshanarajithayai Namaha
96) Om Jajwalyamanasath Rathna Divyakutavathamsakayai Namaha
97) Om Suryachandradi Kalyana Bhooshananchithavenikayai Namaha
98) Om Athyarkanalathejaswimani Kanjukadharinyai Namaha
99) Om Sathrathnajalavidyothi Vidyuth Punjobhasatikayai Namaha
100) Om Paribhaswathrathnapunja Syoothaswarnanicholikayai Namaha
101) Om Nanamaniganakeerna Kanjanangadabhooshithayai Namaha
102) Om Kunkumagaru Kasthooridivya Chandanacharchithayai Namaha
103) Om Asanghyeyasughasparsa Sarvavayavabhooshanayai Namaha
104) Om Mallikaparijathadi Divyapushpasraganjithayai Namaha
105) Om Sri Ranganilayayai Namaha
106) Om Poojyayai Namaha
107) Om Divyadevesusevithayai Namaha
108) Om Srimathyai Kothayai Namaha