VAATHAVOORADIKALUKKU  UPATHESITHTHA  PADALAM: Lord Shiva began his divine play to bless his devotee belonging to Thiruvathavur near Madurai. In this town a devotee of Lord Shiva by the name Thiruvathavoor adigal was living there. He was an expert in Vedas. Even while sleeping in the night also his heart beat will utter the manthra Namashivaya. He had studied very clearly without an iota of doubt Grammar and literatures. Having come to know of his super intelligence, the king Arimarthana Pandiyan invited him and offered him the post of a minister. One day the king invited his ministers and commanders and was discussing with them the present strength and capabilities of his army. At that time a talk came about the reduced strength of his army of Horses. He entrusted the task of reinforcing the strength of the same to his chief minister Vathavoorar. He ordered him to take the necessary Gold from the treasury. Vathavoorar took a huge quantity and kept it separately. He waited for an auspicious day to buy horses. Till that day came, he went to the Meenakshi amman temple and worshipped both the God and Goddess. One day a change occurred in his mind. Why should one waste the money by buying the horses? To save a life which is going to die any how on one day, why increase the strength of the army which any how is going to destroy the lives? He went to Meenakshi sundarar temple and prayed to Lord Sundareswrar.

“O” Lord, The Pandiyan has given me lot of money to purchase horses. If the strength of the army is increased, the world will be destroyed. Peace will be destroyed. Why one should use this money for this sinful act. Instead it will be good if it is used for repairing your temple. It will be useful for feeding full of stomach of your devotees. Only you should now show me a way out.” At that moment the priest gave him some flowers and sacred ash as Prasad. He considered this act of the priest  as the permission given by the God. Immediately he informed the king that he is going to purchase the horses and left the place along with soldiers. The amount required to purchase the horses were boarded on the camels’ back. As if expecting this act of vathavoorar, the God also began his divine play. HE also started assuming the role of a Guru(master). He reached the place Thirupperun thurai and was waiting under the shades of Kurunthai (wild lime) tree for the arrival of his devotee. Did Vatha voorar know that he is going to sing  Tiruvasagam songs which are going to be  as sweet as honey and soul  stirring  songs that will exist till the existence of this present world? He was  coming on his horse’s back thinking of Lord Shiva only, in his mind, all the time. He worshipped all the Shina temples on the way. After crossing the Mullai and Paalai(arid track) lands, as soon as he reached Tirupperunthurai. As soon as he touched the boundary of that town, his mind was engulfed by Bhakthi(devotion) and came out of it. He could not proceed his journey further.

He thought that it seems to be the wish of the God that I should stay here. Let me camp here. He ordered his soldiers also to stay there. Obeying the order of the minister, they also decided to camp there and put up the tents. Vathvoorar went inside the temple. The God Aathma nathaa peruman was waiting for his arrival. The speciality of this this temple is that there is no Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum. The idea is that the God exists here without form. Only the circular base (aavudaiyar in tamil) will be there. There is no lingam above it. Just for an indication they had kept a cup there. The Vathavoorar took bath in the tank there, smeared the sacred ash all over the body went inside the temple, thought of the formless God with a form in his mind and worshipped him. Then he circumambulated the path way in the temple. He saw a Shiva Devotee who was sitting under the Kurunth(wild lemon) tree just like Dakshinamoorthy. He prostrated before him. He sung a devotional song. Vathavoorar was sure that he is none other than Lord Shiva. Just as it was, Lord Shiva lifted his legs and placed it on the head of Vathavoorar who lie prostrating before him. This is called Tiruvadi deekshai or Siva deekshai g(Passing of divine power through legs).  As soon  as the legs ogf the God Shiva touched hin, Vathavoorar got horripilation(Mayir silirththal in tamil). Immediately poems started pouring out of his mouth. He submitted all the poems to the God.

Not only the singer. Even God’s heart melted like a snow or ghee.  “My son, you sang lullaby in Tami for me.  Each word is a pearl. No. no. each is a ruby. You are Manickka vaasagan.” Sai Lord. From that moment vathavoorar became Manickka vaasagar. Here after we will address him as Diamond Manickka vaasagar. After blessing him, Lord Shiva who was in disguise as Dakshina moorthy under the Kuruntha tree disappeared from there. Manickka vaasagar decided to do Shiva service in that town. He called the army. I have made arrangements for the purchase horses .Please inform the kingthat I will come to Madurai in the Tamil month Aadi(july/aug)along with horses. All of ypu can leave for Madurai. Obeying the order of the minister all of them left for their places. Then he spent the money brought by him for the renovation of the temple. All the money brought by him was spent. The month of Aadi also was born. Manickka vaasagar simply forgot the thought of buying horses. He was always reciting Shivaya Namah. The Pandiyan king was expecting the arrival of his minister. Having come to know from the soldiers who had already returned, that he is staying at Thiruvaathavoor,he sent word for him through a soldier.

After receiving the message from the king through the soldier, only then his old thoughts came back to his mind. He straight went to the shrine Aathma Naathat. He begged before him saying “O” Lord, Trusting me the king gave the people’s money. But I have spent the entire for the renovation of your temple. Now I have to take the horses there. Please show me the way”. At  that moment a divine voice was heard. “Don’t worry Maanickka Vaasaga. You reply to him stating that you are coming with the horses very soon. I will take care of the rest.” As told by him Manickka vaasagar sent a reply to the king. By reading the reply Arimarthana Pandiyan also felt happy. The day was fast approaching. In the dream of Manickka vaasagar, who was wondering how the horses will come, God who appeared as Dakshina moorthy said, “Manickka vaasaga, you may start immediately. I will come with the horses”. Manickka vaasagar who requested the God to save his dignity, also left for Pandiyan kingdom. The king asked Manickka vaasagar who had reached the palace, “O’” Minister, where are the horses? How many horses were purchased”. Manickka vaasagar replied “O” king, a variety of horses which you have not seen so far in your life will arrive in a row.”