by: Sri Swami Sivananda
In devotion to the Guru,
Appudi Nayanar excelled. He was an ardent Siva Bhakta. He was leading the ideal
householders life. He belonged to a Brahmin family in Tingalur in the Chola
kingdom.
Appudi had heard of the
glories of Tirunavukkarasar or Appar. He had heard of how Gods grace made the
stone float and how Appar rode on it and floated on the sea and went to a place
of safety. Even though he had not seen Appar, he had taken him as his Guru, and
literally worshipped Appar. He knew that Lord Siva Himself, out of compassion
for the spiritual aspirants, appeared as the Guru. He meditated on the lotus
feet of the Guru. He had named all his children Tirunavukkarasu: and all the
household articles had also been named after the Guru. He had erected a number
of water-sheds, for the service of pilgrims, and had named all of them after
the Guru. Thus had he ensured that he would constantly remember the Guru, and
experience his grace.
Appar himself passed
through Tingalur one day. He went into one of the water-sheds. He was surprised
to see his own name everywhere. He found out from some other pilgrims that the
shed had been erected by Appudi and went to meet him. Appudi received the Siva
Bhakta (though he did not know who it was) with great devotion. Appar said: Oh
noble soul, I have heard a lot about your greatness and glory. I wanted to pay
my respects personally to you. Please tell me, why have you named the
water-shed after somebody, and not yourself. Appudi was upset at this casual
reference to the blessed name of his Guru. He said: Oh friend, though you
appear to be a Siva Bhakta, you do not seem to know Tirunavukkarasu Swamigal,
who through the grace of the Lord withstood successfully all the persecutions
of the Pallava king and re-established Saivism. Have you not heard how the king
tied him to a stone and threw him into the sea, and how he floated back to the
shore? Who are you?
Appar was very much moved
by Appudis devotion and replied: I am that humble soul who fell a victim to
severe colic and then took shelter under the Lords Feet. I am that humble soul
who, due to the grace of Lord Siva, got cured of that disease and returned to
Saivism. Look at the difference between the two descriptions! Appudi remembers
the glory of Appar: whereas Appar chooses to recall his own failing (to
preserve his humility) and the Lords supreme saving grace.
As soon as he heard this,
Appudi understood that the Siva Bhakta was none other than Appar and was
overjoyed. He worshipped Appar, along with his wife and prayed to Appar to
accept his Bhiksha (food). While their son had gone to the garden to bring a
banana leaf, for Appar to use as his plate, the boy was bitten by a cobra. The
son of a Nayanar: he was also a great devotee of the Lord! He ran to the mother
eager to fulfil his duty.
He handed the leaf to his mother and immediately fell
down dead. Appudi did not want to let this disturb his worship of Appar
Swamigal: and, therefore, hid the corpse. He invited Appar to have his meal.
Appar sat down and blessed Appudi and his wife with Bhasma, and then called for
their son. Appudi tactfully replied: He is not in a position to come. Appar
sensed that there was something wrong and asked Appudi to tell him the truth.
Appudi informed him what had happened. Immediately Appar got up and asked
Appudi to lay the corpse in front of the temple: and he himself sang a song. A
miracle took place. The boy got up, as if from sleep. All were happy, except
the parents of the boy. They regretted that this incident had caused some delay
in Appar having his meals! Such is the nature of true devotion. Appar
immediately took his meals and blessed the family.
Appar lived in Appudi
Adigals house for some time. Appudi gained the grace of the Lord, by his
wonderful devotion to his Guru, Appar Swamigal.
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