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The sacred ash

CHENNAI : Sekkizhar's Periyapuranam is a spiritual treat to its readers while the cultural and social values it portrays instil high values of life. In the unbiased account of the great deeds of the sixty-three Nayanmars and of the Lord's unique grace to each one of them is present the sanctifying force of true devotion. The Lord identifies the only qualification for Mukti as Bhakti, where devotion to God becomes spontaneous and encompassing love for humanity. The Lord is not concerned about any other individual merits including scholarship, wealth, meritorious deeds, etc.

The story of Enathi Nayanar establishes the belief in the sanctity of the sacred ash and the cause of dharma, and attempts to upset this belief can only be a temporary victory, said Sri R. Selvaganapathy in a lecture. For besides being an identity sign for Siva devotees, it is also vested with the tremendous protecting power against all kinds of evil forces.

A staunch Siva devotee, Enathi Nayanar was a valiant warrior skilled in war tactics and hailed from the Izha community. He identified young men who were eligible to join the king's army and trained them in the nuances of war. He had unflinching faith in Lord Siva and in the grace of the sacred ash. Another soldier Adisooran, though not as skilled as Enathi Nayanar, but anxious to earn a living by training soldiers, became envious of the latter's proficiency. Knowing that it would not be possible to win Enathi Nayanar in a straight fight, he challenged him for a duel. During the encounter, he hid his ash-smeared face behind the shield, revealing it only when the contestants neared each other.

The devout and straightforward Enathi Nayanar could not stoop to fight one with the holy ash, though he knew Adisooran to be a pseudo devotee. He could have easily dropped his weapons. But he pretended to fight without letting go his weapons because he did not wish to tarnish the glory of the holy ash, since the opponent would bear the blame of killing one without weapons. Pleased with the noble act of Enathi Nayanar, the Lord took the devotee into His fold.

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