Kunnutaiya Part I: Early Life

• Kolatta and his wife Ariyanacci have had no children for many years. They are growing old and begin to worry about the fate of Ponnivala after they die.
  

• Lord Vishnu sees their distress. So he goes to visit Lord Shiva and asks him to help the couple out by granting them a child.
  

• Shiva hides that baby under a large rock pile, and arranges for a cow to feed it!

• The little child Shiva created is as beautiful as the sun itself!

• Kunnutaiya grows strong with the help of his loving parents.
  

• His father, Kolatta, involves himself daily in his son’s development.
  

• Soon Kunnutaiya is taken to the family temple for a traditional naming ceremony. Lord Vishnu attends the big event in person.
  

• Kunnutaiya is given many toys and enjoys plenty of small adventures.
  

• The family are very happy with their son and enjoy his presence every day.  
  

• Five good years pass in this way.
  

• Suddenly something terrible happens. Two assistants of Lord Yeman arrive, announcing that Kolatta and Ariyanacci’s time of death has come.
  

• Reluctantly, the family say their goodbyes at a nearby temple.
  

• Then the couple climb the ladder that leads to the sky. Poor Kunnutaiya, now an orphan, must stay behind.
  

• The Chola king comes to the palace for the funeral ceremonies. He finds Kunnutaiya at the temple.
  

• The king takes Kunnutaiya to the family palace where he asks his father’s cousins to look after him well.
  

• The cousins agree to the king’s request, but their answer does not sound sincere.  
  

• The king has other business to attend to. There is nothing more he can do. He leaves quickly for his own kingdom.
  

• Poor Kunnutaiya returns to the temple for solace. He is alone and confused.
  

[Continue to Part 2==>]