The Nataraja Idol

The Sun was shining brightly overhead and it was stifling hot. Wiping the sweat with his shoulder cloth, Piloo looked at the length of the shadow of the tall sugar cane plant in his field. When the shadow was shortest, Piloo knew it was time to take his lunch, his wife had packed for him with so much love.

Piloo was a small-time farmer, doing agriculture work on the field received from inheritance. He was lucky enough to get his minuscule share of the ancestral property from his brothers after his father's death. That too after his mother had intervened. Life was tough but it was peaceful for Piloo. He was a simple man with a penchant for an easy life. But he had had his share of hardships. His wife was ambitious and wanted a good life for her family of three. Her family consisting of her husband Piloo and their little son Shiboo. Sometimes, Piloo's mother used to stay with them, because Piloo's mother spent her best times with her youngest son who was not too ambitious and greedy to account for his mother's expenses unlike his other brothers. Even Piloo's wife, Namita took good care of her mother in law, so Piloo's mother enjoyed her stay with them.

But as per agreement Piloo's mother had to stay with her other sons also in the month because she had a good income by way of government pension. Some years ago she had lost her husband being struck by lightning during election time. Voting was in progress and voters were waiting in queue for their turn to vote. When all of a sudden a thunderstorm hit the area and before anyone could take protective action the lightning was upon them. Two people were killed and several injured. One of the dead was Piloo's father. Out of compassion the government had declared lifelong pension for the widow that is Piloo's mother. Due to the pension Piloo and his brothers family could lead a comfortable life even when the agricultural years were drought hit.

As Piloo didn't have much say in financial matters, his brothers used to keep their mother in the early part of the month when the pension fund was in abundance. At the end of the month when much of the money of the pension finished the mother would be sent to stay with Piloo. So Piloo's status was always hand to mouth but he was never complaining. His wife Namita knew of the skewed treatment her family was getting from her in law's but she kept quiet knowing that some day her situation would improve. Namita was a devout person and was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Due to Shiva's influence on her life she had named her son Shiboo. Although her in law's were better placed in life financially but still they were very jealous of Piloo and specially Namita due to her quiet confidence.

During the tilling of his land one day, Piloo had found an idol of Nataraja, a dancing form of Lord Shiva. At the outset the idol created a lot of enthusiasm and furore in and around their village. The elder brothers of Piloo used their coercive qualities to take away the idol from Piloo and keep it with them. The image was of a mysterious metal generally unseen in the day to day life. The brothers first thought that it would fetch quite a fortune. But no metal trader showed any interest in giving a good price for it. Piloo's brother's wives took in turn to keep the idol at their home and worship it. Hoping that by worshipping their lifestyle would see an improvement. But after keeping and worshipping the idol for more than two years they did not see any noticeable change in their lives. So out of grudge and frustration they handed it over to Namita, Piloo's wife. Namita took it on her and dutifully worshipped the idol like her other Shiva idols.

Due to the presence of the Nataraja Idol in their household or due to some other unexplained reason, Piloo's family found themselves surrounded by a divine intervention at every stage in life. Even in the worst of drought years, Piloo had his barn full of food grains. Though there was not surplus food but surprisingly they had enough food throughout the day for the entire family of four. Now Piloo's mother used to stay the full month with him after handing over the pension to her other sons. Because she felt at peace and happiness when she lived with Piloo. No disease and suffering affected Piloo and family whereas his brothers family was ravaged by disease upon disease. The brothers had so much of income and the pension funds snatched from their mother but still they found it difficult to make ends meet. Whereas Piloo led a carefree relaxed life free of worries and disease. He became the envy of his brothers.

They then became hell bent to drive away his peace and happiness. The elder brother's wife suggested to bring back the Nataraja Idol to their house because, according to her due to it's influence Piloo's life was so peaceful. But even after bringing back the Nataraja Idol in their household their condition didn't see any noticeable change. On the contrary the eldest brother was hit by heart problems and had to abandon working resulting in diminishing income and rising expenses. The second brother became overconfident and became financially wayward. He took a big loan from the market and went bust before he could repay it. Both brothers family was in dire straits, financially and morally. The mother's pension left them with wanting for more. Again the Nataraja Idol made its way back to Piloo and Namita. In a short while Piloo did a bumper harvest of onions and potatoes. He got a big contract from a large Multi National Company. His finances received a big boost.

With the money he first built a big temple close to his house with marble and other expensive stones dedicated to the Nataraja Idol. A trust was formed to look after the day to day affairs of the temple. Piloo made his mother the chief trustee. His wife Namita was the main executor. The news of the miraculous blessings of the Nataraja Idol reached far and wide. Lots of donation came pouring in. The trust funds now got inflated to crores of rupees. Lot of work was generated for the upkeep of the temple. Piloo was the treasurer of the funds. He did this job with absolute devotion and dedication. He now became so busy with the temple work he let out his agricultural land on lease. His out of work brothers were given employment in the temple premises on salary basis.

The blessings of the divine kept pouring relentlessly on Piloo and his family. There was continuous inflow of pilgrims from far off places. Money kept pouring in. A big accommodation facility was built for the pilgrims. The financial and economic picture of the village changed and now it had become an affluent tourist and pilgrim spot. The economic conditions of the people also changed dramatically. All because of the Nataraja Idol. This year there would be a big celebration during Maha Shivratri. There would be Abhishek of the idol and it would be consecrated into a bigger sanctum sorum. The Chief Minister will do the inauguration. Piloo would be there to honour the Chief minister.