Letters from Sri Ramanasramam, by Suri Nagamma

As things went on like this, one day, when that Pethan was
carrying on his head a bundle of firewood to the hut of the
Dikshita, Ishwara Himself met him on the way in the guise
of the Dikshita in charge of the temple, wrote a verse on a
palmyra leaf, gave it to him telling him that it was to be
handed over to Umapathi Sivacharya and then disappeared.

“Pethan gave that verse to Sivacharya, who, on opening it,
found in the first line itself the words, ‘Adiyarkkadiyen
chitrambalavanan’ (the servant of the devotees, the Lord of
Chidambaram). Immediately, he was overwhelmed with
devotion and a thrill passed through his body as he read the
letter. The gist of the verse was: ‘A note from Chidambaranathan
— the servant of the devotees — to the person who has set up
a new establishment, namely Sivacharya. It is your duty to
give initiation to this Pethan Samban regardless of caste and
to the surprise of all people.’
“He read the letter and was overwhelmed with joy. In
obedience to the orders of the Lord, he initiated Pethan,
though he belonged to the lowest caste and in due course he
gave nayana diksha (transmission of power through the eyes)
to Pethan. Immediately after which Pethan vanished into holy
light. Sivacharya himself was immensely surprised at this
occurrence and only then understood the wisdom of Pethan.”
“Enemies of Sivacharya noticed the sacrificial offerings
and other things he was having for his initiation and
complained to the Government that Sivacharya had burnt
Pethan to death for some mistake the Pethan might have
committed. When the king came there with his retinue to
enquire into the complaint, Sivacharya showed the verse of
Lord Nataraja and said that he gave initiation to Pethan and
that Pethan vanished thereafter in the form of a divine light
(Jyoti). The king was surprised and asked Sivacharya if he
could likewise give initiation and moksha to the thorn bush
nearby. ‘Yes. What doubt is there?’ said Sivacharya.

“Accordingly he gave nayana diksha to that thorn bush
and that too immediately disappeared in Pure Light (Jyoti).

“The king was still more astonished at that and said,
‘This looks like some black magic. You said this note had
been written by Lord Nataraja. Let us go and ask Him.’
Sivacharya pointed out that there was a ban on his entering
the temple. The king said that would not matter as he himself
was accompanying Sivacharya. Accordingly they started for
the temple together. Hearing all this, all the people — the
pundits, the common people curious about the whole thing
and the enemies of Sivacharya who were sure he would be
duly punished — flocked to the temple to see the strange
sight. The two entered the temple, and out of regard for the
king, arati (waving of lights) was offered to Lord Nataraja. It
was then found that on either side of the Lord stood Pethan
and the thorn bush. The pundits were surprised and, out of
fear and remorse, fell at the feet of Sivacharya, requesting
him to pardon them for all their faults. They subsequently
brought him back into the town with due honours. This story
is found in Chidambara Mahatmyam.”