Narasingamunaiaraya Nayanar

2

Narasingamunaiaraya Nayanar

Thirumunaippadi…

The newly constructed palace is awaiting the return of the Mannar Narasingamunaiarayar from the battle front. The people are awaiting the news of victory of their king. Sembarayar, born of farmers’ clan is also waiting for the same good news at his home.  Pacing up and down in his house, he is restless. His daughter Vadivudaya Nangai is seated in the puja room in front of the beautifully decorated Siva lingam.

Vadivudaya Nangai (addressing Easan) 

 When the king came here and asked for my hand, why did I impose a condition rather than accepting his proposal immediately?  Though I know that everything happens as ordained by You, my mind is still distressed. I am yearning for the news of victory from the battle front.

Hearing some disturbance at her back, she looks around    and sees Sembarayar standing there.

Sembarayar (perturbed)

I have spoiled you by giving you a lot of liberty. That is why you posed a condition audaciously in the assembly. The Mannar has gone for battle many months ago. He has ordered a huge palace to be built only to conduct his wedding with you. Even the palace is ready. But we have no news of him. Your audacity has exceeded all limits.  Do you see what we have come to?  We are worried to death everyday!

Vadivudaya Nangai gets up and looks at her father. Her eyes are bright with confidence,

Nangai

Thanthaye!  The words that came out of my mouth when he came to ask for my hand are not mine. I said “The one who wants to marry me must have fought   and defeated the enemy’s elephant in the battle front single handed.” These are uttered by none other than Easan Himself! Your daughter, who lives according to the tenets of Thiruneeru, will marry the Mannar as she has chosen. Easan will never let us down as we chant Panchaksharam all the time. Have faith!

Easan smiles as she bows in front of Him in great piety.  At that very instant,   drums   are sounded announcing the king’s victory in war. The entire town celebrates it in great joy. It is announced, “After winning many lands and defeating many elephants by fighting them frontally, Mannar Narasingamunaiarayar is returning home victorious”.  The people gather in great numbers to welcome their king. Mannar Narasingamunaiarayar comes straight to the house of Sembarayar and dismounts from the elephant. Vadivudaya Nangai welcomes and garlands him for his victory. She them marks a ‘Thilakam’ on his forehead. Both of them become ecstatic for a moment.  Nangai closes her eyes and the Mannar laughs aloud. As she opens her eyes and looks at the handsome king, she goes shy and bends her head down.

Mannar

Penne! Not one, but a hundred elephants, I have defeated with my hands and come here to marry you! Will you agree to it now?

Overcome with shyness, Nangai tries to run inside.  Narasingamunaiarayar stops her and catching hold of her hand walks towards his new palace. Sembarayar follows him with great supplication. All the Senapatis, Amaichchars and other soldiers follow them to the palace. All through the route people greet them by showering flowers all along. As the Mannar and Nangai reach the palace, they are given a tumultuous welcome. Mannar along with his future queen enters inside to the accompaniment of auspicious music.

     ********

To the chanting of Vedic mantras, the Mannar is crowned. Nangayar is seated as the royal consort. The people of his kingdom have arrived from far and wide and greet the king on his coronation. As he picks up the Royal baton to mark his ascension, a deafening applause engulfs the hall.  After silence is restored, the Royal announcer comes in front.

 Kattiyankaran, the Royal announcer

After defeating all those who opposed him and conquering a large number of lands and kingdoms, our Mannar has been crowned as Mamannar   (emperor) today. All those vassals have accepted Narasingamunaiarayar as their emperor and have assembled here in large numbers to present their loving gifts.

 He starts announcing the names of all those minor kings and chieftains one by one for them to come up and leave their gold, gems and other gifts. They leave their gifts near the feet of the Mamannar and bow to him and to the assembled public. As they pay their respects to the public, their unbound enthusiasm results in much joyous noise. Along the line of these vassals, an adiyavar is also standing. The guards unable to decide whether or not to allow him remain quiet. The adiyavar walks up to the Mamannar at the last. Not knowing any details about the adiyavar even the announcer remains mute and confused. The whole assembly goes quiet.   The Maharani, Nangayar quickly gets up from her throne and stepping down quickly reaches the adiyavar and touches his feet in great reverence.  Then she stands with her palms cupped in great reverence. As the Adiyavar blesses her and gives her Thiruneeru, she receives it with great piety and smears it on her forehead. After bowing to the Adiyavar once again she goes back to resume her seat.

Taken aback by these happenings swiftly, people start wondering in diverse ways.

Amaichchar (to himself) 

 How can the Maharani, wife of the Mamannar fall on the feet of a mendicant?    

A few people

Aaha! She did not bother to give regards to all the kings who presented valuable gifts of gold and gems. But on seeing an adiyavar, she rushed down, fell on his feet and received his blessings. This only shows how noble she is at heart!

Mannar (to himself)

As the queen has rushed and paid her respects in open and unmindful of the public, it appears that the adiyavar must be a familiar and important person!

Mannar

 Maharani! Who is this person? Are you already introduced to him? If that is so, he must be a great man indeed!

Maharani

I have no knowledge as to who he is! But he is an adiyavar. I rushed and prostrated at his feet just because he is a Sivanadiyar! Isn’t the darisanam of an adiyavar as that of Maheswaran Himself?

Astounded by her reply, the mannar sits transfixed.  Adiyavar climbs up the steps to the throne and looks at the mannar with great compassion.

Adiyavar  

 I am coming from Thiruppoovanam.   A large number of kings and chieftains gifted you with gold and    gems and praised you. What I am going to give you is the rarest of the rare fortune!  Get up accept the same.

The commanding tone of the adiyavar makes the king spellbound as he gets up. Adiyavar places thiruneeru in his palm.  As the mannar appears to be put off seeing the thiruneeru, the adiyavar laughs aloud.

Adiyavar  

Are you put off seeing the Thiruneeru after I promised you to gift you the rarest of the rare fortune? I will narrate the greatness of Thiruneeru now! Listen carefully.

Adiyavar narrates.....

   ******

Thiruppoovanam....

Nourished by the river Vaigai, the whole area is fertile and rich.

In the temple of Easan, a captivating event takes place every day while the   devotees come there for darisanam. On that day, a young girl is dancing in front of Easan. Depicting herself as a longing women yearning for Easan’s love, her performance is mesmerizing the audience. As the Gurukkal performs Deepaaradhanai at the end of the dance recital every one bows to Easan.  Gurukkal comes out of the sannathi and goes straight to that danseuse and gives her thiruneeru. She accepts with great piety and applies it on her forehead. As she leaves after bowing to Easan, all others are watching her lost in their thoughts.  As the Gurukkal clears his throat to grab their attention, they come back to their senses. After receiving the Thiruneeru, they leave the sannathi one by one. Only one of the devotees remains in the sannathi not wanting to leave to grab the attention of the Gurukkal.

Gurukkal (anticipating his intent)

Ayya! Are you new to this town?

The visitor

Yes!

 Finding that he is reluctant to talk further, the Gurukkal intervenes.

Gurukkal  

You want to ask me something, I presume... Go ahead.

The visitor

Ayyare! The girl who danced here is very beautiful... I am captivated by her long dense hair and her beautiful eyes. I am enthralled by the beautiful expressions she displayed as though she has amassed all the beautiful things in this world. Why only me? Everyone here must have felt the same way! She must be belonging to a very superior clan. Who is she? What is her name? Who are her parents?  

 The barrage of questions makes the Gurukkal smile!

Gurukkal

She is Ponnanayal! She belongs to the sect of Rudrakanikayar. She has tied her “Thali” taking Easan Poovanaswarar as her husband. She is an adiyaval of Poovanaswarar alone! When we call those males who sport the signs of Siva as adiyavar, isn’t it appropriate to call the females who wears the signs of Siva s adiyaval? She serves in the temple. Every day during all the pujas, she stands in front of Easan and welcomes Him with pleasing words and prays to Him to partake His food. She is equally proficient in playing the Yazh also. She can perform all the 108 karanas of Nattiyam in Sudhdha Nrittam.  

That is on the basis of Thalam alone without the accompaniment of Maththalam. Even the  Pandiya king, comes here to witness her performance of music and dance.

 As the Gurukkal tries to leave, the visitor intervenes.

The visitor (mockingly)

Is she a Devadasi, then?

Gurukkal stops and gets angry hearing his comment.

Gurukkal

How dare you insinuate like that? Do you know who Rudrakanikayar are? I will narrate you their origin.

He starts his narration on the origin of Rudrakanikayar

   ******

Tharugavanam…

A few munis are seated.

Munivar 1 (looking at other munis)

With our own five elements we have attained the Ashtama Siddhis. It only proves that there is no one as Iraivan in this universe.

Munivar 2

Birth and death happen because of good deeds and bad deeds of individuals. Where does God come in this?

Munivar 3

We have obtained Yoga Sakti through our own effort by performing sacrifices. If some says that it is because of God’s grace, their ignorance needs to be laughed at.

Munivar 4  

There is an adage that there is no effort without a cause and there is no cause without an effort. They mean that everything is ordained by God and without Him even an atom can not stir. Will any sane person concede that the discussion happening here amongst us is also because of the grace of God?

 All of them laugh aloud.

Easan observes them from Kailayam.

 Easan (Smiling)

 Ye Munivars of Tharugavanam! The time has come now to take care of you!

He disappears.

*****

Tharugavanam..

The Munivars are sitting on one side and engaged in debate…

Their wives, the munipatnis are busy in their homes carrying out their chores.

They here a voice asking for alms repeatedly this is quite unusual.

 Curious, the munipatnis come out to see who is begging for food.

There, Easan, considering the munipatnis as His mother, assumes the nude form of ‘Bikshadanar.”  He repeats his cry for biksha.

The munipatnis on seeing the nude form of Easan lower their heads embarrassed.

The Munivars, on hearing the voice, look back and see the nude mendicant and their discomfited wives. With great anger they rise but Easan disappears swiftly running in front of them.

The infuriated Munivars of Tharugavanam raise a sacrificial fire and conduct a Yagam.

Using their yoga sakti, they produce a white tiger and command it to kill the naked mendicant. Easan kills the tiger when it pounces on Him and wraps its skin around His waist.  Failing in their first attempt, they send a loud sounding Udukkai to drive Him out. Making an enormous sound, the Udukkai rattles heaven and earth but as it approaches Easan, He silences it and keeps it His palm.  The Munivars, angry even more, throw an axe at Easan which transforms into an armament and lands smoothly in His other hand. Finding it is impossible to defeat Him by using these weapons, they send the ‘Kalaagni’ to burn Him. How could Agni destroy the One who is the embodiment of the five elements, the ‘Pancha Bhutas.’? Agni lands in His other palm. The Munivars now hurl the death rope which is capable taking out life. That also lands on him without any effect. Then they fling snakes on him which turn to ornaments to adorn his body. Then they command a variety of ghosts who fail even to cross the cremation ground on the outskirts of Alangadu.  Failing to cross the cremation ground and reach Easan, these ghosts indulge in destructive dances in the cremation ground.

Unable to control their anger due to successive failures, the Munivars create an Asura named Muyalavan to attack the Easan. Iraivan tramples him under his foot breaking his spinal cord. Finding all their efforts ending in defeat, the Munivars convert their three cruel Saktis of Aanavam, Kanmam, and Maya into a Tirisoolam and fling at Him. Easan holds that in one of his hands and makes an Abhayamudra with the other hand. With their evil Saktis thus destroyed the Munivars are awakened and the realisation dawns on them that Easan is the One without a beginning or end. They now reach Alangadu and bow before Easan in all reverence. Easan has thus vanquished their arrogance born out of their ego. 

In the meantime, the Munivars cursed their wives for having been infatuated by Easan’s Viswaroopam. The Rudrakanikayar were born because of that curse. To drive home the highest level of chastity that a married woman must never even glance at any man other than her husband among the mortals, the daughters were born to Munipatnis as Rudrakanikayar.  Those became servitors and adiyavars of Mahadevar.  Being an adiyavar of Devar, they were referred as Devadiyal and later on being called as Devadasi. Are you aware of the daily duties performed by Ponnanayal? After taking a purifying bath    along with her friends before sunrise, she worships Easan, Natarajar in her house. She then comes to the temple and gathers flowers from the temple Nandavanam and makes garlands for the Easan.  She looks after the upkeep of Nandavanam also. She then sweeps the temple precincts, draws kolams, lights the lamps, fetches water for Abhishekam, and recites Thirumurai. She does almost every work in the temple for a paltry remuneration she gets. She survives by eating whatever is left over after feeding an adiyavar every day with her meager earnings. She is such a pure and saintly soul! She is fierce in protecting her honour and leads a chaste life. When she walks along the streets, the women folk cup their palms in reverence. The men folk regard her as their daughter or sister. Since you are a visitor from outside, I am sparing you. Had you been a local, I would have called for a Panchayat and got you at least a five hundred lashes as punishment for your disparaging remark.

Scared by the angry retort of the Gurukkal, the visitor takes to his heels.

   *****

As Ponnanayal finishes her service to Easan and is about to retire from the Sannathi....

Ponnanayal (to herself)

My Lord is formless having taken the sacred form of Lingam! How beautiful it would have been, had he taken His handsome form like us! I will spend the rest of my life just by looking at His handsome form!  , It is to be perhaps made of gold befitting His glory! I have till now not realised the purpose of my life! I have known it now! To cast my Ayyan’s figure in gold will be my life’s aim.

 As she bows and leaves, Easan looks at her with immense compassion!

     *******

As Ponnanayal reaches home, her Thozhigal (female friends) are waiting for her. They are perplexed to see her brimming with happiness.

Thozhi 1 

Perhaps you have forgotten all of us after having pleasant games with your husband!

Ponnanayal

I don’t understand what you are implying.

Thozhi 2 (laughing)

Oh!  Your face clearly indicates your euphoria!

As Ponnanayal quickly wipes her face with her saree, her friends laugh even more merrily.

Unable to make out the reason for their laughter, Ponnanayal is confused.

Thozhi 3

 Look! She is so pure and innocent that she is not able to even make out that we are joking!

Her friends continue to make merry!

Thozhi 4

Ponni!  You are blushing like a newlywed today! That is why they are making fun of you.

Can we know the reason for your going red in your face?

Her face glows even redder on hearing this.

Ponni (lowering her head in embarrassment)

Today, I made a vow to cast the figure of my darling Poovanaswarar in gold!

Hearing her words, her friends stop their laughter and become serious and silent. Ponni lifts her head finding everyone keeping quiet.

Thozhi 1 

Adiye! The salary we get from the temple gets exhausted for feeding the adiyavars. How can we afford to cast the Easan’s sacred idol in gold with our meager income? How much gold we will need to buy? Then we will have to employ a sculptor to cast the figure and mold it. All these will cost a lot of money. Will it ever be possible for us to undertake this task?

However, Ponnanayal does not seem to be worried about these details to the amazement of her friends.

Ponni 

My dear friends! Your only worry seems as to how we can buy the gold for making the idol of Easan! After completing my duties in the temple, I am going to perform my dance in the mantapam every day for earning gold for this task. If I disclose my intention for this cause, not only our town folks but even the king will come forward to witness my dance.

Though her friends are not very enthusiastic about the success of her plan, they decide not to discourage her efforts.

Thozhi 1

Your plan will definitely succeed.

Her friends hurry from there to cook food for the adiyavars. Ponnanayal is lost imagining the beauty of Easan’s idol she is dreaming to make.

     ******

A large gathering has assembled in the front mantapam of Poovaneswarar temple…

One man in the audience

Ponnanayal, I believe, is going to perform Bharatha Nattiyam here every day to seek help from the public for making a golden idol of Easan! Will her plan succeed?

Another man

Let us contribute whatever we can. To see her performance, even the king will come here. Isn’t it the tiny   drops of rain which transform into a torrent?  Faith can move even mountains!

Ponnanayal comes on the stage in all her finery. The audience in the mantapam is enthralled by the dance and the accompanying music. Easan is also seated among the public witnessing her performance! After the concluding item of the recital, the gold and silver coins contributed by the public covers the entire tambalam placed on the stage.

    ****

Ponnanayal returns home overcome with great joy.  She is amazed to see an unusually large number of adiyavars seated for taking food. Inside, her Thozhis are busy preparing to serve food to the adiyavars. Ponnanayal welcomes all he adiyavars and requests them to have their food with great reverence. At night, she realises much of the days income has been spent in feeding the adiyavars and only a meager amount is left as balance. 

 Thozhi (noticing her astonished look)

Since a large number of adiyavars had come to see your dance, they all came here for food. If we stop feeding the adiyavars, we will be able to accumulate the needed gold in a short time.

Ponnanayal (in tears)

I will continue to serve adiyavars as long as I am alive. Aren’t you aware that I eat only whatever is left after feeding them? Don’t talk of stopping their feeding ever. I will tell you what Thirumoolar has said of feeding adiyavars. He says in one of his songs that even mere thinking of feeding an Adiyavar who sports Thiruneeru is thousand times beneficial than feeding a billion Anthanars who are well versed in Vedas. If even mere thinking is so beneficial, how great valuable it would be actually feeding them! One will get the rarest of the rare and the ultimate blessing of Easan! Do you know what it is? It is reaching His sacred feet itself! I will, therefore, not stop feeding adiyavars for whatsoever be the reason. I will survive the rest of my life on whatever is left over after feeding them.  I take this vow in the name of Emperuman Poovanaswarar.

 A radiant glow engulfs her face. Her Thozhis bow to her and leave.

    ******

  The news that Pandiyan King is soon coming to witness the dance performance of Ponnanayal spreads like wild fire. The villagers in large numbers arrive at the temple mantapam even a day before the performance to capture their seats. A large number of Adiyavars also reach there. The whole town sports a festive look and all the roads leading to the temple are covered with pandal. The temple authorities welcome the king giving him a fitting royal reception. The dance performance starts. Even the Devas from heaven reach there incognito. They all bless the danseuse praising her performance being superior to that performed in the Royal court of Lord Indiran in the heavens. After the performance, the king gifts a sack full of gold to Ponnanayal to the gaping astonishment of the people! He blesses her and takes leave. The   adiyavars keeps arriving in the temple day after day without any letup. The gold gifted by the king also starts diminishing for feeding the adiyavars. Still, the wax replica of the idol is made using the balance gold.  The crowd keeps coming in large numbers even to see the captivating wax idol of Easan.

Ponnanayal keeps feeding the adiyavars coming to the temple as before eating the only the leftover food.

 She is left with hardly any gold to complete the task of making it in gold. Worried that the work of casting the idol of Easan in gold may become impossible, she appeals to Easan in His Sannadhi.

Ponnanayal

Will my aspiration of casting Easan’s idol in gold end up as a pipedream?     

At that very instant in Kailayam…

Annai looks up to Iraivan.

Iraivan

It appears you are eager to ask Me something! Go ahead and ask!

Annai (sorrowfully)

Though you may not help our adiyaval who is devoting her heart and soul in Our service.  But why are you sending hoards of adiyavars there depleting her resources? Can’t You at least stop that? To cast Your  body in Gold, she is wasting her own body! Isn’t it Our duty to stave off her misery?

Iraivan

We are well aware of her devotion!  I will leave just now to make her greatness   known to the entire world also!

 Annai bows to Easan.

     ******

There is enormous crowd of Adiyavars in Ponnanayal’s house. She and her Thozhis welcome them in great reverence and serve them food. Her Thozhis see an adiyavar standing alone wearing a crown over the matted hair, with his body covered in Thiruneeru giving a majestic look of a Siddhar.  They approach him and request him to take food.

Siddhar Peruman

 Penngale! Where is your chief?

As her friends quickly bring Ponnanayal in front of the Siddhar Peruman, she bows to him in great reverence.

Siddhar Peruman

 Oh! Noble woman! You do everything properly!  How come you have forgotten something now?

Ponnanayal (getting deeply distressed hearing this)

Adiyavar Perumane! I am ill-informed on many matters. I will correct myself if you indicate any fault or shortcoming in me.

Siddhar points to his feet with a laugh. Ponnanayal realises her mistake and catches his feet.

Ponnanayal

Adiyavar Perumane! Please forgive my mistake. Those who want to reach the sacred feet of Easan must first perform Puja for the same! Give me a second to organise for Padapujai.

She rushes inside and brings all the materials for performing padapujai. She requests the Siddhar to face East and he does so with a good laugh. Ponnanayal washes his feet and gently wipes them with clean new cloth. After applying sandal wood paste, she places flowers on the. She gets up after prostrating in front of him.

He looks at Ponnanayal with great compassion. He recites the Panchaksharam in her years thrice thus imparting ‘Mantropadesam’ to her.

Ponnanayal does not realise that she has been imparted the Deekshai by Iraivan Himself! As she walks ahead Iraivan walks behind her.

Iraivan

Perunthakhaye! You look emaciated! If you tell your worries, I shall terminate them.

Ponnanayal (cheerfully)

I have been planning to cast the idol of Easan in wax first and then to convert into gold. Worried that my aim may not fructify, I have begun to lose weight.

Iraivan looks at her Thozhis on hearing this.

Iraivan

Thozhiyare! Go and bring all the vessels from the cook house here quickly.

Hearing his order, all of them quickly go inside and bring all sorts of vessels and keep them in front of Iraivan.  They include copper, brass, gunmetal, iron and even mud pots. Ponnanayal stand with her hands cupped in devotion not knowing what is going to happen.

Iraivan takes out Thiruneeru from the bag He is carrying and gives it to each one of her friends. He then asks them to apply the Thiruneeru on all the vessels kept there. Not wanting to disobey the order of the Siddhar, they smear Thiruneeru on all the vessels kept there.

Iraivan

 Ponnanayale!   You have realised that the youth and the wealth one has are transient and only the service to Adiyavar will grant one Mukti as that service is as good as serving Easan Himself! Therefore, your wish will be fulfilled tomorrow morning.

As He disappears from there, all of them wonder whether it was a Siddhar or Siva Peruman Himself!

Ponnanayal (shedding tears)

You have come to my house as a Siddhar for taking food but disappeared without taking food!  Have I committed any fault to offend you?

Divine Voice

Adiyavare! Do not grieve that I have not taken food today. I have enjoyed eating food along with other adiyavars in your house many times. It was much superior even to Amritam.

Going raptures, Ponnanayal goes to bed that night.

Next morning…..  The vessels turn into gold as they are placed on the stoves for preparing food for the adiyavars. Seeing this miracle ,the Devas in heaven shower flowers on them. All her friends and others stand dumbfounded seeing the miraculous transformation of all the vessels into gold. The work for casting the idol of Easan in gold starts immediately as there is enough gold with Ponnanayal. The idol of Easan is cast by the lost wax process. After the mold is cooled down, the sand is removed and a skilled sculptor embellishes with intricate carvings. Ponnanayal reaches there to see the handsome figure of Easan. She is in a state of great fervor as well as raptures at the same time!

Enchanted by the beauty of Easan she is unable to control her emotions.  She runs and pinches the cheeks of the idol and also plants a kiss on His cheek. A sound of ‘Ah’ emanates and the pinch mark of her finger nails appears on Easan’s cheek! Ponnanayal is dumbfounded. She raises her hands, cupping them above her heads in great reverence to Easan. Tears of joy roll down her cheeks in torrents.

 Easan appears in the form of a huge Jyothi.

Iraivan

Ponnanayale! Only to propagate your true devotion, I retained the mark of your pinching on my cheek! You will continue in the service of adiyavars and attain Mukti when the time comes for you to depart from earth.

As Easan blesses her, she bows to Him in great devotion. The sound of “OM” echoes everywhere.

      *******

As the Adiyavar completes the narrative in the royal court at Thirumunaippadi, the audience goes ecstatic as if they have been actually witnessing   the entire episode. Narasingamunaiarayar applies the thiruneeru in his hand on to his forehead with great reverence.

Narasingamunaiarayar (bowing to Adiyavar with folded hands)

I have realised about the greatness of Thiruneeru and also that to serve an adiyavar is to serve Easan Himself! I also realise that wealth and youth are transient and not permanent. From now on I will devote myself fully in the service of Easan by building temples, constructing matams for the stay of adiyavars and to make provisions for feeding them.

He bends down and touches the feet of the adiyavar in great piety to the loud chanting of the Panchakshara mantram.

    *****

During the reign of Narasingamunaiarayar, a large number of Siva temples are constructed and consecrated. The learned Gurus   extol the virtue of Thiruneeru in their temple sermons absorbing the listeners in their devotion to Easan. The king also establishes dwelling places for adiyavars and makes more than adequate provisions to feed them. The flag of Easan   with the Nandi ensign flutters everywhere.  Narasingamunaiarayar is standing in the Sannadhi of Easan.  

Narasingamunaiarayar (to himself)

On the day when the Adiyavar elaborated Your episode of converting base metals into gold for Ponnanayal, I harboured a craving in my mind.  I believe that You along with other adiyavars have eaten food many times in the Annadhanam hosted by Ponnanayal. You also bade her to conduct Padapujai for You! Likewise, You must take part in the Annadhanam hosted by me. I must also perform the Padapujai to You when You come to partake the food.  Only to achieve this ambition of mine , I am doing the padapujai of all adiyavars who come here with great devotion. Please do come once …. At least once to partake food in the Annadhanam hoisted by me. I and Vadivu must perform the Padapujai to You! Will you not come and heed my request? Will you not accept the food from us?

Overcome with emotion, his eyes swell with tears.

     *******

Kailayam….

Iraivan is listening to the pleading of His adiyavar.  He looks at Annai with a mischievous smile.

Annai (embarrassed knowing His mind))

Please do not expect Me to take part in Your mischievous and embarrassing games… I will not agree at all.

Annoyed, She walks away to the amazement of Iraivan.  A merry laughter is heard as Gangai emanates from Easan’s   knotted hairs and takes up Her human form.

Gangai

 Why must You worry when I am there?

She then looks at Easan shyly. Ayyan gets up with a laugh and both of them disappear from Kailayam in to the sky.

     *******

The next day, about fifty Saiva pundits from Kasi arrive at Thirumunaippadi. The town’s people welcome them with due honour.

One of the Pundits

 Makkale! We have never experienced such a grand reception as has been accorded by you. Since your king has spread the glory of Thiruneeru everywhere, we are at the same time not surprised by your poise. We have come here on hearing about   his devout Padapujai and subsequent feast laid out for the adiyavars, the grandness of which even the Devas in heaven cannot even dream of. Please take us to your

Mannar.

The people guide them to the Annadhanam pandal. They request them to kindly wait as the food is being prepared. The spread an exquisite rug and get them seated on it.

Highly pleased by their reverential reception, the pundits await the arrival of the Mannar.

At the time..

As they observe a man and a woman standing outside the pandal holding on to each other cozily, their countenance changes to one of disgust. They keep standing outside as if they are expecting some one.

Pundit 1

It appears that they belong to the lowest caste.  It is nauseating even when they are such far away. How can they permit such people here?

Pundit 2

Look! How that man is snuggling to her? Will that woman be his wife?

Pundit 3

 No way! It cannot be his wife.  Had she been his wife, she would not have allowed him  to take such liberty  outside. May be she is his mistress.

Pundit 4

 It looks that they are Pulayars who herd pigs.

Pundit 5

Perhaps their nauseating smell makes you say that!

Pundit 4

No! By the way they are behaving like pigs!

As they cosy up to each other the man plants a kiss on her cheek as if to annoy the Pundits even more.

At that moment, the Mannar along with the queen reaches there. Seeing the disgusting act of that man, the Mannar becomes furious and walks up to the man. He sees that the man that Thiruneeru is smeared on his forehead.

Realising that the man as an adiyavar as he is sporting Thiruneeru, his anger subsides.  The Pulayan    bends his body and bows to the Mannar.

Pulayan

 Mannare! I am hungry… If you give me something to eat, you will be blessed.

Mannar (excited)

Adiyavare! Where is the need for you beg for food? Please come and sit inside. The food will be ready in a few minutes. He leads the adiyavar inside and makes him seated near the Anthanars.  The Mannar goes inside to check whether the food is ready.

The Anthanars and other Pundits keep a distance from him so as not to get polluted by his touch.

 Looking pleased, the Mannar returns with the queen.  

Mannar (addressing everyone)

Adiyavarhale! Please pardon me for having kept you waiting. The food is ready to be served. I must perform the Padapujai first to all the adiyavars. So please permit me to do so. The Mannar and Queen perform the Padapujai to the adiyavars one by one with great devotion. At last, the Pulayan and his companion reach there and stand as if greatly embarrassed.

The Kasi pundits are shocked   to see them waiting for their turn.

The Chief Pundit (chiding)

How can the Mannar stoop so low as to perform Padapujai to a Pulayan?

Mannar

Why not?  He is also an adiyavar just like you! Only after performing the Padapujai and taking the leftover food after feeding adiyavars is my vow.

He bows to Pulayan and requests him to accept his Padapujai.

Pulayan (shyly)

My companion is standing outside. Call her also inside and the do whatever you wanted to perform for both of us.

Mannar

If that is the wish of Adiyavar, it will be fulfilled at any cost!

He goes outside to fetch her but she is nowhere to be seen.

Mannar (to himself)

Perhaps, I have committed a great mistake by not inviting her to come inside along with the Adiyavar! What answer will I now give to adiyavar?

Greatly perturbed, he goes inside and finds that the Pulayan is also missing from there. He shuttles from here and there but cannot locate them anywhere.  The Pundits are getting angry by the delay.

The Chief Pundit

How can you perform Padapujai for a Pulayan and his consort?  Perhaps Easan Himself has hidden them disapproving such an obnoxious act!

Mannar (crying)

It is entirely my fault. I must have invited the adiyavar’s companion also along with him. Perhaps, he has   run away to point out my mistake! He said,” I am hungry…. If you give me something to eat, you will be blessed”. I have let him go without giving him food.

Mannar (looking at the queen)

 Vadivudayanangai! There is no meaning in living any longer. I have to punish myself for having committed this sin against the adiyavar.

He calls his soldiers ask them to dig a pit and lit a fire in it. A pit is dug and fire is lit and spread in the pit as per his order.    With tears flowing in torrents and with folded hands, the Mannar and the queen  start to enter the fire pit to immolate themselves.

At that very instant…..

 There is a sound of Kombus.

Iraivan appears along with Annai Parvati on their Nandi vahanam. The Royal couple is in raptures seeing Iraivan and Annai.

Iraivan

Narasingamunaiaraya Nayanare! The Pulayan who came before you none other than I! My companion is none other than Ganga Devi who resides in My matted hair!   You have captured Me by demonstrating to the world the glory of Thiruneeru and has declared that true devotion is to fulfill the need of an Adiyavar, whatever the need and whosoever the Adiyavar.

 Your name and fame will remain as long as this earth remains. Whosoever worships Me will worship you as well. Both of you will merge unto Me!

 As Iraivan blesses the Royal couple, a great Jyothi erupts and both of them merge into it. The Devas shower flowers from the heavens.  The assembled public bow to Easan and Annai. The Onkaram echoes around the entire universe.

Thiruchchittrambalam