Variar's Buffalo .
Swami Vilwamangalam ( Bilwamangalam Takura) was a renowned Vaishnava Spiritual Master . He had an illiterate personal servant called Variar.
One day when the Swami was worshipping Bhagavan Guruvayoorappan (Sri Krishna), Warrior curiously asked his master Vilwamangalam :
" Oh my Lord ! In which form you worship Guruvayoorappan ? " .
The great Vilwamangalam did not like this "stupid" question even a bit . Having been annoyed very much , he replied sarcastically :
" In the form of a Buffalo ! " .
Varrior being a very innocent man , believed that his master's words are true . He was convinced that , Bhagavan Krishna's real form is that of a " Buffalo " . Thereafter, Varrior started worshipping Sri Krishna as a Buffalo .
After a few months , one day Guruavaoor temple's " Siveli " procession was in progress. As usual, Vilwangalam Swami was in attendance accompanied by Varrior .
The temple's Brahmana Pujari was carrying the Deity to outside . However, he could not manage to come out of the main door . He tried again and again but all efforts failed . Many people were watching this in utter bewilderment . When many cycles of repeated efforts failed , everyone started worrying . Finally , they sought the help of the great Swami Vilawamangalam who was fortunately available on the spot .
The renowned Spiritual Master thought a lot but failed to get any clue . When even Vilwamangalam stood helpless , the confusion of people reached frantic levels .
Varrior was watching all this drama hoping that his master will solve the problem easily . But, when Vilwamagalam also failed , Varrior decided to intervene . He suggested aloud :
" Oh Pujari ! Why don't you tilt Bhagavan's head to left of right ? "
Listening to this suggestion , the Pujari tilted the Deity a little and by doing so easily passed the door . Everyone was pleased , except Vilwamangalam .
Without understanding all this , the Swami started scolding Varrior for the "unwanted intervention " .
Varrior replied politely :
" My Lord ! Who doesn't know that the Buffalo can pass the door only after tilting his head a little ?!!! " .
The great Saint Vilwamangalam was astonished to hear this . He meditated deeply on Bhagavan Sri Krishna and then looked at the Deity ???????????? ???????
……….And had the glorious vision of a divine "Buffalo " holding Sankha,Chakra, Gada and Padmam in HIS four hands !!!!!
Kurooramma
Kurooramma was a pious Brahmin lady . She became a widow at the tender age of (16). Being childless , she was destined to live in solitude . But Kurooramma faced the life, by taking refuge in `Ishta Devata' Sri Krishna .
After becoming widow , Kurooramma's routine included an early morning Bath followed by works in the kitchen , worship in Guruvayoor temple on every monday , Ekadasi fasting and …. Constant Nama-japam . In fact , the nama-japam became just like breathing ; and it elevated her to the highest level of bhakti-yoga .
Years passed . Kurooramma became aged . All her relatives died one after the other and she was alone . Kurooramma became aware that she has none except Krishna . She prayed for Him ardently . One day , Bhagavan appeared and asked what boon she wanted . Kurooramma prayed with folded hands :
" O Krishna ! I don't have anyone . You be with me always . Don't abandon me like Yashoda " .
Bhagavan smiled , nodded His head and disappeared .
Soon, an orphan Brahmin kid called "Unni" came to Kurooramma . He was a very mischievous child and he helped her in the household works .
"Unni" was Sri Krishna Himself . But due to His Yoga-maya , Kurooramma could see Him only as her child . Since Unni's arrival , she lived in great joy , loving and chastising him as own child .
Vilwangalam swami (Bilwamangalam Takura) was the renowned Vaishnava Acharya of that period . He was famous for performing Puja by seeing Sri Krishna in front .
It was Kurooramma's great wish to have one such Puja performed at her home by Vilwangalam Swami . She requested the Acharya with great humility and he agreed .
Unfortunately , Kurooramma had an envious neighbor called `Chemmangatt Amma' who was immensely rich and influential . When heard about this Puja , Chemmangatt Amma took it as an opportunity to humiliate Kurooramma . She used her influence to cancel Vilwangalam' s commitment to Kurooramma and booked that Puja for herself . Poor Kurooramma was unaware of this sabotage .
On the dawn of the Puja, Kurooramma was washing her cloths in the nearby tank . A few drops of water unintentionally fell upon , Chemmangatt Amma who had finished her bath. She felt polluted and took a second plunge in water to purify. She sarcastically told Kurooramma :
" Hey Widow , now I am doubly clean . Today , Villwamangalam is coming to my house for doing Puja " .
Kurooramma was shocked to hear this and she said :
" But, Vilwamangalam Swamy has already promised to perform Puja at my home today " .
Chemmangatt Amma and her arrogant servants laughed at Kurooramma and made fun of her . Kurooramma was greatly hurt by this public humiliation . Soon after reaching home , she sent a person to Vilwamangalam' s home to confirm Swami's Puja . But Vilwamangalam apologetically refused saying he couldn't upset the powerful Chemmangatt family .
Kurooramma was heartbroken when she heard about this refusal . But , Unni pacified her by assuring that Vilwamangalam will come for Puja as agreed before .
Kurooramma believed Unni . But she lamented :
" O Unni ! Because of that confusion , I didn't make any arrangements for the puja . I don't know what needs to be done . You see, Vilwamangalam Swamy is a Mahatma and therefore we shouldn't upset Him . O Bhagavan, I really messed up everything and I don't know what to do now !! ".
Unni consoled her by saying :
"Mother , don't worry at all . I will do all the needful now itself . You , just take rest . "
He quickly completed all jobs such as cleaning the floor, washing the Puja-instruments and utensils, bringing flowers and other Puja-materials , preparation of food offerings for the puja, etc, etc .
After his daily worship, Villwamangalam started for Chemmangatt Amma's house for the Puja . But the pilot who was to lead his way by blowing conch (shankh) to announce his presence could not produce any sound from his conch . It was a bad omen and Villwamangalam was bewildered . Then he remembered his failure to keep up the promise to Kurooramma . And he decided that it is Bhagavan's wish that he should go to Kurooramma's house to do Puja there . On this thought itself, the conch started functioning and filled the air with its resonant sound . The Acharya then started his journey towards Kurooramma's house .
Vilwanagalam and His Sisyas (Brahmachari- disciples) finally arrived at Kurooramma's home . According to tradition , a Brahmin lady should not talk direct to any man other than her husband . Hence, hiding behind the door , Kurooramma asked Unni to welcome Vilwamanagalam Swami .
When Unni welcomed , Vilwamangalam looked at him ; but due to `Maya" he couldn't recognize Bhagavan .
After taking bath , Vilwamangalam got ready for the Puja .
Meanwhile , his Sisyas were standing amazed . They are the ones who prepare items for the Puja because none else knows it's requirements . But, alas ! this midget Kid has arranged everything perfectly . They stared at Unni enviously . And he gladly teased them by winking .
Vilwamangalam was pleased by the perfect arrangements in place . While touching the Puja-materials, a divine bliss filled his heart .
The Puja commenced . At first, the seat was sanctified for seating Bhagavan . Then the invoking of Sri Krishna . Swami closed his eyes and meditated Bhagavan . While Vilwamangalam was invoking Krishna with great concentration, Unni stood straight in front . Seeing this , the shocked Sisyas were facing a dilemma and they whispered each other :
" This fool is standing in front of Acharya . How can we inform this to Him ? . See… the flowers offered are falling on his feet !…..'
They tried to push out Unni . But , He stood His ground firm and the offered flowers kept on falling at His feet . Vilwanangalam Swami opened his eyes to see Sri Krishna on the offered seat , as usual . But here couldn't see Bhagavan and only Unni was standing in front . Vilwamangalam was annoyed . As ordered by him, Unni was moved from there to a corner . And then the invoking re-commenced .
Again the offered flowers kept on falling at the feet of Unni , though he was standing in the corner . Immediately , Vilwamangalam Swami realized that this helper of Kurooramma is Bhagavan Himself . He looked at Unni again …. and there He was !
` Bhagavan Sri Krishna in all His Suprmeme Glory '!!!!!
Vilwamangalam tried to rush forward to prostrate . But Bhagavan stopped him with a gesture which meant :
" Keep this as secret . Let Me continue as Kurooramma's Unni ".
The Puja ended auspiciously and Vilwamangalam departed with his Sisyas . Kurooramma was extremely happy . However, she made a comment to Unni :
" Hey Unni ! I wonder why Vilwamangalam Swamy repeatedly bowed down to both of us and cried while leaving " .
Unni's only response was his mind-captivating smile which filled `Sat-Chit-Anandam ' in Kurooramma's heart .
