How Vathapi's Ganapathi came to Thamizh Nadu

Vinayakar Chathurthi might be two days past, but the Elephant-God and Kalki are subjects that cam be discussed and explored at all times of the year. As a Festival Special, I bring to you this excerpt from Sivagamiyin Sabadham, Volume 4, and Paranjyothi’s first meeting with Vathapi’s illustrious Lord Ganapathi. This is Kalki’s imaginative account of how Ganapathi might have travelled from the Chalukya capital Vathapi to Thamizh Nadu.

A nandri to Vijay Kumar, fellow Kalki and history enthusiast, who suggested posting it. 

 

Chapter 35

Vathapi Ganapathi

[The Pallava Army has camped outside the fortress walls of Vathapi. Commander Paranjyothi and Emperor Narasimha Pallavar’s great friendship has undergone tremendous strain; the Emperor is not really impressed with Paranjyothi’s tactic of waiting for three days and planning strategies for an assault. Paranjyothi, however, has his reasons. Still, he is disconsolate at the idea that the Emperor no longer sees him as a close friend, and has begun favouring the Ilangai King. He is wandering around the Vathapi fort on horseback, reflecting sorrowfully about these things, when he makes the acquaintance of an important personage.]

Lost in his thoughts, Paranjyothi cantered slowly around the fort, on his horse. He stopped, at the noise emanating from behind the fort walls. Hitherto, the interior of the fort had always been clothed in deep silence, which made the present noise surprising. Feeling the tumult in his heart rise, Paranjyothi trotted back to the front entrance of the fort, and halted.

If the Pallava forces were to make any headway in the invasion of Vathapi, this, the fort’s front entrance was where they would have to strike hard. This was the only way a thousand Pallava soldiers could enter the fort at the same time. Every single decision had been made and strategy worked out; yet Paranjyothi wished to survey the entrance one last time before the command could be given to the Pallava war elephants to batter down the gates. Accordingly, he climbed down from his horse and approached them.

The closer he came, the more did the marvelously carved sculptures on the fort walls entice him.  One of them was a sculpture of Lord Ganapathi.

Paranjyothi stood in front of the deity, folded his hands and prayed. “Lord Vinayaka! He Who Destroys all Obstacles! Grant that our mission to Vathapi is successful. That Lady Sivakami, Aayanr’s daughter is safe, and that we may return her to her father without any harm to her. Grant me this boon, Lord, and I will make sure that when we storm this fort, you are unharmed. I shall take you back to my village, install you there in a temple, and make sure you are worshipped with pomp and glory every single day.”

The moment he finished, he noticed the Pallava warriors stationed a little further from the gates caught up in a flurry of excitement. They were gazing at something above the fort’s walls, right at the top, and shouting at it. As Paranjyothi glanced at the warriors in puzzlement, one of them shouted back: “Commander – the white flag has been taken down!”

[The war begins.]

***

Chapter 47

Siruthondar

[The invasion of Vathapi has been successful. At the Pallava camp, discussions are in progress about how the loot from Vathapi will be distributed amongst those who were instrumental in bringing it about.]

Finally, Emperor Narasimha Pallavar turned to Paranjyothi. “My friend, Kanchi owes this magnificent victory to you – so it’s only fair that the riches collected from this invasion come to you as well. We have managed to amass 30,000 elephants, 60,000 horses, so many precious gems that even Kanchi’s fortress cannot hold them all, gold and silver, and so much more. You must take at least a portion of this wealth. I insist. I have decided that you must have at least 5000 elephants, 10,000 horses and all the gold and gems they can hold –”

Paranjyothi interrupted him. “Forgive me, Pallavendra, but what I require the most is just a place in your heart. I wish for only one more thing – and it too, happens to be something from Vathapi.”

“Indeed?” Maamallar looked at him in astonishment. “And what would that be?”

“Here it is,” Paranjyothi said, as four soldiers arrived, bearing a covered palanquin, and set it down. Within, was the Vinayaka statuette we saw, earlier.

Paranjyothi explained about his prayer to the Remover of Obstacles, and how he had promised to install the deity in his hometown of Thiruchettaangudi, once the war was over. This was the only gift he desired, and nothing else.

There was no choice left to Maamallar but to give him his own way. He did insist however, on sending 2 elephants, 12 horses and 100 warriors, as his erstwhile commander left on his tour of holy lands, an offer which Paranjyothi accepted.

  

[It is here that Paranjyothi renounces his position as Kanchi's Commander, and takes on the robes of a devotee of Siva. From this point, he is known as Siruthondar.]


Notes: 


1. Here's a link to a YouTube video on the Thiruchengattankudi Temple. It covers a lot of some kind of homam/poojai, but you can see Ganapathi himself, too. 


2. Found this interesting post which, I think, is a translation of parts of Deivathin Kural, which deal specifically with Siruthondar, Vathapi Ganapathi and Thiruchengattankudi Temple.