Thursday 7 March 2019

THE NAYANMARS & UNION WITH ERAI 3

The following stories are sourced from Sri Swami Sivananda's "Sixty three Nayanar Saints" published by The Divine Life Society, India.

6. Viralminda Nayanar
Lord Siva was greatly pleased with Viralmindar’s great steadfastness in his devotion to Siva Bhaktas. He was then elevated to the blessed plane of the Siva Ganas where the Lord made him leader of the Ganas.  
7. Amaraneedi Nayanar

Amaraneedi Nayanar was a trader in gold, diamonds, silks and cotton goods. His story is akin to that of Tiru Neelakanta Nayanar who was accused of having stolen a bowl given to him for safe keeping by a Yogi. Similarly, Lord Siva in the guise of a Brahmachari handed a Kowpeenam to Amaraneediar and went to bath in the river. When he returned from having his bath and asked for his Kowpeenam, Amaraneediar could not find it for it had mysteriously disappeared.
Amaraneediar offered much wealth, etc., in compensation. But, the Brahmachari said:
"What have I to do with all this wealth? All these are of no use to me. I only need a Kowpeenam."
And, in saying so, the Lord in the guise of the Brahmachari, uttered a very great truth. He continued:
"I have got another Kowpeenam: you can give me another of the same weight."
Amaraneediar was greatly relieved when he heard this. He brought a balance. He put the Kowpeenam on one side and another piece on the other. The Brahmachari’s scale went down. Whatever Amaraneediar put on his side, the Brahmachari’s scale was heavier. All his wealth could not equal the Brahmachari’s Kowpeenam!
Amaraneediar fell at the Brahmachari’s feet and asked him to allow himself, his wife, and his child to be weighed against the Brahmachari’s Kowpeenam. The Brahmachari agreed. Amaraneediar got on the scale with his wife and his child, saying:
"If I have truly served the Siva Bhaktas, with faith and sincerity, let this scale be equal in weight to the other one."
Immediately the two scales were equal. Devas from the heaven showered Parijatha flowers. The Brahmachari disappeared and Lord Parameswara and Mother Parvathi appeared on Their Rishabha before Amaraneediar, his wife and child. He blessed them:
"I am immensely pleased with your whole-hearted and sincere service of My Bhaktas. I am immensely pleased with your Kowpeena charity. You three will come to My Abode and live there happily for ever."
On account of the Lord’s grace, the balance itself turned into a celestial car in which Amaraneediar, his wife and his child attained Siva’s Abode. 
8. Eripatha Nayanar

Siva Yogi Eripatha, to avenge the loss of flowers and garlands picked for Lord Shiva's puja by an old Siva Bhakta Sivakami Andar that was hurled away by an elephant that had run amok, killed it together with its Mahouts by hurling his axe. The king who came to know of this incident, begged that Siva Yogi Eripatha slice his head off with his own sword. Feeling remorse that he had brought such sorrow to the king, Eripatha took the sword from the king and placed it on his own throat ready to slice it. Then:
A voice was heard in the sky:
"Oh noble souls! This is Lord Pasupatheesvarar’s Lila. It is His wish that His Bhakta’s sincere and faithful service to Him must be recognised by the world."
Immediately, the elephants and the Mahouts got up, as if from sleep. Sivakami Andar’s flower basket was full. Eripathar placed the sword at the king’s feet and prostrated to him. The king also fell at Eripathar’s feet. Both embraced each other and were in great joy. 
Eripathar continued to serve Siva Bhaktas. Finally he cast off his mortal coil and reached the Abode of Lord Siva. 
9. Enadinatha Nayanar

In a fight that ensued between toddy tapper Enadinathar and Atisuran, Enadinathar who was a skilled swordsman relented and gave in to Atisuran who had smeared Lord Shiva's sacred ash on his forehead. Atisuran killed him.
Lord Siva was highly pleased with this self-sacrificing devotion that Enadinathar had for the ashes. He appeared before Enadinathar as he fell, and took him to His Abode.