Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jai Shiv Shankar !!
Varumival Nammai Peynnum Ammaikan Umaye Marrip
Perumai Ser Vadivam Vendi Petranal Yendru Pindrai
Aruguvandhanaya Nokki Ammaye Yennunai Semmey
Oru Mozhi Ulakam Ellam Uyyavey Arul Seithar
Punithavathiyar was born in Karaikkal, one of the port cities in Tamil Nadu. She was born to Dhanathanan, one of the wealthiest men in Karaikkal, an outstanding businessman. This righteous couple Dhanathanan and his wife had a stunningly beautiful girl child – Punithavathiyar.
Punithavathiyar had immense faith and devotion to Lord Shiva from her childhood. She speaks of His glories; she immersed herself in the thought of Lord. Year’s passes by, Punithavathiyar grown into an astoundingly beautiful young maiden. A famous businessman - Nidhipathi from Nagapattinam was seeking an alliance for his son Paramadattan, a handsome young businessman. He approached Dhanathanan; both the families were agreed at the perfect match of the young couple Punithavathiyar and Paramadattan. Soon a grand wedding of Punithakavathiyar and Paramadattan took place in their native village with all the pomp and honor. Punithavathiyar’s father was unable to bear the thought of separation from his daughter, so he decided to present his son-in-law with abundance of wealth to establish a new business in Karaikkal, consequently newly wedded couple settled in Karaikkal. Later Paramadattan doubled up his wealth with all his proficiency and intelligence. Punithavathiyar stood behind his success as a faithful and loyal wife.
One day few people visited Paramadattan and gave him two mangoes. Paramadattan instructed his servant to give the mangoes to Punithavathiyar. Punithavathiyar took the mangoes from the servant; soon she found a devotee of Lord with matted hair locks, Rudraksha, beautifully smeared ash marks all over the body approached Punithavathiyar. The old man was too tired of hunger; he came forward to Punithavathiyar and begged for alms. He explained his inability to resume journey without any food. Punithavathiyar received the holy man with due respect, offered him food and served him with a mango. The holy man blessed Punithavathiyar and left the place. Immediately after her husband Paramadattan arrived home to have lunch. Punithavathiyar delightfully served her husband with the delicious meal and the pieces of mangoes. The exotic taste of the mangoes tempted him to ask for more. But there was no mango left to serve him. Punithavathiyar was deeply anxious and sincerely prayed to Lord. Instantly there appeared a mango with the grace of Lord, she was much delighted and served her husband. After tasting the mango of unusual delectable savor he asked her about the source of it. Punithavathiyar was in dilemma; she does not want to lie to her husband and was worried about the way he reacts to it. Finally, she told all that happened to her, she cried out uncontrollably revealing the compassion of Lord; his mercy provided her with the mango of extra-ordinary taste. Paramadattan was not able to believe any of her words and demanded her to prove it. Once again she went on praying to Lord with anguish, alas! A mango appeared on her palm, Paramadattan hastily picked the mango from her hand but it was vanshied instantly. This incident made Paramadattan to stay away from his beautiful wife for long time, thinking that she should be treated as a deity not as his better half. He felt that his wife was having godsend extra-ordinary powers and she should be worshipped in all her life.
Paramadattan’s strong belief and respect towards his wife forced him to stay completely disconnected from his lovely wife. Later, he left Karaikkal and moved to the Kingdom of Pandya, he made his relatives and his wife to believe that he went for business tour. Paramadattan never returned from his trip, instead he married to a girl and settled in the Kingdom of Pandya. But he always remembered Punithavathiyar with lot of admiration and reverence. He had a daughter from his second marriage; he named the child after Punithavathiyar.
In Karaikkal, Punithavathiyar was expecting her husband’s return from his business trip enthusiastically. She continued to live a life of a chaste wife and immersed in serving the Lord and his devotees. Punithavathiyar’s family came to know about Paramadattan’s whereabouts and decided to take her to Paramadattan’s place. They informed him about Punithavathiyars arrival, when the ceremonial carriage landed in front of his home the entire villagers were witnessed, Paramadattan fervently rushed to the ceremonial carriage with his wife and daughter. He prostrated before Punithavathiyar. Punithavathiyar was alarmed to see the turn of events; her relatives were horrified to see this act of Paramadattan. Paramadattan revealed the crowd about the virtues of Punithavathiyar and the whole incident which made him to worship her as Goddess. Punithavathiyar agonizingly prayed to Lord to change her beautiful features into a banshee, instantaneously she turned out an ugly old woman. Seeing her ugly, skeleton shaped body everyone assembled were dumbfounded, her relatives prostrated before her and left.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar (Punithavathiyar) with the new features of ugly old woman and a heart filled with the thoughts of Lords of Lord continued her spiritual journey. She composed many songs praising the glories of Lord came to known as ‘Arputha Thiruvandhandhi’, ‘Irattai Manimalai Andhadhi’. Her desire to visualize Lord in his Abode grew irrepressible. Whoever met on her way was scared of seeing her ghostly form; it does not make any difference to Karaikkal Ammayar. She arrived at the foot of the Mount Kailash, she was hesitant to place her feet on this divine land of Lord. She walked with her hands on the ground, placing her head on the sacred land.
The mother of the Universe was astounded to see Karaikkal Ammayar’s devotion to Lord. Lord Shiva most pleasingly described to Goddess Uma about the devout act of Punithavathiyar. Karaikkal Ammayar fell on the feet of Lord and sincerely prayed ‘I don’t want to take rebirth, if born I want to remain at your feet singing and priaisng the glories of you while you perform the cosmic dance and serve you all my life.’ Lord Shiva blessed Karaikkal Ammayar and instructed her to reside in Thiruvalangadu and continued her service to Lord. Karaikkal Ammayar returned to Thiruvalangadu with her heads on the ground. She composed many verses praising the glories of Lord including Moothanar Padhikam. The most compassionate Lord performed his cosmic dance in Thiruvalangadu for Karaikkal Ammayar and she immersed in a total bliss. Karaikkal Ammayar’s life period was before the prominent shivaite saint Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. She composed many glorious verses came to known as ‘Mootha Thirupadhikam’.
In the Tamil month Panguni – Swathi is widely celebrated as Guru Puja day of Karaikkal Ammayar, the day she attained the Abode of Lord Shiva.
Jai Shiv Shankar !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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