The Divine World of the Alvars

An anecdote from this wonderful book

The Alvars were the Vishnu lovers – saints -- of South India in the 6^th to 9^th century of the current era. Pravrajika Shuddhatmamata writes about them in a book titled The Divine World of the Alvars. It’s a wonderful book for those who value devotion to God. Their songs and poetry – all in Tamil -- are said to be the source material for many of the episodes in the Bhagavatam, a scripture that is said to have come later.

I’d like to share one touching incident from a 6^th-century Alvar named Tirumalisai Alvar. BTW, it is said in this book that “tiru” in Tamil has about the same meaning as “sri.” The incident illustrates how pride is a terrible obstacle in the spiritual realm and how a holy person helps one spiritually sometimes in a painful way.

He was not an ordinary person. In fact, he is supposed to have been an incarnation of Vishnus’s discus. He was abandoned at birth, apparently the product of a liaison between a brahmin and a heavenly nymph (notoriously lacking in motherly feelings). He was adopted by a childless couple, and, indicative of his divine nature, was growing normally despite refusing to take any food or drink. Another couple started bringing him milk and begged him to drink. He agreed to do so, and this became a daily occurrence. Finally, one day, he only drank part of what they brought and asked them to drink the rest. They did, and 9 months later, the wife gave birth to a son who eventually became the disciple of Tirumalisai. His name was Kanikkannar.

To give an idea of the tenor of the thought of Tirumalisai, in one of his hymns, he says, “O Lord Narayana! You may grace me today, or tomorrow, or some time later, but your grace is definitely coming. I cannot be without you. Nor can you be without me.”

After spending years meditating in a forest, he settled near a Vishnu temple in Kanchi, about 100 miles southwest of Chennai. There, he was joined by Kanikkannar. An old woman began coming and cleaning the ashram meticulously. After some time, Tirumalisai offered her any boon she desired. She joyfully chose to be young again and immediately became a beautiful young woman.

(Dear reader, if a holy person, appreciative of your service, offered you any boon you desired, what would you choose?)

One day, the local king was out riding and caught sight of her. He immediately fell in love and asked for her hand. She agreed, and they spent many happy years together. Then the king noticed that, whereas he was aging year by year, she was remaining as youthful as ever. He asked about this, and she told him of Tirumalisai’s boon. The king expressed a wish to also receive this boon, and she told him that Tirumalisai’s disciple, Kanikkannar, came daily to the palace for alms, and he could no doubt arrange a meeting with his master.

The king had Kanikkannar brought to him and requested that he bring Tirumalisai to the palace so that he could honor him. Kanikkannar informed him that his master would never visit a palace. The king was embarrassed by this, and then, to save face, asked Kanikkannar to sing a song praising him. Kanikkannar refused, saying he would only praise God. The king insisted and was again turned down. Then, in fury, the king banished him from his kingdom.

Kanikkannar told Tirumalisai what happened. Tirumalisai said he would also leave the kingdom and requested Vishnu to leave with them. The Lord agreed. They all left, and then all the Gods also left, leaving the kingdom dark. The king realized that he, with his pride, was the cause of this calamity.

The king and his retinue went searching and found them by a river. That place is now called “The place where the Lord stayed for a night.” The king fell at their feet and begged their forgiveness. Tirumalisai told the Lord that he wanted to return, and the Lord readily agreed. Since then, in that temple, the Lord is known as Yathoktakari, “One who did as he was bid.”

The king didn’t get his youth back, but he acquired something more precious: humility and reverence for holy men.

For previous posts go to bill davis of ramakrishna.