Roasted ? or Non- Roasted?

Let us learn about Avvaiyar, the famous tamil poetess who lived thousands of years ago. She was propogating the fragrance of Tamil literature  and also she had written poems for kids on morality and spirituality. She had penned around fifty nine poems in tamil literature.

Her famous work for kids is called Athichoodi.(ஆத்திச்சூடி). She is such a learned poet that the kings of those days would feel high, if  Avvaiyar  praised them with her poems.

Her quote," கற்றது  கைமண்  அளவு, கல்லாதது  உலகளவு " has been translated as ' What you have learned is a mere handful; What you haven't learned is the size of the world " and exhibited at NASA*

This great learned  poetess was always, very humble and polite.But there was a time when she  too was not devoid of self conceit. But this was quickly  broken to pieces by the Lord Himself.

With a feeling of achieved everything and  feeling elated , she was resting under a jamun tree thinking," I have learnt everything in Tamil. Have written much in Tamil and also have spread it far and wide.. What should I do more? " 

Lord Muruga decided to make her feel that she has still  much to do and still more to  learn. So he came in the disguise of a cow herd boy. 

See how the conversation goes.

Lord Muruga  calls, " Grandma..."

Avvaiyar turned around  and asked, 'Who are you? :

" Iam  a cowboy grandma. My cows are grazing here. But , grandma , what are you doing here? " aked Lord Muruga.

" Iam just taking rest my boy.  I have learnt Tamil and have been spreading the fragrance of Tamil far and wide. ." said Avvaiyar.

" That means......You are a learned woman. am I right grandma ? "  asked the naughty cowboy.

With pride Avvaiyar  answered " Yes"  and stretched her legs.

Now Lord Muruga in the form of cowboy said," Grandma, You have learnt so much, have done a lot  work. So, take some time  to rest." Also he asked " Do you want some  jamun fruits to eat now ? " 

Avvaiyar thinking a while and said " yes . I would like to have some my boy. Why don't you shed down some fruits for me ?"

Lord Muruga readily agreed and asked her, " What kind of fruits do you want? Roasted  or non- roasted? "

Avvaiyar got perplexed about this roasted and non-roasted concept in fruits . With a little confusion in her mind, said, " O.K. Let me have the non-roasted  fruits."

Lord Muruga , shed some fruits from the tree with the help of a stick.

Fruits fell down on the ground . As it rolled on the ground , it collected some dust .So Avvaiyar took some fruits in her hand and started to blow off the dust from the fruit.

Lord Muruga stopped her by saying," Grandma ! You asked for non-roasted fruits. I pulled down the non-roasted ones. Then why are you blowing it again? Is it hot? "

This type of tricky question exhibited the smartness of the boy.  Avvaiyar immediately, looked up at the boy,and at the same time realised  her mistake of self conceit.

She was sure that  he must be divinely, to intervene and point to her about her self conceit .she asked ," My boy. Tell me the truth. Who are you? You  have been an eye opener for me. I was thinking that I have learnt everything. But by your act and speech you made me realise, that I still have got more to learn and do. 

Lord Muruga gave darshan to Avvaiyar and said," I just came to have fun with you. Continue the good work you are doing. Do not stop."

Avvaiyar the saintly poetess went on to pen many more poems in Tamil language.

Watch the video . You can see the story as a visual treat.

Many of you, may be curious  about Avvaiyar's works for children.
As an example I present here Athichoodi(ஆத்திசூடி) with English translation.
Here is  glimpse of it.

Uyir Ezhuthu                                 ஆத்திசூடி                                     English translation

1. அ                      அறம் செய விரும்பு                 Desire to do good things

2. ஆ                       ஆறுவது சினம்                         Anger is to be controlled

3. இ                        இயல்வது கரவேல்                 Help others in any way you can

4. ஈ                         ஈவது விலக்கேல்                     Always be charitable

5. உ                        உடையது விளம்பேல்          Do not boast about what you
                                                                                                                have

6.ஊ                        ஊக்கமது கைவிடேல்          Do not give up hope/effort

7.எ                          எண் எழுத்து இகழேல்           Respect learning

8.ஏ                           ஏற்பது இகழ்ச்சி                       Begging is despicable

9.ஐ                          ஐயமிட்டு உண்                         Give alms before eating

10.ஒ                       ஒப்புர வொழுகு                        Be virtuous

11.ஓ                        ஓதுவது ஒழியேல்                 Do not give up learning

12.ஒள                    ஒளவியம் பேசேல்                Do not talk bad about others

13.ஃ                          அஃகஞ் சுருக்கேல்                  Never cheat on food.


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* source wikkipedia
English translation of Athichoodi --courtesy wikkipedia
video courtesy---You Tube.