Nandanar of Adanur

Nanda was born in the Pariah caste about six hundred years ago. He was a great devotee of Lord Siva.

Nanda, even in his early boyhood, was unlike the other boys of the Parachery. He played with clay-gods and danced around them. He used to arrange processions and festivals for his gods. He always looked with wonder at the tall tower of the Siva Temple of Adanur. He believed God must be very great, grand, and wonderful. One day, he thought he must see God.

As he grew up his imagination, enthusiasm, and piety also grew. He wanted to do something that would please God. How can a poor man of low birth do any service to God? The temple people will not allow him. One day, a bright idea struck him, “Why don’t I supply leather for temple drums?” So, he bought leather, wetted it, tanned it, cut it into proper sizes, and took them to the temple drummers.

This was his sport and pastime. He had a few friends, who shared his enthusiasm and sympathised with him and his work. He would often talk of God’s glory and sometimes, sing and dance in great joy. Tears flowed down his cheeks at the thought that he will not be allowed to go into the temple to see the sacred Lingam and enjoy the sight of people worshipping with light, camphor, and other things. Sometimes, he used to be so absorbed with the thought of God that he would lose his consciousness.

One day, he heard a great scholar telling people, “Chidambaram is the holiest place; he that visits the temple, even if he is a chandala, will attain moksha.” Yes, Chidambaram to Saivites is what Mecca is to Muhammadans. The pundit was also describing the image of Nataraj in glorious terms. These words acted on him like magic. He decided to go to Chidambaram soon.

From that day, he spent his life only in thinking of Nataraj, singing of Nataraj, and talking of Nataraj as he worked in the fields and farms. He was so continuously engaged in thinking of the Lord that he became almost mad. He could not postpone his journey to Chidambaram. So, he went to his Brahmin master and said, “Sir, I want to go to Chidambaram at once; please give me permission just for one day.”

The landlord was very angry. He shouted, “Eh, you, pariah, want to visit Chidambaram; you must be beaten for this.”

Nanda was shocked, but he did not argue. “His will shall be done,” he thought and waited patiently. He also thought, “Perhaps, my devotion is not yet ripe enough. Let me do more meditation.”

One day, during the harvest, the landlord was surprised at the joy, humility, and calmness that shone on Nanda’s face. He said, “Nanda, you are really a good fellow. Do your work well in this harvesting and I shall give you permission to go to Chidambaram.”

Nanda began to dance and sing. He sprang into the fields and began doing his work with great speed.

That evening, Nanda went to his master and said, “Do come and see the fields, Sir.” The landlord was shocked to see the whole of his paddy fields reaped and the harvest gathered into a mountain of gold. He could only say, “Nanda, you are the holiest and purest of men. From this moment, I am your slave, because I am sure God worked in my fields through you.”

At last, Nanda started for Chidambaram along with his friends. There, in Chidambaram, he was asked to walk through a fire-pit. He did it singing and dancing and came out unhurt. People believed that he was indeed a great devotee. At last, he was taken by the priests of the temple into the presence of Nataraj. There, Nanda began to dance and sing,

Nataraja, Nataraja

NartanaSundara Nataraja.

After some time, he fell flat on the floor, dead. His breath merged into the Lord Nataraj.

Questions :

1. To which caste did Nanda belong?
2. In what way was he different from other boys?
3. How did he serve God?
4. How was the Brahmin master made to believe Nanda to be a great devotee?
5. Describe Nanda’s visit to Chidambaram.

[Illustrations by G. Vishweshwaran, Sri Sathya Balvikas Student]
[Source: Stories for Children-II, Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publications, PN]