Myths from Kerala: (Part 5)

(Did Thunjath Ezhuthachan Originate from "Adhyathma Ramayanam"?)

It is well known that Sri Valmiki is the author of "Gayathri Ramayanam". Similarly, it is believed that " Albhutha Ramayanam" and "Ananda Ramayanam" are also creations of Rishis,*. But "Adhyathma Ramayanam" stands apart from all these. The early stories of Ramayana mentions Rama as one of the divine incarnations of Vishnu. In Adhyathma Ramayanam, as Sri Rama is described as God himself, it is believed that no Rishi wrote it. There is a story behind this opinion.

A Brahmin who was a devotee of Vishnu began writing the Ramayanam, with utmost sentiment of devotion. When he concluded the manuscript, the Brahmin thought it would get lot of public attention. Not only did he experience a totally different public opinion in the form of negative criticism, but he was also insulted.

He did not like being criticized as a fool. When he could not bear the humiliation any more, he took his manuscript and decided to leave the place. While passing through a forest area in the evening hours, feeling tired he decided to rest under a tree. Soon he was fast asleep.

After midnight, an angelic personality appeared before him and asked, "who is sleeping here?"

The Brahmin answered, " I am a poor Brahmin. After travelling a long way, feeling tired I decided to rest for a while at this place where there was no one around and fell asleep."

The angelic person asked again, "What is that volume near your head?"

The Brahmin, "It is better not to speak anything about this. It is because I wrote this volume I am in this situation now. If I say what this is about, I will be teased."

The divine person said, "No. I will not. You go ahead and speak."

Persuaded by the angelic personality, the Brahmin narrated his experience and the contemptuous attitude of people towards him. After hearing the entire story, the angelic personality told him, "You need not worry. I will tell you a way to be out of this situation. This coming ‘sivaratri’** day, you reach the place ‘Gokarna’ with this volume. On that day, among others who visit the temple to offer their prayers, there will be a person with radiance on his face, accompanied by four dogs. Submit this volume in his hands. But if he asks you who told you about this trick, never reveal it was I. His visit is not supposed to be known to anybody."

After pronouncing this, the angelic personality disappeared. The Brahmin was extremely happy. He did as was advised by the angelic personality. On sivarathri day he submitted the volume in the hands of the glorious person who accepted it.

After reading the volume he questioned the poor Brahmin, " who guided you to submit this to me?"

The poor man stood silently with out answering the question.

The glorious person said as an after thought, " It is alright, you need not say. I know it was a gandharva who told you about this. I am not at all angry with you. But for publicizing this secret mission of mine I have no intention of allowing him to go scot-free. Let him be born as a lowly one on this earth." Cursing the gandharva in this manner, he sprinkled little water from his earthen pot on the volume saying, "this volume will be used by many."

It is believed that the angelic person who guided the Brahmin, the author of Adhyathma Ramayanam, about the trick, took birth in a lowly community and later became famous as "Thunjath Ezhuthachan" became. It is again a general belief that as a consequence of these events, he took the same composition for translation in his "Kilippattu". #

It was Veda Vyasa himself who appeared on Sivarathri day at Gokarna along with four Vedas. Some say it was Vararuchi who came to light through Adhyathma Ramayanam.

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* Rishi: sage

** Sivarathri: a special conjunction of stars – the day is believed to be special for Siva

# Kilippattu: a kind of song with special meter - usually in this style, the poet narrates what ever is desired to be told, through a bird.

English translation by
Lakshmy N

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