Pakkanar’s Story……(Story from Kerala)

Pakkanar’s landlord loved Pakkanar very much because he thought that Pakkanar is having some siddies (blessings of God). One day he called Pakkanar to his house and told him,”Dear Pakkanar, I’d like to take a pilgrimage to a few Holy Places and take a dip in the holy rivers. Why don’t you accompany me.”

Pakkanar replied, “I’m really honored by your wish. I too can wash off all my sins by dipping in the holy rivers. But as you know, being a Paraya (one of the lowest castes in Kerala) they will not allow me to enter the Holy Places. My health condition also does not permit me to undertake such a strenuous journey now. If you are very much interested to take me along with you I would like to make a humble request. Will you be kind enough to take a squash (A fruit that can stay fresh for a long time due to its thick skin – some varieties of which are infamous for their bitterness) from my farm along with you for the trip? As a squash has no caste or creed kindly dip it in the Holy waters that you bathe and take it inside the temples you visit. This way I can also share the blessing that you experience.”

The landlord acceded to Pakkanar’s request. Immediately, Pakkanar brought a bitter squash, and entrusted it with his landlord.

During the pilgrimage the landlord took the squash to all the Holy Temples. He also dipped it in all the Holy Waters, and returned it safely to Pakkanar after the pilgrimage.

The landlord arranged a big feast the next day to celebrate his safe return from the pilgrimage and invited Pakkanar also to attend it. Several people attended the feast but nobody could eat the dishes because of their bitter taste. The landlord became very angry and inquired with his wife the reason. She said that early in the morning Pakkanar entrusted her a Holy fruit and requested her to include it in all the dishes for the feast.

The landlord called Pakkanar and asked him why he spoiled the whole feast. Pakkanar very politely replied,

“I may kindly be pardoned. I have done that only with all good intentions. The squash I entrusted with the landlady is the one you brought back after worshipping in Holy Temples and dipping in Holy Waters. You have taken much pain and strain in carrying the squash throughout the journey. So instead of eating the entire thing by myself, I thought of sharing with others, the blessings you brought. I thought the Holy Waters would have washed away all the bitterness of the squash, but I was mistaken. Pardon me if I am wrong, but I feel that your entire trip to visit these Holy places was futile. If the pilgrimage did not help a mere squash to lose its bitterness, how could it help a man to lose his sins?”

The landlord realized that, water can wash only external dirt; to wash ones sins, internal purification is essential.