Arivattaya Nayanar

2

Arivattaya Nayanar

It is evening time at Kanamangalam…

Smoke is bellowing out from the wood stove of a thatched hut…

Thayamma is wondering whether the millet flour   she has in the plate is sufficient for two people…

Thayamma (to herself)

I am not sure whether this flour, I have pounded is enough for us… What to do?  That is all I have…

Only during the weekend I will get some grains as wages… I have to clean it, pound it and winnow it. What a pitiable existence this?

She puts the flour in the boiling water slowly and starts stirring it carefully. Hearing some noise from outside, she gathers that her son has arrived.

Thayamma (to herself)

Oh! My boy cannot bear hunger even for a second! I must hasten…

She starts stirring the porridge vigourously and looks up at her son who comes in after washing his hands and feet.

Thayamma

Oh dear!  Just wait for a few minutes. The hot porridge will be ready for you shortly…

Her Son (dejected)

What? Will it be porridge alone today also?

Thayamma (crestfallen)

Oh! Dear what else you want?

  Son (longingly)

How long has it been since I ate Chennel Soru (fine cooked rice) with Chenkeerai (reddish leafy vegetable)?

Thayamma

We can Chennel only during the Chennel harvesting season!   That too if we get the work! There will be competition to get the work as the wages are paid in kind!  Poor as we are… We have to be satisfied with millet… Come let us fill up our bellies!

She pours the hot porridge into a clay pan.

 Son

Is there any side dish?

Thayamma (cheerfully)

Today, I plucked a few vadumangai (baby mangoes) from the orchard… Here they are…

She places a few vadumangai in his pan.

Her son starts drinking the porridge relishing the tasty vadumangai after each slurp!

After he finishes, she picks up the left over porridge in a pot and comes out of the hut and sits beside him.

 Son

Amma! Boys of my age are going for work in the farms… Only I am loitering here and there around temples and tanks… doing nothing… From tomorrow, let me also come for work with you… If two of us work, will we not earn enough to eat Chennel Soru every day? 

Thayamma (looking at her son)

The farm work is very strenuous…  Your delicate hands will ache!

Son

Didn’t you tell me that we have to work in the farm as we belong to the farmer’s caste?

Thayamma (resolutely)

I will not let you labour so long as I am alive! Let me bear the burden myself… After I am gone, you can work in the farm… 

Looking up to her with great affection, he stops further argument so as not to upset her.

     ********

Time flies, her son is now reaching marriageable age. Thayamma finds a suitable bride for him and conducts his wedding and when the newly wedded couple falls on her feet seeking her blessings, she feels doubly blessed.

Thayamma

Sangulathaya! I have made a vow that I would, immediately after your wedding, to take both you and the bride to the nearby Siva Temple. We must honour that pledge within ten days.

After a sumptuous lunch comprising Chennel Soru, red lentils and vadumangai, the invited guests depart happy and contended.  Thayamma let the newlyweds to sleep inside the hut and goes to sleep outside. When the day breaks, she is unable to get up. Sangulathaya is greatly disturbed seeing condition of his mother and rushes to bring the doctor. As the doctor comes and feels her pulse, a wry smile escapes from Thayamma’s face.

The Doctor (addressing Thayamma)

How come you are able to smile even in your deplorable physical condition?

Thayamma points out a tree in front without speaking a word.  She then signals her son to sit and keeps her head on his laps. Her daughter in law sits near her feet and gently massages them. She closes her eyes enjoying the comfort and opens them again and looks up her son and breathes her last with a contended smile in her face.

The Doctor (to himself)

By pointing to that tree she perhaps conveyed that when new leaves sprout, the old ones wither way.

  ******

The sudden demise of his mother completely shatters Sangulathaya.  His wife Selvi however takes stock of the situation and manages the conduct of all the ceremonies. The whole village is in awe of her maturity and capability in conducting the sixteenth day ceremony and feeding of villagers on its culmination. The nest day, she takes Sangulathaya to their ancestral land. As it has been lying fallow all these years, it has become barren and hard. Remembering that her mother in law worked as a labourer in spite of owning this vast land, she is overcome with emotion and sheds tears.

Sangulathaya (highly perturbed)

What is the matter? Why are you weeping?

Selvi

 Though she had her own lands, your mother toiled as a coolie for others, just because she did not want you to toil in the land.  Her love and affection for you made me cry.

 Sangulathaya

Yes! It is very true. She was adamant that I should not toil till such time she was alive. I feel shattered thinking of her all the time.

Selvi consoles him with great motherly compassion.

Selvi

Our land is like a mother for us. If we look after this land, your mother would feel happy … First let us go to the temple of Easan as told by your mother and pray to Him and seek His blessings to start our new life.

Sangulathaya is consoled and both of them walk back.

    ******

The Sannadhi of Easan…

Sangulathaya and Selvi are bowing to Easan as the Deepaaradhanai is conducted. Sangulathaya’s eyes go moist, as he remembers his mother.  Wiping his tears, he looks at the prasadam kept in front of Easan.  He is confused that the items remaining intact and untouched.

Sangulathaya (in a surprising tone)

Gurukkal! What is this? It appears that Iraivan has not even touched your offerings?

It is now the turn of the Gurukkal to give a surprised look!

Gurukkal

I have been offering Neivedhyam to Easan for the past twelve years. Easan has never tasted the offerings at any time. Even if someone does severe penance for hundreds of years, He can’t be seen! How would He come here to partake this food?

Sangulathaya

Does that mean He is not present here?

Gurukkal

He is omnipresent…He is everywhere… As Prahalada has said, He is present in a mighty pillar as well in puny straw…

Sangulathaya

Swamy! I am not able to understand what you are saying. My mother used to say that Easan present here is the lord for all of us.  Since she has said it, it must be true.  Perhaps, the food you prepared has not been tasty and that may be the reason for Him to ignore it… Just now, I will go back home and cook a tasty meal of his liking and bring it here.  

 He rushes out of the Sannadhi taking his wife along leaving the bewildered Gurukkal behind. 

    *******

After a few hours..

Sangulathaya is heading to the temple carrying a basket on his head accompanied by Selvi who is carrying Panchakavyam in five different vessels. Gurukkal is pleased to see them.

Selvi mops the floor neatly with the cow dung and the Gurukkal sanitises the area with Gomiyam. He then pours the cow’s ghee in the lamp. With the curd and milk, he does the Abhishekam of Easan. After covering Easan with new clothes, he decorates Him with fragrant flowers. He offers the Chennel Soru, Chenkeerai and maavadu as Neivedhyam and does Deepaaradhanai.  Captivated totally by the beauty of Easan, Sangulathaya stands transfixed.  Gurukkal offers Thiruneeru which he accepts and smears on his forehead in great piety.

Completing the midday puja thus, the Gurukkal closes the Sannadhi and starts to go home.  Seeing Sangulathaya still standing there, he becomes curious.

Gurukkal  

 What is the matter? Why have you not started for home? What do you want to do?

Sangulathaya

We will wait here till Iraivan completes eating his meals and leave only afterwards.

 Astonished, the Gurukkal also waits.

Time passes. The Gurukkal is now very hungry and starts to leave home. The   temple is absolutely quiet now Sangulathaya is becoming restless.

Sangulathaya

The Chennel Soru will become dry as it cools down. How will Easan be able to eat it?

Sangulathaya and Selvi sat outside the Sannadhi.

Sangulathaya (distraught)

Is it that the food we have offered is not agreeable to Easan?

Selvi gets scared by the tone of his voice.

Sangulathaya

If the food we have offered is not agreeable to Easan, is it proper for me to live any longer?

He takes out the Arivaal from his waist and tries to cut his throat. At that very instant the temple bells toll on their own. Hearing  the sound he stops his act and the tolling also stops. A noise is heard from the closed Sannadhi as if someone is biting the maavadu and relishing its taste. Sangulathaya throws away his dagger and prostrates in front of Sannadhi. The Gurukkal   also rushes back on hearing the resounding toll of the bells only to find the prostrating Sangulathaya. He also hears the noise from inside of food being eaten with relish. Raising both his hands above his head and cupping them, he repeats the Panchaksharam

 “Om Namasivaya” three times. Sangulathaya gets up in great exhilaration.

Gurukkal (addressing Sangulathaya)

I have misjudged your faith ! I questioned how would Easan come and partake the food here when he can’t be seen even after doing severe penance for hundreds of years. You have made me realise that Easan will rush to the call of His adiyavar.  Having given birth to you, your mother is to be revered.

Since the food you have offered is liked by Easan, you may please offer Him food everyday from now onwards.

He bows to Adiyavar.

   ****

The next morning…

Both Sangulathaya and his wife are busy.  The Chennel Soru is getting cooked.

Selvi (worried)

You have not eaten anything since morning.  You must eat something.

 Sangulathaya

Easan must be waiting for me. I must not eat anything before He does.  One more thing… The Chennel stock with us is just enough for a year to feed Easan. So, from now on we must cook only Kaarnel rice for us. The Chennel will be used exclusively for Easan only. Before the stock of Chennel is exhausted, we must cultivate only Chennel in our fields.

Selvi (worried)

We will need plenty of water for its cultivation. How can we manage it?

Sangulathaya (enthusiastically)

Yes! We need a lot of water. We will dig a well and start the work today itself.

Selvi completes the cooking.   She carries the Panchakavyam and Sangulathaya carries the food for Easan as usual to the temple. Gurukkal is waiting for them. Not only he, but also Easan!   

 As they hear the noise of biting of Maavadu from inside the Sannadhi, all the three prostrate to Easan.

   ******

 This routine of offering Chennel Soru, Chenkeerai and Maavadu for Easan’s daily Neivedhyam continues   as a duty of Sangulathaya … Sixteen years pass by!

Sangulathaya is proudly watching the bumper crops of Chennel in his field.

Selvi (seeing him admiring the crops)

They say that if someone looks at his well grown progeny or the crops in his field, it may affect their further growth.

Sangulathaya

Seeing the bumper crop, I was thinking that there would be enough Chennel for offering to Easan for the next two years. That thought made me pleased!

At that very moment…

   ****

Thirukkailayam..

Annai is sitting depressed. A gentle smile escapes from Easan!

Easan

Annaye! What is this? We are aware of Adiyavar’s fame. Doesn’t the whole world also know of it?

Annai

What you say is well understood by the brain. But the heart refuses to accept it. Foreseeing the physical distress and mental agony, the adiyavar is going to face make me sad.

Easan

Gold becomes pure only after it is melted in the fire and beaten with the hammer. Then only it earns the name of ‘unblemished gold’.  Likewise, if he is to be revered by one and all for all times to come, he has to work hard for that.

Annai (questioningly)

To produce oil, only the oilseed needs to be dried in the hot sun.  Where is the necessity to dry anything else?

Easan

I can make out that you are worried about the trials and tribulations that his wife Selvi also has to undergo! You are a knower of everything past, present and future! How can such doubt arise in your mind?

Annai

Won’t it be Sangulathaya who will be cornering all the glory? Won’t Selvi be also bearing all the miseries along with him? 

Easan

Brahma   bears His wife on His head while Vishnu carries His wife on His Chest. I carry You on My body in one half! Adiyavar considers that his wife is mingled in his life. If the life leaves the body, it becomes nameless. Whosoever worships Sangulathaya also worships his wife who has mingled in his life.

Annai realises the truth in the Easan’s saying and Easan raises His hand.   The intense heat emanating from His hand dries up not only all the water bodies but also the subterranean water sources of Kanamangalam. The lands at once become parched and there is famine in Kanamangalam.

        *******

Those who are farmhands migrate to other places for getting work. The local land owners are contemplating as to how long their stock of grains would last and would the rains come before they get exhausted!  Selvi is deeply sad and worried.

Selvi 

It appears that there is no likelihood of rains. If it continues like this, we may run short of Chennel for feeding the Easan.

Sangulathaya

That is exactly I am worried about too! If we keep hoping for rains and sit tight, my Iraivan   may have to starve. From tomorrow, I will go and look for work outside.

Selvi 

The local owners of lands are not going as farmhands. Won’t they be offended if we take up manual work?

Sangulathaya

Is there anyone in this village who is unaware of our daily service to Easan? Even If I have to face their anger, I am least perturbed. Why did you say, “If we take up manual work?”  Only I am planning to go. You continue to cook food and serve Easan as usual.

Selvi 

I am not new to field work.  If both of us go for work, we may be able to manage at least one meal a day.

Sangulathaya

If it is our own land, you can go for work at any time you please. If we work for others, we have to reach the site before daybreak and work till midday. It will delay preparation of food for Easan for the midday puja. Iraivan will not bear the pangs of hunger as He will be waiting for us for food.  Can we make Him wait? I will finish my work without a break and reach here to carry the food to the temple.

Selvi understands the implications but is still perplexed.

Selvi (to herself praying)

Will they give the wages in kind in the form of Chennel? Iraiva! You must stand by my husband and help him.

Easan listens to her pleading! 

   *****

 After offering the Neivedhyam after the midday puja, Sangulathaya waits and listens to Easan partaking the food. He prostrates and prays.

Sangulathaya

Iraiva! This whole village is affected by famine. There is no harvest. I have to go to neighbouring villages in search of work. Please grant my wish that I must get only Chennel as wages wherever I find work.

Easan (thinking)

Adiyavare!  Your mental resolve is laudable!  Instead of wishing for food to yourself and your wife, you are only concerned about feeding Me! Before long the whole world will know of your devotion just as I have recognised it. 

Adiyavar goes in search of work after prostrating Easan.

    ******  

Adiyavar reaches the adjoining village which is flourishing. He enquires about the biggest landlord of the village and goes to his house to seek work.

The house of Maasilamaniyar... The huge forecourt in front of the house covered by a pandal itself announces the prosperity of the owner. The landlord is seated on a cot.   Sangulathaya, not forgetting that he is seeking the work of a farm hand, approaches the landlord in humility.  Seeing him, the landlord starts thinking as to who he could be. As he comes closer, he gets up from the cot and runs towards him in great joy. He touches his feet as a mark of respect and gets up. , Sangulathaya   is shocked by the sudden turn of unexpected events.

 Sangulathaya (with folded hands as if in prayer)

Oh! Lord! Perhaps you have mistaken me for someone else. I have come here to beg  for some manual work.

Maasilamaniyar

Is there anyone who does not recognise the adiyavar from Kanamangalam? Iraivan waits everyday to partake the food cooked in your house! He relished the food you serve! We all know that sound from his eating is heard in the temple. We are also aware that others are not to visit the temple during the time Iraivan partakes the Neivedhyam. On hearing the news that there is famine in Kanamangalam, I immediately thought of you. I will send sufficient bags of Chennel rice to your place for Iraivan’s Neivedhyam to last till the famine gets over. You must kindly accept my offering.

Adiyavar is flabbergasted on hearing this. Soon composing himself..

Sangulathaya

I am exhilarated by your noble thoughts!    Only the Chennel that I get out of my labour, I will offer to Easan as food every day. It is therefore enough if you give me the job of a farm hand in your estate. I will reach before everyone else and complete all my assigned jobs and return in time to offer food to Easan.  It is enough if you agree to this.

Maasilamaniyar cannot fail to notice the radiance emanating from his face as he speaks. He bows to adiyavar again.

Maasilamaniyar

Adiyavare! I am exhilarated by your radiance. If that is your wish, I will abide it. But I have a small request to make.

He hesitates to speak further. 

Sangulathaya (surprised)

 What? A request to me! Anyway, whatever it is, kindly tell me without any reservation.

 Maasilamaniyar

I believe that you eat only Kaarnel rice, keeping the Chennel rice exclusively for Easan. Therefore, I have decided to pay your weekly wages in kind by both Chennel and Kaarnel.  Just like you want Easan to be satiated of His hunger, I also want that you  be not famished.   You must not decline but accept them.

  Overcome with emotion, Adiyavar’s eyes well up with tears.

    ******

 Due to the sustained hard work of Sangulathaya, the farm lands are having bountiful crops.  Just a few days before the harvesting is to commence...

Maasilamaniyar

Adiyavare! Due to unavoidable reasons, I have to be away from here during the harvest. I am totally relying on you for the harvesting operations to be completed successfully.

 Sangulathaya

 My Lord!  Please go without harboring any worries.  I will be here   throughout the day and night looking after all aspects of harvest except for the time I need to spend in the service of Easan!

Maasilamaniyar leaves after paying his regards to Adiyavar.

      ******

Thirukkailayam....

There are umpteen questions bothering Annai ...

Easan

 Annaye! Please ask me whatever you want to. Don’t trouble your mind by keeping your doubts to yourself!

Annai

You created famine in Kanamangalam.  You made the water bodies to dry up. You made the crops to wither when they were about to be harvested.  You ensured that nothing grows by making the soil rock hard... In spite of all these, the Adiyavar did not lose heart. He went for hard manual labour and ensured that his service to Easan did not get interrupted even for a day. He is undergoing tremendous hardship just to offer you food.  Aren’t you having any pity on him?  Why are you still holding your grace on him?

Easan

To achieve the status of Nayanmar is not an easy process. Adiyavar has to endure yet one more test!

Annai (anguished)

Is he to clear one more test?

Easan raises his hand with a mild laugh.   An astonishing event takes place at once.

    ****

 Harvesting starts in all the fields of the villagers including those of the land lord.  To the astonishment of one and all, the entire crops turn out to be Chennel in all the fields even where only Kaarnel seeds have been sown. Adiyavar seems very happy to have reaped a crop Chennel though he had sowed only Kaarnel. All the villagers are also happy to have a bounty of Chennel which is much superior to Kaarnel.  All the labourers are paid off in kind in Chennel as their wages. Adiyavar with bountiful joy carries off the paddy to his home with great effort.

 Selvi (seeing him very happy)

 How come, you look so happy?

Adiyavar

Selvi! How merciful our Easan is! In the harvest of Maasilamaniyar’s fields, there is bountiful crop of Chennel alone...

He bows to Easan

Selvi

How can it be?  What will grow is what we sow!

Adiyavar

 If we sow Chennel we will reap Chennel and if we sow Kaarnel we will reap only Kaarnel. But due to the abundant compassion of Easan, even in the fields sown with Kaarnel, Chennel came up for harvest! Not only in Masilamaniyar’s but in all the fields of the villagers this astonishing thing happened.  Now that the harvesting is over and I have earned my wages, there will be no dearth of Chennel for cooking food for Easan for almost a year.

Chanting aloud “Om Namasivaya” three times, he expresses his adoration of Easan.

Selvi on the other hand goes in shock.  Seeing her going pale, Adiyavar expresses his anguish.

Composing herself, she speaks gauging the question in her husband’s mind.

Selvi

As per your vow, you will not eat Chennel rice. What will you eat now, as there is no Kaarnel with us?

Adiyavar

There are vegetables and a variety of lentils. Are they not enough for me?   

Selvi goes silent.

 A week passes by.

They cook and offer Chennel rice for Easan. They eat only lentils. As they are not eating any staple food, they lose their weight and energy.  Selvi is waiting for the weekend hoping that her husband might bring Kaarnel as weekly wages. She is shocked to find only Chennel in the bag brought by Adiyavar.

Adiyavar (happily)

Now we will get only Chennel as wages throughout this year.  To feed Easan is no cause for worry from now on!  

Selvi (to herself)

If that is the case when will he ever eat stable food? As he eats only lentils, he has become thin already. What will we do if his health deteriorates? Iraiva! Only You can find a way out for us!

Her silent prayer reaches the sannathi of Iraivan loud and clear.

    *****

Kanamangalam...

The Sannathi of Easan....

Annai

I am very much perturbed to see the Adiyavar eating only leaves and lentils though he has plenty of Chennel in his house just to keep his vow intact. Why can’t he barter a portion of Chennel and get the food items they need from others?

On hearing this question Easan looks at Nandi seated in front. Nandiyar gets up and bows to Easan and Annai.

Nandiyar (to Annai)

There is nothing unknown to Annai! Still I venture to answer Her question!  The Adiyavar has earmarked and kept aside the Chennel for Easan’s Neivedyam. So they become the articles for Easan’s service. To barter them for other items for own use is considered sacrilege by the Adiyavar.  This  brings out  his noble   ideals.

Looking at Easan and praying to him Nandi continues “Iraiva! Only you can save him further distress.” 

Annai (looking at Nandiyar and hinting at Easan in a sorrowful tone)

He is known for putting his devotees through a succession of agonising tests! Let Him at least leave those   leafs for them to eat and survive.

 Annai looks up at Easan. Easan lets out a smile in reply to both of them.

    *****

Selvi goes around the house and there is nothing except Chenkeerai. All other leafy vegetables have withered for want of water.

Selvi (to herself)

It is three days since he had some solid food. Today is the fourth day.  While I can bear it, how can he go to farm work without eating proper food?  Easane! Emperumane! Is there no end to my husband’s miserable state?

 She plucks the Chenkeerai and prepares the food for Easan and keeps them in a basket.  She also collects the items of Panchakavyam and places them in a separate basket. As she gets ready to  go to the temple for the midday puja ,adiyavar reaches there.

Sangulathaya

Selvi! Shall we start for the temple?

As he is terribly weak, his voice is very feeble.

He takes up the basket of food and walks ahead and Selvi follows him carrying the basket containing Panchakavyam.

Iraivan and Annai are watching them walking towards the temple.

 At that very instant...

   *****

 The house of Maasilamaniyar...

Maasilamaniyar returns home from his trip. His wife welcomes with great enthusiasm.

His wife (in a hurried tone)

Come in..   An astonishing event happened here in your absence.

Maasilamaniyar looks up questioningly.

His wife

We have sown Chennel in half of our fields and Kaarnel in the other half. But during harvest there was only Chennel everywhere. The man from Kanamangalam got the harvesting leading from the front. We have given him Chennel as wages to his heart content. Aren’t you happy to hear this?

Maasilamaniyar is disturbed and goes pale and his wife is greatly perturbed.

Maasilamaniyar   

 Did you give Kaarnel also along with Chennel?

 His wife

Do you mean Kaarnel! Where we could go for it? The entire harvest in the whole village yielded only Chennel even to those who had sown Kaarnel!

Maasilamaniyar (deeply agitated)

Is that so? Adiyavar would not eat Chennel! If Kaarnel is not available, would he not be starving all these days? If the whole crops had turned into Chennel it is only because Adiyavar stepped on the soil of this village! May be I am responsible for having kept him famished and that crime will not leave me in peace for umpteen rebirths.

 Crying “Adiyavare Adiyavare”, he rushes towards Kanamangalam. His wife and other relatives also run behind him. Seeing the land lord running with his hands as if in prayer followed by his wife and relatives, all the people of the village also run behind them wanting to know as to what has happened.  As this huge crowd reaches Kanamangalam....

 They see the Adiyavar is carrying the basket containing Neivedhyam and his wife is behind him carrying the basket containing Panchakavyam.    The adiyavar slips and falls down due to exhaustion being famished for long. The basket falls on the ground and the food scatters all around on the soil. The maavadu rolls down and gets stuck in crack on the road.

Adiyavar   

Ayyo!   Because of my carelessness I have dropped the food of Easan. Iraivan must be hungry and waiting in the temple for food. What can I do now? For making Iraivan go hungry, I am unfit to live any longer.

Saying this, he takes out the Arivaal from his waist and is about to cut his throat...

At that very moment, the sound of biting of the maavadu is heard from the crack where it was lodged. A hand sticks out of the crack and grabs the hand of Adiyavar to prevent him from cutting his throat.  By this time the local villagers of Kanamangalam have also assembled there and are witness to this extraordinary event.

At that very moment, the booming sound of Dhundhubhi is heard from the sky. Easan along with Annai on Nandi vahanam appears to bless the Adiyavar. Adiyavar, his wife and all the assembled people prostrate on seeing Easan and Annai and receive His blessing.

Easan

Adiyavar Perumane!  All the untiring efforts you have taken to provide food for me are to be scribed in golden letters. .. As you were daring   to even cut your throat with Arivaal for not being able to feed me , You will be hailed as ‘Arivattaya Nayanar”.    Your name and fame will remain as long as this universe exists. Whosoever worships Me will worship you as well. You and Your wife, who is now part of yourself, will merge unto Me.

Easan stretches his hands welcoming them unto Him. The heavens shower flowers to the accompaniment of Veda mantras. Chanting the panchaksharam “Om Namasivaya”, the Adiyavar and his wife fuse into the great Jyothi of Iraivan.

Thiruchchitrambalam