Lord Siva the Fuel Seller

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Lord Siva the Fuel Seller

Varaguna Pandian was the king of Pandya kingdom. His capital was at Madurai. He was
like Indra. Yemanathan, skilled in Vina, came to his Durbar from Northern India. He played
thrilling songs on Vina. The king appreciated Yemanathan’s music, gave him rich presents and kept
him in a separate bungalow. Yemanathan was very much puffed up owing to his skill in music.
Varaguna Pandian understood that Yemanathan was proud of his knowledge of music. He
called his Durbar-musician Bhanabhadra and said to him: “O Bhadra! Will you be able to attain
victory over the new musician Yemanathan?” Bhanabhadra replied: “I can certainly defeat him
through your grace and the blessings of Lord Somasundara of Madurai.” The king said: “Well then,
come tomorrow and exhibit your skill in music.”
The disciples of Yemanathan roamed about in all the streets and lanes of Madurai, played on
Vina and vigorously advertised about their skill in music. Bhanabhadra heard this and reflected
within himself: “These disciples are very efficient in music and Vina. If the disciples possess such
knowledge, what must be the splendour and glory of their Guru! How can I attain victory over this
master-musician?” Then he prayed to Lord Siva: “Kindly help me now to defeat Yemanathan. I am
in need of Thy grace.”
Then the Lord assumed the form of a wood-cutter, wore a rag around his body and torn
shoes on his feet. He had a Vina in his hand and a bundle of fuel on his head. He went to the house
where Yemanathan was living and sat on the verandah. He took his Vina and played in a marvellous
manner. He sang beautifully along with Vina.
Yemanathan was struck with wonder when he heard the wonderful music. He came out and
asked the fuel-seller: “O fuel-seller! Who are you?” The fuel-seller replied: “I am one of the
disciples and a servant of Bhanabhadra, the Durbar-singer of Varaguna Pandian. He has many
disciples. As I became old, my master abandoned me and told me that I am unfit for singing.”
Yemanathan requested the fuel-seller to sing again. He sang again Satari Raga which
melted the heart of Yemanathan. Lord Siva, who acted the part of fuel-seller, vanished with his
bundle of fire-wood.
Yemanathan thought within himself: “I have not heard this Satari Raga till now. It is
Devaraga. If this old man can sing this Raga in such a beautiful manner, what must be the
knowledge and glory of his master! Surely God only ought to have taught him this Raga. I cannot
stand before Bhanabhadra. Let me leave this place at once.” Yemanathan’s heart was filled with
fear and shame. He left all the things and left the house at midnight along with his disciples.
Lord Somasundara appeared in the dream of Bhanabhadra and said: “Do not be afraid. I put
on the form of fuel-seller, sat on the verandah of the house in which Yemanathan lived and played
on the Vina. He was struck with wonder and ran away at midnight. Be at ease now.”
Bhanabhadra got up in the morning, went to the temple at Madurai and worshipped Lord
Somasundara. Then he went to the Durbar of Varaguna Pandian. The king sent a servant to call
Yemanathan. The servant searched him in several places. He was not able to find out the new
musician. The neighbours of the house in which Yemanathan lived said: “One fuel-seller came and
sang. The new singer left the place at midnight. This only we know.”
The servant reported the matter to the king. The king said to Bhanabhadra: “Could you tell
me what you did after leaving me?” Bhanabhadra told the king: “My venerable Lord! I went to my
house and prayed to Lord Somasundara to bless me. He appeared in my dream and said: ‘I put on
the form of a fuel-seller, sang Satari Raga in the house of Yemanathan. I drove him away.’ I at once
woke up. This is what happened.”

Varaguna Pandian came to know that this was the Lila of Lord Siva. He admired the
devotion of Bhadra and gave him rich presents. He said to Bhadra: “The Lord who made Brahma
and the other Devas His servants, became your servant and blessed you. We are all your servants
only. I am your servant. In future sing the praise of Lord Somasundara always.”
Bhanabhadra rejoiced heartily. He was ever devoted to Lord Somasundara.