SRISHTI TALES

Ill - mannered and cruel prince Kshatrabandhu is chased into the forest by the entire kingdom. In the forest, he meets a rishi who teaches him a 3 letter word that he could chant whenever he wants. How did Kshatrabandhu's life transform? 

“I seek your blessings Swami, and am grateful to you for patiently listening to my heart felt longing! While speaking about all the great devotees of Perumal and the fact that I am not half as qualified as them, how could I miss out the great Dhruva? The 5 year old child who had the knowledge, devotion, resilience that brought him to the greatest heights in life? Did I seek the eternal Father like Dhruva did?”, and so Pen Pillai started relating the story of Dhruva. Who is Dhruva and why did he seek the lap of Perumal?

The forlorn PenPillai of Thirukkolur continues lamenting, considering herself unworthy of remaining in the great divya desam. EmperumanAr RAmAnuja was so captivated by her yearning to be on par with the great devotees of the Lord. He fervently pleaded to PenPillai, “Go on my child, I am eager to hear your stories!” Are we not also just as eager?

“Did I assume the role of a Mother?” asked the little child, with a touch of mystery. With this she brought us to the dense forests of Dandakaranya, that lay between the revered rivers, Narmada and Godavari. This is where Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spent 14 years of their exile from Kosala.

“Swami, do you know that even a spirit is capable of more steadfastness than I? Have you heard of Ghantakarna?”, said the little Pen Pillai of Thirukolur, and thus started her next story.

PINAM EZHUPPI VITTENO THONDAIMAANAI POLE

“Respected Swami, I had told you about Akroora, Vidhura, the Rishi’s wife and Sita PirAtti so far. I neither possess their deep rooted devotion, nor their undeterring faith in the Lord”, mused Thirukolur Pen Pillai. As Swami RAmAnuja eagerly awaited, the little girl deep in thought muttered, “ThondaimAn.. Was I able to bring the dead to life like that great King?” Who was ThondaimAn? How and why did he bring the dead to life?

#srishtitales #thirukolurpenpillairagasiyam #vedapaatisonnakadhai #audiostoriesintamil

#srishtitales #vedapaatisonnakadhai #thirukolurpenpillairagasiyam

The little mysterious girl of Thirukolur compared herself thus far to the faithful Akroora, the virtuous Vidhura, and the devoted wife of the Rishi. Who next we might wonder! Well, these were the same thoughts that crossed Swami RAmAnujA’s mind. He looked at her eagerly, awaiting her next story.

The forlorn Pen Pillai continued, “EmperumAnAr, did I ignore Ravana like Sita Piratti?” With this, the little girl takes Swami RAmAnujA and us to the beautiful Ashoka Vanam gardens of the evil demonic King Ravana.

#srishtitales #thirukolurpenpillairagasiyam #vedapaatisonnakadhai 

Having heard the story of the pure-hearted devotee, Vidhura of Hastinapur, “Where will I be teleported to this time”, wondered Ethirajar Ramanuja. “Go on, my child. I want to hear more!”, he coaxed the little girl of Thirukolur. 

 “Oh Swami, did I sacrifice my body like the wives of the sages when Krishna asked for food?” bemoaned Pen Pillai. With this, Ramanuja got transported to the scene of the everyday life of little Krishna and his cowherd friends! Let us travel along with him!

AZHAITHU VANDHENO AKROORARAI POLE 

Let us unravel the secrets behind the young yet wise girl of Thirukkolur! 

Are you ready ?  

Once Swami Ramanuja met a young little girl at the outskirts of Thirukolur. When she mentioned that she was leaving the town, he became curious to know the reason.  

This is her first reasoning: "Did I go on a Holy mission like the great devotee, Akroora?"  Who is Akroora? Why did he go on a holy mission? 

Listen on!

We are delighted to present Thirukolur Pen Pillai Rahasyam under Srishti Tales's "Veda Paati sonna Kadhai", narrated by our favorite storyteller Smt. Veda Nambirajan.   

Who is Pen Pillai?  

Why does she want to leave?  

What are the qualifications needed to reside in a holy town?  

Thirukolur Pen Pillai weaves a glorious garland of 81 sublime statements. Listen to Veda Paati's narration of the stories unfolding from each statement. These stories have been brilliantly adapted from Itihasa or Puranas, that subtly enlightens us with the essence of devotion, surrender, sacrifice, service and so on. 

Srishti Tales is excited to collaborate for this audio story series with warli artist, Smt. Harini Krishnavarahan. Harini's warli art provides us a great opportunity to learn interpretation of art forms as we listen to Veda Paati's stories.