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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