10Rangarajyam
Posted Date : 06:00 (14/08/2018) August 14, 2018  Sakthi Vikatan
Revised Nov 13, 2018
Author:  Indira Saundarrajan  Images: M.S.
Verse 888   Divyaprabhandam

இரும்புபோல் வலிய நெஞ்சம் இறை இறை உருகும் வண்ணம் 

சுரும்பு bee அமர் சோலை சூழ்ந்த அரங்க மா கோயில் கொண்ட 

கரும்பினைக் கண்டு கொண்டு  என் கண்ணிணை களிக்குமாறே.  

By தொண்டரடிப்பொடியாழ்வார் Thondar-Adi-Podi-Azhvār  (726 CE)

Translation

I never worshipped the Lord with craving. I never entertained the idea of God’s immanence. My mind (soul and heart) of the nature of steel melted gradually. The groves with humming bees abound in Tiruvarangam where I saw Sugarcane-sweet Perumal with my rejoicing eyes.

-தொண்டரடிப்பொடியாழ்வார் Thondar-Adi-Podi-Azhvār

 

Vibhīṣaṇa was ecstatic in his belief that SrīRāmaprāṉ gave himself in the form Praṇavākāra Perumal. Vasiṣtar, the Sun dynasty Kulaguru, spoke with a smile on his face.

King of Lanka! You are a lucky person. What others received by Tapas, you obtained as a gift. It is not extraordinary to receive an award, but it must be appropriately worshipped. He stopped after saying, “If not.” It was like a caution. Vibhīshaṇa was intent in his attention.

Vasiṣtar said, “We should follow the ceremonial observances to the letter. A dharmic mind is essential. If these tenets are violated, Praṇavākāram will find and go its own way. We can’t use, direct or take advantage of it. Praṇavākāram makes use of us and activates us. That realism and wisdom are essential.”

                                                       

“King Vibhīṣaṇa! Garuda was the first one to carry it on its back and wings. The next one to transport it was Hanuman. You are the third one to transport it. It is not easy to carry its weight. Every action has a reaction. The carrier of Praṇavākāram has the rewards: that carrier becomes the Nityasūri (eternal Immortal) in Vaikuntam. I don’t know myself whether I (Vasiṣtar) am qualified to become a Nityasūri. Please appropriately make use of this opportunity. Until you reach Lanka, you must carry it on your head. Is it possible for you?”

What Vasiṣtar said to Vibhīṣaṇa sounded like, “it is not possible for you.” That flustered Vibhīṣaṇa.

Vibhīṣaṇa: “O Great Muni! What kind of question is this? You said, “Can you make it possible?” It must happen. Who will get such luck like this? It is not only luck for me but also an expiation and remedy. Who will carry this Peruman to the ruined Lanka for the resurrection of Land of Lanka, if not for me? Even if someone comes forward, I will not allow it. No matter how hard it may be, I will bear its burden on my head. This is a promise.” He said that with overwhelming purpose and passion.

Rama and Sita overheard the conversation silently and at that very moment gave him their blessings. The priests gave Vibhīṣaṇa Salagrama stones, ceremonial vessels, and the jewel box.

A crowd milled around Vibhīṣaṇa and sounded felicitations, as he was getting ready to bear the Praṇavākāram on his head. The minions of Vibhīshaṇa tried to carry Perumal on their heads.

Following Vibhīṣaṇa, Sugriva, Jāmbhavān and the others left for their respective places. The send-off went on like a festival. The king’s representatives and the people gave them a send-off at the outskirts of the city.

Vibhīṣaṇa walked majestically carrying Prāvākāra Perumal on his head. People standing on the side of the streets sprinkled flowers on Praṇavākāra perumāḷ and paid homage with opposed palms. Some stared at Vibhīshaṇa. They murmured asking questions in their minds, “Did you come to participate in the coronation festivities or to steal the Emperuman. Though they had the urge to say it aloud, they in consideration of Rama kept their criticism under control.

A wondrous event took place: Varuṇa spread a canopy of clouds over the path taken by Vibhīṣaṇa creating clement shades and did his part by sprinkling fresh tender leaves. The sun peaked through the clouds here and there, paid homage to its Kula Deivam (family deity) and demonstrated his Bakthi fervently. Vayu Bhagavan blew gentle breeze on Vibhīshaṇa’s body and cooled him. The celestials and others showed their joyousness with wide eyes at the events happening on Bhūlōkam.

In Vaikuntam, Emperumātti (Lakshmi) had a few thoughts. Emperuman was close on her heels.

Emperuman: “Lakshmi! On what do your thoughts rest?”

Lakshmi: “On the drama of yours.”

Emperuman: “What are you referring to?”

Lakshmi: “You are leaving Ayodhya. That is what I mean.”

Emperuman: “I am sauntering there as Rama.”

Lakshmi: “If that is so, do you evince happiness at my abduction and torture in my going to Lanka?

Emperuman: “What is wrong? Is it not true that the wound needs a salve?”

Lakshmi: Is one Vibhīshaṇa enough for a salve?”

Emperuman: “Do you think it is not enough?”

Lakshmi: “Is that unknown to you? When I think of Lankan earth, I am reminded of my incarceration.”

Emperuman: “Lakshmi! You sprouted in the ocean. You were named Kothai because you were found in the plowed earth. That may be the reason you behave like the earth people. Why do you have the mien of the ordinary mortal woman?

Lakshmi: “I don’t talk on my behalf. I speak considering how the female gender of my ilk thinks.

Emperuman: “What is your concluding remark?”

Lakshmi: “What is there for me to say? You gave your word to some. Think of it?”

Emperuman: “Are you reminding me of the forest Ṛṣis and Dharmavarma? I did not forget them.”

Lakshmi: Though you did not forget them, why did you take sides with Vibhīṣaṇaṉ? That I do not understand.”

                      

            

Emperuman: Firstly, the bird Garuḍa, secondly the animal Hanuman, and thirdly the human Vibhīṣaṇa: I wanted them to carry Praṇavākāra Perumal on their heads. That happened! Vibhīṣaṇa did not ask for this and that like his brother Rāvaṇa during his Tapas. He supplicated to me so his mind and soul will not forget me. Should such person be not ignored, is it not? For that reason, I gave him this opportunity.

Lakshmi: I understand the subtilities as you tell me. You said you entertain no difference and discrimination among beings in the episodes of Garuḍa, Hanuman, and Vibhīṣaṇaṉ. I understand your tenet. Measuring with the same scale and administering justice, how would you satisfy Dharmavarman and the Ṛṣis?

Emperuman: “My satisfaction is their satisfaction. Are they different from me?”

Lakshmi: If so, does your satisfaction entail going with Vibhīṣaṇa? Is it your desire to abide in the temple in Lanka?”

Emperuman: “I understand it should not be so. Why not? Give me a proper answer to it. Please do not tell me such platitudes like ‘it was a place of my imprisonment and injury to my wellbeing.’”

Lakshmi: Prabhu! Do you think what I speak is my speech? My speech and breath are yours only. On that basis, I speak. If you establish yourself in a Lankan temple, how could sacerdotal ceremonies happen? (Is it not anachronistic?) Should the priests not come to Lanka crossing the ocean like Hanuman? Would not that travel abroad be sacrilegious for the priests? The tainted ceremonies would not bear fruits. Though you come up with remedies for them, should an island become the home of your first temple?”

As Emperuman finished hearing the emotion-laden observations from Lakshmi, he smiled and said, “Watch what happens shortly.”

Lakshmi: “Waiting with expectation.”

Chola country! Uraiyur city. Dharmavarma was in dream sleep. A Garuda bird was circling over the Kaveri river, holding a garland in its talons. The wreath fell on the island in the Kaveri river. The dream ended. Dharmavarma got up from his dream sleep, sat down and thought about it for a while. He called the council of ministers and narrated to them his dream.

The minister #1: “King! This dream is an auspicious one. Garuda appearing in a dream is significant. I consider that something auspicious is going to happen.”

The minister #2: “Yes! It is an auspicious sign. Garuda Puruṣa is Emperuman’s dedicated emissary. We can consider the imminence of Emperuman-associated event is happening soon.”

In accordance, shortly, a spy under the king’s employ appeared in the king’s court with the news.

Spy: King! Lankāthipathi Srī Srī Vibhīṣaṇa Chakravarthy is on his way to Kaveri from Ayodhya with Praṇavākāra Perumal. His planned itinerary is to go to Lanka passing through Chola country and Pandiya country and reaching Sethu bridge oceanfront.

King Dharmavarman: “Is that so? He is coming with Praṇavākāra Perumal. Do you know it for sure?”

The king’s spy: “There is no falsity in the news, my king. This noon, they may be passing by Karuvūr. Considering it, by evening, they will be arriving at the Kaveri bed.”

The spy’s news immersed him not only in surprise but also in mental agitation.

Minister: “Why this agitation, my king.

King Dharmavarman: “I desired for Praṇavākāra Perumal. He is going to Lanka. I cannot stomach it. I performed Tapas to acquire Perumal. Is his sojourn a reward for my Tapas?”

Minister: “Please do not worry about it, my king. None of us has the power to know the mind of Emperuman. At the same time, according to your dream, Emperuman has informed you in your dream of his arrival to Chola country. Could it not be possible that the site Garuda dropped the garland is where Perumal will manifest and establish himself in a temple in Chola Country?” They were talking in those lines and spirit.

Things happened. Vibhīṣaṇa crossed the river Kaveri in a large boat and commanded his men to anchor the boat near the riverside where the Chola people stood and watched them. He disembarked, holding Prāvākāra Perumal on his head and continued walking on the shore. His minions walked behind him. His close advisor Mārgaṛṣi said to him, “King! This is the most felicitous place for today’s and tomorrow’s sacerdotal ceremonies. Kaveri river is here for bathing, Uraiyur is nearby for eating, rest and relaxation and it is most appropriate that we stay here.”

Vibhīṣaṇa had travel fatigue. Immediately, he agreed and said, “yes.” Before he dismounted the Perumal idol from his head, he looked for the most desirable place to place it on the ground. A beautiful place appeared in his sight.

Will continue.

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