True story of Lord Narayana's tender affection

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Hare Krishna,

This is a true story in the life of the great Vaishnava saint Thirumazhisai Alvar. It illustrates the tender affection and dependence on devotees of Lord Narayana – how He goes to the extent of subordinating Himself to His devotees out of love for them.

Thirumazhisai Alvar was staying at Kanchipuram at that time. He had a disciple by name Kanikannan who was very devoted to his master. This Kanikannan had very good poetic skills. The local king who came to know of this called him to his court and asked him to sing a poem in praise of himself (king). Of course, Vaishnava saints sing only on Lord Narayana and not on petty kings. Kanikannan had neither desire for the king’s gifts nor fear for the king’s wrath. He therefore refused to sing on the king.

Getting furious, the king ordered Kanikannan out of his kingdom.

Accepting everything as divine will, Kanikannan went to his Guru and told him all that happened. Thirumazhisai Alvar, finding that his disciple is leaving the kingdom, felt that he also had no use in staying in that place and hence decided to leave along with Kanikannan. But then how can he let go of the Lord who sleeps beautifully on the huge serpent? He went to the temple (the Yathokthakari temple in Kanchipuram), looked at the Lord and said, “Narayana, my disciple Kanikannan is leaving and so am I. What business do you have anymore here? So you please roll up your serpent bed and come along with us.”

The Supreme Lord of the Universe, for whose fear the sun shines and the wind blows, considered this request of the Alvar and promptly obeyed, thus displaying the wonderful tender affection and dependence on devotees . He rolled up the bed and walked away along with the Alvar and the disciple.

Since the Lord left the place, the kingdom was immersed in darkness. The king understood that he had committed a great mistake . He immediately ran to the Alvar and the disciple and begged their forgiveness. The Alvar and Kanikannan decided to return to Kanchipuram. The Alvar went to the Lord and said, “Lord, we can return back. You can now spread your serpent bed and lay on it as usual.” Again the Lord obeyed the Alvar. But He laid himself on the serpent bed in an unusual posture – with his head on the right and feet on the left – as if to prove to posterity the truth

of his dependence on devotees . Even today, one can see the Lord in this posture in Yathokthakari temple. The Deity here is called “the Lord who did as told”.

 

Narayana's Dasi, Jayamma

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