Vaarttaamaalai-131

[Guest guest]

Vaarttai 131 of Vaarttaamaalai

 

Once Bhattar (Sri Paraasara Bhattar) went on pilgrimage to bathe at the

TiruvaNai (Sethusnaanam). On the way, he reached a place called Paathirikkodi

as the sun set. He entered the home of a hunter to take shelter. Besides

giving up his own seat, the hunter offered a cot too for Bhattar.

 

Seated on the cot, Bhattar thought thus: "This hunter is doing this not

because he knows about our greatness ('vaibhavam'), not because he desires

celebrity, not because he owed any debt of gratitude to us. Just the affection

(`abhimaanam`) arising out of the mere fact that we entered his home has made

him act thus. I wonder what the Lord (Isvaran) thinks about those that take

shelter under His affection (abhimaanam)?"

 

Then Bhattar asked the hunter, "Sir, is there anything particular about

today?" The hunter replied, "NaayanRe!(1) I went to the jungle for the hunt. I

caught a baby hare. Its mother came running fast across an open field, and

fell in front of me as if to supplicate me (`kumbittukkondu kidanthathu'). I

felt profoundly sorry (`vyasanamaay`) for it and let the baby go free."

 

On hearing this Bhattar said (`aruLichcheythaar'): "This [quality] does not

belong in a Chetana (Being of Intelligence, Jeeva) ; Only the Paramachetana

(Supreme Being) has this. No one taught the hare, `maamekam saraNam vraja

(take Me as your sole refuge; BG 18-66)'. Neither did any one teach the

hunter, `arih praaNaan parityajya rakshitavyah kritaatmanaa (an enemy that has

surrendered is to be protected by a good person even by giving up his own

life'; Ramayana, Yud. 18-29).' SaraNaagathi indeed bore fruit directly here.

What a famous proof! (`pramaaNa prasiddhi').

-------------

(1) This is a respectful or reverential term of address, sometimes spelt as

Naayanthe. If anyone reading this knows the exact meaning and etymology of

this word, please share it with us.