2
Munaiaduvar Nayanar
Kailayam….
Easan along
with his consort Umayaval is blessing Nandiperuman, the Devas, the Ganas and
the Munivars of all the seven lokas by giving darsanam. Seeing Him unusually
impatient, Umayaval is unable to control her laughter.
Umayaval
Ayyane! How
come today you are unusually in a hurry?
Easan
You are part
of Me having one half of myself! Knowing
everything but still feigning ignorance, why do You ask Me? Aren’t You aware
what I am up to?
Annai
I am aware
Swami! The Puranas of Thondars never go
stale in spite of repetitions. Rather they become sweeter. Still I yearn to
hear it narrated by You!
Easan
Those who
worship us worship our Thondars as well. It is time that I start to guide
Munaiaduvar on his path to eventually merge unto Us. Let Me get going!
Annai
Can any one perceive the deified sport of
Easan? Though being half of You, I am
still not an exception! I am also
eagerly looking forward to watch the happenings.
Easan
vanishes giving a hearty laugh!
*******
Thiruneedur…
A cute little town….
There is a
Sivan Kovil in the centre of the town ..
It is early
morning…
Near the
temple is the golden lotus pond brimming with water.
The egrets
stalking their aquatic prey gently walking over the lotus leaves!
Foreseeing
the danger from above, the kendai fish in the pond seeking the refuge of Easan
hide themselves under the leaves.
In the temple …
The crowd of people hurrying up for their
respective work after praying to Easan…
Carrying a plough on his shoulder a young man
is walking fast. In his anxiety that no one walking past gets hurt by his
plough, he even forgets his customary bowing to the temple gopuram
The Easan who has come down from Kailayam to
meet him is waiting for him in the garb of an aged Sivanadiyar at the entrance.
The young
man walks rapidly giving scant attention to things around..
The Sivanadiyar is following him. In trying to keep his pace with the young
man, the Sivanadiyar gets exhausted.
Unaware of
some one following him, the young man reaches his field by walk and run and
unloads the plough.
The cattle which
are grazing come rushing on seeing their master, to his side. The young man
lovingly caresses them and yokes them to the plough. The ploughing goes at a
brisk pace as the field is softened by the previous night’s rain. A melodious
song springs forth from him as he ploughs the field and the bulls appear to be
going around in harmony. Watching all these from a distance Easan is enjoying
the show.
As the time
passes and the Sun reaches the zenith, he stops, unyokes the bulls and leads
them to a shady tree. Plucking the hay from the stack and laying it for them,
he then fills the water tub from the nearby well. The bulls rush and quench
their thirst and return to feed on the hey. The young man, after watching them
with compassion, opens his food package and finishes his meal. The food is
insufficient to satiate his hunger. He looks at his bulls and a smile breaks
out from his lips!
The
Hey! My boys!
You are lucky. You have enough to fill your tummies. Look at me! What I brought
was not enough. The Easan who fills everyone’s hunger has let me go half
starved today!
(In a
fake derision)
Perhaps He is unsympathetic and heartless!
Easan (Shouting)
‘Hey! Did you call me?’
The
Sivanadiyar comes and stands in front of him.
Though taken aback for a moment, the young man
regains his composure immediately. He runs and washes his hands and feet and
falls on the feet of the Sivanadiyar reverently.
The
Adigalare!
Forgive me for I failed to notice your presence as my mind was wandering
elsewhere.
Easan
Laughing
‘Weren’t you abusing Easan?’
The
Not at all!
I do not forget Easan even for a second. Will I ever abuse Him? Never! Never!
Today, the
food I brought was insufficient. It was a fake chiding for letting me go half
starved today. He has embedded me in Him. Will I ever abuse Him? Siva! Siva!
Let that be.
May I know who you are? How come you are here?
Easan
Mahane! I
reside in Kailayam. From far North I have come down South to see all the
places. Due to my continuous walking I
am feeling very tired. You seem to be a
dignified person. Will you please tell
me about you?
The
When I look
at you I am enthralled as if I have seen my Easan Himself! I am Surabith and
the only son of my parents. I am a farmer.
Perhaps, desiring that I look after myself on my own, my parents reached
the lotus feet of my Easan when I was barely twelve years old. I plough this
field and grow crops for my living. I feel thoroughly blessed to have your
darsanam. I am pleased to be at your service!
While
Surabith is talking, Easan faints and is about to collapse. Surabith holds Him in time and slowly lays
Him down on the floor. Hurriedly bringing some water, he sprinkles gently on
His face.
Iraivan
opens His eyes slowly.
Surabith
Adigalare!
What has happened?
Sivanadiyar
(sounding poignant)
Mahane! I
have not had food for the last two days. Having walked a long distance I
fainted due to hunger. Poor you! Easan has already half starved you today. But
for me, not showing any mercy He has fully staved me for the past two days. He
has created the humans who are incapable digesting this grass or the mud.
Otherwise, I would have eaten them to pacify my hunger. My mind does not permit
me to beg for food. My advanced age prevents me to work and earn food. I do not
know what to do!
Surabith
How
outrageous? How preposterous that a Sivanadiyar has to go hungry? How can the
grass and mud be the food for those who have given up their lot at the lotus
feet of Easan? How cruel?
Ayyane!
Please come with me to my house. I will cook rice and serve you. You appease
your hunger fully and then go. Kindly come with me.
Easan (pleading)
I will not
be alive if I do not take food immediately. Please do some thing quickly.
Unable to
bear the suffering of Sivanadiyar, Surabith looks around so that he can do
something quickly to satiate his hunger. He sees two goatherds under a banyan
tree.
Surabith
(to himself)
Yes. There are two boys sitting there. May be
I will ask them to spare some food for the Sivanadiyar.
He runs to
them.
When he
reaches there he finds them playing a game of ‘Goats and Tiger’. Out of the two
boys, the elder is the Tiger and the younger is the Goat. The younger one is
crying having lost the game (the goats) to the elder (the tiger). The elder boy
is laughing at and teasing the younger boy for having won the game.
Surabith (pleading)
Hey Boys! By
providence, today Iraivan as if manifested as a Sivanadiyar has come here
famished. If you have some eatables please give that and help me.
The
younger one (wiping his tears)
I have boiled peanuts. I can give that, but
only on a condition. You must play the game on my behalf and defeat my elder
brother. If you succeed I will give what I have.
The Elder
one
Young man! Let us start the game afresh. If
you defeat me, I will give you a pitcher of goat’s milk.
Surabith,
not wanting to waste any time in arguments, sits for the game.
The game
begins and both of them are moving their coins on the board in quick
succession. Surabith moves his coins expertly and corners his opponent
everywhere. The game ends with Surabith winning.
As agreed
upon, the younger one gladly gives him boiled peanuts. Surabith runs with it to
Sivanadiyar. The elder one milks a few goats and brings a pitcher of milk to
Surabith.
Surabith (pleading)
Adigalare!
Please awake! Here it is! Please take
the boiled peanuts and the goat’s milk and appease your hunger.
Easan first
takes the pitcher and drinks the milk in one go and quenches his thirst! Then
he slowly relishes the boiled peanuts.
Afterwards,
he drinks water handed over by Surabith. He looks up to Surabith satisfied.
Easan
Aaha! What a delicious fare! I have never before
eaten such a tasty meal to my heart’s content!
Since you stood by the side of the defeated and earned the food in a
contest for feeding the hungry Sivanadiyar, you will henceforth be called ‘Munaiaduvar’.
Your name and fame will remain as long as this earth remains.
Munaiaduvar
Ayyane! If
my name and fame will remain for ever for giving just one meal to appease your
hunger, I promise that so long as I am alive, I will stand by the oppressed and
the subjugated people and fight for just causes. Whatever I earn out of that I
will spend that lot in appeasing the hunger of Sivanadiyars. I take this pledge
in the name of my Easan!
As he takes
this pledge his face radiates immense brightness!
Iraivan
blesses the Munaiaduvar and the goatherds and walks away. When He is out of their sight His form melts
into thin air.
******
Kailayam…
Iraivan and
Annai Parvati …
Annai
Ayyane! You
seem highly delighted as if having tasted the ‘Amrit’! Are the boiled peanuts and the goat’s milk
equally delicious?
Easan
I could have
brought some for You too! Overcome with
hunger, having waited for my Adiyavar, I consumed the entire lot of the fresh
goat’s milk and the peanuts forgetting
to save something for you! Any offering made by a dear devotee is much
more delicious to me than Amrit itself!
Annai
Still, it
was gained in a gamble! You should have rather refused the food saying gambling
and betting are sins. Perhaps you lived up to an old saying that one forgets
everything including dignity when famished!
Easan
It is incorrect..
Munaiaduvar is not a professional gambler and he has never indulged in gambling
before. Even that game of ‘Goats and
Tiger’, he has seen it for the first time. He indulged in this game out of
compulsion to do something to feed Me… no
wrong … to feed a hungry Sivanadiyar. He played this game not for his personal
gain. . It is in the nature of things that the strong make fun the weak. The
elder one was strong. The younger one was weak. Munaiaduvar did not take the
side of the strong. The younger and weaker one was depressed having lost the
game , he was crying. He wanted to help him. So he got the food as wages for
his help and gave that to Me. There is not an iota of either profiting out of
gambling or enjoying it for his own sake.
When the
strong overpowers the weak to desperation, it is akin to a tiger killing a goat
which is no match to it. Munaiaduvar, unable to see the weakling in distress,
agreed to play on his behalf and won the game.
Umayavale! You must appreciate that even though he won
the game, he had an even chance of getting defeated as well. He won the game
because of his own effort… My meeting him today is only to remind what he has
been ordained to do in this birth. It is We who decide the destiny of all
creation and so We also need to act accordingly.
His
unflinching faith in Us, the sympathy he has for the weak, his extraordinary
skills, his tender heart which could not bear the sight of the famished
Sivanadiyar and his unselfish nature … all these attributes will take him to a
higher plane. He will get a hallowed
place in all the temples where We are worshipped. Whosoever worships Us will
worship him as well.
Pleased by
the elucidation given by Easan, Annai stands up and bows to Easan in reverence
who bestows His grace.
******
Adiyarmanai…
As one
clears the portico and enters inside , there is a a huge hall,
very well lit due to high rise construction .
The wooden
seats are laid out all along the wall and plantain leaf for serving food placed
in front of each of them. The servers sprinkle water on the leaf. The
Sivanadiyars enter the hall one by one and get seated.
They are
served a variety of items catering to all the six tastes to partake.
Munaiaduvar watches the service all around the hall with a keen eye to ensure
all are served properly. Satisfied, he does the ‘Karappora Aarati’ and
prostrates in reverence to all the Sivanadiyars seated.
There is a
loud hailing of Easan by all those present and then the Sivanadiyars start
relishing their food. Blessing Munaiaduvar for his hospitality, they all leave
after eating their meals.
Munaiaduvar
looks cheerful and contended by the service rendered to the Sivanadiyars at his
house. He goes inside and warmly hugs Kannanar, who is supervising all the
works at his house in gratitude.
Munaiaduvar
Anna! All
the Adiyars complimented the food today and lavishly praised the preparations.
Only you deserve all these compliments.
Kannanar
Having
nothing to look forward to, when I was about to renounce my life, you took me
under your wings. Taking a total stranger as your elder brother, you have given
a meaning to my life by making me responsible for the services of Sivanadiyar
in your house. All the kudos and compliments are justly yours!
Munaiaduvar
(laughing)
If we
continue praising each other, the cooks and other servants who are waiting for
us to have our meals may curse for keeping them hungry! Let us have our meals.
They
converse while eating.
Kannanar
I have a few
doubts. I wonder whether I can clarify from you!
Munaiaduvar
Yes! Please
do so without any inhibition.
Kannanar
Generally,
places like this are named as ‘Annadhana Chatram’! But why have named it as
‘Adiyarmanai’?
Munaiaduvar
Those who
have established ‘Annadhana Chatram’ and provide free food are much superior to
me. They do it without expecting anything in return. They provide free food to
any one who reaches there hungry, be he a prince or a pauper! I am different. I
have taken an oath to feed the touring Sivanadiyars. What I am doing can
neither be called charity nor religiosity. It simply is my duty! I have taken a
serious vow that so long as I am alive, I will appease the hunger of any
Sivanadiyar who comes here!
You may ask
me why I have excluded all others except Sivanadiyars. I tell you why!
Sivanadiyars shun begging for food from any one. As they have taken Sanyasam, they can not
work to earn unlike us. Their minds are
attuned to Easan all the time.
Nothing else that occupies their minds. Whosoever comes here
are dear to Easan. Therefore this house in reality belongs to them! That is the
reason why I titled it as ‘Adiyarmanai.’
Kannanar
I have another
question?
Munaiaduvar
looks at him surprised.
Kannanar
How can we
be certain that all those who come here are really Adiyars? Having lost the
verve of working and earning, a few may be masquerading as Adiyars to have free
food!
Munaiaduvar
Preposterous! Anna! Don’t get accused of
condemning Easan! Whosoever sports the
paraphernalia of Siva, becomes a Sivanadiyar irrespective whatever he is
otherwise. Even if a few dress up as such just to appease their hunger, they
are Sivanadiyars. It is my profound duty to relieve their hunger.
Kannanar
How
fantastic is your explanation! I have stooped low due to my flawed thinking.
Please forgive me.
Munaiaduvar
Anna! Do not
despair… Always keep Easan in your
mind. He is gracious to pardon all our
mistakes! Not everyone will be blessed to serve His Adiyars! We must be
thankful to Easan for ever for having given us this opportunity.
Kannanar
I am sorry
to have hurt your feelings talking about these things that too while we are
eating. You must pardon me.
Munaiaduvar
You have
been with me for quite a long time. How come these doubts crop up today?
Kannanar
Earlier, we
could count on our fingers the number of Sivanadiyars coming here. Day by day,
their number is increasing. If this trend continues, I am worried that our
stock of goods will not last even for ten days. Concerned on that issue, I
asked all silly questions like a mad man.
Munaiaduvar
Oh! What we need is means to purchase food
grains and other stuff. Isn’t that all?
The person who planted a seed will not fail to
water it! My Easan will take care of everything. Rest assured.
So saying he
continues to have his food calmly.
Kannanar
looks at him amazed!
******
The next day
….
Some youths
come to ‘Adiyarmanai’. Their bearing reveals
that they belong to affluent families of the village.
Munaiaduvar
gets them seated.
A youth
Ayya! Our
salutations to you! We are aware that you fight and win on behalf of defeated
people. We also know of your generosity that you feed and look after
Sivanadiyars with the income that you get. We need your help.
Munaiaduvar
What kind of
help you need from me?
The Youth
In our
village fierce sports competitions are conducted during ‘Thai Pongal’ every
year.
Munaiaduvar
Yes! I
know. I also know that eminent sports
persons from all over our country assemble here to take part in the events. I
am also aware that the sports heroes of Wuraiyur invariably win all the prizes.
Now please proceed.
The Youth
Having gone arrogant due to their victory, the
Wuraiyur youths insulted us in front of our village girls last year. They have
vowed that if they win this year, they will parade all our men on
donkeys’ backs. Our village youth are very good in all sports. But somehow
victory is eluding us. By your grace, if you make us victorious, the entire
village will be grateful to you for ever.
All the
youth prostrate in front of Munaiaduvar.
Munaiaduvar
Look! I am
no expert of various sport competitions. I am basically a farmer. One
or two events, I have learnt from the
defeated person when I competed on their
behalf. That is all I know. I have witnessed all the heroic competitions held
in our village. But I do not know the intricacies of them. It will be better for you if you approach a
skilled sports instructor to coach you.
The Youth
Is there
anything impossible for you? You are blessed by Siva. You are unaware of your
own strengths. What we need is a leader to direct us. Your mere presence in our midst is sufficient
to ensure our victory.
Observing Munaiaduvar
is a little hesitant…
Kannanar
They say
even the elephant is unaware of its power!
Look! We also belong to this village and so a part of it. We, therefore, have a duty to uphold the
prestige of this village. Take up this
task as if it is ordained by Easan,
On hearing
it as ordained by Easan, Munaiaduvar agrees to take up the task.
Munaiaduvar
All right!
You have to pay an half of my fees as
advance. The other half you may pay after we win the competitions.
The
assembled youth are joyous on hearing this.
Kannanar
(to himself)
There will be no scarcity for food now! It is
all due to the grace of Easan!
He bows to
Easan.
******
The coconut
grove…
A plank is
placed there and Munaiaduvar stands next to it.
The village
youth are taking part in physical exercises. Their movements are orderly and in
unison.
It is time
for a break.
The
assembled youth disperse except one who approaches Munaiaduvar.
The youth
Aasaane! I
wish to ask you some thing. But I am afraid you may be annoyed!
On seeing
Munaiaduvar’s grin, he picks courage to continue.
The youth
The doubt I
have is bothering almost every one. They are reluctant to clarify the same from
you face to face. I have somehow come forward to ask you.
Munaiaduvar
Kadhiresa! I have taken up the task of transforming all
of you into bold and skilled competitors. If you are afraid to even speak up,
how is that possible? Whatever you want to clarify, ask boldly.
Kadhiresan
There are
only four months left for Thai Pongal. For the past two months we are doing
nothing but physical exercises. We have not started to train in any of the
sports so far. We are worried that we are not wasting our time on this alone.
Munaiaduvar
laughs aloud.
Munaiaduvar
Kadhiresa! I
am surprised by your doubt. Only a well ploughed land is fit for sowing the
seeds. Like wise one must first develop a strong body before starting to learn
any heroic sport. Secondly it is not necessary that every one must learn every
game. Based on the aptitude and skill, I
am going to select and give special training to different people for different
events. Some will be trained in archery, some in wrestling and so on. I will
prepare all of you for all the events with in the next four months. Two things are vital when you are competing
in any event. One is self confidence. The other is physical endurance. If you
have both you will win any competition.
Kadhiresan
prostrates and begs his pardon.
The training
continues.
The youths
have been segregated into teams for specific events. They have now started
their training on improving their skills in the events they will compete. Some
are training in archery, some on wrestling, and some on stick fight.
Munaiaduvar
calls out to Kadhiresan.
Munaiaduvar
Kadhiresa!
You are progressing well and improving your proficiency. There are only two
months left for the events. I have to leave the village for a very important
work. It will be your responsibility to conduct the training properly till I
return.
Kadhiresan
is taken aback.
Kadhiresan
I will carry
out your orders. Still may I know what important work you are gong to
undertake?
Munaiaduvar
What can you
do even if you know of it?
Kadhiresan
(pleading)
It is
critical that you be here at this point of time. In the competitions, we have
no other option but to win them all. If some else can do the work, may be I can
arrange for that.
Therefore
please do not leave us and go away now.
Munaiaduvar
I am pleased
to note your keenness to win. But this job has to be done by me alone. Before
entering the arena we must know the strengths and weaknesses of both ours and
those of our adversary. Just because we
are getting special training here, we can not become complacent and overconfident
of victory. We must get into our opponents’ territory to gauge his strength and
skills. This will help in revising our training where needed. I am therefore
going to Wuraiyur. I may take ten to fifteen days to return. Till such time,
you be the coach and look after the training.
Kadhiresan
realising his folly pleads for forgiveness falling at his feet.
*******
The festive
day of ‘Thai Pongal’…
The whole of Thiruneedur is tastefully
decorated. People finish the Pongal puja and hurry to the sports amphitheatre.
All the stands are filled up by spectators.
Players from places like Karur, Madhurai and Wuraiyur march in their
colourful attire around the stadium to the cheering of the crowd. The events
start one after another. The Wuraiyur and Thiruneedur teams reach the finals of
the wrestling event. Unable to match the skill of Thiruneedur players, the Wuraiyur team loses
bout after bout. There is unbound encouragement from the spectators for the
local team. The Thiruneedur team bags
the Equestrian event also. The students of Munaiaduvar keep preparing for
successive events; the wins not going over their heads. The Wuraiyur players lose their cool due to
successive defeats.
The Archery
events are about to start.
The Archers
recollect the talk given by Munaiaduvar after his return from Wuraiyur.
*******
After his
return from Wuraiyur….
Munaiaduvar
Every one
will bow to Dhronacharyar mentally, prior to the start of Archery training. It
was he who trained Arjunan, the greatest archer. Perhaps some of you may be
aware of this incidence which happened when he was training his students. Still
I will recapitulate.
One day
during training ..
Dhronar
calls his students one by one to shoot an arrow aiming at the eyes of a sparrow
sitting in a branch of a tree some distance away. One by one they try but in
vain. Dhuryodhanan comes and takes aim.
‘What do you
see? Duryodhana!’, he asks.
He replies ‘The tree at a distance, the branch
and the sparrow sitting on it. I am going to aim at its eyes and bring it
down.’
He shoots
the arrow but it falls half way falling short of its target.
Next is the
turn of Arjunan.
He takes his
bow and places the arrow and takes aim.
Dhronar
asks,’ Arjuna! What do you see?’
He replies
‘I see the eyes of the sparrow.’
He asks
further, ‘is there anything else seen?’
He replies
that he sees nothing else and shoots the arrow. The arrow hits the target.
Munaiaduvar
asks the students ‘What is the lesson we learn from this?’
A
Student
One must
concentrate only on the target without getting distracted.
Munaiaduvar
Is the
failure of Dhuryodhanan due to faulty aiming only? The Wuraiyur students also
replied like you. But your answer is incomplete.
There a few
more important things to be kept in mind. Listen to what I am telling you
carefully and keep them mind always. Before you shoot the arrow, you must know
the nature of the target. The nature of one target may vastly differ from
another like iron and cotton. The speed has to be varied accordingly. The same
speed will not bring down all types of targets. The distance to the target, the
time and therefore the speed required to reach it will have to be acquired by
rigorous training and practice. It is also not necessary that the tip of the arrow
and the intended target to be in the same straight line!
Students
(surprised)
What?
Munaiaduvar
Yes! The
direction of wind, its speed, the weight of the arrow and its speed, the angle
at which the target is to be engaged are all to be precisely and quickly
determined. This ability of the archer is essential as even a small mistake
will result in failure. The targets have to be placed at various distances and
heights for practice. How quickly you develop these skills is more important
than the number of days of practice.
The students
disperse in awe and wonder!
*******
The Archery
arena….
The Archery
events are on.
Initially
both Wuraiyur team and Thiruneedur teams are neck to neck. As the degree of
difficulty of events keeps increasing, Wuraiyur team is no match for
Thiruneedur and ultimately gets defeated. The whole stadium erupts in raptures.
Similarly in
the next event of javelin throw, Munaiaduvar’s guidance ensures that their
javelins reach far longer distances than their opponents’.
Next is the
final event of Silambattam. The display of Thiruneedur team proves
extraordinary. The dexterity, the style and the way they tackled the opponents
are so grand that for years, the spectators are likely to recall the spectacle.
Ultimately Thiruneedur team bags all the prizes. Taking a victory lap around
the stadium, they are followed by their supporters rejoicing their victory.
Suddenly the defeated Wuraiyur players start attacking the supporters with the
sticks out of desperation. The unarmed spectators start running helter-skelter.
The Thiruneedur players seeing the commotion immediately gather their wits and
tackle the attackers with their own sticks. With in a second they surround the
players of Wuraiyur who take to their heels to escape the beating and run away
from the stadium. Embarrassed by the
conduct of the Wuraiyur players, their supporters also leave the stadium in
humiliation.
The
victorious players along with other villagers come to pay their respects to
Munaiaduvar.
********
Adiyarmanai…
All the
villagers as a gesture of thanksgiving for winning the sports events on Thai
Pongal contribute paddy, pulses and other groceries. Kannanar is pleasantly at
a loss to store such a huge quantity of provisions. Munaiaduvar smiles at him
as if to say that he need not harbour any worries for feeding Sivanadiyars for
months to come.
Days pass in
to months and months to years.
The feeding of Sivanadiyars continues without
any hitch.
Of twenty
seven years of age and sporting a youthful exuberance Munaiaduvar is a great
attraction for young women. A feeling of despondency is discernable when they
look at him. However Munaiaduvar is like a saint, oblivious to the attractions
of the youth. Kannanar is getting worried seeing his detached behaviour.
Day by day
the number of Sivanadiyars reaching there keeps increasing. To cater for them a
tent is erected in front of the house and food is served there also. Kannanar
realises that he is not able to run around and manage things like earlier days
as he is getting old.
The
indifference of Munaiaduvar for getting married and for leading a family life
is worrying Kannanar even more as he wants to get him married as early as
possible.
That very
day….
After the
food is served, Munaiaduvar as usual performs Aarati and prostrates centrally
in reverence. Invoking and praising Easan, the Sivanadiyars commence their
eating. After they finish they all take leave one by one after blessing
Munaiaduvar except one. Anticipating that the Sivanadiyar wants to speak to
him, Munaiaduvar goes and bows to him.
Sivanadiyar
Your service
to Sivanadiyars is laudable. You are in the epitome of youth. May Easan bless
you to have a virtuous lady as your wife and brave children to continue the
righteous task you have undertaken.
Having never
been blessed like this before, Munaiaduvar is moved to tears.
Munaiaduvar
Adigalare!
My service is to Easan alone! In this birth I am not destined to lead a family
life!
Sivanadiyar
Has any one
told you that you can not continue this service once you get married?
Munaiaduvar
This is a
restriction I, myself imposed on me! No one has compelled me.
Sivanadiyar
Appane! You
are unaware of the philosophy of family life. It is against the natural scheme
of things. The Easan, you worship, is married to not one but two Devis. Being devoted to His Adiyars, you will not be
faulted if you marry at least one lady.
Kannanar (in
anguish)
Adigalare! I
have also been impressing on him to get married to a virtuous lady and beget
children so that he fulfills the obligation of this birth. But he refuses to
listen. Let me hope that he listens to your advice at least!
Munaiaduvar
is getting perplexed by this talk. May be his mind gets cleared in due course….
Having
completed the job he has set out for, Sivanadiyar leaves after blessing them.
He leaves
with a wily smile on his face and in a few moments vanishes into air laughing!
******
Kailayam…
Seated on
His favourite tiger skin seat, Easan is in raptures enjoying the dance
performed by Devi Gangai in front of Him. When it is coming to an end, Devi
Parvati in Her green hue reaches there. Devi Gangai going pale out of fear
shrinks her form hurriedly and hides in Easan’s locks.
Annai
Easane! Why
is this cheating?
Easan
(pretending innocence)
What is that
you call as cheating?
Annai (angrily)
In my absence,
Gangai comes and dances merrily in front of you and hides herself on seeing me
in your head. What is this but cheating?
Easan
How does
that matter? I am conducting myself as a worthy husband for you all along. Have
I kept you wanting for any thing? Tell Me the truth!
Annai
There is
nothing wanting. Nevertheless I cannot bear the thought of some other woman
sharing My husband.
Easan
Being the
Empress of this entire universe, how can You get perturbed and not have
clarity? You are my exact half! We took
the form of Ardhanaareeswarar only to prove to all that You and I are One and
inseparable. We are this universe. We are anything and everything. We are
anyone and everyone. You and Gangai, therefore, are not separate entities. Get
out of your vexation.
Annai
(complaining)
What a funny
argument! Having given half your body to me, you have kept her on your
head. Now it is very clear to me that
you are very partial. You are a cheat as well.
Easan laughs
aloud hearing this.
Easan
All women
are alike!
Easan hugs
Annai to assuage and Annai blushes and goes into raptures.
Easan winks
sportingly at Gangai and she blushes too!
Easan again
gives a hearty laugh!
Munaiaduvar
opens his eyes with a jolt.
Munaiaduvar
(to himself)
Has it been
a dream? Why Easan, Annai and Gangai presented themselves in my dream? Is it to
impress on me that I must enjoy the bliss of family life?
Coming out
of his slumber with these thoughts, he runs out hearing a commotion outside.
He opens the
door and reaches the forecourt.
It is early
morning and still fairly dark.
In the porch
there is an elderly man, his wife and two others are weeping.
Munaiaduvar
Ayya! What
is the matter? Why are you all crying?
The
Elderly man
Ayya! You
must be none other than Munaiaduvar!
Munaiaduvar
Yes! I am.
Tell me what the matter is.
The Elderly
man and his wife prostrate before him.
Munaiaduvar
is perplexed.
The
Elderly man (after getting up)
Ayya! We are
outsiders. We belong to the traders’ community. We accepted a proposal for
betrothal of our daughter one of the young men in this village. The wedding is
to take place tomorrow. Last night we were coming with our daughter carrying
with us all the jewellery and other gifts. It became dark when we were midway
in the jungle. We were attacked by robbers who not only looted all our
valuables but also carried off our daughter. We ran here along with our party
and narrated our plight to the locals. They advised us to appeal to you. We beg
you to recover our daughter and our valuables from the robbers so that the
wedding can take place at the scheduled time.
Only you can render this help. We will partner in your work of serving
the Sivanadiyars. To save the life and
honour of our daughter is more important than our valuables. So, please hurry and recover our daughter
without loss of time
The elderly
man grabs both the feet of Munaiaduvar begging him to act.
Unable to
bear the sight of an elderly person falling at his feet Munaiaduvar lifts him
up and prepares to go the jungle.
The
Elderly man
Ayya! There are about forty to fifty thugs in
that gang. Take some of the youths from our party also with you. They will be
of valuable help in your efforts.
Munaiaduvar
The
information you gave on their numbers is enough help for me! No one needs to
accompany me. The robbers sleep during day and work during night. The noise
made by strangers in the jungle will alert them and so will be more of a
nuisance than a help. I am well versed with the jungle routes. Alone, I can tackle them.
Munaiaduvar
arms himself with a sword on his side, a bow and arrows on his back and a long
whip over his shoulders and around his neck.
He mounts
his steed and goes towards the jungle.
*********
The entrance
to the jungle…
Getting down from his steed, he ties it up to
a tree. Guessing that the robbers are likely to be hiding in the
Kattulingeswarar temple, he walks towards the temple.
It is still
early hours of the morning. In a short while the sun will be up in the horizon.
There is no sound other than the flutter of
birds flying off from their nests for food.
He reaches
the deeper and denser jungle area. Appreciating that from now on he has to be
extra cautious, he observes the path with a keen eye. He sees a narrow single
foot path leading inside for a short distance. It is quite dark due to the
dense canopy of trees. Thinking that the robbers might attack him from any
direction, he avoids the foot path and advances through the thick shrubs and
undergrowth. Suddenly he hears the smooth call of a cuckoo twice. In a second,
Munaiaduvar shoots an arrow in that direction. It strikes the neck of the
robber who sounded the call. He falls down dead unable to make another sound.
Munaiaduvar walks and reaches the fallen robber. He looks around and examines
the surroundings. Finding a suitable place he hides himself there.
Hearing the
warning cuckoo’s call given by their mate, five of the robbers hide behind trees
expecting an approaching outsider. Being
open and broad it was a good site for ambush. For a pretty long time that very
spot has served all the thugs for ambush and looting the unwary travellers.
The time
passes.
From the
time they heard the warning call of their mate they estimated that some one by
foot should have reached the spot by now.
Not hearing any noise, they keep looking intently. Finding no one they
lose their patience. Not wanting to give themselves away, they come out from
their hiding and question each other in sign language as to why no one is seen.
To contact
his mate who gave the warning call like a cuckoo, one of them gives a call of a
wag tail. Munaiaduvar hears this and being aware that this is call is from one
of the robbers readies himself.
When the
robbers do not get a response call from their mate, they are surprised. They
decide to go and see their mate. When they see their mate lying dead they give
out an anguished cry. They stand stunned
seeing their dead mate with his eyes and mouth wide open, throat pierced by an
arrow lying in a pool of blood. Expecting their reaction, Munaiaduvar jumps in
their middle and cuts off the head of one and pierces the chest of another with
his sword. Seeing their fate, the
remaining three robbers are too dazed to react. The next moment, Munaiaduvar’s
sword cuts off their heads.
He goes back
to his hiding place to clean the spluttered blood and plans his next move.
Having first
heard the call of the cuckoo and later the call of a wagtail, the robbers who
were further behind hide behind small rocky outcrops. Normally the travellers
lose all their belongings to the five robbers in the ambush. If some one is
lucky enough to escape they have to cross the robbers lying in wait behind the
rocks. Hiding behind the rocks they look up the Kattulingeswarar temple. The
sun has risen fully and the area is well lit.
The robbers are expecting their mates with the booty eagerly since much
time has elapsed after the cuckoo calls and wagtail response. Finding neither
their mates nor any traveller who has escaped, they now get scared. They may be
in danger of attack from outsiders. Otherwise their mates should have reached
with the booty.
The robbers
know every nook and corner of the jungle like the palm of their hands. But the
unwary travellers usually drop their belongings and run for their lives not
knowing from where they will be attacked. But today seems to be different.
There is bright sun light adding to their apprehension.
One of the
robbers signals a young boy to go
inside the jungle to find out the situation.
That boy
jumps from free to tree like a monkey and goes inside. In no tine he returns at
a greater speed. He is scared and in tears. He narrates what he saw there.
On hearing
it, they all go pale with fear and then anger. Fearing perhaps a huge force of
men has surrounded them, they quickly run inside the temple and lock themselves
inside to prevent getting captured.
Seeing their
panic reaction as anticipated by him, Munaiaduvar gives a wry smile and comes
out of his hiding. Reaching the southern side of the temple, he climbs a tree
near the southern compound wall and sits on branch to observe the goings on
inside.
The inner
yard of the temple …...
There are
groups and women and children arguing with the thugs. They are agitated by the news that six of
them have been killed. The kith and kin of those killed are wailing aloud
beating their chests. There is chaos all around.
Time passes
and it is almost midday.
Observing
that there is no movement of any outsider as far as their eyes could see, the
robbers open the main door of the temple and come out. Ascertaining that there
is no looming danger about ten or fifteen of them run towards the forest. The
others stand outside.
Realising
that this is the most opportune time, Munaiaduvar lands on the compound wall
from the tree and jumps inside. He enters the Sannathi of Subramanya and hides
inside.
He looks
around assessing the topography. He
recollects the layout vaguely having visited the temple during a festival a
long time ago. He reaches the Dakshinamoorthy Sannathi hiding here and there.
The robbers are standing outside with their families. In a short time the dead
bodies will start arriving. Though they are robbers, they are religious and
follow the tenets of religion. Munaiaduvar knows that they will enter the
temple only after cremating the dead bodies and taking a purifying bath.
Assessing that he has to rescue the girl and get out during this time, he hurries
to the fore court of the Sivan Sannathi.
As expected
he sees an unconscious girl bound and gagged. He goes near and touches her. She
opens her eyes alarmed. When Munaiaduvar
tells her that he has come to save her, she expresses belief. He unties the
ropes binding her hands and legs and the girl staggers to her feet and removes
the gag from her mouth.
The dead
bodies may reach anytime now!
There will
be commotion when the relatives and others see the dead bodies. Munaiaduvar
decides to escape from there during that chaos. He asks the girl whether she
knows where they have kept the looted items. The girl indicates the Easan’s
Sannathi. Bowing to Easan, he enters inside and finds a box behind the
Sivalingam.
He opens and
finds the looted jewellery and other items kept inside. Emptying the contents
on to a piece of cloth, he makes it into a bundle and fastens it on his back.
He prays to Easan and comes out.
The wailing
from outside reaches its crescendo. He
assumes that the dead bodies have arrived just at that time. Assessing that for some time their attention
will be on the dead bodies, he grabs the hand of the girl and runs towards
Dakshinamoorthy Sannathi. After bowing to him they reach the Sannathi of Subramanya.
As the girl can not climb the compound wall by herself, he squats and asks her
to stand on his shoulders. As she stands balancing herself by holding on to the
wall, he stands up. Overcoming her
inhibition to stand on his shoulders, the girl stands as there is no option
left. She is now able to climb on to the wall. Munaiaduvar quickly climbs and
jumps outside. She asks her to jump and catches her with his outstretched
hands. The close physical contact of a grown up woman for the first time in his
life mesmerises him. Discomfited by the near embrace of a grown up male, the
bride stands looking down.
Realising
that the time is fleeting, both of them regain their composure and start
walking from the southern side and enter the jungle. They continue for sometime
in silence. After reaching a safe area Munaiaduvar speaks to that girl.
Munaiaduvar
Virtuous
lady! Pardon me for physically lifting you. I am here only because of your
father’s request to rescue you and the valuables. My name is Surabith.
At about the
same…
In the front
of the temple…
The leader
of the thugs is in serious doubt.
They have
killed six men. We are not able to see even a single one out of them. Why all
this killing happened?
He rushes
inside the temple to find the girl in the bridal dress missing.
Next he
rushes to Sivan Sannathi only to find the looted items also missing.
Fuming with
anger, he searches the entire temple and its surroundings. He finds foot prints
in the rear of the temple.
The
Leader
Till now I
believed that there is no one to oppose us or kill us. Today some one has
killed our men. Diverting our attention he has entered the temple and escaped
with the bride and the booty. Who and how many of them are they? From the foot
prints it is obvious that that they have headed towards the jungle in the South.
We must not let even one of them escape alive. Come on! Let us go!
The thugs in
great rage enter the jungle.
By this time
Munaiaduvar and the bride have come out of the jungle walking in great haste.
Unused to walking in jungle paths, the girl suffers a lot.
Munaiaduvar
Penne! I
have come on horseback. I have kept it in the eastern route entrance. We can
not go there. If the robbers reach there searching for you, there will be
unnecessary bloodshed. We have to cover only a short distance to reach the outskirts
of our village. Let us continue walking. You must pardon me for making you walk
in your bridal outfit.
The bride
Ayya! You
have saved my honour and my life though I am a total stranger for you. You are
the most virtuous man. Asking for a
pardon from me is unacceptable and
highly preposterous!
Enamoured by
her talk, Munaiaduvar smiles. It is love at first sight. He recalls the
physical contact when jumping over the temple wall. He is smitten albeit
slightly.
Munaiaduvar
(to himself)
If I am destined to have a wife, I want her to
be like this virtuous lady.
(Chiding himself) How can I think of a girl
who is getting married to some one else tomorrow? Why such impure thoughts are
clouding my mind?
With his
concentration distracted like this for a while, he fails to notice the thugs
reaching them. The girl lets out a loud
shriek noticing that they are surrounded. Alarmed by her scream Munaiaduvar
regains his composure. The bride hides behind his back. The leader of the thugs
draws his sword. Munaiaduvar quickly gauges the situation. There are seven of
them including their leader. The leader is with the sword drawn. The others
have spears and sticks.
Munaiaduvar
pushes the girl with his left hand in a lightening moment and the girl falls on
the ground with a loud scream and faints. Making the momentary diversion of
attention of the thugs, Munaiaduvar unties the long whip from his waist and
unleashes it like a lightening strike. The whip swaying with a swish like an
enraged cobra, strikes the hands of the thugs. The sword, the spears and the
sticks all get removed from their hands in one whiplash. Before the thugs can
register as to what is happening, Munaiaduvar swirls his whip around ripping
their flesh. Unable to stand the severity of the whipping and the pain, the
thugs take to their heels. After some distance they look back. Sporting thiruneeru, wearing beaded
necklaces, his garment soaked in blood and holding the long whip Munaiaduvar
appears as a divine hero to them.
Making a bow to him for having spared their lives, they all disappear into the
jungle.
Fearing no
further threat from the thugs, Munaiaduvar touches the cheeks of the girl to
wake her up and she opens her eyes.
Munaiaduvar
Penne! You
must forgive me for pushing you down and making you faint. If you have been
standing my whip would have hurt you also. The robbers have run away. There is
no thing to be afraid of. Let us go to the village.
Both of them
start walking and soon reach the village outskirts.
The girl’s
parents and other villagers waiting there go into raptures on seeing them. The
girl’s parents shed tears of joy on seeing their daughter alive. All of them
prostrate in front of Munaiaduvar as mark of respect and gratitude. Munaiaduvar
unties the bundle from his back and hands it over to them. The whole village
praises Munaiaduvar for rescuing the girl and recovering the loot.
All of them
reach the venue of the wedding. The members of the bridegroom’s family have
assembled there. No one appears to be happy. The bridegroom’s father appears to
be angry. No one is coming forward to welcome the bride’s party. The bride’s
father runs to the bridegroom’s father.
Bride’s
father
Sambandhi!
We have escaped from a great calamity! You may have heard of our getting
trapped by robbers in the forest. It is because of the great help of
Munaiaduvar of your village, we are able to get back our daughter and our
valuables. I and all our family members will be grateful to him for all times
to come.
Bridegroom’s
father
That is alright!
But why have you come here rather than going back to your place?
His casual
attitude and this question on top of it puzzle every one.
Bride’s father
What is this
Sambandhi? What are you asking?
Bridegroom’s
father
The bride
has been in custody of the robbers for one whole night. How can we accept her
in our house? This wedding will not take place. That is why I asked you why you
have come here instead of going back to your village.
Hearing him like a bolt in the blue, all are
dumbfounded.
The bride’s
mother wails by the turn of events. The girl stands dazed unable to react
mentally and physically.
Bride’s
father (crying)
Sambandhi!
The time of nuptials has been fixed early tomorrow at daybreak. If you cancel
the marriage now, what will be my daughter’s fate? The marriage is traditionally solemnised in
the bride’s house only. Agreeing to your request for conducting here instead is
our mistake. You have also not warned us of the likely threat of robbers on the
way. Had you done so, we could have brought adequate guards for our safety. Why
are you punishing us for honouring your request to disregard the tradition?
Bridegroom’s
father
To accept a
woman who has been in other’s custody, my son is not a Raman! We are not
concerned even if she is unblemished. This marriage will never take place. You
people can go back.
The bride’s
father catching the feet of Munaiaduvar begs him to find a way out for this
hold-up and save them.
Munaiaduvar
(pleading)
Listen, elders of this village! These people
are outsiders. It is not their fault that they were trapped by robbers in the
jungle. To cancel the wedding for this reason is unfair. Let the wedding take
place tomorrow as decided earlier.
The village
elders keep mum out of respect for Munaiaduvar. Even the bridegroom’s father
stands in silence folding his hands in reverence.
The
bridegroom
Hey! You
Munaiaduvar! You are taking the side of the bride’s party as they pay you for
your work. Will you marry this girl who has spent a whole night in the custody
of the robbers?
There is
absolute quiet after the bridegroom makes this arrogant challenge. Eagerly
awaiting Munaiaduvar’s reply, all of them look up to him.
Munaiaduvar
I am a
servant of Sivanadiyars. I am not
destined to lead a family life in this birth. I have taken a vow to fight on
behalf of the defeated and spend what ever earn out of it for appeasing the
hunger of Sivanadiyars. I can not therefore agree to lead a family life.
Bride’s
father
Oh! You who never deviates from truth! If the
wedding of my does not take place at the fixed date at the appointed time, we
have no other option but to end our lives by immolation.
He then
raises both hands above his head in reverence towards Munaiaduvar.
Munaiaduvar
is at a loss as to what reply he can give.
Kannanar
(pleading)
Thambi! With the belief that whatever happens is
ordained by Easan, give your consent to marry this girl.
Hearing
Kannanar, the bride’s father feels as if he has got a new lease of his
life.
Bride’s
father (pleading)
Munaiaduvare!
My daughter is virtuous. You are well aware of it. She is a perfect match for
you. She will stand by you in upholding your pledge of appeasing the hunger of
Sivanadiyars. She is my only child. She will inherit my enormous wealth and it
will belong to you. You need not have to work and earn money for feeding the
Sivanadiyars. The produce from my fertile lands is sufficient to feed a
thousand people everyday for seven generations. If your sons light my funeral
pyre my soul will rest in peace. Please agree for this proposal and save our
family from utter destruction.
Munaiaduvar
(feeling hurt)
Is it
honourable for a man to live off the wealth of his wife? I will go my own way
to serve the Adiyars.
Bride’s
father (begging)
Ayya! Pardon
me. We will do nothing against your wish. Please forgive me for speaking about
and offering of my wealth. Please accept our daughter and save us from this
misfortune.
Kannanar
It is not
proper for a noble man like you to let an elder beg falling on your feet.
Forget about his wealth and dowry. Can’t you work a little more to meet the
needs of your household also? Haven’t you seen the folks earning to run their
families? Acknowledging that everything takes place as ordained by Easan, you
follow your own way to serve the Sivanadiyars and also run your family. Agree to get married with no further
objections.
The
Village Elders (pleading)
If this is
what Sivan has in His mind, who can say against this alliance? Munaiaduvare! Please
give your consent for the marriage.
The bride (bowing with folded hands)
Ayya! A
young girl I am. I beg your pardon.
Since it is my marriage we are talking about, my humble submission is that you
all hear me out.
The assembly
is taken aback hearing her speak .
The bride
Is it not
because of Easan’s bidding we journeyed to this village? On whose order we were
ambushed by the robbers? Can it be anything other than Easan’s wish that this
man of virtue rescued from their clutches?
Who else can marry me apart from him who has physically lifted and
embraced me? I would have never agreed to marry the original groom even if he
has not rejected me. I will not let
this body of mine to be touched by any one else. If he agrees with all his
heart to marry me, that will be fine. Otherwise I will make a fire pit, walk
into it and burn myself to death.
The
assembled villagers praise the girl for her point of view. Munaiaduvar relents and agrees to get
married.
The news
that Munaiaduvar is getting married spreads to adjoining villages like wild
fire. Thiruneedur sports a festive look. With unbound enthusiasm all the
villagers take part in the wedding ceremonies as if it is their own family
function. The wedding hall is overflowing with attendees. Various groups of
Sivanadiyars also start arriving on hearing the news.
Munaiaduvar
is overwhelmed by the love and affection the villagers towards him. The village
youth take on the responsibility of looking after the guests, their boarding
and lodging. There is much singing, dancing and merriment throughout the night.
The next
morning…
The bride is
getting ready in her bridal costume.
Munaiaduvar
in the attire of bridegroom is standing in the mandapam.
There place
is decorated with flowers, plantain trees, mango leaves and such items denoting
happiness and prosperity. The music from
the Nadaswaram ensemble wafts in the air.
A feeling of
unease rather than happiness is engulfing his mind. He questions himself
whether he has taken the correct decision? He wonders whether he has been
compelled to lead a family life because of his involvement in successive
unforeseen events. He is in a quandary.
By now he is
lead to be seated for the ceremony. With the accompaniment of Vedic chants and
music, he starts for the ceremonial Kasiyattirai. Munaiaduvar feels as if he is
dreaming. They reach the temple
of Vinayakar
At that
time…
A woman with
her hair dishevelled comes wailing and stops him.
The
accompanying people try to push her to one side.
Munaiaduvar
(intervening)
Penne! You
come here harried with your hair dishevelled! What do you want from me?
The woman
(pleading)
You are a
great man! The whole village praises you that you always fight on behalf of
righteous and ensure that get justice. Forgive me for getting in your way at
this time when you are about to get married. But if I lose this moment, I will
have to leave my husband and because of that, my life. Only you can save me
from this predicament.
Kannanar is worried
that they are getting delayed for the wedding ceremony and tries to hurry up.
Munaiaduvar
(to Kannanar)
Please wait! When some one seeks me as the only hope, I
can not abandon them and go the other way.
Penne! I
will stand by you if your claim is just and proper. Please tell me what the
case is.
The
woman
Ayya! Please
wait.
Rushing out,
she returns dragging a man along at the same speed.
The
woman
This man is
my husband. He is adamant to marry
another woman breaching the promise he has made when he married me.
Munaiaduvar
How can you
marry again breaching your promise? Behave properly. Otherwise I will have to
punish you.
The man
Ayya! I do
not know about you. But your bright face assures me that you are
personification of truth. I have not infringed on any promise. You may please
enquire from her.
His calm
reply surprises every one. They all eagerly await the woman’s version of the
story.
The
woman
Ayya! He is
a wood cutter and a daily earner. We can eat only if he cuts wood and sells it
daily. One day he proposed to marry me. I said that I would agree only if he
promises to give me whatever he earns everyday. He made that promise and then
only he tied the knot. How is it justified that he wants to marry another woman
now?
The man
(angrily at the woman)
Have I not
looked after you properly all these days? Have I ever let you go hungry even
for a day?
The
woman
No! I have
no complaints on that score. But then; where is the need for you to marry
another woman? Answer that.
The man
(looking at Munaiaduvar)
Ayya! Please
listen to me. When I married her I earned
half Kasu and I gave that to her. She ran the household with that money nicely.
Recently, when I had gone to the weekly market, I was compelled to marry
another woman due to my fate. The other woman threatens to sue me if I refuse.
I am duty bound to take care of my loving wife so long as I am alive. I am
earning half Kasu with least effort. If I exert a little more I can earn one or
even one and a half Kasu. I can take good care of both of them. Only you can
advise and convince her and save me from this difficulty.
The woman
(in a commanding tone to her husband)
Ayya! What
did you promise when you married me? Repeat it.
The man
I promised
that I would hand over to you whatever money I earned. I remember it well. What
is the problem now? Now also I am promising that I will give you money to run
the household.
The woman
(firmly)
Did you promise
to give me half Kasu to run the family? Didn’t you say that you will handover
to me whatever you earn for running the house? When you earn one full Kasu, you
are asking for another wife. When you earn two Kasus, you may ask another two
more wives. Will that be the case in future? As per your promise, what ever you
earn belongs to me only. So you cannot renege on your promise and I will never
allow that.
Munaiaduvar
feels as if something is hitting him hard.
Munaiaduvar
Oh! What a
blunder I would have committed! I have vowed that I will spend the money I earn
for appeasing the hunger of Sivanadiyars. Now I have decided to share that
money for spending on my wife as well. I would have broken my promise. Penne!
You have opened my eyes and saved me from committing a great mistake. My
salutations to you!
Munaiaduvar
falls on her feet in reverence.
All those
around are perplexed.
Kannanar is
dejected by the turn of events.
Munaiaduvar
Anna! This
wedding can not take place. Let us go to the mandapam. I will beg for pardon
from the bride’s parents to stop this marriage.
He runs
towards the wedding mandapam others following him at the double. Gripping the
wood cutter tightly so that he does not slip away, his wife also runs behind
them.
The guest
assembled in the mandapam awaiting the return of the bridegroom from
Kasiyattirai, are perplexed to see the saddened Munaiaduvar running towards
them followed by others. The music stops. There is pin drop silence.
The
Village elders
What has
happened? Why all this confusion?
Munaiaduvar
I seek the pardon
of all the elders. My service is only for the adiyars of Easan. I was on the
verge of breaking my vow. Fortunately, I came to my senses in time. Please call
the parents of the bride. I have to fall on their feet and seek their pardon.
Munaiaduvar with
tears in his eyes stands with folded hands in subjugation.
They look
for the bride’s party. To their surprise no one seems to be around. While they
are all wondering where they could have gone all of a sudden, the young girls
of the village come running in panic.
The girls
Ayya! While we were making-up the bride for the
wedding, she melted away in the air. Terrified , we have come running. We do not know what kind of mystery is this?
Munaiaduvar looks around wonder struck even
more on hearing this. His eyes fall on the wood cutter and his wife. While both of them look at Munaiaduvar giving
a gentle smile, the booming sound of conch shells and dundhubhis are
heard. While the Devas chant the Vedic
hymns, the wood cutter and his wife transform to Siva and Parvati seated on
Nandi Peruman. On having the darsanam of Iraivan and Iraivi, Munaiaduvar
overcoming with emotion sheds tears of joy. Speechless he prostrates in front
of them. Iraivan embraces him as he stands up.
Easan
(blessing Munaiaduvar)
Munaiaduvar Nayanare! We enacted this drama only to highlight your
fame to this world. You will continue to carry out the task of appeasing the
hunger of Sivanadiyar. You will merge unto me at the end. Your name and fame
will remain forever. Who so ever worships Me will worship you as well.
The Devas
shower flower petals on him. The villagers hail the Easan.
Munaiaduvar
with his hands raised above his head in supplication, bow to Iraivan and Iraivi.
Tiruchchitrambalam
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