There is many stories illustrating Poonthanam’s connection with the sacred Bhagavatham. Most of us might have heard about the temple of Kottiyoor in North Kerala. It is believed that Daksha Yaga was performed there. The important deity in that temple is Siva. The temple was kept open only for a few days in a year. There were no human activities in that place for the rest of the year.

Poonthanam reached at the Kottiyoor temple. He had a bath in the Holly River; he worshiped compassionate God Siva, felt happy and stayed there for a few days. He recited Bhagavatham everyday in front of the deity. There is a famous part in the tenth chapter named "Karhichith". That part contained the following story.

Lord Krishna asks his wife Rukmini "why did you get married with me who is just a shepherd? You would have been much better life if you had married the King Sisupala. Hearing this Rukmini faints and God consoles her.

This part is described very well in Bhagavatham with inner meanings. Poonthanam finished reading this part of the chapter and kept the bookmark on that page. Next day he found the bookmark at beginning of the same chapter. So Poonthanam read the same part for the second time. This was repeated for the rest of the days.

It was the last day to close the temple for the year. Poonthanam returning from the temple with the other devotees. Then he remembered about his Bhagavatham, which he left at the temple. He hurried back; crossed the river and reach the entrance to the temple, which was closed. He was all alone. He could hear somebody reciting the same part of the chapter from Bhagavatham inside the temple. As he looked through the peep- hole he saw the Lord Siva himself reading from Poonthanam’s book. Goddess Parvathi and his other Bhaoothaganas were listening. Their eyes were filled with tears out of devotion. Poonthanam stood there motionless and heard the whole recitation. At the end Paramasiva asked Parvathi "was my reading as good as Poonthanam’s"? Parvathi replied it was not good as Poonthanam’s. Hearing this Poonthanam who stood outside was shaken up and uttered the name Narayana loudly. When he watched again the Gods had disappeared.

It was God Siva who put the Bookmark at the beginning of the chapter every time when Poonthanam recited at the temple. This story shows that God places true devotees much higher than himself.

Satsang is the best way to attain pure devotion. Luckily they’re many devoted people in this world. Let us worship them.