Durga | ✓

22. Legends of Siddhar

Ramaiah looked at Rudra as he wiped his tears. Rudra composed himself. Durga took her own time to come. Ramaiah tried to bring a smile on Rudra's face. Rudra had no option but to smile. Ramaiah's jokes were either comedy scenes of movies or poor jokes. He appreciated Ramaiah's efforts to cheer him up.

Durga opened the door. Rudra stood up, slowly, with his mouth open. Ramaiah winced and closed Rudra's lower jaw. Why is reacting so insane? I think he likes her. Otherwise he never cared to look at any girl.

Durga looked epitome of beauty with the lavender and white coloured half saree which she was wearing. She walked slowly into the room. It is little difficult to walk with half saree. Thank god I am not wearing a saree

Ramaiah said, "Good morning Durga, why are you wearing saree? Any special occasion?"

Durga acknowledged him, "Good morning Ramaiah. I decided to visit temple so I wore saree."

Ramaiah nodded and smiled. Rudra signalled him to leave. Ramaiah left the room. Durga sat on the chair.

Rudra asked her, " Any special reason for visiting the temple."

Durga shook her head with a fake smile. How do I tell him that I felt uneasy when I saw him in the crowd. I wanted to badly hit them again. The rage increased all of a sudden. I felt all my negative energy disappearing, after few moments. I thought Amma Chamundeshwari might help me. But didn't give me any answers.

Rudra took out the second book from the box. Let us see what you have got us for now. Durga translated the word to be Siddha Medicine. She looked at him questioning eyes. Rudra pondered for a while. He murmured, "So all the rumours were correct."

Durga heard his murmur, "Rumours? Which rumours, Sir?"

" Rumours of Sage Agastya being a Siddhar."

" Siddhar? Has this got to do with Siddha?"

"You guessed it correctly."

Rudra was not sure of how to explain. Then he remembered the class where Akshad had delivered a lecture on Sage Agastya. He decided to explain in a similar way.

" Siddhars were the spiritual adepts who possessed Ashta Siddhis. Sage Agastya was considered the guru of all. It is believed that the Siddhar medicine system was handed over to him by Lord Kartikeya."

" Lord Kartikeya?"

" It is believed that he meet Sage Agastya as an old man. He recited the Siddhar medicine system to Sage Agastya. Basically, Siddhars are considered to be followers of Lord Shiva. Historians consider Sage Agastya as first Siddhar.

His disciples and others contributed to Siddhar texts. He is believed to be the Father of Tamil Literature and compiled a book on Tamil Grammar called Agathiyam.

He married Lopamudra, the princess of Vidharbha. They both complied a work called Lalita Sahasranama. It contained 1000 names of Goddess Lalita. It is said that these names were taught to them by Lord Vishnu."

Durga thought for a while. Sage Agastya was really a brainy fellow. He did so much of research and wrote so many books. Even for his book, Lalita Sahasranama, he mentioned Lopamudra as co-author. It is really impressive to know that he respected his wife and her knowledge. Only if Indrajeet would've respected my choices, I would have been more happier.

Why do you always have to think about him? You know that thinking about him will spoil your mood.

Rudra continued. " Even the book Silambam is said to have been told to Sage Agastya by Lord Kartikeya."

" Wow! I never knew that."

Rudra grinned. " His legacy is associated with Chengannur Temple in Kerala. It is considered to be built by Sage Agastya, when he sat for mediation. The temple is dedicated to Shiva Parvati, of course. Usually, married couples visit the temple."

Rudra noticed Durga's disappointed face on mentioning the term 'married couple'. He thought to continue, maybe that would distract her.

" One half of the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva while the other half is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Interestingly, it is believed that even today the menstrual flow has Goddess Parvati, though not regular. But, if the priest observes the blood flow in the odayaada during nirmalya pooja, Parvati's idol is immediately removed from and is kept in sanctum opposite to the temple within temple premises. After the festival Tripoottaraatu, the idol is shifted back into the temple. The festival is celebrated only if the menses occur."

Durga looked at him with awe. She asked, " Amazing Sir! How do you know so much?"

Rudra shrugged and said, " Well it is just that..."

" He had made a project on Sage Agastya. So he knows about it." cut in Ramaiah.

Rudra cursed under his breath. "Impeccable timing."

Durga looked at Ramaiah. Rudra gritted his teeth. " Ramaiah, what are you doing here?"

" Sir, I am here to show you the draft."

" Show it to me." said Rudra and snatched the paper. He read it carefully. Durga looked around, feeling bored. She said, " Ramaiah, you can join us for translating. Can't he Sir?"

Rudra replied, " Yes, he can."

Rudra handed the paper to him. "Give this paper to Shekar. He will type it and send it to the newspaper editor."

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Ashta Siddhis: Eight supernatural powers.

Lord Kartikeya: Son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Vidharbha: Region of south-central India; lying south to Vindhya mountains. It is a part of present day Maharashtra.

Lalita: Commonly known as Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati and Durga.

Tripoottaraatu: Seven days in Malayalam

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Thank you for reading.