Page:The story of saiva saints.pdf/22

Rh Suntharar was leaving for Kailas and he reached Kailas even on the preceding day through Bramharandra (aperture in the crown of the head).

In Karaikkal there lived a merchant called Danadaththan. He was blessed with a female child and he named her Punitha vathi. From child hood she was devoted to religious thoughts and exercises. When she came of age she was married to one Paramadaththan, son of Nidhipathi of Nagappattinam. The couple lived at Karaikkal. One day Paramadaththan sent two mango fruits to his house. A Siva mendicant came and Punithavathi served a fruit to him. And when her husband came for dinner, the other mango was served to him. The husband tasting the fruit with exquisite flavour, wanted her to serve him with the other fruit also. Lu! she went into the apartment as if to fetch a fruit but what would she do. By the grace of god, she got one and served it to her husband. Finding it to be sweeter than the previous one, the husband was amazed at the superabundant taste and inquired about the fruit. As he was informed that it was obtained by the grace of the Lord, he wanted another fruit. She entreated the Lord and getting a fresh fruit, 'she served it but it disappeared. The husband was perplexed. Soon he left the Chola country, went to the Pandya country, established trade, married another wife, begot a female child, named her after Punithavathi and remained there with mental peace. The kith and kin of Punithavathiyar came hear about her husband and took her to him. The husband prostrated before his wife and craved for her blessings. Punithavathiyar shelving her flesh, with the skeliton body topsy-turvy, reached Mt. Kailas. Lord Siva with eagerness called her “O! Mother” and with reciprocal motion she exclaimed “O! Father.” Then Lord Siva bade her go to Thiru Alangadu, witness His dance there and remain there perennially under His Feet.