Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.439

c8.439

At that time there was an old woman in Madura called Vanti. She earned her livelihood by selling sweetmeats. The servants of the king ordered her also to join the work of the dam. She prayed to Paramaśiva and then a young man came to the old woman and offered to work for her in her stead. The young man representing Vanti went to Vaigai and started to work for her. When the king came to inspect the work he found the young man not doing his work satisfactorily and struck him on his back with a whip. A basketful of sand the young man was carrying fell down and the work of the dam was instantly completed. Not only that; all the persons including the king felt as though they were struck. Vanti attained Svarga and Māṇikyavācakar went to Cidambaram. The king repented.