Encounter.

Thirumangai Alvar and the Needle Incident

Thirumangai Alvar, a great poet-saint and a fierce devotee of Lord Vishnu, had once lived the life of a chieftain before renouncing worldly pleasures and dedicating himself to the service of the Lord. Despite his royal past, he chose to live with humility, accepting only what was necessary for his survival.

One day, Thirumangai Alvar was sitting outside his humble dwelling, mending a torn quilt. He struggled to thread the needle, as his hands were trembling with age. At that moment, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati happened to pass by.

Observing the saint, Parvati asked Lord Shiva, "This is a great devotee of Vishnu, should we not give him something?"

Lord Shiva, who knew the heart of Thirumangai Alvar, replied, "He is a contented soul. He will not ask for anything."

However, Goddess Parvati insisted that they offer him something, so they approached the Alvar.

When Thirumangai Alvar saw them, he folded his hands in reverence and greeted them warmly. Lord Shiva then said, "We wish to grant you something. Ask for whatever you desire."

Thirumangai Alvar smiled and replied, "I have no needs. I have everything I require."

But Shiva, upon Parvati’s urging, insisted that he make a request. The Alvar, after some thought, said, "Well, if you truly wish to help, I have been struggling to thread this needle. Could you do it for me?"

Hearing this, Lord Shiva smiled and tried to thread the needle. However, no matter how hard he tried, the thread refused to pass through. He attempted again and again, but failed each time.

It's immaterial if Lord Siva threaded the needle or not the point here is the alwar was not in need of anything. And this was the point the lord was trying to tell Parvati. 

Thirumangai Alvar then looked at Shiva and said, "O Mahadeva! If threading a simple needle is so difficult, how can one expect to attain liberation without surrendering to the Lord?"

He then sang the glories of Lord Vishnu, emphasizing that ultimate salvation could only be attained through complete devotion to Him. Shiva, pleased with Thirumangai Alvar's unwavering faith and wisdom, blessed him and departed with Parvati.

This incident beautifully highlights the Alvar's deep-rooted devotion and his belief in Vishnu's supremacy. It also symbolizes that even the smallest of tasks require divine grace, and true liberation comes only through surrender to the Supreme Lord.

The Alvar and the Needle: A Divine Encounter

Upon the earth, in simple grace,

Lived a poet with Vishnu’s face.

Thirumangai, his name so bright,

Sang the Lord both day and night.

Once, beneath the azure sky,

He sat with quilt and thread nearby.

A needle fine in trembling hand,

Yet the thread refused his command.

As fate would weave its golden line,

Two forms divine began to shine—

Lord Shiva, fair in matted hair,

And Parvati, of beauty rare.

She paused and watched the saint below,

His humble home, his thread’s slow flow.

“O Mahadeva,” Parvati said,

“Shall we not bless this one with bread?”

But Shiva smiled, with knowing eyes,

“He seeks no gifts, no worldly ties.

Content he dwells, with naught to claim,

Save Vishnu’s ever-glorious name.”

Yet Parvati, with kindness deep,

Urged her Lord his vow to keep.

So down they stepped, with gentle grace,

Before the saint of Vishnu’s place.

With folded palms, the Alvar rose,

His heart at peace, his mind composed.

“My Lord of Kailash, Queen divine,

What brings you here to this home of mine?”

“We wish to grant you what you will,

A boon, a treasure, gold or skill.”

Yet Thirumangai simply bowed,

“My Lord, my needs are few, unplowed.”

But Shiva, urged by Parvati's plea,

Said, “Ask, O saint, what gift shall be?”

A twinkle in the Alvar’s gaze,

A smile that set their hearts ablaze.

“My Lord,” he said, “if boon must be,

Thread this needle here for me.”

Shiva laughed and took the thread,

A simple task that lay ahead.

But lo! The fiber slipped and swayed,

It would not pass, nor still obeyed.

Once, twice, thrice—Shiva sighed,

The needle’s eye stood shut in pride.

The Alvar spoke, his voice so clear,

“O Lord, if this mere task is dear,

Then what of souls, adrift and lost,

That seek to cross life’s stormy cost?”

“To thread this path, no hand can guide,

Save Vishnu’s grace, the soul’s true tide.

No wealth, no might, no boon of kings,

Can grant what only surrender brings.”

Shiva smiled, his task undone,

Yet saw the truth, like rising sun.

He bowed, and with Parvati fair,

Blessed the Alvar then and there.

Thus stands the tale, so soft yet bright,

A lesson spun in wisdom’s light—

For threads may twist, and hands may shake,

But faith in Vishnu none can break.