2
Maanakkanjara
Nayanar
Thirupperumangalam…
Being Thiruvadirai, there is surging crowd in
the Easan’s temple chanting “Hara, Hara, Siva, Siva” awaiting their turn in the
long queue for darisanam. White flags with emblem of Nandi are flying sky high
everywhere. Clad in colourful festive clothes, people are hurrying to the
temple carrying items for Puja creating a happy ambience. Kaligamar is also
standing in the long queue among the people. Even in that vast crowd, he could
be singled out due to his commanding stature. Slowly the crowd inches forward
to the Sannadhi. Easan too is perhaps
awaiting His adiyavar! Kaligamar reaches the Sannadhi with his palms cupped in
great devotion.
Kaligamar (to himself)
Iraiva! Emperumane! While one set of people in
this world deny You due to ignorance, the others who have realised You have
only notion that is everything is Sivam alone! You also at times come down to earth and enact
miraculous events… Just now news has come from Thiruvennainallur … You had come
there in the guise of an old Brahmin and proved to the people that Nambi
Aarooran was your slave only to make him Your friend ultimately. Though he abused you with harsh words, You
even called him as “Vanthondar” and granted him the power of composing and
singing hymns by giving him a lead “Piththa” for the very first song. I am
spellbound hearing this episode. I don’t know from where I can get an answer
for question that is nagging me! Is your
enactment of winning the case against Aarooran to prove Your prowess or to
prorogate the glory of Your adiyavar?
He reaches the Sannadhi and is
enchanted by the beautifully decorated Easan. He bows down in great piety and
extends his hands to receive thiruneeru from the Gurukkal. Gurukkal looks at
him in great compassion.
Gurukkal
You do not have to search for the
answers for your question anywhere else! I will give you the answers Myself! Iraivan is not
obliged to prove His presence to anyone! Those who deny Him, will continue to
say so till they themselves get into some entanglement. So what? Let them keep
saying what they want. “Sarvam Sivamayam” (Everything is part of and full of
Sivam) Sri Rudram says the same thing.
The One who created the entire universe, the One who cannot be contained
in the whole of this universe can be bound within the heart of an Adiyavar!
Therefore the most exalted is the glory of Adiyavars! Easan comes down and sets
his feet on earth only to spread their fame to the people at large!
He hands over thiruneeru with a
smile.
Kaligamar
(in amazement)
How did you know the questions
which were in my mind? Still, you have given the most appropriate answers. As
the Adiyavars are of such immense greatness, I will, from now onwards, make it
my prime duty to be at their service.
He accepts the Thiruneeru happily
and turns back to leave.
Easan
(in the guise of Gurukkal all along)
I will let the world to know of
your fame also one day!
Easan vanishes.
As he comes out of the Sannadhi,
he sees the Gurukkal entering in great haste. He wonders as to who has given him Thiruneeru and cleared
his doubts! He looks back and the Gurukkal who has given him Thiruneeru is not
there!
Easan is seated in the Sannathi
in all His glory!
******
From that day, it becomes a
routine for many groups of Adiyavars to come to his house for food every day.
Years roll by. The generosity of
Kaligamar and his unblemished service to adiyavars spreads and reaches
Thiruvarur also.
One day..
As Sundaramoorthiyar is singing
in praise of Easan in the sannathi of
Aarooran, a few adiyavars reach there. As he finishes his songs and comes out,
the adiyavars also follow him and pay their regards.
Sundaramoorthiyar
My salutations to all of you! May
I know from where you are all coming from?
Adiyavar
Our respectful salutations to the
dearest friend of Easan! We are all coming from Thirupperumangalam.
Sundaramoorthiyar
(excited)
Did you say Thirupperumangalam? Is Kaligamar doing well there?
Adiyavar
Kaligamar is doing very well. He
is at all times thinking of you only!
Sundaramoorthiyar
Is he remembering me all the
time? How blessed am I? I am very eager
to go and meet him at Thirupperumangalam.
I know not when my wish will be fulfilled
Adiyavar
You are a great and bosom friend of Easan who
Himself hailed you as his dear friend.
To ensure your dignity not getting tarnished, Easan produced a shower of
rice paddy at Thiruvarur. When you were in dire need of funds, He transformed
the clay bricks into gold and gave them to you.
There are innumerable such instances proclaiming your glory. Is it
appropriate for such great man like you to go all the way to Thirupperumangalam
to see him? Is he not obliged to come
here to pay his regards to you instead?
Sundaramoorthiyar
(humbly)
No. You
are wrong. Your views are erroneous.
Perhaps you are not aware of the greatness of Adiyavar Kaligamar! He considers
and greets any adiyavar who comes to Thirupperumangalam as “Siva” if he is a
male and “Ammai” if female and does Padapujai. I consider myself very
insignificant compared to him.
Adiyavar
(not satisfied)
Does one become superior just by hailing males as “Siva” and females as “Annai’?
He looks up at Sundaranar in
trepidation as to what he is going to say further.
Sundaramoorthiyar
Recollect what Sambandar Peruman
as a child of three years uttered after drinking the “Milk of Wisdom” yielded
by Annai Herself! He hailed Him as the
“Thief who has robbed his heart”! That
is only to highlight that Easan resides in the heart and mind of adiyavar without
even perceived by him. Having realised that Easan is residing in the heart of
any adiyavar, Kaligamar very aptly considers all male adiyavars as Easan and
all female adiyavars as Annai. Therefore he is far more superior to all of us.
To bring the discussion to an
end, Sundaranar shouts the panchaksharam “Om Namasivaya”.
All the adiyavars assembled at
Thirumanagalam repeat the same after him loudly.
****
Thirupperumangalam…
After eating sumptuously, adiyavars start
leaving one by one after blessing Kaligamar. One of the adiyavars keeps waiting
till all others leave to have a talk with Kaligamar.
Adiyavar
Kaligamare! I am pleased by your
hospitality. By hailing all adiyavars as ‘Siva’ and ‘Annai’ pleasingly, you
have captured a high corner of Sundaramoorthiyar’s heart! He, who was hailed by
Easan as “Nanba” (friend), is wishing to come to this village to meet with
you. Long live your fame!
Kaligamar
Aaha! What penance I might have
done to hear such news from you!
He prostrates hailing the
adiyavar as “Siva” and catches his feet
in veneration.
Kaligamar
(continuing)
It should have been me to go to
Thiruvarur to have his darisanam. My heart is yearning for that auspicious
day. We all know how Easan came to his
rescue when Viranmindar ran after him to chop him with his axe due to his
misunderstanding that Sundaranar failed to pay regards to adiyavars. Easan took
him by his and ran out of the sanctum sanctorum by creating an opening on the
southern wall to save His friend from
the wrath of Viranmindar. He could have stopped Viranmindar on his tracks by
just His glance only. Why he didn’t do that? It was to show to the world that
He resides in the heart of Viranmindar also.
Easan enacted this drama only bring fame to both these adiyavars. So the proper protocol is that I must go to
Thiruvarur to pay my respects to this great adiyavar.
Adiyavar
I have a doubt which is nagging
me for a long time. Only you may kindly
clarify it.
Kaligamar
(humbly)
Adiyavare! Please go ahead!
Adiyavar
You are born in the clan of
‘Yeyarkon’ who have the right to lead the Army of the Chozha kings as their
Senapati. Why have you shirked that responsibility and doing service to
Adiyavars as their servitor?
Kaligamar
Many people born in my clan have
been in the service of Chozha kings as their Senapatis. Somehow, I was not
drawn to lead that life. Instead I was
determined to remain in the service of adiyavars.
In Thiruvattanam, when
Sundaramoorthiyar was sleeping, Iraivan placed His sacred feet as a crown on
his head! I am yearning whether I will also be blessed like that by Easan’s
grace one day! I do not know whether my
craving will be fulfilled or not! By
having the darisanam of Sundaramoorthiyar who has been blessed by Easan, I
intend to at least abate this craving.
Adiyavar
When you have so much of respect
and esteem for Sundaramoorthiyar, why haven’t you tried to go to Thiruvarur to
see him?
Kaligamar
(firmly)
I cannot even imagine Adiyavars
coming to Thirupperumangalam going away without seeing me unfed and unhappy.
Sivan resides in the Jeevan of Adiyavar.
As hurting Sivan is against my tenets, It is impossible for me to leave
this place and go anywhere leave alone Thiruvarur.
Adiyavar
(proudly)
I am amazed by your great
devotion of Sundaramoorthiyar and your total dedication in the service of
Adiyavars. Long live your devotion! Long live your name and fame!
He blesses Kaligamar and takes
his leave.
As He steps out of the house…
Easan
in the guise of Adiyavar all along (to Himself)
Kaligamare! I have no words to
praise you! You yourself are not aware
that Me, the very Creator of this universe is keep meeting you time and again!
How will this town know of it? The time
is nearing when not only this town but also the entire world will recognise
your fame!
Easan then vanishes from there.
******
Thirupperumangalam..
Kaligamar is standing in the
Sannathi of Easan looking glum. There is
not much crowd in the temple that day and he is alone in the Sannathi. Easan
comes out of the sanctum sanctorum in the guise of Gurukkal. Seeing him
Kaligamar gets even sadder.
Gurukkal
(with a mild laugh)
Kaligamare! What is the
matter? Is the heavy burden in your
heart making you morose?
Kaligamar
Some time ago, you answered the
various questions that were troubling my mind without me narrating them! Are
you not able to discern the questions vexing my mind today?
Gurukkal
You have perhaps burdened your
mind with your opinions on Sundaramoorthiyar! Am I correct or not?
He laughs lightly again.
Kaligamar
(amazed)
You have astonished me again by
correctly stating what is burdening my mind!
Gurukkal
(laughing & enthusiastically)
Let us see to it as to what is
weighing your mind is unloaded.
Kaligamar
If some load is carried on our
head, it can be unloaded easily and kept down. How can one unload what is
burdening his mind?
Gurukkal
If you open up your mind and speak without
reservation, it will get off automatically. Tell Me! What is troubling your
mind?
Kaligamar
It has been my obsession for long
to meet Sundaramoorthiyar in person and fall on his feet to seek his blessings.
I used to be delighted whenever I received any news about him. But the news I
heard yesterday has shocked me like a thunderbolt.
When Sundaramoorthiyar came to
Aarur on the invitation of Iraivan, he was given a grand reception by the people of the town as ordered by Easan.
When he was living there for a short while, he cast his eyes on a woman
belonging to Rudra Kanikayar named Paravai. Easan Himself came down to get the
consent of that woman and made further arrangements for their wedding. Though I
was perturbed by Adiyavar Peruman marrying a Kanikayar, I reconciled due to
Easan having arranged that marriage.
Again, when he went to Thruvotriyur, he fell in love with a girl named
Sangili and married her with the help of Easan. When I heard this news, my
esteem for him came down a notch below. When he left her too to return to
Thiruvarur, he lost his eye sight. With Easan’s grace he regained his sight in
his left eye at Kanchi and in his right eye at Thiruvarur. When he regained his
health, he started his bad old ways. He sent some adiyavars to Paravai so that
she may accept him. Angered by his act, Paravai shut the door on him. He again
begged Easan to go to her as his emissary.
After Easan pacified her, he could unite with her. Why did he send Easan
on such errands in the middle of the night?
Just to satiate his carnal hunger! I am not able to stand this act of
Sundaramoorthiyar. This act of his has thrown into dust the respect and regards I had for him all
these years! It is disgusting even to think that I have been yearning to meet a
person of such ignoble acts.
I have narrated what is burdening
my mind. I am anguished as to how to get rid of it.
Gurukkal
Do you know what is
‘destiny? This is what it is! What
Sundaramoorthiyar will be doing in this birth has been already destined by
Easan! “Sivan Siththam yaar arivaar”? Who knows the mind of Easan?
Kaligamar
(angrily)
Don’t try to fool me by giving
this false excuse of “destiny”. I will
never ever pardon Sundaran for his atrocious act.
Gurukkal
There is no justification for
your anger.
Kaligamar
(surprised)
How do you say that there is no
justification?
Gurukkal
Let us suppose you have
friend. Will he go to the street of
Kanikayar to meet your lady love to make a peace on your behalf, if you tell
him?
Kaligamar
(beaming with pride)
I am not hungry for sex like
Sundaran. Such an eventuality will never
happen to me as I am a firm believer of good conduct. So I have no answer for
your question.
Gurukkal
(with a smile)
That is fine. I will tell the
answer myself! If your friend is virtuous, he will not walk the street of
Kanikayar at the middle of night for his own self. Therefore, the question of
going on behalf of his friend does not arise. But Iraivan has gone to help his
friend. Why? He is the creator of all
the worlds and all the creatures in them. In this world, which is His creation,
He can go wherever He pleases. No one can place any restriction as to where He
can and where he cannot go! Only in our
eyes, the people who reside there are Kanikayar. As for Iraivan... They are also of His
creation only. He sees everyone of His creation as equal. For Him, there is no
one who is higher and no one who is lower...
Suppose a man returns home after
a long absence. His wife refuses to open the door suspecting his fidelity.
Where will he go at the dead of night? If he is unable to enter his own house,
will not the villagers poke fun of him? Will he live with that shame? Will the One who is a role model for
friendship allow such an eventuality?
If his friend says that he will give up his life in case he is unable to
join her that night then going about as an emissary as his friend to pacify her
is acceptable and not unacceptable.
He is the One who will fulfill
the wishes of anyone who is praying to Him for the same. Will He not accede to the request of His
adiyavar? Easan went as an intermediary
to remove her annoyance and unite them only to propagate the glory of both of
them. Your anger against Sundaramoorthiyar is because of the high affection and
loyalty you have of him. Get rid of your anger.
The burden in your heart will vanish.
He looks at Kaligamar in silence.
Kaligamar
Gurukkale! I am unable to accept
your justification. Involving Easan, to whom he became a slave in Vennainallur,
for his immoral acts, is unpardonable for me. If see him anywhere, I do not
know what I will do to him!
He leaves the sannathi in great fury.
Easan
(in the guise of Gurukkal with great compassion)
Kaligama! It is time that your
fame is made known to the world!
Kaligamar however, rushes out without hearing
his words.
******
Thiruvarur....
Sundaramoorthiyar is praying to
Easan in the sannathi. A few adiyavars
who have come from Thirupperumangalam pay their respects to him.
Sundaramoorthiyar
Is Kaligamar keeping well at
Thirupperumangalam?
Not knowing the reason for their hesitation to
offer a reply, he continues.
Sundaramoorthiyar
(enthusiastically)
I am also starting off on a
religious tour very soon. I will go to
Thirupperumangalam also and meet with Kaligamar.
Adiyavar
(cautiously)
We have also rushed here for that
very reason. For the time being, it will
be better if you do not go there.
Sundaramoorthiyar is taken aback
by this warning.
Sundaramoorthiyar
Whosoever meets me compel me to
visit his native place! I am surprised as well sad to hear that you have come
all the way only to tell me not to visit your town! May I know the reason for it?
Adiyavar
You must please pardon us for our
impoliteness. How blessed will we be to have your sacred feet touch our soil?
Unfortunately, the conditions prevailing there at this moment is not favourable
for your visit.
Sundaramoorthiyar
I am unable to understand what
you want to imply. Please tell me in detail.
Adiyavar
Kaligamar is very angry with you.
All these days, he has been eagerly waiting for your arrival. But now he gets
highly furious even if someone mentions your name. We are scared even to ask
him the reason for his animosity towards you.
It will be, therefore, better if you do not visit Thirupperumangalam
till his anger subsides.
The adiyavars leave the sannathi
and go away. Sundaranar looks at Easan decorated and seated there in all glory.
Sundaramoorthiyar
(praying)
Easane! Emperumane! I am very sad
to know that Yeyarkone Kaligamar is angry with me. You only saved me when
Viranmindar in great wrath came to attack me.
Likewise, if you remove the animosity towards me from Yeyarkone now, I
will come to Thirupperumangalam and have your darisanam there.
Easan raises His hand and at that
very moment at Thirupperumangalam...
As the Adiyavars after their
sumptuous meal leave the house of Kaligamar blessing him, a sharp pain emanates
in his abdomen. Unable to bear the pain, Kaligamar falls to the ground shouting
“Easane, Emperumane.” Adiyavars rush to him greatly perturbed.
******
Thirupperumangalam
A huge crowd of adiyavars and
other people has assembled in front of Kaligamar’s house. All are looking
highly forlorn. The Vaidhyar comes out of the house and soon surrounded by the
eager crowd to hear him.
Vaidhyar
Kaligamar is having a minor
stomach ailment. I have given him medicine blessed by my Guru. If he takes
bland food avoiding salt, chili and tamarind for forty eight days, he will get
completely cured.
Heaving a sigh of relief all of
them disperse from there.
*****
Unable bear the severity of the
pain, Kaligamar lets out an anguished cry. His wife and other relatives are in
tears seeing his suffering. The village elders come and Kaligamar’s wife
welcomes them and gets them seated. They take a look at Kaligamar who has
become skeletal. The stomach pain is so severe that he cannot even straighten
up and lying hunched. Tears swell up in their eyes.
The
Village Elder
What does the Vaidhyar say? He is
going from bad to worse every day.
His
Wife
As directed by Vaidhyar, we are
giving him only bland food. He also takes the medicine. The pain does not seem
to subside at all. He is not able to eat even a morsel of solid food. We have to make the food watery so that he
can drink it.
The
Village Elder
The ailment affecting the Perumanar
is a serious one. It is called ‘Soolainoi”. The pain will be unbearable all the
time. If the local Vaidhyar is not able to cure him, you can think of getting
some one from outside. It is a pity that Perumanar who has been feeding
adiyavars with sumptuous and tasty meals is unable to consume even a morsel of
food!
His
Wife
Your suggestion is very good. I
will send my people to get Vaidhyar from outside immediately.
The people who have come get up
to depart. Kaligamar tries to speak to them but the pain throttles his throat
and he cannot utter even a word. A painful groan escapes from him making the
visitors deeply perturbed. Unable to bear his agonising state, they leave
without giving a second look.
*****
In the next few days many Vaidhyars come to diagnose and prescribe
different medicines. They prove to be ineffective and only seem to increase his
agony. One day early in the morning, Kaligamar without taking anyone as help,
he proceeds to the temple limping his way and reaches the sannathi. The
Gurukkal is not to be seen there. Cupping his palms, Kaligamar bows before
Easan. As he tries to straighten up, his pain becomes unbearable and so he
remains bent and could only raise his eyes to see Easan.
Kaligamar
(pleading)
Iraiva! Have you no sympathy for
me still?
A bright Jyothi radiates from the
sanctum sanctorum. A divine voice also emanates from there.
The
Divine Voice
Yeyarkone! Your disease will not
be cured!
Kaligamar looks up to Easan
shattered on hearing these words,.
Kaligamar
(overcome with emotion)
Have You come here for this poor soul? How great is
your love! But Your sacred tongue has uttered that my disease will not be
cured! Is there anything impossible for You?
Easan
Your disease is because of your
fury on Sundaran! Sundaran alone can
cure you of this disease!
Kaligamar
(imploring)
My grandfather, my father, I and
my progeny have all been your humble devotees. We bow to you considering that You alone is
Iraivan every day without fail. Will Your ‘Vanthondan’ (rogue servitor) who sent You on base errands, be able to
cure me?
Easan
Isn’t that you got angry with
Vanthondan only?
Kaligamar
Your flag flies high everywhere
in this universe! Who can know of Your deed You are proud of? You keep adding
fame to your Vanthondan who has sprouted like a venomous mushroom. But You
cannot cure me, who has surrendered totally unto You! If it is to be cured only
by Vanthondan, let it remain uncured! I will rather endure the pain howsoever
it becomes severe than even casting my eye on your Vanthondan.
Deeply saddened he comes out of
the sannathi and leaves the temple. He
sees the Gurukkal coming in.
The Gurukkal is in tears.
********
At that very moment ...in
Thiruvarur...
Sundaramoorthiyar is standing in the Sannathi
of Easan. A radiant glow erupts in the sanctum sanctorum and a divine voice is
heard.
Easan’s
divine voice
Sundara... I am unable to bear my dear friend Kaligamar suffering in
pain due to Soolainoi. His fury against
you has turned into this disease and hurts him very badly. You proceed immediately to Thirupperumangalam
and cure the adiyavar of his ailment.
Adhering to the orders of Easan,
Sundaramoorthiyar starts his journey immediately joined by Thirukkoottathar.
The retinue goes chanting aloud the Panchakshara mantram and the sound of “Om
Namasivaya’ reverberates everywhere.
*****
The news of Sundaramoorthiyar
coming to meet with Yeyarkon Kaligamar spreads through the town. The whole town gets busy in making
preparations for giving a festive welcome to Sundaramoorthiyar. Welcoming
arches with plantain trees and colourful buntings are erected all along the
toads. Wearing new clothes men, women and children assemble for welcoming the
Perumanar. The Vedic experts of the temple stand at the entrance to the town
along with musicians to welcome him with auspicious music and due respect.
As he enters the town, his
arrival is heralded by the blowing of horns and playing of other musical
instruments. As they near the house of Kaligamar, his wife rushes to him.
Kaligamar’s
wife
En Iraivane! How long you have
been waiting to have the darisanam of Sundaramoorthiyar! To fulfill your wish,
Adiyavar Peruman is coming to our house to see you. I also heard that he is
coming here to cure you of your Soolainoi. I have kept all the things ready at
the entrance to welcome him befittingly.
I have kept the lamps lighted and
got the things ready for performing Padapujai. I am truly blessed to be your
wife to get such a noble opportunity. It
is only because that I am married to you that Adiyavar Peruman is getting welcomed
by me as he is coming to see you! I am truly blessed.
She sheds tears of joy bowing to
her husband.
Kaligamar
(angrily)
It is not acceptable to me that
the man who lost his mind due to infatuation stepping in to my house.
Kaligamar’s
wife (taken aback)
Service to Adiyavar is Service to
Easan Himself! You address adiyavars as
‘Siva’ if they are males and ‘Ammai’ if they are females as Sivan resides in
their ‘Seevan’. How could you oppose Sundaramoorthiyar, the one who gave us the
‘Thiruththondar Thogai’, who brings fame to all adiyavars, and who is coming to
our house on his own from entering our house?
Kaligamar
Before that Vanthondan comes and
cures me of this mysterious Soolainoi, I will slash and throw away my
intestine.
He grabs a piercing knife nearby,
slashes his stomach with it, and tears of his intestine and throes it away.
There blood splattering everywhere. In a
shudder, his body falls to the ground and he dies.
Seeing the happenings in front of
her eyes in a fleet of a second, his wife stands frozen.
Hearing the sound of conch shell
at the entrance of her house, Kaligamar’s wife hiding her sorrow rushes there
where Sundaramoorthiyar has arrived. He
is welcomed by other ladies with due respects. As Sundaramoorthiyar stands on the
golden Tambalam, Kaligamar’s wife washes his feet and does the Padapujai. He is seated on the special seat and she
stands doing archanai with flowers.
Sundaranar is shocked to see when
her sadness bursts out involuntarily.
Sundaramoorthiyar
Ammaye! I have come here to cure
Kaligamar of his Soolainoi as ordained by Easan. Come! Let us go to him.
As he steps inside, he is shocked
to see the blood soaked Kaligamar lying dead with his intestine and a blood
soaked piercing knife lying on the floor. As he picks up that knife, tears
flood his cheeks.
Sundaramoorthiyar
My friend! Did you choose this as
the easy way to end your agony due to your anger against me? Before your life
reaches the sacred feet of Kailaynathan, I will reach there and meet you at His
sacred feet!
As he raises the piercing knife
and tries to stab himself at his stomach to end his life, there is a sudden
reverberating sound of conch shells. Kaligamar rises resurrected by the grace
of Easan. He grabs the knife from Sundaramoorthiyar’s hand who has tried to
stab himself.
Seeing all these miracles happening in front
of their eyes, the adiyavars raise their voice chanting ‘Om Namasivaya”
repeatedly.
Easan appears there with Annai on
His Nandi vahanam to the chanting of Veda mantras.
Easan
Yeyarkone! Though you were very eager to meet Sundaran
for a long time, you despised him for sending Me on an errand and as a
consequence suffered from Soolainoi. You stabbed your stomach and tore of your
intestine and killed yourself when you came to know that only Sundaran could
cure of your agony. No words will suffice for praising your fame! Becoming your friend, Aarooran also attains
high glory! You will spend some time with him happily and you will join me with
your pious wife Mangayarkarasi in due
course of time. Your fame will remain as
long as this earth remains. Whosoever worships Me will worship you as
well.
Sundaramoorthiyar, Kaligamar, his
wife and other relatives and the assembled public bow to Easan and Annai while
the heavens shower flowers from above.
********
In the Easan kovil of Thirupperumangalam...
A lot of people have assembled in
the sannathi for darisanam. After obtaining thiruneeru, they all start leaving
the sannathi. Only an adiyavar remains standing there looking at Easan in great
bliss.Gurukkal looks at him who is in great ecstasy.
Gurukkal (trying to engage him in talks)
Adiyavare! You appear to be an outsider!
Adiyavar
Gurukkale! You are absolutely
right! I am coming from Kanchi. I hear about the recent episode of Easan granting His precious grace on Yeyarkone Kaligamar
and Sundaramoorthiyar. How Sundaranar on
knowing that Kaligamar killed himself
because of him, tried to chop of his own head with the same piercing knife and
how Easan appeared and saved both of them and blessed Kaligamar
Peruman with no rebirth made him a Nayanmar. I have come here to visit
this scared soil where these two great
adiyavars have left their foot prints.
Gurukkal
There are no words to glorify the
two adiyavars! But you must also know about the greatness of Kaligamar’s wife.
When Sundaramoorthiyar came to their house to meet Kaligamar, she welcomed him
with due regards in spite of her husband killing himself only a few moments
ago. Her act of welcoming the guest without any blemish under this circumstance
is worth engraved in golden letters.
Adiyavar
Aaha! It is very surprising! If she could hide
her grief of losing her husband and welcome an adiyavar taking that as supreme,
she has to be extraordinary.
Gurukkal
True. She is the same woman of
great fame who tonsured her long hair without a whimper on the day of her
wedding to offer to an adiyavar.
Adiyavar
Is that so? It is amazing! Who is
the great soul that begotten her?
Gurukkal
It is Manakkanjara Nayanar.
Adiyavar
Is he also a Nayanar? I am very
curious to know about this episode. Can you please tell me?
Gurukkal
(narrates)
Kanjarur is fertile and full of
greenery due to perennial availability of water. The Yagams conducted by
Brahmins everyday pleased Varuna Baghavan that there is always abundance of
water for irrigation. The whole village is pleasing to the eye as it seems to
be covered by a green carpet of crops like rice paddy and sugarcane fields. The
people of all the four castes of the village lived in great harmony as they
bestowed respect and love to each other. The farmers of the village who have
the traditional right to bear arms and lead the forces of the king , having taken the responsibility of law and order, the village has become a
haven of tranquility.
In the centre of the village is
the temple of Easan, which is endowed with enough resources to conduct pujas
six times a day in an exceptional manner.
One day…
The Gurukkal continues…
******
Kanjarur Sivalayam..
The temple Gurukkal is shocked to
see an elderly man stands with tears in his eyes standing in the Sannadhi of
Sivalayam as he is about to give him thiruneeru.
Gurukkal
of Kanjarur Sivalayam
Kanjarare! What is this? Why are
looking forlorn? You always use to look brave!
Kanjarar
(sorrowfully)
I do not have a son who will brighten up my
clan.
Gurukkal
(in a pacifying tone)
Progeny is the biggest wealth of
all. One may be blessed with all other
types of wealth without asking for them. But to beget an offspring, one has to
ask for it. (Pointing to Easan)Look! The One who can grants your wish is seated
there!
Gurukkal
(continues)
Why should I stand between the
seeker and the Giver?
Leaving Kanjarar alone in the
Sannadhi, he goes out. Kanjarar keeps looking at Easan without blinking an eye.
Tears fall down in torrents from his eyes.
Kanjarar
I only see You in every Adiyavar who comes to
this village. I revere their feet and give them whatever they need. Is it
proper for me, therefore, to ask You, what I need? You own whatever I have with
me. You are the Giver… and also the Taker… Let whatever happens to me be of
Your discretion!
With tears in his eyes, he leaves
bowing to Easan, Who looks at him with boundless compassion!
******
Ten months pass…
The wailing of a newborn is heard
in the house of Kanjarar… The relatives and friends convey their blessings and
congratulations. Kanjarar goes inside to see his wife and the newborn. Giving a
mild smile the baby girl captivates him and he gently touches his wife’s
hand. Blushed by this act of her husband
in front of other ladies, his wife goes pink!
Kanjarar
By giving us beautiful nectar of a girl, you
have made our clan to flourish! Ask me whatever gift you want in return!
She does not reply and slowly,
the hand he is holding goes limp. Her eyes, though open have no life in them.
The women folk who are a few steps away are crying silently holding their sari
end against their mouths. Kanjarar keeps looking intently at his wife and tears
fall from his eyes uncontrollably.
******
Thirupperumangalam …
Gurukkal continues his narration
to adiyavar recollecting the episode with tears …
Gurukkal
of Thirupperumangalam
It is said that when a chaste woman says ‘let
there be rain ‘it will rain......! They wield such power over even nature! Kandahar’s wife was such a chaste woman that
villagers hailed that because of her presence there was copious rains. She died
perhaps due to her premonition that as a mother she would not bear the likely
happenings in future!
Adiyavar is also moved to tears
hearing the narration.
Adiyavar
Gurukkale! You said that as a
mother, she would not have consented for a future happening! You have kindled
my curiosity! I am eager to know about
the incident that happened later on! Please tell me.
Gurukkal
(continues)
The girl child was named
Mangayarkarasi. She was brought by Kanjarar as a mother would. When she completed
her first year, he conducted all types of auspicious rituals like Ayushya
Homam, Navagraha Pujas and invited the whole village for a grand feast. He did
the Padapujai of all sivanadiyars who came to bless the child and gifted them
with articles of their need. He gave
enormous donations to all the poor people also. The whole village praised the
way he conducted the celebrations. As the years rolled by Mangayarkarasi grew
to a most pretty young girl. Like her father she was also keenly involved in
the service of Adiyavars taking it as a service to Easan Himself. She was
blessed in no small measure by all of them.
Gurukkal Continues...
One fine day ...
Kanjarar is seated in his house
and Mangayarkarasi is preparing food. Suddenly the auspicious sound of ‘Melam’
is heard outside their house. Kanjarar
comes out of the house curious. He finds a bevy of women carrying plates
containing fruits, flowers, clothes and ornaments followed by elders, learned
men and young farmers coming to his house.
Kanjarar also sees the astonished local villagers following them.
Kanjarar welcomes them happily
and get them seated. The women folk take the gifts they have brought
inside and enter the kitchen to
look at the girl.
On the outside...
One
of the elders (getting up)
Kanjarare! Your noble qualities
of service to adiyavars and fame have reached our village of Thirupperumangalam
also! We also belong to the same clan like yours and are entitled to lead the
forces of Chozha kings. We have come here to seek the hands of your daughter
for Yeyarkone Kaligamar of our clan. He is rock solid in virtuosity. Though he
is strongly built, he is very soft spoken.
He considers and addresses all males as “Siva” and all females as
“Ammai”. Like you, he takes it as his life’s mission to be in the service of
adiyavars.
As ordained by Easan residing in
Thirupperumangalam, we have come here with this proposal. If you agree for the
betrothal, we will sit and have our food together. What you have got to say?
Kanjarar
(highly pleased)
Have you come to ask for a bride
for Kaligamar? If you have informed me before, I would have rushed to
Thirupperumangalam to have darisanam of Perumanar and requested him to accept
my daughter as his bride! How blessed is my daughter to be betrothed to the
great man of Thirupperumangalam!
The elders fix the day of the
wedding.
****
Yeyarkone Kaligamar and his
relatives have already arrived a day before the day of the wedding.
It is the early morning on the
day of the wedding...
The bridegroom is dressed in all
finery and is on the way accompanied by his relatives to the sound of
auspicious ‘Getty melam’. The bride’s relatives are busy bedecking the bride
with great care for the occasion. Kanjarar is busy overseeing the reception and
arrangements for the wedding.
At that time...
Easan arrives there disguised as
a Mavirathi (Munivar of great penance).
Easan, of imposing high frame with a clean shaven fore head and a
luxurious tuft of hair in the rear sporting fine gems... the ear studs dangling with his every
move....wearing a pattigai on the shoulder...
the whole body smeared in thiruneeru, wearing the four Vedas as loin
cloth... the sacred thread discoloured
by long use across ... imprinting every step on the soil... walks towards
Kanjarar. Kanjarar welcomes Him , bending his body in great piety.
Kanjarar (welcoming Easan in disguise)
I am truly blessed to have a sage of great
virtue in my place.
Mavirathi (looking around)
It seems that there is some auspicious event is going to take place
here!
Kanjarar
Today happens to be the wedding
day of my daughter.
He orders her daughter be brought
there. Mangayarkarasi decked up in all
bridal finery with her long plait of luxurious hair almost touching the ground
reaches there and bows to the Munivar. As she gets up and stands, the Munivar
looks at her long plait of hair.
Mavirathi
Aaha! What a luxurious long
hair... This will suit very fine for My panchavati!
He looks at Kanjarar.
Kanjarar
We have attained the greatest
value for having born here! Can there be any greater blessing than giving off
my daughter’s hair as panchavati for your sacred feet?
Without waiting for another second, he
unsheathes the sword he is wearing on his waist and looks at his daughter.
Mangayarkarasi with a beaming smile kneels in front of her father and lowers
her head. Kanjarar shaves head off of
her long plait and hands it over to the Munivar.
At that very moment Easan appears
along with Annai on the Nandi vahanam to the booming accompaniment of Kombus.
Kanjarar, his daughter and all others prostrate in front of Easan and get up.
Kaligamar, dressed as the bridegroom for the occasion also reaches there with
his relatives and others. Seeing Easan they all prostrate likewise and get up.
Easan looks at His adiyavar with great compassion.
Easan
For a girl, losing the hair on
her head is the highest form of disgrace. Though knowing very well that if happens on the day of her wedding there will
be no wedded life for her in future, you shaved off her to offer it to Me! This
act of yours is fit to be engraved in plates of gold!
Mangayarkarasiye! You will also
attain everlasting fame like your father as you readily agreed to part with
your flowing tresses as wanted by the adiyavar!
Manakkanjanarare! To attain the
status of ‘no- rebirth’, You will unite unto Me.
As long as this earth remains,
your name and fame will also remain. Whosoever worships Me will worship you as
well!
Easan extends His arms welcoming
Manakkanjarar unto His fold. The heavens open up with a shower of flowers as he
raises his hands above his head and unites with Easan. At that very moment,
Mangayarkarasi regains her flowing tresses as before. Overseen by the elders of the village the
wedding of Kaligamar and Mangayarkarasi takes place in a most fitting manner.
******
In the sannathi of Easan at
Thirupperumangalam...
Easan is radiant in all His
glory. Gurukkal conducts the deeparadhanai and bows to Easan. The Adiyavar from
Kanchi also bows to Easan.
Adiyavar
(to himself)
There are a million reasons for imputing that
she died perhaps due to her premonition that as a mother she would not bear the
likely happenings in future!
Manakkanjarar did an act without
any hesitation which no one would ever do. In order that he had to do such an
act, he was blessed with a girl child ... As she would never ever agree to get
her daughter’s head tonsured on the day of her wedding, she perhaps died of
this premonition... Recapitulating
these things in entirety makes me wonder as to how exceptionally superior a
human mind can act! I have now realised very clearly that Iraivan will step on
this earth to bring out the glory of his adiyavar for all the world to see.
(Looking at Easan longingly)Will
I also be blessed and freed from rebirth?
Gurukkal
If
one tries sincerely, is anything impossible to attain?
Adiyavar
(to himself looking at him in amazement)
How come he knew what was in my
mind?
Gurukkal, Knower of all laughs
aloud!!!
Thiruchchitrambalam
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