The Saga of Thulukka Naachiyaar, Melkote Version

For those of you who enjoyed reading my previous post ( Read @ Thulukka Naachiyaar, Sri Rangam ) on the gripping romance of Sri Ranganathar with the darling princess of Alauddin Khilji, well, here is some additional fuel for your fire - the legend of Thulukka Naachiyaar is not restricted to Sri Rangam alone. It is also celebrated at two other places, to mention the very least. Of the two other temples where Thulukka Naachiyaar is held in high esteem, the Abhimaana Stalam of Melkote (also referred to as Thirunarayanapuram) celebrates the legend as an integral part of its sthala purana. Surprisingly, at Melkote, the legend dates from even before the Muslim invasion of Sri Rangam (Circa 1311), way back to the times of the greatest proponent of Visishtadvaitha – Sri Ramanuja.

It was sometime in the early 12^th century (historical records are very hazy about the exact date), and Shaivam flourished in the present day region of Tamil Nadu. Kulottunga Chozhan, the first, was a great Shiva bhaktha - a fanatic even. He scorned at the ‘Ashtaakshara mantra’, disrespected the sacred Basil and even went to the extent of locking down the Govindaraja Perumal shrine at the Shaivite pilgrimage center of Chidambaram. His fanatic devotion blinded his senses and he ended up persecuting many leaders of other religious beliefs, commanding each of them to personally sign a manuscript accepting Shiva as the one true supreme God. Frightened by the nightmares of banishment from the kingdom, excruciating torture, and possible execution, many of them obliged, but not our hero. At the behest of some elders, Sri Ramanuja was promptly scouted out of the kingdom by his dutiful disciples, who then persuaded him to go on a pilgrimage to the shrines of Vishnu outside the Chozha Desa. Ramanuja consented to the wishes of his pupils, and after a few stops, he eventually arrived at Thondanoor (present day Thonnoor/Thondoor). It was here that the Hoysala king, Vittala Deva Raya embraced Sri Vaishnavism and became a disciple of Sri Ramanujar. He was rechristened as Vishnuvardhanan by Ramanujar upon his acceptance in the Shri Vaishnava fold. Later in history, Vishnuvardhanan played a key role in the establishment and the spread of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya in Southern India. As his greatest contribution to the sect, he built the famous Pancha Narayana temples at Belur, Thondanoor, Talakkadu, Gadag and Melkote respectively. To this day, these shrines play an important role in keeping alive the spirit of Vaishnava Sampradaya in the southern Kannada region.

We will now fast-forward several months to the time when Sri Ramanuja had completed the clearing and re-construction of the ruins of the Cheluva Narayanan temple at Melkote with the help of Vishnuvardhanan (The other legends associated with Melkote deserve a separate post, and will be posted sometime in the near future). The temple was simply breathtaking in its beauty - replete with exquisitely carved sculptures and pleasant architectural surprises - but Sri Ramanujar remained unhappy. He was greatly saddened by the fact that so prominent a temple had no processional deity to be claimed as its own. Every single day he pleaded with Cheluva Narayanan to throw some light on the whereabouts of the long-last Moorthi - and soon enough, the lord obliged.

One night, as Udayavar slept, ThiruNarayanan appeared in his dream as a blinding flash of light and revealed the location of the Utsavar. “Yatiraja, listen closely. The Utsavar of Melkote is no ordinary idol. It was given by Brahmadeva to Sri Rama, who later passed it on to his son Kusha. It eventually came into the ownership of the Chandra Vamsa kings along with the bridal dowry of Kusha’s daughter. Over the eons it was worshipped by Yadushekara Maharaja of the Yadu dynasty, Vasudeva of Mathura and finally by Balarama and Krishna. It was installed at Melkote by Sri Krishna himself. This Ramapriya (the Dear One of Rama) Moorthi of such eminence now lies within the precincts of the Badshahi Palace at Delhi. Bring me back home Ramanuja”, the lord ordered. And then he was gone, as suddenly as he had appeared.

Ramanuja woke up in a sweat, his heart pounding against his rib cage. Slowly, as the gravity of the dream dawned upon him, his shaking palms automatically joined in prayer. Tears streamed freely from his eyes as he recalled the words of Narayana. With his emotions running high, he bowed low to the supreme omnipotent lord and surrendered his acceptance to the lord’s request. “Your every wish is my command, Oh Narayana!”

After making some discreet enquiries, Ramanuja learnt that the idol was taken by the Badshah during his raid of the Melkote temple. Upon hearing this news, he immediately set out for Delhi, on a quest for the idol. Literary works claim that Ramanuja was at least eighty years old at the time he undertook this journey to Delhi. Nothing, but his faith and his deep love for Vaishnava Sampradaya would have given him the mental and physical strength to accomplish this mountainous task. 

At his palace in Delhi, the Sultan extended a warm welcome to Ramanuja in the presence of his assembled court. “Oh elderly person, what may be the purpose of your visit? What do you expect from the Badshah of Hindustan? Ask and it shall be given.”

Ramanuja did not have any desire to beat about the bush. With a few words of pleasantries he came straight to the point of his visit. “Badshah, it is of my understanding that you have the processional idol of Ramapriya from Melkote in your possession. We have now re-consecrated the temple and would like to install the lord in his rightful place. Pray, do return the moorthi to me”, Ramanuja pleaded.

The Badshah looked at this man standing in front of him, withered with age, but shining with a divine splendour that he could not place. He decided not to play his usual games with Ramanuja, and immediately called upon some attendants to take Ramanujar to the gallery, where all the plundered wealth was stored. Highly elated at this immediate response, Ramanuja thanked the Sultan for his prompt action and followed the guards. The attendants led Udayavar to the gallery, where rows upon rows of different idols, jewels and other precious stuff lay scattered. But alas, Ramapriyan was not to be seen anywhere. The blow was just too much to take. Ramanuja was nearly reduced to tears, when suddenly, by divine ordinance, he overheard the guards talking amongst themselves. “Aaah…” “…yes the princess…….” “…An idol…. Four handed, I know…” The banter continued, but Ramanuja stopped midstride.

In the blink of an eye, Ramanuja turned around briskly and started running towards the Anthapuram (Harem). The guards followed, surprise written all over their faces, and they were soon joined in by the astonished Sultan. “Oh no! You think your idol is here, of all the places?” he muttered. But Ramanuja walked on, straight into the princess’ room - and there on the silken bed, covered in gold and silver, sat the pretty princess.

A sigh of relief escaped from Ramanujar’s mouth - spread across the lap of the princess, was the gleaming idol of Ramapriyan. The Badshah was shocked at the sight. “Give the idol at once to this holy man, Laachmaar.” he ordered. But Laachmaar wouldn’t hear any of it. “He is my doll Vaapa. I will not give it back to this old man. He likes being with me. This old man is plotting to separate me from my doll. I will not give him. I WILL NOT GIVE HIM.” And she burst into tears.

Having just witnessed what had taken place before his eyes, Ramanujar was deeply touched by the princess’ true affection for Ramapriyan. But the idol had to go back home. With a smile on his face, he approached the princess. Instinctively, Laachmaar drew away from Ramanuja. “Listen, Oh Laachmaar! You need not give me the idol, but if he comes to me of his own accord, then will you agree that he is not yours alone? Is that a deal?” asked Ramanuja. Laachmaar simply stared back, gaping at the senility of the old man. Surely the idol had no ability to walk on its own. Brimming with confidence, she accepted Ramanuja’s challenge.

Sampathkumaara, Come to me !!! Art by Deepak Saagar

 Several pairs of eyes turned towards him as Ramanujar joined his palms in prayer, “Why are you playing so with our emotions, Oh Lord? Is there no end to your prank? Oh Maadhava, it is time to go home. Test me no further.” Saying so, Ramanujar stood up and with his hands stretched out in front of him, he beckoned to the idol “சம்பத்குமரா, என் செல்வப்பிள்ளையே !!! வாராய். (Oh Sampathkumaara, the greatest of my wealth. Come to me.)”  

To the total astonishment of all the spectators, the idol suddenly flew out from the princess’ grasp. And with quick short moves, his anklets tinkling rhythmically and the flower garlands swaying in the air, Sampathkumaara glided towards Sri Ramanujar. It was like the reunion of a lost son and his father. Ramanujar just scooped up the idol and hugged him closely, shedding tears of joy. And, as the entire court just stood rooted to their spots, Ramanuja left the court with his disciples, the precious idol of Ramapriyan clinging to his bosom.

“Nooooo”, shouted Laachmaar, shocking everyone out of their trance. “I want my doll back Vaapa. I want him back.” She burst into tears once again. The Badshah rushed to her side and tried to comfort her. But nothing doing, Laachmaar cried incessantly. The palace attendants brought out many more idols from the gallery. They brought in other dolls, made in gold and silver, studded with rubies and emeralds, dolls that could laugh and dance, dolls that could sing and play, but only in vain. Laachmaar refused to be separated from Ramapriyan. Her eyes were red from tears and her kohl was all smudged. The Badshah could not see his daughter in such a pitiable state. He finally called on some of his trusted attendants. “Pray, please get the idol from that elderly man. I do not care what you do. Beg, borrow or steal. All I need is that idol”, he ordered.

“I too will go with them Vaapa”, said Laachmaar. The Badshah was shocked to hear this, but Laachmaar remained adamant as ever. Finally, the Badshah gave in to her wish. And off went Laachmaar, in search of her beloved doll, accompanied by the king's attendants.

In the meanwhile, Ramanuja’s palanquin bearers were nearing Melkote, when they got news of Laachmaar’s plans. Immediately, they took a detour into the thick forests bordering Melkote. However, further trouble lay in wait for them. A gang of dacoits mistook the palanquin to be carrying precious cargo and ambushed the travelers. Panicking at the attack, Ramanujar immediately directed the palanquin to a small group of huts that was visible nearby. The huts were inhabited by a group of Pulayas (low-caste tribes). Catching sight of the palanquin and the dacoits, the hut-dwellers immediately sprung into action and launched an attack on the dacoits. A few of them took Ramanujar and the idol of Ramapriyan into the protection of one of their huts. Ramanuja was flooded with waves of relief and gratitude, and breathed freely again. The dacaoits were chased away soon enough, and Ramanujar came out of the hut to thank the Pulayas for their timely help. Suddenly, a small boy came up to him and asked, “Swami, may we know what is in the cloth bundle that you hold so close to your chest?” Ramanujar smiled and slowly opened the bundle to show his precious cargo to the Pulaya group. Ramapriyan emerged, and the Pulayas were spellbound by his presence. They knew not what to do, for never had they been blessed with this sight. Jumping with joy, they rushed into their huts and brought out dishes of Kambankoozhu (a kind of porridge) and Raw Banana curry, which they offered to Ramapriyan. Ramanuja’s heart melted at the sight of their unadulterated devotion.

Selvapillai/Ramapriyan during the Vairamudi Utsavam

Calming the excited crowd, he said, “Come, Oh brothers, to the temple. We will install this Ramapriyan of ours.” The Pulayars were stunned. Never before had they been allowed to enter a temple, and here was this holy man, inviting them to come into one of the most sacred shrines in the region. Silence followed. Ramanujar noticed their hesitation. “Worry not”, he said, “From this day, the world will know you as the protectors of this Ramapriyan. During the many Utsavas at the Thirunarayanan temple, you too will be able to bathe in the Kalyani Pushkarani and have a darshan of Ramapriyan.  For the services that you have extended to me today, you will henceforth go by the name of ‘Thirukkulatthaar’ (the clan of Lakshmi). May your clan multiply and live in prosperity.” Blessing them thus, Ramanujar climbed back onto his palanquin and left for Melkote.

Back at Melkote, Ramanujar performed the ritual installation of Ramapriyan. Special worship was being conducted for the occasion and the celebrations were in full swing, when Laachmaar finally reached the doors of the temple. After these days of hard travel, her hair was all disheveled, her skin was sallow and her eyes had black rings underneath them. She no longer looked like the Sultani of Hindustan, rather just another lost traveler.

Standing at the entrance, she caught sight of her beloved being celebrated by thousands of devotees. He was no longer hers alone. Tears flowed freely from her eyes. She realized that it was all over. Everything had now gone out of her hands. She did not intend to make a fuss about it. Neither did she scream and throw a tantrum, nor did her constant flow of tears stop. Silently, she raised her two hands in prayer. With the very sight of her lord before her eyes, she dropped to the floor. Her soul fled her body and merged with the idol of Ramapriyan.

Beevi Naachiyaar at the feet of Thirunarayanan

When Ramanujar was notified of the happenings, he was so moved by Laachmaar’s love that tears instantly sprang up from his eyes. Though born as a Muslim, with no previous exposure to Sri Vaishnavism, she had totally lost her heart to Madhusoodhana. With his vision, he realized the extraordinary stature that had been achieved by Laachmaar. He himself conducted all the final rites of Laachmaar. He also got a small vigraha of Laachmaar sculpted and installed it at the feet of Thirunarayanan for further ritual worship.

Laachmaar thus came to be honored as an Ubaya Naachiyaar of Melkote Thirunarayanan. Like at Sri Rangam, she is worshipped by the name of Thulukka Naachiyaar.  She is also known variously as Bibi Naachiyaar, Beevi Naachiyaar and Sultani Naachiyaar. Even today, when the Thiruvaradhana is offered at the Melkote sanctum, the priest first waves the lamps before the idol of Beevi Naachiyaar at Thirunarayanan’s feet and then only proceeds to worship Perumal – a very small way to show our respects to a lady, who had thrown away everything, including her religion, to realize her love for the Supreme.

Notes:

1.      Unlike the legend at Sri Rangam, which is supported by ample historical recordings, the Melkote version of  the  legend is not sourced from any historical manuscripts. Much of the information is derived from entries in a Sri Vaishnava Grantha (holy text) known as the “Guru Parampara Prabhavam”. Certain sources also say that Sri Ramanuja was so impressed with Laachmaar's devotion, that he carried the idea back home to Sri Rangam and built a shrine for her at the Ranganathaswamy temple.

2.     Though Thulukka Naachiyaar is worshipped as an idol at Melkote, her face is however, covered with a veil, just like any other respectable Muslim woman. If one observes closely, we can see that her facial features cannot be distinguished distinctly.

3.     On the other hand, Ramanuja’s encounter with the Pulayas is a well cited incident in many historical works. Eight centuries before Gandhi’s acceptance of the Harijans and Periyar’s Vaikom Satyagraha, Ramanujar had performed a similar revolution, which was way ahead of his times.

4.     Thirumaaliruncholai is the other famous temple which acknowledges the legend of Thulukka Naachiyaar. Every year when Azhagar visits Madurai during the Chithirai Thiruvizha, he spends a night at Vandiyur with Thulukka Naachiyaar. Surprisingly, there is no shrine associated with the Naachiyaar at Vandiyur. The birth of this custom can be traced to the early 1300's, when the Muslims of the region welcomed Azhagar into their midst with much fireworks and celebrations every year. Pleased with their hospitality, Azhagar stayed with them for the night and departed for Madurai the next morning. This practice however gradually changed with time and after the 1950 communal riots, Azhagar’s visit to Vandiyur came to be associated with his stay with Thulukka Naachiyaar.

5.   Ever since Ramanujar's encounter with the Badshah at Delhi, the Utsavar Moorthi of Ramapriyan has been lovingly called by the name of 'Selvapillai', just the way Ramanuja had beckoned to him at the Badshahi Palace.