Thiruvazhmarban Temple, Thiruvanparisaram – Legends
Thiruvanparisaram:
As per
another legend, king Kulasekara, who would go on to become Kulasekhara Alwar came to this place after a conquest. His horse was
lost and he was in search of the horse. He found that the horse was grazing
peacefully on the banks of Soma Theertham, the temple tank. After taking bath
in the tank, he felt rejuvenated worshipping the Vishnu temple in the banks. He
is believed to have constructed the temple and named the place as
Thiruvanparisaram (Pari in Tamil indicates horse). Thiru indicates respect,
vazh means live and marban indicates the heart of the person.
Since Vishnu held his consort in his heart in this place, he is commonly
referred Thiruvazhmarban.
Birthplace of Nammalvar’s Mother Udaya Nangai:
The
place has the reputation of being the birth place of a Mother, who gave an
illustrious son Nammalvar to spread and sing the glory of Lord Vishnu. The
wedding of Udaya Nangai, daughter of Thiruvazhmarban in the service of Nanjil
Nadu Thiruvanparisaram with Kaarimaran a chieftain of Kurunadu took place in
the house of the bride. They had no child though years rolled
by. The couple went to Thirukkurungudi, also a Divyadesam and prayed
to Lord Nambi seeking child boon. Lord Nambi appeared before them and
offered himself to be born to them and advised them that the child be taken to
the Tamarind tree in Thirunagari and assured that he as a child would bring
great reputation to them.
Mother Udaya
Nangai delivered a male child on Visaka Star day in Vaikasi month (May-June) on
a Poornima-full moon day. They took the child as directed by Lord in
a golden cradle to the tamarind tree in Azhwar Thirunagari. The child simply
climbed on the tree with Gnana Mudra, meditated upon Lord Aadhi Natha to the
chilling surprise of those gathered there. The child was in penance for 16
years. This is the sacred history of Tirupathisaram.
Saptha Rishis performed penance here:
Suseendram,
a holy place in Kanyakumari district was once known as Gnanaranyam – jungle of
wisdom. Saptha Rishis – seven Maharshis were performing penance here. Lord
granted Darshan to them in the form of Lord Shiva. The Rishis proceeded to
Soma Theertha Ghat to have the darshan of Lord Vishnu. Having darshan of
Lord as they wished, they also prayed that he should stay in this place. Lord
granted their wish and is gracing the devotees as Lord of Wisdom in this place.
Lord Vishnu appeared as Rama & provided darshan to
New Lankan King:
Vibheeshana,
after attending the Ramar Pattabhishekam in Ayodhya, came to Srirangam where he
had to let go the idol of Lord Ranganatha on the Cauvery river banks. On his way,
back to Lanka from Srirangam, with his thoughts centered around Rama, he is
said have visited this place and offered his prayers here.
When the
Lord appeared before him and asked for a wish, Vibheeshana wanted to see Rama
once again. It is believed that Lord Vishnu provided darshan to Vibheeshana as
Rama. Hence, one finds Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to the right of the moolavar
deity here.
The Name Thiruvazhmarban:
After
the killing of Asura Hiranya, Lord Narasimha was in an angry mood. Lakshmi is
said to have undertaken penance here to cool down the Lord. As per the request
of Prahaladha, Lord came here searching for Lakshmi. Happy to find her Lord
again and in a cool form as a Santha Swaroopi, Lakshmi is said to have
requested the Lord to provide her a place in his heart which the Lord readily
accepted. As Lakshmi resides in the chest of the Lord at this temple, he came
to be called Thiru Vazh Marban.
Presentation of Ramayana:
Acceding
to the request of Anjaneya, Sage Agasthya is said to have presented the entire
story of Ramayana at this place for the benefit of the devotees. In memory of
this event, one sees Anjaneya with folded hands addressing Sage Agasthya, who
is in a seated posture opposite him. Also, seen in this sannidhi are Lankan
King Vibheeshana and Kulasekara Azhvaar.
Arjuna hid his weapons in the Vanni Tree here:
During
the 18 day Kurukshetra Bharata battle, the wheel of Karna’s chariot was stuck
in the ground. While Karna was engaged to lift the wheel leaving his
weapons in the chariot, Arjuna took the opportunity and killed him. Though
Arjuna acted successfully, the guilt of killing one when unarmed troubled his
mind and he could not excuse himself. What more troubled him was the
thought that he, noted for his law-abiding nature should not have committed a
disgraceful sin. Every Pandava established a temple during their journey in
Kerala.
Arjuna
established this temple, performed penance on Perumal and was rewarded with the
Darshan of Lord in the form of Parthasarathy. It is here he hid his
weapons in the Vanni tree, according to scriptures. Arjuna thus got
himself cleansed of his sins with the grace of Lord Perumal. The nuts falling
from this Vanni tree is heaped around the flag post of the temple and sold to
devotees. Aaraattu Vizha is celebrated grandly on the Tiruvonam star day in
Thai month (January-February) in the temple.
Brahmma performed penance here:
Sage
Veda Vyasa and Lord Brahmma had the darshan of the Lord. Once, two demons
Madhu and Kaidaba snatched the Vedas from Brahmma who sought the grace of Lord
Perumal to recover them. Perumal destroyed the demons and recovered the
Vedas. Brahmma performed penance here on Perumal as a token of his gratitude
to Lord.
Prathyaksham:
Lord
Vishnu gave Prathyaksham for Vindhai, Kaari, Udaya Nangai and Garudan.
