Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Thiruvilakku Pichan and Periya Perumal

This painting below celebrates an interesting anectode that happened in Srirangam during Nampillai's period. Nampillai is the celebrated author of the EEDU vyakyanam (commentary) to Nammazhwar's Thiruvaimozhi.

There lived in Srirangam a simple devotee by name Thiruvilakku Pichan. Pichan's service to the Lord was to light the lamp in the sanctum (Garbhagraham) everyday and ensure it is lit during the time the temple is open to visitors.

Those days Nampillai was performing kalakshepam (verbal explanation) of the EEDU vyakhyanam to his disciples. The Lord had heard great reviews about Nampillai's vyakhyanam and was therefore very interested in attending the Kalashepa Goshti (group/gathering).


One day when the kalakshepam was going on, Thiruvulakku Pichan entered the sanctum to ensure the lamp was lit and was burning. He went in with a torch into the garbhagraham and did not find the Lord, Periya Perumal, as he is known in Srirangam, in his place!

Now he started to get worries and went in search of the Lord around the temple and found him near the kalakshepa ghoshti sitting and enjoying Nampillai's commentary. When Pichan saw this, he authoritatively commanded the Lord back to his seat in the garbhagraham stating that visitors are arriving to see him. The Lord was half-hearted, but heeded to Pichan's command and went back to his Sayana Thirukkolam (lying posture) in the garbhagraham.  In the picture you can see Thiruvilakku Pichan standing by the side of Periya Perumal with the torch in his hand.!



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