Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thirupullani – Legends
Lord Vishnu appearance as Arasu Tree:
Thirupullani
Temple, Ramanathapuram tells the story of three Maharishis—Pullavar, Kalavar
and Kannavar. These sages Pullavar, Kannavar and Kalavar came to this temple
region, then covered densely with darba grass and merged themselves in deep
penance. Pleased with their penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before them in the
form of Arasa Maram.
Though
happy they were, the Sages sought the grace of Perumal in his original form,
Perumal obliged in the form of Lord Adi Jagannatha. That is the place now
called Thirupullani. A shrine for Mother Padmasani was built later. This is
also the place where emperor Dasaratha learnt the Mantra for child boon and was
blessed with Sri Rama and his brothers as his sons.
Vibeeshana’s Saranagathi:
According
to Ramayana, a Hindu epic, Ravana, took away Sita and captured her as a
prisoner in Lanka. Sri Ramar, on hearing the action performed by Ravana, had to
take proper and immediate action to get out Sita Piratti from Ravana. But,
Ravana's brother Vibheeshanan who lived along with him doesn’t like the low act
of Ravana and advised him to return Sita Piratti to Sri Rama, else the whole
Lanka might get into danger.
On
hearing the advice from Vibheeshanan, Ravana got angry on him and asked him to
get out of Lanka and join along with Sri Rama. Vibheeshanan came out from Lanka
and fell down to the divine feet’s of Sri Ramar and explained him that Sita
Piratti is kept as the prisoner in Lanka. Since, Vibheeshanan finally fell down
to the feet of Sri Ramar for complete Saranagathi, this sthalam is also named
as "Saranagathi" Kshetram.
The
episode of Vibeeshana’s surrender is of utmost importance to Sri Vaishnavas.
Having quickly realized that his brother Ravana was headed inexorably towards
destruction at the hands of Sri Rama, Vibishana lost no time is hastening to the
feet of the Lord Sri Raama. Ravana’s generals and his other brother Kumbakarna
chose to stick with Ravana in his evil path and paid for it with their lives. Vibishana,
exercising his superior intellect and keen perspicacity chose to leave the
sinking ship instead of going down with it.
His
clear-mindedness and faith were rewarded amply and quickly– Sri Raama not only
blessed him with the benison of prapatti but also immediately crowned him the
King of Lanka right there on the shores of Thirupullani. It is very important
to appreciate the extraordinary faith exhibited by Vibishana when faced with a
tough situation. He never had any doubt that Sri Raama would accept his request
for asylum. For a person without faith, Vibeeshana’s surrender to Lord Sri Raama
might sound like a counter-intuitive and stupid decision – even a cowardly one.
But Vibishana
calmly acted with faith and clarity, and in doing so, enriched himself beyond
measure and etched his name firmly among the ranks of the glorious souls that
have wisely found refuge at the one place to be. In one stroke, Vibishana
assured for himself, Arul (Grace of the Lord) and porul (material prosperity).
Another
important point in this episode is the Lord’s crystal clear and firm
enunciation of his intent to protect anyone who surrenders at his feet. Except
for Sri Hanuman, everyone in the Vaanara camp expressed doubts about
Vibeeshana’s motivations. All the noises made by the doubters were drowned out by
Sri Rama
Samudra Rajan’s Saranagathi:
Sri
Ramar could not know how to cross the huge ocean and got the advice from
Vibheeshana that they can cross the ocean only if all the water dries. He
advised Sri Rama that he can ask the Samudra Raja to get dried and can make
them the way towards the Lanka. On getting the advice from Vibheeshana, Sri
Ramar seeks the help of the Samudra Rajan. But he doesn’t show any response for
Sri Ramar.
Sri
Ramar worshipped before the Samudra Rajan to make the way, but since there was
not response from him, Sri Ramar got angry and threatened against samudhara
Rajan that if he doesn’t make them the way, he would make the ocean dry
completely. On hearing the threatened words from Sri Ramar, Samudhara Raja was
frightened and came out from the ocean along with his wife Varuni and fell down
on the feet of Sri Ramar as Saranagathi.
Inspite
of Vibheeshanan got the Saranagathi, samudhara Rajan and his wife Varuni also
got the Saranagathi and thereby justifies that this Kshetram is given the name
as "Saranagathi Kshetram".
After
this, the Samudhara Rajan made the ocean to become quite and asked Sri Ramar to
build a bridge, so that they can travel through it to reach Lanka. As advised
by Varunan, Nalan and all the other Monkeys (Vaanara Senai) started to build a
bridge and this bridge is called as "Sethu Anai", since this is
constructed along the Sethu Karai (Shore). And finally crossing through this
bride to Lanka, Sri Ramar fought with Ravana and killed him and got out Sita
Piratti.
Kanva Rishi’s Penance:
Kanva
rishi, who was Maha rishi stayed in this sthalam and did a strong tapas against
the perumal without having any food. On satisfied with the tapas of Kalvar
Rishi, Emperumaan gave his Seva and asked for the Varam that he should be
always along with him and continue to help him. The perumal agreed his words
and continued to help him.
Sage Devala cursing Sapta Deva Kanyas:
Once
there lived a rishi by named Devala Maharishi and did strong tapas on the
perumal. He started his tapas after taking the bath and started the tapas. When
he was doing the tapas, seven deva Kanyas came down to this sthalam and wanted
to take a bath in the small river. They enjoyed that moment and all of them
forgot themselves. Their enjoyment made them to forget them to give the proper
respect to Devalar Maharishi and on seeing this act of the Sapta deva Kanyas,
he gave Saabham for all of them to become Yatchars (ordinary humans with less
minded).
On
getting the Saabham, all the 7 deva Kanyas realised their mistake and asked
Devalar Maharishi that how could they get out from the curse. Devalar Maharishi
asked them to get to Pullaranyam (Thirupullani) and get the help from pullar
Maharishi, so that he can help them to get out of the Saabham.
All the seven
deva Kanyas reached Thirupullani fell down to the feet of pullar Maharishi.
They all told him about the Saabham got from Devalar Maharishi and he had
advised all of them to get the help of pullar Maharishi to get out of the
curse. Pullar Maharishi advised all the 7 Kanyas to stay in Thirupullani and
worship the Aadhi Jagannatha perumal and he is the only person who can make
them to get out of the Saabham. When Sri Ramar came to this Pullaranyam
kshetram, his eyes glanced on all the 7 deva Kanyas and at that moment all of
them were out of the Saabham and once again reached the deva lokam.
Lord Rama getting divine Bow:
This
temple also has associations with the great Indian epic, Ramayana. Lord Rama,
the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu came to this temple and worshipped the
presiding deity, Adhi Jagannatha Perumal and secured a divine bow to fight
Ravana, the ten-headed demon. As satisfied by the worship of Sri Ramar, Aadhi
Jagannatha perumal gave him the Bow and because of this, the perumal is also
named as "Deivasilaiyar" and Divya Sapan.
King Dasaratha prayers for Puthira Bhagyam:
As per
another legend, Dasaratha, the father of Rama, performed different sacrifices and did a lot of
penance to obtain the sacred Payasam (sweet pudding). He offered it equally to his
three wives, resulting in the birth of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrughna.
Following
the legend, childless couples perform a worship called
nagapradishta (installing a statue of snake god) in the temple. Sweet
pudding is offered to childless couple praying for a child. It is believed that
Adi Jagannatha bestows a childlike Rama when such worship is performed. The
Nagalingam, said to have been installed by King Dasaratha, is still preserved
in this temple.
Lord Rama meeting Ravana’s Messengers:
In Thirupullani,
Sugan and Savanan, who were messengers of Ravana, met Lord Rama.