Bhadramanu complemented Madappa on his beautiful home (which albeit was derelict from lack of maintenance and age by now). Pleased by the compliment, Madappa went on to share the history of his home and Srirangapura Village with Bhadramanu --
Back then, his ancestor had the goodwill of the Maharaja and had been given several acres of land and enough money to establish a home. In those days, Srirangapura was nothing save the Sriranga Temple built by the Vijayanagara Kings. Madappa's ancestors and about one hundred other families settled down in the area, and became a socio-economic center around the Sriranga temple.
In those days, travel was very difficult, especially for the poor, and yet pilgrims traveled for days on foot or bullock-carts to visit the Presiding Deity Lord Ranganatha. The legend was that King Vajrabahu (a Vijayanagara King) had almost been killed in a fierce battle going on with the army of the Muslim King from up north, but got saved, almost mysteriously after a vision of Lord Ranganatha flashed before his eyes, just as he was about to be served the death-blow by the Nawab's general, Yakub Khan. Maharaja Vajrabahu literally got infused with the energy of a hundred warriors, despite being gravely wounded and fought off about two hundred of the Nawab's men, until re-inforcements from his army managed to fight their way to that particular area and help him. King Vajrabahu became a legend, but he dedicated the eventual victory over the Nawab's army to the benevolence of Lord Ranganatha, and established a temple in his honor, right at the very spot where he had magically been able to fight off two hundred fierce soldiers, despite being so badly injured.
That bit of history shared, Madappa asked his wife and daughters to prepare a room for their guest, Swami Bhadramanu and a special place at the dining room.
That said, Madappa then proceeded to open his heavy old wooden armoire and pulled out a crispy white dhoti and kurta for his guest (this was Madappa's personal collection of special clothes he stocked away for special occasions like Weddings and such). He then walked up to Bhadramanu's room and knocked on the door..."Swamiji, I have saved this dhoti and kurta for a special occasion, and today being such a day, I would like to offer these to you, seeing that your clothes seemed to be in very poor condition. I hope you will not mind my affront and accept my humble gift".
Bhadramanu, having realized that his host was a man of unusually noble and magnanimous nature accepted graciously. A little after 8 PM, Bhadramanu, now refreshed after a bath at the outdoor well and a changing into the clean clothes gifted to him by Madappa, walked into their dining room. The room was set in the traditional Indian way, with three seats set for the guest, Madappa and his son Rangappa. The highest seat was meant for the guest, while the lower ones for the two other men. As is traditional in Indian families, the women would eat later, after having ensured that the men had eaten. The three men sat down cross-legged on the seats (the highest seat was not 2 inches above the ground). The food was served in plantain leaves and was a modest fare, obvious given Madappa's modest means. Bhadramanu went through the ritual of praying and chanting mantras around the meal, setting aside a portion of the rice served as a ritual offering. He ran his right hand around the plate (in the air) after pouring a little water into it from his copper tumbler, as the hosts waited patiently. The ritual completed, Bhadramanu put a single morsel of rice into his mouth and his countenance glowed with satisfaction. Just seeing him eat, lifted the hearts and minds of the members of Madappa's household. It was almost as if some karmic debt of theirs was burnt, and they felt lighter all of a sudden.
Not a word was uttered through out the meal (which was served in two courses, first the saambaar, rice and pickle and then the yogurt (curds) and rice again). After the meal, Bhadramanu thanked his hosts, looked up skywards and gently closed his eyes in silent acknowledgment to a higher force. After the meal, Rangappa slipped away and left Madappa and Bhadramanu to discuss the "elders stuff". They walked onto the granite stoop that lined the inner courtyard of the house and sat down, leaning against one of the old pillars. The Tulsi plant in the middle of the courtyard was visible from their vantage point. Bhadramanu spoke -- "Madappa, there must be something that I can do for you, to show my appreciation for your kindness. If there is anything at all and you feel I can be of help, please do ask".
Madappa looked into the night sky (visible from the open indoor courtyard) thoughtfully and replied "Swamiji, there is one thing that the villagers of Srirangapura could do with some help about...but..." and paused hesitantly.
Bhadramanu "Go on, don't hesitate...ask me"
Madappa "Er...since the past couple of years, there has been some kind of strange activity going on in the village, near the Ranganatha Temple, especially at night. Many villagers feel that there is some kind of unnatural things going on...ghosts...that kind of stuff"
Bhadramanu "What exactly is going on?"
Madappa "Swamiji, it seems as though people's livestock go missing and then turn up dead near the old banyan tree on the south side of the temple. The village cremation ground is slightly beyond that Banyan tree". He added "But this doesn't happen all the time, only sometimes...maybe once or twice a month". Usually it is a goat or a sheep that turns up that way. Usually their heads are severed from their bodies and their bodies are smeared with their own blood".
Bhadramanu replied "Hmm...we will have to inspect this place tomorrow. I think I will be able to help you out in this case..."
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written by karigar, 2009-07-18 07:25:37
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written by P. Desikan, 2009-07-16 18:35:36
The narrative is sailing like a majestic ship on placid waters. Sure looking for more... and more!
If you and other friends are not yet aware of a Srirangam in the US, you may like to read the news in 1998 about the plans to build a Sri Ranganatha shrine through the link
http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/apr98/0075.html
and look up its present website http://www.ranganatha.org
I have enjoyed my visits to the temple since 2003 and participation as a devotee.
Warm regards. Partha
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As for Madappa am reminded of a Tamil phrase "Varumaiyil semmai" [ Nobility in poverty] .
Regards
ns