The Goddess Sarasvathi is one of the goddesses who has been worshipped by the Tamils since ancient times. She was known as KalaimagaL, NaamagaL, KalaivaaNi, etc. Until a few venturies ago, the influence of the poets and scholars far surpassed the influence of even the kings and emperors. Even during the 20th century, even though they did not enjoy that much of influence, still they had respect, prestige, and esteem. Only during the present times, scholars and poets of Tamil have lost much respect among the Tamils.
Because of the influence exhibited by the poets and scholars, added to the value and importance of education, Sarasvathi worship was in vogue. Even those poets and scholars who worshipped other deities as The Supreme God, also prayed to Sarasvathi.
Kamban was a great VishNu Bhaktha. Ottakkuuththar was a staunch Siva Bhaktha. They had the full Grace of the Goddess Sarasvathi. They had the great boon of seeing and hearing Sarasvathi often. Adhi Sankara had a confrontation with Sarasvathi three times. He was tested personally by Her. Because of that, he could ascend the 'Sarvagnya Peetam'. This peetam is reserved for scholars who excelled in all branches of knowledge and arts.
Poems, songs, and thuthis dedicated to Sarasvathi are numerous in Tamil. Almost every Tamil literary work would contain at least one verse dedicated to Sarasvathi. If a person would collect the verses dedicated to Sarasvathi in the various literary works in Tamil, the collection alone would make a big voluminous work. Even the Jain major work, Siivaka ChinthaamaNi contains a section called 'naamagaL ilampakam'. Buddhists revered Her as Tara. Kambar's 'Sarasvathi andhaadhi', Ottakkuuththar's 'Iitti elzubathu', and Kumaraguruparar's 'Sakala-kalaa-valli Maalai' are very powerful thuthimaalais. They are packed with mystic and miraculous force-fields. Kumaraguruparar was greatly blessed by the Goddess Sarasvathi. He was not able to speak since birth. When he was five years old, his parents took him to Thiruchendhur and left him in temple at the mercy of Muruga KadavuL. Due to the Grace of Muruga Peruman, Kumaraguruparar was able to compose beautiful poems. The very first collection of songs that he sang was the 'Kandhar Kali VeNba' in praise of Muruga Peruman. 'He who has Murugan as his Guru'. He came from Thiruchendhur to Madurai. At that time, Thirumalai Nayakkar was ruling over Madurai country. He had done extensive extensions and refurbishing to the Meenakshi Temple. When Guruparar neared Madurai, the Goddess Meenakshi appeared to Thirumalai Nayakkar and told him to receive Kumaraguru royally and welcome him to the temple. She also told Kumaraguru that Thirumalai Nayakkar would receive him.
When they reached Meekashi Temple, Kumaraguruparar sang the 'Meenaatchiyamman PiLLai Thamilz'.
The Goddess Meenakshi came out of Her shrine in the form of a small girl and sitting on the lap of the Nayakkar, listened to Kumaraguruparar's rendering of the PiLLai Thamilz. When Kumaraguruparar sang the verse, 'thodukkum kadavuL palzam paadal thodaiyin payanE', She took off a pearl garland from the neck of the Nayakkar and adorned Kumaraguruparar with it. Kumaraguruparar went around Tamilnadu and other places and challenged other religous groups called them out to debate and won them. In the course of his sojourn, he reached Kaasi Benares.......
Enjoyable and worth reading during puja celebrations.
The girl who sat on the lap of Thirumalai Nayakkar was none other but Goddess Meenakshi - which they came to know only after some time after the function. The King actually had a daughter who casually used to sit on the lap of father. But at the particular time of rendering of 'Meenakshi Pillaith Thamizh, the actual daughter was playing inside the palace which they later came to know. (Ref. Ooran AdigaL's book on saiva mada varalaaru - a wonderful historical record book on all shaiva siththaantha mutts)
well said , Diwaker but perhaps because they are too frequent we dont realise the true value of them.
miracles are the visiting card of the lord and madurai( I can see Rahul Jumping with joy) has had more than its share of miracles with god appearing with stunning regularity.