Tulunadu tales: The story of Malesaavira daiva
Most deities in Tulu folk tales have a human origin, and Malesaavira Daiva, also known as Antayya Baidyya, is no different
Dr Lakshmi G Prasad
In Tulunadu's folk tales, most deities are basically humans. People who suffered unnatural death, blessings or curses of deities are later transformed and worshipped as deities. Some examples are Koti-Chennaya, Mugerlu, Ali Bhuta, Mukambi Guliga - all of these deities were previously humans.
Same is the case with Anta Baidya/Antayya Baidyya, who is worshipped as Male Chamundi, Male Jumadi and Malesaavira Daiva.
According to Bannanje Baabu Ameen, who has researched on the subject, there are two stories on the creation of this daiva.
A man named Antha Baidya was a big devotee of Lord Shiva. One day, when he had climbed a tree to remove the Amruth (Kallu), he falls and breaks his legs and arms; he also loses his eyes. Later, when he asks the Lord, the Lord says, "In future, you will take a human form and go to earth. You will be worshipped as Malesaavira, and when you are being worshipped, let 1000 deities too get worshipped." So Anta Baidya turns into Malesavira Daiva.
The is a slight difference in the second tale.
In the south, there is a place called Belaadi, where a black magician named Antayya Baidya lived.
One day, Baidya goes to Shirva Nudibettu Chavadi and asks land on lease. Baidya is given land on donation basis. According to the arrangement, he has to give percentage of crops grown to the land owner. The land given is located in a place called Kattangeri.
Baidya honoured the arrangement. But once his crop failed and so he couldn't pay. With the help of black magic, he bundles water and sends it as donation to the land owner. The landlord complains this to Keenyadka Jumaadi deity, who makes Baidya disappear.
"A place near Kattangeri is said to be where his funeral took place. In the northern part, he is worshipped as Male Sara (MaleSaavira) and in southern parts he is worshipped as Male Jumaadi. In the eastern part, he is worshipped as Antya Baidya," says Bannanje Babu Ameen.
He is also worshipped as Male Chamundi.
Translation by Aravinda Bhat
Most deities in Tulu folk tales have a human origin, and Malesaavira Daiva, also known as Antayya Baidyya, is no different
Dr Lakshmi G Prasad
In Tulunadu's folk tales, most deities are basically humans. People who suffered unnatural death, blessings or curses of deities are later transformed and worshipped as deities. Some examples are Koti-Chennaya, Mugerlu, Ali Bhuta, Mukambi Guliga - all of these deities were previously humans.
Same is the case with Anta Baidya/Antayya Baidyya, who is worshipped as Male Chamundi, Male Jumadi and Malesaavira Daiva.
According to Bannanje Baabu Ameen, who has researched on the subject, there are two stories on the creation of this daiva.
A man named Antha Baidya was a big devotee of Lord Shiva. One day, when he had climbed a tree to remove the Amruth (Kallu), he falls and breaks his legs and arms; he also loses his eyes. Later, when he asks the Lord, the Lord says, "In future, you will take a human form and go to earth. You will be worshipped as Malesaavira, and when you are being worshipped, let 1000 deities too get worshipped." So Anta Baidya turns into Malesavira Daiva.
The is a slight difference in the second tale.
In the south, there is a place called Belaadi, where a black magician named Antayya Baidya lived.
One day, Baidya goes to Shirva Nudibettu Chavadi and asks land on lease. Baidya is given land on donation basis. According to the arrangement, he has to give percentage of crops grown to the land owner. The land given is located in a place called Kattangeri.
Baidya honoured the arrangement. But once his crop failed and so he couldn't pay. With the help of black magic, he bundles water and sends it as donation to the land owner. The landlord complains this to Keenyadka Jumaadi deity, who makes Baidya disappear.
"A place near Kattangeri is said to be where his funeral took place. In the northern part, he is worshipped as Male Sara (MaleSaavira) and in southern parts he is worshipped as Male Jumaadi. In the eastern part, he is worshipped as Antya Baidya," says Bannanje Babu Ameen.
He is also worshipped as Male Chamundi.
Translation by Aravinda Bhat
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