2
Yearpagai
Nayanar
Poompuhar … the metropolis …
It is raining in torrents accompanied by
cyclonic winds!
There is devastation all around!
Rain water is flooding the streets and houses.
People are howling in fear and running here
and there looking for safer places carrying whatever they can .
Suddenly..
The banks
of Cauvery breach. The river changes course and the floodwaters enter the city
destroying and carrying whatever is on the way.
A huge
and beautiful palace surrounded by a picturesque garden with imposing trees
lining it.
The flood
waters enter the palace and the water level keeps rising by the minute.
The wind
is swaying the lighted torches making the light sway eerily.
A young
man is seated majestically in the central hall. Though appearing sad, he
appears brave and determined. There is no trace of either fear or worry. The
thiruneeru he is sporting enhances his handsome face.
In front
of him ...
The
workers and other servants of the palace have assembled and are in a state of
extreme fright.
One young
man comes in hurriedly after bolting the doors of all the rooms.
The
seated young man
Marudhu!
Is it all finished?
Marudhu
Yes! My
friend! I have been able to close and bolt all the doors. However I can not say
what will be the consequence if the flood waters still enter.
The
seated young man
Nothing
will happen! Whatever happens, Easan
will take care!
Hearing
this, Marudhu laughs aloud.
Marudhu
Yearpagai!
Are you thinking of your Easan even at this horrifying time!
If I
accept what you always propound, all these are to be attributed as His doings.
Because of this cyclonic storm, countless number of people have lost their kith
and kin. Their houses and belongings have been destroyed. If whom you call as
Easan, if He is really Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient as you claim Him
to be , why has He not put an end to
this calamity we are witnessing?
Yearpagai
(closing his ears distressed)
Do not blame
my Easan. He is the One who creates and the One who protects. Then it is He, who destroys
what He has protected! Creation, Protection and Destruction are inevitable
cyclic events. Do not criticise His actions!
Marudhu
laughs again.
Marudhu
My dear
friend! Do you have to babble about your Easan even at this juncture?
Let us
get out of here quickly and find a safer place. Otherwise, the flood waters
will wash you and me away and your Easan, with out even our asking, will take both of us under His sacred feet! Hurry
up!
He orders
all those assembled to rush out to escape the flooding. He grabs the hands of
the bewildered Yearpagai and runs out.
At that
very moment, the flooded Cavery waters break the wall of the palace on one side
and surge inside.
*****
In the
swirling water Yearpagai is struggling to keep himself afloat.
Marudhu
tries to reach his friend to save him from drowning.
The swift
current of the flood carries them away. After a few minutes which seem like
eternity, Yearpagai manages to regain control and starts swimming. Suddenly he
feels something grabbing his feet. He thrashes about trying to get his legs
freed. Unable to release his legs, he starts sinking in the water. Focussing
his thoughts on his Easan and praying to Him he goes unconscious.
The beach
of Poompuhar…
The sun
has risen a while ago.
The rain
and wind have stopped a long ago. The sky is clear and the tides are gentle
with no trace of fury of the previous night.
Yearpagai is lying face down in the sands.
Slowly, with the sun scorching his skin, he regains his consciousness.
The events of the previous night are flashing in his mind.
Trying to
turn on his back, he feels his feet are weighed down. Turning his head around, he opens his eyes
wide to see a pair of feminine hands clutching his legs firmly. With a jerk he
tries to disengage his legs. The yank
wakes up the woman. Seeing that her hands are clutching the legs of an unknown
male, she releases her hold instantly.
Yearpagai, trying to get up, staggers and
falls back on the sand. Looking at the girl who is lying very close, he is
attracted by her beauty. Gaining a little strength, he manages to get up and
stand. The girl also tries to get up and fails. Yearpagai extends his hand and
the girl lifts herself up grabbing his hand.
Marudhu
who has been lying at a distance away also regains his consciousness. Seeing
his friend holding the hand of a girl, he walks towards them and the girl frees her hand.
Marudhu
We are
lucky to be alive!
Yearpagai
Marudhu! Will
you acknowledge that existence of Easan at least now?
Marudhu (mockingly)
If I
survive, I must agree that Easan exists and if otherwise I may not! What logic
is this? Why do you want to drag your Great man into whatever is happening?
Anyway!
Who is this girl? Is this precious pearl, your find in the sea?
Yearpagai (with a mischievous smile)
I am
unaware who she is. I only know that she is the one who grabbed my legs and
made me drown in the sea!
The Girl
Ayya! Only
by clutching your legs I have saved my life. From now on I surrender my body
and soul to you.
So saying
she bows to him.
Yearpagai
You have
taken my refuge not even knowing who I am. I belong to the trading community of
Poompuhar. Yearpagai is my name.
The Girl
My name
is Vasumathi. I belong to a neighbouring village of Poompozhil
Yearpagai
(pacifying her)
Penne! Don’t
grieve. This man is my bosom friend. Marudhu is his name. He will search for
your parents and bring them safely. He is unlike some of us… He feels that there is no one as Easan.
Vasumathi Closes
her ears saying ‘Siva, Siva’ not wanting to here anymore irreverence.
Marudhu (with a
mischievous smile)
What a
show! She is closing her ears just like you do on hearing anything spoken ill
of Easan. You both appear to have been made for each other.
His words
make Vasumathi bashful.
Yearpagai
Penne!
Marudhu may look churlish. But his nature is very good. He will not mind even
giving his life for the sake of his friend. He is always at my beck and call
and will not leave my company even for a moment. Now let me tell you more about
me. I am trading in Poompuhar. My palatial house located at the very end of the
city was flooded by Cauvery and I
was washed away in the flood waters. By the grace of Easan, I am now alive and able to converse with
you. Wherever you want to go, it will be our duty to take you there.
Vasumathi
I am
alive today only because of you. As I
said earlier I have surrendered my body and soul to you. I am your slave
form now on wards. I await your orders.
Marudhu
Sister! We are slaves to no one. Now foremost thing is to find our way
back to our place. Then we will decide what is to be done.
Marudhu
is leading them and they walk behind…
*****
Poompuhar..
Yearpagai,
Vasumathi and Marudhu reach the devastated Poompuhar. The flood waters are
receding and the city is limping back to its normal state.
****
Yearpagai’s
palace..
Vasumathi
is in the food court..
Marudhu
comes inside, his face mirroring his dejection.
Vasumathi
(eagerly)
Brother!
What news have you brought?
Marudhu
Sister! I have been to your village or what ever is
left of it. The flood waters have laid waste and carried off everything. It is
hard to believe a thriving village has been there earlier. I have not been able
to find out about your parents.
No one has any idea about your parents.
They are wailing about their own losses and concerns. I do not think they have any reliable
information about your parents; whether they are alive or dead. Let us wait and
see and hope for the best.
Vasumathi
is disheartened.
*****
Time
flies.
Easan
Sannathi..
Yearpagai
and Vasumathi exchange garlands. Marudhu looks extremely happy that they are
married.
After the
Deeparadhanai, they bow to Easan and come out. Around a thousand people are fed
free lunch. The newlyweds receive their blessing and return to their palace.
There…
Vasumathi
gets the surprise of her life. She sees
her parents and a few of her relatives waiting for her there. She runs to them
and pays her respects.
When her parents in turn pay their respects to
Yearpagai, he gets embarrassed. Hugging them, he leads them inside.
Everyone
is doubly happy because of the wedding of their master and the safe arrival of
Vasumathi’s parents. Yearpagai makes arrangement for the stay of Vasumathi’s
parents and others. The gloomy
atmosphere prevailing in the palace ever since the birth of Yearpagai changed
one of merriment and laughter. The ambiance is
of joyful celebration.
*****
Yearpagai
makes it his routine to visit the temple for praying to Easan and bring home a
Sivanadiyar for feeding and giving away alms
whatever they ask for. He will eat his food only afterwards. Vasumathi
assiduously supports him ensuring that this penance of his remains unbroken.
Though,
Marudhu is upset with Yearpagai’s blind rigidity in observing the above ritual,
he restrains from ridiculing him out of civility.
Days
pass.
*****
One day.
As usual
Yearpagai goes to the temple and after a contended darsanam of Easan, comes out
looking for a Sivanadiyar whom he can host that day. Unfortunately, there is no
Sivanadiyar around. After waiting for a long time and finding none, he returns
home depressed.
Vasumathi,
who has been awaiting his return, is alarmed seeing him miserable.
Vasumathi
Why are
you disheartened? Have you not been able
to see any Sivanadiyar?
Yearpagai
(Proudly looking at his wife for
correctly deducing the reason for his agony)
I have
mandated that I will have my food only after I feed a Sivanadiyar. I have not been able to see one even after
waiting for long in the temple. Why this
tribulation for me happens today?
Vasumathi
(to herself)
I know you cannot endure the pangs of hunger. Also you will not eat before a Sivanadiyar is
fed. Easane! I am at a loss as to what to do.
As she
was praying to God, a voice is heard outside their house calling out to her
Easan loudly ‘Sambo Mahadev!’ Both of them rush to the entrance and are
happy to see a Sivanadiyar. Both of them fall to his feet in reverence.
Yearpagai
Adiyare!
We are delighted by your visit. Please accept our ‘Padapujai’.
A big
plate is place for the Sivanadiyar to stand on. Yearpagai washes his feet with
water and dries them up. Applying sandalwood paste and Kumkum on his feet, he
venerates them with flower petals. Both of them bow to Sivanadiyar. Vasumathi
serves food and while he is eating Yearpagai fans. After Sivanadiyar finishes
his food, he hands over water for washing his hands and awaits his return from
the washing area.
On seeing
him, the Sivanadiyar is saddened and his eyes become moist.
Yearpagai
(in reverence)
May know what else Adiyar needs? I am
waiting to fulfill the same!
Sivanadiyar
Yearpagai!
Is there any further restraint on you from having your food?
Yearpagai
(pleading)
No! I
will have my food. Prior to that I want to honour you by giving you whatever
you need. Please let me know.
So saying
he raises his folded arms above his head in reverence.
Not able
to hold back his hilarity, the Sivanadiyar laughs aloud.
Sivanadiyar
My
friend! I am none other than Marudhu. Unable to endure your despair in not
being able to host a Sivanadiyar, I have come here in his garb. Please forgive
my indulgence.
Yearpagai
Marudhu!
I recognised you the moment I saw you. When you, for my sake, applied
Thiruneeru and wore Rudraksham for the first time in your life, you have become
a Sivanadiyar. I am blessed to have been of service to you. Please ask for any
thing you need. I will eat my food only after offering that to you.
Marudhu
I have laughed
at you, thinking you were not able to distinguish between a fake and a genuine
one. You extended all the respect and courtesies even after recognising me just
because, I was in the garb of a Sivanadiyar. You asked me what I want … I want
our friendship to remain for ever. I want that we may never get separated.
So saying
he sheds copious tears overwhelmed by Yearpagai’s generosity and devotion.
Vasumathi
Come on! By sticking up a beard and mustachio,
does one become impossible to get recognised? The eyes are sufficient to reveal
his identity! Your very look, standing
in the front porch, gave you away!
Marudhu
(excited and astonished)
Even
after recognising me, you still did the ‘Padapujai’ and worshipped me!
Vasumathi
As you
have applied Thiruneeru and worn Rudraksham, you also become a Sivanadiyar. Worshiping some one who my husband reveres is nothing to be amazed of!
Marudhu
My dear sister! You should have been named
‘Piriya Nangai’ (an inseparable lady).
I am proud of both of you. Your names then will be so apt bringing your nature.
Vasumathi
I am not able to comprehend when you say the
names are apt.
Yearpagai
Let me
explain. I used to wonder all along why he is given an unusual name of
Yearpagai. It means distinct or different from ordinary. To day I have had my
firsthand experience why his name is apt. He fell on my feet and worshipped me
though knowing I was only acting up as a Sivanadiyar. No one else is capable of bestowing such a
grace. My friend, having done that, is truly extraordinary. Hence his name is
apt.
Now do
you know why I want your name to be ‘Piriya Nangai?
Vasumathi
Please
tell me!
Marudhu
Piriya Nangai refers to Devi Uma, who is one half of the Easan, is termed as
such. Like Her you , by being a constant companion of your husband physically and mentally,
by surrendering your body and soul to him, are apt to be called as Piriya Nangai.
Yearpagai
Vasumathi! My parents gave me this name of Yearpagai. Do you know why it is so?
Vasumathi
(jokingly)
How will I know? When your parents gave you this name, I was
not even born!
All of
them laugh!
Yearpagai
When my
parents were yearning for a son and prayed to Easan earnestly, there heard
heavenly voice in the Sannathi that a son would be born and should be named
‘Yearpagai’. I never contemplated on the meaning of my name so far. The explanation by Marudhu has enlightened
me.
Vasumathi
Anna! Aren’t you used to say that there is no one
as Easan? Now you say that the one who is the left half of Easan is ‘Piriya
Nangai’. Have you come to know of it by any study?
Marudhu
Study is the basic cause of my conviction. I
read many of our Puranams and Itihasams. Only then I concluded that there is no
one as Easan.
Yearpagai
and Vasumathi are taken aback.
Marudhu
What I am
going to tell you will be intriguing for you.
First answer my question. Who are the ‘Five Pandavas’?
Yearpagai
Dharman,
Bhiman, Arjunan, Nakulan and Sahadevan are the five. They were born to Pandu
and hence called the five Pandavas.
Marudhu
Including Karnan, four were born to Kunti
Devi. Two were born to Madhuri. Therefore it is erroneous to call them ‘Five
Pandavas’. The world came to know of it only after Kunti called him her son
while wailing his death in the battle field. While it may be acceptable to
denote the rest of them with a prefix of ‘Five’, but to recognise them as
Pandu’s sons is unacceptable. None of them was born to Pandu!
Karnan
was born to Suryan, Dharman to Yama, and Bhiman to Vayu, Arjunan to Indiran,
Nakulan and Sahadevan to Aswini devas. When none of them are born to Pandu,
calling them Pandavas is outrageous. Those who are born out of wedlock have no
right to the kingdom. The God took the avataram of Kannan and helped them
regain their kingdom when in fact they are ineligible to own even a hair’s
breadth of land. The strategies adopted to defeat Duryodhanan were all contrary
to the norms of just warfare!
Leave
aside Mahabharatham. Let us take up
Ramayanam. They say that Raman is avataram of Thirumal. He kills an arakkan
called Ravanan. Who is an arakkan? There is no tribe called Arakkar either then
or now. Any one whose conduct is
contrary to accepted norms of society is an arakkan. Ravanan kidnaps and
imprisons Raman’s wife deceitfully. He is an arakkan because of this act. Raman
however is an avataram of God. He is unable to prevent her abduction, he is
unable to locate her whereabouts; he has to seek the help of Vanarar to locate
her; with their assistance fights and defeats Ravanan to get back his wife. Do
these acts glorify Raman?
Take your
Easan.. He grants a boon to Padmasuran and when he chases Him to test the veracity
of the boon, He has to run for His life. Then with the help of Thirumal taking
the form of Mohini, outwits him in order to kill him. Enough of these … my friend. If I continue you may feel more hurt. You are a rare gem born
among us. Your virtues are far higher than any of ours. I am only scared, that
in your unflinching service to Sivanadiyars, you may not get into any distress
unable to spot genuine and fake ones among them.
Hearing
his friend thus pouring his heart out, Yearpagai laughs aloud showing no trace
of any annoyance.
Yearpagai
The
Itihasams and Puranams are written to guide us to lead the correct way of life. To interpret them wrongly to
argue that God does not exist is blasphemy. If there is painting, there has to
be a painter who executed it. This earth, sky, water, fire, wind, grass, birds,
animals and human beings are all created entities. Hence there has to be one
who created these. That Creator.. I call
Him Easan. I respect any one who thinks
of Him, respects Him or worships Him. To
be of service to them, is my life’s mission. If they feel pleased, my Easan
will be equally pleased. He will come in person to absorb me unto Him.
Marudhu
You
justify the existence of creator because of the creations. If that is so who
created the creator? My dear friend! I do not want to hurt your feelings any
further. Tell me, are there any two people who have seen Iraivan together and
at the same time? Are there any witnesses to corroborate the same?
Yearpagai
Marudhu!
Whether or not I am fortunate to get the darsanam of Easan, you will definitely
get it! Because you are all the time thinking of Him albeit negatively.
Marudhu
Leave me
alone my friend! You get that Easan’s
darsanam instead. If you get it, the whole village will be blessed.
Vasumathi
Anna! Let
your prediction come true.
Saying
so, she bows to Easan.
*****
Easan’s
Sannathi…
Yearpagai
is deep in meditation with his eyes closed.
The
Gurukkal comes in front of him after the Deeparadhanai.
Yearpagai
with great reverence to the deepam opens his eyes.
There is no one else except the two of them.
Gurukkal
Pride of the trading community! I wish to give you some news.
Yearpagai
Please go
ahead!
Gurukkal
(craftily)
People of
the village are deriding you. I am saddened when I hear their disparaging
remarks on such a righteous person like you.
I am itching to tell you about all those things today.
Yearpagai
Gurukkal!
Please come to the point. It is improper to discuss personal matters in Easan’s
Sannathi.
Gurukkal
(looking all around)
There is
no body here other than you and me!
Yearpagai
(laughing and pointing to Easan)
Easan is
here and everywhere!
Gurukkal
(giving a careless look at Easan)
Let Him
be! I will narrate what I wanted. I believe you invite a Sivanadiyar home every
day, feed him sumptuously and also give him whatever he asks for. If you
squander your wealth, will not the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi Devi, desert you?
Our elders have advised us on many points to keep in mind while being
benevolent. They are, the donation must
be proportionate to the needs of the taker and the capacity of the giver, even
if you have to throw things down the drain, they should be measured and accounted for, one
should not be blindly generous. You have forgotten all these sayings and
squandering your time and wealth on Sivanadiyars.
People laugh at your back calling you a crazy
man. Do you need such a portrayal?
Yearpagai
(laughing)
Is it
you, who is in the service of Easan, censuring my service to the
Sivanadiyars?
Gurukkal
Siva!
Siva! There are many who have become
paupers and come to grief by frittering away their wealth in charity. My advice is
due to my fear that you may not reach such a dire state.
Yearpagai
Looking
intently at Gurukkal he starts to speak. There is a remarkable radiance in his
face.
Gurukkale! What you say is utterly incorrect. What have
we brought along to this earth for us to lose?
When we are born we come empty handed. Empty-handed, we depart from
here. During our life time, in between,
if we are useful to any one, that is the service to Easan Himself. Sivanadiyar is in service of
Easan. I am, in turn, in service of Sivanadiyar. My only prayer to Easan is
that He grants me for ever the capacity to subdue the hunger of any one coming
to me and not deny them whatever they ask for.
I fervently pray to Easan to bestow
His support to me in this.
Saying
this, he bows to Easan again.
Gurukkal (Loosing
his cool and in a teasing tone)
Will you give
whatever you have if the Sivanadiyar asks for the same?
Yearpagai
(bowing)
I am
prepared to give my body, life and even my soul.
Gurukkal
It is
easy to say but difficult to practice.
Yearpagai
May be it
is difficult for you,but not for me.
Gurukkal
All
right! Please repeat what you said in front of Easan.
Yearpagai
All
along, I have been saying in front of Him only. Still since you ask for it, I
am repeating it.
Here,
invoking my Easan who is seated here in front as a witness, I give my word that
I am determined to give everything including body, life and soul if any
Sivanadiyar demand the same. I swear this in the name of my Easan.
Every
lamp in the Sannathi glows with a dazzling brilliance.
The
Gurukkal is spell bound.
After
bowing to Easan, Yearpagai leaves the Sannathi smiling.
*****
Yearpagai’s
palace….
In the
front porch, a Brahmin sporting the paraphernalia of a Sivanadiyar is standing
haughtily.
Marudhu
(to himself)
This man looks
to be a mischievous and cunning trouble
maker. I must alert Yearpagai to be
cautious.
But by
this time, Yearpagai and Vasumathi have already started the ‘padapujai’.
When they
are bowing to him in reverence, Marudhu is able to detect the roguish look of
the Brahmin. Marudhu is livid whenever the Brahmin glances at Vasumathi.
The
Brahmin is treated to a sumptuous meal with Yearpagai fanning him with utmost
devotion. Marudhu is edgy and cannot stand the treatment meted out to the
Brahmin. After the meals, the Brahmin goes out to wash his hands and Yearpagai
is waiting earnestly with a towel to dry his hands. Seeing his friend’s slave
like conduct, Marudhu closes his eyes exasperated.
Vasumathi…
Sensing
that the Brahmin’s glances are covetous, tries desperately to hide herself from
his sight.
Marudu is raging seeing all these..
Yearpagai,
not apprehending anything amiss, stands there with the pitcher for the Brahmin
to wash his hands. Hurriedly washing his hands, the Brahmin quickly retraces
his steps as if he has misplaced something.
His eyes
are searching for Vasumathi. She is not to be seen.
The
Brahmin sits in the ‘Oonjal’ regally.
Yearpagai
hands over a Tamboolam and gently rocks the Oonjal.
Marudu (to himself)
My friend! I am sick of your hospitality to this man.
Stop now. This man is a rascal of the first order. I am afraid I may not lose
my patience and do something extreme.
Marudu (in a manner of warning)
My
friend! Sivanadiyars are not supposed to eschew tamboolam. You have made a
terrible mistake by offering him a Tamboolam, an item meant for householders.
Yearpagai
is terrified hearing this.
The
Brahmin
There is
no mistake. Do not fear. I have done full justice to the meal. Tamboolam is
good for digestion…
Saying
so, he is looking here and there as if searching for Vasumathi.
Marudu
(to himself)
Our
friendship restrains me from taking any action. Otherwise, in my anger I would
have beaten this dog to death.
Yearpagai
Sivanadiyar! I suppose you are pleased with whatever we
have done. If you need any thing, please demand the same. I am prepared to
provide the same.
The Brahmin
(eagerly)
Are you
certain?
Yearpagai
Ayyane!
Why are you doubtful? I have sworn in front of my Easan in His Sannathi that I
am determined to give everything including body, life and soul if any
Sivanadiyar demand the same. Whatever you like, please ask for it without any
hesitation.
Hearing
their dialogue, Marudhu squirms guessing an impending calamity.
The
Brahmin
I have
come here only after hearing the news
about you. I am told that you are generous to a fault for any
Sivanadiyar and have never declined whatever asked for. The moment I came here I am infatuated with
something. Still I may not be able to ask for it. Even If I ask,
will you be able to give it, I doubt? I am therefore hesitant to ask you.
Yearpagai
Have no
even an iota of doubt. Pray, tell me.
Are you aware that what you need is in my possession?
The
Brahmin (hesitantly)
Yes. You have it.
Yearpagai
Then,
please let me know of it.
The
Brahmin appears nervous and gets down quickly from the Oonjal.
The
Brahmin
I am scared.
On hearing what I want, you may take some extreme action against me.
No… Let
me leave this place in peace.
So
saying, he starts to leave.
Marudu
(trying to hurry him)
Thank goodness!
For the first time you have said one thing appropriate! Adigalare! Please leave
this place first.
Unable to
tolerate his friend’s taunt of Sivanadiyar, Yearpagai gestures him to keep quite and
turns to the Brahmin again.
Yearpagai
Adiyavare!
If you leave this place without your demand fulfilled, I will end my life.
Ask me,
whatever you want without any reservation.
Marudhu is squirming in anxiety.
The
Brahmin, seeing Yearpagai in all earnestness, sits in the oonjal.
The
Brahmin (hesitantly)
What I want is…
Yearpagai
(compelling him)
Don’t
hesitate and put me in a quandary. Let me not earn ignominy for refusing to
accede to the request of a Sivanadiyar.
The
Brahmin
See.
Since you are compelling me I am asking you. It is still up to you either grant
it or refuse it. You give your wife to
me as a gift.
Marudu
(drawing his sword)
You rascal!
What have you said?
Marudhu
was about to attack him with his sword. The Brahmin trying to get down from the
Oonjal fearing for his life, trips and Yearpagai grabs him preventing from
falling down.
Yearpagai
(agitated)
Marudhu! How dare you act like this? In front of my
eyes you wanted to attack a Sivanadiyar.
It is sacrilege …
Marudu
(highly agitated)
Hey! You!
Understand this! This man is not a saint. He is a rogue. Do you realise what he is asking for as a
gift? ….. My sister! Your wife! How can
you remain indifferent?
Yearpagai
Adiyavar has asked as a gift only what I have
in my possession. There is no reason to get angry on this. I am contented that
I do not have to breach the vow I have made. I am ready to give what he has
asked for. I do not have an iota of anger or sorrow.
Marudhu,
hearing his friend, is dumbfounded.
At the
same instant,
Vasumathi
is making arrangements for serving food to Yearpagai and Marudhu inside.
Yearpagai
comes inside.
Seeing
her husband’s agonised expression, Vasumathi looks up to him bewildered.
Yearpagai
You are well aware how resolute I am in
observing my vow. You also know that I consider myself as a slave of
Sivanadiyars and that I certainly give away whatever they ask for.
Yearpagai is hesitant to say anything further.
Vasumathi
Why are you beating about the bush? I think
he has asked you to give away all our wealth.
We will relinquish whatever we have this very moment and leave this
house. Why are you so hesitant to divulge this?
Yearpagai
Feeling
proud and happy of his wife’s disposition
Vasumathi! I must have done a great penance to have you
as my wife! What the Sivanadiyar asked for was not our wealth. He wanted you as a gift!
Vasumathi
Totally
taken aback on hearing this, Vasumathi is dumb struck.
Yearpagai
(continues)
Even
though his request is weird, I have agreed to grant his wish.
Vasumathi,
not being able to control her sorrow, sheds copious tears.
Vasumathi
Am I a
commodity to be gifted? How can you accede to give me away as a gift?
Vasumathi
confronting him in this manner makes Yearpagai baffled and he is unable to
express anything.
Vasumathi
I can
understand your predicament. You have no other option than to give me as a
gift. What has Sivanadiyar asked you?
Please repeat it verbatim.
Yearpagai
He said
‘You give your wife to me as a
gift’.
Vasumathi
Thank
heavens for saying this and saving me. The Sivanadiyar asked you to give me as
a gift. He has not asked you to make me his wife. Had he said so, I would have
refused making you a dishonourable. Not only that, I would have breathed my
last for having repudiated you.
This body
and the life belong to you. I could have drowned in the sea. You saved my life. You are everything for me. I will carryout
your order. Since you are imprinted in my heart, there is no separation between
us! I will wait till we unite again. I will guard my chastity with my life. I
will end my life and await you in the heaven if I ever suspect a threat to my virtue.
Come on.
Let us go. To keep the Sivanadiyar waiting any further is sinful.
Vasumathi
walks ahead. Yearpagai follows her.
Sivanadiyar
is apparently happy to infer that he is going to get the gift he asked for.
Yearpagai,
without showing any reaction hands over Vasumathi to the Sivanadiyar.
Marudhu
is outraged watching all this.
Marudhu
(looking at the Sivanadiyar and shouting)
You have
wrecked the very house where you were fed!
The wife
of any other is to be respected as one’s own mother.
How dare
you stand proudly taking her as a gift? I will not let you live any
longer.
He draws
his sword and jumps at the Sivanadiyar. Yearpagai, coming in between them,
stops Marudhu.
Yearpagai
(angrily)
Marudhu!
You are my friend. I am petrified to discipline you! Sivanadiyar, being my
guest, is worshipful. To rebuke him or
humiliate him in my presence is not agreeable to me. You stand aside and let
them go.
Having
never seen his friend in anger, Marudhu is shocked.
Marudhu
(looking at Vasumathi and shedding tears)
Sister!
What cruelty is this? Are you a commodity to be handed over as a gift? Can you
agree to this?
Vasumathi
Whatever
the husband ordains, that is to be taken as a divine commandment. To do
according to his wishes is the duty of a chaste wife. I will go with this
Sivanadiyar as he has ordered. Please do
not stop either me or the Adiyar.
Marudhu
(agitated)
This man
masquerading as a Sivanadiyar must be a conjuror! Has he a true Sivanadiyar, he
would not have stooped so low! He is a Mayavi. He has cast a spell on you to
carry out his evil design. I am not going
to let him off. I will call and assemble the whole village. Let me see how can
he leave this village with someone else’s wife?
With his
sword drawn, Marudhu rushes outside with
full of anger.
The
Brahmin (duly frightened)
Ayya! I
think I have made a mistake. Take back your gift. Otherwise, I may not be able
to leave your village alive.
Yearpagai
Sacrilege
it will be to take back the given gift! It will never be done. I will never
agree to it.
The
Brahmin
Then, you
come along with us as our guard and leave us beyond the outskirts of your village safely.
Yearpagai
Alas! How come it never occurred to me
earlier? Forgive me! It will be my responsibility to protect you and see you
off safely.
Yearpagai
collects the needed weapons and after wearing
these walks ahead with the sword
drawn.
The
Brahmin walks along.
Vasumathi
follows with her head bowed.
They
reach the outskirts of the village.
At that
time..
There is
large commotion behind them.
With
Marudhu leading them, all the villagers are angrily running towards them.
The
Brahmin, scared for his life, is
trembling with fear.
Vasumathi
(proudly)
Adiyavare!
Let go off your fear! My husband
will protect you.
Yearpagai
faces the villagers with his sword drawn.
Yearpagai
Stay where you are! Villagers!
Why this uncalled for furore? Is it
justifiable to gather such a huge crowd and come to attack a
Sivanadiyar?
The
Village Elder (to Yearpagai)
I was not
convinced when people called you crazy. Now I believe it. Will anyone gift his wife? Even if he does, will
that be tolerated by the society?
Yearpagai
My body,
life and soul are bequeathed to Easan’s adiyars. To serve them is my duty.. If
anybody tries to harm the Sivanadiyar, I will defend him with my sword.
He raises
his sword.
The
Village Elder
As Marudhu informed us, this man is not a true
Sivanadiyar. He has come to deceive you to steal your wife. He needs to be punished. You have not only
gifted your wife but also accompanied him to give him protection. You also need
to be punished. If this chaste lady of this village is allowed to be taken away
by this Brahmin deviously, it will bring shame to this village. Hearing of it,
our neighbours will laugh at us. Are you trying to threaten us by raising your
sword? We will not permit this even at the cost of our lives.
Come on
folks! Kill both of them
and retrieve that girl.
On
hearing the orders, the villagers start to pounce on them.
Yearpagai
stops the attackers with his sword.
When Marudhu attacks the Brahmin, Yearpagai
intervenes and chops his beloved
friend’s head off.
Like this Yearpagai beheads all the attackers
and finally only the village elder remains.
The Village Elder
You have beheaded even your bosom friend who
wanted to prevent your family’s reputation from getting tarnished. How could
you commit such an atrocious act? You
are unfit to live. Come! Fight with me.
I will not let you two leave this place till I hold the last drop of my
blood.
A
terrible fight follows and the sword of Yearpagai pierces the elder’s chest. He
falls down dead.
Yearpagai
(with real concern)
Adiyavare!
You may now proceed. There is no one to stop you. Reach your place before
sunset.
Both of
them walk into the jungle.
Yearpagai
stands watching them leave till they
are out of sight. He turns to go back to his palace when suddenly he
hears the loud and pleading voice of the Brahmin calling out his name seeking
refuge.
Oh! Yearpagai Muniva! Yearpagai Muniva!
On hearing the pleading, he runs
in the direction of the voice with his sword drawn.
He finds
only Vasumathi standing there bewildered.
There is no trace of the Sivanadiyar anywhere. Vasumathi and
Yearpagai are both perplexed.
At that time...
To the
loud sound of divine musical instruments and the chanting of Vedas, he sees his
Easan in the form of Ardhanari seated on Nandi.
Iraivan
Yearpagai!
You have done an exemplary act. Just
because he was my servitor, you have surrendered everything to his demand. You command a higher esteem than even the
Lord of Wealth. Your wife! The virtuous lady, like Devi Uma, is indeed ‘Piriya
Nangai’.
Both of
you will merge and attain Me!
Your name
and fame will remain forever. Who so ever worships Me will worship you as well.
Those who
have been slain by you will regain their lives. Just like your virtuous wife
has aspired, let all the villagers have My darsanam as you are having now. My
blessings to you all.
Marudhu
and all the villagers come back to life and are blessed to have the darsanam of
Easan. Yearpagai and Piriya Nangai, with their folded hands above their heads in reverence, float above and stand
in front of Easan. While the Devas are
showering flowers on them, their physical bodies merge into Easan.
******
Kailayam…
Easan is
seated with Annai Parvati.
There is
an extraordinary glow in His countenance.
Parvati
Ayyane! Yearpagai and his wife have merged into us. I
have a doubt..
Easan
Being the
guardian of the entire universe, you have become Bhuvaneswari. How come you
have a doubt? Go ahead… What is your doubt?
Parvati
Nayanmars
merge into us only after completing their stipulated life span on the earth.
How come you have exempted these two to
merge unto Us with their physical bodies? Why such an exceptional mercy has
been shown to these two?
Easan
You know the cause of everything. Still want to know
from my own mouth. I will tell you now!
I could have returned as usual after just blessing Yearpagai and others. But!
What about Vasumathi? Yearpagai, as long as he lives will not take her back as
she stands already gifted. I would have committed a great sin of separating the
husband and wife. If I return Vasumathi
to Yearpagai as a gift, his vow gets sullied.
I am not hard hearted to let Vasumathi suffer alone. Yearpagai has given
himself as a gift to Me. Both of them
have reached Me as gifts and I do not want them to be separated. That is why, I
merged them unto Me the moment I blessed them.
On hearing Parvati springs up!
Parvati (with
folded hands)
By
bestowing the kindness of a mother to Vasumathi and the compassion of a
father to Yearpagai, you are revered as ‘Ammaiyappan’!
Repeating
‘Om Nama Sivaya’, Annai bows to Easan.
Tiruchchitrambalam
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