The Marvelous Nellikani of Thagadur

Athiyamaan was a chieftain who ruled over Thagadur, renowned as one of the Kadaiyezhu Vallalgal (the last seven great patrons of Tamil culture). He shared a close friendship with the esteemed Tamil poet Avvaiyar.

Near Thagadur, there was a towering mountain range called Kuthiraimalai. During his leisure days, Athiyamaan often went hunting in these hills. On one such occasion, the hunters informed him about a unique Nelli (Indian gooseberry) tree. This tree stood in a steep, almost inaccessible part of the mountains. Remarkably, it bore only one fruit each year, but that fruit had a miraculous property—it could prolong the life of anyone who consumed it!

Determined to obtain this extraordinary Nellikani, Athiyamaan sought the advice of the hunters.

“King, the tree is located in the middle of a steep cliff,” the hunters explained. “It is surrounded by venomous insects. We will need to proceed carefully.”

Athiyamaan, undeterred, declared, “No matter the difficulty, we must obtain this rare fruit. Make all the necessary preparations!”

The Journey to Secure the Nellikani

The hunters began their arduous task. First, they used medicinal herbs to drive away the venomous insects. Next, they built a sturdy scaffolding using bamboo poles to create a path up the sheer cliff.

After days of intense effort, they finally managed to complete the scaffolding. Athiyamaan and the hunters, working together, successfully retrieved the precious Nellikani.

Athiyamaan Offers the Nellikani to Avvaiyar

Upon returning to the palace, Athiyamaan found Avvaiyar waiting to meet him. Seeing the revered poet, Athiyamaan had a profound realization:
“Avvaiyar, with her wise counsel, has guided people of all ages to live virtuously and righteously. She has contributed so much to this world. If she lives longer, the world will benefit even more. I must give this rare fruit to her.”

Athiyamaan respectfully presented the Nellikani to Avvaiyar and said, “Avvai! I wish to offer this precious fruit to you. Please accept it and consume it".

Avvaiyar, deeply moved, accepted the fruit. She tasted it and marveled at its extraordinary flavor. Learning about the efforts Athiyamaan had undertaken to secure it, she was filled with gratitude.

“Athiyamaan,” she said, “You could have consumed this rare fruit yourself to maintain your health and strength for the good of your kingdom. Yet, you chose to give it to someone like me, an old woman. Your kindness and selflessness surpass even the greatness of this fruit.”

Athiyamaan humbly replied, “Avvai, I am merely a guardian of a single land, but you are a mother of wisdom for the entire world. Your long life will bring immeasurable benefit to humanity.”

Legacy and Moral of the Story

In honor of this noble deed, Avvaiyar composed a poem praising Athiyamaan’s generosity and vision. To this day, his act of selflessness is celebrated by the Tamil people. Beyond the miraculous properties of the Nellikani, it is Athiyamaan’s unselfish gesture that continues to inspire generations.

Moral for Children
This story teaches us the importance of selflessness, the value of putting others’ well-being above our own, and the significance of respecting those who guide society with wisdom. Athiyamaan’s heart of gold shines brighter than any treasure!