While some of them are contented with day dreaming, there are others who work towards achieving their goals. Long before man fantasised about the genie of the lamp, friendly spirits, elves and angels who granted wishes the divine mother manifested herself as goddess Nimishamba at the behest of her ardent devotee.
People throng her temple which is on the banks of the confluence of the rivers Cauvery and Lokapavani and make their wishes fervently.
Mythology reveals that sage Mukthaka was performing a Yajna alongside the Sangam on behalf of the reigning king Sumanaska for the well being of the citizens of his kingdom. His spiritual endeavour was constantly disrupted by two demons called Jaanu and Sumandala.
The helpless sage beseeched the mother goddess to intervene and help him surmount the obstacle. The goddess who could not bear to see her fervent follower suffer
appeared before him within a minute.
She was geared up for the battle with her trident and a rattling ‘damru’.
Even before the sage could make his plea coherently the demons were slayed by the goddess with her trident.
The sage was struck by her instant response to his prayer. He beseeched her to stay on and bless her other devotees who sought her help. People, who came to the goddess with faith, redeemed their wishes within a minute. They started referring to her as Nimishamba –the mother (who fulfils wishes in a) minute.
The legend may sound like a fairy tale at the outset but a little introspection will reveal that God helps only those who help themselves. It may be noted that sage Mukthaka made an earnest attempt to perform the Yajna. He sought divine help only when he reached his wit’s end.
The fact that the Goddess came to him within a minute speaks of the unique rapport between the worshipper and the worshipped which stands on the twin towers of infinite faith and compassion respectively.
The presence of lord Shiva in the name of Moukthikeshwara or the one who delivers salvation in the temple premises of Nimishamba is symbolic of a loftier message.
It is a reminder to man that he must transcend the level of using faith and devotion for instant gratification and seek eternal truth and salvation - Mukthi!
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