6. How Kavadi Tradition Began in Palani

Sage Agastya wanted to take two hills—Sivagiri and Sakthigiri—to his abode in the South and commissioned his disciple Idumban to carry them. Idumban bore the hills slung across his shoulders, in the form of a kavadi one on either side. When he was fatigued, he placed the kavadi near Palani to take rest.

At this stage, Subrahmanya or Muruga had been outwitted in a contest for going round the world. Ganapati had won the prized fruit (pomegranate or mango) by simply going round His parents. Long after, this, Subrahmanya came sweating on His peacock to find that the prize had already been given away. In anger, the frustrated child left the divine parents and came down to Tiru Avinankudi at the Adivaram (pronounced Adivâram. It means foot of the Sivagiri Hill).

Siva pacified Him by saying that He (Subrahmanya) Himself was the fruit (pazham) of all wisdom and knowledge; nee —you. Hence the place was called 'Pazham Nee' or Palani. Later, He withdrew to the hill and settled there as a recluse in peace and solitude.

When Idumban resumed his journey, he could not lift the hill. Muruga had made it impossible for Idumban to make it. In the fierce battle that ensued, Idumban was killed but was later on restored to life.

Idumban prayed that:

1.whosoever carried on his shoulders the Kavadi, signifying the two hills and visited the temple on a vow, should be blessed and

2.he should be given the privilege of standing sentinel at the entrance to the hill.

Hence we have the Idumban shrine halfway up the hill where every pilgrim is expected to offer obeisance to Idumban before entering the temple of Dandâyudhapani. Since then, pilgrims to Palani bring their offerings on their shoulders in a kavadi. The custom has spread from Palani to all Muruga shrines worldwide.

5. Story of Valmiki, Author Of Ramayana

Valmiki was the author of one of India’s epic Ramayana. There is an interesting story behind him.There was a young man that could not in any way support his family. He was strong and vigorous, and finally become a highway robber; he attacked persons in the street and robbed them. With that money he supported his father, mother, wife, and children. This went on continually, until one day a great sage called Narada was passing by, and the robber attacked him.

The sage asked him,” Why are you going to robe me? It is great sin to rob human being and kill them. What do you incur all this sin for?”

The robber said,” Why, I want to support my family with this money.”

“Now” said the sage, “do you think that they take a share of your sin also”

“Certainly they do”

“Very good, make me safe by tying me up here, while you home and ask your people whether they will share your sin the same way as they share the money you make.”

Then the man accordingly went to his father and asked,” Father, do you know how I support you?”

He answered,” No, I do not “

“I am a robber and I kill persons and robe them” “What! You do that my son? Get away! You outcast!”

Then he went to his mother and asked her,” Mother, do you know how I support you?”

“No “she replied

“Through robbery and murder.”

“How horrible it is!” She cried

“But, do you part take in my sin?” asked son

“Why should I? I never committed a robbery.” Answered the mother

Then he went to his wife and questioned her, “ Do you how I maintain you all?”

“No “she replied

“Why, I am a highwayman, and for years have been robbing people; that is how I support and maintain you all. And what I now want to know is, whether you are ready to share in my sin.

“By no means. You are my husband and it is your duty to support me”The eyes of the robber were opened.

“That is the way of the world –even my nearest relatives, for whom I have been robbing, will not share in my destiny.”

He came back to the place where he had bound the sages, unfastened his bonds, fell at his feet, recounted everything and said “Save me! What can I do?”

The sage said, “Give up your present course of life .You see that none of your family really loves you, so give all these delusions. They will share your prosperity; but the moment you have nothing, they will desert you. There is none who will share in your evil, but they will all share in your good”

Then the sage taught him how to worship. And this man left everything and went into a forest. There he went on praying and meditating until he forgets himself so entirely that the ants came and built ant-hills around him and he was quite unconscious about it.

After many years had passed, a voice came saying, “Arise, O sage!”

Thus aroused he exclaimed,” Sage, I am a robber!”

“No more robbers,” answered the voice, “a purified man, and your old names gone. Your meditation is so deep and great that you didn’t remark the ant-hills which surrounded you, hence your name will be Valmiki-he that was born in the ant-hill.” So he came a sage.And this is how he becomes the poet.

One day he was going to bath in holy Ganga, he saw a pair of doves wheeling round and round and kissing each other. The sage looked up and was pleased at the sight, but is seconds an arrow whisked past him and kills the male dove. As the dove fell down on the ground, the female dove went on whirling round and round the dead body of its companion.In a moment the sage the poet become miserable and looking round and, he saw the hunter.

”Thou art a wretch,” he cried, “without the smallest mercy! Thy slaying hand would not even stop for love!”“What is this? What I am saying?”The poet thought himself,” I have never spoken in this sort of way before.”And then a voice came: “Be not afraid. This is Poetry that is coming out of your mouth. Write the life of Rama for the benefit of the world.” And it was after that he wrote the beautiful Ramayana, The Life of Rama.

4. Son Exchange his Youth for Father's Old Age

Sukracharya was the preceptor of Asuras (demons). The Asura king Vrishaparva greatly respected Sukracharya as he knew the secret of Mritasanjibani, a drug that brings the dead back to life. Devayani was Sukracharya's only daughter and spoiled by her father's indulgence.

One morning, Sharmishtha, the Asura princess, daughter of Vrishaparva, came to Sukracharya's hermitage with her friends. She asked Sukracharya to allow Devayani to accompany them for a bath in a nearby lake. Sukracharya agreed. They soon reached the lake and left their clothes on the bank to go into the water. Suddenly a storm blew up and scattered their clothes. The girls hurriedly came out of the lake and got dressed.

It so happened that the princess Sharmishtha, by mistake, clad herself in Devayani's clothes. Angered by this, Devayani insulted Sharmishtha, the Asura princess. Argument began and Sharmishtha pushed Devayani into a dry well and left Devayani in the well.

It so happened that Yayati, the king of a nearby state, came hunting in the forest and was looking for water to drink. When he came near the well he was surprised to find Devayani lying at the bottom. Devayani introduced herself and said that she fell into the well. She then requested the king to pull her out. Yayati helped her out.Devayani demanded that Yayati marry her as he has held her by the right hand. Yayati was alarmed and turned down her request on the ground that he belonged to lower Khatriya (or warrior) caste, and Devayani was a Brahmin (priestly) maid. Yayati then left and Devayani continued to sit under a tree.

When she did not return, Sukracharya set out in search of her. He found Devayani under a tree, her eyes filled with tears of anger and grief. When Sukracharya inquired, Devayani told her father every thing, carefully hiding her own faults. She refused to return to the kingdom of Vrishaparva as she was badly insulted by the Asura princess, Sharmishtha.

Failing to change her mind, Sukracharya returned to Vrishaparva and announced that he was leaving the Asura kingdom because of his daughter Devayani's unhappy conflict with princess Sharmishtha. Vrishaparva begged Sukracharya to stay. Sukracharya left the decision with his daughter Devayani.Vrishaparva wasted no time and went to Devayani taking his daughter Sharmishtha along. He begged forgiveness for his daughter.Devayani agreed to return on one condition that Sharmishtha be her handmaiden for the rest of her life. Sharmishtha agreed for the sake of her father, the king.

Devayani was pacified and returned to her father's hermitage. But Devayani was vindictive and humiliated Sharmishtha by asking to massage her legs and run errands.One day, king Yayati passed that way. Devayani introduced Sharmishtha as her maid and reminded Yayati that he should marry her. Yayati repeated that he could not marry a Brahmin maid. Devayani then took Yayati to her father. Sukrachaya gave his blessing on their marriage. They were soon married and led a happy life.

Devayani had two sons.Sharmishtha continued to stay as Devayani's handmaid. Yayati made a palace for Shramishtha at the request of Devayani. One day Sharmishtha secretly met Yayati and told him what happened between her and Devayani. Yayati was sympathetic. Sharmishtha begged Yayati to take her as the second wife. Yayati agreed and married her but without the knowledge of Devayani. Sharmishtha had three sons.

One day, Devayani met the three sons of Sharmishtha. She asked the boys the name of their father. They pointed to Yayati. Devayani was shocked. She felt deceived and ran to her father's hermitage. Sukracharya was enraged and cursed Yayati with premature old age. Yayati begged for forgiveness.

Sukracharya and Devayani felt sorry for him.Sukracharya then said,

"I cannot take back my curse, but if any of your sons is ready to exchange his youth for your old age, you will be young again as long as you wish."

Yayati, now an old man, quickly returned to his kingdom and called for his eldest son.

"My dutiful son, take my old age and give me your youth, at least for a while, until I am ready to embrace my old age."

The eldest son turned down his father's request and so also the next three older brothers. Then came the youngest, Puru. He agreed and immediately turned old. Yayati rushed out as a young man to enjoy his life.

After years spent in vain effort to quench his desires by indulgence, Yayati finally came into senses.He returned to Puru and said,

"Dear son, sensual desire is never quenched by indulgence any more than fire is extinguished by pouring oil on it. Take back your youth and rule the kingdom wisely and well."

Yayati then returned to the forest and spent the rest of his days in austerities, meditating upon Brahman, the ultimate reality. In due course, he attained heaven.

3. The Story of Satyavan and Savitri

This story is taken from India’s great epic Mahabharata. During the forest life of Pandava brothers, great sages come to see the brothers and narrated to them to make them bear lightly the burden of their exile.

There was a king called Ashvapati. The king had a daughter called Savitri, who was so good and beautiful. When she grew old enough, her father asked her to choose a husband for herself. These ancient Indian princesses were independent to choose their own princely suitors.Savitri travelled in distant regions and seeing different prince, but not one of them could win the heart of Savitri.

They came at last to a holy hermitage in one of the forests in ancient India were no animals were allowed to kill. The animals lost the fear of man- even the fish in the lakes came and took food out of the hand. Not even the greatest empire could pass by the hermitage without going to pay homage to the sages.

Now it happened that there was a king, Dyumatsena who was defeated by his enemies and was deprived of his kingdom when he was struck with age and had lost his sight. This poor old, blind, king, with his queen and his son, Satyavan took refuge in the forest. Savitri came to this hermitage and saw Satyavan, the hermit’s son and her heart was conquered.When savitri returned to her palace, she said to her father about Satyavan, the hermit’s son.

On hearing this father consulted the sage Narada; he declared it was the most ill-omned choice that was ever made. The king then asked him why it was so. And Narada said, “Within twelve months from this time the young man will die.”Then king was started with terror and spoke, “this young is going to die in twelve months, you will become the widow: think of that. Desist from your choice, my child, you shall never be married to a short-lived and fated bridge groom.” “Never mind father; do not ask me to marry another person and sacrifice the chastity of mind, for I love and have accepted in my mind that good and brave Satyavan only as my husband. A maiden chooses only once, and she never departs from her troth.”

When the king found that Savitri was resolute in mind and resolute in mind and heart, he complied.Then Savitri married prince Satyavan, and she went from the palace of her father into the forest, to live with her father into the forest to live with her chosen husband, and help her husband’s parents. Though Savitri knew the exact date when Satyavan was to die, she kept it hidden from him. Also she kept her as virgin.Thus their lives went on until the fatal day came near, and three short days remained only.

She took a severe vow of three nights penance and holy fasts, and kept her heart vigils. Savitri spent sorrowful and sleepless nights with fervent prayers and unseen tears, till the dreaded morning dawned.That day Savitri could not bear him out of her sight, even for a moment. When her husband went to gather usual herbs and fuel, she also accompanied her. Suddenly in faltering accent he complained to his wife of feeling faint, “My head is dizzy and my sense reel, dear savitri, I feel sleep stealing over me, let me rest beside you for a while.”In fear and trembling she replied, “Come, lay your head upon my lap.”

He laid his burning head in the lap of his wife, and ere long sighed and expired. Clasping him to her, her eyes flowing with tears, there sat in the lonesome forest, until the emissaries of death approached to take away the soul of Satyavan.But they could not come near to the place where savitri sat with the dead body of her husband, his head resting in her lap. There was a zone of fire surrounding her, and not one of the emissaries of death come within it. They fled back from it, returned to king Yama, the God of Death, and told him why they could not obtain the soul of this man.Then Yama came, the God of Death, and the judge of the dead. He was the first man that died – the first man that died on the earth- and he had become the presiding deity over all those that die. He judge whether, after a man that has died, he is punished or rewarded. So he came himself. Of course, he would go inside the charmed circle, as he was a God.

When he came to Savitri, he said, “Daughter, give up this dead body, for know death is the fate of mortals, and I am the first of mortals who died. Since then, everyone had to die. Death is the fate of man.” Thus told Savitri walked off, and Yama drew the soul out.Yama having himself of the soul of the young man proceeded on his way. Before he had gone far, he heard the footfalls upon the dried leaves. He turned back. “Savitri, daughter, why are you following me? This is the fate of all mortals.” I am not following you, my lord,” replied Savitri,” but this is also the fate of women, she follows her love take her and the eternal law not separating loving man and faithful wife.”Then said the God of Death, “your answer pleased me, ask for any boom, expect your husband life”

“If you pleased to grant a boom, O Lord of Death, I ask that my father in law may be cured of his blindness and made him happy.”He granted and again travelled with the soul of Satyavan. Again the same footfall was heard from behind. He looked around.” Savitri, my daughter, you still following me.”“Yes my Lord; I cannot help doing so, I am trying all the time to go back, but the mind goes after my husband and the body follows. The soul has already gone, for in that soul is also mine; and when you take the soul, the body follows, does it not?”

“Pleased am I with your words, fair Savitri. Ask another boom of me, but it must not me the life of your husband.”“Let my father in law regain his lost wealth and kingdom, Lord, if you pleased to grant another supplication.”“ Loving daughter,” Yama answered, “this boon I now bestow, but return home, for living mortal cannot go with Yama” And Yama pursed his way.But Savitri, meek and faithful, still followed her departed husband. Yama again turned back,” Noble Savitri, follow not in hapless woe.”“I cannot choose but follow where you take my beloved one.”

“Then suppose, Savitri that your husband was a sinner and has to go to hell. In that case goes Savitri with the one she loves?”“Glad I am to follow where he goes, be it life or death, heaven or hell, “said the loving wife.“Blessed are your words, my child, pleased am I with you, ask yet another boom, but the dead come not to life again.”“Since you permit me, then, let the imperial line of my father-in law be not destroyed; let his kingdom descend to Satyavan’s son.”

And then the God of Death smiled. “My daughter your desire fails the death, here is soul of your husband, he shall live again. He shall live to be a father and your children also shall reign in due course. Return home. Love has conquered Death! Woman never loved like you and you proved that even I, the God of Death, am powerless against the power of the true love.”

2. Questions from a Worker Who Reads

(Questions from a Worker Who Reads by Bertolt Brecht)

Who built Thebes of the seven gates?
In the book you will find the the name of Kings
Did the king haul up the lumps of rock?
And Babylon, many times demolished
Who raised it up so many times? In what houses
Of gold-glittering Lima did the builders live?
Where, the evening that the Wall of China was finished
Did the masons go? Great Rome
Is full of triumphal arches. Who erected them? Over whom
Did the Caesars triumph? Had Byzantium, much praised in song
Only places for its inhabitants? Even in fabled Atlantis
The night the ocean engulfed it
The drowning still bawled for their slaves
The young Alexander conquered India.
Was he alone?
Caesar beat theGauls
Did he not have even a cook with him?
Philip of Spain went when his armada
Went down. Was he the only one to weep?
Frederick the second won the Seven Year War. Who
Else won it?
Every page a victory, who cooked the feast for the victors? Every ten
Years a great man. Who paid the bill?
So many reports, so many questions?

1. Narada's Pride in Music

(An interesting story taken from Indian mythology.)

Narada, a great adept in music and the supreme exponent of ragas and raginies (the tunes and melodies in Indian music) was once persuaded by the flatterers to believe that he was a perfect master in them. So he went about listing to such praises everywhere, and even modestly repeated these certificates to gods and men.

Krishna watched this growing infatuation and wanted to put a stop to it. So he said to Narada, “Great sage, Siva and Parvati have heard of your perfection in music and want you to give an exhibition before them.”Narada was highly elated.

He set out the next day with Sri Krishna and proceeded to Kailasa to meet Siva and Parvati. On the way they saw a big place where several maidens of exquisite beauty were weeping and wailing. All were mutilated in one way or other. One had a eye missing, another an ear, a third an arm, a fourth a breast, a fifth a leg a sixth an eyebrow and so on.

“O Krishna,” said Narada, his whole heart bleeding for these fair maids, “which wretch has done this horrible mutilation?”“

Go and ask them.”Said KrishnaSo Narada asked them, “what this place and who are you, fair sisters, and who has done this horrible thing to you?”

“Oh!” said they,” this is the place of music, and we are the ragas and raginies. A wretch called Narada has mutilated us on his Veena (Indian lute).”Narada became ashamed. He saw Krishna smiling.

“I shall break my Veena and play no more,” said he.

“Oh, no,” said Krishna, “go on playing, but realize your imperfection and tried to remedy them. Don’t believe idle flatters and think you are perfect.”

“All right, I have learnt a lesson. Please make my excuse to Siva and Parvati. I shall play before them when I have mastered the art a little better,” said Narada who had become a sadder and wise man.