12. Taming the Seas

Like his parents, Ugra Pandya and his wife Kanthimathi too followed their royal duties properly. The subjects too followed their king in leading a principled life.

Like all kings, Ugra Pandya too had a desire – to become Indra. Becoming Indra does not mean becoming the king of some heavenly kingdom in a fairy tale!

Become Indra refers to wanting to enjoy excessive sensual pleasures. For that one must undertake extreme steps. If one journeying on the spiritual path does not consider all pleasures as become one with the Supreme then it can lead them astray.

He wanted his people in Madurai also to enjoy the worldly pleasures more. This desire blinded his self-awareness and wisdom.

The Sea of Desire-Pleasure

At such a time, he felt an uncontrolled desire for physical pleasures. As he struggles, he realises the state he is in. He can hear the alarm bells ringing as through his wisdom he realises he is about to stray into the world of sensual pleasures. He surrenders to the divine in himself, becoming conscious of the fact that his people will also suffer as he does. He also prays in a temple for release from such desires.

Wanting his people to enjoy material comforts due to economic and social progress can be considered as attaining Indra’s status. This can pose hurdles in spiritual progress.

Spear of Knowledge

At such a time, the Lord through his heightened awareness reminded him of the spear of knowledge that he possessed. Using the spear of knowledge, he threw it at the sea of desires and pleasures and protected his people from being overwhelmed by it. Thus saved, Ugra Pandya resolves never to be misled by desires and establishes a Sivalinga in the temple in his heart.

Satsanga or Tamil Sangam

He realises that only through service he can ensure not falling into the trap of sensual pleasures again. At that time he decides to hold the third Tamil Sangam in Madurai. Tamil Sangam is being in the company of highly evolved people. It is that noble company he received in the form of learned men in Tamil Sangam.

Om Namah Sivaya!