Mythological stories from Northern Kerala

PART I

Based on the collection of Kottarathil Sangunni we have seen some mythological stories of Southern Kerala. Like wise there are many interesting, equally important unforgettable stories from Northern Kerala. These mythological stories relating to Kolathu Nadu and its descendants known as "kolathiri" have been published elsewhere. Such mythological stories of interest and of importance are being brought out in "Kerala Viseshangal" as condensed forms incorporating the essence from various literature references including that of Kottarathil Sangunni’s collection.

Birth of Mother Reborn*

In olden times at a place called Payyannoor there used be a debate session, which was very famous. Among others who participated in the debate session there was one particular school named "Maniyottu Gurupeetam" which was quite well known. Apart from malayalees, great debaters who visited this place came all the way from neighboring State, Tamil Nadu too.

Once there was a long debate session going on for days together. A young Brahmin girl from Maniyottu kulam captured the attention of every one there and amazed all the claps. This irritated some of the senior intellectuals assembled there and they became restless. In order to save their faces, the senior members grouped together and decided to bring her down from the high pedestal she was reaching smoothly.

One mischievous debater came out with this question to the young girl: "which is the best of feelings enjoyed and what is the concluding essence of that?"

The girl did not expect her answer to bring fireworks in the hall. But as she knew the right answer without a second thought she replied, "the feeling of lustful experience."

Contrary to her expectation her experience turned soar. People started whispering among themselves. The inmates of Maniyottu Gurukulam became anxious. When situation reached out of control, the head of the Gurukulam got up from his seat and questioned her: " how come you, a virgin girl knew this? Unless one has experience, how can one answer without any hesitation and so easily?"

When she realized that her own teacher is turning against her, she felt lonely in that crowd. She experienced a fearful silence. The entire hall was changing its color. She understood that her morality itself was being questioned. She was getting the blame – a black spot in the family. According to local practices she was thrown out of the house. But she did not lose her balance. She did not ask for help but walked ahead with confidence. She walked ahead straight towards the Payyannoor temple, hoping the deity would not let her down. But the priest who had already heard about the background for her leaving the home, did not allow her entry into temple premises. The doors here too were closed on her face. This was the least she expected! All her pent up feelings of sorrow started overflowing as tears. Her feet lost balance, she experienced darkness in front of her eyes and collapsed on the ground. She cried and cried until she became unconscious and lay down there past midnight.

Early morning in her half-conscious state God appeared in a dream and told her, "my child do not upset. It is all for your good. You are not an ordinary woman of human race. You were a celestial maiden in last birth. Due to a curse you are born in the human race and lived as virtuous girl. The period of the curse is getting over. You sacrifice yourself in fire. You will be out of the curse soon. See here is the pyre set for you. From some one you beg anything and offer it to fire and then jump yourself into the fire-pit." Having briefed her this much God disappeared. She woke up with a jerk and looked around. Who will give her alms at that early hour? She waited and waited for some one to pass that way. After a while one low caste man came that way. All that he had was a pot of toddy. So she requested him to give little from that. Her request was equal to the blunder of singing a poem to a rock! He spat on her face and walked away. She waited for some one next to come that side. After a long time a man with a bundle of betel leaves on his head was coming closer. She urged him to give her atleast a leaf from the bundle. He looked at her but turning his face walked away. A little later a retailer with a jar of oil on his head came. She pleaded with him to give few drops of oil to offer in the fire so that she can save herself. Though he could not understand the meaning he took pity on her and offered little oil to pour in the fire-pit.

She was happy and Said, "I will never forget this Help you have done. I will be the guardian angel for you and your family".

Without knowing what she meant he moved on. On a second thought he turned back and screaming loudly ran back towards the girl. He was stunned at the sight of the girl walking towards the fire-pit with folded hands and vanishing slowly into the fire. Hearing his scream public assembled. Seeing the sight some one ridiculed. Some felt pity. But with in few minutes that girl came out of the fire with a new life, like a symbol of peace. It is believed that this new life came to be known as "Muchilot Bhagavathi". Though a mythological story, it is believed that the Vanias of Payyannoor became rich businessmen because of the girl’s word. As many have faith in this, even today the devotees offer betel leaf, toddy and oil as desired by the girl to the deity of the temple.

*The English translation of the original article entitles "oru punarjananiyute janmam" by Hari Kochat

Lakshmy. N

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