Srimate Sri LakshmiNrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri Narayana

Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

Malolan and the Muslim
Once Sri Devanarvilagam Azhagiasingar was camping at Hyderabad for observing
Chaturmasyam. The premises identified for hosting the Pontiff and his retinue
was a beautiful property, with spacious accommodation, plenty of well water and
peaceful environs ideal for Srimad Azhagiasingars anushttanams. HH liked the
place very much and used to conduct Abhigama Aradhanam daily with his usual
devotional fervour, attended by quite a big crowd. The locality however was
predominantly muslim, though the accommodation itself was insulated from any
such influences.
Among the daily congregation which assembled to have a glorious eye-full of Sri
Malolans tiruvaradhanam by Srimad Azhagiasingar was a pious muslim of royal
lineage. Attracted somehow by the Pontiffs serene countenance shining with the
light of wisdom and penance and also by the incredible beauty of Sri Malolan, the
muslim watched daily from a distance, honouring the traditions of Sri Ahobila
Mutt.
This went on for several days. The Chaturmasyam period was about to conclude.
One day, the muslim gentleman made bold to approach Srimad Azhagiasingar
through a kainkaryapara, with a request for the Pontiff to visit his (the muslims)
residence and perform Malolans worship at his palatial house. It appeared that
the gentleman was indeed of royal descent and very well endowed. Despite being
a devout moslem, Sri Malolan and Srimad Azhagiasingar had made indelible
impressions on his mind and he was eager to have them stay at his house,
affording him a chance to worship both. Having informed himself about the
Mutts travel plans, he also submitted that his residence at Begumpet was right
on the way to Bombay and that he would be honoured if they did stay at his
house for a week. He was prepared to bear all expenses of the stay, allot a
separate and spacious house for Sri Malolan and His retinue and to keep his
distance, without in any way hindering the religious observances of the Pontiff
and others.
This request gave rise to a rather piquant situation. The gentleman was obviously
overwhelmed by devotion to Sri Malolan and to His personal servitor. However,
for Srimad Azhagiasingar or the Lord to stay at or even visit such a place would
have been unprecedented and not in tune with Shastraic provisions. Hence, after
due deliberation, the muslim gentleman was advised that his request could not be
fulfilled. He went away, crestfallen but understanding the compulsions behind the
decision.
Chaturmasyam came to an end the very next day and a day later, Sri Malolans
camp was road-bound again, en route to Bombay. Sri Malolan was travelling in His
palanquin, while some distance behind, Srimad Azhagiasingar was travelling in his
own. Though the weather was fine when the travel commenced, shortly
thereafter there was a severe cyclonic storm with a torrential downpour. The rain
was so heavy that visibility was reduced to a few feet.
In the pell-mell, confusion and lack of visibility, the party got separated. Srimad
Azhagiasingar and some of the kainkaryaparas lost their way, while Sri Malolan
and His bearers continued on the same route till they realized that they were no
longer with the main body of servitors. Not knowing what to do, they decided to
take shelter in the portico of a huge house standing nearby, till the rains stopped.
At the other end, Srimad Azhagiasingar and his entourage were beside
themselves with anxiety, not knowing the whereabouts of Perumal and people
went different ways to locate the missing party. At length the rain stopped and
Srimad Azhagiasingar too could locate and reunite with Sri Malolan, who had
spent His time in the portico, sheltered from the torrential downpour.
By this time, the master of the house, who peeped out for ascertaining that the
rain had stopped, found a large group of people in his portico. And when he found
out the identity of the group, he came running down from the third floor and
prostrated at the feet of Srimad Azhagiasingar from a distance. And the Pontiff
was flabbergasted to realize that the house-owner was none other than the
muslim, whose offer of hospitality had been declined earlier.
Tears ran down the Pontiffs face when he realized the lengths to which Sri
Malolan went to satisfy His devotees, with little regard to caste, creed, colour,
economic or social status. Overcome by emotion, HH immediately performed a
mangala haarati to Malolan, which the muslim gentleman witnessed from a
distance. The muslim gentleman too was overwhelmed when he was told what
had happened and it was with very great reluctance that he bade goodbye to the
Lord and Srimad Azhagiasingar, who resumed their interrupted journey.
As the purport of what had happened slowly sank into their intellects, the
kainkaryaparas were overawed at the divine will which made itself manifest in the
chain of occurrencesthe sudden downpour, the separation, the accidental
availability of a house as a refuge from the rain, the further coincidence of its
belonging to a person who had wished fervently to have Malolan in his house and
so on.
The words Ezhai Edalan keezh magan ennaadu irangi mattru avarkku innarul
surandu flashed in the hearts of kainkaryaparas: We have only heard of Valmikis
tribute to Sri Rama for having blessed Guha Perumal with a bear hug with scant
regard to questions of birth and status: but fortunate indeed were the Lords
servitors who were treated to an endearing display of His soulabhyam on that
stormy day. And fortunate indeed are we too, who are able to at least hear it
second hand.
Srimate Srivan Satakopa Sri Ranganatha Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama: