Tag: Deeds

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller

How many times in life have been behind things that bring in stress but nothing else? 

Ever thought of stopping for a while and going within and checked if things are done from the heart? 

Ever felt so aligned with the heart, feeling satisfaction briming, sometimes overflowing? 

And by the end of the day consciously took a deep breath of satisfaction and had a sound sleep? 

If the answers are no for the above questions, the one stop solution is, all these happen when one does things from the heart.

And while doing things from the heart, people may not be recognised instantly. Because most things related to the heart are invisible. 

Say, one person sows a seed and waters daily. Just how roots are invisible, few things in life are invisible as well, but it’s power is enormous. And when one realises the power of the invisible roots he or she becomes more powerful. Whatever he or she does, others can sense a classic touch in their works. Can feel their soothing vibes when around them. That is the power of doing things from the heart. It serves you and all.

Here, in Periya Puranam there is the history of this Nayanmar. He is the 58th Nayanmar. Poosalar. The number of Nayanmars so far is 63 and why am I speaking from the last? I follow no order in this series. Just going by the flow. 

This history is close to my heart. This was part of my Tamil syllabus in my school days. So only with his life history I got to know about Periya Puranam and Nayanmars. Before analysing the contemporary aspects from his life history, a brief note about him.

Poosalar was a Brahmin Priest and was living in Thirunindravur, a place near Chennai. In other terms Chennai ku miga arigil. He was so devoted to lord Shiva and wanted to construct a temple for him. But he was poor and had no money to build a massive temple for his god.

So, everyday after his usual work, he would sit in meditation and imagined how he could build a temple for his beloved god. He dwelled deep into detailing to every aspect. He was into such a detailing that he took the same time that it takes to build a temple in reality. If it takes a month for a sculptor to carve out an idol for a pillar he took that time to carve in his heart. He ensured all the detailing was captured to perfection. Despite no one knew, other than him he went on to be sincere in his thoughts. 

People around him thought he was someone who used to sit and sleep every day. But he had his own plans and kept going with his hearty construction. 

Meanwhile, the Pallava ruler, the king of the land, King Kadavarkon was constructing a Temple in the capital city Kanchipuram. The temple is still there. Kailasanadhar Temple. He wanted to construct the temple in a way where Lord Shiva can come and stay from Mount Kailash, his dwelling place and take rest here as this temple would be much more comfortable than Mt. Kailash. The king was indeed proud about his concept. The temple was coming up grandeur. For the temple sculptures even his wife, the queen of the throne posed as dancing dolls. Such were the efforts that went into the construction. 

The king had set the date for the consecration. It was festive all over the capital city. Poojas, ygyanyas were happening day and night. Just the night before the consecration, Lord Shiva appeared in the King’s dream. He said he cannot be in his temple for the ceremony the next day as he had to attend Poosalar’s consecration ceremony. The lord also asked him to change the date of the ceremony. The king was taken aback and wanted to know who Poosalar was and about his marvel construction. He changed the dates and set out to Thirunindravur. He searched for the new temple all around but couldn’t find one. He asked for people if anyone knew Poosalar. Everyone said he was someone who sleeps at noon, sitting. He met him and asked about his temple and Poosalar was astound. 

Because only he knew that the temple was constructed in his heart. He revealed the truth to the Pallava king. The Pallava king was stunned by his devotion. The king felt small as he realised the greatness of his heart. He was moved and said to him that his temple is small compared to the temple that he had build in his heart. People later built a temple in Thirunindravur to make Poosalar’s visualization a reality.

Even today the presiding deity in Thirunindravur Shiva temple is known as Hrudhaishwarar, the one, who lives in the heart. 

Coming to the contemporary aspect of history, in this busy world, people hardly connect with themselves. Looking at Poosalar, the one who had smeared the sacred ash all over his body, have shown what single minded devotion is and what doing things from heart can bring in. He visualized and it came into existence. His desire, his devotion was so strong that the universe heard his inner voice, helped him to achieve the same.

Some people may not feel connected with any god as it’s their belief system. But they look up to the Universe. As one does things from the heart, the entire universe conspires to achieve it. When it is for the greater goodness and is positive its power is many folds and is good for the seeker and the entire mankind. 

Poosalar slept in peace, led a peaceful life. Though he had little, his heart was large. A normal middle class man has much more than him in terms of materialism. 

We have Money to buy things. 

We have food on the table, a roof over the top. We have some savings. 

We have a beautiful family.

But all it takes is a deeper connection with ourselves. 

It is not necessary that we have to sit in meditation all day and visualize building a temple. We can just be aware of the useless thoughts and tweak them as purposeful ones. 

Though not easy it is still possible with consistency. 

Once achieved, we can distinctly see the difference in the way of life, the Quality of thoughts and purity in deeds. We can sense satisfaction brimming. Ultimately, can sleep better.

Happy Sunday!