Deivathin Kural # 2 (of Vol 2)

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 2 (of Vol 2) of 30 May 2007.
(Continued from Deivathin Kural # 1 (of Vol 2) of 28 May 2007.)
17. Pillaiyar is easily accessible even to very poor people. You can invoke His presence in a spoonful of turmeric or clay or cow-dung! He is easily pleased. He comes and installs Himself, wherever and whenever You call Him, in stone or clay and bless you. You do not have to know elaborate procedures and mantras. Even an unread can get His response anytime, as He is always available 'on call / on line!'. With other devatas, it is said that a proper detailed procedure is adopted. You have to do 'Prana Prathishta' and invoke the 'life force' of that devata, in the statue. No such procedural formalities with Pillaiyar. You think of Him and He is there.
18. With other Gods, we have to look for a suitable time, have a bath, buy or collect the necessary 'pooja dravyani' and then, go to the temple. Even there, we cannot go to the particular deity directly. Go around the 'prahara', and not go too near either. Pillaiyar is not like that. Whatever time, on the way to the office or school or shop; just happen to raise your head and notice a Pillaiyar there, on the road turning or street corner or under a tree. We do a tap - tap on the head with the closed fists of both hands, and do a 'dobir karanam', in which, we catch both ears with crossed hands and do a 'sit -stand' action. That is all. The pooja is over. We get a not easily definable mix of peace and satisfaction.
19. All that He has as a temple is only a room. So without any restraint or differenciation, all are able to approach quite close and have His 'darshan'.
His ease of accessibility seems to contribute to His popularity, with which He is able to recieve 'dobir karanam' from His devotees.
20 There are some special steps which have evolved by tradition. They are, 'sidaru thengai poduvathu', meaning 'to smash a coconut to cause its pieces to scatter in all directions'. Second is to lightly tap on your forehead with closed fists. Third is to hold your ears with hands crossed in front, sit down on your haunches till the knees touch the ground and stand up. This third action is called, 'dobir karanam'. Why do we do this?
21. There is a Yoga Sastra. It tells us as to how by various exercises, we can make the body supple, control the breath and cause it to become systematic. By this process we gain control over the mind, avoiding negative thoughts and cultivating positive vibrations. The light tapping on the forehead and 'dobir karanam', are part of this process of mind control through Yoga Asanas. These changes are accentuated by faith and sincerity. Avvaiyar who has written widely for the benefit of the children, has also written 'Vinayagar Agaval', full of very deep principles of Yoga Sastra. It is only a small stotra on Pillaiyar but has very subtle esoteric truths. It is worth knowing by heart. It is good to think of Pillaiyar and Avvaiyar simultaneously. Everybody should chant this 'Vinayagar Agaval' at least once every friday, in front of Pillaiyar and submit it to Him.
22. Everybody belongs to Pillaiyar and Pillaiyar belongs to everyone. He is related to the poor and downtrodden too. Even unread people and poor urchins have a direct access to this 'common man's God'. The 'sidaru thengai' are meant for poor children mainly. They have a right over the pieces of coconut so distributed in His presence. As an infant-God, He is very popular with children. He is also very close to woman folk, as He is very dear to the Mother's instinct in every woman. As Avvai Paatti is a woman, they have a direct special right on this sloka. So, it is in the rightness of things that, woman and children, should all learn this 'Vinayagar Agaval'. You need not worry if the meaning is somewhat difficult and the pronounciation in places is slightly tough. Avvaiyar's words have the power to directly appeal to the inner self. By the time it becomes committed to memory, the import will be known to your heart! That will benefit the family, community, country and the world at large!
22. Say there is a beautiful box containing gems but whose key has been misplaced. Will we forsake the box for this reason? 'Let the key be found in its time'. In the meanwhile, we will keep the box very safe, 'is it not so? As otherwise, even if the key is found later, there will be no gain! Vinayagar Agawal, is such a box of Yoga Sastra gems. It does not matter if we presently do not have the necessary understanding and grasp. We will keep chanting it. Slowly the inner meanings will reveal itself. Pillaiyar will grant us the 'key' of understanding.
23. Pillaiyar is good for all, dear to all. The symbols connected to Siva will not be seen in Vishnu Temples / Perumal Koils, such as, Shiv Ling, Ambal and Murugan statues. But Pillaiyar can be seen there too. He is called, 'Thumbikkai Azhvar', there. He is beyond the conflict between the devotees of Siva and Vishnu! That is why, He is accepted by Buddhists and Jainas too. Though He may not be found as preponderate as in Tamil Nadu, He is to be found in every religious kshetra, all over India. For example, in Gokarna on the west coast, as Bala Ganapathi, He is said to have taken the 'Atma Linga' from the hands of Ravana! He is the Vatapi Ganapathy of Middle India and Dundi Vinayagar of Kasi. He is also there in Kedarnath.
24. Not only in India, but all over the world, from Japan to Mexico, Ganesh statues are reverred and cherished and continues to be discovered in excavations! We should continue to be devoted to such a God, who is popular all over the world. We should offer sugar-cane, Modakam, all types of leaves, fruits, flowers and grass to Him and distribute them to the children. He is the God who came as the child. He should be fed with enough to retain His chubby - rolly - polly - ness. His 'thoppai' that is, tummy, should never be permitted to sag or shrink out of hunger! By 'sidaru thengai', we should make his children-devotees happy. As elders if we thus make children happy, as the son of Easwara, He will enable us too, to enjoy His company as children do.
25. Growing up always increases responsibilities, care, stress, pressure and tension. We must raise above all this by making this Baby God, a partner in all our endevours and become as happy as He is. He is called, 'sumukha and prasanna vadana' meaning, sweet and pleasant faced. He can easily make us like Him, if we have true devotion. As people of South India, we should consider Him as boon never to be forgotten. If we all make it a habit to visit Ganapathy Temple, chant 'Vinayagar Agaval' and offer 'sidaru thengai'; then the existing thousands of temples may not be sufficient. With the increase in the number of devotees visiting temples, we may have to construct more temples!
26. There is one peculiar tradition I have heard about when constructing a new temple for Pillaiyar. As per that tradition, instead of making a new statue for the new temple, an old one should be stolen and installed. You may ask as to how, 'when stealing is as it is forbidden, this sort of a tradition could have come into vogue?' The only answer I can think of is that, only when such a threat exists, the already installed ones will be well taken care of. The point to understand is that, 'If we take care of Him, He will not only take care of us, but shower all His blessings on us!' The best for us, our country and the world, is to catch hold of Pillaiyar through Avvaiyar!
Sambhomahadeva.