Nesa Nayanar

2

Nesa Nayanar

The city of Kambili is predominantly of weaver’s community.  The constant and rhythmic sound of the   shuttles of the looms creates their own beats of music. All along the streets, the weavers have spread out their clothes for sale. Nesanar is also standing along among them looking for prospective customers to buy his wares. Quite a few of the public pass by him with scant interest in buying new clothes.

At that time, an adiyavar walks by. Finding that he is wearing worn out clothes, Nesanar walks along   shouting about the high quality and affordable wares he is selling. However, the adiyavar   giving scant attention to him walks along.

Nesanar (angrily)

Ayyere! Stop!  Do you doubt the quality of my cloth just because I am canvassing for it? Only by selling the woven clothes, we can again buy the thread for weaving clothes and earn our livelihood.   Toiling day and night, we barely sustain ourselves and our family with just one meal a day. I am at a loss as to when will I be able sell these clothes and make money for buying food! Can’t you at least guide me as to how can lead a good life?  

Adiyavar  

Those who recite “Sivaya Nama” will never be in distress.  People like me have just a couple of loin cloth and a cubit of towel to wrap around our waists. We survive on charity by having food once a day and sleep on the mother earth. Where do we have money to buy clothes? The only wealth, I have, is the supreme wealth of all, which is Thiruneeru!

Saying this, he takes out a palm full of Thiruneeru from the bag and spreads it across the forehead of Nesanar and walks off. Nesanar is dumbfounded by his action.

 Nesanar (to himself)

He is worse off than I am! But still there are people who crave to become adiyars!

He repeats aloud the panchaksharam mantra thrice. This repetition of “Sivaya Nama” and his sporting of Thiruneeru on his forehead attract a posse of customers and very soon all his clothes are sold out.   Feeling happy with the money he has earned…

Nesanar (to himself)

I never knew that the panchaksharam has such a power! He said that those who recite “Sivaya Nama” will never be in distress. Let me find him and give him new clothes. 

He keeps searching for that adiyavar here and there and finds him ultimately sitting in a mantapam with his back taking the support of a pillar.

Nesanar

Adiyavare! The mantram you said is really a very powerful one. Though I was crying hoarse throughout the day, there were no buyers. But the moment I recited the panchaksharam aloud, they were all sold off in a jiffy leaving only a couple of items.

 He offers new clothes to adiyavar by keeping them at his feet. Adiyavar pulls his feet back.

Adiyavar

As I have touched your forehead and applied Thiruneeru and imparted the panchaksharam of “Sivaya Nama”, you have attained Sivadeekshai. Therefore you are also an adiyavar and worshipful.

He stands up and bows to Nesanar.  Nesanar becomes euphoric by the Adiyavar’s action.

Nesanar

 Am also an adiyavar like you now? I have never had such an experience as I am having today. Everything looks amazing. You called me an adiyavar because you applied Thiruneeru on my forehead. Does that mean, I must also have just a couple clothes and live off charity eating food once a day and sleeping on the floor?

Adiyavar laughs aloud.

Adiyavar

We became adiyavar by sporting Thiruneeru! We have forsaken all the worldly things as we are in constant search of Easan.  But you are not like us. Though you are an adiyavar, your future is only serving adiyavars like me. We are not keen to have new clothes. A loin cloth and a cubit of cloth to wrap around are all that we need. If you can offer these without asking for money, that itself is sufficient. If you can also offer a morsel of food also, one day even Mahesan will come looking for you!

Adiyavar blesses Nesanar.

Nesanar (smiling and in great surprise)

Will Easan, who has created this universe, really come looking for me?

Adiyavar (laughing)

Adiyavar’s uttering has never ever unrealised!

The Adiyavar   gets up and walks away. Nesanar keeps looking at the new clothes left behind for a few seconds and as he looks up, he is amazed that he cannot locate the Adiyavar as far as his eyes could see! 

  ******

From that day onwards, Nesanar starts his day with a purifying bath with a prayer to Easan.  Wearing spotlessly white clothes, smearing his forehead with Thiruneeru and   chanting aloud “Sivaya Nama”, he goes about doing his work.  Constantly keeping Easan in his thoughts, he feeds adiyavars with his earnings and has only one meal a day that too of whatever is leftover. One day he goes to the temple where a discourse is in progress as he takes his seat, his spotless white clothes and the bright Thiruneeru draws admiration of others.

The speaker    

They say that when one is famished, the “Paththu” (literally Ten) (qualities) are eschewed.    What are those ‘Ten’? If someone knows the answer, he can spell them out.

One in the audience (getting up)

When one is hungry, his poise goes away. Then he gets disgusted and angry at whatever he sees.

The next one in the audience

Patience! There s a subtle difference between poise and patience. Poise or composure relates to physical act. A man who is poised will remain unperturbed even during an earthquake.   Patience is related to mental fortitude. To accept even the one who does harm is the virtue of patience. Even that virtue will melt away when one is hungry.

The third one in the audience 

 I will list the ten qualities which will be given a go by when one is famished. These are bravery, love, compassion, friendship, graciousness; pride in one’s standing in society, charity, helping attitude, poise and patience.  If some is famished, all these qualities will vanish quickly.

 As the man sits down, the public appreciate his reply by giving a grand applause. The speaker observes the reaction and gives a smile.

The speaker    

A few of you have shared their views with us.  The “ten” in that saying is not meant to denote the numeric value at all.  Paththu also denotes Bakthi or faith in Iraivan.  This faith or Bakthi has to remain with us under all circumstances. When one is hungry, even his faith in Iraivan runs away! When satiated, his other thoughts return! When we say Bakthi, it includes ten other qualities apart from faith in Iraivan. 

These ten are

-          One - Sporting Thiruneeru and rudraksham while chanting “Siv Siva”.

-          Two-  Paying due respects to Guru

-          Three – Reflecting on Easan

-          Four-  Chanting panchaksharam at all times

-          Five – To observe the vows of Siva  or keeping Vritams

-          Six – To donate to Siva charity

-          Seven – To listen to the Easan’s holy sporting acts.

-          Eight – To protect the temples of Siva

-          Nine – To partake the food offered by a follower of Siva without discrimination of caste

-          Ten -  to be a servitor of Adiyavars and serve them

These Ten (Paththu) are considered as the ornaments and identities of a true Saivite! 

The crowd loudly cheers by way of appreciation of the lecturer.

One from the audience (standing up)

You mentioned something about observing the vows for Siva. Can you please tell us what these vows are?

The Speaker

The first is ‘Somavara Vratam”.  On every Monday, you keep “Upavasam”   by skipping meals or having only one meal.

The next is “Tiruvadirai Vratam”- In the month of Marghazhi, on the day of Tiruvadirai, to have food only after Aarudra Darisanam.

The next is the “Uma Maheswra Vratam”- it is to be observed on the full moon day in the month of Kartikai.

The fourth one is ‘Sivarathri Vratam’ – Every month   the fourth day (chaturthi) of waning phase of moon (Krishna paksham) is Sivarathri. In the month of Maasi, it is known as Maha Sivarathri.

The fifth one is “Kedara Vratam”- This is observed on the fourth day of the waning phase of moon in the month of Aippasi.  This is the day when Easan took Annai Parvati as His left half. 

The sixth is the “Kalyana Sundarar Vratam”- This falls on the day of Uttara Nakshatram in the month of Panguni.

The Seventh is the “Soola Vratam”- It is observed on the new moon day (amavasya) in the month of Thai. To pray to the Tirisoolam of Easan on this day is very special.

 The eighth one is “Idaba (Rishabha) Vratam”- To observe the vow on the eighth day (Astami) of the waxing phase of the moon (Suklapaksham).

The ninth is “Pradosha Vratam” – It is to do all pujas and prayer first to Nandi, the same way they are performed for Easan, and there after doing puja to Easan.

 The Pradoshakalam (the period of Pradosham) lasts for three hours covering one and a half hours before and one and a half hours after sunset. Every month it is observed on the thirteenth day after the new moon and the full moon. In month therefore it will occur twice.

Uttama Maha Pradosham is said to occur and observed   if the thirteenth day of waxing moon coincides with Saturday during any of the months of Chitthirai, Vaikasi, Aippasi or Kartikai. But if the coincidence happens during the waning phase of the moon in these months, it is considered as Madhyama Maha Pradosham.

If the coincidence occurs in the months of Aani, Aadi, Aavani or Purattasi months,   Adhama Maha Pradosham will be observed irrespective of whether it is during the waning or waxing phase of the moon.

On the day of Pradosham, one has to wake up early and finish his daily ablutions. After doing puja to Easan, one should invite a couple to his home and offer them food and honour them. Considering the couple as if they are Easan and Annai Parvati, they must be worshipped. If one is unable to do this, he should visit the temple of Easan for praying and offer food to adiyavar. On that day, he has to take food only once and keep chanting panchaksharam throughout the day.  Those who observe these vows will be welcomed and taken all the way to Kailayam under a shower of flowers, by Sivaganas when their end comes.

Om Nama Sivaya!

 Om Nama Sivaya!

Om Nama Sivaya!

The lecturer completes his discourse and bows to the audience. The public in turn bow to him and take leave.

 Nesanar (to himself)

The Vritams explained by the speaker are not very tedious to observe! I will observe all these vows and reach Kailayam holding the hands of Sivaganas one day!

 That very thought exhilarates him.

   ******

Nesanar starts observing the vows not only on the specified days but on all days. He wakes up before dawn and after finishing daily ablutions and a bath, he goes to the temple of Easan.  With the money he earns by selling the cloth he has woven he purchases items and cooks food. He then goes and invites an adiyavar to his house. He performs padapujai and offers him the food he has cooked. He gives him a loin cloth and a cubit of cloth he has woven. After, the adiyavar leaves, he eats the leftover food as his only meal of the day.

As his life is proceeding in this way…..

One day after finishing the cooking, he goes out to invite an adiyavar for feeding him and offering him clothes. Even after searching for a long time, he is unable to find any adiyavar.  He returns home saddened and seeing the cooked food, he feels hungry. Though he is used to eat only after the adiyavar has taken his meal, the extreme hunger reminds him of what the lecturer said in the discourse, “They say that when one is famished, the “Paththu” (literally Ten) (qualities) are eschewed”.   

Nesanar (to himself)

I will not touch this food even if I were to die of hunger unless I honour an adiyavar, feed him and offer him clothes.

At that time an adiyavar couple comes to their house. Nesanar is extremely happy to see the homely couple wearing rudraksham and sporting Thiruneeru.

Nesanar

You have reached my humble abode as if Easan and Annai Parvati Themselves have come! I must have done great penance in my past seven births for your sacred feet to step on my humble abode!

He does padapujai to the couple.

Adiyavar

Today is an auspicious day of the conjunction of Rohini Nakshatram in the month of Panguni. We  have come here as a couple to bless you and take you along with Us!

Nesanar is embarrassed.

Nesanar

My duty is to serve adiyavars. The vow I am observing constitutes, feeding, giving cloth and honouring the adiyavars who come here. I am hoping and waiting for the day when Easan, Ammayappar Himself will grace this place and partake the food I offer. I am afraid, therefore, that stand to lose the honour of accompanying you!

 He politely declines the offer of the adiyavar.

Adiyavar (with a mild laugh)

If you want Iraivan to grace His presence here and partake food here, you must sit down, close your eyes and meditate on Sadasivan. That is called Sadasiva Dhyanam.

Nesanar is thrilled.

Nesanar (pleading)

Alas! I am unaware of this all these days. Adiyavar Perumane! Please tell me how to go about doing Sadasiva Dhyanam. ..

Adiyavar

First give us food to satiate our hunger. I will tell you about it afterwards,

Nesanar

Pardon me! I have kept you hungry all this while by chatting with you. 

He serves food to the couple immediately. He fans them till they finish their eating. He gives them water for washing their hands and towels to dry them. He bows to the couple with great reverence.

Adiyavar

 Nesanare! Come and sit in front of me.

Nesanar sits in front of them quickly.

Adiyavar

Now! Close both your eyes.

Nesanar does as told.

Adiyavar

 I am going to tell you as to how to do Sadasiva Dhyanam. Please keep in your mind whatever I will be narrating.

I am now going to recite a poem and then explain its meaning.

The Adiyavar sings a long narrative song and at the end gives its meaning.

Adiyavar

If you imagine the figure of Easan as I keep narrating it, you will be able to see Sadasivan right in front of you!

Sadasivan has four faces for the four cardinal directions and one more facing above on top of them.  He has three eyes in each of His face making a total of 15 eyes for the five faces.

The face that is on top facing up is called Easanam. It is looking at the direction of Easanam and is of the colour of white marble!

The face facing east is Tathpurusham. It is of the colour of Kongin flower. The face on the right shoulder that is facing south is Agoram.   Black colour with a flowing beard, it is frightening to look at.

The face on the left shoulder that is looking in the direction of north is Vamadevam.  It is womanly and of reddish hue.

The face towards west is like that of a child of milky complexion.

 Sporting the crescent moon on His matted hair, wearing a garland of Konrai flowers, with a body of the hue of pure white marble, with ten arms holding a variety of weapons and seated in Padmasanam as a sixteen year old youth-He is Sadasivan.

Are you able to visualise Him?

Nesanar (still keeping his eyes closed and in great euphoria)

Swamy! Yes! I have brought Him before my mind’s eye!

Adiyavar (ordering)

Now, surrender your Aanma to that Sadasivan!

Nesanar (with his hands folded and palms cupped)

Yes! I do!

 He continues to remains seated that way.

Adiyavar (continues)

 The five faces denote the five functions of Sadasivan! The north facing feminine face denotes the function of creation. The east facing Tatpurusham denotes the function of protection. The Agoram facing south denotes Samharam or destruction. The childish face looking west denotes concealment. The one facing up on top denotes compassion to grant mukti.

Now, you may open your eyes!

Nesanar opens his eyes and in front of him he sees, seated in Padmasanam, Sadasivan glittering like a million sons.   He gets up with great ecstasy and prostrates before Easan.  As he gets up, there is a reverberating sound of conch shells and Kombus. The Adiyavar couple rise in front of Nesanar again. In a moment they transform into Easan and Annai Parvati. Nandi, their Vahanam, also rises behind. There is chanting of Veda mantras and the heavens open up with a shower of flowers.

Iraivan

Nesa Nayanare!  You have proved to the world that, though of frugal means one can serve adiyavar by satiating their hunger and donating a little cloth. You have thereby established the glory of Thiruneeru for the whole world to realise. Your name and fame will remain as long as this world remains. The food you have offered Us was sweeter than even the heavenly hector.  Those who worship Me will worship you as well.

You will continue to serve the adiyavar as long as you live and attain Me at the end. You will remain on my right side forever thereafter!

As Iraivan and Annai bless the adiyavar, there is a resounding echo of Onkaram while the Sivaganas stand in great reverence to Nesanayanar.

Thiruchchittrambalam