Mandalam Musings Day 29- Manikanthan Goes to the Forest and Kills Mahishi-

 

Mandalam Musings Day 29-

Manikanthan Goes to the Forest and Kills Mahishi-

Manikanthan did not want anyone to join him on his trip to the forest. He had his bow well-strung and he packed a quiver full of sharp arrows. The minister and the queen were happy that their plot has worked as they planned. They were convinced that this will be Ayyappan’s last trip to the forest. Once that is settled, they could ask the king to crown the young Prince Rajarajan as the king.  The king kept his vigil and stayed awake without eating, waiting for Ayyappa to return. He had no idea about the deceitful ploys of the minister and the queen.

As soon as Manikantha entered the deep forest, celestial Devas appeared and prostrated before him. They requested him to kill Mahishi as she can be defeated only by the son of Hari and Haran as per the boon she had from Lord Brahma.  Mahishi also knew about Sastha’s birth, but she had gone to Indra's heaven again to make the Devas’ life miserable. Asuras had complained to Mahishi that the Devas had cheated them by not giving their fair share of the Amrut, after the churning of the milky ocean. They wanted Mahishi to teach Devas a lesson and that is what she did. She destroyed the palace of Indra and spread terror amongst the Devas. Then she returned to the forest again. It is at that time Manikantha reached the forest in search of tiger milk.

Mahishi confronted Ayyappa and questioned him why he is disturbing her in the forest. Manikantha took his bow and arrows to fight with her. But Mahishi had a special ability to create ferocious warriors out of her body hair and she created several of them to surround her to face Manikantha. A strong duel ensued and she fought Manikantha with all her might but Manikantha was able to pin her down easily. As soon as he defeated Mahishi and touched her with his hand, it turned into a blessing for her. Her life as Mahishi ended and she came back to the form of Lila of her past life. She was captivated by Ayyappa’s divine charm and expressed her desire to accompany Him wherever he goes. He agreed with a condition that she shall remain with Him as a divine mother to all the seekers who follow Ayyappa culture. Mahishi, became a divine goddess having paid her karmic debt.

Now, in the forest, a large group of tiger’s assembled eagerly waiting for Manikantha’s arrival so that they can serve him.  He did not have to cajole them to go with Him as nature knows when and how to respond and resonate with the need of the hour. A group of tiger families with cubs and nursing mother tigers followed Manikantha as he started his trek back to the city.