Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 91 



admit it, nearly all Brahmans fear the local deities almost as much 

 as do the Dravidians themselves. 



One of the stories is concerning the subjection of seven kings. 

 They were reigning in a certain city, but neglected to worship the 

 Sakti of the place. They even whipped her and threw her away. 

 The ammavaru, or Saktis, were very angry over this, and sought 

 for a way to bring these kings into subjection. So the village 

 Sakti took the form of an Erukala woman-^ and went about the 

 village telling fortunes and divining. 



Now it happened that the eldest of these kings was sick. When 

 the diviner went to the palace the mother of the sick king asked 

 her to come in and tell about the prospects of his recovery. When 

 the diviner was brought to the side of the sick man he recognized 

 her, and saying that she was not a diviner, but a Sakti, he caused 

 her to be whipped and driven from the city. 



Having failed in this effort the Sakti now adopted a Siva dis- 

 guise, and wearing the lingam came to the king. When asked her 

 request she said that it was only a small one. She desired only to 

 be given a great rock in a desert place on which she would plant 

 a flower garden. The king granted her request and she, together 

 with the other Saktis, plowed the rock and planted the garden. 

 When the flowers were in bloom, she brought some to the king, 

 saying that Siva would be much pleased if the king would use the 

 flowers in his daily worship. The king was much interested, and 

 appointed her to bring him flowers daily. 



After a time the woman told the king that it would be more 

 pleasing to Siva if he would come and gather the flowers him- 

 self. To this he consented, and for several days came to the gar- 

 den and picked the flowers. One day, however, the Sakti appeared 

 as a parrot, and pulled the lynch pins out of the king's chariot. 

 She then called, "Thief! Thief!" because the king was taking 

 the flowers. Hearing the cry, all the other Saktis rushed in 

 and binding the king, put him on his chariot, which at once fell 

 to pieces. 



The village Sakti now appeared in her usual form and said, 

 " You have not worshiped me, but have driven me out. Never- 



28 See the note, page 49. 



91 



