Sanatana Dharma

Part V DHARSHAN OF TEMPLES OF LORD SASTHA

2012-01-30T17:43:00.000-08:00

Part V
DHARSHAN OF TEMPLES OF LORD SASTHA
(AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM)
BY
Sri Maha Saastru Priyadasan V. Aravind Subrahmanyam
Translated by Shri. Thiruvarur Chandrashekaran

THIRUKKUTTRALA VIJAYAM

Mention of the very word Courtallam brings to our mind thoughts about the waterfalls and the baths in them. How many of us realize what a wonderful kshetram it is otherwise? It depicts Ambigai (Devi) in the form of Meru and is also known as Dharani Peedam. I have to write about it separately. On the day of our arrival due to flooding of the falls a ban had been imposed on taking bath in the waterfalls. Since it was afternoon, the temple at Courtallam had also been closed.

Lord Saastha is unique in some respects in this temple. As per the guidelines of Vaasthu Sastram applicable to Sivaalayams, the sannidhi of Lord Saastha has got to be at a fixed spot in every temple. In most of the ancient temples of Lord Siva, a sannidhi for Lord Saastha is a Must. May be over a period of time, during renovation of the temples, certain changes could have taken place, but otherwise in reality, no temple of Lord Siva would be deemed to be complete, unless and otherwise, there exists a sannidhi for Lord Saastha too. The human body itself is structured as the temple of Lord Siva. I got an ancient literature on this subject. In this book the temple’s flag mast is depicted at the Mooladhara Charka of our body as the starting point. It ends with the karuvarai (sanctum sanctorum) being shown at Aagnjhaa Chakram. Surprisingly (but truthfully) exactly at the sthanam of Sahasraaram (the place where Jeeva and Brahma merges into one entity) Saastha was shown seated!

In the temple of Coutallanathar there are four sannidhis of Lord Saastha. Of these, the Mela VasalSaaatha (Western Entrance Saastha) and Periya Aandavar Saastha both, though situated inside the Courtallanathar temple are famous as family deities of many devotees.

When I was writing the book Maha Saastha Vijayam we paid a visit to Courtallam. At that time in order to locate one particular Saastha temple, about which a mention had been made in an ancient manuscript, I wandered in the city of Courtallam, street by street. At last I located it in a place belonging to one particular community. The temple was in ruins. I had to jump over the walls to reach inside the temple and have dharshan of the Lord. Being in Courtallam once again now the thoughts of the earlier visit came to my mind.

At Courtallam there is a place called Chitra Sabhai. Out of the five dancing sabhas of Lord Siva, this is also one. Here Lord Siva’s paintings only are worshipped! In this Chitra Sabha we can also see Lord Saastha duly painted in the form of Yogeeswara!

We did not have enough time to see all these in this trip. So I decided that only in the next visit these should be covered.

By now every one of us felt hungry. When I enquired, “Shall we eat now?” all nodded their heads vehemently. Accepting this unanimous decision my father instructed the van driver to take the vehicle to Puli Aruvi (Tiger Falls).

At Tiger Falls the flooding of the falls was not much. The crowd was also less. So we stopped the vehicle at that spot itself and opened our lunch session. By now few from the army of monkeys took their seats in front of us! They not only ate to their belly full, items like Idly, Curd Rice etc, offered by us, but the excess was got stored by them securely for a subsequent session! They climbed up a rope tied there and exhibited their acrobatic talents!

As soon as I saw the place where we were, the “bird” inside me started to scream and make all sorts of loud noise.

So I quickly finished my lunch and secretly made some signs at Vibha. Whether he understood its meaning or not, he forthwith followed me. As we went near the falls a small temple became visible.

“ Oh My God! What I imagined has become true. This must be the temple of Pasupatha Saastha only!”

There is a mention about this temple in the Sthala Puranam of Thirukkutralam.

By now smelling rat, others too joined us.

Both Shyam and Narayanan approached me and enquired “Anna! Is it a temple of Lord Ayyappa?”

Whimsically I said “ No! ….It is a temple of Lord Saastha!!!”

This is the Lord who blessed the Pandava hero Arjuna to get the weapon known as Pasupatha Astram

“paasupathaaSthram parivudan pozi-ntha saaSthaavE saraNam”

(“Salutations to Saastha who very kindly gave away the Pasupathastram”) ……

These are lines from the “Varavu Pattu”(Saastha invocation songs) of Noorani (a kerala village famous for Saastha preethi) Saastha Preethi.

The temple of course is a very small one. But when you look at the formation of the idol it seems to be an ancient one. It is an idol with his two consorts Purna and Pushkala. At the outside both the vahans of the

Lord, elephant and horse, and the idols of the saptha kannigas as parivarams are seen. After having the darshan of the Lord we all returned back.

Thus ended our visit to Thirukkutralam. Next is dharshan of the Lord at the “Sori Muththaiyan” temple.

Muththup Podhigai Sarivin Muththayyan Kovil

(Muththaiyyan Temple on the slopes of the Podhigai Hills-a pearl amongst hills.)

The temple of Sori Muththayyan is situated in the area of the Karayaar (name of a river) ,which is beyond Papanasam and on top of Agasthyar falls.

Unlike Achchankovil and Aryankavu temples, the Muththayyan temple of Tamil Nadu has not yet become famous and well known.

There are five important Kshetrams of Lord Saastha. They are Sori Muththayyan Kovil, Achchankovil, Aryankavu, Kulaththupizhai and Sabarimalai.

The Lord gave us the Bagyam to have His dharshan in a single day in the rest of the four temples, excepting Sabarimalai.

Sori Muththayyan koil is the Mooladhara Kshetram amongst all the Kshetrams of Lord Saastha.

Tamil poet-saint Arunagirinathar is considered as the Gurunather of all devotees of Lord Karthikeyan (Murugan) Likewise Manidasar, a descendant of the Kambangudi family lineage, is considered as the universal Gurunather of all devotees of Lord Ayyappa. Manidasar has sung several hundred songs in praise of Lord Ayyappa. He has sung five group songs, each group consisting of five vrittams. These are known as

“Kulaththur Panchagam, Aryankavu Panchagam, Achchanaar Panchagam, Muththayyan Panchagam and Sabari Panchagam. It is a great thing to note that he has sung on Sori Muthayyan too.

I must first explain to all of you the origin and meaning of the name of this Sori Muththayyan temple .

The whole of the Podighai Hills is considered as the dwelling place of Sage Agasthiar. One day when Sage Agasthyar was doing Thapas he witnessed a bright scene, as bright as sunshine, a supreme light emanating from a shining entity. Initially he was bewildered and was not even able to decipher and understand what he was witnessing. He stood there and prayed to Lord Sastha, who gave His wonderful dharshan to Sage Agasthiar. In this darshan He was with his two consorts, Purna and Pushkala, surrounded by all his parivara ganams (body guards).

At that time all the Deva Ganams assembled together and worshipped Lord Hariharaputran and showered swarna pushpams (flowers of gold petals) on Him and His two consorts. Because of this shower of gold flowers, the Saastha here got the name as Pon(gold)soriyum Muththayyan which today has been shortened as Sori Muththayyan.

As a proof of this incident even today golden nuggets are found in this area.

Thus the temple of Sori Muththayyan kovil is located at the holy place where Sage Agasthiya had the wonderful dharshan of the Lord.

Sabarigirish was amazed to here all these! Unable to believe his ears he asked in anastounded voice “Does it mean that this temple came into existence much before the formation of Sabarimalai temple?”

“Oh yes! No doubt about it. This came into existence pretty long time before all other temples” I said.

Other than Sabarimalai, many of us are unaware about the existence of many other temples of Lord Saastha!

“Even to hear about this, all of you seem astonished! There is yet another Kshetram called Kaadanthethi That is the temple where Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Saastha! If all of you are a game for it, I am willing and ready to take you all to each and every temple of Lord Saastha. May be on another occasion we all can go to the Saastha temples located on that side.”

To reach the Sori Muththayyan temple one has to pass through the “karayar dam”. If we are going up to the Muththayyan temple only, a separate pass is given for that at the check post. Since this is a Reserve Forest for Tigers, no one is permitted to go up beyond 5.00 PM.

The temple administration is under the Singampatti Jamindaar, presently Sri Murugadas Teerthapathi. It is a long cherished desire of mine to meet him in person. I made efforts to meet him in my last visit but at that time he was out of station. In this visit unfortunately we did not have sufficient time! (later We had the opportunity and our relationship has grown deeper and deeper after our meeting)

The construction design of Sori Muththayyan temple is somewhat different from other Saastha temples. There are a lot of deities in this temple. But the most important deity amongst all is Sri Boothanaatha Swamy; the authoritative head for the Muthayyan Temple. People call him Sangili(Chain) Boothaththaar!

There is long bridge over the river which one has to cross to reach the temple. About 15-20 years back in a flash flood in the river Karayaar the then existing bridge was washed away. The devotees faced a lot of hurdles to come to the temple. The matter reached the ears of the Government who enquired about further action being taken by the Jamindhar to rebuild the bridge. The Jamindhaar felt very bad and prayed to Lord Bhoothaththaar.

It then so happened that the wife of a renowned industrialist of Coimbatore, got possessed by Bhoothathaar, who ordered “Go to the temple of Sori Muththaiyyan and take my commands from my orderly Singampatti Jameendhar and provide requisite help and make all the necessary arrangements!”

This bridge we see today is the one, which was thus built as per directives of the Boothaththaar.

Even before the Van reached the temple an army of monkeys landed and gave us a big guard of honour on arrival. So we have to take necessary precautions to safe guard our possessions, bags, camera etc.

Normally if the river in front of any temple has sufficient flow of water, then one can take a dip in that river and then enter the temple. But when we went there was not enough water in the river. So the question of taking a dip did not arise.

The design of this temple is somewhat different. The parivara ganangal (body guards) of Lord Saastha run into several millions. Of these for 21 most important bodyguards separate Sannidhis have been provided in this temple. Of course they are somewhat roudra (ferocious) bodyguards.

When one gets down from the western side, known as mela vaasal (western entrance), the sannidhi of Lord Ganesh would be seen. Just by his side appear Bhoothaththaar, the head of mela vassal. The other deities here are paychchi, Karuppan, and paathaala muni.

The Mela Vaasal Bhoothaththaar leans majestically on a stone Gundaanthadi (a stout round stick, BIG BATON, as a weapon) firmly rooted to the grounds. Bunches of chains are lying scattered on the floor by his side, front and everywhere, which have been placed therein as offerings by the devotees, in return for ”favours” received and as per their prayers and vows pledged. (Last time when I was here Sri Harhara Iyer of Thooththukkudi mentioned several times that he would present me with a bunch of chain as a representative of Bhoothanaathan. I however did not accept it.)

Here all the deities are seated at the bottom of a tree. This tree is called Mani Muzhingi Maram (Bell Swallowing Tree). The bells tied on the tree by the devotees get sucked inside the tree over a period of time and finally disappear totally.

Just as I was narrating this episode, Gurumama, the doubting Thomas, happen to pass near by. He sarcastically made a passing remark “ Oh! Yes! The tree swallows! May be someone removes and takes them away”

But in reality we ourselves could see with our own eyes that many big bells have been got sucked into the tree, some three fourths and some half.

As we passed through we saw few more deities like karadi maadan, brahmarocky,sudalay etc and reached a mandap. Inside it was the sannidhi of Lord Saastha.

As a result of stepping aside to escape the harassment of monkeys, Vibhu and myself got separated from the rest of our group. (Such a group formation by the two of us continued to happen very often! Though this was not preplanned, it happened quite often!)

Rest members of our group had moved to the right side and were enjoying the sight of the river and other natural sceneries around. By then we had finished dharshan at all the sannidhis. Since the offering of the vastram brought by us, to the Lord, could be done only when all of us were present at the sannidhi, we two decided to have one more round around. Behind the saastha sannidhi quite a lot of idols and statutes of vahanams and nagars, which had been given as kanikkai (offerings) by the devotees, were seen strewn all over. Few more parivara murthis (deities of bodyguards) were also seen there. Along with them there was a beautiful idol of Bhoothaththaar mounted on a separate peedam (pedestal).

After offering our prayers to all of them we went and joined others so as to assemble all of them at the Saastha sannidhi.

The design structure of the temple is a very simple one. But the temple has certain distinct features that are unique to the Tamilnadu temples.

All the group members were at the bank of the river only. On the right side where we were, amidst the boulders, there is a separate mandapam, in which is housed the sannidhi of patavaraayar. He is one of the important parivaram in the temple of Sori Muththayyan. When we were there arrangements were going on full swing for a padayal (normally one time annual puja).

In both Dinamalar, daily newspaper, and their website, it has erroneously been mentioned that he (pattavaraayar) is an amsam of Lord Saastha. But he is only one of the parivarams (bodyguard).

One Muththuppattan, a Brahmin by birth, loves two sisters belonging to the lower caste and marries them too. For the sake of his love, he sacrifices the family (Brahmin) rites and routines as laid down in the scriptures, and switches over to the job of a cobbler along with both his wives and resides near the temple of Muththaiiyan. Once when there was dacoity in this place he single handedly faces them and conquers them but towards the end he was betrayed by one, who stabs him from behind and succumbs to it and dies. Both his wives too end their lives. Because of the veera maranam (heroic death) attained by Muththuppattan, he became a legendary hero; he had been glorified by people as a God and they started worshipping him, christening him Pattavaraayar. All those who suffer with knee pain or diseases associated with leg, buy new footwear and tie it in the sannidhi of Pattavaraayar. It is still a miracle to see the footwear tied in the sannidhi gets worn out day by day as if in daily use and likewise the ailment of the concerned devotee too gets cured in due course.

On aadi amavasya (New moon day on the fourth Tamil month) bali (animal sacrifice) is offered to Pattavaraayar on a grand scale. That day the temple will have a festive look. In the temple poo kuzhi (firewalk) would also be there on that day.

Similalrly on the right side of Pattavaraayar there is a separate mandapam for madan. Here one can see different types of Madans, each in individual sannidhis. For quite some time I was under the impression that Madan means a grama devathai (village deity). But I realized recently that it was wrong. A learned scholar by name Michael Slowber, from Germany, had sent me a copy of his thesis report of the research done by him on one form Lord Siva called Kadga Ravanan. When I went through its contents I was astonished to see many similarities.

Sudalai Madan is sakshaath sivamsam (a form of Lord Siva himself). Saiva Tantraas refer him as kadga raavanan. In the Srividhya Aamnaaya Puja along with Saastha , kadga raavanan too is worshipped. Being a roudra moorthy (ferocious deity) who dwells in smasaanam (cremation ground), it is possible that people called him by the name Sudalai Maadan. (I now come to know Punalur Sri Subrahmanya Iyer too supported this view.)

“mun sudalai maadan vaaraan muurgka theyvam Agum ivan

vanjcanai thurithanggaLai panjcaaga paRakkadikkum”

(Behold the arrival of Munsudalai Maadan! By nature he is a ferocious deity! By a sleight of his hands he would make all black magic and hardships to vanish at no time like a cotton flies in thin air!)

After having the dharshan of Maadan, we all proceeded towards the sannidhi of Lord Saastha.

The Saastha sannidhi stands aloof as a separate temple by itself! (Only Saadhveega Pujas (normal traditional pujas) take place here.) On the right side beyond a bridge like structure the Saastha temple is situated.

There are three sannidhis here. Lord Siva, Lord Saastha and Lord Bootha Naathar!

The moolavar (main deity inside sannidhi) is Sri Mahalingaswamy, Lord Siva.

Before this Lingam there is a Mandapam in which stood a statue.

“Whose statue is this?” I enquired. The priest told me in reply “The forefathers of Maharaja (Singampatti Jameendhars). He renovated this temple!”

Many are not aware of one “speciality” in this Sannidhi! By the side of the Lingam there is also a Maha Meru, a very big one, personification of Lordess Parvathi herself. When the priest took camphor aarathy, I specially requested him to show it to the “Maha Meru” too and thus we had good dharshan of it too.

One cannot but feel the Sannidhyam (divine presence) of Ambal (Devi) being uppermost in all the kshetrams (holy places) of Lord Dharma Saastha.

We were quite happy after a nice dharshan of Lord Siva and Devi. We entered the sannidhi of Lord Saastha. Though a small idol, Lord Muththaiyyan, the param porul (the great unknown), full of kindness and benevolence, gave us dharshan along with his two consorts, Poorna and Pushkala, sitting on his left and right sides!!!

He is the one who gave the arul kaatchi (splendorous dharshan) to Sage Agasthiar. He is the one whom the Devas worshipped by showering golden flowers on him. The idol is a wonderful one. Lord Saastha, is majestically seated in a slanting posture. We felt as if we were all standing in a dharbhaar before a King!

Guru mama started reciting the Ashtotra (108 names) of Lord Saastha and I too joined him in the recitation. Then the priest took camphor arathy to the smiling deity, the king of kings, the embodiment of kindness and benevolence.

“thanjcamena vanthavarkku tharuNaththil munninRu thaRkkakkinRa kOmaan saadi varugiRathaippaar

ulaginil anthaNar sathur vEtha maari poziya venjcilai puutham ethirERRu kattiyam Otha vEthaalam

kudaipitikka-piRagil Sunthariyaana yakshiyum mullaikkumariyum veNsaamarangal viisa

anjnjaatha raNa veRiyan adappam katta-asani kaaLaanjsi Entha-

amaraathi thEvargaL pushpa varsham soriya

vedi vinOthangaL pala vaadhya gOshaththOdum

punjsiri karuNaakaran jagan mOhanan vanthu

baagyankaL tharuvaar pon soriyum muththup

pothigai sarivil uthran-en puthra santhaana pathiyE”

(Look at the arrival of the Lord, who rushes forward in time to protect the devotees who totally surrender to Him! His arrival is welcomed by the non-stop down pour like recital of all the four Vedas by the learned Brahmins. The ven silai bootham(white bootham) is leading the procession before Him proclaiming His majestic arrival and clears the path (to herald his arrival as a forerunner). The Vedalam is holding the decorated big umbrella over His head! On both sides, the beautiful Yakshi and Mullaik Kumari are swaying the ven chaamaram (hand fan made of white bristles of silk). The fearless rana veriyan is preparing the adappam (Beeda with betel leaves) for the Lord to chew!

Asani is ready holding the kaalanji (spittoon box). All the Devas are showering the flowers.

There is a colourful display of fireworks and crackers; there is tumultuous sound of instrumental music and an orchestra is accompanying the procession of the smiling, benevolent jagan mohanan, Muththaiyyan who would come and bestow on us all types of favors, He who resides on the slopes of the pearl of mountains, the Podhigai Hills, and on whom golden flowers is showered , born on the Uttiram star day, the Lord who blesses the devotees to beget a male child for progeny to continue!!!.)

The hanging serial oil lamps were burning all around inside the Sannidhi. Other decorative oil lamps too were burning. So in addition when the camphor arathy was shown the shining lotus face of the Big Jyothi Swaroopan, Hariharaputran captured the minds of all. .

Here the Lord has three Vahans. The Elephant, Horse and the Bull. Aadi Saastha was also known as Rishabha-Aaroodha Sundaran. So in this Aadi Kshetram Bull is also a vahan for Lord Saastha..

After that we reached the Sannidhi of Boothanaathar who stands besides Lord Saastha. He has the Rudraamsam of Lord Saastha, and is also the leader of all the bodyguards of Lord Saastha. Almost all the parivara ganangal (body guards) of Lord Saastha can be seen in this place. Heading them all stands the very tall Boothanaathar as the head of this holy place. He is called by various names Sri Boothanaadhar, Bhoothaththaan, Boothnaadhan, Chattanaadhan, Kshetra Baalan, Thandanaathan, Vyaagrapaadhan etc. The Bhoodhanathar has sannidhi at five different places in this kshetram.

One is at Mela vaasal. Second is behind the sannidhi of lord Saastha. The third is in the moolasthanam here. We can have dharshan of these three alone. We cannot see the one inside the madappalli and the other inside the forest.

Sri Bhoothaththar, who is a minister to Lord Saastha, will always stand beside him. He will however remain within the sight of Lord Saastha. As a significance of this, during Saastha Preethi celebrations the lamp on which Avahanam of Lord Saastha is done, is kept facing east. In addition on another lamp Avahanam of Boothanathar is done which is kept facing south.

They had decorated Boothaththar with a diamond studded Naamam in the forehead, and golden laced silken clothes and he looked majestic and blessed us all. The weapons of Boothanathar are Gadai (mace) and Sangili (Chains) only. So they had kept a big bunch of chain.

Near the feet of Boothanadhar a statue of Sage Agasthya is seen with folded hands worshipping Lord Boothanathar.

Boothanadhar is a masha priya, a lover of green grams! So in this place garlands made of Vadais is famous. They prepare and keep ready small size garlands of Vadai to be offered by the devotees to the Lord. So each one of us bought one vadai malai (garland of vadai) and requested the priest to offer them to the Lord. When camphor arathi was taken he showed his big laughing face and his lion teeth (fangs)too were visible.

He is:

Baktha Vatsalan (Beloved of the devotees).

Adiyaarkku Meyyan (Truefriend of devotees).

NambhuvOrku Upakaari (Helper of true believers).

All these he had proved to me many times. I have also experienced them.

So I inwardly recited silently the Dhyana Slogas of Lord Boothesar!

“kaanthamalai vaazkinRa maNikaNdar manthiriyaam kailai ninRu uthiththa meyyan

kaaraNamaam vegu kOdi puutha gaNa sEnaigaL kali koNdu Alum ayyan

malai vaasa EzaigaLai kaakkavE sangkili valakkaram pidiththa meyyan”

“anthamaam vaamakaram thannilE kathaiyaiyum azagaay thariththa meyyan

Arum nigar ennamal maa-nilam miithu AlginRa arumpani thariththa meyyan

Mantha-hasamuday pallodu giriidamudan maa-lalithai magiz-ntha meyyan

Maha mEru nigaraana matha yaanai miithinil mannan ivar varavu paariir!”

(He is the minister of Kanthamalai king Manikandar, who appeared from Kailash,(the abode of Lord Siva). He rules over an army of over one billion bootha ganas who are in exalted dancing mood. He holds the chain in his right hand to protect the poor people residing at the hillside.)

(He holds gracefully the Gadai(mace) in his powerful right hand. None can equal him in his devoted service to the humanity in the world. He has a gracious smiling face with shining teeth and crown on head , He is the beloved of the Mother Lalithambigai. Look out for his arrival in procession mounted on the mad elephant as big as a MahaMeru.)

After having one more dharshan of Sorigai Muththaiyan we took leave and returned.

The entire area surrounding the Karayar is a garden and lovely playground of Mother Nature. Where ever you turn you see the Nature’s beauty. So through out this part of the journey all members of the group went on clicking their cameras and taking photographs as if in a marriage function! But one thing was sure and certain, that is whichever photo, out of these, is sent for any photographic competition it would win a prize. That’s how beautiful that place looked.

We all took one group photo standing on the bridge, which came into existence due to the grace of Boothaththaar.

.... to be continued....

2012-01-26T21:34:00.000-08:00

Part IV
DHARSHAN OF TEMPLES OF LORD SASTHA
(AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM)
BY
Sri Maha Saastru Priyadasan V. Aravind Subrahmanyam
Translated by Shri. Thiruvarur Chandrashekaran

KURAI THEERKKUM KULATHTHUPUZHAI BHALAGAN

(The Youth of Kulaththupuzhai who grants our wishes)

Time was running out fast. Our van driver, Mr Singaram, had been maintaining a steady safe speed right from Coimbatore. I just went near him and requested him to go a little bit faster till we reach Kulaththupuzhai. He too stepped up the speed of the vehicle.

Mr.Narayanan made a request to me to tell the ”stories” about the temple at Kulaththupuzhai. Kulaththupuzhai is also one, out of the important kshetrams of the Lord. Lord Parasurama originally installed the idol of Lord at this temple. But over a period of time, there was no trace either of the idol or the temple as they both got wiped out.

Once during the regime of kottaarakaara Maharaja, who ruled over this part of the country, a Brahmin was returning through this area after completing his yatra (pilgrimage) to Rameswaram. He had a cook with him, who belonged to a family (clan) having the title of kurup.

They rested for a while at this place on the banks of the river kalladai and decided to spend the whole day there itself. While arranging the stones, to serve as a makeshift

“camp fire-a hearth “ for burning of wood for cooking purposes, the cook kurup noticed that one stone appeared to be somewhat taller than the rest of the stones. So he selected somewhat taller stones and rearranged them to form the hearth. Try as much as he can, it always resulted in one particular stone appearing to be somewhat taller than the rest. Vexed with this situation out of sheer frustration the cook “Kurup” hit hard on that stone with another stone. That particular stone now broke into 8 pieces and immediately blood too started to ooze out of that stone.

Frightened at the sight of blood, the cook ran and brought his Brahmin master to that site. The Brahmin realized the sannidhyam (divine presence) of Lord Saastha being there, tied together the broken pieces of the stone with the dharbhai (kusa grass/sacrificial grass) and performed puja to that tied stone pieces. The kottarakkara king who came to know about this incidence visited this place and constructed a temple too for the Lord. Even today all the puja and abhishegam etc are done to that stone only.

The king rewarded the cook kurup with gifts and permanent endowments and honoured him as it was he who identified and helped in locating the Lord as well as HIS temple, both of which had got hidden and vanished from existence. Lord Manikantan, who, blesses even those who speak ill of him,(vaitharayum vazhavaikkum deyvam) had given a permanent place in the temple at Kulaththupuzhai to the Kurup, as it was he who helped locating the place of the original temple. Since he hit on the head of the original idol of the Lord, he is called by the name Thalai Adichchaan Kurup (The head hitter Kurup!).

Manidhasar has sung the same:

“thalai azuththi Andavan silai kondu adiththathum

udan Sthaanam koduththathum ivarE”

(As soon as he hit the idol of the Lord, pressing down its head, it is He who gave him a place of honour immediately)

By the time I finished telling the “story” of the Kulaththupuzhai temple originally established by Lord Parasurama, which over a period of time , vanished from the scene and its emergence once again, it was already well past 12 O’ clock in the noon. So I too got reconciled to the fact that this was all my prabtham (good luck) for today. As usual I got very angry with “Him”. I just shut my eyes and resigned to silence.

By 12.20 our van entered the temple premises. All of us hurriedly jumped out of the van and ran fast and rushed inside. But to our surprise on reaching the sannidhi the Melsanthi was just then performing the Deeparadhanai (camphor arathi) . The Lord Ayyan was smiling at me holding the bow and arrow in his hands!

This is what happens always! Till the last minute He plays hide and seek with me. Then I reprimand Him. Then in a matter of seconds He changes the entire scene as per His whims and fancies and smiles at me and asks “How is it? Speak now!” I used to stand before him speechless, breathless and spell bound !

Even now the same thing happened with me. …. I did not see or feel any thing else….

To me it appeared that my favorite deity was standing before me Prathyaksham(Alive). After all I am an ordinary mortal being. How can I compete with Him with His whims and fancies and adjust with his Big Shot approach?

“uRRaar enakku oruvarum illayE unaiyanRi

urviithalaththil engkum onRaaga ninRu ilangkukindRa

un mahimaiyai en naavaal uraikka eLithO?

baktha kOdiyul oruvan eLimaiyaay inRu ingku

parithavikkindRathaamO? parivaaga niir en kudumbaathi

guruvenRu uLLam paaviththu irangki mElum

koththadimai yaan seytha kuRRam poruththu ennai

kaaththaruL seythum-unthan kuvalayaanantha

viziyaamrutham theLinthu-en kudi vaLarththu inbuRac seyviir

siRRambalaththil ninRu nirtham viLaiththa en kula

theyvamE! KuLaththuur –thirumaalaran peRRa

selvakkumaara nithi jaya viira maNikaNdanE!”

(I don’t have anyone as relative other thanYou.. How is it possible to describe with my tongue your greatness; You who are omnipresent?

How can I, a simple devotee, out of billions of your devotees, be allowed to suffer here? Thou art my family guru take pity on me; bear with all the misdeeds of this perpetual bonded slave of yours! Please protect me! Please bless me with the nectar of your eyes which makes the entire universe happy! Please bless me and my heirs and keep them all happy! You who dances in the chittrambalam (small temple)

You are my kula deivam (family deity)! You are the beloved son and jewel, of Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva . Glory be to the victorious Manikantan of Kulaththur. )

I now felt as if HE was telling to me “ Look! I am here!”

My mind became “blank” completely. Only after hitting my head against the low roof several times I could slowly come to my senses and become normal and could even start speaking!

Though Abishekam, Puja etc are all done only to the stone chips tied together with a silver band, for purpose decoration etc one tall panchaloha metallic statue of the Lord has been erected recently.

He stands majestically as Veera Manikandan (warrior form) holding bow and arrow in his hands Sabarigirish had brought one silk vastram and a silver lamp to be offered to the Youth-Lord of Kulaththupuzhai , in fulfillment of some pledge . These were humbly placed before the Lord as an offering.

After distributing prasadhams as well as payasam (liquid sweetened milk) and we took leave of the Lord, the doors of the sanctum sanctorum too were just got closed – what a perfect timing by us!

We saw the members of a family, which had left Aryankavu before us, were just then entering the temple!!! As told by the Chief Priest at Aryankavu we really seem to have had His “baghyam”!!!

Be it as may. It was He who had invited us. Here we only are His Guest! So it is He who has to play the role of Host!

As we went around the outside praharam (perimeter) of the temple we saw the sannidhi of Lord Ganesh and Sarpakkavu (serpent gods place). Doing worship of the serpent gods here with Noorum Palum is considered a very powerful remedy for pacifying the serpent gods and overcome the ill effects of any curse or anger of the serpents for any injustice done to them by our forefathers or us. Sri Neelakanta Guruswamy (SIR) of Trivandrum, always used to stress this point very vehemently. Many are unaware that for not begetting a child, especially male child, due to Naga dosham this type of worship is a vara prasadam(big boon).

All of us went inside the office room of the temple and competed with one another in buying dozens of the small size photos of the Lord. By the side of the office room in the open yard a new idol of Devi had been erected. When we enquired the reply given was that it is mambhazhat- thurai Bhagawathy. How this idol came to this place is not clear to me. The officials of the Dewasom Board are acting peculiarly, doing all sorts of things, which have no rhyme or reason!

As we went around the temple further the YakshiKavu was also seen by us. That reminded me of the Yakshi, the thought of which sent a wave of heavenly feeling throughout my body even now.

With a dense growth of trees and creepers forming a “wall” around, and with a few more plants and trees forming a “roof” above and inside it in a raised mud platform, the idol of Yaksi Devi had been installed.

On hearing the name of yakshi, many step aside out of fear. It is true that she is ferocious (Roudram)

But if one approaches her with bakthi one could see a beauty and look of benevolence even in that Roudram.

Once when I had been to Kochi I went to the Yakshi-Kavu and found that there was not a single soul other than me anywhere nearby. Later on I came to know that people visit that place only once in a year to do puja to Yakshi!

That place where we stood at Kulaththupuzhai was a very lonely place and was a clear proof that it was a place of “No Mans Land”. ! That clearly revealed the pari purna sannidhyam (100 % divine presence) of Yakshi Devi at that place and we could even feel it.

We just stood there silently and prayed and came out. However, as usual, I went and had a dharshan of the Devi once again and recited the mantram of Yakshi devi inwardly.

All of a sudden there was a sudden gentle breeze with the sound “woo’ as result of which lot of tiny flowers from the trees above showered upon the idol of Yakshi. This happened right before my eyes, which sent pleasant shock waves throughout my body!

Mr Arun, who visited that place after we had left from there, said that he too had similar heavenly experience.

One has to witness the “arrival” of Yakshi in sampradhaya (traditional) Saastha Preethi Celebrations.

She would make such a sound in a commanding shouting voice sending shuddering shock waves through everyone’s body. That person on whom Yakshi would have come down (AvirBhavam) would drink several potfuls of water mixed with turmeric as well as sandalwood paste water and would be so ugram(ferocious behaviour) that it would be difficult for any one to control his movements and actions and hence may even have to be bound by chains!

“maNikaNdar sa-n-nithiyil ugra naaraSimmam pOl

unni viLayaadi varum

penne veRikkal yakshi thaayE unnaip

pEnith thozuthEn aruLvaayE!”

(You arrive at the sannidhi of Manikantan, (during Saastha Preethi), like the ugra (ferocious) Narasimhan (lion faced human god) and play around as a girl. You are Verikkal Yakshi, the Mother. I surrender before you and pray. Have mercy upon me!)

So sings Manidhasar.

With a sense of full satisfaction we left that place and came to the river of Kulaththupuzhai. All the fishes living therein are all very fine devadais (divine bodies). They are dwelling here to receive the blessings of the Lord Saastha. So feeding these fishes is considered as sacred and a very special act.

We bought rice puffs and peanuts from nearby shops and fed the fishes from the top of the bridge. Both Shyam and Nataraj went a step further and bought one more packet of each for themselves to supplement their food items.

“meenetuththu vizunginathOr meyyaana thiraviyaththai

thaanetuththu thantha engal thampuraanum niirallavO”

(Thou art our Lord who recovered and restored one real costly item swallowed by a fish.)

This is yet one more song of Manidhasar.

A destitute girl came to take bath in the river. The one and only belonging she had as her own was a golden ring, which her parents had bequeathed to her. When she was taking bath in the river the ring slipped from her finger and fell into the flowing river. A big fish swallowed it and vanished into the river.

The Tamil saying is Thikkatravarku deyvame thunai .(God is the only support for destitutes.) Not knowing what to do the girl rushed to the sannidhi of Kulaththupuzhai Baalagan and wept and sought HIS help. The priest too consoled her. While the girl was still weeping there came a fisherman. He handed over a golden ring to the priest and said that he caught a fish that morning in his net and when he cut the belly of the fish this ring was found therein. The priest gave that ring to the girl. When both of them turned their heads to thank the fisherman there was none present. The fisherman had vanished.

“pOna poruLaik koduththavan puurNa pushkalEsan.”

(One who returned the lost item is the Lord of Purna and Pushkala)

The Lord Saastha blesses all these fishes in the river. They are divine bodies that act as per His commands.

Once a British official who visited this temple caught a fish and killed ignoring the protests of people. He immediately lost his eyesight. Realizing his mistake he prayed to the Lord of Kulaththupuzhai who restored his eyesight. As a thanksgiving measure he presented a golden fish to the Lord.

With great mental satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment of all our actions we took leave of Kulaththooran and started our journey once again. The plan was to have the lunch at Courtallam and proceed to have dharshan of Lord Sori Muththaiyan.

PART III - Series - AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM

2012-01-24T21:23:00.000-08:00

Part III
DHARSHAN OF TEMPLES OF LORD SASTHA
(AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM)
BY
Sri Maha Saastru Priyadasan V. Aravind Subrahmanyam
Translated by Shri. Thiruvarur Chandrashekaran

THIKKELLAM PUGAZH PARAVUM THIRU ARIYAK KADAVUL

(Lord of Aryankavu, whose glory is spread all over the world)

The next journey was towards Aryankavu. Since all felt hungry, we halted near a small rivulet and had our morning breakfast. The members enjoyed the surroundings and dipped their legs into the river water. They also took photographs. We then began our journey once again.

Aryankavu temple is situated within the border of Tamil Nadu . The most important festival of this temple is the Thirukkalyana Uthsavam (Sacred Marriage Festival) of the Lord occurring in the month of “Margazhi”(15th December-15th January) (Masaanam Margaseersho Asmi – Bhagawath Geetha)

On that day sacred marriage of the Lord takes place with a young lady called “Pushkala” belonging to the Sowrashtra sect in a very grand manner. The family of the Travancore Maharaja would represent the bridegroom side and the people belonging to the Sowrashtra sect representing the bride. The bride’s side would bring all the traditional Seervarisai (traditional gifts of marriage) and conduct the marriage.

(This Pushkala devi is not the same as one of the two devis, Purna and Pushkala, the two consorts, of Lord Dharma Saastha.. This Pushkala devi can be compared to Sri Andaal of Srivillipuththur, who became one (got merged) with the Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. Likewise this Pushkala devi who was borne in one of the Sowrashtra family belonging to Madurai , finally got merged with the Lord of Aryankavu)

In those days, the people belonging to the Sowrashtra sect settled in Tamil Nadu were mainly engaged in the business of weaving of silk clothes. Like Brahmins they too wear the sacred thread. So they were called Pattu Nool Brahmins .One such merchant of silk had a daughter. Like Baktha Meera of North India who lived in the memory of Lord Giridhara Gopala, this girl too had extreme love and attachment towards Lord Hariharaputra.

(What was her original name is not clearly mentioned anywhere. Some say it was Bhagawathi. I am of the view that the name Pushkala presently in vogue could be a later day modification to synchronize with the namesake Pushkala , one of the consorts of the ancient Lord Dharma Saastha. We need not attach any importance to the issue of name. The love and affection the girl had towards Lord Dharma Saastha and the Anugraham (grace/benignity) bestowed on her by the Lord, in return, are what is important here)

Once that silk merchant embarked upon a journey to Trivandrum carrying silk clothes specially woven for the King of Travancore. Since he was traveling through the kerala area, his daughter, Pushkala, too expressed a desire to accompany him and so she too joined him in his journey.

During the journey they reached a forest area where they came across the temple of Aryankavu.

Both the father and daughter reached the temple and had dharshan of the Lord.

Bhakthi(love/devotion to the Lord) does not depend upon any reason. That’s how it took hold of the little girl when she first had dharshan of the Lord of Aryankavu. Any attachment with a “reason” is called Pasam (Love/Attachment.) and that without any “reason” is called Bhakthi (devotion to Lord).

That little girl firmly declined to continue the journey any further with her father.

She said:

“My dear Father! Let me stay here and look after the Lord of Aryankavu. You proceed to Trivandrum and after finishing your business there, on your return journey please pick me up.”

Since all his pleadings with the daughter failed to change her decision, the merchant entrusted her to the safe custody of the Melsanthi of the temple and continued with his journey.

After completing the business when the merchant was returning back he was chased by a wild elephant in the forest area.

A hunter appeared on the scene from somewhere. He looked at the charging mad elephant and said “Go Away”. Like a cat the elephant back traced its steps and finally vanished from the scene!

Pleased with the timely help of the hunter who saved his life from the wild elephant, the merchant presented the silk shawl he readily had in his hand to the hunter and said “ My dear hunter, Like a God, you appeared at the right moment and saved my life.”

“Will you agree to marry your daughter to me?” The hunter queried.

Without any second thoughts the merchant said “Certainly” and immediately gave his consent.

“ I shall then meet you tomorrow at the temple at Ariyankavu “ replied the hunter and went away.

By now our van had reached the Aryankavu temple. Though the temple arch was built on the main road itself, the temple was located about 100 feet down below.

Both Karuppan and Karuppayi, who had seen us off at Achchankovil, were standing at the entrance itself as if to welcome us!

Aryankavu is also one of the very ancient kshetram. In fact it was in existence even before the Sabarimalai was built. There exists a belief and opinion that the services rendered by Lord Ayyappa as a servant of the Pandiya king and the incidence of bringing the Tiger’s milk took place in the city of Madurai and not at Pandalam. (This is the finding of my research also. Even the maharaja of Pandalam has acknowledged this. After accomplishment of his tasks when Manikantan returned to his celestial world, the members of the family of the Pandya king who accompanied Ayyappa stayed back at Pandalam. One of the Pandya king later became the ruler of Pandalam. I shall elaborate on this further some time later.)

The temple at Aryankavu was the abode of the Lord during that period. Just then it was noticed that the Veshti (vastram) to be offered to the Lord had inadvertently been left in the Van itself.

“One minute” said Vibhu who ran to bring it from the Van. While the rest of our group members went inside the temple I waited for Vibhu to return.

My thought once again went back to the incidence with the hunter who accepted the silk shawl from the merchant and asked him to meet him at the Aryankavu temple.

Early next morning the merchant reached the temple. He searched for his daughter but could not find her. When the Nambroothi, the chief priest of the temple, heard about it, he rushed to the temple and opened the doors of the sanctum sanctorum. There, Aryanathan, Lord of Aryankavu, appeared as Kalyana Sundaran (beautiful bridegroom) wearing the shining shawl given to the hunter by the merchant. This made it very clear, beyond doubts, as to who came as the hunter on the previous day. This also solved the mystery of the missing girl. The Lord had accepted Pushkala Devi as his consort who was now seen in the form of a small idol by His side.

When we handed over the Vastram brought by us to the temple priest he nicely decorated the idol of the Lord using the Vastram as an Uththareeyam (as an upper garment). This sight made me to reminiscent how the Lord would have appeared with the silk shawl, presented by the Showrashtra businessman, around him several years back.

“anavarathamum ambuvikku Athaaramaana umathu

aravintha paathathuulikku Asayaay nEsiththu puusikkum

bakthanukku adimaiyaay thoNdu seyyum

enathu sankkadam aRinthu ippozuthu iranguveer

EnthalE! pugalum ayya! Innamum sakippathaRku

idamillayE enbathum thiruvuLLam aRiyaathathO

kanavu kandathu pOl irukkinRa thaasan en ishta

kammyangkal tharavE kaalam kataththaamal ithu

samayam enthanai kaN paarththu irangkumayyaa!

thinamum umathu anbarkku uthavi seyvathil kaN kaNda

thEvaathi thEvanennum thikkellaam pugaz paravum

puurNa pushkalai maruvum thiru Ariyak kadavulE!

(Oh Lord! Please have pity on me, a slave of your devotees, who love and worship day and night the dusts falling off your lotus feet, the feet, which is the pivotal center of the entire universe. Please understand all my problems and solve them now and here. Thou art great! Please speak out!

You know in your heart of hearts that I have no more strength left to bear any of those problems. Don’t delay any further and right now open your eyes and grant all the wishes dreamt by me, your servant! Your fame has spread in all directions as the well-known Lord of the lords, in helping your devotees. Thou art the Lord of Aryankavu, embraced by your two consorts Purna and Pushkala!)

Each and every word appearing in the Vrittams of Manidasar are pearls of truth, nothing but truth. If He, who is the renowned Lord of help, does not have mercy on me, where else can I seek shelter?

The Lord seated on the elephant vahana peedam and by His side the idol of the Pushkala Devi, who become one with Him is also there. Being a very small idol it may not be visible at first. However I informed everyone to have the dharshan of the Devi without fail. We then went around the prakaram.

There is a peculiar customary practice being followed in this temple. They permit only male members to go inside the entrance gate of the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord. So female members can have the dharshan only from outside. However one can have a clear dharshan of the Lord even from that distance.

Just opposite to the sannidhi of the Lord a bootha vahanam is kept for the bhavani (procession) of the Lord. In the outside prakaram idols of Lord Ganesha and Serpent gods (nagars) could be seen.

There was also one more sannidhi of a god, titled Indalayaan. As usual I enquired from one of the priests which gods sannidhi it is?

He said it is that of Lord Siva!!!

I know pretty well that it was not that of Lord Siva.

Indalayaan is the name of one of important Ganams (body guards) of Lord Saastha. There are lot of references about him in many of the devotional songs of Saastha.

“thEngkaai koduththaalum sirattai kodaan indalaiyan

puungaavirkkuLLirukkum puNNiyanaik kondaada”…….

(Indalayaan may give the coconut (pulp) but would never part with the outside coir. Let us sing the praise of that sacred person who resides inside the garden.)

So run the lines in the viduthi(songs) written by Manidhasar. I could not decipher the real meaning of these lines nor about any incident pertaining to these lines. The riddle about who is this Indalayaan, who may agree to give the coconut but not the coir around it, has to be solved by the Lord only!!!

At the entrance of the temple there were idols of elephant, horse, serpent gods and someone had written a board reading vana devadaigal (forest gods) in Tamil with very great difficulties. There was also erected one kundaan thadi (big stout stick) carved out of stone. This made one feel the divine presence of the Lord Boothanathan there.

Our next destination for dharshan of the Lord was Kulaththupizhai .So I enquired from the melsaanthi (chief priest) at what time the doors of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple at Kulaththupizhai are closed, and how far it is from here?

He replied saying, “I don’t know anything about its distance from here. Normally

we close the temple gates daily at 11.00 AM. Today is a special puja day. This is just

the time for Deeparadhanai(Arathi).They may close the temple gates by 12 O’clock today. If you leave just now, you can reach the temple at Kulaththupizhai. If you have the bhagyam(Good Luck)you may get His dharshan“.

It was already well past 11.30 AM. Tension gripped everybody. After sending everybody towards the van as usual I came to the sannidhi once again!.

The existence of this holy place, Aryankavu, and the very presence of the Lord along with the Devi by His side, even today, serves as a witness and ample proof as to what all bhakthi towards the Lord could bestow on anyone. This sight ‘melts’ ones heart! I too became greedy in my wish that one day I must also attain that stage of sidhdhi (materialization) of bhakthi!

With that greedy wish I took leave of the Lord of Aryankavu and continued our journey towards Kulaththupizhai.

PART II - Series - AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM

2012-01-22T23:44:00.000-08:00

Part II
DHARSHAN OF TEMPLES OF LORD SASTHA

(AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM)

Sri Maha Saastru Priyadasan V. Aravind Subrahmanyam

Translated by Shri. Thiruvarur Chandrashekaran

(This series is also available in Tamil...those who wish to read it in the original language... please mail me)

Achchanaar Kovil Arase (The King of Achchanar Kovil)

Our plan was to start at all costs by 5.30 AM. So next day by dot at 4.00 AM one after the other, all the cell phones started ringing their wake up calls. (Of course no question of awakening those who did not even get a wink of a sleep)

By 4.30 AM all were wide-awake. Those who are accustomed to have shower in the bathrooms at Coimbatore, were all very eager to have a dip in the river Tambrabarani. To reach the riverbank one has to cross a channel (small feeder of water to the fields) as well as few paddy fields. We all left our rooms in the early morning darkness at 4.30 A.M. and reached the Siva temple, adjacent to the channel. Beyond that point there were no streetlights and it was all utter darkness.

So fear engulfed the minds of all the youngsters. I pointed out to them a spot having some light, beyond where we stood, and said that is where the bathing ghat is.

“Let us not bother Anna! Let us reserve the river bath for next day”. That was the unanimous opinion of one and all. So we all returned back to our rooms.

By then Gurumama was ready with hot steaming coffee for all of us. We all had a sip of our quota of coffee.

The motor of the borewell pump was switched on and directed the water coming out of the hose towards each one of us and thus gave a “shower” bath to all. When it was my turn for the shower bath he jovially started reciting the mantras (known as Srirudram,which is recited while doing Abhishegam to the Lord) Namah Somaya Cha Rudraya Cha Namah Sambhave…….and directed the hose pipe towards me. By the time we all had our bath and finished performing the morning Sandhyavandan and Japam, it was already 6.15 AM. Since by then the rest of our group members, from the other house, too joined us we commenced our journey towards Achchankovil.

The plan was to complete the dharshan at the three temples at Achchankovil, Ariyankavu,and Kulaththupizhai, in the forenoon itself. No sooner this was announced, Gurumama threw a challenge.

“I am prepared to give it in writing on a ten rupee judicial stamp paper that it is impossible to complete the dharshan of all the three temples by the forenoon”. He repeated it few more times too.

Right from the time we left Coimbatore he had been making similar dissenting statements, one or the other. When as an addendum to the plan, I announced, that after the dharshan at all the three temples by forenoon, we also plan to have the dharshan at the Sori Muththaiyan Kovil in the evening, it became the last straw on the camel’s back and a bone of contention as far as Gurumama, a known doubting Thomas was concerned!

He retorted saying “Absolutely Impossible!!! If, however, it so materializes, then I shall honour you in the traditional style, offering betel leaves, betel nuts, plantain fruits, coconut etc as a token of my respects.” I did not respond at all.

It is true that I prepared the tour programme, in consultation with my father. But at the last minute it was got re-written by the Lord Kulaththuran himself! So I kept quiet, under the firm belief and conviction that He himself would lead us to the temples and bless us with His dharshan too.

I had already intimated in advance about this visit of ours to Pradeep, the priest who is in charge of conducting daily puja at the sannidhi of Lord Karuppannaswamy, located within the Achchankovil temple complex. So we had carried with us all the items specially required for performing the puja of Karuppannaswamy.

Travelling from Kallidaikkurichi we passed through the beautiful green fields of Thirumalai temple and were nearing the Achchankovil. Throughout, on both sides of the highway leading to Achchankovil, situated in the border of the states of TamilNadu and Kerala, it was all lush green fields and greeneries only. There was a light, very light, drizzle with a gentle breeze too.

When my eyes fell upon a signboard on the road reading “Way to Pavur Chatram” the “story” of “Kanthamalai Sword” came to my mind.

One person, belonging to this place known as Pavur Chatram, was a staunch devotee of Lord Dharma Saastha, the deity of Achchankovil. He often used to visit Achchankovil and have dharshan of the Lord. He however had one desire in his heart of hearts.

A Great Desire! That of having a dharshan of the Lord with his two consorts, Purna and Pushkala, majestically seated in the Golden Temple of Kanthamalai.

Kanthamalai does not exist in this world. (It is in the celestial world) How can any ordinary human being witness such a dharshan unless one has His blessings and unless He so wills?

Lord Manikandan, in whose dictionary the word “No” does not exist, could not however remain a silent spectator particularly when one of his staunch devotees was waiting for long with such a desire in his heart.

So He deputed, Lord Karuppannaswamy, the head of his divine army, to bring that devotee, sitting at Achchankovil temple premises, to witness His divine presence at Kanthamalai.

Lord Karuppan immediately appeared before that devotee. And advised him to close his eyes but hold on to his hands firmly. Before that he also cautioned him as under.

“In the Sannidhanam of the Lord please have His dharshan only. Don’t ever dare to think of anything else at that place”.

In a fraction of a second the devotee was standing in front of the sannidhi of the Lord at Kanthamalai. It was a golden temple. The roof was glittering in gold. In the front were seated Lord Ayyappa along with His two consorts Purna and Pushkala.

Unlike the silent stone idol which he was accustomed to see and enjoy at Achchankovil, here the Lord was seen alive, flesh and blood, with a smile on his face. Here was a speaking deity! He was spell bound and speechless. Tears of joy rolled down from his eyes! He thus had a wonderful memorable Dharshan of his lifetime.

After some time, even while standing before the Lord in his Sannidhanam, slowly lustful human thoughts started entering his mind.

“Soon I will have to return to my village. But none there would ever believe me if I tell them about this dhrashan of mine!!!”

With such a thought in his mind, when he turned his head, his eyes fell upon a Golden Sword kept there.

Now another thought occurred to him that if he carries this sword with him back to his village and exhibit it to the people there, it would be easy for him to convince them of his dharshan of the Lord at Kanthamalai. So he stretched his hand to lift the sword.

Next nanosecond..... !

He was found lying at the entrance of the Achchankovil temple .The sword was also lying by his side .He however lost his eyesight. This was the “reward” for ignoring the warnings of Lord Karuppan. He humbly accepted this as a “ punishment” for his undesirable action. Even today one heir of this family is born blind and thus the punishment is perpetuating till date.

As a material witness of this miraculous incident, even today this sword of the Lord, the Kanthamalai sword, is in existence amidst us.

The weight of the sword is another unresolved mystery. The sword is made of pure gold and it is said to have divine powers. It is an annual practice to weigh and check the weights of all ornaments of the Lord, a King of Achchankovil, before bringing them from the safe custody of Government Treasury. While all the ornaments have their individual weights recorded against each, in the case of the Knathamalai sword, it is always recorded “Weight cannot be determined”, since its weight is said to vary from place to place!!!

This holy sword is available for public view at the temple premises during the showering of flowers (abhishekam) on the idol of the Lord on the day when Revathy star occurs in the month of Thai (Tenth tamil month starting from Chaitra)

As our journey continued towards Achchankoil, with all eyes and ears on me, my thoughts however hovered around Punalur Sri Subrahmanya Ayyar. He was a strict disciplinarian in the observance of all the traditional practices as well as the daily routines as laid down in the scriptures. He was known as Anushtana Simham. By the grace of the Lord he lived an exemplary life – a legendary one-an embodiment of virtue- to show to all as to how one should lead a life.

He began his life in this forest area only. He successfully bid in most of the “Coop” auctions of the forest and was known by the title Tollgate Swami. The road to the temple at Achchankovil in use today was built by him in his individual capacity and by his personal efforts. I mentally offered my prayers to this Bhaktha Shikamani(The Gem amongst the devotees), the great gurunathar (Acharya),the Punalur Thatha (grandfather of Punalur)

At the request of all the members present, both Vibhu and Shyam started singing the praise of the Lord. The following lines of one of the songs appeared to be most appropriate and befitting for the occasion.

“adiththaalum anaiththaalum niyE thuNai

naan thudiththaalum thuvandaalum niyE thuNai”

(Whether I am beaten or hugged THOU art my only savior and support. Whether I throb in pain or wither away THOU art my only savior and support)

Just then we had the first glimpse of the Sannidhi of Kottaivasal Karuppanna Swamy, situated in the border of Tamilnadu and Kerala states. The temple of Lord Karuppannaswamy is situated somewhat down below the main road. I bowed in reverence to Him from the Van itself and sought his permission and blessings.

Achchankovil is the Kendra (pivotal center) of Lord Karuppannaswamy.

Proceeding to have dharshan of Lord Dharma Saastha, without first seeking the permission of Lord Karuppannaswamy, would ultimately end up as a futile attempt only. . Stories are in abundance of vehicles getting stranded on the road due to breakdown because of total disregard of the Lord Karuppannaswamy. Such incidences are a very common sight on the roads in this area.

Once it was festival time at the Achchankovil temple. The jewel box of Lord Dharma Saastha of Achchankovil was kept at the temple premises. During nighttime a gang of dacoits enters the temple and loots the Thiru Abharana Box (jewel box) and vanishes from the scene.

The next day morning the Melsaanthi (Chief Priest) had a shock of his life as the jewel box was missing and he stood perplexed not knowing what to do. Shortly, one by one, more devotees assembled at the temple premises. None knew what to do.

In the meanwhile one amongst the crowd exclaimed in anguish:

“The entire forest area of the Achchankovil is known as the fortress of Lord Karuppannaswamy. How come a dacoity like this could take place right under the nose of the Lord Karuppannaswamy?”

The next moment Lord Karuppannaswamy, who possessed one amongst the crowd roared;

“Under my regime no theft can ever take place!”

He then described about a particular spot inside the forest and directed the assembly of people to proceed to that place and witness the scene therein. Immediately the entire crowd along with the temple authorities rushed to that spot. The scene they witnessed therein was funny and astonishing.

The entire gang of dacoits, who looted the jewel box the previous night, was seen going around a tree, non-stop. The jewel box was found lying at the roots of that tree. The dacoits were unaware of what they were doing. Right from the time they reached this place the previous night, till the time the people arrived here this morning, the dacoits have been behaving like this!!!

This is the story of the recovery of the stolen Jewel box of the Lord! The dacoits realized their mistake and had a miraculous change of mind and started leading a new lease of life, rendering service at the feet of the Lord.

Suddenly the van driver swayed the vehicle and exclaimed “My Goodness! What a big Snake it is!!!”

By the time I turned my head it had vanished. Of the many miracles of Achchankovil this is also one. That is in case of any snakebite in this area none runs after any doctor or village vaidyar.

There is a Maha Vaidyar, great physician, in this place. People bring the snake bitten person to Him only.

“yasya dhanvanthrir maathaa pithaa rudro bhishakthamaha

tham saasthaaram aham vandhe mahaa vaidyam daya-nidhim”

(I salute the Saastha, who is the greatest doctor, who is the treasure of mercy and whose mother is the great doctor Dhanvantri (MahaVishnu) and father the supreme physician, Rudra (Lord Baidyanath)

The temple gates are opened at any time of the day or night, whenever a snake bitten person is brought to the temple. In the case of all snakebites, even if it were a case of very poisonous snake, the Melsaanthi, brings the holy water and sandal paste prasadam from inside the sanctum sanctorum and applies the sandal paste at the spot where the snake has bitten and sprinkles the holy water too. Nothing else is done. The snake bitten person then gets up duly cured. This remains a mystery and challenge to the medical world till date.

When I was compiling the book Maha Saastha Vijayam I did some research to know the reason behind this miracle at this place, but not elsewhere and I stumbled upon certain astonishing information.

The entire mountainous region of Podhigai Hills, where this temple too is situated, is recognized as the empire of Sidhdhars and Yogis, who frequent this area. The Skhaanda Puran refers to Lord Dharma Saastha as Yogeeswaran. It was Lord Parasurama who invoked and installed Lord Dharma Saastha, the Yogeeswaran, the captain of all the yogis, at the Achchankoil. It is said that daily the Siddhars in their celestial body, which cannot normally be seen by human eyes, visit this temple and worship Him reciting the veda mantras known as Sarpa Sooktham. From this one could deduce that it is due this very reason a force exists as an antidote for serpent poison at this place.

Since by now the van had reached Achchankovil temple, we all got down enthusiastically. Whenever we visit a place it is necessary for us to ascertain the traditions being followed therein and follow them. I had already said that only after salutations to the Lord Karuppannaswamy, one should proceed to have the dharshan of Lord Dharma Saastha. But in their over enthusiasm most of our group members just hurried into the Saastha Temple without even bowing their head at Lord Karuppan.

But a few of us, however, went first to the sannidhi of Lord Karuppan. Mr Pradeep, the priest who does daily puja to Lord Karuppan recognized me immediately. We handed over all the puja materials brought by us and offered, Samastha Abharaadham, our pardon on behalf of all group members, particularly those who had directly rushed inside the temple. After requesting Mr.Pradeep, to arrange for the Puja, we proceeded towards the sannidhi of Lord Saastha.

In front of the temple there are steps to climb up. I would call it as the 18 steps, but made of concrete!

Below that there was a mandapam, which looked like a sannidhi .

Arun enquired which God is inside that sannidhi.

I jokingly told him that it was a very important sannidhi! The Hundi (donation box)!

On climbing the steps we reach the sanctum sanctorum of the “king” of the Achchankovil, the Lord Saastha.

The Lord here is known as Manikanta Muththaiyyan.

The Lord appears with his two consorts Purna & Pushkala. In other words He appears as a grahastha (married person) with both of his consorts.

The Lord appears in seated posture, while on both sides, his two consorts Purna and Pushkala are in standing posture, a rare sight and feast to the eyes!

At Achchankovil the main Vahan (vehicle of transport) for the Lord is Horse.

The glory, name and fame, which Achchankoil has is unique, which no other Saastha temple can boast of. Lord Parasurama established almost all the Saastha temples in Kerala. However with the passage of time and due to floods, fire accidents, disfiguring of the idols or some such reasons, the main idols consecrated by Lord Parasurama with his own hands, in almost all the other Kshetras, have been got replaced. Even the idol we see at Sabarimalai nowadays was remade in the year 1952.

It is only at Achchankoil we still have the original Moola Murthy, which was established by Lord Parasurama with his own hands. Many of our group members were very happy to hear this information. Anand, a member of our group, was virtually in “tears” of joy.

Though it was an unwritten understanding, by all the members of our group, that at no temple any one would go in for “individual” archanai sankalpams (with their birth star, name, gotram), many of the members, went ahead with individual archanai, pushpaanjali, neeranjanam (camphor arathi) etc!!!

Then we all fervently prayed and recited together Loga Veeram.And after offering a vastram to the Lord Manikanta Muththaiyan, we went around (circumambulate) the prakaram of the Lord.

Behind the sannidhi of the Lord, on a slightly raised platform, the Yakshi Kavu is situated. I enquired from one of the priests “Where is the sannidhi of Yakshi in this temple”? as if I am ignorant of it. He was emphatic in his reply and said that there is no such sannidhi in this temple!

I then pointed out to him the Yakshi Kavu and asked him what was that?

He nonchalantly replied that is Manja Matha!

On hearing this I had a swirling in my head!!!

There is no connection, none whatsoever with Manja Matha and the Saastha of Achchankoil. (Unlike Manja Matha & the Saastha at Sabarimalai).

I would not at all be surprised, if some one at a later date refers to it as Vavarswamy! Both Vibhu and myself exchanged glances and smiled within us. It was here in Achchankoil that Lord Saastha kept Yakshi under control by binding her with a golden chain and later blessed her to become a part and parcel of his own self.

What should I say, if people belonging to this place and closely associated with this temple, are unaware of these incidents and speak otherwise, totally ignorant of such Leelas of the Lord?

It is very much essential that those who are in charge of performing regular puja in a temple, (like Archakas/Pothis/Priests/Namboodris) must have a strong connection, a sort of attachment, with that Kshetram, and must also be aware of its history as well as the Leelas of the Lord of that place.

If, just like a clerk working in a bank, the Melsanthi and Keezhsanthi (chief priest and his deputy) are sent from time to time on deputation to various temples and are also frequently transferred, once in every two years or so, by those in charge of the temple affairs, this type of situation only would perpetuate.

Because of propagation of various imaginary stories and scenes in cinemas depicting Yakshi differently, many of us are afraid of it, as if it is a ghost, or a frightening unnatural being. However, the ghost like beings and Yakshi are not one and the same. Yakshi is of a different kind. The Yakshi who playfully frequents the sannidhi of Lord Saastha is, in fact, an Amsam (part and parcel) of Raja Mathangi Devi. She is known as Verikkal Yakshi.

Initially when she appeared as an ugraswaroopini (ferocious form) and started harassing all the people, Lord Hariharaputra, controlled her by tying her around with golden chains.

He then enlightened her of her heavenly connection and enrolled her as a soldieress of his army and she accompanys him everywhere as one of his bodyguards. We recollected the scene that took place in our Saastha Preethi celebrations, when along with the person possessed by Lord Saastha one person got possessed by Yakshi, who then went around with a trident in the hand. We then paid our obeisance to the Yakshi Devi.

At the entrance of the temple the flag mast was majestically glittering in golden colour. Sabari just exclaimed, “ Look ahead! How fine the flag mast is glittering in gold!” For my part I then added saying, that it was Sri (kottaram) Viswanathan, hailing from Coimbatore who converted the ordinary flag mast of Achchankoil into a golden one.

The service rendered by him was really very great. One cannot even dream of it. How much did he toil to collect several kilogrammes of gold for use in conversion of the Achchankoil flag mast into a golden one! I am aware of the many hurdles he had to face and the testing times he had to pass through. He himself had told them to me several times. While I was standing in the sannidhi of the Lord, for a brief period of few seconds, my thoughts hovered around him. Of late his health had been affected very much. I did not then realize that the Lord had already decided to call it a day for all his sufferings once for all and to bestow on him a state of permanent peaceful existence.

(Yes... exactly at the same moment, the Lord had taken him under His fold at Coimbatore and had merged him under His lotus feet! This, however, I came to know later when I was back at Coimbatore.)

Once again I had dharshan of the Lord and after sending off every one, I once again had a dharshan of the Lord. I advised every one to proceed to the sannidhi of Lord Karuppan and returned to have dharshan of the Lord once again.

I went on repeating this action!

“paNikinRavarkku uyirththuNai enRa viruthutan

baavikkum sukuNa seelan-baktha paripaalan enRu

\eththisayum pugazkinRa puurNa si-nthamaNikku iNaiyaana

maNikka maNi maarbanaam-enathu ishta kula theyvamaagi

vantha ivar irukkumbOthu kavalai ENO? manam irangki

emakku inRu kaN kaatchi tharuvaar.

kaNi kaNdu koNdu kaNmaNi enRu ivar paatha kamalaththai

idai vidaamal kaaththu irunthaal namakku ERRa

varamum tharuvaar-kaivalya murthy enRa

aNi vElavarkku iLaiya! maNithaasar hruthayaththil

aruL thathva bOthan enRu Athi sathur vEthankaL

Othum param jOthiyE! Engkal accanaar kOvil arasE !”

(You are renowned as the savior of soul of all those who surrender at your feet. You are the embodiment of all virtues. You are the caretaker of all your devotees. Your chest is adorned with the ruby, equivalent to the world-renowned gem, the poorna chinthaamani. (which has the power to grant all one aspires for). When you are present here as my favorite family deity why should I worry about any thing? You would take pity on me and grant me your wonderful darshan today. Having seen the beautiful darshan if we patiently wait at his lotus feet, the connoisseur of our eyes, he would grant us the right boons. He is the younger brother of the beautiful Lord Velavar (Lord Murugan), known as the kavailyamurthy. In the heart of Manidaasar, you are realized as the Arul Thathva Bodhar (preacher of the meaning of Mercy) as referred by the ancient four Vedas. Thou art the supreme light of the universe! Thou art the King of our Achanar Kovil!)

My mind was fully engrossed there itself. I was also vexed with the thoughts that we have to make a move from there. At least next time I should come with the plan of staying here for few days.

With a heavy heart we left that place and reached the sannidhi of Lord Karuppan, which was situated opposite to the Saastha temple but somewhat at a lower level.

At Achchankovil there is no dearth of Parivarangal (idols of associated deities.). Village deities like Sapparamundan, Kochchittaanan are also residing there. Kalamadaswamy, an Amsam of Lord Nandikeswar is also present there. In the same surrounding area Sri Bhoothanathswamy is also housed and called by the name Sangili Bhothaththaan (Lord with chains in hand). Lord Karuppan and his consort Karuppayee are also standing facing the Saastha temple.

By now Mr Pradeep, the priest of Lord Karuppan, was waiting for us ready with all preparations for the puja. Pradeep believes in doing the puja in all sincerity and with utmost caution (with shradda). So he had made a request to me for providing him with a copy of the ancient ashtotthara namavali (108 names) of Lord Karupannaswamy. I had it with me. Since mine was written in Sanskrit (devanagari libhi) I had got it rewritten in Malayam language and brought it with me. I handed over that to Mr.Pradeep .The puja started and we had the dharshan of Lord Karuppan.

“mu-nthaya sEnaikkellam mudhalvan ivanE enRu

sa-nthira vaaLai E-nthi manthira pEyaik kondu

thanthiramaagavE thaan sEnaiyai velvEn enRu

su-nthara mugaththaan munnE karuppanum thOnRinaan

(Lord Karuppan, as the leader and head of the entire army and holding the crest shaped sword in hand and having the demons under his control and announcing that I would secretly defeat and win over the forces of the enemies, appeared before the beautiful looking Lord Saastha )

Befitting the above description mentioned by Manidaasar, Karuppan appears majestically with a big twitching moustache and holding a scythe in his raised hands as if ready to cut off the head of the enemy.

We had a wonderful dharshan of all the deities and finally took leave from the king of Achchankovil, Lord Saastha.

to be continued......

Series - AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM - PART I

2012-01-20T03:58:00.000-08:00

DHARSHAN OF TEMPLES OF LORD SASTHA

(AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM)

Sri Maha Saastru Priyadasan V. Aravind Subrahmanyam

Translated by Shri. Thiruvarur Chandrashekaran

PREFACE

Compilation of this book has been possible only by the great blessings of the BHAKTHA PARIPALAN (Saviour of thedevotees), SRI HARIHARAPUTRA, who is behind each and ever action of mine, each and every second.

Though, I had been to various temples many a time, but this time after the temple visit the thought and desire to record the same occurred to me somehow, resulting in this presentation.

Throughout this trip I felt and went through a wonderful experience of the divine power and play personally, and as such the entire compilation has been made under my own supervision.

I had no plans, none whatsoever, to release it as a book. It has been my practice to write down as an aid memoir, all important happenings in my life before my memory fades away. In the same way it just occurred to me that I should record all these for my own benefit. So I wrote. That’s all to it.

Someone who happen to read it, opined that this could be got printed as a book. Such of those experiences felt by me personally have been got omitted , by way of editing, retaining only those matters which can be shared with all the readers . So now this is in your hands in the form of a book, a reading material.

At a few places it may sound as self-adulation. I know pretty well how dangerous it isto brag about. I always pray to the Lord that I should not get caught in that MAYA.

If still some one feels that this is nothing but trumpeting my one-upmanship, then I would like to make it clear that I have no such intentions and it is not the fault of my thinking but only of my failure to express adequately in writing.

I don’t have any proud feelings as if these experiences felt by me, were bestowed upon me only, by the Lord. I consider them as the LEELAS, playful acts of the, AKILANDA KOTI BRAHMANANDA NAYAGAN, the omnipotent,the omnipresent, the Creator of the Universe, extended to me too as a servant of His devotees. It is this feeling which had been got expressed as a volume now.

This was actually written in Tamil titled AYYANIN ALAYA DHARISANAM and it became a Superhit travelogue and Shri. Thiruvarur Chandrashekaran came forward to translate in into English. Since its a very lengthy text iam posting it part by part.

Permit me to say that it is He who has made me to write this and it is He who has made all of you to read, He, who is the saviour of the devotees, who is omnipresent.

And let us now start the journey.

With the holy thoughts of the lotus feet of the Lord.

V. ARVIND SUBRAHMANYAM

94.B. Third Street, TATABAD,

COIMBATORE, 641012.

Mob:9994641801

DHARSHAN OF SASTHA TEMPLES

Arrangements & Preparations

Where else are there temples of Lord Dharma Saastha, other than Sabari hills? I posed this query to the audience during one of my discourses.

I then said that as far as I am aware of, there are about 6000 Saastha temples, big and small, all put together, both in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This kindled the interest in the minds of many to visit them all.

With the grace and blessings of the Lord, the Saastha Preethi celebrations went off very well on 26th July 2009.

Immediately after the function was over, a voice was heard “Why not arrange a trip to visit the temples and come back?” That was from Vibhawan who made the proposal, which was promptly seconded by Sarvajit.

After considerable debate, a decision was finally taken to undertake the trip, availing a total of three holidays including the holiday on Gandhi Jayanthi (2nd October).

We offered our prayers to the Lord and requested Shri. Chandru (Sabari travels), to make necessary arrangements for booking of a vehicle.

Many got wild with me. The reason being I had not informed about this trip to anyone, other than the direct members of our Sangam. Nor had I extended any invitation to others.

Bombay Balu Iyer had not yet returned from abroad. Mr. Subrahmanyam phoned from Madras and said, “Just let me have your programme. I shall make all the necessary arrangements.”

Mr. Ram babu called from Vellore and said, “ If only you had just given us a hint, all our members would have participated in the trip”.

Sri Sundaram (guruswamy) of Kambangudi almost said the same thing. He also added, “If we travel with you we come to know of many hitherto unknown facts about the places and temples we visit, which adds more pleasure to the dharshan .

I too share their wish. . But this time since it was decided that preference be given to all those who had extended their help and full cooperation for the successful conduct of the Saastha Preethi function, none else was extended an invitation. Next time if so willed by Him, I shall certainly inform all, well in advance, so that all of us can make a visit together.

There were fourteen of us initially at the start of the programme. But at the last minute a few could not make it.

At first I got vexed. “What is this? Is it a herculian task for these people to pay a visit to these temples?”

But however, by the grace of the Lord, within few seconds, wisdom dawned upon me.

Is it “We” who decide about visiting a temple? The emphatic reply is “No”!

What ever happens is as per His will and desire. It is He who invites and invites only those whom He wants to undertake the trip.

Unless He wills our name in His mind for such a trip, will it at all be possible for us to embark upon such a journey? Or for that matter, will it all be possible to have His dharshan? Certainly not!

I just recollected what I had read somewhere:

“ Only when the Lord calls out our name for the first time we come to know about a Kshetra. When for the second time He mentions our name, the thoughts enter our mind to join such a Yatra group. When for the third time He calls aloud our name, then and then only, we can step inside His temple and also have His Dharshan.”

This, according to me, is a very true statement. This is Truth nothing but the Truth.

Thus only when we receive a call from Him, it would become possible for any one to enter one of His temples and have His Dharshan.

This itself can be taken as an indication that the time for deliverance from the negative effects of ones past karmas has begun.

Notwithstanding the fact that no train ticket was available, Natarajan, managed to join the party after a tedious bus journey from Chennai. Somehow taking a clue from a casual mention made by me earlier Muthuraman, had made advance railway reservation and arrived even one day earlier. Likewise Sabari too arrived from Bangalore.

But what would you call it, if those who live in the same city, some of whom even reside in the adjacent street could not make it?

In short it appears that whom all He invited embarked upon the journey.

Our initial plan was to leave on Thursday night and proceed direct to Achchankoil. But at last minute a change took place in this plan. I made a change that instead of leaving on Thursday night we start on Friday noon and and go direct and land at Kallidaikkurichchi.

Some were unhappy with this decision under the impression that it is I who had made this change. (Few must have even cursed me inwardly, of which I was however unaware.)

Natarajan who had initially bought a ticket for Madurai, cancelled the same and caught the bus to Coimbatore and some how reached in time. Vibhawan, being my chellapillai, readily agreed to the suggested change and even got his examinations postponed to a subsequent day.

The Guruswamy mama, who had by then returned from Bombay, was however not satisfied with any of my explanations for the change in plan. He went on lamenting “Why should any one propose a change, once a programme has been finalized?” Chandru of Sabari Travels is a gem of a person. Though he did not openly say anything, I am sure he too must have been feeling pretty miserable at the change.

I myself don’t know why and what made me to make such an unpopular change? I, therefore, had to give some sort of an excuse to one and all. I was, however, fully conscious of the fact that what I gave was an evasive reply only.

But, later on, every one of us realized while having dharshan at Kulaththupizhai that the change made was not by me but by Him, the Lord Veeramanikantan.

Pleasant Journey

The plan was to start on Friday at 13.00 hrs sharp. But true to the well known Indian punctuality the van left at 14.00 hrs sharp with Sarana Gosham(shouts of Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa) by all the members of the group.

Natarjan announced, ”The window seat is reserved for me” and took that seat and was fully engrossed therein. All the elders took the seats in the front side of the van while the younger battalion occupied the back seats. After chatting with Gurumama a little while, I too moved to the backside and joined the youngsters group.

Here I would like to make a special mention to the attention of the readers that all the members of the group were real gems. That is they had no mental corruption. For all of them this trip was a unique and the first of its kind.

Our journey continued pleasantly with every one enjoying the replay of the video recordings of our Saastha Preethi function as well as singing of Bhjan songs. We had the night tiffin on the way and the journey continued passing through Madurai town and then arriving at Thirunelveli.

Once we entered the borders of Thirunelveli, on the banks of the river Thambirabharani, an unexplainable pleasant feeling was felt by one and all.

In particular, as we proceeded on our journey in the van, from Thirunelveli to Ambasamudram, the dark hours, the gentle breeze, the open space visible at that time, the paddy fields, mountainous route, all combined together produced a peculiar feeling within me. My inner spirits whispered in my ears:

“Look Here! I am now entering the fortress of my favourite deity.”

I could even feel the dance of Lord Hariharasuthan in each and every inch of my body and also in every atoms around. I thus entered into an inexplicable stage of divine bliss.

Vibhu, who was sitting beside me, enquired “What Anna (elder brother)? Are you in Yoga-Nidra?”

I just smiled but did not reply. I do not know whether it was a casual remark by him or he was really aware of my blissful state then.

I felt exactly the same way when I first visited this place. Till date I could not unfathom the reason for such a feeling.

Even today when I close my eyes and visualize myself to be around that place I still get similar feelings.

Does it mean that the Lord has some work ear marked for me to be accomplished here? If that is so, He alone has to speak out.

Somehow by 22.30 hrs we landed at Kallidaikkurichchi. Uncle Sankararaman had made arrangements for our stay at one of his house, which was lying vacant. But as our ill luck would have it, when we landed there the electrical fuse had gone off in that house beyond immediate restoration.

So it was decided that all elder members would stay at the house where Sankararaman uncle was residing and the rest would stay in the house of Guru Mama, about ten houses further down in the same street.

Since Gurumama along with the family of his younger brother had moved and settled at Coimbatore, the house here was practically empty. Somehow Gurumama managed to get few needed items, including a fan. The lucky chaps were Natarajan, Varun and Sabari, as they opted to sleep in the inside room. They must have had a wonderful undisturbed peaceful sleep!!!

We had occupied the front portion and the adjacent room and were surrounded by the Ganalola Gandharvas, producers of hreengara melody sound! (How else to describe diplomatically the biting mosquitoes we have to put up with).

To be continued.....

A new year Gift

2012-01-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

During the year 2011 - there were too many places to visit, - almost all were unforgettable and unique. Grace of Lord Bhaktaparipala has showered on us throughout the year.

In continuation to this He gave us an oppurtunity to witness His glory on the new year's eve.

We had a great chance of visiting a place -an unique place. The place where Ayyappan stayed for two months to organize militants to fight against “Udayanan”.

Many are not interested in visiting these type of places. What indeed is so special about a old building? - especially to a group of devotees who are interested in tour - than yatra. To many, there is nothing spiritually worthwhile except when there are publicity, pomp and splendor. But for a person who is inclined towards the Lord -with a bond called devotion, he is attracted to his divine leelas. For a person who is involved in Upasana and mantra shastra - the solitude and divine presence is felt only at very few places. The divine grace of My Bhaktaparipala and anugraham of my great grand father Shri.Chaami Anna, has never failed to guide us and because of this divine grace we finally made it to the place.

The Alangadu group has an inseparable role in the history of Sabarimala. Even today they have the special privilege of doing the last pettai thullal at Erumeli and the Krishna Parundhu appears during their pettai.

Few years ago ie exactly during 1863 AD Sri Kesava Pillai of Ambadathu Family,a pious gentleman by nature was an ardent devotee of Lord Sree Ayyappan. He was the chief of ‘Alangadu Yogam’ and was leading the group for Erumeli Pettai thullal.

Usually the Alangad yogam starts on Dhanu 19(around Jan 3rd) But Unfortunately that year he was heldup at Thiruvananthapuram on an official duty. He could return to his ancestral home “Ambadathu” only on Dhanu 29,ie,one day before Makarajyothi. Sri Kesava Pillai was totally dejected but soon composed himself and started the pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

During the journey, Sri.Kesava Pillai was in a disgusted state as he could not start the yatra in time and was going all alone. On the way he met with a middle aged Brahmin. Seeing him, pillai felt that his mind experienced some peace as well and was happy at the company. They both proceeded the yatra together. A long way to go and they have not even covered half the distance. Soon it became dark and they took rest at the nearby temple. The Brahmin handed over his Mudravadi and Mudra Sanji (Bhasma bag) to Sri.Kesava Pillai and requested him to wait there till he completes his evening prayers. Sri.Kesava Pillai, who sat there waiting for the Brahmin, was very tired and he dozed off.

Suddenly somebody woke him up saying "its time for Makara Jyothi"... Kesava Pillai could not beleive anything !! yes ! - he was near the Padhinettampadi at the Sabarimala Sannidhanam along with others and got the Jyothi Darshanam. Then he understood that the Brahmin, who came along with him, was none other

than Lord Ayyappan himself, for whom he was desperately praying.

There were no bounds to his joy ! Wonder-struck with the experience, he climbed the pathinettampadi and had the darshan of the Lord Shabarigireesha.

Soon after the darshan Kesava Pillai was in a dilemma as to what to do with the Mudra Vadi and Sanji. The Brahmin reappreared and told Sri.Kesava Pillai to consider the holy things as his embodiement s and consecrate it at the very same residential palace -where Ayyappan stayed hundreds of years ago.

So these were consecrated at the third floor of the Ambadath Palace. Soon Sri.Kesava Pillai got salvation and even today the Mudra Sanji - vibhuti bag and the Mudra Vadi are kept at the palace and poojas are being done.

Till recent past - this was maintained by the family and was not open to the public. Now Sri.Sudarsan, an auditor, the successor of Sri.Kesava Pillai is now the care taker of the Mudra Sanji and the Mudra Vadi and is doing the poojas.

The very moment we entered the place our minds were filled by inexplainable serenity and joy. A testimony to the Glory of the Lord - right in front of our eyes... I wanted to spend some time there. And when I was doing my japam there - the divine energy emanating from there was unmistakable. Very intense vibrations in the room that houses the Mudra Vadi and Sanji.

Equal amount of energy is emanating from elsewhere confirmed Ayyappan's stay at the very spot.

Just for a moment, the sight made me to reminiscent how the Lord would have appeared while he stayed here.

We were overwhelmed with joy, and tears started rolling from our eyes..

My mind was fully engrossed there itself. I was also vexed with the thoughts that we have to make a move from there. Anyway, With great mental satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment of all our actions we took leave.

Sastha in Egypt

2011-12-01T08:24:00.000-08:00

Iam always repeating one statement wherever I go. "Sastha was the only God whose worship was widespread throughout the world"...

Once I mentioned about Mt. Shasta at United States and the form of Lord Sastha worshiped there by native Indians. Some of our friends took interest on my words and went to Mount Shasta at United States. They informed me that it is a holy place according to the native Indians and there is a holy spring there which would destroy one's sin. Its still regarded as a mystic spot.

Even with Greek mythology we find name like EriSatha. Which is again a distorted pronunciation of Sastha or Saathan.

Today evening Shri. Sastha Gopal sent me an excellent discovery made by Dr.Jayakumar. It is a text from ancient Egypt. It is from a region called Kazir al Khadim from the Red Sea Area....

This is estimated to belong between 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD. It is a text- lipi found in an old papyrus in Egypt reading 'SATHTHAN'

Saththan is a Tamil representation of the name Sastha. In old Tamil texts Sastha is mentioned as Sathan. Even in a Tevaram Shiva is attributed as "Sathanai Maganai Vaithaar" - One who has Sathan (Sastha) as his son.

It is a written script of a trader who has written his name... So unless the name Saastha is widespread and popular one will not have this as his name. So even before 2000-2500 years ago the name of Sastha was popular even at Egypt.

Om Sarva Desikaaya Nama - One who the Lord all the Deshams...

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Thathwamasi - what is it?

2011-11-28T03:44:00.000-08:00

[Query] What is Thathwamasi that is insribed in front of Sabarimala Sannidhanam ?

------

How many of the pilgrims, who reaches the Sanctum of Ayyappa, reads this message there?

Thathwamasi - has nothing to do with the word "Thathuwam"..

It is one among the four Mahavakyas of the Vedhas... Mahavakyas are the grand utterances of the Upanishads. The Final truth expressed in the Vedhas.

They contain the essence of the Vedanta and the ultimate truth. There are mahavakyas for all the four vedhas and everything convey the same meaning of Advaithic Truth.

The term Thathwamasi appears in the Samavedha - in the Chandogyopanishat.

Its a combination of three words

Tat Twam Asi = Thou art you. ie That is you

Tat - That

Twam - You

Asi - becoming / is

Here "That" refers to the Supreme being... ie Iam same as the supreme being

Understanding that we are not ordinary mortals - but we are the ultimate; this is Thathwamasi.

Tatvamasi is the fulfilment of spiritual knowledge. There is no second - "Iam that Supreme Entity"

This complex adwaithic wisdom is made simple in Ayyappa Thathwam... The State of Oneness... Thats the reason, once we wear the maala, we are taught to see everything as Ayyappan and everyone as Ayyappan.

Though we just call it outwardly and most of us never try to put the theory "everything is Ayyappan" into practice..

Just imagine the situation if it is in reality... "Every being is Ayyappan" "Every Devotee is Ayyappan" "Every piece of rock and mud is Ayyappan"... Now there is no question of "I" here... because even "Iam Ayyappan..." ie "Iam that Supreme Entity" ie "Thathwamasi"

Actually this (Thathwamasi and other) Mahavakyam is given as upadesham only while taking Sanyasam... Kanchi maha Swamigal said:

"It is to attain this highest of states in which the individual self dissolves inseparably in Brahman that a man becomes a sannyasi after forsaking the very karma that gives him inward maturity. When he is initiated into sannyasa he is taught four mantras, the four [principal] mahavakyas."

But Ayyappan is in Yoga Peetam at Sabarimala; He is a gurunathan there. Thats the reason he explicitly teaches this Maha Vaakya Saaram ie Thathwamasi with his Chinmudra...

Mahayogapeeto jwalantham mahantham

Mahavaakya Saaropadesham Sushaantham

Maharshi Praharsha pradham gnana kaantham

param jyoti roopam bhaje bhoothanatham

Trayambakapuram - My favorite temples - Part III

2011-11-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

Traymbaka puradheesam, Ganadhipa Samanvitham

Gajaroodam aham Vande, Sastharam Kuladaivatham

One Who is the Ruler of Tryambakapuram, who is with Lord Ganapathi and one who rides on an elephant, - I salute that Saastha who is the master of my dynasty

Almost every devotee who goes to Shabarimalai might have chanted this Slokam. But not even 1% of the devotees know where this Trayambakapuram temple is located.

Trayambakapuram is one of the holy Kshetrams of Lord Sastha located near Tiruvaroor. The small temple is located amidst dense fields and is a very tranquil place. This is an ancient temple for Lord Hariharaputra who is in the form of Bala Sastha.

Due to poor rood conditions and the muddy terrain, one can reach this place only with an own vehicle. But traveling to Trayambakapuram in the winding - isolated roads amidst palm trees is a very different and memorable experience. But there is a chance of getting mislead because there will be no road or persons to guide you. And the temple legend says whenever the devotees are in need of assistance, Bala Sastha manifests in the form of a small boy and helps them. (We had an experience of getting lost and I just made a comment, "Only Bala Sastha has to come and show us the way",..... Everyone of us were taken aback.... instantaneously from nowhere came a small boy... He said nothing - just pointed his finger to the direction of the temple... Even now my hairs stand on end when I write this.)

From the view of the spiritual sense, everything about the temple is special.

The floor of the Sanctum is inscribed with the moola mantram of the Lord. And hence the priest takes utmost care while doing puja. Everytime he enters the sanctum sanctorum only after taking bath in the well within the temple.

Unlike in other Sastha temples Here Only one Parivaram - Veeran is seen with sword & weapons - just near the outer gate.

The compassionate Lord often appears in the dreams of the devotees, mostly as a small boy and shower His grace. Many devotees tell of vivid dreams in which the Lord comes to heal them, bless them and guide them

Needless to say, the deity, Bala Sastha is simply stunning. He is little beauty hardly 1 feet idol sitting on an Elephant. It is difficult to take one’s eyes off the Lord.

Sri Sastha Koti Archana at Banglore

2011-11-26T23:26:00.000-08:00

Last week I was at Banglore to attend a glorious Sastha Preethi by the Kambankudi family at Seetharam Mandhir. After the event, Shri.(Kambankudi)Hari and Santosh invited me for a Koti Archana to Lord Sastha. While we have performed and witnessed several homas, navavarana pujas, laksharchas etc for Sastha, Iam hearing Koti archana after a very long time and so and my curiosity peaked. And so when they requested me to attend, I accepted without arguments.

Lord Hariharaputra is Avyaja Karunyamurthy, and even if a single flower is offered to Him, he bestows His boundless grace in return.

And if this is chanted 1 CRORE number of times, what will be the vaibhavam of the Lord ?

I could literally experience the radiance emanating from the Lord at the entire premises. This is happening at the residence of Sri B S Kesavan residing at “ROHINI” 17/61 9th cross, 1st main, CT Bed, Banashankari III stage, Katriguppe, Bangalore 560085 . He had made a Sankalpam to do a Koti Archana to Lord Sastha for the well being of the society. The most important point is, that the pooja is being conducted by an individual at his residence.

Events of such a great magnitude can happen only with the Divine intervention. The quality of the energy emanating speaks for itself – this has to be experienced than explained. Along with doing archana, I was requested to give a small lecture on the occassion. It is indeed a great punya accumulated in various Janmas – by which one can worship Lord Sastha. The Lord gave me a pleasant surprise here for not only doing archana but also to talk and ponder about his glory of “my beloved” who is being celebrated there.

In the Boothanatha Geeta, Bhagavan Manikanta says:

"I (Parabrahma) am the source of all; all evolves from Me; thus comprehending, the wise, who are mindful (of the supreme truth), worship Me."

So worshiping Lord Sastha is a very rare opportunity and is equivalent of worshiping all the divine beings.

The daily puja starts in the morning with Rudra Abhishekam to Lord Hariharaputra and immediately followed by chanting of Sahasranaama Archana by the dedicated Bhakthaas who sit for several hours. The evening session continues with the archana, Ashtaavadhana pooja and with the ceremonious HARIVARAASANAM and Closing of the NADAI. Something similar to what happens at Sabari Mala.

I really felt sorry that I could not spend much time as I had to leave the same night.

The pooja started on the 13th November with support of Bhakthaas from Bangalore and a group of Bhakthaas from Chennai and has been progressing exceedingly well to reach a unimaginable number of over 50 lakhs in just under 13 days.

As a mark of thanking the Lord for the grace he has showered on us, Shri Kesavan has scheduled a POORNA PUSHKALA KALYANA MAHOTSAVA in Bhajan Paddathi. This is to be held on on 1st January 2012 and usher in the New Year as well. The Kalyana Utsavam will be held at Nagalakshmi Kalyana Mantapa, Banashankari II Stage, Near Devagiri Temple, Bangalore.

Shri Kesavan has extended a warm invitation to all the members of Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam and our readers. We hope that those interested will make ample use of this opportunity and attain the grace of Lord Maha Sastha

I pray to Shri Bhaktaparipala Maha Sastha to bless all the organizers and enable them to bring us many more such opportunities.

"Sadguru Vandhanam" - New Audio CD

2011-11-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

Swami Sharanam

One of our close Associate Shri Chidambaram Bhagawathar and his team has brought out a wonderful Audio Cd on Lord Ayyappa titled "Sadguru Vandhanam"

There is no commercial inclination attached to this project.

The noble mission of recording this Audio CD is to propagate the Bhagawath Nama. The mandali has decided to contribute a part of the sale proceeds to "Sri Sasthalaya Sevanam" project of Our Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam, ie for renovating various ancient Sastha temples

Another portion will be contributed to the spiritual and charitable activities being organized by several institutions, temples and Sabhas across India.

The cost of the CD is Rs.100/- and the contact number is +919849303461.

Kochi Thekke Thalam - My favorite temples - Part II

2011-11-24T11:29:00.000-08:00

Few temples may be less ancient in age – but the impact which they give is beyond description. One such temple, which made a remarkable effect in my life is Kochi Thekkethalam..

Over 300 years ago a handful of enterprising men, started from a village called Kallidaikurichi,(Tirunelveli district). Their aim was to establish some business and improve their material prospects.

The Karandhaiyar palayam Samooham (of Kallidaikurichi) situated on the banks of river Thamirabarani, was the origin of a concept called Sastha Preethi. Consisting of 18 Agraharams, Kallidaikurichi was in the western ghat region, it was the border of Chera and Pandya Kingdoms in yester years.

Sastha was the beloved deity on both sides of hills. Kallidakuruchi had a temple for Sastha.

Lord ‘Manikandan’ (during his human incarnation) had come to this village and had called at the house of an old couple for some food. The Lord felt very happy with them and became "Kambankudi Daasan". People started celebrating the Lord and thus began the glorious Sastha Preethi through the Kambankudi family who hailed from Kallidakuruchi.

When the people of Karanthaiyar palaya samooham, moved out from Kallidaikurichi towards Kerala in search of a new life, Lord Sastha promised that He would accompany them.

Passing through hills and forests they underwent many hardships, but could overcome everything by the grace of Lord Dharma Sastha. They understood that the divine blessing of Lord Hariharaputra was following them. First they settled in a place between the present Mavelikkara and Kayamkulam. But they were not happy and were suffering with a sense of insecurity there… When the Raja of Cochin who visited Kayamkulam, found a community of businessmen there, he invited them to settle down in Mattancherry to carry on their trade.

Those days the geographical setup and main transport was water way. When the first Brahmin settlement went to Kochi, Vanchi Pattu (the boatmans song) was developed on the rivers and backwaters, sung by boatman on voyages to keep up their spirit.

As promised, Lord Sastha accompanied the Brahmin Community and thus they came over to Cochin. Soon was born the Cochin Karanthayar Palayam Mahasamooham.

Soon the Raja of Cochin understood the divine will and the importance of the place and he allotted the piece of land to the Samooham to construct a temple.

The premises – though seem to look like a brahmin settlement - is a wonderful kshetram of the Lord and a witness to His endless leelas.

The Thekkemadam is located in Mattancherry, inside the Cochin Island. The main part of the shrine consists of the `Thekkethalam' and the sanctum housing the idol of Kurathooril Ayyan Lord Dharmasastha.

According to the temple history, during the time of the settlement, the people were very much troubled by the Yakshi who lived there. She was troubling the people of Thekkethalam too. Lord Sastha took joy in teasing and tantalizing the Yakshi with His spiritual pranks. The ever merciful Lord assumed the form of a small boy and moved about in the midst of men as a member of the `samooham'. Though everyone warned the boy about the turbulences caused by Yakshi, he was least bothered. He went inside a place lit a lamp and sat there for a while. Everybody left the place out of fear. Soon He arrested her movements and averted a great havoc. He controlled the yakshi and made her reside inside the yakshi kavu.

After completing his mission – the Lord sat at Thekkethalam permanently. The cup with the vibudhi inside it which He used and an “anaiya vilakku” - lamp lit by Him has been kept lighted permanently at the holy spot. Thekkethalam is now a part of the temple premises.

This temple has borne witness to the growth of the settlement here.

Soon after this, the samooham flourished and the celebration of Sastha Preethi along with the members of the Kambankudi family started here - as it was done at Kallidaikurichi. The festival, is to thank the lord for all the good he has done to us and praying for a better future too.

The actual temple is a real surprise for all those who look at the temple from outside. The temple premises is a beautiful place with serene atmosphere. The main part of the shrine consists of the `Thekkethalam' and the sanctum housing Kulathoor Ayyan which is fronted by a large hall. A beautiful water pond is adjacent to the temple.

There is a strange scene here. Generally we will see Sastha facing east sitting alone or with his consorts inside the Sanctum. But here the Lord is facing North, present along with Ganapati, Yakshi, Boothanatha and Shivalingam on his side. The Lord is called Kochi Thekke Thala Karthan – the master of the Thekke thalam.

We reach the sannidhanam where Lord Sastha reigns supreme in all His radiance, exuding all grace and charm! The idol made of granite is about three feet in height, with the right hand holding a flower bunch, the left hand placed on his folded knee. The image bears a close resemblance to the deity at Aryankavu.

The beauty of the deity defies all description and is more a thing to be experienced than expressed!

I can say even tens of thousands of Suryas cannot match Lord Sastha of Kochi Thekkethalam in His magnificence!

Sree Manidasar has glorified this temple in his Panchakams and many other Viruthams and songs. Generally, the Sastha preethi performed at all other areas are symbolic and brief; but at Thekke Madam it is an opportunity to take part in the elaborate and traditional form of the sacred ritual and earn the blessings of Hariharaputra.

The Lord is in all splendour and bestows grace to the devotees. The grace, majesty, benovelence, divinty everything put together is Kochi Thekkethala Karthan. We can see Him facing us asking “What do you wish?” and whatever we ask, he will give.

Mahaperiyava on Seshadri Swamigal

2011-11-18T18:07:00.000-08:00

Last century witnessed the Trinities (brahma,vishnu,siva) Seshadri Swamigal (tiruvananamalai) ,Kanchi Mahaperiyava,Sri Ramana Maharishi (also known as Chinna Seshadri swamigal).Here is the excerpt from Mahaperiyava

Shri.Bharanidharan : I was writing 'Arunachala magimai' at that time. One day, I said to Maha Periyava that I am unable to locate the house where Shri Seshadri Swamigal lived between 1870 to 1889. Maha Periyava said ' why don't you take efforts to find the house?' and directed me to various people. The search narrowed down to 2 to 3 houses. It was then I met the old man who built the house where Swamigal ived and he said ' when the elder(est) son was 19years he became mad and ran away from the house'. So, finally, I located the Shri.Seshadri Swamigal's house.

Then, when i went to have darshan of Maha Periyava who was at Kollavar Chatram, i briefed HIM on the developments. He said ' shall we buy the house, much like Sangeetha mummoorthigals' houses have been bought in Thiruvaroor?'. We formed a committee, collected money, the house was bought and named as 'Sri Kamakoti Seshadri Swamigal Nivasam'. Maha Periyava then asked a portrait of Seshadri Swamigal to be kept in the house and Moovalur Gopala Dheekshitar was asked to shift his residence there and do agni hotram and ishti homam. then, under instructions of Maha Periyava, the aradhana of Swamigal was started in Margazhi Navami.

One day, Maha Periyava drew a plan on the sand at Sivasthanam, Thenambakkam, on how to build a mantap at Swamigal's residence. A trust was formed with Nalli Kuppusamy Chetty, 'Sangupani' Sivaraj Mudaliyar, K.R.Visvanathan and i was also a part of it. In 1985 Sehsadri Jayanthi was also started in Thai, Hastham, again under HIS instructions.

On Jan 21st,1987 (Thai Hastham) I went to the mutt to receive Maha Periyava's blessings for the celebs to go off well and casually mentioned about Unjavrithi that i witnessed at Thiruvaiaru just a couple of days back, during Thiyagaraja aradhana. Maha Periyava said 'start unjavrithi in Seshadri Swamigal Jayanthi too'. I said 'okay, will plan for the next year' 'why next year? start now'. i said i do not know anything about unjavrithi. Maha Periyava showed an old man standing nearby and said ' ivarukku thalaipagai kattu. sombu onnu tholla (shoulder) pottuko, and as you go on the street the ladies will put rice in the sombu, collect it and come back.thats all unjavrithi is all about'. 'bhajanai?'. 'no need for professionals, just the two of you would be enough'. 'what to sing?'. Maha Periyava thought for a moment, started putting thalam and began to sing 'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Kaamaakshi, Jaya Jaya jaya Jaya kaamakoti, Jaya jaya Jaya jaya Seshadri'.just repeat this. the next year, Papanaasam Sri Kunjumani Bhagavathar joined us.

One day, when we were talking about the registration of Seshadri Swamigal's house, Maha Periyava asked me ' how many Seshadris are involved in this?'. I said 'four'.Maha Periyava said 'five' - first Seshadri Swamigal, then your friend who is with us now, the advocate who verified the documents, the clerk in the register office and, of course, your father!!'.

Yet another day when i went to Thenambakkam, Maha Periyava sat like Seshadri Swamigal, with legs folded in the same way and his left hand palm holding the chin and asked ' is this not how HE is sitting?'. I could not make out any diff between the two of them and tears welled up in my eyes.

It was some time later that Maha Periyava spoke those immortal words ' will I ever become like Seshadri Swamigal?, will I attain that level?' If Maha Periyava whom all of us know is saakshath Parameswaran said this of Seshadri Swamigal, at what level HE must have been? Brahamananda nilai !!

Qualification of getting Moola Mantra upadesam

2011-11-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

Query :-

Swami sharanam,

Some of our friends asked, what is the qualification of getting Moola Mantra upadesam. (Sastha or any god)

I have not answered to them, since I feel you are the right person to answer authentically.

According to me if the person is ready for this it comes automatically, but I I say this they may not believe and they expected detailed answer.

Can you explain in your blog please.
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I have already given a note here
http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2011/05/guru-mantra-upadesham.html

Moola mantram is the very form of the God... U may be called by one name today (in this janma) and another name tomorrow.. But God's name is permanent... Thats why people are suggested to do Nama Japam and Naama keerthanam...

If Nama japam itself can bring so much glory just imagine how powerful the moola mantram will be? Nama is God's name... whereas Moola Mantram is the very form of God himself.

First of all the Moola Mantram has originated from the Lord Himself. It's the most sacred one in the world. Right from the start of the creation the moola mantra is used by countless number of Rishis to do the Mantra japam to please the Lord and to get his blessings.

Moola mantram upadesham may happen in two (and rarely three) ways....

This is what is prescribed in various Tantras like Kularnavam...

1.
First a person is totally immersed in devotion towards a particular God and want to do the upasana...

He surrenders to a particular person - identifying him as his Guru.

Then one has to plead to the Guru for upadesham... And Guru has to observe the sishya and carefully watch his actions for a period of time... Only of he is satisfied he may consider him for giving the mantra upadesham.

For some people only some mantras are suitable; So if a person voluntarily asks for mantra upadesham, his horoscope has to be assessed to check whether this mantram will suit him. Or Siddhari Shodhanam may also be conducted. Most of the Gurus do this and exception from these tests are there for a few mantras.

After this over a period of time, gradually various mantras right from ganapaty (as per the sampradhaya) are given to the disciple

2.
The second case happens due to a divine will - a Mahan or Guru due to his compassion towards the Sishya, gives him the upadesham. Even without asking, one may get the mantra upadesham. This one is actually superior than asking. Its a momentary decision or intuition which makes the Guru to give the upadesham...

Prahalaadha, was given Upadesha of moola mantra from Narada even when Prahalaadha was in the womb.

Iam forunate enough to have personally witnessed few such incidents at Pampa, Veliyanavattam, Karimala and Sannidhanam. Just while sitting in the puja, meditation or Sastha Preethi, the Guru calls someone and gives him the treasure.

3.
The third case, When the Guru parampara order - is in disorder, some divine intervention takes place to set it right... Either the giver should have the blazing fire or atleast the receiver should be a dry log... but in todays case - both are very difficult to find. So for a few very very rare cases mantra a divine force may manifest in dream etc to give the upadesham.... This happens only for one in a million.

.......
So if one is really interested in doing moola mantra japam, one has to catch hold the feet of his guru. Anyway - the qualification for getting a moola mantram - is decided by Bhagawan himself. So one has to sincerely pray to the Ishta deivam to show the proper Guru and to give him the upadesham through the Guru. So once the time comes or rather when "He" feels you are qualified, you get the mantra upadesham.

A very very fortunate person will get to know the moola mantra through proper upadesham. And the person who is now a Shishya of that Acharyan must not at any cost disclose the mantram openly to anyone. These Secred Mantras only when got through an Acharya from a true sampradayam and Guru Parampara, will the power of the potency of these mantras. Only mantras obtained through proper Guru will earn the grace of the Lord.

{The Sishya has to salute the Guru with Dakshina and the Guru has to acknowledge it. This has to be done very clearly... I was wondering why this step is insisted so much? On pondering over this, it reminded me of three famous (rather interesting) phrases
1. "Pusthaka Guru" ie Reading the moola mantram from a book and start doing the japam on his own....
This method is not allowed and when practiced, it will not give any result....

2. "Mantra Thiruttu" ie When the Guru is giving upadesham to a sishya, a person making an eavesdrop on them and start chanting on own
This method is a great sin and will give negative result....

3. 2. "Mantra Sweekaranam" ie The person instigating a guru very cleverly and somehow make him utter the moola mantram - and even without the knowledge of the Guru, they themselves consider this as upadesham and start chanting.
This is a worst crime
)

Guru Krupa - the Golden touch

2011-11-15T05:04:00.000-08:00

You are going to a temple casually... What will you do if a complete stranger casually stops you, come to you and says, “You are a Brahmin belonging to _______ gothra. You were not born for this purpose . . . Your lifetime purpose is different. Learn Sanskrit and enter the Upasana Marga”?

99% reaction will be - you come to a conclusion that you are dealing with a madman or yet another way to make money.

But Ambika Dattan,a young school boy did not leave... He stopped and listened or.... something made him to stop... The face of the mysterious man was very very familiar.

Ambika Dattan was actually in a confused mind set - for the past few days... He was unable to come to a conclusion. Life bound him to disown responsibilities but renunciation was equally enchanting.

It so happened that one tuesday evening, during the month of Maasi he was casually moving inside a temple entrance. Ambika Dattan was encountered by this person... He stopped the boy and started questioning him...

The boy actually didn’t know what to do. Out of sheer desperation, he stood up, thinking of running. But, he heard a voice which clearly ordered, “Iam a Parabrahma vasthu and Ive manifested here just for you ! Iam here to answer your prayer ! be here !”

Ambika Dattan was perplexed as he couldn’t make out anything. But the person soon started narrating many personal instances, "His" connection with the boy's family for generations.. Still Ambika Dattan was very hesitant in staying back.. Finally he spoke about one personal prayer made by the boy at an Adhishtanam - during his childhood. Finally he revealed his identity and started explaining the reason for his visit. What was heard only in stories -was happening in reality. Divinely inspired, the boy even forgot to salute the great person standing in front of him.

The person spoke to the young boy for more than half an hour and explained him the reality of the Mahavakhyams given in the four Vedas. He gave him few more insturctions to be carried out and finally He imparted the knowlege of Devi Upasana to Ambika Dattan.

(There are many more highly miraculous incidents and informations which was imparted, but due to their sanctity, Ambika Dattan requested me not to publish it here.)

He instructed Ambika Dattan to return home and continue the upasana and assured rest will automatically happen.

When the parting moment came, the boy was totally awestruck to say anything... The mysterious person stood there, blessed him and walked away!

Ambika Dattan then returned to his place, and lives happily embraced by the person’s blessings. This became the turning point in Ambika Dattan's life.

The ‘person’ who stopped the young boy is actually not a "mere person". He is more than that. The main purpose of this post - is intended to show the glory of a compassionate gurunatha who came to lend a helping hand to the boy whom he had promised janmas ago... he had come back after 70 years of his Maha Samadhi...

Yes ! 70 years after the Maha Samadhi - the person who came there was none other than the Great Mystic - Shri Seshadri Swamigal.

Sri Seshadri Swamigal is one of the greatest Indian saints who lived Thiruvannaamalai. He was beyond the description of a saint, a reality that cannot be clutched and clasped by the mind leading one to realization.

Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi, Maha Periyaval of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam said once "will I attain a state like Seshadri Swamigal?". Such was the greatness of Gurunathar Sri Seshadri Swamigal

Yesterday I had a golden chance of going to Thiruvannamalai and had a blissful stay at Seshadri Swamigal's Adhishtanam. This reminded me of the above encounter of Ambika Dattan and Seshadri Swamigal.

Seshadri Swamigal, well known as Hiranya Bahu - "Saint with a golden hand", whose touch can bring fortune even to an ordinary mortal.

Ambika Dattan is a living example as to what Guru Krupa can do to a person...

Naasti Thathwam Param Gurum

There is no thathwam other than Guru

Guru is a father, a friend, a guru and a savior, all in one.

Sabarimala Yatra begins

2011-11-11T09:57:00.000-08:00

Mandala Kaalam is fast approaching and on an average Iam receiving atleast 6-7 mails daily - asking for doubts... Can I do this that, Can I watch TV? Can my wife/mother eat non vegetarian...etc etc

I have already made a detailed note last year... For new members, please read it here

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2010/11/shabarimala-yatra-vidhanam-dos-and.html

I always insist on one Golden Rule and my favorite rule - "Guru Vaakyam Pramaanam" - Guru's words are Final. But few senior Guruswamys complained me regarding the behavior of today's Guruswamys and asked me to explicitly warn - regarding the quality of Guruswamys...

Being a Guruswamy - Its already a profession to many people...So please see the anushtanam, good behavior and most important - discipline - a person having all these three is fit to be a Guru. (You may be surprised to see that devotion is not in the list - A person with true devotion automatically gets all these three qualities)

And please give due respect to the Maala you are wearing... Physical and mental cleanliness is absolutely necessary.. Try to be really sincere to the maximum extend and follow the practices strictly. Wearing slippers, using leather belts, (you may have your own reasons for justifying all these... But everything said and done it will definitely affect the sannidhyam - divinity of the Vrutham)

All that corrupts you mind - can be avoided.. (Please try avoid watching TV. Today's Kalipurushan stays in the form of Television. If you avoid seeing unnecessary programs and serials... I can promise, you'l definitely enjoy a very good experience both during the vrutham and during the dharshanam)

Make it a discipline that you go to the temple regularly.. Taking bath twice a day, doing atleast a simple puja and calling out Sharanams is part of the daily routine. People who are having Upanayanam - make it a strict practice that you do sandhya vandhanam and Gayatri Japam regularly - both in the morning and evening. Even if you are unable to go to a temple - its ok. Ayyappan will be happy seeing you doing your given duty (sandhya) But without Sandhyavandanam whatever you do - is a waste.

Doing Annadhanam is a very big Kainkaryam... But donot waste food in the name of Annadhanam... We see tons and tons of food being wasted at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Veliyanavattam - in the name of annadhanam. Annam Brahma - Please dont waste it.

If you see any devotee smoking or drinking within the Poonkavanam - you have all right to question him. Object this and ask him to stop - make him understand that he is not only committing a sin but also creating hazard to the other devotees.

Just by calling everyone as "Swami"- nothing is going to happen. Understand the reality that everyone is Ayyappan. The Lord resides inside each and every devotee. So donot PUSH or cause trouble to even a single devotee. Just because of this unruly behaviour and the pushing- the tragic accident at Pulmedu occured last year.

As usual please avoid using plastic at sabarimala and let us make Sabarimala clean and green.... Thats a very big offering to Ayyappan than doing any other puja.

Shivananda Vijayalakshmi left for Shripuram

2011-11-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

Received the news that Smt. Shivananda Vijayalakshmi, a great devotee of Swami Shivananda and a renowned Upanyasaki and Srividyopasaki attained the lotus feet of Sri Mahatripurasundari yesterday. Mami lived in Madurai, the dwadashanta kshetram, devoting every minute of her life to the sanatana dharma.

Can anyone forget the Soul-stirring Lalita Sahasranamam by her ? Being a Srividya upasaki herself, this is one of her masterpieces. The audio released in 1960s still holds the fort, running in each and every home. She is the guru for almost 90% of us to learn Lalitha Sahasranamam (through her cassette)...

A few occasions I spent with her was more valuable than several hours of study. We pray to the Empress Lalita Parameshwari to grant solace to the grieving family and the sishyas

Putra Prapti , Horoscope and Hariharaputran

2011-11-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

For some obvious reasons... I had stopped looking Horoscopes for the past one year.. except for very few cases.... The main reason was when one of our family friend insisted me to see a horoscope regarding child birth...

Even for getting a remedy - one's Karma has to permit him...

In Bharata desham, birth of a child has always been a priority after marriage. After almost 10 years of marriage, and almost all the "Professional" astrologers have discouraged them.

Analysing a horoscope for child birth has to be done very accurately... Most of the astrologers fail to differentiate between Childlessness and delay in Child birth.

Immediately a Sarpa Shanti is suggested by them.... And what people generally do is perform a puja at Kalahasti or visit Tirunageswaram and start complaining again.

And delay in child birth may be due to the bad influence of any of the nine grahas... First this has to be identified... only after this pariharam has to be suggested. Not every childlessness is connected to Naaga dosha.

Sarpa Dosha is caused due to various reasons.. One cannot simply generalize this... This occurs due to the wrath of the Serpent in previous birth. Due to Sarpa dosha, marriages may be delayed, Progeny may be denied and/or miscarriages will occur. There are many varieties of Sarpa dosham. Based on this the parihara has to be decided. For most of the cases a simple pushpanjali (on appropriate place and time) would solve the entire issue...

Yet another important fact is, the devatas who actually control the navagrahas... For example to please (Chevvai) Mars, without pleasing Subramanya one cannot get 100% result and get the problem resolved.

And coming back to our case.. A lot of issues were present in both the horoscopes and something struck me... I closed the horoscope and returned it... My only suggestion was to fall at the feet of "My beloved". A Lord who can cause fear even to the Prarabdham...

An archana for Lord Maha Sastha at a specific Sasthru kshetram - for seven consecutive weeks. I suggested to light the lamp at their home during the same time (when the archana is done) and pray to the Lord earnestly to grant a putra prapti...

prArthita putra pradaM vasanta nata bRndaM

dIrghAyuHpradaM dIna jana phala pradam

The one who bestows sons.He is worshipped in Spring by crowds of people.
He grants longevity. He bestows happiness to destitutes

Sastha is the only God who promises Putra praapti even in His moola mantram

I think its needess to say about the result...

Money Corrupts Devotion

2011-11-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Let me start with a story----------

A man who was very meek and humble used to come to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa every now and then. Whenver he saw Paramahamsa, he always did a namaskaram and saluted him utmost reverence and respect. After sometime he stopped coming and they knew nothing of what had happened to him.

One day, Paramahamsa and few of his disciples, went over to a nearby place in a boat. As they were getting down from the boat, they saw the same person sitting on the bank of the Ganges, where, in the fashion of big folks, he was enjoying the pure air of the river. On seeing Ramakrishna, he accosted him in a stylish tone with the words, "Hallo Thakur! How are you doing now?"

Everybody were taken aback seeing the drastic change in his behaviour. Paramahamsa simply smiled and said "I tell you, this man must have come by some riches. Can't you see what a great change has come over him?"

--------

I could not avoid my mind relating this story - when I met a devotee at Sabarimala during September.. I know this person for the past 4-5 years (Iam sure many of you would be knowing him and will be difficult for you to beleive this)... I still remember how he lived as a humble devotee... and our encounter was almost similar to the above story...

He did a very great service to the Lord and really hats off for the work done, by which he is quite known to everybody. But Hariharaputra's game is always unique... Once you come into His clan, then your test begins... And you can pass the test Only by His grace...

The first test from Swami is regarding ego and desire.

(In Mahabarata - Satyaki has a platform - which actually brings out all the inner truth in your mind... something similar happened that day)

Money is the object of temptation...

Right in front of the Lord - from the very beginning his talk was literally around money... Just casually I asked about the Makara Jyothi yatra... Immediately he gave a reply.... "If any of your friends are interested just ask them to contact me... Its just 7000 rupees per head... You see.. Iam influential and can take people along with _________ "

This person is a bachelor and Ive heard the same person saying, "Ayyppa is everything for me"(few years back).

But this time... I really felt disheartend to see this change in him

He continued...

"If I just say Ayyappa - Ayyappa and keep on spending everything for God, who will look after me? And when Mahalakshmi comes, one has to take all steps to keep her with you. When opportunity comes, only fools dont utilize it"

I still wonder what made him talk all the truth in his mind....

The desire for money makes such a difference in a man!

I dont mean that one has to become a sanyasi and never touch money... But doing it in the name of God and exploiting the devotion - is something unacceptable... There are a number of ways that you can make more money...

Sastha is a Kalpaka Vruksha, the wish-fulfilling tree. You will certainly get whatever you ask of him. He has never turned anyone empty handed... As one thinks, so one receives... Iam sure he is going to earn a lot by this January....

Iam not writing this to attack anyone personally... Its just my observation on yet another the leela of the dearest son of Mohini

Lets pray that everyone of us qualify His test.

Gnana Sadgurunathane.. Sharanam Ayyappa

2011-10-31T07:39:00.000-07:00

A commentary on Kirathaashtakam - a lecture given to a closed group of members during a Sastha Preethi....

Though projected as a ferocious deity, the Karunyam of Kiratha Sastha is uncomparable. It has been one of the turning principles of my spiritual life.

One of the primary stuti to this Lord is Kirathaashtakam is in Shardula Vikreedita Chandas.

ஆரிய கேரள வர்மன் - ஒரு வரலாற்று நாயகன் ஐயப்பனின் கதை

2011-10-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

ஆரிய கேரள வர்மன் - ஐயப்பனின் கதை

பக்தர்கள் ஐயப்பனைக் காண சபரிமலைக்கு படையெடுக்கும் நேரம் துவங்கிவிட்டது. (ஐயப்ப சீசன் என்கிற வார்த்தையை நான் ஒப்புக்கொள்வதில்லை. இறைபக்தி என்பது எப்போதும் மனதில் இறைவனை எண்ணுவது; அது என்ன குற்றால சீசனா? வருடத்தில் சில நாட்கள் மட்டும் இருப்பதற்கு)

விரத முறைகளை ஒழுங்காக கடைபிடிக்கிறார்களா இல்லையா என்பதையெல்லாம் தாண்டி, சபரிமலையின் தாக்கத்தில் உண்டான நன்மைகள் பலப்பல! ஆனால் மிக சௌகர்யமாக மறக்கப்பட்ட ஒரு நபர் ஐயப்பன் ! ஆம் ! நீங்கள் நினைக்கும் சுவாமி ஐயப்பன் இல்லை. அவர் வேறு! அதே கடவுளின் பெயரில் பின்னாளில் வாழ்ந்து சபரிமலையை இன்று நமக்கு மீட்டுக் கொடுத்த ஒரு மாவீரன், ஒரு யோகி உண்டு; அவரும் ஐயப்பன் தான். சபரிமலைக்குச் செல்லும் ஒவ்வொரு பக்தனும் அறிந்திருக்க வேண்டிய வரலாறு இது.

மீண்டும் சொல்கிறேன்... இவர் நாம் முன்னரே கேட்டுள்ள மணிகண்டன் இல்லை. மணிகண்டனின் காலம் ரொம்பவும் முற்பட்டது. ஐயப்பன் வரலாற்று நாயகன். காலச்சுழற்சியில் காணமல் போய், மிக சமீபகாலத்தில் சில ஆராய்ச்சியாளர்களால் கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்டவர். இன்று நமக்கு சபரிமலை தர்ம சாஸ்தா கோவில் மீண்டும் கிடைப்பதற்கு காரணமானவர். பலருக்கும் இவரைப்பற்றி அதிகம் தெரியாது.

கதையை கவனமாக படியுங்கள்... இந்த வரலாற்றில் காணப்படும் வாவரைத்தான் புராதனமான வரலாற்றில் இணைத்து குழப்பி விட்டது புரியும்.

பலகாலமாக நான் செய்து கொண்டிருக்கும் ஆராய்ச்சியின் விளைவாக கண்டறிந்த உண்மைகளை, ஐயப்பனை - ஆர்ய கேரள வர்மனை இங்கு பகிர்ந்து கொள்கிறேன்.

பக்தபரிபாலனின் பாத ஸ்மரணத்துடன்

V. அரவிந்த் சுப்ரமண்யம்

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சபரிமலை தர்ம சாஸ்தா

சாஸ்தா வழிபாடு என்பது பாரத தேசத்தில் மிகத் தொன்மையான ஒன்று. தென்னகத்தில், குறிப்பாக தமிழகத்திலும் மலையாள தேசத்திலும் அது இன்னும் ஆழமாக வேரூன்றி இருக்கிறது. சுமார் 2000 ஆண்டுகள் பழமையான சாஸ்தா கோவில்கள் இங்கு சர்வ சாதாரணம்; ஹரிஹரபுத்திரன் என்று புராணங்கள் குறிப்பிடும் இந்த பரம்பொருள், ஒரு தெய்வீக லீலையின் காரணமாக "மணிகண்டன்" என்ற பெயருடன் பூமியில் தோன்றி, பாண்டிய மன்னனால் கண்டெடுக்கப்பட்டு, வளர்க்கப்பட்டு, பாண்டிமாதேவியின் தலைவலிக்காக புலிப்பால் கொண்டுவர காட்டுக்குச் சென்று, மஹிஷி எனும் அரக்கியை வதைத்து, புலிக்கூட்டங்களை கூட்டி வந்து, இறுதியாக சபரிமலை எனுமிடத்தில் யோக பீடத்தில் அமர்கிறார்.

இது ஓர் புராண நிகழ்வு; இதன் பின்னர் சபரிமலையில் கோவில் கொண்ட தர்மசாஸ்தாவை மக்கள் பயபக்தியுடன் வழிபட்டுக் கொண்டிருந்தார்கள்.

பந்தளம் அரச வம்சம்

இப்படியாக பன்னெடுங்காலம் உருண்டோடிய காலத்தில் பந்தளம் (பத்ம தளம்) ராஜ வம்சம் கி.பி. 904 -ல் உருவானது. மதுரையில் நிலை கொண்ட பாண்டிய அரசர்கள், சோழர்கள் மற்றும் பல எதிரிகளின் தாக்குதல்களால் சிதறுண்டு, அதில் ஒரு பகுதி, தங்கள் ராஜ்ய விசுவாசிகள் வலுவாக இருந்த தென்பாண்டி - கேரள எல்லைகளில் குடியேறினார்கள்.

பந்தளம் அரண்மனையில்
கட்டுரை ஆசிரியர் அரவிந்த் ஸுப்ரமண்யம்

செங்கோட்டை, இலத்தூர், பூஞ்சார், பந்தளம் ஆகிய இடங்களில் பாண்டிய ராஜ வம்சம் குடியேறியது. தங்கள் பாண்டிய வம்ச திலகமாக விளங்கிய சபரிமலை சாஸ்தாவையே அண்டி ஒரு கிளை உருவானது. பத்து பகுதிகளை உள்ளடக்கிய ராஜ்ஜியமாக அது விளங்கியதால், பத்து தாமரை இதழ்களை உருவகித்து, பத்ம தளம் என்ற பெயர் அதற்கு விளங்கியது. இதுவே பின்னாளில் பந்தளம் என்றானது.

சபரிமலை சாஸ்தாவைப் போற்றி உருவான பாண்டிய ராஜ பரம்பரை நாளடைவில் பந்தள ராஜ வம்சம் என்றே அறியலாயிற்று.

இதன் பின்னரே நான் குறிப்பிட்ட சுவாரஸ்யமான திருப்பங்களும், மர்மங்களும் அரங்கேறலாயிற்று.

சபரிமலைக் கோவிலின் அழிவு

பத்தாம் நூற்றாண்டு சமயத்தில் தென் தமிழக கேரளப் பகுதிகளில் குழப்பான சூழ்நிலையே விளங்கியது. சபரிமலை, அச்சன்கோவில் பகுதிகளே அன்றையெ தமிழக - கேரள எல்லைப்பகுதியாகவும், வியாபாரிகள் செல்லும் முக்கியமான வழியாகவும் இருந்தது. ஆனால் அங்கிருந்த மக்களெல்லாம் உதயணன் என்றொரு கொள்ளையனை பயந்து வாழவேண்டிய நிலை உருவானது. எல்லைப்பகுதிகளைக் கடக்கும் மக்களை தாக்கி கொலை கொள்ளைகளை சர்வசாதாரணமாக நடத்தி வந்தான் உதயணன். அவனுக்கென ஒரு கொள்ளைக் கூட்டமும் உருவானது. தமிழக எல்லையில் தொடங்கிய அவனது கொட்டம், மெல்ல மெல்ல கேரளத்துக்குள் புகுந்து, தலைப்பாறை, இஞ்சிப்பாறை, கரிமலை என பந்தளத்தின் காடுகளில் கோட்டையை கட்டிக் கொண்டு காட்டரசனாக வாழுமளவுக்கு முன்னேறியது.

சுற்றியுள்ள கிராமங்களை அவ்வப்போது தாக்கி கொள்ளையிடுவது வாடிக்கையானது. சபரிமலை தர்மசாஸ்தா கோவில் - அப்போது தமிழக - கேரள பக்தர்கள் இருசாராரும் வந்து வழிபடும் கோவிலாகவும், வியாபாரிகள் தமிழகத்திலிருந்து கேரளம் செல்லும் பாதையாகவும் விளங்கியது. வெற்றி போதை தலைக்கேறிய உதயணன், சபரிமலையிலும் தன் வெறியாட்டத்தை நடத்தி கோவிலைக் கொள்ளையிட்டான். அதனை தடுக்க வந்த நம்பூதிரியையும் கொன்று, சாஸ்தா விக்ரஹத்தையும் உடைத்து நொறுக்குகிறான். வெறி தலைக்கேற, கோவிலையும் தீக்கிரையாக்குகிறான்.

இந்த சமயத்தில் அங்கே இல்லாமல் வெளியே போயிருந்த அந்த பூஜாரியின் மகன் ஜயந்தன் நம்பூதிரி அங்கே திரும்பி வருவதற்குள் எல்லாம் முடிந்து விடுகிறது. இந்த கொடூர சம்பவங்களைக் கண்டு கொதித்த ஜயந்தன், உதயணனை பழிவாங்கவும், மீண்டும் சபரிமலைக் கோவிலை உருவாக்கவும் சபதம் மேற்கொண்டான்.

தன் சபதத்தை நிறைவேற்ற போர்க்கலைகளை வெறியுடன் கற்றறிந்தான் ஜயந்தன். சுற்றியுள்ள பல சிற்றரசர்களையும், ஜமீந்தார்களையும் கண்டு உதயணனின் கொட்டத்தை அடக்க படைகளை கொடுத்து உதவுமாறு வேண்டினான். ஆனால் உதயணனுக்கு பயந்து யாரும் அவனுக்கு உதவ முன்வரவில்லை. இதனால் மனமுடைந்த ஜயந்தன், யாராலும் எளிதில் அடைய முடியாத, பொன்னம்பல மேடு பகுதியில் ஒரு குகையில் வசிக்கலானான். மனிதர்கள் கைவிட்டு விட்ட நிலையில் தன் முயற்சிக்கு உதவ வேண்டி சாஸ்தாவை நோக்கி தவமிருந்தான்.

இளவரசியை கடத்தல்

சபரிமலை கோவிலையே தரைமட்டம் ஆக்கிவிட்டதனால் தலைகால் புரியாத உதயணன், தன்னைத் தானே ஒரு அரசன் என்று கருதிக் கொண்டான். ஒரு முறை பந்தளம் பகுதிக்கு வந்த அவன், அந்நாட்டி இளவரசியைக் கண்டான்; இளவரசியை மணந்து கொண்டால், வெறும் கொள்ளைக்கூட்டத் தலைவனான தான், அரச பரம்பரையில் இணையலாம் என்ற எண்ணத்தில் இளவரசியை பெண் கேட்டு ஆள் அனுப்பினான். ஆனால் பந்தள மன்னர் அதனை கௌரவமாக மறுத்து விட்டார். இதனால் அவமானமுற்ற உதயணன், அரண்மனையைத் தாக்கி, இளவரசியையும் கடத்திக் கொண்டு சென்று விட்டான். அவளை கரிமலையில் உள்ள தன் கோட்டையில் சிறை வைத்து, ஒரு மாதத்துக்குள் மனத்தை மாற்றிக் கொள்ளும்படி கெடுவைக்கிறான்.

இந்நிலையில், சிறைபட்டிருந்த இளவரசியில் கனவில் தர்மசாஸ்தா தோன்றி, கவலைப்பட வேண்டாம் என்று அறிவுறுத்துகிறார். அதே சமயம் பொன்னம்பல மேட்டில் தங்கியிருந்த ஜயந்தனின் கனவிலும் தோன்றி, இளவரசியைக் காப்பாறுமாறும், அதன் பின்னர் தனது சக்தியே அவனுக்கு மகனாக தோன்றி அவன் லட்சியத்தை நிறைவேற்றும் என்றும் கூறுகிறார்.

இந்த கொள்ளைக் கூட்டம் அசந்திருந்த நேரம் பார்த்து திடீரென தாக்குகிறான் ஜயந்தன். போர்க்கலையில் வல்லவனான ஜயந்தன் எளிதில் இளவரசியை காப்பாற்றிக் கூட்டிச் செல்கிறான். ஆனால் 21 நாட்கள் காணாமல் போன ஒரு பெண்ணை, இறந்தவளாகக் கருதி அரண்மனையில் இறுதி சடங்குகளை முடித்து விடுகிறார்கள். வேறு வழியில்லாத ஜயந்தன், தானே அவளை மணந்து கொண்டு, யாராலும் அடையாளம் காண முடியாத காட்டுப் பகுதியில்(இன்றைய பொன்னம்பலமேடு) வசிக்கிறார்கள். கடும் தவமும், த்யானமும் கொண்ட தம்பதிகளின் மனதில் எப்போதும் ஒரே எண்ணம் தான். உதயணனை அழித்து, சபரிமலைக் கோவிலை மீண்டும் உண்டாக்கும்படியான ஒரு மகனை அளிக்கும்படி தர்மசாஸ்தாவை வேண்டியபடியே இருந்தார்கள்.

ஆர்யனின் பிறப்பு

விரைவில் இளவரசி கருவுற்றாள். மிகச் சரியாக 14-01-1095ம் ஆண்டு அவர்களுக்கு ஒரு ஆண்குழந்தை பிறந்தது. சபரிமலை ஐயப்பனின் அருளால் பிறந்த குழந்தை என்பதனால், அக்குழந்தைக்கு "ஆர்யன்" என்ற பெயர் சூட்டினார்கள். (ஆர்யன் என்பது சாஸ்தாவின் நான்கு முக்கியமான பெயர்களில் ஒன்று; மரியாதைக்குரியவன் என்று பொருள்). தன் லட்சியத்தை நிறைவேற்றப் போகும் தவப்புதல்வன் என்ற எண்ணத்தில் ஜயந்தன், மிகச்சிறிய வயதிலேயே தன் மகனுக்கு ஆன்மீகம், அரசியலோடு, போர்க்கலைகளையும் கற்றுக் கொடுத்தான். ஆச்சர்யப்படும் விதத்தில், பாலகனான அச்சிறுவன் ஆன்மீக அறிவில் அபரிமிதமான ஞானத்துடனும், அதே சமயம் சண்டைப்பயிற்சியில் வெல்ல முடியாத வீரனாகவும் விளங்கினான். ஆர்யன் ஒரு சாமான்ய பிறவியல்ல என்பதை அவன் தாய் தந்தையர் வெகு விரைவில் உணர்ந்து கொண்டார்கள்.

இனியும் அவனை இந்த காட்டில் வைத்திருப்பது சரியாகாது என்று முடுவெடுத்த ஜயந்தன், பந்தள மன்னனுக்கு ஒரு கடிதம் எழுதி, ஆர்யனை அரண்மனைக்கு அனுப்பி வைத்தான். ஆர்யனின் மாமனான பந்தள மன்னன், கடிதத்தில் வாயிலாக எல்லா உண்மைகளையும் அறிந்தான். இறந்து விட்டதாக கருதிய தன் சகோதரி இன்னும் உயிருடன் இருப்பதையும், அவள் பிள்ளை கண்முன் வந்திருப்பதையும் கண்டு பெரு மகிழ்ச்சி கொண்டான். ஆர்யனின் தோற்றப் பொலிவே அபாரமாக இருந்தது; யாருக்கும் அவன் சிறுவன் என்ற எண்ணமே தோன்றவில்லை. மாறாக மரியாதையே ஏற்பட்டது. அரண்மனையிலேயே தங்கிய ஆர்யன், அரண்மனை வீரர்களையும் மல்லர்களையும் சர்வசாதாரணமாக வென்றது மன்னரிடத்தில் பெரும் மகிழ்ச்சியை உண்டாக்கியது. தன் படையின் முக்கியமான தலைமைப் பொறுப்பினை ஆர்யனுக்குக் கொடுத்தான் மன்னன்.

ஆர்யன் - கேரள வர்மன்

அரண்மனையின் வளர்ந்து வந்த ஆர்யன், தன் செயற்கரிய செயல்களால் அனைவர் மனத்தையும் வென்று விட்டான். அரசனும், தனக்கு பிறகு பந்தள நாட்டை ஆளும் தகுதி ஆர்யனுக்கே உள்ளது என முடிவு செய்து, அவனையே இளவரசனாக அடையாளம் காட்டினான். அரச ப்ரதிநிதியாக நாட்டை ஆளும் பொறுப்பையும் அனைத்து அதிகாரங்களையும் ஆர்யனுக்கே அளித்தான். அத்துடன் அரச அதிகாரம் கொண்டவன் என்ற முறையில் "கேரள வர்மன்" என்ற அரச பட்டத்தையும் அளித்து, "ஆர்ய கேரள வர்மன்" என்று போற்றினான். மக்கள் அனைவருக்கும் எளியனாக விளங்கிய ஆர்யனை, எல்லோரும் ஐயன் - ஐயப்பன் என்றே செல்லமாகவும், மரியாதையாகவும் அழைத்தார்கள். (இது ஏற்கனவே சபரிமலையில் உள்ள தர்மசாஸ்தாவின் மற்றொரு பெயர்தான். அந்த காலகட்டத்தில் ஐயப்பன் என்பது ஒரு செல்லப்பெயர்)

அரசாட்சியில் முழுமையாக ஈடுபட்டு நாட்டை செம்மை படுத்திய ஐயப்பன், அவ்வப்போது சபரிமலைக் காட்டுக்குத் தனிமையை நாடிச் சென்று, தன் பிறவியின் லட்சியத்தை எண்ணி த்யானம் செய்து பொழுதை கழிக்கலானார்.

ஆபத்தில் காப்போன்

பாண்டிய அரச பரம்பரையின் மற்றொரு கிளை வம்சமான பூஞ்சாறு ராஜ்ய வம்சத்து அரசனான மானவிக்ரம பாண்டியன், வண்டிப்பெரியாறு வனப்பகுதிக்கு வந்த போது, உதயணனின் படை மானவிக்ரமனைச் சூழ்ந்து கொண்டது. தன்னால் ஆனமட்டும் போராடிய மானவிக்ரமன், ஒரு கட்டத்தில் ஏதும் செய்ய முடியாமல், மீனாட்சியம்மனை வேண்டி நின்றான். வெகு விரைவிலேயே, அவன் வேண்டுதல் பலித்ததைப் போல ஒரு இளைஞர் யானை மேல் வந்து கொண்டிருந்தார். வனத்தில் திரிந்து கொண்டிருந்த காட்டானை ஒன்றை அடக்கி அதன் மேல் வந்து கொண்டிருந்தது - ஐயப்பன் தான். தன் அநாயாசமான போர் திறமையால் கொள்ளையர்களை விரட்டியடித்த ஐயப்பன், மானவிக்ரமனை காப்பாற்றினார். மீண்டும் தைரியமாக அரண்மனைக்கு செல்லும்படி கூறிய ஐயப்பன், அரசனுக்கு துணையாக, தன் ப்ரதிநிதியாக ஒரு பிரம்பு- வடியை கொடுத்து அனுப்பினார். (இன்றும் பூஞ்சாறு ராஜ வம்சம் இதனை ஒரு பொக்கிஷமாக காப்பாற்றுகிறார்கள்)

இப்படியாக பதினான்கு வயதுக்குள் ஐயப்பன் தான் ஒரு போர்வீரனாகவும், யோகியாகவும் விளங்கி தான் சாதாரணமான மனிதனல்ல என்று உணர்த்திவிட்டார். எனவே தன் பிறவி லட்சியத்தை நிறைவேற்ற வேளை வந்துவிட்டதை உணர்ந்தார். உதயணனை அழிக்கவும், சபரிமலை கோவிலை மீண்டும் உருவாக்கவும் - பந்தளத்தின் படைபலம் போதாது; எனவே பெரும் படை ஒன்றை உருவாக்கத் திட்டமிட்டார் ஐயப்பன். நாட்டின் குடிமக்கள் அனைவரும் வீட்டிற்கு ஒருவரை போருக்கு அனுப்ப அறைகூவல் விடுத்தார்.

லட்சியம்

ஐயப்பனின் லட்சியம் மிகத் தெளிவாக இருந்தது:

- உதயணனின் அட்டூழியங்களுக்கு முடிவு கட்டுவது;

- மக்களுக்கு நிம்மதியான வாழ்வினை அளிப்பது;

- எரிந்து போன சபரிமலைக் கோவிலை மீண்டும் உருவாக்குவது.

இதற்காக அண்டை நாடுகளுக்கும் சென்று ஐயப்பன் படை திரட்ட முடிவு செய்தார். காயங்குளம், அம்பலப்புழை, சேர்த்தலை, ஆலங்காடு போன்ற கேரளப் பகுதிகளுக்கு மட்டுமல்லாமல், தமிழகத்தின் பாண்டிய நாட்டின் உதவியையும் வேண்டி ஐயப்பன் பயணம் செய்ய திட்டமிட்டார்.

முதன் முதலில் ஐயப்பன் காயங்குளம் அரண்மனைக்கு சென்றார். காயங்குளம் அரசர், தான் தினம் தினம் கேள்விப்படும் தெய்வப்பிறவியை நேரில் கண்ட மகிழ்ச்சியில் மெய்மறந்து நின்றார். தன்னால் இயன்ற எல்லா உதவிகளையும் செய்வதாக வாக்களித்தார் மன்னர். காயங்குளம் ராஜ்யத்திலிருந்த பல களரி வீரர்களையும், போர் வீரர்களையும் கொண்டு ஐயப்பன் ஒரு போர்ப்படையை தயாராக்கினார்.

படை பலம்

ஐயப்பன் காயங்குளத்திலிருந்து கிளம்புமுன்பே ஒரு தூதன் வந்து, கடல் கொள்ளையனான வாவர் என்பவனின் தொல்லைகளைப் பற்றி எடுத்துரைத்தான். இதனைக் கேட்டு மகிழ்ந்த ஐயப்பன், உற்சாகமாக போருக்கு கிளம்பினார். முல்லசேரி என்ற குடும்பத்தின் தலைவனாக விளங்கிய கார்னவர்(தலைவர்), காயங்குளத்தின் மந்திரியாகவும் விளங்கிய அவர் ஐயப்பனுக்கு துணையாக புறப்பட்டர். நடந்த சண்டையில் வாவரை வென்றார் ஐயப்பன். வாவரின் உடலை மட்டுமல்லாமல் உள்ளத்தையும் வென்றது ஐயப்பனின் பண்பு. வாவரை நல்வழிப்படுத்தி தன் சீடனாகவும், தோழனாகவும் ஏற்ற ஐயப்பன், வெகு விரைவில் படைகளை திரட்டலானார்.

புல்லுக்குளங்கரா என்ற இடத்தில் தன் முதல் போர்ப்படை கூட்டத்தை கூட்டி, படை வீரர்களிடையே சொற்பொழிவாற்றினார். (இந்த இடமும் இன்னும் இருக்கிறது)

இதே போல அம்பலப்புழை சேர்த்தலை போன்ற ஊர்களிலும் படைகலை திரட்டினார். நாட்டில் எங்கெங்கு சிறந்த வீரர்கள் இருக்கிறார்களோ, அவர்களெல்லாம் ஐயப்பனுக்கு கட்டுப்பட்டு வந்தார்கள். மலைகளில் புகுந்து தாக்குவதில் வல்லவனான கடுத்தன் என்ற வீரனிடம் ஐயப்பனின் பார்வை பட்டது. பலமுறை உதயணனைத் தாக்கி, சிறைபட்ட பல மன்னர்களை மீட்டுள்ள கடுத்தனை தன் லட்சியத்துக்கு துணையாக அழைத்தார் ஐயப்பன்.

அதே போல வில் வித்தையில் சிறந்து விளங்கிய ராமன் - க்ருஷ்ணன் என்ற இருவரும் (தலைப்பாறை வில்லன் - மல்லன்) ஐயப்பனுக்கு துணை நின்றார்கள்.

யுத்த ஆயத்தம்

சேர்த்தலை எனும் ஊருக்கு வந்த ஐயப்பன், அங்கே களரி எனும் யுத்தப்பயிற்சி தந்த சிறப்பன்சிறா மூப்பன் என்பவரை சந்தித்து அவரது ஆதரவையும் பெற்றார். மூப்பனின் மகள், கட்டிளம் காளையான ஐயப்பன் மேல் காதல் கொண்டாள். இதனை அறிந்த ஐயப்பன் அவளிடம் தன் வாழ்கை லட்சியத்தை எடுத்துரைத்து அவள் மனதை மாற்றினார். யோகியான ஐயப்பனின் அறிவுரை அவளை ஆன்மீக ரீதியாக பக்குவப்படுத்தியது. இதற்கிடையில் ஐயப்பனின் படைபலம் பெருகிக்கொண்டே வந்தது.

உதயணனுக்கு எதிராக, ஐயப்பன் தன் படைகள் முழுவதையும் எருமேலியை நோக்கி திரட்டினார். எருமேலியிலிருந்து வாவரின் தலைமையில் முதல் தாக்குதல் துவங்கியது. ஆனால் து எதிர்பார்த்த வெற்றியை பெறவில்லை. இதனால் ஆத்திரம் அடைந்த உதயணன் மூப்பனின் பெண்ணை தந்திரமாக கடத்திக் கொன்றுவிட்டான். உடனடியாக தன் படைகள் முழுவதையும் திரட்டிய ஐயப்பன், படைவீரர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் எருமேலி முதல் சபர்மலை வரையிலான மலைகளின் மகத்துவத்தை உரைத்தார். முறையான விரத அனுஷ்டானம் இல்லாமல் சாஸ்தாவின் பூங்காவனத்துக்குள் செல்லக் கூடாது என கட்டளையிட்டார்.

ஐயப்பனின் கட்டளைப்படி படைவீரர்கள் அனைவரும் 56 நாட்கள் கடுமையான விரதம் மேற்கொண்டார்கள். இதன் பின்னர் அனைவரும் மீண்டும் எருமேலியில் கூடினார்கள். தங்கள் வெற்றிக்காக கிராத சாஸ்தாவை வழிபட்ட ஐயப்பன், போர்ப்படைகளை வழிநடத்தலானார். தாக்குதல் குறித்து யாருக்கும் சந்தேகம் வராமல் இருக்க, காட்டுவாசிகளைப் போல வேடமிட்டு யாவரும் செல்லலானார்கள். (இன்றைய பேட்டை துள்ளல்; அன்று கடைசியாக வந்த ஆலக்காட்டு படையின் நினைவாக இன்றும் ஆலங்காட்டு பேட்டை துள்ளலே கடைசி பேட்டை துள்ளல்)

உதயணனைத் தாக்கும் முன்பு போர்ப்படைகளை மூன்றாக பிரித்தார் ஐயப்பன்.

1. ஆலக்காட்டு படைகளை வாவரின் தலைமையிலும்

2. அம்பலப்புழை படைகளை கடுத்தனின் தலைமையிலும்

3. பந்தளப்படைகளை வில்லன் - மல்லன் இருவரின் தலைமையிலும் அணிவகுத்தார்.

மூன்று படைகளுக்கும் தலைமைப் பொறுப்பை ஐயப்பன் தானே ஏற்றார். உதயணனின் இருப்பிடத்தை கிழக்கு, வடக்கு தெற்கு என மூன்று பக்கங்களிலிருந்தும் வளைக்கலானார்கள்.

லட்சியம் வென்றது

எருமேலியிலிருந்து பூங்காவனத்துக்குள் நுழைந்தது முதலாகவே ஐயப்பன் முற்றிலும் வேறொரு நபராக காட்சியளித்தார். அவரது தோற்றமே மிகப் பொலிவுடன் காணப்பட்டது; முகத்தில் ஒரு மெல்லிய புன்னகை தவழ மிக அமைதியான கோலத்துடன், அதே சமயம் ஆனந்தக் கோலத்துடன் முன்னேறினார். ஐயப்பன் ஒரு ஆயுதத்தையும் கையால் கூட தொடவில்லை; அவர் முன்னேற முன்னேற அவரைத் தொடர்ந்து சென்ற படைகளும் எதிரிகளை எளிதாக வீழ்த்தி வெற்றிகளைக் குவித்த வண்ணம் முன்னேறியது.

உதயணனின் கொள்ளைப்படைகளின் கூடாரமாக இருந்த இஞ்சிப்பாறை, கரிமலை, உடும்பாறை ஆகியவை வெகுவிரைவிலேயே ஐயப்பன் படையின் வசமானது.

ஐயப்பனின் வீராவேசமான படைகளுக்கு முன் உதயணனின் படைகளால் நிற்கவே முடியவில்லை. ஐயப்பனின் படை வெகு வேகமாக முன்னேறி உதயணனின் படைகளை தவிடுபொடியாக்கியது. இறுதியாக கரிமலைக் கோட்டையில் தஞ்சம் புகுந்தான் உதயணன். கடுமையானதொரு யுத்தத்துக்குப் பிறகு கடுத்தன் ஆக்ரோஷமாக முன்னேறி உதயணனின் கழுத்தை வெட்டி வீழ்த்தினான். ஐயப்பனின் லட்சியம் நிறைவேறியது.

பல்லாண்டுகால போராட்டத்தின் வெற்றிக்குப்பிறகு படைகள் முழுவதும் ஆனந்தமாக பம்பையாற்றங்கரையில் கூடினார்கள். ஐயப்பன் அங்கு, போரில் இறந்த அனைவருக்கும் இறுதிச்சடங்குகள் செய்து தர்ப்பணம் செய்யச் சொன்னார். எதிரியே ஆனாலும், உதயணனின் ஆட்களுக்கும் தர்ப்பணம் செய்யப்பட்டது.

மேற்கொண்டு படைகள் அனைவரும் நீலிமலையைக் கடந்து செல்லத்துவங்கினார்கள். அப்போது அனைவரையும் நிறுத்திய ஐயப்பன், ஆலயப்பகுதிக்குள் ஆயுதங்களை எடுத்துச் செல்லக் கூடாது எனக்கூறி, அம்பு, கத்தி, கதை என எல்லா ஆயுதங்களையும் ஓர் ஆலமரத்தின் கீழே வைத்துவிடச் சொன்னார். (பண்டைய சரங்குத்தி ஆல்)

வீர விளையாட்டின் முடிவு

பந்தளம் அரண்மனையில்
கட்டுரை ஆசிரியர்
அரவிந்த் ஸுப்ரமண்யம்

பின்னர் ஐயப்பனும் மற்ற படை வீரர்களும் சபரிமலை கோவிலுக்குச் சென்றார்கள். அங்கே அவரது தந்தை ஜயந்தனும் மற்றவர்களும் புதிய விக்ரஹத்துடன் காத்திருந்தார்கள். சபரிமலையை அடைந்ததும் ஐயப்பன் உணர்ச்சிவசப்பட்ட நிலையில் பூரண மௌனத்தில் ஆழ்ந்திருந்தார். ஆலய நிர்மாணம் முடிந்து ப்ரதிஷ்டைக்கு தயாராகும் வரை ஐயப்பன் ஓரிடத்தில் அமர்ந்து த்யானத்தில் ஆழ்ந்திருந்தார்(இன்றைய மணிமண்டபம்) தனுர்மாதம் (கார்த்திகை) முடிந்து தைமாதம் துவங்கும் வேளையில் புதிய விக்ரஹம் ப்ரதிஷ்டை செய்ய வேளை குறிக்கப்பட்டது. புதிய ப்ரதிஷ்டையை ஐயப்பன் தானே தன் கையால் நடத்தினார். பக்தர்கள் பரவசத்துடன் இதனை தரிசித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும் வேளையில், பொன்னம்பல மேட்டில் ஓர் ஒளி தோன்றியது. மறு கணம், ஆலயத்துள் ஆர்ய கேரள வர்மனைக் காணவில்லை. இத்தனை நாள் தங்களுடன் இருந்த தங்கள் அன்புள்ள, பாசமுள்ள, கருணையுள்ள இளவரசன் -ஆர்யன் ஐயப்பன்- சாக்ஷாத் அந்த ஐயப்பனே ! என்று உணர்ந்து மெய்மறந்து சரண கோஷம் செய்தார்கள்.

பந்தளம் ராஜ வம்சம், பூஞ்சார் அரண்மனை, மற்ற பல குடும்பங்கள் இன்றும் இந்த வரலாற்றுக்கு சான்றாக இருக்கிறார்கள். பல பொருட்களும், இடங்களும், பாடல்களும் இன்னும் கண்முன் இருக்கத்தான் செய்கிறது.

ஸ்வாமியே சரணம் ஐயப்பா !!!

ஐயப்பன் பயன்படுத்திய வாள்,
புத்தன் வீடு எருமேலி

ஐயப்பன் பூஜை செய்த
விக்ரகங்கள்
பந்தளம் அரண்மனை

ஐயப்பன் களரி பயின்ற
சிறப்பன் சிரா, சேர்த்தலை

ஸ்வாமியே சரணம் ஐயப்பா !!!

The story of Ayyappan - Arya Kerala Varman

2011-10-26T23:36:00.000-07:00

Ive made a detailed research, spent many hours and labour and written this article... And the materials are copyright protected ! Please share only after Written permission.

The story of Ayyappan - Arya Kerala Varman

At Pandalam Palace

One of the most conveniently forgotten fact about Sabarimala - is about Ayyappan !!! Yes !!! Not the Ayyappan you are thinking about, but a wonderful historic legend to be known by everydevotee who goes to Sabarimala.

Ayyappan ? Understand he is not the well known Manikantan. He was a forgotten hero (until very recently) in the annals of the Temple History. He is the actual reason for us to get back our Sastha Temple at Sabarimala. We did not know much about him. In this article, I would like to present the story of Aryan Kerala Varman that I collected from some sources.

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Bhaktaparipala Paada Renu

V.Aravind Subramanyam

Sabarimala Sastha

Worshipping Lord Sastha with His consorts has been in vogue in Tamil Nadu and Kerala from time immemorial. In various puranas it is said that Lord Hariharaputhra was born to Shiva and Mohini (Vishnu). He materialised himself the shape of a tiny child called "MANIKANTA" on the banks of Holy River Pambha, brought up by Pandiya King, healed the deaf and dumb boy of HIS Guru, gone to the dense forests as per evil designs of His stepmother, slained Demoness Mahishi, brought leopard milk for His step-mother and took to yoga at Sabari Hills.

From that day the temple of Sabarimala Dharma Sastha was worshipped by everyone with great devotion and reverence...

Pandalam Dynasty

The Pandalam kingdom had its beginning around 904 AD when a scion of the declining Paandya kingdom of Madurai in Tamil Nadu took refuge in Kerala when attacked by the Cholas, and established the Kingdom of Pandalam. The Sasta shrine at Sabarimala had been there from time immemorial as the guardian deity of the people and rulers in and around forest area. When Pandalam dynasty was established the then king accepted the Sasta at Sabarimala as his family deity and ruled the newly formed principality as a devotee of Sasta

This story thereafter, is really interesting and to some extent mysterious too.

Destruction of Sabarimala Temple and the Settling of scores

Around tenth century - anarchy prevailed in those days in Kerala. People around Pandalam lived in perpetual fear of attack by Udayanan, and his gangsters who committed dacoit and murder. Udayanan, had come with his hordes from Tamil regions beyond the borders and dominated the regions of Kerala. Udayanan built up many fortresses on the mountain of Talappara, Inchippara and Karimala in the forests of Pandalam. The temple of Sabarimala where Dharma Sastha was worshipped from the very ancient past was on the route - a highway between Tamilnadu and Kerala, along which the merchants have traveled. Udayanan used to plunder wealth from the travelers and the villages nearby. This amount of success made Uadayanan so brutal, that he attacked the Dharmasasta Temple at Sabarimala. Udayanan and his hordes plundered this temple, destroyed it and broke the idol of Dharma Sastha into pieces. They also murdered the priest so that it would not be possible to conduct poojas there. The son of the priest escaped. He wandered amidst the mountain ranges awaiting an opportunity to wreak the vengeance up on Udayanan. Jayanthan, son of the priest, distressed by the gruesome murder of his father,decided to take revenge by killing Udayanan and his band, and to rebuild and consecrate Sastha temple at Sabari Hills.

He continued his education with vengeance and became a Master of all forms of warfare, he then went to the Kings of various states and asked for help in defeating Udayan. The Kings were very impressed by his valour but nobody was ready to help him and bear the brunt of Udayan. This attitude of the kings disappointed Jayanathan and he went to Ponnambalammedu and started performing penance to please Lord Sasta.

Abduction of the Princess

Udayanan in one of his marauding expeditions reached up to the Kingdom of Pandalam. He saw the princess of Pandalam and wished to make her his consort, he sent the marriage proposal to the King, which was respectfully refused by the King. Enraged by the King’s denial he attacked the palace, plundered it and abducted a princess. Uadayanan dumped her into a dark prison and gave her one month to make up her mind or face demise. That night Lord Sastha appeared in her dream and informed that she will be soon rescued and Lord himself will take birth as her son. Concurrently Lord also appeared in the dream of Jayanathan who was at Ponambalammedu and instructed him to rescue the Princess and marry her so that he could take birth as their Son. While the burglars with their booty were traveling through the mountain routes, the son of the priest made a lightning attack on them and set the princess free. Since she was missing for more than 21 days from the palace, the royal family considered her to be dead and performed all her last rites. So Jayanthan eventually married the princess and they settled in an inaccessible forest region (near the present Ponnambalamedu), engaging in intense austerities and meditation. They earnestly prayed to Lord Dharma Saastha for a son who would be able to fight Udayanan, destroy him and liberate Sabarimala Temple.

Birth of Aryan

Soon the couple begot a child. The child was born on 14-01-1095 AD -they named the Child as -Aryan as blessed by Sastha. Aryan was Lord Sastha’s one of the prominent names. Jayanthan educated and trained Aryan in all fields of religion, science and military art. Aryan was given adequate training both in scriptures and warfare by his able father. It was the intention of the father to bring him up in perfect military discipline with sufficient background in spiritual matters. Aryan became extra ordinarily brave and intelligent.

When his father thought that it was the ripe time for him to be sent to his own palace. All details about his birth and bringing up were written in a letter addressed to the king of Pandalam. He sent the child to his uncle's palace. Of course the king felt over joyous when he came to know about his sister, believed to be lost for ever. When Aryan reached Pandalam everybody was delighted by his godly appearance. He defeated the best warriors in Kings Army, which made a great impact on the King;

Aryan Kerala Varman

Aryan grew up in the palace. Even in youth several extraordinary faculties became manifested in him. He was a dear to one and all. Arya was adorned the position of chief of the King’s Army and the king gave him the full powers to rule the state. He was given the title "Aryan Kerala Varman" - who was addressed as "Ayyan" "Ayyappan" - a name of reverence by the local people (also a local name of Lord Dharma Sastha at Sabarimala)

Inspite of taking care of the governance of the state, Ayyappan often went to the sabarimala forest in solitude in order to meditate and contemplate on his mission.

Ayyappa to the rescue

Once, the King of erstwhile Punjar state Manavikraman, was on a journey and was surrounded by dacoits in the jungles of Vandiperiyar(Today's Pulmedu). King Manavikraman fought to his extent but was over powered by the dacoits. He started praying to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai and his prayers were answered when a young boy riding on an elephant came to rescue of the King. It was Ayyappa who was wandering in the jungle, who had tamed a wild elephant and riding on its back. Ayyappa saved the King Manavikraman of from the Dacoits of Udayanan’s Group. He gave a “Perambu” - cane as his representative and asked to King to proceed to his Palace without any fear.

Though only of Fourteen years of age, he proved his mettle both as an accomplished warrior and a born Yogi. So Ayyappan decided to proceed with the mission of his life - To destroy Udayanan and his gang and rebuild the Sastha temple. So Ayyappan decided to build a powerful army. He instructed to the citizens, to donate one child from each family for the sake of the Kingdom.

Mission

Ayyappa's aim was to seek military assistance

-to put an end to Udayana's attacks;

-to restore peace and happiness to the people;

-to renovate Sabarimala temple which was burned to ashes in Udayana's attacks .

For achieving these goals , he intented to travel from Kayamkulam to Ambalappuzha , Cherthala , Alangad and finally to the Pandya Kingdom .

When he went to Kayamkulam - the Raja was thrilled seeing Sree Ayyappa in person , about whom he was hearing day-by-day as a super human teen as well as a sentinal to his citizen .The Raja promised all the help and allowed Ayyappa to collect soldiers from the Kalaries in the Western regions of his Kingdom .

Building the Army

Just before Ayyappa's departure from Kayankulam, a messanger came to announce the attack of Vavar the pirate, in the coastal areas. Ayyappa was excited and joyful to start attck as early as anything , as Vavar himself arrived to gather his fortune! The Karanavar ( head ) of Mullasseril family , who was the minister as well as the bravest soldier of Kayamkulam Raja, was to assist Ayyappa in the attempt. Conquering both body and mind of Vavar and converting him as a disciple , Ayyappa , with the consent of the Raja , gathered the nearby Kalari leaders and soldiers in the vast, beautiful ground at Pullukulangara .

Then he visited Ambalappuzha and Cherthala and conducted similar meetings. Kadutha, who was a great warrior and an expert in mountain-warfare, was a dependant of Pandala Raja. He played an indispensable role in defeating the armies of Udayanan and rescuing several Pandya Kings. Therefore Ayyappan called Kadhutha to assist in the mission.

Ayyappa’s Army included warriors like Kochu Kadutha the master of Sword fighting, Talapara Villan and Talapara Mallan the perfect Archers and Vavar the warrior.

The preparation

While his stay at Cherthala , Ayyappa was in the Kalari of Cheeram Chira Mooppan. Mooppan' s daughter fell in love with Ayyappa. When this girl proposed her love, Ayyappa gave her advise and thus she could change her mind to a spiritual level. Meanwhile, the army was getting ready;

With Erumeli as a center point, Ayyapa nurtured a powerful army which could fight Udayanan’s army in a very short time with the help of Vavar, Kadutha, Villan and Mallan. Ayyappan, with his army, marched through the forests, but the first attack was not that successful. Enraged by this, Udayanan conspired with a group of Chieftains abducted Cheramoopan's girl and killed Moopan's daughter. So Ayyappan asked all the members to observe strict Vrutham before entering Sastha’s Poonakavanam. After the Vrutham for 56 days, they worshipped Kiratha Sastha at Erumeli for the victory in the war. All the army battalions started assembling at erumeli and in order to avoid suspicion, he ordered the troop to dress as tribal people.(present day Pettai thullal)

Before the final attack on Udayan, Ayyappa distributed the Army into three groups :

1) Alankat Yogam under the leadership of Vavar

2) Amalpuzha Yogam under the leadership of Kadutha

3) Pandalam Yogam under the leadership of Villan and Mallan

Ayyappa kept the central command of the three groups with himself and started the pursuit of Udayanan from three sides North, South and East. Due Ayyappa’s Strategy to the attack from three sides Udayanan was caught in a mouse trap there

Ayyappa – mission accomplished

As soon as the army entered the poonkavanam – Ayyappan was totally a different person; beholding the winsome lustre of His face , he was serene and totally blissful. He never touched even a weapon; instead he was just leading and the army followed him.

The army proceeded towards the hideouts around lnjipara, Karimala, Udumpara, etc. The Army released the Eastern ghats from the iron fists of Udayanan.

Very soon Ayyappan’s army, marched through the forests and annihilated Udayanan's army. Udayanan’s Army was no match for the Formidable Army of Lord Ayyappa and after a fierceful fight between the two Armies, Uadayanan was slayed by the hands of Kochu Kadutha at Karimala Kotta. Ayyappan's mission ended successfully.

When the royal entourage, proceeded near Sabarimala temple , Ayyappa instructed everyone to leave all the weaponry beneath a big banyan tree there, as carrying of weapons to a temple premises was a sacrilege. Accordingly, the sword, spears, clubs etc. were left at the foot of the banyan tree – today’s Saramkutti.

Ending the Play

Aravind Subramanyam,Author
at Pandalam Palace

After this, they proceeded to Sabarimala Sastha temple, where Ayyappan's father Jayanthan and others were ready to install a fresh idol of Sastha. Right from the moment he stepped into the holy mountain, Ayyappa was in silence and meditation. Until the completion of the Srikovil and installation of the idol, Ayyappan sat on meditation at the place where today’s Manimantapam stands. On the first day of the month of Makaram when the sun moved from the zodiac of Dhanus to that of Makaram, the re-installation of the idol was ceremoniously conducted. Ayyappa did the reconsecration in Sabarimala temple. Soon after the ceremony was over, a holy flame was seen at Ponnambalamedu and no one saw the Prince Arya Kerala Varman - Ayyappan thereafter. It was only thus everyone realized the amazing truth that their lovable , gentle , ameable , merciful young prince was the incarnation ( avatar ) of Sri Dharma Sastha !

Successors of Pandalam dynasty, Poonjar palace and some other living generation add credence to this story. Some monuments, historical Places of interest, folk songs are still available with us which put together vouch for this story.

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa !!!

Sword Used by Ayyappan
Puthen Veedu Erumeli

Puja Moorthis Which
Ayyappan Worshipped
at Pandalam Palace

Chirappan Chira -
Place where Ayyappan
learnt Kalari, Cherthala

Kiratha Roopa Sastharam

2011-10-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

This entire year seems to be a wave of Karunyam from Lord Sastha. Though our pradhana moorthi is Maha Sastha, Kiratha Sastha has an important place in our upasana. Many devotees have asked whats our relation with Kiratha Sastha.. I said, if Maha Sastha is our Praanan - Kiratha Sastha is the Praana vaayu... Thinking back now, its more than my words and the connection is a lot deeper.

Our ancestors were deeply devoted to Lord Sastha and My great grand father Shri. CV Krishnan(brother of Shri.CV.Srinivasa Iyer – Chaami Anna) - worshipped Lord Kiratha Sastha as one of his chief upasana devatas. A certain incident in his life seems to have propelled him deeply into the upasana of Kiratha and he very fondly worshipped him. His love for the Lord was so intense, that as soon as the Lord came to our home last month (in the form of a Vigraham) his divine guidance manifested in the dream. This was followed by the grace of the ferocious Lord- both happened for three consecutive days.

Few years back when I started to Chant Kiratashtakam, to be frank, initially it seemed rather difficult to recite the Ashtakam – which was in Shardula Vikreedita Chandas and was lengthy compared to other mantras. On an enigmatic Saturday of Makara Maasam I was initated to the mantra of the Hunter Lord. That marked the beginning of a bond with the great Lord, that made many impossible things happen. And soon came the Mudravadi – to dispel all my hesitations… So whenever Mudravadi is in my hand, the fierce Kiratha assured that the rest will be taken care of.

The clouds of confusion were cleared by the mighty presence as gently as a mother clearing the curls off her child’s forehead.

Kiratha is such a vigorous form that he can even do dwamsa to the prarabdha…

I recollect one incident - One of the close associates of my great grand father was suffering with Cancer. Based on divine guidance, he began to petition Lord Kiratha for help and was cured without any treatment. The cry – Yama Mardha beeti rahito divyam gateem shaashvateem - did the trick! The Lord literally brought him back from the city of Mrutyu.

One of the best part which I like most -during my lecture is about Kiratha Sastha... I loose myself even during my Pravachanam while narrating about Kiratha Moorthy.

Though projected as a ferocious deity, the Karunyam of Kiratha Sastha is uncomparable. It has been one of the turning principles of my spiritual life. It is something beyond description. It's a matter of joy and awe.

The same thing happenned last Saturday - Sunday. Iam attending many number of Sastha Preethis right from my childhood and soon after the above said events, the Lord gave an opportunity to conduct Sastha Preethis and also golden chances of doing puja to him. Apart from our regular Sastha Preethi at Coimbatore, we conduct few Sasthru pujas with very close circle. One such annual Sastha Preethi – is at Balu’s house.

Once the name “Sastha” is uttered – we take up responsibility voluntarily on our shoulders. This time, without any travel plan or discussion, most of us assembled at Balu’s place.

This year right from the beginning, it was so special. First day... during the Sastha homam, the presence around us was unmistakable. Needless to say about the evening lecture which I gave on Kirathashtakam. Since Swami was there in the Vigraha roopam, this year we decided to have Lord Kiratha Moorthy as the pradhana devata. Next day as soon as the avahanam was done, I was completely lost with fervor and excitement. I could feel that everyone of us were simply present there – where everything was takenover by Him. Iam experiencing such contentment after 2-3 years. All that remained was unceasing serenity, luminosity and a presence like never before.

Sastha Preethi is a very rare occasion where the Lord is invited during the special ritual and His message is received and followed.

After the deeparadhana, to our surprise, the presence of Lord Bhutesha was felt. The presence was so forceful, majestic and blissful. Everybody was taken aback with the glory…

The message from the Lord was simple: “I am here for you”

What more do we need?
Sharanam na anyam prapannosmyaham

Sasthalaya Sevanam -a report

2011-10-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

Swami Sharanam

Today we have completed One year since we ventured into a divine mission - restoring the age old temples of Sastha. - Sasthalaya Sevanam

For those who are new you may visit here
http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2010/09/sasthaalaya-sevanam-movement-for.html

Though we had a great enthusiasm in doing service to the Lord, we had many practical difficulties when we offered a helping hand to work for the temple...

Our main aim is to help dilapidated temples... But the people incharge for those temples were least bothered or rather had a problem in restoring the temples. Many "well to do" temples wanted our help - mostly financially than materials..

The temples with cracked walls & leaking roof - the Panchayat president says "here everything is right... " or "give the money to us, we'l do the things"... So unless we have a known devotee there who could assure things, we were a little hesitant in releasing the money...

But by the grace of Lord we were able to find few deserving temples..

Services done so far

1. Changing the roof
2. Painting the walls
3. Nitya Puja (basic salary for pujari)
4. Puja Vessels
5. Electricity
6. Water Supply
7. Vahanam
8. Veda Parayanam

So far in these 12 months we were able to serve 8 temples...

1. Vijayamangalam - Sastha
2. Oorkarai - Sastha
3. Surakkai Ayyanar
4. Karaiyadi Azhagar
5. Nalloor Sastha
6. Oorkaval Sastha
7. Sirai Katha Ayyan
8. Melkaval Ayyanar

Though we had an idea of One temple per month, few temples took more than 2 months.. for example, Nalloor Sastha temple wanted complete replacement of thatched roof to tiled roof...

Any way all these temples are ateast improved to some extend...

Now A temple near Brammadesam -have approached us and the work is about to start...

The next temples in pipeline are, 2 Sastha temples near Mayavaram, 2 temples near Kanyakumari and One near Trichy

The common problem we identified was - electricity supply and water supply... Mainly for this reason, its unapproachable after evening.. So water motor is a main requirement... (If any of our readers know any motor company let me know... we shall contact them and get motors atleast at a concessional rate)

With blessings of Lord Maha Sastha and Gurus, "Sasthaalaya Sevanam " is progressing to a satisfactory level.

We have Rs.7000 left for this year... Thats enough for the current temple

A request for the Participants:
To meet this expenses, Each devotee is contributing Rs.100 every month...
Few of the devotees are making monthly transfers and many devotees have made yearly payments... many have made payments during the course of the year etc

For those who have made yearly payments
Now we humbly request to hold your payments and issue the cheque ONLY during January 2012. Lets have everything from January to December. So that it will be very convenient for us to operate and remind...

Ever in divine service,
Devotees
Shri Maha Sasthru Seva Sangam

-------------------------------------------------

A Blunder with Lakshmi Ashtotram

2011-10-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday it was about Devi and so today its Mahalakshmi...

In Tamil there is a proverb - "Ezhudinavan Ettai Keduthan".... One who wrote, spoiled the text...

This is 200% applicable to Lakshmi Ashtotram.... in which almost everyone is making a very big mistake because of a person who made a mistake first...

Before getting into the subject, we must understand that, all these Ashtotram, Sahasranamam etc are told in ancient texts as Stotrams only.... On a later date... These Stotrams were split up into individual Namas for the purpose of Archana....

For example, "Vishwam Vishnu Vashatkaro...." is Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram... when it is split up, it becomes, "Vishwasmai Nama:, Vishnave Nama: , Vashatkaraaya Nama: etc etc...

Similarly Lakshmi Astotra Shata Nama Stotram goes this way....
Praghruthim vighruthim vidhyam sarvabhootha........

And when split up, the namavali goes this way

Sloka 1

Praghruthim vighruthim vidhyam sarvabhootha hithapratham |

Sraththam vibhuthim surabhim namami paramathmikam ||

Om Prakruthyai namah
Om Vikruthyai namah
Om Vidyayai namah
Om Sarwa-butha-hita-pradayai namah
Om Shradhayai namah
Om Vibhutyai namah
Om Surabyai namah
Om Para-matma-kayai namah

Sloka 2

Vasam padmalayam padmam susim suvaham suvatham sutham |

Thanyam hiranmayim Lakshmim nithyapushtam vibhavarim ||

Om Vache namah
Om Padma-layayai namah
Om Padmayai namah
Om Suchayai namah
Om Swahayai namah
Om Swadayai namah
Om Sudhayai namah
Om Dhanyayai namah
Om Hiranyayai namah
Om Lakshmyai namah
Om Nitya-poostayai namah
Om Vibha-varyai namah

Sloka 3

Adhithim sa thithim dhiptham vasutham vasutharinim |

Namami kamalam kantham kamam shirotha sambhavam ||

Om Adityai namah

Om Dityai namah
Om Dhiptayai namah
Om Vasu-dayai namah
Om Vasu-dharinyai namah
Om Kama-layai namah
Om Kanthayai namah
Om Kamakshmyai namah
Om Kroda-sambavayai namah

Now looking into the meaning of the the last line ie
Namami kamalam kantham kamam shirotha sambhavam

Om Kama-layai namah - Salutations to Goddess Kamala
Om Kanthayai namah - Salutations to One who is the Consort of Vishnu
Om Kamakshyai namah - Salutations to one with attractive eyes
Om Kroda-sambavayai namah - Salutations to one who is born out of Anger

Born out of Anger.... ?
whose anger ?

Does this make any sense? Iam sure Mahalaksmi will be angry to hear each time when the archana is done with this nama...

The blunder had occurred while splitting the Namas...
Somebody has made a mistake while splitting and all other publishers.... (they dont bother about the correctness of the information) just copy and paste the same thing... And invariably in all Lakshmi Ashtotram books you see the same mistake...

Sri Laxmi ashtothram will give Laxmi kataksham- It gives you wealth and all round prosperity. But we see many people still suffering inspite of doing archana regularly.... How can one expect result when the ashtotram itself is wrong? Will we be happy if we are called "Oh Angry Faced fellow" ? So this must be reason for not getting 100% result...

Now let me present my approach....
Namami kamalam kantham kamam shirotha sambhavam
Om Kamalayai namah - Salutations to Goddess Kamala
Om Kanthayai namah - Salutations to One who is the Consort of Vishnu
Om Kamaayai namah - Salutations to one who is attractive
Om Ksheeroda sambavayai namah - Salutations to one who is born out of Ocean of Milk

This version tallies with the Puranic story of Mahalakshmi Manifesting from the ocean of milk during Amita Mantanam (Churning of the Milky Ocean). This makes sense...

So I request all our readers to please make this change in your books and do the archana to Goddess Mahalakshmi and earn the grace of Ksheera Saagara Sutaam

So its
Om Kamaayai namah
Om Ksheeroda sambavayai namah

Lakshmi personifies all that is happy. In fact Lakshmi kataksham is what is yearned for....

So here is wishing you all the prosperity Goddess Lakshmi can shower.

Maataa Meenakshi and Peter Pandiyan

2011-10-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

Since our navaratri theme this year is Mother Meenakshi, let me write about HER MAJESTY, the Empress of Madurapuri.... A real life incident to show her care towards her children. Meenakshi appeared as a three-year-old girl three times in History. First during the ‘Puthirakamestshi yagna’- (her actual incarnation), next during the aranketram of ‘Meenakshi Ammai Pillai Tamil’ by Kumaraguruparar(during the regign of Tirumalai Naicker) and Latestly before Rous Peter - during the British rule.

The East India Company was actually ruling Tamilnadu during 1812 and Rous peter was the Collector of Madurai. Rous Peter was kind hearted person and respected and treated people of all faiths equally.

Unlike other English officers, Peter cared a lot for the welfare of the people. He also restored peace, prosperity and justice in Meenakshi's Pattanam (Madurai).. The people had a great regard for Peter and felt that he is equal to the Great Pandiyan Kings. Because of this attitude, the people called him with the popular name ‘Peter Pandian’.

As a district Collector, he was not only in charge of the temple town, but also for the Temple administration. Peter had the habit of going around the temple everyday before beginning his daily work.

One night the city experienced huge thunder storm with lightning. Peter was inside his bungalow in deep slumber.. Suddenly a three-year-old girl appeared at his residence and dragged Rous Peter by his hand outside the house. As soon as they left the compound, a lightening struck the building and the bungalow collapsed to pieces and destroyed the room, where the collector was sleeping.

Everything happenned within few seconds... Peter was takenaback and was in total shock. Soon he came back to himself, and found the mysterious little girl walking away.

He immediately followed her... though he ran after her, he could not keep up with the girl. The tiny tot always seemed to be the same distance away in front of Peter, however fast he walked.

She playfully entered the Meenakshi Temple and went straight to the Sanctum Sanctorum of Meenakshi... and right in front of his eyes... there she disappeared.

Peter was sure that the empress Herself has come in the form of that mysterious girl... For Shri Matha everyone - including Peter is her Child. The Ruler Meenakshi had come to save a good man from calamity.

Peter was ever-grateful to Mother Meenakshi and donated many jewellery and other gifts to the Minakshi Temple. Among which, a notable one is a set of golden stirrups studded with diamonds and red stones to the temple for use on the idol of Sree Meenakshi when taken in procession in the streets of Madurai.

He also wished that after his death he should be buried in a position that enabled his eyes to face the temple. It is interesting to note that Rous Peter’s grave is positioned the way he wished while the pther graves faces the other way.

The stirrups offered by Peter Pandiyan adorns the Horse Vaahanam on the day of procession. Even now this is used when Goddess Meenakshi riding the horse is taken out during festival days. He also donated a Jade necklace which is still preserved, in the temple museum.

maata marakata shyama maatangi madhushalini

kuryaat kaTaaksham kalyani kadamba vanavaasini

ஐயப்பன் பஞ்சகம்

2011-09-19T04:52:00.000-07:00

Had an opportunity to read this wonderful work on "my beloved" written by His devotee - Shri.Su.Ravi

"Avan Arulaale Aavn thaal vanangi..."
Its only by His grace one can write these lines..

Swamy Sharanam
V.Aravind Subramanyam
------------------------

சீலமுயர் வாழ்வையொரு யோகமென வேபயிலும்சாதகர்தமைக்
காலனொரு போதுமணு காதபடி நாளுமவன்காத்தருளுவான்!
நீலமுகி லாடுமலை சோலைபல சூழுமலைநீலிமலையாம்
வாலியணு காதமலை வாழுமிறை பாதமலர்வாழ்த்துமனமே!

யானெனதி லாதநிலை யோடுபல காடுமலைஏறிவருவார்
தான் அவர்தம் காவலென வீடுமனை வாசலவன்காத்தருளுவான்!
யானைக ளுலாவுமலை, வானரமி லாதமலைஆளுமரசன்
தேனமர் துழாய்புரளும் தோளழகன் பாதமலர்தேடுமனமே!

எண்ணியவெ லாமருளும் ஏழைகளின் தோழன் சிவபாலனிவனை
நண்ணுமடி யார்களொரு போதும் நலியாதப்டிக்காத்தருளுவான்!
திண்ணிய மரங்களுயர் கானகம் அடர்ந்தமலைகாந்தமலைமேல்
விண்ணிலெழு ஜோதிமல ரானபர தேவனைவிரும்புமனமே!

பூரணை மணாளனவன், புஷ்கலையின் காதலனைப்போற்றுமடியார்
தாரணியில் பேறு,புக ழோடு பல காலமுறக்காத்தருளுவான்!
நாரணியும், ஆறணியும் நாயகனும் கூட உரு வாகிமலைமேல்
பூரண நிலாவென உலாவுமவன் பொன்னடிகள்போற்றுமனமே!

மேதினியில் ஏதிலிகள் தோழனவன் மாமலையைத்தேடிவருவோர்
சோதனை உறாதபடி, சோர்வுதழு வாதபடிக்காத்தருளுவான்ன்!
வேதஒலி சூழுமலை, வேடுவரில் யோகியவள்வாழுமலைமேல்
நாதவடி வானவனை, பூதகண நாயகனை நண்ணுமனமே !

Koti Vishnu Naama Paarayanam

2011-09-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Devotees !

As ordained by the divine will, it has been decided to chant One Crore Vishnu Namas (Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam) for the prosperity of `Mankind' (Samastha Loka Kshemaartham).

Forthcoming auspicious Purattasi Sunday ie 9th October, 2011 (7.00 AM to 7.00 PM) has been scheduled for this Blissful experience.

All the devotees are requested to participate, chant and get the blessings of Sriman Narayanan.

Date: 09-10-2011
Time : 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM
Venue : Aruna Kalyana Mandapam , Saibaba Colony, Coimbatore

yo mAm nAma sahasreNa sthothumicchathi pANDava |
sohamekena shlokena stuta eva na samshaya |

For details Contact:
93447-05992, 93631-06937, 97916-44890