Divine Miracle
One day her husband, Paramathathan, had sent two mangoes to be kept for him. That day a hungry Shaiva devotee came to her residence. As the luncheon was not yet ready, she gave the devotee one of the two mangoes which her husband gave earlier. Later, when her husband came home, she served him the other mango. The mango was very delicious, and her husband requested that the other mango be served. Punithavathi prayed to Shiva, and a mango appeared in her palm, which she served to her husband.
As this fruit was divinely sweet and was infinitely delicious compared to the previous one, her husband inquired as to how she obtained this mango. When she told how she received the second mango by God's grace, her husband didn't believe it. He asked her to produce another mango with divine help. She entreated Lord Shiva, obtained another similar mango, and gave it to her husband. The mango then disappeared, and Paramathathan realised the divine nature of his wife and his own arrogance. Paramathathan understood that she was worthy of worship and he was unworthy of her. He then deserted her, becoming a trader and married the daughter of a merchant who then gave birth to their child. Paramathathan named the child with the real name of ammaiyar. When word reached ammaiyar's family, they decided that they must take her to him. When he saw his former wife, Paramathathan addressed her reverentially, saying that he realised she was no ordinary human being. Dismayed, ammaiyar prayed to Shiva asking for a boon - that she may worship Lord Shiva as a disembodied wraith. She received the boon, and leaving all her beauty and her body behind. Then she graciously sang, "Arpudha Thiruvandhaadhi" and "Thiruvirattaimanimaalai". she traveled to Mount Kailas, climbing it upside down on her head. There Goddess parvathi, wife of shiva, asked about ammaiyar. Lord Shiva told, she is the mother who is taking care of ourselves. Ammaiyar worshiped shiva. shiva greeted her with calling her "ammaiye"(means, 'my mother!'), and Ammaiyar replied "Appa"(father to all). Lord asked her wish to which she replied, "I want endless and delightful love with you. I don't want to be born again. Even if I have any birth, I should not forget you. When you perform your holy dance, I want to be beneath in your feet and I want to sing your praise in joy." The Lord granted the boon and asked Ammaiyar to come to Thiruvalangadu, where He is performing one of the holy dances (oordhuva thandava). Ammaiyar visited Thiruvalangadu, walking on her holy head. She sang 'Thiruaalangaatu mootha thirupathigam 1' and 'Thiruaalangaatu mootha thirupathigam 2'.
Read more about this topic: Karaikkal Ammeiyar
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