2
Chandikeswarar
On the southern bank of river Ponni is the
village Cheinjalur….
The glory of Veena is from its fine music,
That of the milk is from its sweet taste,
Exuberance is the glory of the eyes,
That of the firm faith from Panchaksharam,
Glory to the sky which gives rains in abundance,
To the earth for the bountiful crops,
Glory to the Vedas for having given by Sivam,
Illimitable they are without any bounds!
The prosperity of Cheinjalur is likewise
abundant.
‘Yagams’
are conducted every day for the prosperity of the country by Brahmins. The
smoke emanating from these rise up high and bring forth copious rains which in
turn nourish the earth and gives bountiful harvest making the people prosperous
who in turn conduct more and more of the Yagams. To accept the offerings in the Yagams, it
appears as though all the Devas are more or less camping in Cheinjalur
permanently and establishing Dharma as epitome.
The Mutts established there proclaim that the best path is the one that
leads to Easan. The learned men from all over the country seek these Mutts and
engage in lofty discussions on religion and philosophy. Cheinjalur is renowned
as it is also one of the five places from where the Maraiyor are called for the
conduct of the coronation ceremony of the Chozha kings.
There, in that village, in the street where
Maraiyor reside….
The house
of Echchadattan of Kasyapa gothram…
After completing an auspicious ritual early in
the morning he returns home with the offerings of rice, vegetables and other
items. In the front court his wife bows and welcomes him and offers a pitcher
of water for washing his feet. She stands in great servitude awaiting further
orders from him.
With a scornful look at his wife, he grabs the
pitcher and wets his feet in haste. The
contemptuously flung pitcher hits her leg.
She bends down to pick up the pitcher and sheds tears in silence unable
to bear the pain.
Echchadattan screams for his mother who comes
running.
His Mother
You! The terrible! Why are you yelling like this
early in the morning?
Echchadattan
Amma! Who asked this ‘moodevi’ (woman of
misfortune) to come here? How many times have I told you that only you must
stand here when I come back home?
Mother
Forget it!
Do I carry on with my work or await your arrival standing outside? You
have married this woman without my approval. Let that woman keep standing there
for you. Will you face a deluge or
drown? And did you scream just for this?
Echchadattan
Yes! There will be a deluge. Our lineage will end as I have I married her
against your advice.
Mother
Why? What
deluge? I am unable to make out what you are talking about.
Echchadattan
They say I am incompetent.
Mother
Who says so?
Echchadattan
The whole town is saying so.
Mother
(irritated)
Why are you raking my brains early in the
morning? Say clearly so that I can understand.
Echchadattan
My Guru had called me for the conduct of an
Ayushya homam and I went there. Mockingly he asks ‘Why don’t we conduct a
Puthrakameshti yagam for you like King Dasarathar did?’ I felt humiliated when
the people around were laughing at this barb.
Echchadattan looks at his wife Pavithrai angrily.
Mother
Daughter-in-law is eulogised for
ensuring continuity of the family line and they compare her to the banana
flower which gives bunches after bunches of fruits. What is the use a woman who
like a rose does not bear any fruit and withers away?
These scorching words assault Pavithrai. Shedding
tears silently she closes her eyes and remembers Easan.
Pavithrai
(to herself)
Easane! Emperumane! Can’t You show me a way to
get out of this quagmire? Annaye!... Akhilandanayakiye! Only a woman can empathise with the agony
of another woman! Can’t you therefore, recommend to Easan to grant me a son for
the continuity of my family and fortune?
******
Thrukailayam….
Easan and Annai are in a state of meditation…
The tear drops of Pavithrai wets the feet of
Annai …
Annai comes out of Her meditation and opens Her
eyes.
Iraivi (to
herself)
Iraiva! Aren’t you able to hear the pleadings of
your devotee?
Iraivan smiles still in deep mediation.
Iraivi
Will Your smile drive away her agony?
Iraivan is in a teasing mood.
Iraivan
Aren’t you the custodian of conceptions? You are
highly compassionate! How come you are posing this question to me?
Iraivi
Yes! I do take care of the conception of women!
But You are the one who grants that blessing!
Iraivan
So be it! Devi! The time has come for My adopted
son to be born from the womb of Pavithrai!
Both of them glance at Cheinjalur…..
*******
Cheinjalur…
Sivan Kovil…
An elderly Brahmin is outside having come for
Easan’s darisanam. The staggering walk
due to his old age…his grey tuft…. a
deer skin wrapped on his lean chest… sporting only a loin cloth …
the Palasa dhandam resting
on his shoulder , a kamandalam and
thiruvodu protruding from a cloth bundle tied to it
…. All these present a eccentric
picture inducing young boys to run behind him and teasing him all the way.
Least perturbed by this commotion, the old man enters the temple.
Inside
Karpoora Deeparadhanai is being done indicating that a yagam has just
got concluded. In the sanctum sanctorum, the Deeparadhanai goes on to the
accompaniment of Panchakshara Namavali. The old man is happy to have the
darisanam of Sivan through the deepam.
The Old Brahmin
There is
still nine more years for me to get you! How can I bear such a long wait?
Coming
out, he is stopped by the Yagachariyar on his way. . He looks agitated. The
same group of boys who have been following him earlier reach there and make fun
of him. This makes the Yagachariyar even more irritated.
Yagachariyar
(heatedly)
Periyavare! Women and children visit this temple.
Clad only in loin cloth here is preposterous. You seem to be a grand old man of
wisdom! Aren’t you aware of this? If you need cloth to wear, I will get it for
you from the temple storekeeper.
The old man does not show either anger or
surprise on hearing this. Feeling tired
he goes near a pillar and sits near it. He signals the Yagachariyar to come
near him. He tells the boys also to come closer to him. With trepidation writ on their faces, they
hesitantly approach him. The
Yagachariyar also nears him wondering what the old haggard has got for him.
The Old
Brahmin
Achchariyare!
Has your Upanayanam been held?
Hearing
this all the boys laugh out aloud. Yagachariyar gets even more irritated.
Yagachariyar
It must be
done within eight years of age for Brahmins, within twelve years for Kshatriyas
and sixteen years for Vaisyas. I am a
Brahmin and my Upanayanam was held when I was seven years old.
He looks at the old man giving him a haughty look
as if to impress that he is very knowledgeable on these issues.
The Old Brahmin
Are you a Brahmachari?
Yagachariyar keeps quiet wondering why this
haggard is asking all these questions.
The old Brahmin now looks at the boys.
The Old
Brahmin
From the tuft and Poonool they are sporting, I
believe that Upanayanam for them has also been held already!
Yagachariyar
Yes! Where is the doubt?
The Old
Brahmin
What is the meaning of Upanayanam?
Yagachariyar
(keeping a face as if a silly question has been posed)
It is simply the process of putting the Poonool
by their respective acharayar after reciting and teaching how to recite the
mantra as per their respective Varnasrama dharma!
The Old
Brahmin
Is that all?
Yagachariyar
(hesitatingly)
Make the disciple stand on the stone and ask him
to take the vow… Then reciting the Gayatri Mantra in his ears ….
The Old
Brahmin
Then what else?
Yagachariyar is mulling for words and wondering
what to say.
The Old
Brahmin (Heaving chest up and taking a yoga stance in a resounding voice)
Acharyare!
I will now tell you the significance of Upanayanam. Listen to me!
‘Upa’ means nearness to Brahmam. ‘Nayanam’ means
that the Guru is leading his disciple towards it.
When
anyone undergoes Upanayanam, it is said that Suryadevan Himself administers the
Gayatri mantram, Brahaspathi, who is the Guru of Devas hands over the Poonool,
Kasyapar ties the Moonjikayiru on his waist, Annai Bhoomadevi wraps the deer
skin to augment his life span, Soman as the supreme deity of medicinal herbs
hands over the Palasa dhandam to protect him from diseases. Adhithi, as mother
gives the koupeenam, the heavenly Devas the umbrella, Brahma the kamandalam,
the Saptharishis the dharbha grass, Saraswathi, the prayer beads and Kubera the
Bikshapathram. When he begs for alms saying ‘Bhavathi Biksham dehi’, Annai
gives him gyanam as the Biksha.
At the time of Upanayanam, the Guru asks the
initiate to stand on a stone. Do you know its significance? It is as if to say
‘Hey! Sishya! Be strong in your body and mind like this stone. Acquire a strong
will and mental courage to bear the difficulties posed to you by people who
want to distract you from your vows. Become strong to fight with them and drive
them out if the necessity arises.’
When he comes out of mother’s womb it is the
first birth… At the time of Upanayanam it is his second birth…That is why we
are called Dwijar. Because my Guru taught me Vedas and ordered me to preserve
them at the time of my Upanayanam, I promised to him that I will recite Gayatri
everyday and live on the alms I receive by begging and remain a Brahmachari, I
am in this garb.
The Yagachariyar and the boys realise the wisdom of the old man and prostrate in front of him in reverence.
The old Brahmin slowly gets up and staggers outside. Walking along, he reaches Echchadattan’s
residence.
He gives the call, ‘Bhavathi Biksham dehi’,
asking for alms. Getting no response from inside he gives the call a second
time. Finding that there is no movement from inside, he shouts loudly for the
third time.
Pavithrai rushes from inside and keeps a vessel
containing cooked rice on the platform. He falls on his feet in reverence and
gets up.
Pavithrai
(pleading)
Periyore! I took a little time come here on
hearing you. Please pardon this lapse.
The old
Brahmin is pacified by her sublime nature and blesses her. Pavithrai puts the
food in the
Bikshapathram.
By this time Echchadattan’s mother also reaches there with food. Seeing
that the daughter-in-law has already offered him alms, she looks at her in
great rage.
Echchadattan’s
mother (shouting)
You! Barren woman! How dare you come in front of
a Brahmachari? This is sacrilege.
Pavithrai stands as if lashed by a burning
whip.
The Old
Brahmin (looking at the food given by Pavithrai) speaks to Echchadattan’s
mother.
Thaye! The one who bestows alms on hearing
‘Bhavathi Biksham dehi’ is Annai Umadevi personified! To be born of her womb, one has to have
performed enormous penance!
Not wanting to stand there any longer, he comes
to the end of the street and sits under a peepul tree. He looks at the food in
the Bikshapathram.
The Old
Brahmin (prays as his mind is perturbed)
Easane! Emperumane! I saw Annai Umayaval in that
virtuous woman. I saw my own mother’s reflection in her face. On seeing her grieve hearing unbearable
abuse, my heart bleeds. To remove the stigma of ‘barren woman’ on her, accept
my soul this very instant, and let it be conceived in her womb!
Looking
at the food in the Bikshapathram, he breathes his last!
*******
Cheinjalur…
Echchadattan’s house…
Pavithrai is blessed with a son in the month of
Thai under the star Uththiram. She profusely and earnestly bows to Ammayappar
for having granted her the motherhood. The child is given the name of Vichara
Sarma. Echchadattan is going around the
town broadcasting the birth of his son a as if he has done a heroic feat. The villagers continue to ridicule him.
Pavithrai is delighted to see the baby smiling at
her and perceives that he is Veda personified.
Baby Vichara Sarma turns around in three months, starts speaking words
in six months, stands up and takes steps in the tenth month. He is weaned at the age of one and starts
playing around when he is two. His aksharabyasam is done when he turns three
and by the age of five he assimilates the essence of Vedas. By the age of
seven, he is ready for Upanayanam.
Echchadattan’s house is full of learned Veda
pundits. They are discussing who is best suited to be the Acharyan for doing
the Upanayanam of Vichara Sarma.
Echchadattan
Where is the requirement for any discussion?
There is nothing new in the conduct of an Upanayanam. Let anyone come forward
as the Acharyan.
An Elder
Echchadatta!
Don’t be silly and speak as appropriate to the audience! This is not a routine ritual that anyone can
perform and the assembled are learned elders!
Upanayanam is required to be conducted strictly
as ordained in the Vedas since this is the first step in the learning of Vedas.
‘Upanayanam Vidhyarthasya srutitha
samskara’ is what Apasthambar says about it.
When an
Acharyan assuming the role of Deva Guru of Brahaspathi, takes into his fold a
student for imparting Veda Vidya, under auspicious circumstances, it is called
Upanayanam. Father, grandfather, elder
brother, person of the same gotram are entitled successively in the absence of
the former to impart Upanayanam. The person who conducts Upanayanam without
knowledge and the person who does not seek knowledge after it is performed to
him are akin to people who go from darkness to further darkness. A widower, a
sanyasi or the one who has gone on Vanaprastham are not entitled to conduct
Upanayanam. A grahasthan is entitled. The person who is designated as Acharyan
needs to be selected by the congregation. Considering all these factors, the
Sivachariyan who is running the Vedapatasala, is most appropriate to conduct
the Upanayanam. Let this proposal be
approved by the assembled!
The
Congregation (in chorus of approval)
Let that be so!
Sivachariyan of Vedapatasala comes up and stands
in the middle of the hall.
Taking the
position of Guru, he blesses the elder who proposed him and others who approved
of him. He looks at the Brahmins seated there.
Sivachariyan
I request four experts in Vedas in this
congregation to kindly stand up and grant me permission to conduct the
Upanayanam. Four elderly people get up
and go near Sivachariyar.
Sivachariyan selects the appropriate place and
mops it with water mixed with cow dung.
He spreads paddy and rice on top. He decorates it by drawing a lotus
figure and places mango leaves and coconut as signs of auspiciousness. He wears
the pavithram made of dharbha grass and carries out the procedure for self
cleansing and also for the cleansing of all materials and tools for the sacred
function. After obtaining the approval
from the four Brahmin Vedic experts and the assembled people in turn he starts
the proceedings.
Sivachariyan
(in a loud metallic voice)
I bow to
Him, Who is the holder of this entire Universe, its Ruler, its Benefactor, The
Supreme Victor, and The Supreme Purusha.
He bows the Supreme Being. After this he prays to all other deities in
turn.
Oh! Suryabaghawan, who benefits the mankind
without discrimination, make me holy by your bright rays!
Oh! Vayubaghawane! Please be present in front of me here in the
form of life force. Let Aakasam, Bhumi and Neer who are manifestation of
eternal Truth, make me holy and bless me!
The heavenly Devathas! I pray to You to let all the miseries of the
past and those likely in future to be terminated. Let the Yagam and those who
are going to conduct the same follow the righteous path!
Hey! Athidevathas! Let the plants, creepers and trees which
nourishes us, thrive…
Let the four legged creatures get blessed… So also
the creatures with two legs….Let there be growth of love among humans…
He takes water in his hands and consumes it to
make him pure.
He calls Vichara Sarma to come near him.
Sivachariyan
Hey! The one who is born under the star of
Uththiram! Of Kanya Rasi! Vichara
Sarma! I am now going to administer your
Upanayanam.
He makes his sankalpam.
He takes up the Poonool and after chanting the
requisite mantras, shows it to all the elders and obtain their blessings.
Sivachariyan
(in a loud metallic voice)
The assembled elders!
The hall becomes quiet.
Now, I am
investing Vichara Sarma, born under the star of Uththiram in the Kanyarasi,
with yagnopaveethram to enable him to carry out the Nityakarmas as enjoined in
the Srutis and Smrithis thereby facilitating improvement in his Brahmatejas.
Acharyan takes hold of Vichara Sarma’s hands and
keeps the Poonool in the palms of both of them.
Together, they declare, ‘I wear the Poonool, the
one that is the best among the purest, the one that originated along with the
Brahmam and the one that bestows longevity and primacy. Let my wisdom and
strength be reinforced and remain steady by it.’
Vichara Sarma is adorned with the Poonool by the
Acharyan. The elders bless him by showering with akshatai.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma! Go, have food and return
holding the hand of your mother.
Vichara Sarma does as ordered and comes back with
his mother. Pavithrai holds her son. Acharyan, after reciting some mantras,
slides the dharbha grass on his head. The razor for shaving off the hair is
readied and Vichara Sarma is tonsured. He then goes for his bath and returns
wearing new clothes.
Sivachariyan
Vichara Sarma! Come and sit on my right side.
Vichara
Sarma (after getting seated as told)
Acharyare! Conduct the yagam with Vedic chants
and allow me to join!
The yagam starts with the chanting of Veda
mantras.
After it is over, Vichara Sarma places his right
foot on a granite stone kept on the northern side of the Agni.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma, born under the star of
Uththiram in Kanyarasi! Let you be firm
like this stone. Let you be of strong will to tolerate the hardships created by
the enemies. Let you be strong enough to
fight and triumph, when the necessity so arises.
He takes up the deer skin.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma! Remove your upper garment.
Vichara Sarma sheds his garment as told.
Sivachariyan
(looking down at mother Earth)
Hey! Mother Earth! This is your son. Let him wear
this deer skin gifted by you so that he lives for a hundred years.
Acharyan wraps the deer skin around and clothes
him with that.
Vichara Sarma bows to Acharyan.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma! The Mother earth has granted
you the vastram. Protect your kith and
kin as this vastram does to your body!
Acharyan then takes three strands of dharbha
grass and ties it around his waist.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Mekala! You are the protector of nature! You
appreciate penance! You are the destroyer of brutality. You are the vanquisher
of enemies. Let him be protected by you!
He spreads the Dharbha grass on the south of Agni
and Vichara Sarma stands on it.
Vichara
Sarma
Hey!
Acharyare! The one who has come here for my emancipation! Let us join together to drive away evils. Let
me follow the tenets of Brahmacharyam!
Let me be steadfast in observing this tenet till I become a Grahasthan.
Acharyan blesses him and sprinkles water on him.
Vichara
Sarma
Acharyare! The water you sprinkle approaches me
like the waves of the sea! I feel blessed!
He looks at the sun.
Sooriyane! I am delighted by the embrace of my
body by your rays! Through these rays only, my forefathers reached you!
The Acharyan grabs the hands of Vichara Sarma.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma! I am holding your hands. By
that let Agni grasp your hands. Let
Savitha grab your hands. Let Annai Saraswathi grasp your hands. Miththiran also clutches your hands. You
become the Miththiran of dharma. From now on, Agni alone is your acharayar.
Hey! Heavenly Devathas! Here is my student Vichara Sarma. I am handing him over
to you! Pray please protect him!
Thus Acharyan hands over the care of Vichara
Sarma to the Devathas. He then looks at Vichara Sarma with extreme love.
He again grabs the hands of Vichara Sarma.
Sivachariyan
‘Devasya
thva’
I hug you on behalf of the Devas as ordered by
them.
He hugs him to the accompaniment of auspicious
tunes from the musical instruments.
Sivachariyan
(murmuring in the ear of Vichara Sarma)
Be blessed - as a good citizen among the people,
as a hero among the braves, as a brilliant one among the wise and strong among
the well-built!
Sivachariyan
(looking at the congregation)
Assembled people! Pay attention to the
conversation between me and my student.
The assembled respond in the affirmative.
Vichara
Sarma
Acharyare! I have taken the vow of Brahmacharyam.
By God’s grace please enroll me on your side.
Sivachariyan
Tell me who you are?
Vichara
Sarma
In this birth, this body of mine got the name of
Vichara Sarma.
Sivachariyan
Who’s Brahmachari are you?
Vichara
Sarma
I am the Brahmachari of the Aanma called Pranan.
Acharyan looks at the sun.
Sivachariyan
Sooriyane! From now on he is your Brahmachari. It
is your responsibility to guard him from now on. Give him a long life
eliminating unnatural death. From this moment he is your son.
Vichara Sarma! Listen to me!
Vichara
Sarma (with great reverence)
I will do. Please proceed.
Sivachariyan
You take good care of this earth just like Agni,
Vayu, Suryan, Chandran and Varunan.
While saying this, there is a brilliant hue in
the face of the Acharyan.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma! Come and stand in front of
me. I am going to impart to you the Gayatri mantram, which will wipe off the
sins committed by you knowingly or unknowingly during the various phases of
your lifetime.
He looks at the congregation with his chest
erect.
Sivachariyan
Assembled people! Please bless me to acquire the
privilege to impart the Gayatri mantram to Vichara Sarma, standing in front of
me.
The
Congregation (approving)
Let that be so!
Acharyan
moves to the west of Agni and sits facing east. Vichara Sarma does
padhapooja to Acharyan and touches his
feet in reverence.
Sivachariyan (proudly)
Hey!Vichara Sharma! Beg me for upadesam in a
proper manner!
Vichara
Sarma (Catching hold of his Guru’s right foot with his right hand)
Please carryout the Brahma-upadesam for me.
Sivachariyan
(irritated)
You must
put up your request in all humility.
Vichara
Sarma (correcting himself)
Guru Mahaprabho!
Kindly Bless me by imparting
Brahma-upadesam to me!
The assembled crowd is moved by his request and
all stand up.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma, born under the star of
Uththiram in Kanyarasi! I will impart
Gayatri to you.
Both of them are covered by a silk cloth. Acharyan recites the Gayatri mantram and
Vichara Sarma repeats it after him.
“Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó naḥ prachodáyāt”
Sivachariyan
Vichara Sarma! Do you know the meaning of
Gayatri?
Vichara
Sarma
I know.
Acharyan looks at him in awe.
Vichara
Sarma
Acharyare! As you have imparted Brahma-upadesam,
kindly explain its import as well!
Sivachariyan
(closing his eyes and tilting his head upwards and focusing his inward eye on
Brahmam)
That which shines in everything in this Universe
as the unquestionable truth,
That which originated and created all creatures
and all the three worlds,
That which made all of them its own,
That which then absorbed them into itself,
That which destroys the sins of those seeking its
refuge,
That, by which the thoughts are purified,
That, by which our wisdom is realised and through
which we see that ‘Omkara jothi’ in all brilliance-
Let us
have the darisanam of that ‘Omkara jothi’.
This is what is implied in the Gayatri mantra.
The silken cloth is taken off. Vichara Sarma who
was holding the right foot of the Acharyan gets up and goes to his left and
catches his left foot. Acharyan opens his eyes.
Vichara
Sarma (by touching his ears)
Acharyare!
You are steeped in the Vedas. Please bless me to become as competent as
you are. Let me also become the guardian of the Vedas, the treasure trove of
Brahmins.
Acharyan picks up the Palasa dhandam.
Sivachariyan
Hey! Vichara Sarma! Assuming the position of
Soman, I am giving you this Palasa dhandam which will forever protect you from
diseases. Accept the same.
Vichara
Sharma accepts it and keeps it against his shoulder.
Sivachariyan
(continuing)
Taking up the position of Adhithi, the mother, I
hand you over this koupeenam (loin cloth)which you will wear.
(Vichara Sarma accepts and wears the koupeenam)
Taking the role of heavenly Devathas, I am giving
you this umbrella. Accept it.
(Vichara Sarma accepts it)
Assuming the role of Brahma, I am giving you this
kamandalam.
(Vichara Sarma accepts it with great reverence)
On behalf of Saptharishis, I give you this bundle
of dharbha grass.
(Vichara Sarma accepts it with great reverence)
I am giving you this japamala taking the position
of Annai Saraswathi. Wear it always.
(Vichara Sarma receives it with great reverence
and wears it around his neck)
In the role of Kubera, I give you this
Bikshapathram.
(Vichara Sarma accepts the thiruvodu)
Hey! Vichara Sarma! You will observe the vows of
Brahmacharyam. I will narrate the
vows and you will repeat after me one
by one.
Vichara
Sarma
I will do as you say.
I will remember what are to be kept in mind and
forget what should never be remembered. These are my two vows.
I will rebuke which are to be shunned and never
reprove that are praise worthy. These are my two vows.
I will be attentive to all things that are good
and noble and will be neglectful on others. These are my two vows.
I will strive to learn that are mandatory and be
ignorant of those which are not to be learned. These are my two vows.
To hear good things and to turn a deaf ear to bad
things are two of my vows.
To speak the truth always and never to utter a
lie are two of my vows.
To do penance single minded and not waver my mind
on other distractions are two of my vows.
To observe the Vratham and not to disregard any
of its rules are two of my vows.
These
apart, the vows for the recitation of Vedas,
the vows of Agni, Indiran, Prajapathi, Devas, Devarajan, men folk,
their king, the forefathers,
their king, Gandharvas, Gandharvarajan and other Athidevathas all will form part of my Aanma and thus I
will have taken every vow.
He bows to Acharyan and the assembled elders
bless him by showering akshatai.
Vichara Sarma then hands over the gurudhakshina
to Acharyan who accepts it. He lets him rise.
Vichara Sarma
Acharyare!
By your grace you have granted me endless life like the Devas who
attained similar reward by partaking Amudham.
Acharyan is surprised to hear such lofty words
from a seven year old boy.
Sivachariyan
We will live for a hundred years. We will bow to
Suriyan. We will live with our friends and relatives for a hundred years. For
the hundred years we will talk only pleasant things. For a hundred years we
will hear only pleasant things. We will remain unconquered by evil.
Catching hold of Vichara Sarma’s right hand, he
continues.
I am taking you into my fold in front of the
enormous brilliance that is Brahman. The
time has come to teach you about ‘biksha saranam.’ Listen to me.
Vichara Sarma bends his body in reverence and
says that he will listen.
Sivachariyan
Haven’t you become a Brahmachari now?
Vichara
Sarma
Yes. I do.
Sivachariyan
Do you know what is involved in Brahmacharyam?
Vichara
Sarma
Acharyare! Kindly explain.
Sivachariyan
It is forbidden to sleep during day time.
Use of
perfumes is prohibited.
You are not to crave for beautifying your body.
You are forbidden to see dances and other forms
of entertainments.
You are not to get involved in worldly affairs.
You must restrict your talk with females to the
barest minimum.
You must not be hasty, always be calm and
composed.
You must shun talking about own self.
You must have a firm disposition devoid of
tiredness, anger and jealousy.
This in a nutshell is the brahmacharya vratam.
Vichara Sarma
I will follow the rules.
Sivachariyan
From now on you have to live seeking and living
on alms only. I will tell you how to go about seeking biksha.
Vichara
Sarma
Acharyare! I will do as you say. Kindly explain.
There is pin drop silence in the hall.
Sivachariyan
‘Bhavathi Biksham dehi’!
It’s meaning…..
Oh Baghavathi! Give us some food.
This should be asked in all humility.
Sivachariyan asks him to demonstrate.
Vichara Sarma closes his eyes and contemplating
on Baghavathi repeats ‘Bhavathi Biksham dehi’ thrice.
At the
same time, Annai Parvati looks at Her adopted son from Thrukailayam.
Acharyan
looks at the congregation.
Sivachariyan
Great Souls! Bless that the mantras uttered here
are true and powerful. Bless this young boy for a long life. Bless this time to
be the most auspicious. Let the Navagrahas assembled here grant benevolence.
Let the benevolent Grahams
bestow auspiciousness. Let the malevolent Grahams eliminate inauspicious
things.
Assembled Elders!
Bless this young Vichara Sarma to shine like sage Vyasar of the Puranas, like Adi Sankara of the
Vedanta, like Dasarathar in Philosophical discourse, like Prahalada in his
Bhakti, like Harischandran in speaking only the truth, like Bhishmar in
adhering to Brahmacharyam and have a long life like Markandeyan.
The
Congregation( in a single voice)
Let that be so!
Vichara Sarma prostrates full length in front of
the Acharyan who blesses him. As he
starts to leave the place Echchadattan accompanies him up to the front porch.
Sivachariyan
Echchadatta! You are highly blessed to have a son
like Vichara Sarma. He is an expert in Vedas. I have seen young boys stammer
while reciting slokas. But Vichara Sarma recited all the slokas with correct
pronunciation, intonation with understanding of their meaning as well. This has
pleased me no ends.
My blessings are always with him.
Echchadattan
(irritated)
What an irony! I moved the heaven and earth
collecting money and material to conduct this ceremony. I expected that you
will appreciate my effort and say few words about me but on the contrary you
are praising that lad every second.
Acharyan is taken aback by hearing this from
Echchadattan.
*******
Cheinjalur….
Echchadattan’s house in the agraharam…
The third day after the Upanayanam…..
Pavithrai
Mahane! Vichara Sarma! Cast off the koupeenam and
deer skin and wear normal clothes. From now on your duty is to go the
Vedapatasala and learn Vedas.
Vichara Sarma looks at his mother in trepidation.
Pavithrai
Mahane! Why are you hesitant? Are you not keen to
attend the patasala?
Vichara Sarma smiles at her.
Vichara
Sarma
Annaye! I am very keen to go to the patasala. I
am only hesitant to cast off this deer skin and koupeenam!
Pavithrai
Mahane! There were worn for the sake of ceremony
only. Isn’t it the normal custom to
resume our usual routine after the ceremony is over? Therefore, cast off this
ceremonial garb and wear normal dress. If you go in this attire, you are bound
to be ridiculed by fellow students.
Vichara
Sarma
Thaye! Why did you conduct the Upanayanam for me?
Pavithrai
Am I going to tell you something which you are
not already aware of? It gives you the right to perform Sandhyavandhanam and to
learn Vedas.
Vichara
Sarma
Isn’t it enforcing one to follow Brahmacharyam?
Pavithrai
Yes. Till he becomes a householder…
Vichara
Sarma
Suppose there is no wish to become a householder,
then?
Pavithrai
I am baffled by your high talks. Whatever it is,
I am unable to bear the sight of you in this beggar’s attire.
Pavithrai sheds tears..
Unable to endure the pain of seeing his mother in
tears, Vichara Sarma closes his eyes.
The scenes unfold in his mind’s eyes as if in a
dream…..
*******
Kaladi…
Annai
Sankara! I will never give my consent for you to
take sanyasam.
Sankarar
Annaye! I will never take to sanyasam without
your consent.
He then goes to the river for taking bath. The
moment he steps inside the river, a crocodile catches his leg.
The news reaches his mother and she runs to the
river bank highly perturbed. She pleads with the crocodile to leave her son. At
that time a voice is heard from above. ‘Ask your son to take up sanyasam. The
crocodile will leave him.’
Annai Aryambal gives her consent without a second
thought and the crocodile releases Sankarar.
Sankarar goes on to become the ‘Adi Sankarar.’
******
When the above scenes are flashing in the mind of
Vichara Sarma, a bright hue appears in his face which amazes Pavithrai. Vichara Sarma opens his eyes realising that to get out of the crocodile grip of ‘samsaram’, it is essential
to get the approval of his mother. He looks at his mother who stands
transfixed.
Vichara Sarma
Thaye! I must have done a lot of penance to have
you as my mother. Annaye! Please look at me intently.
Pavithrai looks at her son who is beaming with a
smile!
Vichara Sarma (showing his Poonool)
This Poonool is put on me by the Devaguru. This
deer skin is given by Annai Bhoomadevi.
This Moonjikayiru as the bedrock for
Brahmacharyam is given by one of the Saptharishis, Sage Kasyapar. Annai Adhithi gifted me this koupeenam. The
other items, the Bikshapathram, the kamandalam and the japamala are given by
Kubera, Brahma and Saraswathi respectively.
Will casting off these things, not amount to throwing away the
sacredness of Upanayanam itself?
Pavithrai
I am startled by your wisdom at this young age. I
don’t know how to answer your question. I have been under the impression that
these are worn for the ceremony as a matter of routine.
Vichara
Sarma
Who
resides in the form of Lingam in the temple …my Ayyan… isn’t He the
Emperuman? To bow and to pray to Lingam
is customary. ..Does it not imply bowing and praying to Easan Himself? Likewise…
The customary things are to be preserved and
practiced. They are not to be discarded. Annaye! Please look at me intensely.
Pavithrai looks at her son.
Vichara
Sarma
The thiruneeru that I am sporting on my forehead
shows that Ayyan is One and Unique.
Because of
the Upanayanam that has been undergone,
He becomes twice born.
When he
does the work of creation, maintenance and destruction he becomes Mummoorthy.
He becomes
the Four Vedas as He has given them to us.
By being in our five indriyas, He becomes
Panchaksharan.
He becomes Six because he resides without doubt
in all of the six senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching and
thinking.
As He is
the Lord of the seven worlds, he becomes Seven.
He guards the eight cardinal directions in the
form of Ashtadigpalas and hence He is Eight.
As Navagrahas, he rotates around this earth and
takes the digit nine.
In this universe, He is formless and he is
established firmly in Zero or pujyam.
Please permit me to have my own way so that I can
always keep my focus entirely on Him.
He folds
his hands in supplication and looks at his mother.
Pavithrai
(wonder struck)
If this is what Easan desires, let it happen.
Having got his mother’s approval, Vichara Sarma
is pacified.
She then leads him by her hand and walks to the
Vedapatasala.
Standing outside, they hear the recitation of
Veda mantras and seeing them standing outside, Sivachariyan signals them to
come inside. Pavithrai enters with her hands folded while Vichara Sarma with
his head erect and chest up follows his mother.
Seeing Vichara Sarma’s attire the students giggle loudly. The stern look of Acharyan stops all others
from laughing except Dhananjayan, the son of Acharyan who continues laughing
aloud. The sound of his laughter echoes from the walls of the patasala.
Acharyan
welcomes the visitors and affectionately looks at Vichara Sarma .
Sivachariyan
I was expecting you. I did the Upanayanam as your
Acharyan and now I intend to teach you all the Vedas. Your mother, as Easwari
personified, holding your hand, has brought you here. Go and be seated in the
plank.
Pavithrai bows to the Acharyan and leaves.
Vichara Sarma keeps standing in front of the
Acharyan rather than taking his seat.
Acharyan looks at all the students and nods his
head with a smile…
Vichara
Sarma (cupping
his palms in prayer)
‘Guru Brahma guru Vishnu
Guru Devo
Maheswara,
Guru sakshat parabrahmo
Thasmy sri Guruve namaha’
Saying the above he offers his salutations to the
Acharyan.
The students again burst out laughing and the
stern look of the Acharyan subdues them.
Vichara Sarma goes and gets seated on the
earmarked plank. Wearing a koupeenam on his waist, with a deer skin wrapped on
his body, with a dhandam lying slant on his shoulder, he becomes an object of
laughter of the other students once again. But in the eyes of Acharyan, he
looks verily the ‘Adhi Sankara’ in flesh and blood sitting across him. He gets
up from his seat and comes and stands next to Vichara Sarma.
This sudden and unexpected action of Acharyan
makes the students to remain silent.
Sivachariyan
Vichara Sarma! I am highly surprised by your
behavior. Your salutation to the guru on
arrival, then a full- fledged prostration to the Guru, your indifference to the
ridicule of other students reveal that you are mature beyond your age. Your
mother must have done huge penance to beget you.
Dhananjayan overcome by jealousy because of his
father’s admiration of Vichara Sarma gets up from his seat.
Dhananjayan (mockingly)
Vichara Sarma! Why are you in this beggar’s
attire?
The other students laugh mockingly.
Vichara Sarma replies looking straight
Vichara
Sharma
Why because I am a Brahmin!
Dhananjayan
(mockingly)
If you are so, what are we then?
The other students could not control their
laughs.
Vichara Sarma stands up quickly and the students
stop their laughter as if bound by some spell.
Vichara
Sarma
This garb of Upanayanam is what I sport daily!
Because of Upanayanam I have become twice-born. Brahman is the root and root
cause of wisdom. I am a Brahmin because I follow His path. You all believe that
you are Brahmins because of your birth.
But let me tell you. Only he who
walks the path of wisdom is truly a Brahmin.
The words of his resonate along the walls of the
patasala.
Acharyan,
unconsciously, folds his hands and bow to his student in reverence.
Vichara
Sarma now stands in Abhaya mudhra pose.
Dhananjayan goes blue with envy.
*******
For Vichara Sarma, it becomes a daily routine to
wake up before sunrise, perform Sandhyavandhanam, Agnihotram and recite
Rudram. Then he goes around for Biksha
for his food and goes to the patasala. During midday, he performs Madhyanam and
Gayatri japam and gathers the wood for yagam. In the evening after performing
the Sandhyavandhanam, he goes to the temple and meditates in the Easan’s
Sannathi. At times, in the patasala, during discussion it becomes difficult to
differentiate who is the teacher and who is the student out of Vichara Sarma
and the Acharyan!
One day when all the students are seated in front
of Acharyan, he addresses them.
My dear students! Tomorrow is Mahasivaraathiri.
All the devotees will be in the temple keeping awake throughout the night. They
will be immersed in the thought of Siva. Along with the common public there will
also be Sivanadiyars, sanyasis and other learned men who will be coming to the
temple. They will seek clarifications to their doubts by asking questions to
the Brahmins. Therefore, those of you who will be sitting in the congregation
must revise the teachings of the Vedas and come prepared. All these years I
have taken it upon myself to conduct the session. This time, Vichara Sarma will
take on the responsibility of Sabhanayakan and answer the questions posed by
the public.
Vichara
Sarma accepts the order, bows to his guru and leaves.
******
Next night… In the Sivan kovil…
Annabhishekam has been performed on Easan…
The public has gathered in the mandapam waiting
for the Sabhai to commence.
Sivacharyan is seated in the middle. Vichara
Sarma, next to him in his Upanayanam garb is the cynosure of every one. Kovil Gurukkal after conducting the
Deeparadhanai comes with two garlands to the mandapam. He garlands Sivacharyan
and Vichara Sarma.
The Sabhai begins.
Devotee 1
What is the best way to attain success in any
activity we undertake?
Sivachariyan
(looking at Vichara Sarma)
Vichara Sarma! You answer the question.
Vichara
Sarma
Yes! I
will do so as you have ordained.
He bows to
his guru and mentally prays to Easan.
After bowing to his mother, father, grandmother and the other gathered
audience, he gives the answer.
Vichara
Sarma
‘Yatho dharmasthatho jayaha.’ The road to success is through Dharma or
behavior considered appropriate, correct or morally upright. If we uphold the
principle and path of Dharma in any task we do, it will definitely lead to
success.
The learned people in the congregation approve
his reply by nodding their heads.
Devotee 2
What is ‘manthiram’? Can we get what we want
through manthiram?
Vichara
Sarma
‘Man’ means the process of thinking. ‘Thra’ means
the process of leading us. Therefore, manthiram which is the composite of these
two words implies the way for leading us by making us contemplate. Through
manthiram we can obtain what we seek out and for that we have to follow the
path of dharma.
Devotee 3
All mantras are in Sanskrit. My mother tongue is
Tamil! Can I recite the mantras in Tamil?
Vichara
Sarma
Mantras remain as such in whatever language they
are recited. All the languages are given by Iraivan only. Will He not understand what He has given to
us? While reciting mantras, one must know its meaning. Only then, one can obtain the results. A log
of wood will not burn unless set alight. Likewise there will be no outcome if mantras are
recited without understanding their meaning.
Devotee 4
Is Gayatri mantram exclusive to Brahmins?
Vichara
Sarma
Who told you so?
Gayatri mantram itself was originated by sage Viswamittirar, who belongs
to Kshatriya sect. This extremely auspicious mantram is to be found as the
tenth slokam in Suktam 3, Mandalam 62 of Rig Vedam.
In the
progeny of Iraivan, the one who uses wisdom as his strength for making his
living gets classified as Brahmin,
the one
who uses his intelligence as Vaisyan and
the one
who uses his physical prowess as Kshatriyan.
Whoever he may be, for him to learn the Veda
mantras, he has to undergo the process of Upanayanam. Apasthambar who has written Dharma sutras
says ‘Upanayanam Vidhyarthasya Srutitha Samskara. ’ He further says that Upanayanam
has to be performed according to one’s capacity, within sixteen years for a
Brahmin, within twenty two years for a kshatriyan and twenty four years for a
Vaisyan. Anyone who has undergone
Upanayanam can recite Gayatri.
Keeping his mind and vision focused on the Supreme
Entity, Vichara Sarma answers all question without looking at the questioner or
even the direction from where the question comes.
Devotee 4
(getting up again)
What is the import of Gayatri mantram?
Vichara
Sarma
I will tell you what is implied in the Gayatri
mantram. Listen carefully.
That which shines in everything in this Universe
as the unquestionable truth,
That which originated and created all creatures
and all the three worlds,
That which made all of them its own,
That which then absorbed them into itself,
That which destroys the sins of those seeking its
refuge,
That, by which the thoughts are purified,
That, by which our wisdom is realised and through
which we see that ‘Omkara’ in all brilliance-
Let us
have the darisanam of that ‘Omkara’.
This is what is implied in the Gayatri mantra.
Devotee 5
We have been talking only about Brahmins,
Kshatriyas and Vaisyas. Nothing has been said of Sudras.
One of the
Learned Elders
Sudras have no privilege to recite Gayatri. Since
they are involved in the conduct of inauspicious activities, they do not have
purity of their bodies.
Vichara
Sarma
For the world to thrive both auspicious as well
as inauspicious activities need to be performed. Because they are involved in
inauspicious tasks they are classified as Sudras. When Adi Sankarar was longing
for water to quench his thirst, Easan taking the form of a Pulayan offered him
water. Sankarar refuses to accept it as it was from a sudran and walks
away. Ultimately Easan appeared and told
him that it was He who came as a Pulayan. He further questioned Sankarar, ‘Who
you are? And Who am I?’ Adi Sankarar then realised that only
our physical form is different, whereas Aanma is unique and even that is none
but Easan. He propounded the philosophy of Advaitam based on this incidence.
One of the
Learned Elders
The Vedam says that the Brahmin is born from the
forehead, Kshatriyan from the shoulder, Vaisyan from the thigh and the Sudran
from the foot of the Iraivan respectively. Is it fair?
Vichara Sarma
Let me explain the significance of that
statement. The forehead, shoulder, the thigh and the foot are all part of the
same body. Out of this which is higher and which is lower in importance? Even
when they are different parts of the body, its Aanma is same and common. Rudram says of Aanma as the King, as his
subjects, as thieves, as the chief of all thieves, as those looted by thieves,
as hunters, as the hunted and so on. And it is Panchaksharan, who resides in
all Aanma. He is verily Sivan.
Learned
Elders
Incredible! Excellent!
Devotee 6
What do the four Vedas tell us?
Vichara
Sarma
The Vedas are four in number.
The Rigveda contains hymns to be recited by the
hotar, or presiding priest. It is the moolamantra of Devathas. It was
established for the conduct of yagam.
The Yajurveda contains formulas to be recited by
the adhvaryu or officiating priest. It explains the various mudras or hand
signs to invoke and pray the Devathas. It includes Agnihotram, normally done by
a householder.
The Samaveda contains the formulas to be sung by
the udgatar or priest that chants. Easan is often called as Samaganappriyan,
the one who loves samaganam.
The Atharvaveda is a collection of spells and
incantations, charms and speculative hymns.
It also is an antidote for the shortcomings or mistakes during the
conduct of the other three Vedas by Hotar, Adhvaryu and Udgatar
respectively. Atharvaveda is also
invoked for success in endeavours, to drive away evil spirits and to
eliminate one’s own vicious intents.
Devotee 7
What for
fruits, milk, yogurt, ghee, flowers, grains, cloth are all offered in the
Yagams? Is that to ensure that the fire does not die out?
The people
laugh on hearing this question.
Vichara
Sarma
These are all offerings to Iraivan. To keep the
fire of the Yagam burning, it is sufficient to add dry wooden sticks. The
purpose for adding these items in the Yagakundam is to generate smoke! This
smoke rises up in the sky and touches the rain bearing clouds to give copious
rains. This in turn will increase the agricultural production and the
prosperity of the country will go up. The Yagams are to be conducted to
increase the wealth of the nation.
Devotee 8
We offer Pongal to Iraivan as neivedhyam. Afterwards it is distributed as prasadam to
the devotees. But nobody takes up and consumes the milk that is poured pitcher
after pitcher as Abhishekam. Milk is
divine. It is needed by everyone. Is it correct to waste it in the name of
Abhishekam?
Vichara
Sarma
When a child is born, its mother feeds it with
the breast milk even when the child is unable to express its need to satiate
its hunger. Sometimes, due to diseases,
the mother’s milk may become unsuitable to feed the baby. At times the mother
may not produce any milk at all. In those circumstances, cow’s milk is given in
lieu. Iraivan feeds all of us and as a mark of gratitude we offer cow’s milk as
Abhishekam which is in par with the rare and priceless mother’s milk. While
Pongal which is offered as neivedhyam goes to the devotees as prasadam to be
eaten, the milk after Abhishekam cannot be consumed. The flower garlands, the clothes and other
items which are used for the decoration of the Iraivan my contain dust and
other contaminants. Therefore the milk
after Abhishekam becomes unfit for drinking. This apart to remove vegetable oil
which is poured to give a layer of preservation, water mixed with
turmeric, coconut water, milk and curd
are poured to cleanse the body of the Iraivan. These are not to be consumed but
are sprinkled on the head and smeared over eyelids.
Since these items have touched the sacred body of
the Iraivan, these are to be venerated. They should not come under human
feet. It is a punishable offence if they
come under any one’s feet.
Devotee 9
What is ‘Panchakavyam’?
Vichara
Sarma
The
mixture of milk, Curd, Ghee all derived from cow, cow dung and cow’s urine is
Panchakavyam. Out of these five, milk, curd and ghee are used for bathing the
Lord. The cow dung is dried and burnt to produce thiruneeru which in turn when
smeared becomes identification marks of His body. Cow’s urine, where sprinkled
drives away ghosts and devils from there and makes that place auspicious. It
also acts as a repellant for insects.
The snakes and other such poisonous creatures seek their mates by the
sense of smell. They either lose their sense of smell or repelled by the power
of the smell emanating from Abhishekam. So the people who converge in large
numbers to seek the blessings of Iraivan are protected from them. Cow, which
gives us all these five, is therefore fit to be revered. This is the basis for
Gopujai.
One of the
Learned Elders
Cow is just one of the animals. For Iraivan all
animals are equally dear. Is it because we get Panchakavyam from the cow, we
revere it?
Vichara
Sarma
That is not the only reason. When the Devas and
Asuras churned the milky ocean, the Akshayapatram, Karpaga Vriksham, Kamadhenu
and similar other objects culminating with Amirtham emerged. Where are they now? The munivars say that
they are all now in Indira Sabhai. But the gyanis say that they are all
available among us only. Our earth with bountiful crops is the Akshayapatram.
Coconut tree is the Karpaga Vriksham. The holy cow is Kamadhenu. Some consider
its dung and urine as despicable.
Now , hear
this.
When all the Devas have occupied various parts of
Kamadhenu’s body, Annai Ganga and Annai Lakshmi having reached last, find only
the rear parts of the body for excretion and urination vacant. They decide to
take their abode there. That is why we bow to the rear side of cow during
Gopujai. Not only that, Iraivan wears the most poisonous snake as an ornament
and a docile bull as his vahanam to demonstrate that all creatures are equally
dear to Him! Gyaniyare! Apart from own mother, it is the cow that gives us milk
and nourishes us. It is equivalent to a second mother for us. It is therefore
to be venerated!
One of the
Learned Elders
Dear Child!
I go in to raptures on hearing Rudraganam. What is the greatness of
Rudram?
Vichara
Sarma
Ekastham yajuhu sakasthasu rudropanishadhamyathe|
Satha sakha sutham satchath satharudriya
muchyate||
Rudram is considered as Upanishad as it releases
one from the traps of ‘samsaram’ and leads one to Mukti. Since it is eulogised in
hundreds of ways it is hailed as ‘satha rudriyam’. Rudram is in the fourth
canto which is the middle of the seven cantos of Chaitriya Samhitha occurring
in the Yajur Veda.
Rudram is composed of eleven divisions. The first
one is composed of prayers for Rudran’s presence and the last one consists of
salutations to the Rudraganas. Out of the balance nine, in the centre of the
middle fifth division the ‘panchaksharam’, as the heart of the composition,
resides giving its unique eminence. It
is one and the same if you do the Rudra japam of ‘Namasivaya’ or the Gayatri
mantram.
Just like the water that is poured at the root of
the tree reaches all the leaves in all the branches of a tree, invoking the
‘Namasivaya’ mantram will make the person realise the
Parabrahmam. That alone is the ‘Moolamantram’.
The One
has taken the entire universe as His body,
The One
who is sporting the snow as thiruneeru,
The One
who wears the mountains and valleys as Rudrakshams,
The One
who has Gangai entwined on His head
The One
who has the Sun and the Moon as His eyes,
The One
who adorns Himself with venomous creatures,
The One
who keeps docile animal as His carrier,
The One who has countless forms and who resides
in everything,
He is Rudran.
Rudram is the way to propitiate Him through
mantram.
One of the
Learned Elders
Deivadheenam
jagathsarvam|
Mantrdheenam
deivatham|
Thanmanthram
brahmanadheenam|
Brahmana
mamadevatha||
Can you elucidate this?
Vichara
Sarma
I will narrate the meaning and then explain.
This world is under the control of Deivam
And
mantram influences Deivam,
The
mantram resides in the heart of the Brahmin,
Brahmin, is therefore my Devatha.
Agni, Vayu, Jalam, Aakasam, Bhumi are all in my
heart and the heart is enclosed in me in the form of Jeevan, and I am enfolded by
Paramatma and Paramatma resides in Parabrahmam. I am Parabrahmam!
Parabrahmam exists in Paramatma,
Paramatma exists in Aanma,
Aanma exists in the heart,
Heart exists in me and becomes I.
Me alone a Brahmin, Me alone a Vaisyan, Me alone
a Kshatriyan and Me alone a Sudran. I am omnipresent. Some calls this as the eternal
time wheel or kalachakram. This universe is active and thriving because of the
rotation of the time wheel. This is the essence of Sri Rudram.
The extempore speech of Vichara Sarma makes the
audience spell bound.
One of the
Learned Elders
My dear child! You have unfathomable wisdom at
the age of seven! Is a link to your previous birth reason for this?
A
devotee
Is previous birth and re-birth practical? Do they
exist?
Vichara
Sarma
That which does not exist has not been produced.
That which exists cannot be denied of its presence!
This life is the truth. Can there be destruction
of truth ever?
Vichara Sarma looks at his mother. Pavithrai
observing the brilliance in his face recollects an earlier scene. It is the
same brilliance that she saw when she gave alms to elderly Gyani seeking alms
at her door steps. Looking at him she
wonders whether that great Gyani is reborn as her son. She sees that Gyani in
the form of her son and folds her hands in reverence instinctively. Vichara
Sarma bows to her in return.
While the
All pervading Easan is enjoying the discourse of His adopted son, the
discussions continue till day break with incessant accolades.
It is day break and Deeparadhanai of Easan. The assembled depart bowing to Easan. Vichara
Sharma after paying respects to his Acharyan reaches his waiting mother. But
his father Echchadattan looks highly irritated.
Echchadattan
(angrily)
What impudence! Many elders have assembled
here. Why should you jump to answer
every question that is posed? I spent the whole night fearing that I may be
beaten up for your wrong answers. Let go off your impertinence from now on. All
these things are for wise people. You
must be satisfied by reciting a few mantras and earn a few coins. You will not indulge in such discussions from
now on. Otherwise, it may ruin my job and people may not call me for any
assistance. We may all have to beg for alms then like you!
Getting extremely hurt hearing this rebuke,
Pavithrai looks at Echchadattan aghast. Vichara Sarma does not exude either
anger or sorrow, only the serenity of a Gyani!
******
Next day…
Cheinjalur agraharam…
While the
other boys are going to the patasala in their Upanayanam attire, Vichara Sarma,
not wanting to waste his time, goes to the forest and collects dried sticks for
the yagam. He is looking lean and thin.
Easan, Emperuman gives glances at him in empathy.
Easan
Mahane! The time is not far off to have you in my
embrace!
****
Vichara Sarma is nearing his age of eight. Not knowing that he is going to merge into Easan soon, he goes about gathering
dried sticks for the yagam outside the village. There the cows are grazing
under a cowherd who is going about here and there. It is going to be the start of Easan’s
‘Thiruvilayadal. ’
A cow which has just yielded a calf attacks the
cowherd with its horns unexpectedly. The cowherd jumps away just in time and
starts thrashing the cow with his staff mercilessly. Unable to bear the pain,
the cow bleats attracting the attention of Vichara Sarma. Deeply perturbed by
the cruelty of the cowherd, Vichara Sarma runs and grabs the staff from the
cowherd and throws it away.
Vichara Sarma
Hey! Cowherd! How can you be so cruel like this?
How can anyone ill-treat a creature, that too a cow, which has no voice to
complain? Young man! What an offence you
have committed? Cow is auspicious and to be revered. To beat a cow is like
beating one’s own mother. Aren’t you aware of these things?
The Cowherd
You Brahmin lad! I am not aware. But did you know that this cow was going to
attack me? Every day, I reap the grass to feed them, take them around to water
them and lead them safely to their sheds. It was going to hurt me by its horn….
Will anyone in my place tolerate it? That is why I beat it.
Vichara
Sarma
Generally
a cow will never attack any one. It is a
very docile creature. Even to express anger against it is sinful. But you have
thrashed it black and blue. Isn’t it atrocious?
The Cowherd
There is a saying that you can realise the agony of fever and head ache only if you get afflicted
yourself! You will come to know only if
you herd them. Your calm composure will turn into one of fury in due course. I
have taken care of them all along. Now,
I feel only a sound thrashing will make them obedient.
Vichara
Sarma
Ayya! Your justification gives me immense
distress. I will now take over from you and take care of herding them.
The Cowherd
What? You are supposed to be reciting Vedas! Are
you going to herd the cattle from now on?
Vichara
Sarma
Yes!
The Cowherd
Do you mean that you want to try it for a day?
Vichara
Sarma
No! From now on I will herd the cattle for
ever...
The Cowherd
What will I tell the owners of these cows who
have entrusted them under my care?
Vichara
Sarma
Don’t be afraid, young man! From now on it is my
job. You go home without any worry.
Loathing the action of Vichara Sarma, the other
Brahmin boys look at him in disgust.
Vichara
Sarma
Why you people are giving me this look?
The boys
Hey! This is not for you. These are inauspicious
acts. You have to gather the dung. You
have to bathe them. You have to cut grass and other leafy plants to feed them.
How many more crude jobs are involved? Come. Let us go home.
Forget all these things.
Vichara
Sarma
If you are unhappy, you may all go home. My duty from now onwards is to look after the
cows.
The boys
If that is so, we will shun you. Do you understand?
Vichara
Sarma
If that is Easan’s wish, so be it!
The boys run away from there not wanting to have
his company anymore.
Vichara Sarma turns his attention to the cows
under his care. As if attracted by a spell they all happily come near him.
Vichara Sarma gently fondles each of them and feeds them with grass and leaves.
He takes them to the pond and bathes them. Speaking to them lovingly, he leads
them home in the evening. As soon as he reaches the agraharam, the cows enter
their respective homes on their own. The villagers are surprised to see the
wise Brahmin boy herding the cattle. As if on cue Vichara Sarma says that he
alone will be herding the cows from then on. The villagers become speechless.
Vichara Sarma reaches home.
Echchadattan is sitting on the front porch and Pavithrai is standing on
the threshold.
Echchadattan
(angrily and sarcastically)
Come! The great preacher of Vedas! Instead of
carrying Dharbha grass and reciting Gayatri, are you now going to carry hay and
herd the cattle? Are you born only to bring disrepute to our clan?
Vichara
Sarma (submissively)
Thandhaye!
Echchadattan
What the heck!
Vichara
Sarma
I have given my word that I will herd the cattle.
It is my duty to take care of the cows of this village.
Echchadattan
I was hopeful that you will earn and bring
bountiful food grains for our home. Now you will bring only cow dung instead.
Pavithrai looks on sadly as he spits disgustingly
and leaves the house.
Pavithrai
(to Vichara Sarma)
You are wise! I am not going to tell anything
which you don’t know already. How can
you take up this work ignoring your attendance at the patasala?
Vichara
Sarma
Thaye! What more do I have to learn by attending
the patasala? They are teaching what I already know. Don’t you agree that my
life needs to be useful?
Pavithrai
I do not mean that! You are still very
young.. The enormous knowledge of Vedas
makes you skeletal.
You eat just enough to survive and not to fill up
your stomach. It is a tough job to herd cattle.
I am anguished whether you will be able to bear the physical strain.
Vichara Sarma (moved by his mother’s concerns)
I have studied Rudram. I recite the same daily.
‘Sarvam Sivamayam’. Please permit me to carry out my duty as everything is
ordained by Easan!
Overcome with emotion seeing her son pleading
with folded hands, Pavithrai cannot control her tears. Quickly she wipes off
the tears and looks at him with abundant love.
******
From then on
….,
Vichara Sarma herds the cows with love and care.
As a result, they all become healthy and good looking and their milk yield
improves by leaps and bounds. The owners of the cows are immensely satisfied as
there is no dearth of milk, curd, butter and ghee. There is all round
prosperity. Vichara Sarma is commended by one and all. They pay Echchadattan
for his son’s work by giving paddy in good measure. The Kudir in Echchadattan’s
house is always filled to its brim. However, greedy as he is Echchadattan
spends sleepless nights worrying that Vichara Sarma may commit some foolish act
resulting in stoppage of these earnings from the villagers.
Days roll by….
One day on the banks of the Maniyar, Vichara
Sarma is seated under the shade of a fig tree. The cows come near him one by
one on their own,. As Vichara Sarma looks at them full of compassion, milk
starts emptying from their udders. Not wanting to let the milk go waste, Vichara
Sarma places pitchers meant for bringing water and very soon many of them get
filled with foaming fresh milk.
Vichara Sarma contemplates as to what to do with
the milk thus gathered. He recollects the Abhishekam of Easan where pitcher after pitcher of
milk is poured over. Delighted he makes a Lingam out of the soil.
Reciting Rudram, he forms a small temple around
the lingam out of sand. He goes and plucks the most suitable flowers and
decorates Easan. He starts Abhishekam of Easan with milk gathered in the
pitchers. At the same time, in Thrukailayam, milk flows on Easan like the
flooded Ganga to the accompaniment of Vedic chants!
Doing the Abhishekam of Easan gives boundless
bliss to Vichara Sarma. The cows after returning to their sheds yield much more
milk than on previous days. This is a pleasant surprise to all the owners.
From then
on , it becomes a routine for the cows to empty the udders on the river bank
and for Vichara Sarma to do Abhishekam of Easan with the milk. Emperuman is
highly pleased with the devotion of Vichara Sarma and showers His blessings on
him.
One day…
In the Vedapatasala, all the boys are reciting
Vedas diligently except for Dhananjayan. He is thinking about Vichara Sarma.
Dhananjayan
(to himself)
He is just as old as I am but has captured the
heart of every one. You meet any one…
They all sing the praise of Sarma. They
all say,’ what kind of boys are you?
Look at Vichara Sarma. He is an expert in the knowledge of Vedas and
Vedic activities. He carries out household duties with aplomb. If anyone wants to have a son, he should pray
to get one like Vichara Sarma’. What exceptional work he is doing on the river
bank? I must go and find out today!
After the classes are over he goes to the river
bank to spy on Vichara Sarma. Seeing
Vichara Sarma pouring pitcher after pitcher of milk on the ground under the fig
tree he is bewildered. Vichara Sarma concentrating his thoughts on Brahmam and
immersed totally in his puja is unaware of what is happening around him.
Dhananjayan nods his head as if he has realised something and runs to the village shouting that Vichara Sarma has
gone mad. He narrates to Brahmins what he has seen on the riverbank. The village panchayat assembles and summons
Echchadattan. Dhananjayan narrates once again what he has seen to the assembled
elders. Echchadattan, afraid that he may lose receiving paddy from the owners
of the cows due to his son’s madness appeals to them.
Echchadattan
Assembled Elders! I have not seen any changes in
my son’s behavior. He is not mad. It
will be my responsibility, from now onwards, to ensure that the milk is not
wasted. Hey! Brahmins! Please forgive this time. I will ensure that such a
thing is not repeated.
He goes home. The Brahmins, however, suspect
whether there is any truth in what Dhananjayan has narrated, since the cows
after their return yield much more milk than usual on that evening.
*****
The next day…
Vichara Sarma, after completing his religious
routines, leaves the house after prostrating to his mother. He collects the
cows from the houses of Brahmins and takes them for grazing. The cows follow
him happily. Echchadattan follows him at distance to spy on him.
The banks of Maniyar River….
Vichara Sarma bathes the cow one by one cuts the
leaves for feeding them. The cows are satiated. Echchadattan, hiding behind a
tree at a far distance is keeping an eye on the happenings. As usual, the cows come near Vichara Sarma
one after another and empty their udders and Vichara Sarma fills the pitchers
with milk. Reciting the Veda mantras he unconsciously plucks flowers for the
puja and brings them near the pitchers.
Not realising that his son is engrossed in devotion,
Echchadattan is furiously watching his activities. Vichara Sarma lifts a
pitcher of milk and does Abhishekam to the Lingam. Seeing this from a distance,
Echchadattan assumes that he is pouring the milk on to the earth. Fearing that
he will pour away the milk from other pitchers, he rushes there and stands next
to his son. Vichara Sarma, reciting Veda mantras and keeping himself focused
fully on Easan, picks up the next pitcher of milk. Echchadattan strikes him
with a stick. Vichara Sharma oblivious to his father’s presence and unmindful
of getting hit continues with his puja…
Echchadattan
You
scoundrel! Are you so arrogant not to respond to your father standing
here? Are you so insolent to ignore my beating
you with the stick?
Not getting any response from Vichara Sarma, he
thrashes him so much that the stick breaks up. Vichara Sarma, though feeling
extreme pain from the thrashing, starts reciting the mantras in louder tone and
picks up another pitcher for Abhishekam.
Echchadattan becomes highly furious and kicks up a filled pitcher with
his foot. The pitcher topples and the milk flows out to earth and wasted.
Realising that the milk meant for Abhishekam of Easan was kicked up by a foot,
Vichara Sarma, looks up to see who has committed such a serious sacrilege of
Sivan.
Vichara
Sarma (his eyes red in anger)
Thandhaye! What blasphemy you have committed? I
will not let you go unpunished for having committed this crime against
Easan.
He picks up the broken piece of stick from the
ground and says
Vichara
Sarma (his eyes red in anger)
With this I will chop off your leg.
He hits his father’s leg with the stick.
The broken stick turns into an axe and cuts off
his legs, proving that an outburst of an Adiyar will never fail.
Meanwhile, finding that her husband has not
returned home for a long time, Pavithrai runs to the river bank. Seeing her
running in haste all the villagers follow her wanting to know as to what has
happened. All of them reach the river bank at the very moment Echchadattan’s
legs get chopped off.
Having his legs chopped off, Echchadattan
breathes his last due to loss of blood. Pavithrai and the villagers stand
frozen. Vichara Sarma picks up the next pitcher and a start reciting the
mantras feeling as if nothing has happened.
At that moment,
Mounted on their Nandi vahanam, Easan and
Annai appear there to the sound of
conch shells and gettimelam. They get
drenched by the milk poured by Vichara Sarma. The Veda mantras recited by Devas
resonate everywhere. Vichara Sarma has the Easwara darisanam in ecstasy. There
is a shower of flowers from the heavens. Pavithrai and other villagers fold
their hands in supplication, having the Easwara darisanam.
Easan
Vichara
Sarma! Come! Come near Me! I am longing to embrace you! Come! My son!
He takes him in His bosom.
Easan
Knowing full well that it is your father who
committed the outrage against Me, you punished him and lost him as a
consequence. From now on I will be your father! Your name and fame will remain forever. Whosoever
worships Me will worship you as well. You will
be the Chief of all My Ganas and attain the exalted state of Chandikeswarar!
Whatever flowers, prasadam and other honours that are bestowed on Me will belong to
you!
He removes a Konrai flower from his head and
fixes on his head.
Easan
Chandeswara!
My Son! So long as the earth and sky remain, your fame will persist.
Chandeswarar, with his hands folded in prayer
reaches the lotus feet of Easan as Chandikeswarar.
Echchadattan though he committed a serious
offence against Sivan is pardoned and reaches Sivalokam for having gotten
Chandikeswaran as his son. Pavithrai,
the noble lady she also reaches the lotus feet of Sivan.
The Brahmins of Cheinjalur pray to Easan reciting
Veda mantras.
*******
Thrukailayam…
Ayyan and Annai are seated. Easan is in deep
meditation holding the Chin mudhra.
Annai Looks up Easan and there are questions
galore in Her mind.
Annai (to
Herself)
Easane! Thou art the father of every entity on
this earth! As you have pledged that whosoever worships you will also worship
Your son Chandikeswaran, he sits on the southern side of all of our temples deeply meditating on You to bless Your
devotees. Accordingly, whosoever comes to the temple, after praying to Us, clap
their hands and stand near him to obtain Chandikeswaran’s blessings. If this is
what you have intended, will it not amount to disturbing Our son’s penance and
as consequence incurring your wrath? If they avoid going near him fearing that
they would incur your wrath, they will lose Yours’ as well as Your son’s
blessings also! What is the proper way
for Our devotees to follow?
Easan draws
a smile without breaking his silence!
Annai
Is the usual smile only Your answer?
Both of Them laugh aloud!
Tiruchchitrambalam
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