THIRUKOLUR PEN PILLAI RAGASIYAM-77

Dear Chellams, In Veda Patti's wonderful world, the following statement that Penpillai told was "Neerorugam Kondeno Kasi Singanai pola". One's ego will end up in total disaster; self-pride is also highly dangerous, the message suggests. 

In the city of Kashi, there lived a man named Singan. He was a versatile swimmer.   He used to collect lotus flowers from many different ponds to offer them to Lord Vishnu. As he swam across various ponds, he became an expert in swimming.

Lotus plants grow underwater at the bottom of the lakes and bloom at the water surface.   Hence, only those who are physically tough, healthy and fearless could do this task of gathering lotuses.  Because if one gets stuck in the mud at the rock bottom, it is very difficult to get released from there. 

Kasisingan was courageous and robust; hence, he was doing this pushpa kainkaryam very casually and effortlessly. 

One day, he attempted to swim across the broad and deep Ganga River. He swam across from one bank to the other several times. He felt proud of his swimming skills and became a versatile swimmer. 

In Ramayana, tribal chief Guhan used to cross the river only by swimming.   His competency in swimming was so high that he used to pick up the soil and sand of the Ganges from the rock bottom. Singan bragged, "I, too, can perform all those feats in Ganga as Guha did ."

From then on, Singan developed a strong sense of self-ego. He tried swimming leaps and other stunts every day in the Ganges by swimming from the West Bank to the South, making all the public gape at his unique skill and his passion for swimming. Day by day, Singan started feeling proud, and his ego shot up.  He began to challenge and conduct competitions to touch the banks of the river Ganga and participated in all races.  Although the public participation in the race was initially high, the number slowly decreased, making Singan feel that he was the only one who could swim across easily and effortlessly. 

Singan continued his lotus collection every day, but he no longer made a mindful offering.  Mother Ganga, who takes away the sins of her devotees and destroys the bad traits, such as pride and ego, decided to teach Singan a lesson.

As usual, one day Kasisingan swam across to pluck lotus flowers, and on seeing a lot of people on the riverbank watching him, he started doing some tricks to attract their attention. When he was swimming, the flood level in the Ganges became very violent.

It just washed away Singan and pushed him into a whirlpool. He made all efforts using his strength, skill and courage, but all in vain and could not come out of the whirlpool. Kasi Singan was perplexed and struggled for his life. However, he could not break free from the current despite all his efforts. He felt completely exhausted after trying till his arms were fully tired. He didn’t know what to do. 

He realised his mistake and started lamenting that he failed to offer the flowers to Perumal, as his EGO carried him away as the best swimmer. He then realised that he is just an ordinary human and hence should not have Pride or Ego.

At that time, the story of Gajendra, whom God came running to protect, came to his mind.   At once, he started praying, Oh God, when Gajendran was struggling for his life, calling you 'Aadhi Mulame', Narayana, Manivanna, etc. You rushed to the spot and saved him; likewise, please save my life now, as you are my only saviour.  Singan had started doing SARANAGATHI.  Maha Vishnu accepted his surrender, and at the same time, the wind started blowing very heavily, resulting in a massive tide and pushing him to the riverbank.  

Kasi Singan found a lotus flower in his hand. He felt deeply grateful and was moved by the kindness of the Almighty, who had saved his life and offered the flowers to Perumal. Perumal, with his grace, has saved Singan from floods and his EGO.

Neerorugam means Lotus flowers. 

Now Pen Pillai asked Ramanuja whether she has remembered Perumal with unshakable faith as Kasisingan did? Or offered flowers to God even when got caught in the whirlpool as Singan did?  What qualifications I have got to remain in this Thirukkolur?

Ramanuja answered Pen Pillai, quoting Bhoothathazhwar, who praised Vishnu in his pasurams: Perumal is stationed at Thiru Parkadal (Milky Ocean) and also in our heart and soul.  He appeared in the form of a giant tide when Kasisingan prayed to him. 

Perumal made Kasisingan strongly believe that Perumal alone could save him, and also led him to pray to Vishnu for rescue. Also, it was only Perumal who made Kasisingan offer Lotus to him.

We should not allow harmful and undesirable traits such as ego and self-boasting to creep into us and occupy our minds.   Humility and Modesty alone should be with us, as they alone can do good to us. Ramanujar very clearly told Penpillai. 

When asked - about whom we are going to hear next, Thirukkolur Thozhi told "Vaakkinal Vendreno Bhattarai pole".

We are going to meet a child prodigy  with intelligence  Vak Chathuryam and smartness  - in our next episode.