THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM-68

The next story that Thirukkolur Pen Pillai brings out is, “kaLvan ivan endrEnO lOga guruvaip pOla.” This refers to the fantastic fifth manifestation of the Lord, the Vāmana Avathāram that also got him the name KALVAN -the deceiver.

In the Lord’s 4th appearance as Lord Nrisimha, Prahlādan, with his hardcore bhakthi, won the heart of Mahāvishnu though he was from the Asura kula. 

Prahlāda’s son was Virochanan, whose son was Mahābali. Thus, Mahābali was the grandson of Prahlādan. As an emperor of Asura kulam, on the instruction of his Kula Guru Shukrāchārya, he performed many yagnas. With all of that power, he captured all the 3 Bhoo, Bhuva and Suvar lokas and enslaved the Devas.

Devendran was thus very unhappy as he lost his office and status at Indraloka. He prostrated at the feet of Sriman Nārāyana and requested to save him from this mess.

To rescue Indran, Perumal became the 12th child of Aditi and Kashyapa during Bhādrapada month (Āvani month, Shukla Paksham, Dwādasi tithi, Sravana Nakshatram in the Abhijit muhurtam). On such an auspicious day, the Lord took avatāram as Vāmana.

Even as his parents were watching, he assumed the form of a five year old dwarf Brahmin boy. Under the guidance of Kashyapa Prajāpathi, all the maharishis performed jātakarma for Vāmana.

The upanayanam was solemnised in a grand manner- Sūrya Bhagavān himself taught him the Gāyathri manthram. Brihaspati gave him the Brahmasūtra. His father Kashyapa gifted him a waist-belt. All the invitees flooded him with gifts. Bhooma devi gave him deerskin essential for tapas. Chandran gave him dhandam - the stick that symbolizes the ideals of saint and sainthood.

His mother Aditi gifted him his robes. Brahma gave him a kamandalam, the kettle to preserve holy water. Bhiksha pathram was given by Kubera, Varuna gave him an umbrella. Saptarishis (the 7 great rishis) offered him dharbai (the sacred sana grass) and goddess Saraswathi, a japamala. 

Umādevi, known as Goddess Annapūrnā herself, came to Vāmana and received bhiksha from him. After that Vāmana, using the Samit (the firewood that is meant for homa & yaga) began his homam.

At that time, Bali Chakravarthy was performing Ashwamedha Yāgam on the northern banks of the river Narmada.  Vāmana, after receiving permission from his parents, proceeded to the Yāga Shāla to see the yāgam, bearing dhandam, kudai (umbrella), yagnopaveetham (sacred thread), kamandalam with theertham, utthareeyam (upper cloth), resplendent in all his glory. On seeing such a child with stunning swarupa lakshanams and such an oh-so-cute face, all stood spellbound.  They whispered among themselves, curious whether the lad was Sūrya, Chandra or Agni. They all gave Vāmana a warm welcome and Mahābali felt extremely blissful in his presence. He offered Vāmana a seat and worshipped Vāmana with all the poojas worthy of an honoured guest.

Mahābali addressed Vāmana, “O revered brāhmana, we are all blessed by your presence. Please ask me whatever you want.” Vāmana replied,”O Mahābali Chakravarthy, all that I need is three steps of land measured by my feet.”  Bali was extremely surprised! Never in all of his life had anyone made such an odd request. Everyone usually asked for gold, jewels, palatial land and mansions, or cows! He felt that the space scaled by just 3 steps of the dwarf would not even be large enough to build a hut on! He thus requested Vāmana to accept some other gift or larger landscape. Vāmana, in a clear, sweet voice, replied, “If one is desirous of accumulating possessions over and above his needs, it will result in significant problems for him. So please just grant what I seek- it is enough.” 

Mahābali's Guru Shukrāchārya was by his side watching all these events unfold. He took Mahābali aside and told him, “This is no ordinary child- he is none other than Lord Nārāyana himself! Do not give him anything, and send him away at once!”  Mahābali was overjoyed on hearing that Vāmana was actually Nārāyana. He respectfully disagreed with his Guru, “O Revered Āchārya, I have already given my word, and I cannot go back on it now. Besides, if he is indeed Nārāyana, then I am extremely blessed to be granting a request made by the Supreme Lord himself!”  When Mahābali thus proceeded to accede to his request, Shukrāchārya objected again. He said, “Bali, don't be in a hurry, because He is a kaLLan (cheat). You may trust even a kaLLan but not a kuLLan (midget)!”

“As he is the Almighty, if you give your consent, he will confiscate all your wealth and pass it on to Indran.” Mahābali firmly told his Guru, “Whether it shall benefit me or harm me, I will not go back on my promise- it is adharma.”  Bali and his devoted wife, Vindhyāvali, sprinkled holy water in the soft tender palms of Vāmana to solemnize the gift.  Lo and behold! The very next moment Vāmana began growing in height- he turned sky-high in no time.  The Lord was in his Vishvaroopa form, touching both bhoomi and ākāsha.  He placed the 1st step on the Earth and the second aloft which after penetrating many lokas reached Sathya Loka. Lord Brahm  ecstatically performed puja to his feet with holy theertham from his kamandalu, which became the Ākāsha Ganga.  The Lord became known as Trivikrama- the mighty one who measured the three worlds! 

After completing these 2 steps, Lord Trivikrama asked Mahābali Chakravarthy with a smile, “Where should I place my third step, O Bali? There is no remaining spot left in all the three worlds!” Mahābali, being a Sathya Sheelan (truthful person), to grant Vāmana his 3rd step of land as per his promise, bowed low, and humbly requested Vāmana, “Please place your third step on my head, O Lord!” The Lord, extremely pleased with Mahābali, placed his lotus feet upon his head as a blessing. He granted Mahābali a wonderful kingdom in Pātāla Loka, and personally became his gatekeeper! He blessed Bali that he will be with him at all times and will protect him from difficulties. This is the Vāmana avathāram by the Kallan who came in the guise of a Kullan.

Pen pillai then asked whether she had ever done anything like Loka Guru Shukrāchārya naming Bhagavān as Kalvan. Rāmānuja revealed that the Asura guru Shukrāchārya cannot be considered the Loka Guru. The one who has named Mahāvishnu as Kalvan and praised him as the creator of the entire Vishwam is none other than Lord Shiva. Thus, Lord Shiva may be called the Loka Guru. Nammālvar also refers to Vāmana and his Vishwaroopam as 'Kalva' in his Thiruvāymozhi pasurams. Yet another Āzhvar, Thirumangai Āzhvar has also called him 'Kalva' in his magnum opus, Thirunedunthāndagam.

Bhagavad Rāmānuja then asked Pen pillai as to what she is going to  tell next.  Pen pillai replied,"kaDal Osai enDrEnO periya nambiyaip pOla." We are going to learn about Periya Nambi in the next episode. 

Here is a related piece of information.  Inside Kanchi Kāmākshi Amman temple, on the right side of her sanctum, there is a sannidhi for a murthy in standing position  with the name- 'Thirukkalvan'. He steals the hearts of his devotees, so he is a dacoit indeed!