Poonthanam used to write poems in Regional language. He was not a scholar in Sanskrit. The Sanskrit pandits are jealous with Poonthanam for his popularity. That he used to write poems which any other people can understand. This made him very popular among common people. Where as Sanskrit is expensive language. Only rich family people can learn that.
One day while reading Bhagavatham, he pronounced Padmanabho-maraprabhu, which should read combined. That means Padmanabha amaraprabhu. The so called pandits started tease him that he mispronounce the holy book, which made Poonthanam very sad. Then suddenly they can hear a voice from the Sanctum sanctorum that " i like the Vibhakthi of Poonthanam more than the Bhakthi of others". and then i am the maraprabhu too". That means, Lord said he liked the Poonthanam's devotion rather than others showing of devotion. They were proud that they were scholars.
This made others understand that they were actually criticize the most beloved devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan. They realised their mistake and seek forgiveness from Poonthanam.
The story is that Poonthanam mispronounced the incantation in Vishnu Sahasra Naamam. For Amara-prabhu, he said mara-prabhu; and Melpathoor laughed at him for it. Then, an Ashareeri was heard that 'I am also mara-prabhu'.
ReplyDeleteAmara-prabhu means Lord of the immortals; and mara-prabhu means Lord of the mortals. It has nothing to do with trees at all.