Saturday, July 19, 2014

Kunnutaiya Part VI: Community Building


  • Kunnutaiya and his wife now turn to performing good deeds. They sponsor many building projects and ceremonies.

  • The biggest of their joint investments is the building of a huge festival chariot for the Ponnivala goddess Celatta.

  • Inside the cart is a lovely golden statue.

  • There are costumes, drama and many performances.

  • There is also plenty of music, helping to provide a happy atmosphere.

  • But now some disgruntled artisans try to trick the couple, telling them that the goddess herself is asking for a demonstration of their devotion.

  • These men say announce that the goddess wants the king and queen of Ponnivala to lay their own heads under the cart’s huge wheels.

  • But the two are saved! The cart briefly flies and the brave couple are saved. Many artisans are killed instead.

  • Next Kunnutaiya and his wife are asked to lay out a banquet for beggars.  

  • Kunnutaiya and Tamarai invite a large number of hungry people to their palace.

  • The beggars sit in long rows and are fed very well.

  • The couple’s last task is to light a lamp of hope on a very high pillar and ensure that it burns for many days.

  • Next Tamarai and Kunnutaiya pack some food and say goodbye to the residents of Ponnivala.

  • Lord Vishnu sends an army of wasps to watch over the now empty palace.

  • Kunnutaiya and Tamarai now set off on a twenty one year long pilgrimage to heaven. After all their good works, Tamarai is hoping to speak to Lord Shiva directly and ask that he gift them children.  


[<==Back to part 5]

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