thiruk kannan kudi part 9 - thiru mangai thiru arangath thirup paNi - part 1

[Guest guest]

This part mark the start of the mini series on thirumangai's

efforts in helping raise the funds for building the Srirangam

temple walls. Since thirumangai is travelling to thiruk kaNNan kudi

and the next few posts are the thiruk kaNNan kudi related these

form part of the thala purAnam for thiruk kaNNan kudi and as well

the part of his parO upakAram in building Sri Renaganatha temple at

Srirangam.

 

kappalil pAthi pAkku

 

Once there was a vAnikak kappal (trading ship or popularly known

as sea liner) that was coming from SriLanka carrying a cargo of

paaku (betel nuts) pothi (sacks). i.e. sacks of betel nuts.

Thirumangai and his parivAram (his shishyALs or disciples)

happened to travel in this ship upto nAgap pattinam. (probably

from uRaiyur). On seeing them and their sAthvikam the merchant

gave room for them to travel even though that was mainly a

commercial liner. Once the ship set off from the port, (uRaiyur

was a port) One of thirumangai's shishyAn or disciple known as

thOlA vazhakkan, started to chew betel leaves and betel nuts

(chewing "veRRilai paakku" or thAmboolam a common practice even

today in Tanjore district formerly known as chola kingdom).

 

thoLa vazhakkan took one betel nut and broke it into two pieces

and chewed one half of it. He smiled at the merchant and said to

him "Sir, I am leaving this one half of this betel nut in your

ship. Please return it to me when we reach the shore". The

merchant laughed at him and replied, "why not ? We will do return

it". Then thOlA vazhakkan said, "Sir, can you also provide me

with a note ?". The merchant looked at his youth and decided that

he is just making fun. On a sea journey such entertainment are

critical to keep the enthusiasm for both the crew and the

passengers. He enjoyed the company of these sAdhus and especially

the company of thOlA vazhakkan. So he said to him, "You are a

funny person as well, why not ? I will provide you with a note".

He took a "oLai suvadi" or "kaimuRiPalm leaves" and wrote in it

and gave it to thOlA vazhakkan. tholA vazhakkan kept it safely

with him.

 

Once the ship docked, tholA vazhakkan demanded one half of the

betel nut cargo as his share. The merchant and thOlA vazhakkan

argued for a while until the port authority turned up for sungam

or tariff. thOlA vazhakkan presented his case to port officer and

demanded for his share of the cargo. When asked for proof, thOlA

vazhakkan presented the "kaimuRi" or "chit" or note (in tamil it

is popularly known as (seettu ie seettu ezhuthi kodutthArgaL means

they made a written note) in which the merchant had written by his

own hand writing the following.

 

"En kappalil umakku pAthip pAkku uNdu" ie., "You have half of the

pAkku or betel nut from my ship". Since it is a written note the

officer ruled that thOlA vazhakkan be given his due share and he

oversaw the unloading personally and escorted half of the share to

thOlA vazhakkan. Shell shocked by this the merchant was very

upset. Then thOlA vazhakkan it seems explained to his personally

that the proceedings of the sale of this cargo will goto the

construction expenses of the Alayath thirup paNi in Srirangam. At

this moment due to divine grace the merchant realized his fault

that a rich person like him must have volunteered in the first

place to such kaimkaryam. He considered their company with him

during the sea travel as a bAgyam. Then it is believed that the

merchant offerred them with more money for the construction from

his own half share of the cargo as well.

 

Sri lOka nAyaki samEtha Sri lOka nAyakan thiru vadikaLE

saraNam

Sampath Rengarajan

 

note: Whether this is a true story or not, the message is such

that only a few are given with the bAgyam of serving Sri

Ranganathar. Sri Rangantaha temple is a treasure that does not

happen every century or every place. There is an opportunity for

north American Indians to take part in this kaimkaryam.