In the heart of Malabar, nestled amidst the ebb and flow of time, there lived Pandam Parambat Bhattathiri. His abode bore the scars of poverty, a reminder of days when life's simplest necessities were a luxury. Yet, within these humble walls, a tale of extraordinary proportions unfolded, and it all began with an enigmatic jar.
In those days, fortune smiled upon Bhattathiri's illam. Poverty no longer gnawed at their existence. However, it was a journey from scarcity to abundance that would forever be etched in the annals of history.
Once upon a time, a Chinese merchant ship, laden with exotic treasures, embarked on a perilous voyage. Alas, misfortune struck, and the ship succumbed to the tempest's fury, leaving behind only wreckage. The ship's owner, narrowly escaping the clutches of the deep, found refuge on the shores of Malabar, clutching to his sole possessions; a mere ten Chinese jars.
As fate would have it, the illam of Pandam Parambat Bhattathiri stood nearby. The aged walls bore witness to countless struggles, and its inhabitants knew the sting of poverty intimately.
One day, when the children were about to partake in a modest meal of porridge, destiny knocked on their door. The weary Chinese merchant arrived, his stomach empty and spirits low. With the compassion that was the hallmark of his character, Bhattathiri offered the stranger a portion of their humble fare.
Touched by the kindness of his host, the merchant, after sating his hunger, vowed never to forget the taste of that porridge. Overwhelmed by the generosity of these kindred souls, he shared his tale of woe; a shipwreck, a lost crew, and an uncertain future. The merchant possessed ten sealed Chinese jars, filled with betel nuts, remnants of his once-vibrant cargo.