Arunagiri Naadhar (3)

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In, his previous birth, he was born in a small

village, in the district of Trichy, TN. His name was

Irulan, and was of a low caste. He was an orphan and

didnt' have any family of his own. There was no one to

shower love on him. Since he was of low birth, he was

ostracized. Hence, he resorted to evil ways of living. He

became a highway dacoit. Though he was a dacoit, in one

corner of his heart, he always loved Lord Kartikeya

(Muruga). All his thoughts were filled with Him. Since he

was all alone, Muruga was his only companion.

<br><br>In those days, ppl of low caste weren't strictly

allowed to enter the temple. However, Irulan, tried to

enter the temple. The priest scolded him, and asked him

not to come to the temple again. Irulan was

heartbroken. Suddenly an idea struck him. He took a stone

lying near the temple, and started treating it as the

Lord Himself. He prayed to that stone everyday. He

offered food to the stone. Before leaving to loot ppl, he

used to ask that stone to take care of Himself. He

even slept near the stone. Everynight, he uttered the

Holy name, "Muruga, Muruga". Slowly his devotion

started reaching its height, and he lost interest in

looting people. He resorted to only taking care of that

stone. He constantly did Muruga japa. <br><br>One day in

his dream, Lord Muruga appeared and said, "I am

pleased with your devotion. The fruits of your devotion

will save you in your next birth. For all the sins

that you committed in this birth, your body will

become diseased and frail, in your next birth. But

because of your devotion, I Myself will come and save

you."<br><br>That's the story of his previous birth. Now let's come

back to his present birth, when he attained sainthood,

at the touch of those shining hands.<br><br>After he

attained sainthood, he observed the vow of silence

(Mouna), and lived in the temple. He didn't speak to

anyone, and always was in contemplation of Muruga. His

sister Aadhi, out of love for her brother, called him to

her house, but a smile from Arunagiri was the only

reply she got. Despite that, she called him many times,

but every time, she got only a smile as an

answer.<br><br>A few years later, Aadhi left for heavenly abode.

Arunagiri went to his sister's house, saw his dead sister

and silently came out of the house. His only relative

in this world passed away. His eyes became moist. He

left without speaking to anyone , and again sat in

contemplation of Muruga. This was the only house that he

visited after he became a saint.<br><br>After this, he

went visiting various temples wherein he got Upadesa

(initiation) of various manthras (Holy incantations) by Lord

Muruga Himself. He was taught the 'Shadaakshara

Manthra', and also received a Japa mala (rosaray beads). On

his way to Thiruparankundram, he learnt the

'Bhijakshara Manthra'. <br><br>On another occasion, Muruga

taught him the 'Kausheeka Manthra', telling him that one

day a necessity will arise, when Arunagiri will have

to call Devi for her help, and that this manthra

will come to his rescue then. Halfway between

Thirupathi and Thiruthani, he learnt the 'Nirvana Manthra'.