Lila Vinodha! (Conjurer of Divine Plays)
Part II

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There is none who does not know Chidambara Kshetra in Dravid desa. It is here that a temple for both Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu (‘Tirumãl’) has been built. Ãzhwãrs (the 12 prominent devotees of Lord Vishnu) enjoy this Holy place as Chitrakoot. A golden roof has been built for Lord Nataraja (the Name of Siva in this Kshetra) here. This forms the ‘akãsa kshetra’ (Holy Place representing space - one of the five elements) of the ‘panch bhoota kshetra’ (Holy places representing the five elements). All devotees of Lord Siva (‘Siva Bhaktãs’) revere this Kshetra as ‘Bhoo loka Kailasa’ (the abode of Lord Siva on earth). A Siva Bhakta belonging to the caste of potters lived in this Kshetra. Spending only such time in making and selling pots as needed for the living, the rest of the time he spent in ‘Siva Bhakti’ (devotion to Lord Siva).

He never was without Siva darshan even for a day. It was for this very reason that he never went out of Town. Whenever time permitted he went to the temple and enjoyed the darshan of Lord Nataraja to his fill. Once, a discourser was discoursing on a Purãna (Epic). Very wonderfully he explained that in spite of numerous Divine Names that Lord Siva had, it was the Name ‘Neelakanta’ that was very unique.

When the devãs and asurãs churned the Divine Ocean (‘pãrkadal’) ‘ãlakãla visha’ (poison) was produced at first. The discourser explained, ‘Without any request from anyone Parameshwara (Lord Siva) went up and without a second thought consumed the poison voluntarily. This only goes to show his sacrificing nature.’ He went on to elaborate on this. Hearing this, this Siva Bhakta felt attracted to this Divine Name ‘Neelakanta’. From then onwards, he began to incessantly chant ‘Neelakanta!’ Neelakanta!’ It was because of this that he was addressed as ‘Neelakanta Nãyãnãr’ by one and all.

Once, he and his wife visited the temple in the evening. It was a period when 16 kinds of ‘upachãrãs’ (various ways of offering worship) were being magnificently performed for Bhagavãn. This includes dance, too. Just then in the temple a lady was dancing with deep ‘bhãva’. As the dance was filled with bhakti Neelakanta Nãyanãr got drowned in it. His wife, however, mistook his intentions and left for home all alone leaving her husband in the temple. After the dance was over, Neelakanta Nãyanãr searched for his wife. He could not find her. So, he left the temple for home. Just then it began to rain heavily. He took shelter in a nearby home. Unexpectedly it happened to be the home of that dancer. Feeling happy that a devotee of Siva had come home, she invited him inside the house and offered him new clothes. She served him with affection in various ways and sent him home.

His wife had returned home in anger due to misconception of his behaviour. While it was so, seeing him return with new dress her anger and suspicion deepened and she ordered him, “In the Name of Neelakanta do not touch me.” As they were couple of righteous conduct they lived without breaking the vow for a long time. They had now attained old age. At this time a Siva Bhakta came to their home for food. He gave them an ‘odu’ (a cup like vessel made of clay in which a mendicant begs for food) explaining that it was an unusual ‘odu’ that got filled up with food any number of times it was sought but that it would not work this way for others. He also told them to safekeep the ‘odu’ until his return from pilgrimage to Kãsi (‘Vãrãnasi’). However, as soon as he left the ‘odu’ disappeared!

The Siva Bhakta who returned from Kãsi abused Neelakanta in various ways. He called him a thief. He accused him of being irresponsible. Neelakanta took hold of the Siva Bhakta’s feet and begged him, in several ways, to save him from this blame. But, the Siva Bhakta said, “I will believe your words if you and your wife hold each other’s hand and take a dip in the nearby pond and swear that you have not stolen the ‘odu’.
Nãyanãr, however, said, “We do not touch each other.”
The Siva Bhakta agreed to the two holding a stick and taking a dip in the pond together.
As soon as the couple took a dip in the pond and came out the Siva Bhakta was not to be seen! At the same time Goddess Pãrvati along with Lord Parameswara appeared on the ‘Rishaba vãhana’ (Bull vehicle) in the sky! Moreover, the couple had attained the young age whence they had taken a vow not to touch each other! Also, their hand were held together on their own! As a proof of this, even today, we can have darshan of ‘Illamaiyãkkinãr’ (one who made [them] young) temple and the same pond in Chidambaram.

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