Mmgl Part 011/001 - A Gift Of Divine Bowl Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

(Before Manimegalai, who came to know
about her previous life and got three
mantras, there stood the presiding goddess
of the island. She gave Manimegalai a
divine bowl, Amudhasurabhi, which would
give on charity endless food. The goddess
impressed her that the best among all the
charities was giving food to the hungry persons..
Then Manimegalai left thru' sky-way and
Reached Pugar, where she met her mother.)

"WHO ARE YOU? " SHE ASKED

After Goddess Manimegala left,
Around the island Manimegalai went.
She crossed the white sand dunes
And saw cool springs and gardens.

There the island's deity appeared.
"Who're you? " The goddess asked,
‘Something you appear to have lost
Like a girl from a capsized boat."

MY ARRIVAL HERE

Manimegalai spoke:

"I don't know, who you are,
Yet let me tell, how I came this far.
I was once the wife of King Raghulan.
My name was Lakumi then."

"In this birth, I'm Manimegalai,
The daughter of dancer Madhavi,
I was brought here by my goddess,
Manimegala with a purpose."

"My past life I learnt
Thru' this famous seat
And I got this benefit,
Surrendering to his feet."

I'M THE ISLAND'S DEITY

The island deity spoke:

"There's another island Rathnam
Beyond this island Manipallavam.
There's a Mountain Samandagam,
In that island, noted for its fame."

"On its peak a Buddha's seat,
Dedicated to his lotus feet,
It helps to cross the ocean
Of miseries by anyone."

"I take care of this divine seat,
As ordained by this saint,
After worshiping his feet,
I came here to meet."

THE ISLAND DEITY'S PRAISES

"As the chief of dharma,
He's, our Lord Buddha.
To follow his preaching
It's praise worthy thing."

"Only those who're in this vow,
Their past life they can know.
But such persons are very rare,
Who reach the seat of honor."

THE APPEARANCE OF AMUDHASURABHI

"Here, what's more prominent,
It's bowing before the Lord's seat.
There's a tank Gomuki here,
With lotus flowers o'er water."

"During the early summer,
The sun is slightly warmer,
By then the divine bowl comes.
Amudhasurabhi is its name."

"On the same full moon day
It's Buddha's appearance day.
This bowl was with Aaputhiran.
Who's also a divine person."

THIS IS THE THAT DAY

"On that full moon day,
The same one as this day,
It's time for the arrival
Of this divine bowl."

"This bowl, non-stop, gives food.
The receiving hands go tired.
Its level never goes reduced.
Nor about numbers it's worried."

RECEIVED AMUDHASURABHI

Manimegalai eager to possess,
Amudhasurabhi, when it comes,
She went to the water tank.
She stood on its bank.

The island goddess also went.
After some time both spent,
They saw the bowl coming
Near them slowly floating.

From the water the bowl rose up.
To Manimegalai's hands it went up.
It reached the proper hand.
To supply food on demand.

THE PRAYER AND BLESSING

In an immeasurable joy-ocean,
Manimegalai was thrown,
Having received the bowl,
The one very much useful.

She prayed, "Oh Lord,
You've won the Cupid.
You've no hatred
Or any habits bad."

"You try to take everyone
In virtuous path, the only one.
Yours isn't the choice of Heaven,
But to take care of everyone."

"You're above human level.
Every being knows this well.
With your divine inner vision
To bless others is your mission."

"Evils you hear not.
Evils you speak not.
Even the sinners you bless,
To relieve their distress."

"How can I praise you,
Or how can I worship you,
With my limited senses
And my limited resources? "