We are living in a time when there are too many talks about
one’s lifestyle and religion. Many conservative Hindus consider it is a
sin to eat nonvegetarian food and such actions will certainly bar us from
getting the blessings of God. At the same time, there are myths about many
ardent devotees who never thought the consumption of toddy and no n vegetarian food
are obstacles to attaining salvation. In reality, they have proved that dedicated
devotion and firm belief are the only things to earn oneness with the god, and
lifestyle does not matter. Harihara Sasthrikal is one of them.
There is a place called Kurathi which falls on the road from
East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram to Atukal Devi Temple. A hundred meters away
from the Kuryathi Junction on the right-hand side of the road you will come
across a tomb which is a temple too. A shiv linga has been installed at this
tomb to worship and it is believed that this tomb belongs to Harhara
Sasthrikal, who lived during the period of King Sreemoolam Thirunal. He was a
well-learned scholar and ardent devotee too. Being a scholar, he attained a
special consideration from the King and has the permission to visit the palace
and durbar at any time.
On those days, free lunch has been served to Brahmins at Sri
Padmanabha Swami Temple. Harihara Sasthrikal also used to have lunch from there
every day. Whenever he comes there for lunch he used to carry a closed pot and
a small box type vessel. One day a Brahmin who was sitting near Sasthrikal
found that the pot carries toddy (A drink-making from coconut) and the box type
vessel contains fried meat. It was a great sin for Brahmins to have toddy and
meat and it was even a greater sin when these things have been carried into the
temple.
However, they were afraid to make a complaint about it to
the King as Sasthrikal had a close rapport with the king. Still, one day they
managed to inform the king about it. However, King was not ready to believe
this. He asked the Brahmins, who came there to complain about Harihara
Sasthrikal to prove the allegation with solid proof.
Very next day, they rounded Sasthrikal at Sri Padmanabha
Swami Temple, when he came there to have lunch. As usual, he was carrying the
pot and the vessel with him. They felt the smell of toddy and cooked meat and
they carried him straight to the King along with the pot and box type vessel.
Once they reached in front of the King, Hariharashasthri was
ordered to keep the pot and the vessel on the floor. Then the king turned to
him and asked what is there inside the pot. Hariharasasthrikal, politely told
the king that it contains holy water from River Ganges. Even at that time, the stringent
smell was oozing out from the pot and hence the Brahmins insisted that the pot
should be opened. As per the order of the King, Harihara Sasthrikal opened the
pot and poured the liquid inside into the hands of King. To the utter shock of
all, it was clean and odor-less water. Sasthrikal asked the king to consume it as
it is holy water and the king did the same.
Quite astonished Brahmins were not ready to spare
Sasthrikal. They asked Sasthrikal to open the vessel and Sasthrikal obeyed it.
When he opened the vessel, there was a book inside and the king read the name
of it. It was Srimad Bhagavatham. All the Brahmins who were enthusiastic to
complain about Harihara Shasthrikal got blushed on these happenings and they
felt sorry about making complaints about a stringent devotee. They believed
that it was Goddess Devi who protected Harihara Sasthrikal as he was worshipping
her with great devotion and a selfless mind.
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