BLESSING OR CURSE Dear friends,
This is a legend occurred long back in a Brahmin family writtenin Malayalam by Kottarathil Sankunni varier in his book- Eithyhamala. I read thelegend in my middle school days. My writing is not translation but retellingthe incident in English( with few good additions). This humorous incident maybring smile in most of our lips. Gopalakrishnan 11-2-2024. There was an Emparanthiri illam in Old Travancore state. (Empranthiriis Tulu Brahmin migrated to Kerala in 1 CE). By deceases and old age allmembers of the family died in course of a few years and one aged Empranthiriwas left alone. In the Desam, there were about 40 Brahmin homes includingNampoothiri, Tulu Brahmin and Paradesi Brahmin (Kerala iyers). (Brahmins from Tamilnadumigrated to Kerala later then Tulu Brahmins in3CE). It was the practiceof the empranthiri after bath, perform sandhya vandanam and worship in thetemple to visit any one of the homes. Members in the homes knew the empranthirihad come for meals. A good meal was arranged for him. That was the only foodfor empranthiri for the whole day. Normally he will not visit the same homemore than once in a month. Like this a few years went on. One of the misery iyer somehow desiredto stop the empranthiri visiting their home. He felt feeding empranthiri tooexpensive. What to say, next day the empranthiri visited the matam ofthe iyer. Iyer explained the difficulties of the familyto entertain him on that day. After hearing fully, empranthiri said like half murmuring –Seri, Ennal pinne Irangannuu. AA matathil cheiyathathu polae ivideyam cheyyam (Iam leaving. I will do as done in that matam). Iyer eagerly asked- which matam? Emprantiri told the nameof the matam. Iyer said- wait and went to mami who called him by signs. Mamitold in a very low voice to iyer. I have heard rumor, empranthiri cursed one month back while visiting that matam, (envious of us)and they had a big misfortune. We will arrange sumptuous meals to him. Weshould get blessed. Iyer came out and told Empranthiri-“ My wife has somehow made arrangements for meals and getting ready. Please wait. Meals will be ready withinan hour. Emprantiri sat on the veranda and started some japam. Iyerwas fully in apprehension. Mami said meals is ready and both of them sat together formeals. It was an extraordinary meal. Other than iyer was misery,he was well to do. Emprantiri was fullysatisfied with meals. He had the fruits and Dakshina and pan. While the embranthiri was about to leave with a smileagain iyer’s wife signalled to ask what curse was made in that matam. Iyer in low voice asked- How was the meals? Empranthirisaid- Bhesh Bhesh. Iyer again asked- Can you please tell what curse heproclaimed in that matam- if you don’t mind. Emprantiri replied- “Annam tharunnavare sapikkayo? AA matathil oru prasavam karanam valaymamma aayirunnu. Aan kutti. Athu pranjappol jnan,anugrahichhu. Adutthu oru illam undu. OOninu avidekku mundu matakkikutthi natannu. Vegampokan. Veronnum illa ) (Cursing aperson giving food? In that matam they had defilement due to birth of anew male child. They expressed their situation, not able to arrange meals for me.So I expressed my blessing to the new born male child. Istarted to nearby illam folding and tying my dhoti for speed walking. Nothingmore) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1848486815.415487.1707633975535%40mail.yahoo.com.
