PLACING A WOODDEN PLANK

Paana pathrar who worshipped through songs three times a day, now started singing him at midnight also(Artha saamam in tamil). THE God once again did a divine play with Paana Pathrar who have enticed him by his music. One day when he was about leave for the temple there was heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. By wrapping the Yaazh in a cloth cover he took it along with him and wanted to reach the temple some how or other. He was walking in the pouring rain. Though he has covered the Yaazh with cloth  , he could not prevent it from getting wet. There was slush every where. He arrived at the temple shivering under cold. As usual he started to play on the Yaazh. Because of shaking hands(due to cold) and the Yaazh being in a wet condition music did not come out of it properly. It was not a pleasing one and unpleasant sound came out of it (Abaswaram in tamil). Mean while the rain  water from outside started entering inside the temple also and surrounded the hall in which he was standing. Standing in the midst of water and with great difficulty,  Paana Pathrar started playing on the yaazh,  praising the God. The efforts made by Paana pathrar is a right example to show that even under adverse and difficult conditions and situations one can do one’s work efficiently provided one makes hard efforts.

The devotees who have already gathered there not only appreciated the efforts put out by Paana pathrar, but also thanked both him and the God for giving such a nice programme during the mid night pooja time of the Lord. At that time a voice was heard in the ears of Paana pathrar. It said “To make the world know you tireless  intense devotion (bhakthi) even under trying circumstances, I did this divine play. You are a strong person. Strong willed person. Now I will make a plank made of gold to appear before you to the surprise of all persons standing here. You can stand on it and play the Yaazh daily. Immediately, as told, a gold plank came from the sky and entered the temple hall and stood before Paana Pathrar. The people were surprised. They praised the divine grace of Soma sundarar. Paana pathrar stood on it and played in his Yaazh. After the Pooja was over he carried the gold plank on his head and returned home. This information reached the ears of Vara Guna Pandiyan. Next day the king sent a palanquin to the house of Paana pathrar, made him to sit in it and brought him to his palace. Paana pathrar came to the durbar with his gold plank. The king spread a silk cloth over it, and made Paana pathrar to sit on it. He spoke in praise him. He gave a title to him as “Madurai Naayagan”. Thus the Lord Sundaresar blessed Paana pathrar. Vara Guna Pandiyan lived  for some time and reached the golden feet of the Lord Shiva.