Yenadhi Nayanar

2

Yenadhi Nayanar

Thrukkailayam..

Annai and Easan are alone…

Annai

Iraiva! I have a doubt! Only You can clarify that!

Easan

Devi! Go ahead and ask! If I know the answer I will enlighten you!

Annai

You are in the know of everything in this universe! Can there be anything unknown to You?

Easan laughs as Annai continues…

Annai

 People relate Thirumagal with wealth and Kalaimagal with knowledge and Me with courage. Thirumagal

has ‘wealth’ (thiru) as part of Her name itself.  Kalaimagal name contains ‘knowledge’ (kalai) likewise. How come I, being Malaimagal, signify courage? My name signifies that I am daughter of mountain. Courage is the hallmark of men. I am a woman. The people of the world worship me as mother! How is it then logical to relate me with courage and valour?

Easan

What is implied by the term valour?

Annai

To defeat the enemy in war is valour!

Easan

Is there no valour in defeat?  Does that mean all those who get defeated are not valorous? Aren’t Bhishmar and Dhronar who were defeated in Mahabharata war valorous? Isn’t Karnan, who lost his fight against Arjunan a hero?

Annai

Well! You explain the answers Yourself!

Easan

He who stands in fight against someone who is equal to or stronger than him is valorous! Victory or defeat in a fight does not determine this attribute!  The one who does not run away from the battlefield is equally valorous. Even the one who does not fight against his enemy who is devoid of any weapons of war and sends him unharmed is equally a hero! A mother who sends her only son to the war front to fight for the country is indeed valorous.  I can go on and on like this.

Annai

 I asked you why people relate me with valour.  But you are saying a lot many things instead!  

Easan

 You know all the answers. Still You want to hear it from Me! Am I not correct? Devi!

Devi gives a pleasant smile…..

Easan

I will elaborate now! Mahishasuran obtained boons from Brahma. One was that he should not get defeated by any male. The second was that every drop of blood he sheds must replicate into another Mahishasuran. He miscalculated that when no male can defeat him, how a woman could dare fight him! Unable to bear his ever increasing evil deeds, the devotees surrendered to You to save them from misery. You, equaling the stature of a valorous male, fought with him and defeated him. To ensure that the blood of his does not fall on the earth and many more of him do not erupt from , You held his severed head in one hand and collected the blood dropping from it in a platter held in another hand. You destroyed him and earned the fame of Mahishasuramardhani! Forgetting that you were a female, You went for the war with the sword drawn in Your hand, for saving the mankind! That makes You an icon of valour!  Haven’t you handed over the Saktivel to Our young son and sent him to fight and destroy Idumban?  That act of Yours as a courageous mother makes You an icon of valour. Not heeding my counsel, You attended the Dakshayagam where you were humiliated and turned away by Your father. Though You were capable of taking revenge on him for belittling Me, You let Me carry it out. Not wanting to return to Kailayam without completing Your vow, did you not immolate Yourself in the Yagam fire pit? Is that not a courageous act?  Since ‘Malai’ (Mountain) is an icon of valour, You have become Malaimagal.

Annai assumes a heroic composure on hearing the words of Easan!

Annai

You have extolled the virtues of bravery! To surpass all these and to show to the world what true valour is,an adiyar of adiyars, Yenadhi Nayanar, is about to be born on earth!

Easan

We must ensure that our adiyar of adiyars is praised by one and all as long as this universe remains.

Annai

Yes! So be it!

                                *******

Chozha Nadu…

Though the whole of the country is fertile, Yeyinanur is arid and parched. Everywhere there are palmyra trees! In a decrepit hut in that tiny village, a baby boy is born! The village folks, whose only job is climbing palmyra trees, have gathered to celebrate the birth of the new born. All of them are holding the liquor derived from the palmyra trees.  A few of them who have drunk and danced are lying passed out. The child’s father asks an elder of the village as to what name to be given to the boy? He replies, ‘Give him the name of Yenadhi.’ He goes near the child and calls out ‘Yenadhi’ thrice near its ear. The child who is going to make a mark in the history of mankind gives a smile. The village elder, seeing the smile of the child picks him up. Holding it close to his chest, he tries to kiss the child. The child gives out a big sneeze unable to bear the foul smell of liquor making everyone laughs to the embarrassment of the elder. Yenadhi grows up as the favourite and pampered pet of the villagers.

    *****

Yeyinanur…

There is no scope for agriculture as it is in an arid zone…

As there is no farm work, the men folk are engaged in tapping toddy from the palmyra tress and take it to other villages and towns for sale. As they have a lot of spare time, they are engaging themselves in learning various martial arts like sword fighting, archery and silambattam. The village becomes well known for producing skilled warriors.

As he grows up, Yenadhi like others does tree climbing and toddy tapping in the mornings and spends rest of his time in gaining expertise in martial arts. He grasps the intricacies of all kinds of martial arts and becomes an expert warrior in a short time. When he reaches the age of twenty one, he takes on the responsibility of teaching the martial arts.

Yenadhi becomes Yenadhinathar….

Early in the morning one day….

He climbs up the tree to bring down the toddy. He unhooks the pot tied to the front and empties it contents on to the pot tied to his waist. While he inserts his hand into the pot again, there is a sharp sting. He climbs down with the pot and on reaching the ground he finds that there is a cobra inside the pot. Though realising that he is bitten by a cobra, he turns down the pot without any panic. The cobra falls from the pot and vanishes into nearby bushes.

As he walks towards the village after bitten by the cobra, he starts feeling giddiness and staggers. When he is about to collapse, he feels that someone is holding him preventing his fall.  He hears the mantram ‘Sivaya nama, Sivaya nama’ being chanted close to his ears. He also feels something is getting applied at the spot where the cobra has bitten him. The mantram ‘Sivaya nama’ keeps ringing his ears. Time passes for God knows how long! When he opens his eyes he finds himself lying under a tree and a large crowd surrounding him. Sitting by his side is a Siva yogi! Seeing an adiyavar for the first time, he feels an unknown ecstasy enveloping him. He gets up immediately and bows to him.

Yenadhinathar

May I know who the great soul is?

A villager

Yenadhi! He is the one who held you when you were about to collapse. Finding that you have been bitten by a snake, he applied thiruneeru at that spot.

Yenadhinathar looks at the spot in his hand where the snake has bitten him and finds a white powder with a bluish tinge smeared over it.

Siva Yogi

Yes! My son! Thiruneeru, the symbol of Easan has drawn out the poison and your life is saved!

Yenadhinathar 

Is that such a powerful medicine to suck out even the snake poison? I want to know more about that life saving medicine. Before that please tell me who you are and why have you come here. Your attire is something novel to me.  Your radiant face makes me ecstatic! I am very curious to know about you.

Siva Yogi 

You have shot so many questions at once!  Aren’t you a hero?

Before he concludes..

The Village Elder

How do you know that Yenadhi is a hero? Have been here before?

Siva Yogi (laughing)

I surmised that he has to be a hero when I saw him walking calmly even after knowing that he has been bitten by a snake without shouting or crying or running in fear. Only a brave heart and a yogi are not scared of dying.

The Village Elder

Very true!

Siva Yogi

Now I will answer Yenadhi’s queries. Who am I? I am a Sivanadiyar. I am sporting Thiruneeru and Rudrakshams which are the sacred hallmarksof Sivan. The one which is on the forehead is also called Venneeru as it is white (venmai) in colour. The answer to the query as to where I am coming from …. That is I do not know!  I have been only trying to find out all these days as to from where I have come and to where I am going!

Yenadhinathar

I do not understand. Don’t you know even the place of your birth?

Siva Yogi (laughing)

I know very well my place of birth! That is Thiruvarur. What I referred is not that. I was born to my mother.  I am trying to find answers for these queries, ‘Before that where was I? From where I came? Where I am heading?’

Yenadhinathar

Have you been able to get the answers?

Siva Yogi

No! Not Yet!

The Village Elder

What will you achieve if you get the answers?

Siva Yogi laughs again.

Siva Yogi

People say that ‘This body is an illusion. It is nothing but a bag of air’. By air it is the breath that is implied.  If the breath ceases, the body is destroyed and becomes naught! When we are alive we are known by a name. When we cease to live, we lose that name as well. It is important for everyone to know where we were before our birth and where we will be after we die.  When we will find that out if not now?

Yenadhinathar

We are unable to comprehend what you speak. But we understand that what you talk is very important.

Siva Yogi

Your realisation of it is not far! Mahane! Another question of yours! You asked whether Thiruneeru is a life saving medicine. Yes! It can become a life saver also. But when? Only with the grace of Iraivan in full measure! You came back to life only because of His grace.

Yenadhinathar

From where do you get the thiruneeru?

Siva Yogi

 It is obtained by burning the cow dung.

On hearing this Yenadhinathar’s face turns to one of revulsion….

Siva Yogi

Why are you getting disgusted? The cow is to be venerated by us.

Yenadhinathar

Let it be! Does that mean we should apply its dung on our forehead and body?

Siva Yogi laughs.

Siva Yogi

Cow is none other than our second mother! She is next only to the mother who gave birth to us. As it is nourishing us by its milk, it is to be revered as one’s mother. The five items derived from it, collectively called as Panchakavyam, are worthy offerings for Sivan. Milk, curd and ghee are used for Abhishekam. The urine is used for driving out evil spirits and as disinfectant. The cow dung is used as a cleaning agent for the earthen floor, as a fuel in the Yagakundam and to obtain thiruneeru through burning the dried cow dung. 

The dung from the cow which forages a variety of medicinal herbswill yield thiruneeru having curative properties. This thiruneeru will absorb the toxic fluids when smeared over the body and purifies it. The Venneeru that is applied on the forehead will bring out the Tri-netran…that is third eye and open up the eye of wisdom.  Any observer will venerate you! The Thiruneeru that was obtained from the dung of a cow which has eaten medicinal herbs is the one that sucked out the snake venom from your body and saved your life.  That is the one which will make you realise the purpose for your birth!

Yenadhinathar

Aaha! You have opened my inward eye by this fabulous explanation! You have resurrected me to realise the motive of my birth. From now on, my duty will be to serve the adiyavar who brought my life back and anyone sporting thiruneeru will be God for me!

 He prostrates before Sivanadiyar.

   ****

From then on….

Yenadhinathar is totally changed. He sports thiruneeru on his forehead and chest all the time. He is found reciting ‘Om Namasivaya’  all the time. The meager amount he earns by teaching martial arts is spent on the service to adiyavars.

Days roll by….

  *****

The Royal assembly of the Chozha king…..

The king is seated on his throne. The Amaichchar peruman is standing bowing to the king. There is a large assemblage of the public.

Amaichchar

Hail to the King and his kingdom! Under your just rule, there is peace and virtue in the entire kingdom.

There is a tinge of caution in his utterance.

Mannar

You are giving good news! But, why do I notice a little worry in your voice?

Amaichchar

Yes! It is true. When peace prevails for a long time, it will make the people soft.  Aren’t the vim and vigour displayed at the time of war absent during peace time?

Mannar (surprised)

Should we invite war for that? How many get killed in a war? How many people get distressed due to that?  Is war the only option to retain the vigour and valour in our subjects?

Amaichchar

Manna! I can understand your anguish. When called to war, people will raise to the occasion with great valour. But in the absence of any war for the past so many years, the weapons as well as the men have gone rusty.  Will they be able to fight skillfully if a sudden war is thrust on us? They have totally forgotten the art of warfare and the skill of fighting.

Mannar (giving a deep thought)

I am clear about what you are saying. It is essential that our forces must be in a state of readiness all the time to confront the enemy in the event of a war. But we have to pay them wages for all the soldiers and others. We have to take care of their needs. That will require enormous amount of money and other resources.   We can spend any amount of money for the growth of the country and welfare of the people.  But will it be fitting for the king to fritter away the revenue on employing soldiers expecting a war when there is none foreseen?   At the same time, safety of the country is essential. Only you must tell what needs to be done on these issues.

Amaichchar

I am overwhelmed by your noble thought of   giving good governance to your subjects. It is the strength of the army that decides the stability of a nation. It is however impossible to keep a huge standing army all the time. But what we need are the six types of forces which are the Moolappadai (Basic force), the Coolippadai (Requisitioned force), the Nattuppadai (Territorial force), the Kattuppadai (Jungle Force), the Thunaippadai (Friendly Force) and the Pahaippadai (Deserted Force of the enemy).

Mannar

Amaichchare! Clarify in detail.

Amaichchar

 Moolappadai is the basic force meant only for warfare. We have to calculate our minimum need and recruit the men for this force. The expenditure on this force is inevitable. The soldiers of Coolippadai are employed only during the time of war and wages are to be paid for the duration of their employment. At other times they will pursue their own profession.  The third, the Nattuppadai comprises of soldiers who will keep peace, law and order in our territories during war. They are not called to go to the warfront and fight. Then we have the Kattuppadai which is very essential. This comprises of forest dwellers who are well versed in jungle warfare which is very different from the warfare in plains. To a certain extent they are already competent in their tactics. They require only a specialised training for jungle warfare. At times these small groups will achieve greater victories than even a much larger regular forces. Thunaippadai refers to the forces we may be able to obtain from friendly kingdoms to fight on our behalf. We have to send our envoys to our friendly countries to confirm their willingness to spare their forces. The last but not least is the Pahaippadai. This consists of deserters from the enemy forces willing to fight on our side. If we segregate our overall requirement into these divisions, we will be able to raise a potent army without spending a huge amount of money. The only force which needs to be raised immediately is the Coolippadai for our army. We should call the teachers of martial arts in our country and give them responsibility to train those who are willing to fight for the country during wartime. We must make arrangements for the conduct of such training in small groups throughout the year. If weorganise our forces like this we may face any war against us.

Mannar

Aaha! You have given a wonderful solution. The Senathipathi is responsible for our Moolappadai. It is his duty to keep them fighting fit at all times. We need only a small Nattuppadai. The Amaichchar and Senathipathi will decide how many we need to enroll in this force. I will go to the jungles and speak with our people there. I will clarify to them as to what they have to do during wartime. Let us send our envoys to the friendly countries and make formal agreements with them for the Thunaippadai. We will task our spies to create the Pahaippadai. Lastly the Coolippadai… only Amaichchar can tell us how to organize its execution.  

Amaichchar

I am grateful to you for acceding to my suggestion! The teachers can be located in the same places wherever they are for training the youths. We will allocate a fixed amount of money per trainee. The amount so allotted per head will cater for the training materials, food, and wages for the trainees and the teacher. This way the burden will be eased on the kingdom. 

Mannar

Very Good! Let us do it that way!  Let the palace drums beat and send word to gather all the martial art teachers of our country to our palace. The three of us will select the best out of their lot and hand over the responsibility to raise the force of Coolippadai.

Mannar looks at the Amaichchar and the Senathipathi who submit their concurrence.

The palace drums beat accordingly…..

   ******

Yeyinanur…

Yenadhinathar is in his training school.

A youth

Aasane! I had gone to a town nearby to sell toddy. There I heard the royal drum beat and an accompanying announcement. You must immediately go to the Royal palace of the king.

He narrates the details where upon Yenadhinathar starts off to the palace.

At the same time….

Hearing the Royal proclamation, Athisooran also starts off from an adjoining village.

    *****

The Royal palace of Chozhanadu….

The amphitheatre where martial arts and sports are conducted…..

The Mannar is seated and nearby are seated the Amaichchar and the Senathipathi. The teachers of martial arts from all over the country are demonstrating their skill one by one. Quite a few get selected and the attendant calls out one by one by their names in a loud voice for an interview with the king. One by one they all come and assemble in front of the king. The attendant gives further details of each of them as they stand in front of the king one at a time. The king gives a piercing look and asks a few questions.  He approves only a few out of them for imparting training. One of them is Yenadhinathar and another is Athisooran!

The king asks both Yenadhinathar and Athisooran to come closer and both of them go near him.

Mannar

Yenadhinathare! You appear different from all others who have come here. Sporting thiruneeru on your forehead, you are quiet calm and composed. I understand that you are an expert in teaching martial arts.   

 There is dichotomy between your attire that proclaims the dictum of ‘Anbe Sivam’ (Love alone is Easan) and the responsibility you are prepared to undertake here!

Yenadhinathar 

As per the Laws of Manu, one can kill even a cow if it comes charging. The skill I am going to impart will be for those who will go to war to save our country when the safety of the country is at stake. I belong to the community of toddy tappers. Because of the grace of Iraivan, I am blessed to sport thiruneeru at all times. My duty is but to serve everyone.

The Mannar is pleased to hear his answer.

Mannar

Athisoorane! Befitting the name you have, it will be your duty to transform our youths into skillful warriors.  Only when there is a competition, one can gauge the true worth!  Both of you stay in this place and impart the training. Let the expertise of your students decide whose training is better!

Athisooran (proudly)

We will abide by the orders of the king. Only my students will be superior in the whole of this country. You may not harbor even an iota of doubt on this.

The King is surprised at his arrogant attitude.

    ******

The days roll by….

In the academy of Athisooran….

One or two trainees are undergoing training here and there.  Sitting in a cot, Athisooran is visibly angry.

The academy of Yenadhinathar….

The training area is overflowing with students..

Crowds of young   trainees are seen actively undergoing their training everywhere. Seated on a plank Yenadhinathar is keenly and serenely observing the goings on.

                ******

Athisooran is in his bed at home. Nearby is his wife Thriambikai.

Thriambikai

I have been observing for quite a few days now. You are not taking food properly and your sleep also seems to be disturbed. What is the reason?

Athisooran looks angrily at his wife.

Athisooran

 I don’t need to tell and get counsel from my spouse!

Thriambikai

As if you will follow if I give you an advice! If you tell me openly as to what is troubling you, it will reduce your mental agony…

Athisooran

I am keeping it close to my heart. Surely it will reduce my mental burden if I share it with someone else. Anyway, if it were in our village I would have sorted out this problem by now.

Thriambikai

Whatever it is, please come out with it…

Athisooran (angrily)

It is all due to that urchin Yenadhi!

Thriambikai

Isn’t he a martial art teacher like you? What is the problem due to him?

Athisooran

What do you know of my proficiency in martial arts? I am far superior to Yenadhi in all types of martial art. But students are not coming to me but flocking him instead for training. We are paid in gold by the king based on the head count of students under us. I have very few students and so the income is insufficient.   On the other hand, he has plenty of students and his income in gold is virtually pouring like a rain.

Thriambikai now understands  the reason for her husband’s agony.

Thriambikai

Is there any great difference between you and him? 

Athisooran

Yes! It is all because of that pattai!   (Literally the Venneeru on theforehead; colloquially   to cheat or deceive)   You see… He is seen sporting thiruneeru all the time like a drama artist!  Sporting a pattai on his forehead he is putting pattai (hoodwinking) to  the entire town. 

Thriambikai

If that is so, why don’t you also sport thiruneeru?

Athisooran (irritated)

I don’t know how to don a makeup. I don’t need it as well.

Thriambikai

I hear that he is not of the type who impersonate.

Athisooran (mockingly)

So! What else about him?

Thriambikai

Out of his income, he is hosting any Sivanadiyar who comes to him and gives them whatever they want in great reverence. He is leading a life of total service to them. He is being praised by this entire town. Therefore crowds flock to him. If you also change your attitude like him, more and more students will come to you as well.

Athisooran

Will a tiger copy a cat ever? I have a solution for all this. In ten days time I will let him realise who I am.

Thriambikai (worried)

What are you going to do?

There is no reply from her husband. She also knows that no reply would come. She tries to sleep deeply anguished.

     ******

The training academy…

Yenadhinathar is seated on his plank. The students come to him one by one. Offering him Gurudhakshina, they bow to him for his blessings. The training for them is ending that day and they are getting ready to return home. In a couple of days, a new batch of trainees will be arriving. Yenadhinathar is glancing at the students who have assembled there. There is unique radiance in his eyes.

Yenadhinathar

Dear Students! You are all about to return home after completing your training. I want to tell you something. There is a saying that ‘practice makes one perfect’. It is not enough if someone learns the art of drawing. Only if he practices regularly, his skill will remain. You must practice some of the arts you have learnt daily as it is our duty to defend the country in times of war. At the same time you should not misuse your skill in settling disputes or in vain competitions amongst yourself to prove who is superior.

As he was advising his students there is a sudden commotion and a crowd headed by Athisooran starts attacking them without any warning.Quickly regaining their wits, the students of Yenadhinathar starts handling the attackers with whatever weapon they can muster. And before Yenadhinathar could discern what is happening, Athisooran jumps in front of him with his sword drawn.

Yenadhinathar (in anger)

 Athisoora! What is this? How dare you commit this vicious attack? Why are you attacking my students?

Athisooran

Have I come here garland someone who cannot discriminate what is pure gold and what is copper? (What is wheat and what is chaff) The people of this town must know who is the champion? You or me!

Athisooran brings his sword down and Yenadhinathar skillfully avoids it and prevents him from coming close. Athisooran realises that he is facing a skilled warrior not someone he has been thinking as a fake.  He is frightened as his sword goes down whenever Yenadhinathar’s sword spars his. By this time the students of Yenadhinathar drives out the attackers. At the same time, Yenadhinathar who has been defending himself, starts his offensive. Unable to withstand the fury of the attack and finding all his supporters have run away, he realises he will be defeated and humiliated if he continues the fight. He throws his sword down and the fight comes to an end.  Downcast, Athisooran retreats from there. The students ridicule him with loud laughter and barbs. Yenadhinathar restrains them.

Yenadhinathar

 Remember! He is a teacher. He is a guru! You must give him the same regard and respect as you give me.

The students are overawed at the fortitude of their guru and bow to him in reverence.

  ******

 The home of Athisooran…..

Athisooran is sting downcast. Knowing the nature of her husband Thriambikai stands a little away from him.

Athisooran

How is that I have thought of him as only a Pandaram? How come I confronted him without knowing his prowess?

Thriambikai

What will happen to our status if the king comes to know of the fight between the two of you?

Athisooran (talking to himself)

It was a fault of course! Still I cannot retract from my aim. Either he or I should be alive. Both of us cannot and must not stay in this town any more. He is an expert in fighting. I cannot beat him and be victorious in a direct fight. What should I do?

Seeing her husbandranting like a mad man,Thriambikai gets scared and goes away from there.

It is night time. Unable to sleep Athisooran keeps turning around his bed. Suddenly he recollects what his wife has spoken about Yenadhinathar. A plan takes shape in his head… He gets up with a start to put his plan into action. Realising that it is still middle of the night he goes back to bed. Thriambikai, on seeing her husband sleeping contently as if he is already victorious is deeply anguished.

Thriambikai (appealing earnestly to Easan)

Easane! It is your duty to protect your adiyavars. Am I not one of them? Please save my husband from any harm and at the same time protect Yenadhinathar also.

Praying to Easan, she falls asleep!

It is day break! Waking up and not finding Athisooran in the bed she gets terribly perturbed. Coming out of the house it is already a bright morning. Only Athisooran is not to be found anywhere around!

      *****

Yenadhinathar…

Having got up much before dawn and having done his morning ablutions, he smears liberally the thiruneeru on his forehead comes out of his hut. He finds a man standing outside.

Yenadhinathar

Who is there?

Hearing his thundering retort the person bends and bows down.

The messenger (in great hesitation and haltingly)

Ayya! I have brought some message for you from Athisooran.

Yenadhinathar

Whatever it is! Tell me without any reservation.

The messenger

The message is this, ‘There is no place for two swords in single scabbard! To work as a teacher of martial arts either you or he should be here. Both of you must engage in a duel in the heart of the town and decide who should remain here based on the outcome of your fight. Neither your students nor the people of this town can intervene in this matter. Whoever is more skilful will be retained in the job here’.

Yenadhinathar

This is a good idea! Who is more proficient among both of us, the best option is to fight a duel rather than risking others’ lives! Tell me when and where we have to fight. I am ready for it.

The messenger

Athisooran is ready. He has sent me to inform you and to bring you along.

Without a moment’s hesitation Yenadhinathar asks him to come along and walks briskly…Hearing about their duel, the whole town has assembled at the venue of their fight. Yenadhinathar enters the arena…Athisooran wearing a headgear, covering his body in a cloak and holding a sword each in both his hands confronts him. As he throws one of the swords to Yenadhinathar he deftly catches it. The crowd creates an encouraging din.  Confident of his victory, Athisooran starts his attack without any inhibition…

Mentally appreciating the skill of Athisooran, Yenadhinathar, spars his attack skillfully. The spectators are thrilled to see the gripping fight.  Athisooran is getting tired as the time passes but Yenadhinathar is full of energy and attacks with his sword without any let up. Realising that he is certain to lose if he continues, Athisooran casts off his headgear and the cloak. Thiruneeru is seen shining all over his body and   on his forehead. Yenadhinathar is stunned seeing Athisooran in the garb of an adiyavar.

Yenadhinathar

Ayyo! Have I been fighting an adiyavar all along?

He gets highly perturbed and is feeling sorry.

Yenadhinathar (to himself)

Isn’t it my duty to protect an adiyavar even forsaking my own life?  What sacrilege I have been about to commit?

Wanting to stop the fighting by throwing his sword to the ground, he stops and thinks for a minute. In case if he kills me after I throw away my sword, he will be liable for the crime of killing an unarmed person. I must not let that blemish to fall on an adiyavar.

He stands still holding the sword in his hand. Expecting that he will act this way, Athisooran cuts off his head by a swift move of his sword and it falls off in the ground.

At the same moment…..

There is a loud sound echoing from dhundhubhi.

Easan with Annai Parvati arrive there on their Nandi vahanam.

By the grace of Easan, the head joins back and Yenadhinathar stands up alive!

Going into raptures with tears of joy on seeing Easan and Annai, he stands bowing to Them!

Easan

Keeping ‘service to adiyavars’ as the sole aim of your life, you refrained from throwing the sword down so that your enemy’s name is not tarnished! Yenadhi! You have given up even your life to safeguard the reputation of an adiyavar! Your courage is to be hailed! Your name will remain forever! Whosoever worships Me will worship you as well!

Yenadhi Nayanare!  I am giving you refuge under the shades of my feet! Come and merge unto Me!

Easan extends His arms and invites him. With his hands folded in reverence Yenadhi merges unto Easan!

The loud chanting of ‘Sivaya nama’ reverberates loudly everywhere.  A shower of flowers from the heavens and the auspicious sounds from divine instruments enthrall everyone.

Tiruchchitrambalam