Thread by @EverythingAyur1

#bedtimestories #bedtimestories #11pm
Once there lived an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna by name Poonthaanam.
He worshipped Guruvayoorappan with all his heart & soul.
People loved him for his beautiful Bhagavatam discourses.
There is a temple in North Kerala called Kottiyoor.

The significant deity in the temple is Lord Siva. The temple was kept open only for a few days during a year.
There were no human activities in that place for the rest of the year.
Once Poonthaanam reached the Kottiyoor temple & had a bath in the holy river.
He worshiped the -

compassionate Lord Siva, felt happy, & stayed there for a few days
He recited Bhagavatam every day in front of the deity & several 100s of people listened to his discourse on the wonderful pastime in the 10th Canto 60th of Srimad Bhagavatam named Lord Krishna Teases Queen Rukmini

The Lord decides to play with His beloved wife Rukmini & wanted to listen to Her
He playfully asks, why She wanted to marry the Lord when She had choices like King Sisupala, Salva, Jarasandha.
Hearing this Queen Rukmini faints & Lord consoles Her
This is the gist of the chapter

Poonthaanam finished reading this part of the chapter & kept the bookmark at the end of the chapter so that he can continue reciting from there.
Next day, to his surprise, he found the bookmark at the beginning of the chapter
So Poonthaanam read the same part for the 2nd time

This was repeated for the rest of the days
It was the last day to close the temple for the year.
Poonthanam finished the discourse & was returning, but forgot the Bhagavatam in the temple.
Having walked some distance suddenly he remembered that he forgot to bring the Bhagavatam

He hurried back; crossed the river & reached the entrance to the temple, which was closed. He was all alone.
He could hear somebody reciting the same part of the chapter from inside the temple.
As he looked through the keyhole he saw Lord Siva himself reading from Bhagavatam.

Mother Parvati & his other Bhoothaganas were listening.
Their eyes were filled with tears.
Poonthaanam stood there motionless & heard the whole recitation.
In the end Lord Siva asked Parvati, Did you like the recitation?
Yes, it was nice, but was not as good as Poonthaanam’s

Lord Siva replied, Yes. I also like to hear from him. That is why I placed the bookmark again & again at the beginning of the same topic
Hearing this Poonthaanam who stood outside uttered holy name of Krishna
When he watched again, Lord Siva & Parvati disappeared from his sight