THIRUKURIPPU THONDAR - A GREAT NAYANMAR
All religions ask one to do one’s duty and not even one tenet preached “Do Not Do Your Duty! Go on Chanting My Name” anywhere!. Doing One’s Duty will bring God to You! One need not search for Lord Shiva when doing his assigned duties, instead Lord Shiva comes to the devotee who does his duty. The life of one such Nayanmar called “Thirukurippu Thondar” illustrates this and shows us the way!.
To begin with “ThiruKurippu Thondar” means Saint who Serves based on the details he knows about devotees– an interesting name indeed. This Saint Server actually used to know beforehand the details(notes) of Lord Shiva’s devotees and serve them accordingly and hence the name. Actually he was a washer man or dhobi in the ancient city of Kancheepuram. It is surprising but true that a washer man is a Nayanmar. God does not classify man on the basis of the work he does - Only devotion matters. To illustrate this point maybe Lord Shiva played his famous Thiruvilayadals ( Plays ) on this devotee.
Okay our Thirukurippu Nayanmar had the habit of receiving Lord Shiva’s devotees and served them by washing their clothes. Being a washer man (dhobi), he collected their robes washed and cleaned dutifully and for such tasks he did not take any money or other benefits. It was out of pure devotion that he accorded such respect to Lord Shiva’s devotees. Also just because he washed them for free it did not mean that the job was not done properly. With the utmost care and caution he washed away the dirt off the robes of holy men and returned to them.
His intention probably was that his mind (as well as ours or the ones who read this) and soul will also be cleansed just as he cleanses the clothes of holy men.
Lord Shiva desired to meet his ardent devotee and started immediately to ThiruKurippu Thondar’s place. Lord Shiva arrived in the guise of a Great Saint and Seer, who had done many years of penance(Tapas). The Lord had smeared Thiruneer (Sacred Ash) on Him, a bright and radiant face, the look of an emaciated saint with a lean body with dirty robes. With such an appearance he stood before His devotee Thirukurippu Thondar. It was the start of the rainy season.
Our Thirukurippu Thondar dhobi on seeing the saint, was joyous as was his wont with saints, welcomed Him with folded hands and paid due respects and obeisance to the Saint “Dear Saint of Great penance! You look so lean and emaciated! Are you well? Please give me your robes. They are very dirty. I will wash them for you”.
Lord Shiva in the guise of the saint replied “Thirukurippu Thondar! I know my robe is no doubt dirty, but it is this dirty robe that protects me from the cold during the night. I accept your offer of washing my robes but on one condition. You should return my robe washed and cleaned before the sun sets today. Otherwise you will be responsible for my already emaciated body to suffer the pangs of cold tonight”.
Thirukurippu Thondar was overjoyed upon hearing this and without knowing what is going to happen got the robe from the Saint with the joy that he can serve one more Shiva Bhaktha (devotee) by washing and cleaning them, ardently started the task by taking the robe to the river nearby.
He first washing the robe with water as he usually does. Then he applies soap powder and once again washes it. Then after thoroughly rinsing the clothes he dries it. This is the routine he follows while washing. But today he had just dipped the robe in water and lo behold it began to rain. Lord Shiva had started the rain. It was intense and suddenly it became dark. Time was running out and there was no sign of the rain stopping. Thirukurippu Nayanmar thought that if had taken the Saints robe to his house perhaps he could have washed and dried them inside itself. Now it was too late. The sun had set. He became upset that he could not complete washing the Saints Robe, leave alone drying the robe.
He became overcome with extreme guilt and sorrow that he did not meet the saints condition and as a result because of him the saint was going to suffer in the cold.
Unable to bear the thought that he was not able to do his duty and keep his word, Thirukurippu Thondar started smashing his head on the stone where he used to wash the clothes with the intention of giving up his life. Lord Shiva appeared and with his hand stopped the Thondar’s head from getting smashed in the stone.
Then Lord Shiva along with His Consort Goddess Ambiga (Parvati Devi) gave darshan to His devotee in Rishaba Vahanam(Mount/ Vehicle) and blessed him saying “ My dear Devotee!!! in order to show your Service and your sense of Duty to the World I orchestrated this play. Hereafter your place is Kailasam (Sivalokam). Come and reside with me.”
Seeing the Lord with His Consort whom he held and worshipped dearly in his heart, with tear filled eyes Thirukurippu Thondar Nayanmar raised His hands and worshipped The Divine Couple. All the Lords showered flowers on seeing this spectacle from the heavens. The Lord and His Consort then merged into the Egambareswarar temple in Kancheevaram.
As per the Lord’s instructions Thirukurippu Thondar or the Saint who served the Lord Shiva’s devotees by noting their details reached the sacred abode of Lord Shiva, Kailasam.
