It is a few centuries old legend of a Shaiviite Siddha who was the patron saint of the area now known as Auroville. Once when he was seated in the assembly of the king a dancer’s anklet broke off. The sage whose heart was pure of intention picked it up and fixed it on the dancer’s ankle. However the people witnessing this mocked him. The word spread and eventually the sage, insulted and humiliated left the land, cursing that it will become barren again.
Soon after a famine followed and the land stopped giving enough yield. The king had a dream that this has happened because of the humiliation given to the saint. Ashamed, the king and the people visited the saint seeking forgiveness. It is then that the saint pronounced that the land will become fertile again when people from all over the world will come there and plough it again. That of course happened when people came from all over and tilled the soil during the early formation of Auroville.
The soil of Auroville was indeed not fertile when the project started but now one can see the change, hence the link between the legend and Auroville.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
