Periazhwar is dumbfounded,
his chanting ceases as he hears
a baby’s cry in the garden.
He stumbles over a tulsi bush
almost falls on the ground
where he sees a just born girl.
Childless Azhwar is overjoyed,
holds the baby to his bosom
thanks Lord Renganatha.
Kothai, as she is named
learns Tamil literature
from the savant.
Like her father she composes
beautiful hymns or pasurams
in honour of Lord.
She excels in garland making
and over the course
decks her with the garland.
looks at her reflection in the mirror,
dances around singing songs
in praise of the Lord.
Azhwar admonishes her
bids her make another one,
pleads forgiveness.
The Lord pacifies him
by appearing in his dreams.
The girl is in love with God.
Soon Kothai grows up
Azhwar wants to get her married.
Kothai expresses her wish.
Shocked by her demand Azhwar
appeals to Lord Renganatha,
who rescues him,
asks him to bring his daughter
to Srirangam, His
primary residence.
Both undertake the journey.
On reaching the portals
Kothai runs to the sanctum,
Azwar tries to keep pace,
takes long steps, unable to
match her speed, he lags behind.
As Kothai nears the sanctum
the doors throw open, as though
in a flourish the girl disappears,
a lightning blindfolds,
Azhwar slides down trembling.
cries Oh Renganatha! in frenzy.
.
Meenas Poems 