Five forms in one

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Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

Sri Nikamnatha Maha Desikaya Namaha

Sri Adi Van Satakopa Yatheendra Maha Desikaya Namaha

Sri Van Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatheendra Maha Desikaya Namaha

Five forms in one

Episode II:

In the second episode, a devotee born in a “Panar” family which was

rated as “Panchama” who was not permitted to set foot in Srirangam

soil. They are minstrels who sing in praise of Lord Narayana carrying

with them a stringed instrument and dance in ecstasy. The devotee of

this episode expressed his deep piety to Lord of Srirangam by singing

continuosly without any interruption on the banks of the river

Cauvery. He believed that his voice would be heard by lord Ranganatha

and that he would receive His grace one day.

The practice in Srirangam was as of now to fetch water

everyday from Cauvery by Archakas in big containers for

“Thirumanjanam” of Lord. One fine morning the priests from Srirangam

temple as per practice came to the river and saw “Panar” in trance

and dancing with ecstatic pleasure completely oblivious of the

surroundings. The Holy Brahmins on seeing the untouchable Panar,

requested him orally and by clap of hands to move away from the spot.

Panar did not budge as his mind was in tune with the infinite seeking

His bliss. Exasperated by Panar’s nonchalance and the obdurance, one

of the priests aimed a stone which hit him on the forehead. Unmindful

of the wound and the profuse bleeding, the Bhaktha was in full

excitement being engaged in his prayers and his mind having

transcended the limits of universal ambit. However after a while he

came back to normal state and kept away from the Brahmins of the

temple to enable them to collect the holy water. On entering the

sanctum sanctorum, the Archakas were bewildered to notice blood in

the forehead of Archamurthy of Lord Ranganatha. They felt that an act

of profane had been committed and prayed to Lord to forgive them for

any blunder on their part done wittingly or unwittingly. Lord

Ranganatha through the Archakas spoke that the stone aimed at the

devotee had hit HIM also and ordered that Panar be brought to the

temple by the Archaka, whose name was Loka Saranga, by carrying him

on his shoulders to honour the commitment of the panar not to step

into the Holy place. Accordingly, Loka Saranga went to the banks of

the Cauvery where he found Panar in a rapturous mood and disclosed to

him all that had happened in the Temple. The initial reaction of the

panar was a resistance to the proposal demonstrated by his running

away from the place. After persistent pleading panar

agreed to the request.

On reaching the inner precincts of Lord Ranaganatha, Panar

began singing spontaneously the hymn “Amalanathipiran” with nine

verses following, where he reaches the lofty heights of devotion

unequalled in its content and expression. Having been carried away by

the appearance of the lord he declared that those broad black eyes

with red streaks and unique glow in them had overwhelmed him. He

further added unequivocally that the eyes which have seen the nectar

in physical frame will not see another thing. Enchanted by the string

of songs sung with deep devotion and conviction that the Lord drew

Panar towards Him. He is called “Thirrupanazhwar” also

“Amalanathipiran”. Panar disappeared and joined the Archa who was

“Vibava” in action.

This article was written by Late. Sri. L.P.Sampath Iyengar

Comments and feedbacks are welcome to suprajaiyengar

 

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