In the past, great kings were epitomes of integrity and devotion. This may and could have been the reason why God (non-gender specific and formless) used them as conduits to reward devotion or even the less fortunate.
God was never biased even though these Kings were rich. Besides, they were great philanthropists who provided for the less fortunate and were the government at such times. They provided for those in the service of God. How else would God be able to oversee the well-being of such people every single day? It is through such people that righteous devotion was kept intact.
This is a story on Thirumalai Nayakar who ruled Madurai between A.D 1623 and 1659. He was considered the most notable of the thirteen Madurai Nayak rulers in the 17th century. His divine encounter and the story of the great saint and poet Kumara Gurubarar (year: 1625 to 1628) were entwined in history for eternity.
Thirumalai Nayakar invited Kumarar to Madurai to initiate the saint’s poem of Madurai Meenakshi Amman’s called ‘’Pillai Tamil’’. This initiation ceremony was said to be done in the premises of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. During the ceremony, a little girl who bore the form of one of the chief priest’s daughter went up to the podium where Thirumalai Nayakar and Kumarar were sitting and immediately sat on the lap of Thirumalai Nayakar. All the subjects present inclusive of the King and Kumarar were shocked but decided to continue with the agenda in place. During a certain stanza on the list of poems, while Kumarar was singing, the little girl presented a pearled neckless that she was wearing to Kumarar symbolizing her approval and blessing on his poems.
This little girl then proceeded to the chamber of Madurai Meenakshi and disappeared into the statue of the present Madurai Meenakshi Amman. Everyone present then realised it was the divine play of mother Meenakshi. In this single act, mother not only dignified Kumarar, but she also dignified Thirumalai Nayakar by sitting on his lap. This had never happened to any king in history until today. For the Goddess to sit on his lap how righteous and pure he would have been?
It is mentioned that this was why Thirumalai Nayakar’s statue is still seen in the premises of Madurai Meenakshi Amman till today.
Kommentarer