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Devotees of Siva - IV

MANICKA VACHAGAR
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The king was mighty angry and ordered the arrest of the Prime Minister. The Guru asked him not to worry and tell the king that the horses had indeed been purchased and would be arriving a few days later. The king was sorry for his haste and freed the Prime Minister. The horses, indeed, arrived on the date indicated by the Prime Minister. They were grand looking and worth much more than the money spent.
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But in the night, from the stable came peculiar noises. An Inspection showed that the horses had turned into foxes. They were driven away. The king was even more angry this time because he felt that the Prime Minister. had played a magic trick on him and cheated him. The Prime Minister was again put in prison with orders to inflict all sorts of pain on him.
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Manicka Vachagar was not in the least disturbed by the changing fortunes in his life. He had totally surrendered to his Guru and realised that Lord Shiva had come in the form of the Guru. In the meanwhile, there was a flood in the river near Madurai and the king ordered every single citizen to contribute his or her labour to strengthen the banks of the river and raise their heights.
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A poor old woman devoted to Lord Siva prayed for his help and He came in the form of a man to work on behalf of the woman in return for some cookies. The man was found to be very slow in his work and so the king hit on his back with a cane. Lo. The man was laughing but every single man and woman, including the king near the river, got hit on their back by some invisible canes.
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The king realised that Siva had come in the form of that man and begged his pardon.

 Lord Siva pointed out that it was wrong to compel weak and old people to work in such cases. Incidentally, he made the king realise the greatness of devotion and spiritual height of Manicka Vachagar.
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The king apologised to Lord Siva and Manicka Vachagar and allowed the latter to resign from his post and devote himself totally to God.

Manicka Vachagar’s verses are so full of devotion and beauty that there is a saying that any one whose heart does not melt on reading them, must bereally a hard hearted person whom no words can move.
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