Friday, November 10, 2017

Marundeeswarar Temple (Idaiyattrunathar Temple), T. Edayar – Legends

Marundeeswarar Temple (Idaiyattrunathar Temple), T. Edayar – Legends
Sukha Brahma Rishi got relieved of his curse here:
Another legend associated with this place is that of the sage Sukha Brahma Rishi. He is believed to have been an expert in changing forms. Once he took the form of a parrot and flew to Mount Kailash where he saw Lord Shiva imparting the knowledge of “Shiva Gnanam” to Goddess Parvathi. Curious to learn the Shiva Gnanam, the sage, in his parrot form, flew towards Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. Upon noticing him, Goddess Parvathi cursed him to be born on earth. The sage begged Lord Shiva for pardon. Lord Shiva informed him that he would be born to Sage Veda Vyasa and he would live in Thirumaruthanthurai (Idayaru).
Lord Shiva further advised him to do penance under the “Marutha” tree to be absolved of this sin and to seek solvation. However, during his period on earth, he would have human body with the face of a parrot. “Sukha” in Sanskrit means parrot. It is believed that on the day of the Swathi nakshatra, Lord Shiva gave dharisanam to Sage Sukha Brahma Rishi and taught astrology (Jodhidam) to him here. Another interesting aside is that Sukha Brahma Rishi was also an ardent devotee of Lord Ram. He was blessed with Lord Ram’s darshan at the Yoga Ramar temple at Nedungunam. As Sukha Brahma Rishi is believed to have worshipped the lord here, there are a lot of parrots in this place.
Vinayaga in place of Lord Murugan in Somaskanda Form:
Another legend indicates that Somaskanda depiction is usually indicated with child Skanda (Muruga) depicted between Shiva and Parvathi. This temple has Bala Vinayaga in place of Skanda in the Somaskanda image.
Agasthya Lingam:
Sage Agasthiyar is believed to have visited this place during his pilgrimage. He is also believed to have been installed a lingam and worshipped it. This lingam is called the “Agasthya Lingam”. Sage Agasthiyar idol can also be seen here.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Lord Brahma, Sapta Madakkal, Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar and Saint Marai Gnana Sambandhar have worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.
Birthplace of Gnana Sambandhar:
This is the birth place of the Saivite guru Marai Gnana Sambandar. He is the third of the four “Santhana Kuravars”. It is believed that he was blessed by Lord Vinayakar (in his Polla Pillayar form) here. At a very young age, he is believed to have moved to Pennadam since it is the birth place of Saint Meikandar (the first Santhana Kuravar), He is known as Maruthai Marai Gnanasambandhar and Kadanthai Marai Gnanasambandhar. Kadanthai is the historical name of Pennadam. There is another shrine for Lord Vinayakar here which can be seen amid a farm at about one kilometer from this temple. It is believed that this is the Vinayakar that blessed saint Marai Gnanasambandhar. This Vinayakar is also praised as Maruthai Pillayar and Gnanasambandha Pillayar.
Sundaramurthy Nayanar equated this place to various other Shiva Temples:
When Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar rendered his Pathigam in this temple, he mentioned various other famous Shiva temples and said that this temple is as good as them.
Marriage Parihara Sthalam:
In this temple, Lord Shiva is facing west and Goddess Parvathi is facing east, as if they are exchanging garlands. Hence this temple is famous with devotees seeking wedding boon. Devotees facing prolonged delays in their marriage proposals worship the lord here and take the garlands exchanged between the God and Goddess to their homes. It is believed that doing this will remove obstacles from their marriage proposals.