Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Ayyappa

Manikantha at His Gurukulam

When Manikantha attained a suitable age, His foster father Rajasekhara Pandyan decided to send Him to a suitable Gurukulam to complete His studies. Manikantha, the divine child that He was, quickly learnt all that His Guru had to teach Him & impressed His Guru as well as His peers. His Guru was convinced that Manikantha was no ordinary child & that He was surely a divine being destined to fulfil a great purpose. The Guru even gifted Manikantha his golden 'churika', meaning 'dagger' or 'knife' used in combat by royals. Manikantha came to be known as 'Villali Veeran' - the champion amongst archers.

When the time came to bid farewell to His Guru, Manikantha approached him & asked what He should offer as Guru Dakshina. The Guru said that He did not want any material offerings as Guru Dakshina since He was already convinced of Manikantha's divinity & was privileged to have had Him as a student. He said the only thing that grieved him was his son's inability to speak or hear since birth. Manikantha placed His hand on the child's head and signaled him to try & repeat the Lord's name. Wonder of wonders - the child who had been dumb since birth spoke! The Guru was delighted beyond limits & blessed Manikantha wholeheartedly.

May Veera Manikantha bless one and all.

Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa