On the Banks of the Kāveri

Every day, before dawn, Tiruppāṇ Āzhwār would go to the southern bank of the Kāveri, facing the temple across the river. There, with his yāzh in his hands, he would sing of Sri Ranganātha for hours together. So completely was he lost in the Lord that he was unaware of the world around him.

One morning, Loka Sāranga Muni, a great sage who served in the temple, came down to the river to draw water for the Lord's Tirumanjanam. Tiruppāṇ Āzhwār stood in his path, his eyes closed, singing. The sage called out to him to move aside, but the Āzhwār, absorbed in his song, did not hear. Losing patience, Loka Sāranga Muni picked up a small stone and threw it to rouse him. It struck the Āzhwār on the forehead, and blood began to flow.

The Āzhwār opened his eyes, saw the sage before him, and understood at once that he had stood in the way of the Lord's service. Grieved, he begged the sage's forgiveness and moved aside. Loka Sāranga Muni drew the water and returned to the temple.