By Swami Sivananda
In Thiruchenkattangudi in the Chola kingdom, there lived a Siva bhakta by name Paranjyoti. His was a family of army commanders. He himself was the Commander-in-Chief of the Chola king. He realized that devotion to the Feet of Lord Siva was the best means of obtaining liberation from samsara (cycle of birth-death-rebirth) and so, he clung to them.
Once, at the instance of his king, he waged war with a North Indian king, defeated him and returned with a big booty. The king was highly pleased. The minister informed the king that Paranjyotiar was able to achieve the victory because of his intense devotion to Lord Siva.
This shocked the king, who was a Siva bhakta himself. The king regretted having compelled another Siva bhakta to wage a bloody war. So, he called Paranjyotiar, apologized for having sent him to war, and, after giving him rich presents, sent him back to his village, with the request that he should henceforth engage himself in Siva puja. Paranjyotiar returned to his village and from that time was engaged in the worship of the Lord and Siva bhaktas. He would not eat without first feeding a Siva bhakta. He regarded himself as the lowly servant of the Lord and other Siva bhaktas — hence the name Siruthondar (small servant).
Lord Siva wanted to bring out the glory of this noble saint. So, one day Siva appeared in front of Siruthondar's house, in the guise of a Vairavar (a special class of Siva Yogis). The Lord enquired of Siruthondar's maid-servant, Sandana Nangaiyar, whether her master was at home.
The maid servant replied, "No, he has gone in search of a Siva bhakta. Without feeding a Siva Bhakta, Siruthondar would not take his food."
But, afraid lest this Siva Yogi should go away, the maid entreated the Siva Yogi to come into the house. The mendicant would not stating, "I shall not enter the house in which a woman is alone."
Siruthondar's wife, Thiruvengattu Nangaiyar, heard these words and came out hurriedly and prayed to the Vairavar to stay in the house till the husband returned. The Vairavar repeated his objection and said, "When he comes back tell him I am under the tree near the temple." The Vairavar then went away.
Immediately afterwards, Siruthondar returned. His wife told him all that had happened in his absence. Siruthondar was overjoyed because he was unable to find any other Siva bhakta that day.
At once, Siruthondar ran to the temple and fell at the feet of the Vairavar and invited him to the house for bhiksha (food). The Vairavar, however, hesitated and remarked, "I doubt whether you will be able to fulfill the exacting conditions I shall demand for accepting your Bhiksha — so, better leave me alone."
Siruthondar was greatly grieved. He had thought that this mendicant had been specially sent by God to enable him to adhere to his vow and feed a Siva bhakta every day. He was prepared to meet any demand from the Siva bhakta, if only he agreed to take the Bhiksha.
The mendicant then revealed his condition, "Oh devotee, it is my habit to eat once in six months the fresh meat of a Pasu. That time has now come. I doubt whether you will satisfy me."
This word Pasu has two meanings: an animal and a human being. Siruthondar thought that the mendicant only meant animal meat and readily agreed! To his surprise, however, the mendicant revealed that meant human flesh! He also added, "Oh friend, it should be the meat of a child. The child should be five years of age. He must be healthy. He should be the only son of his parents. Such a boy must be held by the mother and cut into pieces by his father. This meat must be cooked nicely and offered to me."
Without the least hesitation, Siruthondar accepted conditions and took the mendicant home.
"How to find a boy of the mendicant's description?" Siruthondar thought.
He then realized that his own son fitted the description. The noble wife agreed, too, and asked Siruthondar to get the child from school. As soon as he came, the mother held him on her lap. The innocent child was laughing when Siruthondar, with one stroke cut his throat.
The head is generally unfit for cooking, and is not fit for being offered to the Lord. So, they gave it away to the maid-servant and began to cook, the rest of the meat. After worshipping the mendicant, Siruthondar was preparing to offer him Bhiksha. The mendicant ascertained the method adopted by them in cooking the meat and Siruthondar Nayanar explained everything (except the fact that it was their own son that they had sacrificed).
The mendicant said he would eat the head, too. The maid-servant had anticipated this and had the head cooked and ready.
Once again, Siruthondar requested the Yogi to have his meal. Now, the Yogi wanted another Siva bhakta to eat with him. There was no one except the Siruthondar Nayanar himself. So, he sat with the Yogi, ready to eat the flesh of his son, to please the Yogi.
Yet, one more condition had to be fulfilled! The Yogi said that unless the host's son ate with him, the Yogi would not eat!
Siruthondar Nayanar tactfully explained that his son was not in the house and so could not join with them. But, the Yogi insisted, "Go out and call for him: he will come."
Siruthondar Nayanar wanted to obey the Yogi and did as the Yogi had asked to do. Wonder of wonders — the young boy came running to the father as soon as the father had cried aloud, "Sirala, come here — the Yogi wants you to eat with him."
The parents were astonished to see their child, Siralan come back to life. They entered the kitchen (where the Yogi was eating), but could not find the Yogi there. The meat had also disappeared!
As they were searching for the Yogi, the Lord appeared before them, blessed them and took them to His abode.
References:
Sekkilaar, and G. Vanmikanathan. Periya Puranam — A Tamil Classic On The Great Saiva Saints of South India. Ed. Dr. N. Mahalingam. Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 2000.
Sivananda, Swami. Sixty-Three Nayanar Saints. World Wide Web edition. India: Divine Life Society, 1999.
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