And Now The Perfect Ending For The Perfect Love Story!

Dear Lalitha,
Not being able to give a fb because your mind is full with this love - well thats the best fb, I can ever hope to get. No need to be sorry about that, friend. Will reply to your detailed fb, later.
love,

Originally Posted by lalitha shivaguru

Dear Sridhar,

Sorry I just can't give my FB now. I am full with this love. Please excuse for that. I will mull over and come back. it was really great.... that too seems so little infront of the love for the beloved. May Lord Rengantha give me the ability to write my fb later.

Sorry once again.

Oh My God....... Im Mesmerised with your writings..... I think you have some Magic in your Key board to bring such a wonderful narration..... You brought the whole Story in front of me..Each and every line was Visualised....

The magic is not in my keyboard, brindha but in the story. The love Paana had for the Lord. The love Loga Sarangar later had for Paana and through him, for the Lord. There is no greater magic than love.
The famous Harry Potter Author JK Rowling was once interviewed by a young reporter. "Do you believe in magic, Ms. Rowling?"
"No" said the great author. "There is no magic in this world except the magic of love. And I believe only in that magic."

True , Devoted Love Sridhar Sir...

you are right. This is the height of devotion.

Are Rishis..So cruel.... ???? What is the use of them praying,reading Vedas.and doing Poojas... As you wrote my temperature rised......

No one is cruel, Brindha. The great Rishi was initially mindless.You know at times young mothers become so mindless that they beat their children. Similarly the Rishi became mindless for a while and blindly followed the prevailing custom.
And being a Rishi does not grant one immunity against common frailties. In fact in all our Mythology most of the Rishis are depicted as short-tempered cruel people. They have just done their tapas. Tapas is making the mind like a laser beam, very sharp and focussed.Whereas love makes the mind like a benevolent life-giving sunlight. We always hear about Durvaasar, Vishwamitrar being so cruel and heartless. Then why they should be given so much powers?
Even now we see many bad people coming into lots and lots of wealth. Similarly they came into lots and lots of power. That's all.

Yes, Paana had vanished literally into thin air. No, he had merged perfectly with his beloved. Now there were no two beings – Paana and Sri Renganatha. They were one.

This reminded me Soodi kodutha Sudar kodi Aandal...Merging with the lord and vanishing in air...

You are right. Apart from Aandal, it is said Gnanasambandar also vanished into thin air. But in his case he took with him all the people who were with him at that time.

Really A PERFECT ENDING SIR......
Thankyou very much for such a Astonishing Post... Waiting for more Precious Posts...

Thanks and welcome.
love,

Gayu,
First things first.The prayer you taught your child is the ultimate.

naan unnai neraya love panren ummaachi, neeyum ennai neraya love pannu ummaachi"

I might write a hundred posts on love. But these lines would still be the profound summary of whatever I have written and am going to write. If only every mom could teach her child this prayer,all the differences between earth and heavan would vanish.
You are right, Gayu. When you go to a temple like the one at Srirengam, you always get goose pimples. Ramanujar and before him Alavandar, Villi, Paana all of them have set their sacred foot on the temple prahaaram.And that adds to the sanctity of the temple.

Coming to your narration sir, you have a very simple, elegant and powerful style for narration. Excellent rendering. You grip the reader, with your pause, build-ups, style and narrative mode and consistency !. Adorable & Enjoyable are each line you write.. Please give us more and more such love stories.

Thanks, Gayu. With a comment like that, I will simply flood this site with my stories.
But I myself became so heavy with this story (you know fullness leads to heaviness) that I had to write a lighter post on Mylapore Mamies.

These are stories, I am literally waiting to narrate to my toddler as soon as he gets the patience to listen.

That is the greatest gift you can ever give to your toddler.When he is, say, 20 years old, all the dresses, toys, books, eatables you got him would be forgotten. But not this story. And believe me Gayu, stories like this would create a deep bond between the mother and the son. Go ahead and do it.

But after reading your wonderful narrations, it only gives me a good reason to backup those statements and how much they actually mean !! It is one way how the Lord has given me points through you to explain to the people who may question me on those statements. Thank you !

When I read your prayer and then read my post, it carries a deeper meaning. That is really a wonderful prayer, Gayu. Your son will grow up to be a fine man and is going to make you very proud.
love,

Dear Aruna,

The fact that you read the story twice and your eyes were moist, well, that is the finest fb for this post. And having said that words are superfluous, Aruna.
You moved me Aruna, by saying, that I took you to the feet of the loving Lord. Had my writings been the vehicle to carry you to his Feet, then I consider myself fortunate.
thanks for the nice fb,
love,

Originally Posted by Arunarc

Wow such a beautiful story almost read it twice and my eyes were moist with joy and happiness. What other story can be with such a beautiful ending...........what else one want then going to the feet of this beloved................Dear Varalotti there are no words to praise anything said will be underestimated.........not even going to tell thanks becoz telling thanks too will not be a good word to say to you, you have taken me into that world.........where you can look at HIM and enjoy the glory of HIS existence

An icing on the cake of a beautiful love story BF.

No wonder Vishnuji is called Ranganath. The lord of the stage (of life). Oh yes, he is the script writer, choreographer, producer, financier & even the DJ !

I remember seeing him in Fanaswadi Balaji temple in Mumbai & had commented on his luck. Sleep the whole day on a Shesha and have Lakshmi & Bhumata press his feet.

Dad had said be careful. He is also a prankster. He may take you to task for teasing him. Your story proves it.

A very moving story BF. Paanan's devotion makes us feel so humble. We in our mechanical life have no time to think of anything but ourselves. Here, he lived on the devotion of the almighty.

Thanks for sharing this with us BF. Helps us realise divinity in all creatures big & small.
Why do I say that? I have a practical example. Here in Melb we ahve a priest who keeps reciting stuff from Devi's prayers etc. How does he treat his wife? worse than garbage. Cannot understand his logic of worshipping the Divine Mother & hurting her daughter with his attitude.

I am sure I have given you a "thread" for your next story/article BF.

Regards,

Your GF

Originally Posted by varalotti

That was the last song Paanan sang. As soon as the song ended Loga Saranga Munivar suddenly felt that a big load had been taken off from his shoulders.

Yes, Paana had vanished literally into thin air. No, he had merged perfectly with his beloved. Now there were no two beings – Paana and Sri Renganatha. They were one.

Now tell me friends, is this not a perfect ending? Do you know any other love story which has ended in such a complete, eternal, perfect union?

Paana was glorified as Thirupaanazhwar. Even today his statue is there in the sanctum sanctorum of Renganatha temple, the only Azhwar who has a place closest to our Lord. He is now honoured as one of the 12 Azhwars.

His 10 Paasurams which start with Amalanaadhi Piran hold a pride of place in Naalayira Divya Prabandam. There is something unique about his paasurams. In all other paasurams we have a pala sruthi, which would say that if you chant them, you will get wealth, health and proximity to God. Paana did not care to add one to his.

His perfect union with his beloved is the pala sruthi for his paasurams. Can you think of a more powerful pala sruthi?

You might be skeptical about Paana vanishing into thin air. I am not going to argue with you at all. After narrating a love story like this I neither have the mind nor the inclination to indulge in arguments.

But believe me GFs, we always think of ourselves as human beings with a spiritual dimension. That is patently wrong. We are all spiritual beings at present having a human dimension. Only this paradigm shift can make us understand what happened to Paana.

And there is a connection between this story and Villi’s story. When Ramanuja took Villi to His Sanctum Sanctorum and asked Renganatha to show His beautiful eyes to Villi, it is said that Renganatha hesitated for a second. Ramanujacharya then sang the above paasuram of Thirupaanazhwar, Kondal Vannanai…. The Great God reminded of Paana’s love immediately opened his eyes for Villi to see. The rest is history.

May all those who read this story, those who could shed tears knowing about Paana’s love for God and even those who are not fortunate enough to know this great love story – may all of them be blessed with everything in life, more especially a heart full of love.

Dear Porkodi,
Yes. Paana's great love had been there from the beginning. The Rishi's transformation is so very wonderful. And the great Lord being very intelligent hit two birds with one stone. He took Paana into Himself and at the same time made Loga Sarangar realise what is true love and that He does not care for caste, creed or anything.
I also first got impressed by the song and then learnt the story. One should learn by heart all the ten songs. The songs start from His feet goes to the red cloth hanging over his hip, then his stomach and navel from which Brahmaji was born, his nect, chest and so on. Each song is good in its own way.

Maybe if we try to have at least one tiny bit of that kind of love then our life can have some meaning i think.

Well said, Porkodi. If this story appeals to us and moves us then we are at least on the right track. There is a possibility someday, either within a week's time or within a hundred lifetimes, the Good Lord will rescue us.
Thanks for the fb. I apologise for the delay in responding to it.

love,

Originally Posted by swarnalata.N.S.

Yes perfect end for perfect love story. Paanan becoming one with the lord. The rishi's humbleness after knowing mistake is great. He became really blessed soul.
I have heard that song "Konadal vannanai" in some dance programs. Such a heartwarming story behind it ! glad to know it.
The story of Lord bleeding because of Paanan getting hit is like some other mythology stories in some sthalapuranams.
God's Leelais are amazing. The Divine Love which some great souls feel is also amazing. Maybe if we try to have at least one tiny bit of that kind of love then our life can have some meaning i think.

Dear Sudha,
You set me thinking deep and hard with your poser, 'Why can't we have such a perfect love story in the human life and body. Well, why not? That was how I started to think.
Let us visualise a love scene.(I have to have a lot of practice because my next serial is going to be out and out a love story). In fact better than my writing it, let's take it from Chandilyan's kavarntha kangal, where he describes the love between Villi and Ponnachi.
Villi apart from being a wrestler is a very good painter. The first time he sees Ponnachi in the river he is mesmerised. He runs to his studio (the studio is in the Palace. Ponnachi works for the queen while Villi is the Rajamallar) and paints her face from his memory. The King sees the painting. He knows that something had happened. The King has lots of affection for Villi. So he calls Ponnachi to the studio and asks her to pose to Villi, so that the latter can paint for some songs in Aandal Thiruppavai. The lovers are left alone in the royal studio. Ponnachi poses for a song where Aandal describes the love of Napinnai for Krishna. My God! It is as if we are present in the scene.
At that point of time there is perfect love.
But you know after the marriage, when the couple faces problems like career, money, adoloscent children, illnesses, then that love cannot be sustained in its perfect purity. Sankara says as one grows old one is fully preoccupied with one's own problems. And then the love fades and remains only as a sweet memory.
Human love is perfect to begin with but weakens over a period of time. Divine love is imperfect to begin with but slowly gathers strength over a period of time and finally in cases like Paana, Aandal, Gnanasambandar, has a perfect ending.

You are right. A Rishi is not necessarily a man of devotion. Rishi has only connotation of power acquired by years of penance. But in this case at least, we should be happy about the total change in the Rishi. Paana's love and its acceptance by the Lord has changed him for the better.

Thanks for the fb, Sudha.
regards,

Originally Posted by sudhavnarasimhan

Dear Sridhar,

That was a beautiful ending to a great Love story! But was just wondering, why cannot one have such a perfect Love story in Human Body, life! You know what i mean.....as long as he was wishing for a glimpse he had his Life and Soul in this Human form, but he minute he got the Divya Darshan , the lover merges with HIS ETERNAL LOVE! Oh wow, see what you made me write....i never thought about it , but the words are just flowing......no no no, i am not writing this.....your inspired writing on this devotion makes me also outpour my emotions!

But i could not accept the behaviour of this Rishi.....they were all so mean !Thank God, he realised his Mistake and atoned for it!
Anyway all these are the Pranks of the Divine Soul or Mind, what can we mortals do na!?

Great work.........imakes me want to delve deeper into the spiritual and religious concepts! We really need to go back to our roots! Keep up the great work!

Dear Devika,

Very few times in my life I have been at a loss for words. And the time after reading your fb counts one among them. I don't know how to respond to such a fb, coming from such a writer of your stature, Devika.

Ever since I read Paanan's story a few years ago I have been wanting to tell that to as many people as possible.

But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I'd tell that to a group of such caring, sensitive, loving women spread all over the world. For me that is blessing enough.

And fb like what you have given here is possibly the best reward for my writing.
May you and yours be always blessed, Devika.
love,

Originally Posted by Devika Menon

Dear Varalotti Sir,

Blessed are we to have you in our midst to enlighten our ignorant selves about such wonderful stories and happenings on love.!!

I looked transfixed at you story. reading it, absorbing it , savouring it, enjoying it, feeling the love , fighting the tears that were constantly blurring my vision.

What Love!!, What devotion!!,What a wonderful way to merge,!! to unite to become one with the LORD , the ultimate bliss , the unison. What wouldnt I give for this unison.?

I was also trembling ,as i envisioned the LORD , as he blessed his dear devotee, as he snubbed the Rishis superiority, as the Rishi carrried Panna to his ultimate destination, as RENGANATHA united with Panna.

A million thankyou, Varalotti Sir, will not suffice but this is all i have as I thankyou whole heartedly for this lovely story, one that will be with me not just for sometime but forever and ever.

You Sir have been entrusted the responsibility by HIM to spread the message of LOVE because HE knew that no one but you could do complete justice to it. I truly worship the message!

Love,
Devika

Dear Sowpar,
You are right. Of all the love stories and the spiritual stories I have heard and read, this is the best. It is quite unique.
We human beings, who have overgrown intellects and malnourished emotions always look for complicated ways to please God. We go for the most difficult slokam, opt for the toughest vratham, like walking to Palani, or doing Angapradakshanam at Thirupathi and so on. It requires really a spiritual mastery to know that a simple uncomplicated love for God is all that is required.
Radhakrishnan quotes an impressive saying in his Bhagavat Gita book.
"The difference between the world's crudest religious ritual and world's finest and the holiest ritual is so small that the angels just smile at them."

Yogi Ramsurat Kumar another realised being who lived in Thiruvannamalai did not preach his disciples any more than Hare Rama Hare Rama Hare Rama Hare Hare. Actually sowpar after chanting a part of vedas, I do not find any difference between the toughest portions of Yajur Veda and the simple Hare Rama. What is more important the state of mind and the complications in pronunciation serves only to appease the intellect and swell the already swollen ego.

Sowpar, you should read all the 10 paasurams of Thiruppanazhwar starting with Amalanaadhi Piran and ending with Kondal Vannanai. Tamil at its poetical best, and love at its spiritual best.

I had to add a palasruthi tothe post as I wanted all those who read this (and of course those who did not) live a happy life.
Thanks for the fb, Sowpar.
love,

Originally Posted by sowparnika

dear sridhar sir,
it was great to have the full story at one go !
i cannot think of any words to write a fitting feed back for this one...
Thirupaanaazhwar's is indeed a unique kind of love, unlike any other....his is a story that goes to prove that the Lord does not need quantity in prayers,but simple, unwavering faith,love and nothing else...Paanan, with his10 paasurams, found a place among the azhwars, in the midst of others who have written hundreds and thousands....
Kondal Vannan is one of my favourites too...
You know, when i was reading the story of Villi and Ponnachi, i was reminded of this one, and i was happily surprised to read in this post that Ramanujar himself had sung this paasuram to invoke the Lord's love and blessings for Villi....what else could be more appropriate...
well, maybe thiruppaanaazhwar didnt give us a verbal palashruthi, but you certainly did...


May all those who read this story, those who could shed tears knowing about Paana’s love for God and even those who are not fortunate enough to know this great love story – may all of them be blessed with everything in life, more especially a heart full of love.

Dear Kamla,

As usual your fb was one worth asking for.
Not only Paana, but all of us, human beings and even the lowliest of the lowliest worms are but an extension of Divinity. Paana had recognised that truth and we are still groping in darkness.

Remember what Sharada says in HE, "Eeshavaasyam idham sarvam". Whatever there is, is only God.

Caste system started as a professional classification and then it entered our hearts, minds and egos and stayed there as a permanent fixture.

Even today, actually this morning, a friend of mine here in the US said that her daughter-- a US born and raised girl----wants to marry only within her Bramhin caste and creed! Outrageous, thought I, I did not say so aloud though! I thought it would not be polite.

Now that's food for thought, Kamla. I have been telling people that you should not use caste system to show your superiority. If I say that I am superior because I am a brahmin, it is awfully bad. But when it comes to marriage, provided the caste system has defined their life style to a great extent, it is practical to look for persons with similar life style. I knew a muslim boy who fell in love with a Jain girl. The problem would start with food. The girl wont even touch onions and garlic; whereas the boy has to have mutton and chicken every day.
In such cases one can find out to what extent caste has influenced a particular lifestyle and then decide on a life partner who has similar tastes. I have seen many people living in the US. Especially I know a Brahmin Doctor. The caste or religion never had any impact on his life style. He used to have bacon for breakfast, drink every day and lived the life of an American. And then when his daughter fell in love with the Telugu boy, the mother put her foot down and said a firm no.

The boy left her. And the girl is still not married.There the caste/religion was just an empty shell which the mother used to thwart her daughter's love.

On the other hand the son of my thiruvaimozhi teacher is an orthodox brahmin, who sports a big namam on hisforehead, does sandhya vandhanam three times a day. He cannot marry a christian girl or a muslim girl, as his lifestyle would be affected.

Now back to Paana's story. I am happy to see that you liked the quoted verses. Yes they are from Divya Prabandham, actually sung by Thiruppanazhwar. They are in the first thousand.
I will be writing more of such stories in future. But right now I want all of you to relax for a while.
When time permits just read what I wrote about Mylapore Mamis.
Love,