63 Nayanmars- 25 Apputhi Adigal

25

Apputhi Adigal

In the town of Thingalur part of chola kingdom, there lived a Brahmin devotee called Apputhi Adigal. He was engaged in service of Lord Shiva and his devotees. He considered Thiru-navuk-arasar (Appar) as his Guru even though he had not seen him. Apputhi adigal was influenced by the service rendered by the great persona Appar. Apputhi adigal was inspired to serve the devotees hearing words of mouth deeds done by Appar. He had heard of how God's grace made the stone float and how Appar rode on it and floated on the sea and went to a place of safety. Apputhi Adigal had taken Appar as his Guru, and literally worshipped Appar. Appudi adigal built water tanks, shelter houses for travellers in the name of Appar. He rendered many other services to the people of Thingalur in the name of Appar. He had even named his children after "Thiru-navuk-arasar". Apputhi Adigal  ensured that he constantly medidated on his guru and experience his grace.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

One summer season, Apputhi adigal had constructed watersheds for people and devotees of shiva and travellers as usual and had named it after his guru “ Appar”. In the same year Appar happened to come to Thingalur on his Pilgrimage. He was astonished to see water sheds , rest houses and tanks named after him. He enquired the people and came to know about Appudi adigal and his devoution towards him.

Appar felt a great yearning to meet Apputhi Adigal and congratulate him on his good deeds. So Appar enquired about Apputhi adigal whereabouts and set out to meet him. Apputhi adigal welcomes Appar with great love and care without knowing he is his guru. Appar congratulates Apputhi adigal,” oh noble soul, you are martyr for human race. I would like to thank you for your venerable service to travellers, and people of this town. But pray tell me why you have named it after some unknown person rather than your name?”

Apputhi adigal was upset that the saivaite saint is referring to his guru in a lowly fashion.Apputhi adigal addressed the old saint,” o great soul you seem to be a saivaite devotee .Haven’t you heard about my guru, Thiru-navuk-arasar Swamigal,he with stood the persecutions of palla king and he established the roots of Shaivism again. . Have you not heard about how he was tied to a stone and thrown into sea and how he was carried back on the stone back to the shore with the grace of Lord shiva? Who are you ? ”

Appar was very much moved by Apputhi Adigal love and affection and amazed at his devoution. He replied to Apputhi Adigal,” I am a ordinary soul who realised Lord Shiva’s benevolence after being cured from my severe colic pain after taking asylum under the lotus feet of Lord. I am that soul who strayed to other religion and returned back to Shaivism after cured due to grace of Lord Shiva.”

Apputhi Adigal describes Appar’s glory but Appar describes himself with his failure so he is humble and earnest in service of Lord Shiva. Apputhi Adigal understood that the person standing before him is none other than his guru Appar. Apputhi Adigal is overwhelmed to meet his guru in real and invites him home to come and meet his family.

Appar asks Apputhi Adigal “ How many offsprings  you have and what is their name? ”

Apputhi Adigal replied that, “ I have two sons. I have named the elder one as Periya Thiru-navuk-arasar” and younger one as Chinna Thiru-navuk-arasar.”

Appar promises to come for lunch to Apputhi Adigal house after praying to Lord someshwara in the temple. Apputhi Adigal hastens home to deliver the happy tidings that Appar is going to visit his house and prepares for a grand feast.

Apputhi wife sends her eldest son to get banana leaves for serving food to Appar. The son who runs to get the banana leaves gets bitten by a cobra. The Periya Thiru-navuk-arasar was a dutiful son and also a great devoutee runs back to hand over the leaves to his mother and after handing the leaves recounts how he was bitten by a cobra and falls down dead in his mother’s lap. The entire family is filled with grief but it is time for Appar to come to their home for lunch so they decide to serve the guest. They hide the body wrapped in a palm mat and mentally prepare for receiving Appar Swamigal. 

Appar Swamigal comes at the appointed hour to their home. Appudi adigal and his wife receive him with warmth and devoution and arrange for lunch to be served. Appar blesses the family and then he calls for the eldest son.

Apputhi Adigal replies,” He is not fortunate and  unable to come for lunch.”

Appar senses that Appudi Adigal is hiding something from him and asks him to tell the truth. Appudi adigal recounts how the snake bit his boy and how he died while cutting banana leaves. Appar asks him to bring the corpse to the temple and heads out to the temple. Appar sings a song in the praise of Lord shiva and condemning his snake how come it can bite a young boy who is devoutee of Lord Shiva. He orders the snake to come and withdraw the venom he injected into the body of the young boy.  A miracle happens the snake comes and draws back the venom. The boy’s blue body becomes normal and he opens his eyes. Apputhi Adigal was little upset that his guru’s meal got delayed that was his devoution to Appar.

Appar took his meals at Appudi Adigal house and stayed there for few more days before heading out on his journey. Apputhi Adigal gained Lords’s grace through his devoution to his guru, Appar Swamigal.