A wood cutter's devotion - Part 2

 https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-wood-


cutters-devotion-part-1.html

(Link for part 1 given above)

We saw the worry and stress Sendhan’s wife went through when on a cold rainy day an ascetic visited their home. Sendhan, like a true man had invited the ascetic home for food when there was nothing at home.

Sendan’s wife looked at the empty pots in the house and did not know what to do. She searched their small hut and found some broken rice, a handful of pulses and some jaggery. She quickly made a dish using these ingredients. The ascetic was very pleased to have a hot tasty dish in the cold weather. He ate some and requested the lady to pack some for his journey. The dish known as kali (Pronounced the same as opposed to Kaali, the Goddess) is a rustic dish eaten by the poor as it is nutritious and filling. The lady packed the left over food and the ascetic was on his way. Sendan and his wife went to bed without eating anything as they had given whatever food they had to the ascetic.

Next day was a chariot festival at the grand temple of Chidambaram. The priests opened the sanctum for starting the day’s activities as the king was expected to visit the temple and participate in the celebrities. They were shocked to see particles of kali spilt all over the sanctum and even on the Lord’s clothes. They were surprised as


this dish is not normally a part of the regular offering in the temple. They went on to clean everything and started the day’s pooja.

The grand chariot was ready to be taken around the temple and hundreds of people including the king where there to pull the chariot. Despite so many people and even elephants pulling the

chariot, the chariot did not budge. The king and the devotees did not know what to do. They prayed to Lord Shiva for guidance.

At that moment all in the gathering clearly heard a Divine Voice saying “ We want to hear a song sung by Sendan whose hospitality and tasty kali we had yesterday.” The gathering was shocked. The king who was a devout Shaivite and would have offered anything the Lord asked for, wanted to know who this Sendan was who had impressed the Lord with his love and devotion. He told his soldiers to find Sendan.Sendan who was in one corner of the gathering and was afraid to come in front of the king was finally brought to the front.

When asked, he narrated the visit of the ascetic the previous day and how he and his wife served him the kali. The king prostrated before Sendan and requested him to sing a song in praise of the Lord so that the chariot can move. Sendan humbly replied “I am a wood cutter. I don’t know how to write songs”. At that moment, the Divine voice boomed again “ Today you will be able to sing.” Sendan bowed before the Lord and started. He was surprised to find that words came to him without any effort. He composed a song praising the God of Chidambaram and then the chariot moved.

He went on to write more songs in praise of the Lord. The king and others were truly humbled to see such selfless devotion recognised by the God himself.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#Shakthi series - Salamurada Thimakka

Image
  Introduction The banyans looked at each other and shook their branches in happiness. They saw their mother walking under their shad to visit one of their younger brothers. The lady, aged but happy and content was looking around the tree laden area with contentment and happiness. Meet Salumarada Thimakka. Salumarada Thimakka, often referred to as the “Tree Lady” of India, is a remarkable environmentalist known for her extraordinary dedication to afforestation and conservation. Born in 1910 in the state of Karnataka, Thimakka has become a symbol of perseverance and commitment to the environment, inspiring many with her selfless work. Her life story highlights the importance of grassroots activism in combating deforestation and climate change. Early Life and Struggles Thimakka was born into a humble family in a rural village. From a young age, she faced the challenges of poverty and limited access to education. However, these difficulties did not deter her spirit. After marr...
Read more

Velu Nachiar

Image
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8sTOjqDqHs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8sTOjqDqHs Queen Velu Nachiar was an 18th century queen who fought against the British. Born in present day Ramnda district. She is known as Veeramangai (or brave woman). She was the only child of the Raja Chellamuthu Vijayaraghunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandimuthal of Ramnad.   Rani Velu Nachiyar was trained in war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam (fighting using stick), horse riding and archery. She was a scholar in many languages and she had proficiency with languages like French, English and Urdu.She married the king of Sivagangai, with whom she had a daughter. When her husband, Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar, was killed by British soldiers and the son of the Nawab of Arcot, she was drawn into battle. She escaped with her daughter and lived under the protection of Palayakaarar Kopaala Naayakkar at Virupachi near Dindigul for eight years. Frustrated by the joining of forces...
Read more

Shiva the ultimate teacher

Image
  Shiva – The Ultimate teacher Many a time there are linkages between multiple happenings. What seems like separate incidents are actually inter – linked to a larger cause. Once Sage Narada did a deep penance for thousands of years. Lord Indra tried to disturb him as he was worried that Narada was trying to take over the Devalok. Narada was committed and successfully finished his tapasya. Narada became a arrogant that he achieved what even Lord Shiva could not achieve. (Remember, Shiva got disturbed by Manmatha when he was in meditation and angered by the disturbance burnt Manmatha!!) The smug and arrogant Narada wanted to show off. He first went to Shiva loka and boasted about his completion of the tapasya despite many disturbances. Shiva looked at him and smiled and said “Maybe. If you go to Vaikunta, do not talk about this to Vishnu.” Narada then went to Brahmaloka and met his father Lord Brahma. He repeated his boast to ...
Read more