2
Sakkiya Nayanar
Thiruchchangamangai….
There are green fields as far as eye can see…..
The village is very prosperous due to bountiful crops during all the
three seasons of the year.
In the centre of the village is the temple of Easan!
Both while starting and ending their day, the people of the village
never fail to worship their Peruman, who is their ultimate lord and savior.
It is the month of Margazhi. The sun has risen driving away the cold
morning. Enjoying the early warmth of
the day, a young man enters the temple with a basket full of flowers. Slim and
tall, having a long face with a sharp nose, bright eyes and a commanding
demeanor attracts everyone’s attention.
‘Who could be this young man seen newly?’ is the question in everyone’s
mind! Unaware of all these things, the
young man reaches the Sannadhi. Noticing
that the young man is new to the village, the Gurukkal comes near him. The
young man hands over the flower basket to the Gurukkal who keeps gazing at him.
The young man
Gurukkale! I am completing sixteen years of age to day. I have come
here seeking the blessings of Iraivan!
Gurukkal
What is your name and what is your birth star?
The young man
My name is Sakkiyan and my birth star is Pooradam under Dhanur rasi.
Gurukkal
(surprised)
Are you a Buddhist? Your name
indicates so!
Sakkiyan
Yes! I am so! My father, Mangaivelalan, left this place more than
twenty years ago for Kanchi for work and livelihood. There Buddhism is
predominant. Influenced by it he gave me
this name. Recently, my parents died in
quick succession. On his death bed, my father bade me to shift to this
ancestral place of ours. Agreeing to his request I have come here from Kanchi.
I found out my ancestral house and shifted there only yesterday. Before
starting a new life in this new place, I have come to seek the blessings of
Iraivan residing in this temple. I do not know the customs and traditions here.
Kindly accept the flowers and decorate Iraivan appropriately.
The people around are attracted not only due to his polite nature and
dignified speech but also to the fact that he is the son of Mangaivelalan who
belonged to that place. Gurukkal performs the Archanai and hands over the
Prasadam to him. He accepts it with due reverence and returns home. He spends the
whole day in contemplation….
Next day he goes to his ancestral field shown by the villagers.
Sakkiyan (to
himself)
All around, the fields are cultivated. Only my field is in a state of
utter neglect with thorny bushes and undergrowth. Is reclaiming and cultivating this land going
to be my future? Why have I come here? What a contrast between the hustle
bustle of Kanchi and the desolation of Thiruchchangamangai! Why my father
wanted me to come here?
Walking lost in his thoughts he collides with a Brahmin not even
hearing his loud warning to keep way.
The Brahmin
(abusing)
Woe betides you! Are your eyes behind your back? In spite of my loud
shouts you have touched me …Let misery fall upon you!
Sakkiyan (confused)
Are you an untouchable or what?
The Brahmin is dumbfounded hearing his retort! Unable to comprehend the reason for his
speechless reaction, Sakkiyan returns home. He eats a few fruits to satiate his
hunger. In the evening, he sets out from his house to the temple. Quite a few people observe him as he walks
inside the temple. A few girls start laughing on seeing him. Not knowing the
reason for their laughter, he walks further ahead. Their conversation is
clearly audible to him.
Girl 1
Do you know what happened in the morning? You see that young man going
there … He does not know our customs, perhaps
That Nataraja mama was coming after taking bath and not wanting to get polluted by touching
others, he was shouting as this young
man was coming straight ahead. Not hearing his shout, he collided with him.
Girl 2 (laughing)
That Brahmin is very fastidious
about these things! What happened then?
Girl 1
This is nothing much to laugh about. But if you hear what happened
after that, you will not be able to control your laughter!
Girl 2
Come on! Tell me fast! I am very curious to hear about it.
Girl 1
Angered for having got polluted, the mama shouted so aloud that the
whole agraharam came to a standstill. He shouted ‘Woe betides you! Are your
eyes behind your back? In spite of my loud shouts you have touched me …Let
misery fall upon you!’ This young man asked him in all innocence ‘Are you an
untouchable?’
Girl 2(bursting
with laughter)
What happened then?
Girl 1
The mama, who always behaves high and mighty and orders everyone
around, stood speechless! The whole of
Agraharam could not control their laughter seeing his discomfiture!
The other girl also continues
with laughing hearing the funny episode. Sakkiyan walks off hearing their
conversation.
Sakkiyan (to
himself)
What is there to laugh about in this? Why these girls are laughing
hysterically? This whole place appears very weird!
He walks along and reaches a mantapam where a discourse is about to
begin. Seated in the centre of the
mantapam is a lecturer and in front of him are people from the village.
Sakkiyan sits slightly away from them. The speaker starts his lecture.
The Speaker
Today, we are going discus what ‘Manudharma sastram’ says!
One in the audience
I hear learned people quoting ‘Manudharma sastram’ for anything and everything. Who is this
Manu? When this sastram was
written?
The Speaker
The entire Universe originated from the sound of Omkaram. The sun, the
moon, the earth and countless number of starts originated then. Brahman
originated from the thought process of Iraivan. He was the head of creation. He
created ten Prajapathis namely Marichi, Athri, Angirasar, Pulasthiyar, Pulagar,
Kritu, Prasedhakar, Vasishtar, Brigu and Naradar. All the living creatures originated from only
these ten Prajapathis. You all know Sukrachariar is the Guru of Asuras. His
father is the great Munivar Brigu. Manu is the father of Brigu Munivar. Manu was
born on his own. Brigu Munivar disclosed the ‘Manu Sastram’ enunciated by his
father. You asked me when this sastram came into being. When Brahma wanted to
create human beings, he lied down on his back as viratapurushan. From his face
Brahmins evolved. The Kshatriyas emanated from his shoulders. From his thighs
came Vaisyas. The Sudras emanated from
his foot. The Manudharma sastram
originated at the same time when the four categories of human beings were
created to guide them in leading the correct way of life. Therefore, we can
say, next to Vedas, it is the Manudharma Sastram that has been passed on to us.
The next one in the
audience
Has Manu answered the questions like how this earth came into being,
how the creatures originated and how wind, water and fire were formed to
sustain life?
He looks at the Speaker and also at the crowd with a smile in his
face.
The Speaker
It appears that today it will be more of a question- answer session.
Usually the questions will be posed at the end of my lecture. ..Today it is the
other way around. These questions have
arisen in the minds of the people for centuries before us. Still I will try and
answer them… Rather let us see what answers Manu gives for these questions….
Our world is this globe… It is one of the five elements and is called
earth….
When Iraivan, who was in the form of a lone dark matter enveloping the
entire universe, rose as the single Supreme Being… there emanated the sound of
‘Om’ or Omkaranatham. Due to its immense vibration the Universe was created. The revolving sound transformed into wind and
due to contact became light and fire. The Universe then shone brilliantly like
the molten gold… The sound, light and interaction of these turned into water
acquiring taste. When all of them combined, earth came into being with the
quality of smell. Of the five elements, first the sound rose as Aakayam, from
it the Vayu and from the Vayu Agni or Neruppu rose. Water rose from Neruppu and from Neruppu
formed the earth that is Mann. Iraivan stood as and in each of these five
elements. The universe then divided itself into huge number of parts and formed
as stars including Sun.
God being the benefactor of the
earth, he wore Sun as his right eye and the moon as his left eye. His mind
became this globe or earth where we live.
Like the Universe, the earth is also composed of the five elements.
Since the soul has to originate from another soul only, Iraivan as Paramatma
(Great Soul) took the form of Prajapathis and created all the living creatures
through the means of uterus, egg, sweat
and seeds . Thus all the living
creatures were made to be born on this earth by the Prajapathis. Manu sastram says that this is the origin and
continuance of the universe.
Another person from
the audience
The learned and wise people say that Iraivan is the Supreme Being…
This entire universe and all the creatures in it are only He! But when I see
these things I don’t feel that I am seeing Iraivan in them. What Manu has to
say about this?
The Speaker
The true shape and nature of the Supreme Being is articulated by the
four Vedas. Apart from that, Manu says
that it is Iraivan alone who makes everything to function by stimulating them
from inside! He cannot be inferred by our sense organs alone. But we can keep
Him in our thoughts and realise Him through our minds. The amount of unbound
ecstasy one gets by that has been experienced and revealed to others by many
Mahaans and we must remember that.
Sakkiyan (to
himself)
I am only getting confused by not getting direct answer to any of the
questions.
At that time another person gets up to ask a question. The speaker
signals him to sit down.
The Speaker
Please listen to what I am going to tell you. At the end of my
lecture, I will answer every one of your questions.
Keen to listen to his lecture, the audience keep quiet.
The Speaker
The Manudharma Sastram was given to the world so that it can continue
to function without any hassle. The origin of the Universe, the beginning of
life and the nature of the five elements are enumerated first. The way of
conduct of the four castes, the Dharma to be followed by a king, law,
punishments for various crimes, various sins and ways for annulling them and
effects of various acts on the soul are all very clearly given. As it is in
vogue from the time the earth itself was created, we can infer clearly that the
applicability of the Manudharma Sastram is eternal! There are allegations which crop up at times
that the laws propounded in the Varnasrama Dharma are favouring only a
particular sect. The laws governing the four sects say that the Brahmins are to
learn, teach and expand the knowledge of Vedas, The Kshatriyas are to protect and govern the land, the Vaisyas are to earn and grow
wealth and the Sudras are to do service. If the people of these sects engage in
any other activities than they are ordained, there will be confusion and the
administration and running of the world will be in jeopardy!
Sakkiyan gets up …..
Sakkiyan
Ayya! I beg to differ from you….
There is pin drop silence in the mantapam after hearing him…
The Speaker
What is the reason for your disagreement?
Sakkiyan
My father was a farmer. He did the work of farming… Though he had
lands and house in this village, he went away to Kanchi for reasons unknown to
me… He got married there and I was born to him. I have completed sixteen years
of age and entered seventeen… I grew up entirely in Kanchi… There Buddhism is
predominant and followed by most people… The Varnasrama Dharma is not in vogue
there… But the life goes on there without any hindrance… My father bade me to come to this village
just prior to his death. I know not why
he did so! Here everything appears new to me… Even touching a fellow human is considered
a crime here! Segregation of a human
from his fellow being in his own village is not agreeable to me… There is no
division among men in Kanchi.. As per your Manudharma Sastram, I born to a
farmer must do only farming… But I have not even an iota of knowledge about
agriculture. My life time has been spent only on education… If I stay here any
longer, I may not be able to lead my life as I want to … I suspect that my father
might have also been driven out due to the same state as I am today… I want to
quit this village which is biased based on caste…
As he leaves the temple without waiting for anyone’s reaction, the
people watch him in awe.
*******
Kanchi…
Sakkiyan enters his house welcomed by the silence and solitude…
Sakkiyan (to
himself)
Appa! My mother left me when I was a toddler… You filled that void by
being both my father and mother…. The
jaws of death took you also away from me…Solitude…. Solitude… This isolation is
killing me!
He starts crying. Easan is giving him a sympathetic look. Wiping off
his tears, he gets up consoling himself.
Sakkiyan (to
himself)
I am determined to finish off the never ending the cycle of my births
and re-births. I will search for the correct path to attain it and surrender
myself into it.
He goes off to sleep….
******
Next day…
Sakkiyan is walking along a street in Kanchi. Seeing a large number of
people are proceeding in a particular direction, he also follows them. All of
them reach a huge Bo- tree under which a Buddhist monk is seated. He feels attracted towards him and goes and
bows to him. The Buddhist monk is preaching that to finish off the cycle of
births and re-births, the only way is to follow the tenets of Buddhism!
Sakkiyan (to
himself)
He is telling as if he knows exactly what
has been going on in my mind! Who else but he can be my guide and teacher?
He keeps waiting to meet him in privacy…
*******
Years roll by…
With a clean shaven head and sporting a
saffron robe wrapped around his body, Sakkiyar, now a Buddhist monk is walking
along the streets of Kanchi! The onlookers bow to him respectfully and give him
the right of way. He reaches the same big Bo-tree. He recollects that this was
the very place where he was guided to his master! People are coming in hordes
and get seated in front of him after bowing to him. Sakkiyar is looking at the
assembly. An expression of expectation is discernable in each of one of their
faces…
Sakkiyar
Makkale!
From your faces I can make out that you have come here with great
expectations. Your eyes reveal your
ardent hopes that your woes may be resolved by me! Please get up one by one and
narrate your problems.
There is a sudden silence and no one is
getting up to narrate any problems.
Sakkiyar
Perhaps you are all shy of narrating your
problems in the presence of others!
Right! I will now indicate one by one.
He takes a quick look at the crowd and
his eyes fall on a young woman sitting morose.As he points her out, she gets
up.
Sakkiyar
(compassionately)
What is your problem, Amma?
The young woman starts crying shedding
copious tears.
The young
woman
Sacred monk! I was married ten years ago.
I have not begotten a child as yet.
Please bless me that I give birth to a child soon.
She sits down and a young man gets up
next.
The young
man
Ayya! I have completed sixteen years of age
and now I am seventeen. First my mother and then my father died. I am an
orphan. My relatives are also not caring for me.
The young man stops here briefly and
Sakkiyar recollects his own past. He is curious to know what the young man is
going to say further.
The young
man (continues)
I feel like ending my life…
The crowd is taken aback hearing this.
The young
man (crying)
I don’t know anyone… There is nothing
even for my next meal… I am anguished as to what to do…. Only you can guide me
in the right way…
He takes his seat and an elderly man gets
up next.
The elderly
man
Ayya! I am reasonably wealthy… I had gone
to a neighbouring town a few days ago.. That time some people had broke into my
house and took away all the gold ornaments.
Where those jewels are now? When will I get them back? Only you can find
out these things and tell me. All those items are earned by me through hard
work.
He looks at Sakkiyar with great hope.
Sakkiyar then looks around to see whether there are any more wanting to narrate
their problems. A man gets up.
The man
(pleading with tearful eyes)
Oh! Learned Buddhist monk! My mother is
very old and afflicted with illness. She
cannot even get up or walk. I am unable to bear the agony she is undergoing.
Please cure her illness and make her strong enough to take care of herself.
He
then takes his seat. Likewise, everyone in the assembled crowd gets up and
narrates the woes and requests Sakkiyar to resolve his/ her agony. When
all of them have finished their narration, Sakkiyar looks at them with
extreme compassion.
Sakkiyar
Makkale! All of you have told me your
agonies, problems and worries… I
expected at least one among you will say, ‘This birth of mine has given me very
much suffering. Please tell me the way to get rid of the cycle of births and
re-births and attain salvation’. But none came forward with such a request…
He looks at the people after this poser.
The man who wanted his mother to be cured gets up.
The man
Ayya… I am unable to look after my mother
properly in this birth. I want to be
born only as her son in my next birth and take care of her properly. Why should
I spurn my re-birth?
The man who
is an orphan
I am born poor and orphaned in this
birth. I want to be born as a very rich man at least in my next birth. At
least, please tell me the way to attain it.
One of the
women
Sacred monk! In this birth I have been
tortured by my husband, all due to me born as a woman. In the next birth I must
be born as a man and my husband to be my wife. I will pay tit for tat at that
time… Why should I ask you the way to get rid of re-birth?
Another man
(getting up)
This birth and this life are in front of
our eyes. It is as clear as a crystal. There are a lot of unanswered things
here. What are we going to achieve by finding the way for not having a next
birth which is neither visible nor confirmed as existing by anyone?
Sakkiyar is dumbfounded.
Sakkiyar
The very reason for being born is to get
rid of re-birth! It is amazing that many of us are unaware of this. We cannot
escape from our troubles, diseases or death by hiding ourselves in the sky or
mid-ocean or in caves. These will not leave us. The only way to be free from
agony is to get rid of re-birth.To achieve that one should have the total
control of his five sensory organs and stand to be unaffected by any of the
sensory pleasure that tries to influence on him.
He gets up and the people bow to him and
he walks way.
Sakkiyar walks as if in a trance, his
mind confused ... Walking past his institution he reaches the village pond. He
sits on its steps and looks at the water which is placid without even a ripple.
Sakkiyar
(to himself)
I was seated in the same place under the
same peepal tree where my Guru used to sit... Many people came there. Why did
they come to me? Was it because I am a monk? They all narrated their woes. With
sullen faces they sat before me not realising that no one could give them
either happiness or sorrow. Why did they come to me? Was it to hear my advice?
Not in the least...They were only hoping that all their tribulations will be
solved by me. They had not come to listen to my discourse. They wanted remedies
from me for their present day ills. They don’t realise that the supreme
happiness is achieved only by attainment of salvation. ... Only miracles can wipe off their present
miseries. Not having a clue of their
actual expectations from me, was it right in my part to lecture them on
'Destruction of sensory pleasures’? While it is hard even for a monk to attain
this status, how can I expect ordinary men and women to achieve it? Perhaps
salvation is not possible for ordinary mortals? Am I right in assuming all
these days that only through Buddhism one can realise salvation? I embraced
Buddhism as I was averse to the Varnasrama Dharma... But here also people live
in four segregated groups, like me who is preaching the path of wisdom, the
kings who rule, the soldiers who guard and administer and the others who do
their own business and the left overdo the services. The powerful people are
respected and the poor are trampled upon here also...The fault therefore lies
with the people and not in the path prescribed. Every religion has tenets to
lead men in the righteous path. In this world, only One can grant the salvation
devoid of birth and death without differentiating a prince and a pauper, a saint and a sinner.
That One is Iraivan who created the entire universe and all the living
creatures in it.
Someone came to me and wanted a progeny
and another one for return of his stolen goods! What prompted them to come to
me? Wasn't it their faith? Will anyone come if their faith reposed is belied?
Faith.... None other than Iraivan can
resolve our woes!
As enunciated by Manu Sastram, the only
truth is that the Aanmas which have separated from Paramatma are born as
different creatures in this world and as per their karmas either they keep
having birth again and again or merge
back into Paramatma. The union of Paramatma with the Jivaatma is the
Lingathathvam. Alas... Now only I understand the philosophy propounded by
elders. For the world to function smoothly, the four kinds of work must carry
on without any hindrance. The proof that there is someone called Iraivan is His
graciousness to accept even those who deny Him.
For Him, those who profess His existence
and those who deny Him like the Samanars and the Buddhists are one and the
same! Because He is Omnipresent! He is the beginning and He is the End...
Being born to a farmer I should continue
the farming works to maintain the balance of Universe. That is why my father
bade me to return to my native village to maintain the lineage! How have I
wasted twelve years here without realising this! I will go to Thiruchchangamangai at once...
There I will take up farming in my land and continue the work my father had
abandoned.
He starts off towards Thiruchchangamangai
*******
Thiruchchangamangai...
Seeing a Buddhist monk entering the
village, the whole lot of villagers follows him in great amazement.
The Village
Elder
Ayya! May I know who you are?
Sakkiyar
Periyavare! I am Sakkiyan... Son of
Mangaivelalan. Twelve years ago I came here for a few days and went to Kanchi.
I have come back to live here.
He walks
towards his house as the people look at him wonder struck. .
****
Carrying a basket with a shovel and a reaper
on his head Sakkiyar walks towards his field to the surprised looks of the
villagers. Seeing this barren land full of thorny bushes he gives a wry smile.
Recollecting his anger when he came to his fields last time, he could not
control his laugh.
Sakkiyar(to himself)
Is there anyone who is born as a farmer?
Once you start working in the field, you will gain expertise in due
course....After completing my education and searching for the path of wisdom, I
doubted whether I could take up farming! Now I am standing here... But the one
who has learned about the path of wisdom will not fail in any expertise... I
will produce farm products... I will stand by and do my bit for the functioning
of this world...
He starts his work with due diligence.
******
The days roll by...
There is bountiful yield from the fields of
Sakkiyar.
The strange sight of a Buddhist monk
working in the fields attracts hordes of people from neighbouring villages to
come to Thiruchchangamangai.
A
large number of traders have assembled in Sakkiyar's fields. Making their
payments in gold, they depart with bags of paddy handed over by Sakkiyar.
Sakkiyar (to
himself)
What a great contentment! I have raised paddy in my fields and sent it
to the market to satiate the hunger of many thus fulfilling the purpose of my
birth. Now I must plan for the next
season... I must leave the fields fallow for some time... Keep aside and take
care of the seeds for sowing... When time permits, go to the nearby foothills.
I will continue my farm work till my time comes to depart from this earth!
He turns around to return to his house.
His eyes fall on the hill in front.
Sakkiyar
(to himself)
All these days, being busy with the field
work I have not been able to go to the hill.
A few days are still left for starting the work for the next harvest. I
must definitely go to that hill in the mean time.
He returns home determined to go there.
******
It
rains after a few days and Sakkiyar gets busy leveling the fields and forgets
about going to the mountain. One day
after he finishes his work and about to return home he looks up and sees the
mountain.
Sakkiyar
(to himself)
I have been postponing going there time
and again. I will go there this very
instant!
He starts walking towards the mountain.
He observes with relish the birds rushing back to their nests and people who
have gone up to gather firewood climbing down in haste. Refreshed by the cool
breeze from the hills he climbs up briskly. The people who are climbing down
stop and look at him.
One of the
villagers
Learned Monk! Today is new moon day. In a
short while it will be pitch dark. There will be wild animals looking for their
prey. Your life will be in danger. You come along and climb down with us.
Sakkiyar
You people go ahead… I will sit here for
some time and then return…
He sits on a rock nearby. The villagers
with their head loads start climbing down. In few minutes Sakkiyar, closes his
eyes as the gentle cool breeze wafts by.
In a few moments he falls asleep.
Disturbed by the noise from the flapping wings of birds, he wakes. It is
pitch dark all around. Trying to locate the source of noise, he observes a
glittering light emanating from one side. He starts walking towards the light
and finds a gopuram partly buried in the earth. Looking up he sees in between
the gopuram, a Siva lingam is seated radiating brilliant light …. Overcome with
ecstasy, he stands bowing to Easan. Easan looks at His loving friend with great
compassion which makes Sakkiayar go into raptures.
Sakkiyar
Iraiva! Emperumane! The One have come to rid me of my re-birth!
Alas! I am unaware of the method of worshipping you!
Sitting down, he searches the ground in the
darkness with his hands. His hands come in contact with a brick which he picks
up and throws it in the direction of Iraivan with great love! It falls on the
glittering Siva lingam…. At once, thousands of bells start ringing as if from
nowhere. Mesmerised by the ringing tunes of the bells he falls unconscious…
Easan keeps looking at His loving friend throughout the night… Sakkiyar wakes
up at dawn and looks at Easan in the form of lingam in the gap of the
gopuram. Noticing the brick lying in
front of Easan, he recollects throwing it at Easan.
Sakkiyar
Even atom cannot stir without Easan’s
wish! It is therefore only You who made me throw the brick at You! If that
delights You, I will not have my food before having your darisanam, throwing a
brick at You
and venerate You every day hereafter.
He takes this vow and leaves the place
bowing to a gently smiling Easan!
******
It becomes a daily routine for Sakkiyar
to climb the hill and bow to Easan and throw a brick at Him as a part of his
worship! Only then he goes to have his food. The days roll by. One day after he
finishes his work, he starts climbing the mountain. Nataraja mama observes him.
Nataraja
mama (to himself)
I am waiting to take my revenge on you
for the past twelve years. By colliding
with me you not only polluted me but also questioned whether I am an
untouchable in front womenfolk. I have become an object of ridicule and even
small children have started calling me ‘untouchable mama’. I am not going to
spare you! You are doing some mischief up the mountain. I observe your face
while you climb up and also while coming down. I find that you are
exceptionally happy as you come down! Come what may! I will not leave without
unlocking the secret of your happiness!
He follows him stealthily. Unaware of
being followed, Sakkiyar climbs up the hill and reaches the gopuram. He bows, bends down and picks up a brick. He
throws it at Easan and stands bowing to Easan.
Nataraja
mama (observing the actions of Sakkiyar and says to himself)
Hey! You villain! What temerity you have?
Are you climbing the hill everyday only to throw the stone at Iraivan and be
happy about it? I take this challenge to
drive you out of this village by exposing your deeds to the whole village by
tomorrow! I will leave just now…
He leaves the place quietly without
getting observed by Sakkiyar.
*******
The next day…
Sakkiyar as usual goes to his fields and
gets busy with his farm work unmindful of the time. In the mean while, Nataraja
mama, with a few elders of the village reaches the buried gopuram up the hills.
Hiding themselves they wait for Sakkiyar to reach there. Sakkiyar does not
reach there. As the time passes, the village elders are piqued with Nataraja
mama.
Nataraja
mama (abusing Sakkiyar to his heart content)
Let hell fall on him! How come he has not
reached here today till now? The village elders may take me for a liar and
whatever little reputation I still have may be at stake!
Forgetting to climb the hill, Sakkiyar
returns home. Famished due to the
daylong hard work in the fields, he sits down to eat. As he picks up the first
morsel of food, he remembers that he has not had the darisanam of Easan. Agitated, he runs towards the hill forgetting
even to wash his hand.
Sakkiyar
(to himself as he runs)
What sacrilege I was about to commit? How
could I sit for eating food without bowing to Emperuman?
Easane! Pardon me! Pardon me!
On seeing Sakkiyar approaching, Nataraja
mama and the village elders hid themselves even more. Sakkiyar reaches the
gopuram and looks at Easan in the gaps. Tears flow like a stream from his eyes.
Sakkiyar
Ayyane! I was in the brink of breaking my
vow!
He bows to Easan, picks up a brick and
throws at Iraivan. Nataraja mama is beaming with pride and the village elders
angrily pounce on Sakkiyar for his action.
That very moment, the sound of conch
shells reverberates all around. Easan with Annai appear mounted on Nandi
vahanam. The brick thrown by Sakkiyar turns
into a shower of flowers on Easan and Annai. Sakkiyar goes into raptures
witnessing the rarest of rare scenes.
Easan
Makkale! The unadulterated love of Sakkiyan
made him throw the bricks at Me! Parents consent to any action by their loving
progeny! Sakkiyan has brought only glory
to your village and the villagers!
Looking at Sakkiyan …
Easan (with
great compassion)
Mahane! Sakkiya Nayanare! I accede to
your determination of destroying the unending cycle of re-births. You will
merge unto Me! Your name and fame will
remain as long as this earth remains. Whosoever worships Me will worship you as
well!
He extends both His hands and welcomes
Sakkiyar into His fold! Raising both his hands above his head
In great reverence, Sakkiyar merges into
Easan. As the Aatma joins up with
Paramatma, there is thundering reverberation of Omkaranatham. All of the people
bow to Iraivan.
Tiruchchitrambalam
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