Kamakshi and the Dumb Poet

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Kamakshi and the Dumb Poet

The word ‘Muka’ means dumb.Acertain devotee was performing rigorous austerities in the
temple of Goddess Kamakshi at Kanchi to obtain Her Grace. Kamakshi appeared in the form of a
beautiful maiden before the devotee to bless him. The devotee took Her to be an ordinary human
maiden and did not show any veneration. She left him and found a person sleeping in another corner
of the temple. He was dumb from his birth. She woke him up. He was extremely joyous when he
saw Her. The Goddess wrote the Bijakshara on his tongue and blessed him with the power of
speech. He became the celebrated Muka Kavi (dumb poet). He sang five hundred verses called the
Panchasati which describe the glory of Devi, of Her lotus-feet, of Her grace, of Her gracious glance
and of Her loving maternal smile. One hundred verses are devoted to each of these five aspects.
Hence the work is called ‘Mukapanchasati’.
The dumb poet became the Acharya of the Kama Koti Pitha at Kumbakonam and occupied
the seat for thirtynine years.
The Mukapanchasati is read with intense devotion during the Navaratri celebrations in
South India by all religious-minded persons.
Kalidasa was an unlettered shepherd. He also was turned into India’s most talented poet
through the benign grace of Mother Kali. Kalidasa in his famous Syamaladandaka, has praised Devi
in a charming manner.
Glory to the Devi who is the giver of the power of speech!