ChEramAn perumAL was a great king who ruled chEra n^Adu (Kerala) and was a contemporary of Sun^dharar. Initially he didn't have the inclination to become king. All his thoughts were centered in praying the Lord and serving him. But after the death of the chEra king the ministers and others requested him very much to become the king. He didn't like it because he thought it would deviate his attention from the Lord. But Lord Shiva gave him the boon of knowing the thinking of all creatures even if they utter no words and asked to him to become the king. So he is called "kazaRiRRu aRivAr".(One who can know the thinking) 
During the coronation ceremony he was coming around the city in a procession on the royal elephant. A washerman was coming on his way. The white cleaning powder that was smeared in his body seemed to chEramAn perumAL as Holy Ash. He immediately jumped out of the elephant and prostrated before that person. The washerman got shocked. Confused, He never expected the king of the state to bow down before him. Confused, he said humbly "I, your slave, a washerman"(adi vaNNAn) . chEramAn perumAL bowed further and said in all his humbleness " I, your slave, chEran (the king)" (adi chEran). What a great saint he is !! Even after becoming the king he bows down to the common man with all humbleness, just because he seemed to wear the Holy Ash ! That too in the coronation ceremony !!
Then he said to the washerman who was didn't come out of the shock, "Sir, you reminded me of the holy form of devotees who smear ashes. So don't worry, please proceed". (thiruvEdam n^inaippiththIr varun^dhAdhu Ekum). We should say he is really a gem to sit in the throne. Such great people do not get disturbed whether they become the king or poor. It is the kingdom that will get fame out of such great people and it will be the people who will get the good rule. ChEramAn perumAL is an example for all of us who shows how we should behave humbly to devotees irrespective of our status.

Posted on : 05. 07.96