Monday, February 29, 2016

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple – Greatness of Thiruchendur Vibhuti Leaves

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple – Greatness of Thiruchendur Vibhuti Leaves
'Patra' means leaf in Sanskrit. In Thiruchendur temple vibhuti is kept on a panneer leaf and offered as Prasadam. The fragrance of this vibhuti is unique. We wonder whether the panneer leaf enhances the fragrance of Thiruchendur vibhuti. No matter what contributes, it is a fact that Thiruchendur vibhuti has the fragrance of divine grace.
After his victory over demon Surapadman and his army, Lord Murugan settled on the coast of Thiruchendur, shining and guiding like a lighthouse. The scriptures stand as panneer trees bearing testimony to his glory. So it is believed that the leaves of those trees have Vedic magical powers. Vibhuti contained in those leaves has miraculous healing power. The veins running across the leaves remind us of Lord Murugan's twelve hands.
Sage Vishwamitra suffered from severe dyspepsia, which he got for killing Tarakai through Lord Rama. Rama appeared in his dream and asked him to smear Chenthilandavan's patra bhutias atonement. There was a remarkable incident in the life of Sri Adi Sankara which revealed the glory of patra Bhuti. Abhinav Gupthar, who lost in the argument with Adi Shankara, cast a black magic spell on Adi Sankara which caused a chronic disease.
Adi Sankara was staying in Gokarna in north Karnataka at that time. Lord Siva of Gokarna appeared in his dream and instructed him to go to Thiruchendur, the holy abode of his son Lord Muruga and get rid of his disease. On getting up he saw vibhuti, kept near him.
As ordained by Kokarneswarar he set off for Chendur. On reaching Chendur he took a dip in the sea and proceeded towards the shrine of Chenthilandavan. When he was praying fervently to Lord Muruga he saw the serpent, Adiseshan crawling towards the sanctum. At the same time he was blessed with the holy vision and words gushed out extemporaneously in Bhujanga metre. In Sanskrit 'Bhujanga' means snake. Bhujanga metre suggests a snake gliding along.
He smeared his body with the patra Bhuti Prasadam and was soon cured of his disease. Adi Sanakara, considered as divine incarnation, could have banished the disease in no time. But he committed himself to express the glory of patra Bhuti to the world.
About 350 years ago Sri-la-Sri Desikamurthy, chief of Tiruvaduthurai Math, constructed the western gateway tower of Thiruchendur temple. Due to paucity of funds and couldn’t pay the wages to the labourers. Instead he gave them each a packet of patra Bhuti and asked them to open after crossing Thuntukai Vinayakar temple. Accordingly they opened and they were amazed to see their wages inside the packets. This has been documented in the temple history.
Patra Bhuti has done miracles in the life of Pagazhi Kuthar also. Pagazhi Kuthar, who wrote 'Thiruchendur Pillai Thamizh' was suffering from chronic abdominal pain. Lord Muruga came in his dream as a priest, gave him patra Bhuti and asked him to write 'Pillaith Thamizh' and cure himself of this agonizing pain.
Guhasri Rasapathy has mentioned about this in detail in his commentary on Pillaith Thamizh. Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai who has written the biography of Kumaragurubarar, the author of 'Kandar Kali Venpaa' has beautifully described the offering of Vibhuti Prasadam in Thiruchendur, as seen by Kumara Guruparar.
இலையமில் குமரவேள் முன் வணங்குவார்க்கு என்றும் துன்பம்
இலை அடுபகை சற்றேனும் இலை படுபிணி நிரப்பும்
இலை அளற்றுழன்று வீழ்தல் இலை, பல பவத்துச் சார்பும்
இலை என இலை விபூதி எடுத்தெடுத்துதவல் கண்டார்.

Arunagirinathar, who has also sung vibhuti glory, says: The devotees humbly prostrate at the lotus feet of the great saints who recite 'Arumugam' six times and apply the holy ash on their bodies. We adore their feet and seek solace in them. We shall also recite His name 'Arumugam' six times, along with Guruji, smearing the holy patra Bhuti and be the recipients of his infinite grace.