Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Legends

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Legends

Varadaraja Perumal:

As per legend, Lord Brahma desired for darshan of Lord Vishnu in Chaturbuja posture. He performed intense penance to realise his desire. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu gave him darshan in the form of Pushkarini (Theertham). Lord Brahma was not satisfied and continued with his penance. Again, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of forest at Naimisaranya. Lord Brahma was not satisfied with the darshan as his ultimate aim of having Chaturbuja darshan had not yet met.

He heard a divine voice from sky at that time. It instructed him to perform thousand Aswamedha Yagna to realise his wish for Chaturbuja darshan of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma felt depressed at the thought of performing thousand Aswamedha Yaga. He knew that he won’t be able to complete the 1,000 Yagas during his lifetime. Lord Brahma chose to perform the Aswamedha Yaga at the Satyavrata Kshetra (Kanchipuram), where doing one Yaga was considered equivalent to 1,000 Yagas.

Meanwhile, his consort Saraswathi, was angry with him on the issue of Brahma rating Lakshmi over her, tried to disturb the Yaga. She assumed the form of river Vegavathi and started flooding the area. Lord Brahma invoked the intervention of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu took different forms to thwart her attempts. He stopped river Vegavathi by sleeping across as a dam at Tiruvekkaa. He appeared with 8 hands to kill the Asura and subdued Kali at Ashtabhujam.

He appeared as a flame to provide light as Saraswathi had plunged the place into darkness at Thiruthangal. Finally, Lord Vishnu is said to have landed here in his Punyakoti Vimanam and appeared before Brahma as Devaraja Swamy in Chaturbuja posture to signal the completion of the Aswamedha Yaga. As Lord Vishnu granted a boon (Varam in Tamil) to Lord Brahma, he came to be called as Varadaraja Perumal.

As Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu here, the place came to be called as Kanjitham (Ka means Brahma and Anjitham means who was worshipped). Later, the name got corrupted to Kanchi. It is believed that Lord Brahma comes here once a year on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Chitirai (April-May) around mid-night, for a darshan of Lord Varadaraja Perumal. It is the practice for the priests to place food inside the sanctum and to wait outside for 24 minutes on this day. The food is said to smell sweeter after the wait.

Golden & Sliver Lizards:

As per legend, the two sons of sage Bringi were the disciples of Sage Gautama. They used to fill pooja vessels regularly with water. One day, a lizard fell into the pooja vessel which was filled with water. Unknowingly, disciples placed this vessel in front of the sage. Sage Gautama noticed the lizard in the vessel while offering prayers to the Lord. Sage Gautama got angry and cursed the two for their carelessness to became Lizards. They begged pardon for their mistake to the Sage Gautama. He advised them to visit Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Temple for relief.

As advised, the two disciples reached here and stayed as lizards for a long time. Disciples got relieved from their curse, when Indra who was cursed by Goddess Saraswathi, came here as an elephant Gajendra and prayed to Lord Varadaraja. They attained salvation, but their mortal coil remained here. In memory of this event, there is a golden lizard and a silver lizard outside the sanctum of Varadaraja Perumal. It is believed that who prays Lord Varadaraja Perumal and touches these two lizards on their way out will be relieved from all chronic diseases.

Brihaspati’s curse:

Once, a debate took place in Indra Loka about worthiness of family life and ascetic life. The devas could not come to a conclusive answer. Hence, they approached Brihaspati for a final decision. He pronounced his verdict in favour ascetic life. Indra was angry at this decision of not recognizing the difficulty of family life. Indra cursed Brihaspati to become a poor Brahmin with children. Brihaspati leading a simple life in earth due to this curse. One day, he chased away a hungry dog which had come inside his house.

He was cursed for not providing refuge to a hungry animal and was turned into a dog. The Devas were feeling the absence of their preceptor, Brihaspati. They approached Indra to get back their preceptor. Indra in turn approached Lord Brahma for help. Lord Brahma asked Indra to accompany him to Kanchipuram where Brihaspati was already undertaking a penance before Varadaraja Perumal. Answering their prayers, Lord Varadaraja Perumal is said to have given Brihaspati his original status and form.

Lord Varadaraja Perumal guided Ramanuja to Kanchipuram:

Ramanuja was an Indian philosopher, Hindu theologian, social reformer, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement. Ramanuja was born in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. He was born to mother Kandhimathi and father Asuri Kesava Somayaji. He is believed to have been born in the month of Chaitra under the star Thiruvadhirai.

Ramanuja married Rakshambal at the age of 16. He moved to Kanchipuram after the death of his father along with his mother, brother and wife. He studied in an Advaita Vedanta monastery along with his brother Govinda with Yadava Prakasa as his guru. Ramanuja and his guru frequently disagreed in interpreting Vedic texts, particularly the Upanishads. His fellow students hated Ramanuja and wanted to get rid of him. The teacher and the students including Govinda and Ramanuja were all going on a pilgrimage to Varanasi.

They approached the Vindhya Mountains. They were travelling through an impenetrable jungle when Yadava Prakasa and his other disciples hatched a plot to kill Ramanuja, Govinda somehow sensed it; he warned his brother and advised him to run for his life. Accordingly, Ramanuja went away. The teacher and the other students frantically searched for him in the forest. They presumed that he had been killed by some wild animal and they proceeded on their way to Varanasi.

Ramanuja wandered wildly in the forest. He was tormented by hunger and thirst. He saw a hunter couple and asked for their help. They advised him to follow them. It was already dark when they emerged from the jungle. They found a suitable place in the plain and rested for the night. At midnight, the hunter’s wife said she was thirsty. Ramanuja got up and went in search of water. He fetched water from a far-off pond at Sala Kinaru. The hunter’s wife after drinking it asked for some more.

When Ramanuja went back to the pond for more water, it was already daybreak. Ramanuja surprised to find himself in the midst of familiar surroundings – temple towers, coconut trees and woods. He had unconsciously come back to Kanchipuram. He wondered how he had managed to come all the way here from the Vindhyas in a single night. He then guessed that the hunter couple who had accompanied him were none other than Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.

He rushed back to the place where the hunter couple had stayed. He is said to have seen Lord Varadaraja, along with his consort, disappear right in front of him into the sanctum. The sacred water for performing pooja to Lord Varadaraja Perumal is brought from Sala Kinaru even today. He was awarded with the name as Ramanuja Mamuni by Varadharaja Perumal itself, when he became the Saint.

Aalavattam Kainkaryam:

Thirukkachi Nambikal, also known as Kanchi Purnar, was an ardent devotee of Lord Varadaraja Perumal of this temple. He did Aalavattam Kainkaryam, waving to produce breeze with the help of hand fan to prevent the Lord Varadaraja Perumal from sweating under the heat. This worship practise is still followed. It is believed that Lord Varadharaja Perumal used to converse with him, while he was doing Aalavattam Kainkaryam.

Varadaraja Perumal gave permission to Ramanuja to move to Srirangam:

Ramanuja was performing the daily rituals for Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal. He had to be moved to Srirangam to succeed Alavanthan. Thirukkachi Nambi is said to have got the permission from Lord Varadaraja Perumal to allow Ramanuja to move to Srirangam. Hence, Varadaraja Perumal is credited with the handing over of Ramanuja to Srirangam.

Vartha Sathakam:

During their services to Lord Varadaraja Perumal in this temple, Ramanuja and Thirukkachi Nambi used to discuss on various topics for the betterment of the Vaishnavism. Thirukachi Nambigal would ask all doubts raised by Ramanuja to Lord Varadaraja Perumal. Lord Varadaraja Perumal would clarify all the doubts and Thirukachi Nambigal convey the clarifications to Ramanuja next. The first six of such doubts raised by Ramanuja are known as Vartha Sathakam.

They are;

1. Who / what are Para Tatvam?

2. Jeevathma / Paramatma are same or different?

3. What is more important to seekers of Mukthi, other than Daanam, Dharman, Gnanam and Bhakti (Charity, Justice, Knowledge and devotion)?

4. All Devotees at the end should leave the body with god only in mind. If otherwise what will happen?

5. Moksham (salvation or liberation of soul) will it happen after many lives? Or can it be had just after one life?

6. I am thinking of Tirukkachi Nambigal as Acharya, who is helping me to clarify the doubts. But due to caste considerations that will not be possible. So, who can be approached as Acharya?

Answers to Vartha Sathakam:

Lord Varada Raja himself answered all questions and conveyed them to Ramanuja through Tirukkachi Nambi.

1. Ahameva Param Brahma – Jagat Kaarana Kaaranam - I am the Para Brahmam who is the cause for whole world.

2. Kshetra Gneswarayo Bedha Siddha Yeava - Jeevatma and Paramatma are different.

3. Moksho Payo Nyasa Eva - Those who desire Mukti only way is Prapatthi.

4. Madh Bhakthanam Jananam Cha Nanthi Masmruthi Rishyathe - Lord’s devotees need not think of Lord at the end moment, as they think of him always.

5. Dehaavasane Bhakthanam Dadaami Paramam Padam - All My devotees are rid of any Prarabdam, so they need no more bodies to take effects of Prarabdams.

6. Next Acharya to lead Ramanuja is Periya Nambi, who is a disciple of Alavandar (Yamunacharya).

Ramanuja decided to go to Periya Nambi. Lord Ranganatha also directed the scholars to bring Ramanuja to Srirangam. Periya Nambi and Ramanuja started for each other in opposite directions and they met at Madurantakam. Ramanuja requested Periya Nambi to accept him disciple unable to wait further. Periya Nambi recognised the Arthi of Ramanuja and initiated Ramanuja to Pancha Samskarams and accepted him as his disciple.

Ramanuja taking the mantle of Vaishnavism:

Ramanuja served his master Periya Nambi for nearly six months in Kanchipuram. Periya Nambi explained Nalayira Divya Prabandham to Ramanuja. He learnt the essence of Vishishadvaita contained in those hymns. One day Periya Nambi’s wife was drawing water from the well, and inadvertently a few drops were splashed on the pitcher of Ramanuja’s wife. The latter became angry and shouted at her. Further, she stated that she had been polluted and started a row. Periya Nambi felt deeply hurt by her conduct, decided to leave the place and proceeded to Sriranga.

The decision of leaving Ramanuja created further estrangement between Ramanuja and his wife. Ramanuja sent his wife to her father’s house. Later Ramanuja took sacred bath in the Theertham at Kanchi and pledged to Lord Varadaraja Perumal that he would work for Srivaishnavism to establish its supremacy. Lord Varadaraja Perumal called him (through Thirukkachi Nambi) and blessed him as Yathiraja. The residence of Ramanuja (Thirumaligai) can be seen in the East Mada Street behind the temple tower.

Koorathazhwar:

Koorathazhwar, also known as Kuresa and Srivatsanka Mishra, was the chief disciple of the great Vaishnavite acharya Ramanuja. He assisted Ramanuja in all his endeavours. He was born as Kuresan in a small hamlet Kooram near Kanchipuram, in the year of 1010 A.D (Sowmya year, Thai month, Hastham star), in an affluent family. He belonged to the clan of Haritha, who were popular landlords. Koorathazhwar was married at a young age to Andal, a devoted and pious lady. Both of them led a happy and peaceful life. They were deeply devoted to Lord Varadaraja Perumal.

The pious couple were very famous in the holy town of Kanchipuram, for their unstinting philanthropy and kindness. Their children were Parasara Bhattar and Veda Vyasa Bhattar. Kuresan was heavily influenced by the teachings of Ramanujacharya, who was staying in Kanchipuram at that time. It was the time when Ramanuja's teachings were growing popular and his fame was slowly spreading. Kuresan quickly approached Ramanuja and became his disciple. A bond was established between them and under the effective guidance of Ramanuja, Kuresan was initiated into rigorous study of Vedic scriptures and other holy works.

Meanwhile, due to other plans of the Lord, Ramanuja moved to Srirangam and the friendship between Ramanuja and Koorathazhwar came to a temporary end. Later Koorathazhwar continued his earlier philanthropic works. Once, it happened that Lord Varadaraja Perumal and his Consort Perundevi Piratti heard a heavy sound of a door being closed. The actual reason was that, Kuresan had closed the brass doors of his home, after completing his daily routine of feeding the poor. By the order of the Lord, who appeared in the dream, the chief priest arrived at the door step of Kuresan to bring him to the Lord.

On hearing this news, rather than feeling happy, Kuresan was extremely saddened, as he thought that it was a sin on his part to disturb the Lord and his consort at the night time, by announcing his charity activities. This incident created a turmoil in the mind of Kuresan, which was a turning point in his life. At once he and his wife decided to renounce all their belongings and move to Srirangam, where Ramanuja was staying. On reaching Srirangam, the couple were given a warm welcome and Ramanuja was very happy to have his old friend again.

Kuresan became a disciple of Ramanuja and assisted him in all his works such as spiritual study, management of the temple, philosophical compositions and many others. Soon Koorathazhwar became the hand and eye of Sri Ramanujacharya. One of the main aims of Ramanujacharya was to compose the Sri Bhashya. To compose this work, he wanted to refer Bodhayana's vritti Brahma Sutras, an ancient parchment. This work was available in the royal library of the state of Kashmir. Ramanujacharya and Koorathazhwar, along with certain other disciples undertook the tedious journey to Kashmir and met the king of that state.

The king was very much pleased with these men of divine nature and immediately granted them access to the library. But the pundits of that place were not pleased with the outsiders and troubled them a lot. They put forth a condition that the vritti shall not leave the library. So, Ramanujacharya and Koorathazhwar decided to read the vritti within the premises of the library itself. To incur more trouble, the pundits went still further to put a condition that no notes must be taken, by reading the vritti. Then Ramanujacharya decided to return to Srirangam and they started their journey back south.

Ramanujacharya was disappointed for not making adequate reading of the vritti. But after reaching Srirangam he realized that he had lost nothing. Koorathazhwar had read the entire text of the vritti and had memorized it completely. He was able to recall the vritti, instantly and accurately word-by-word. With great sense of fulfilment, Ramanujacharya completed the Sri Bhashya, which was a commentary on the Brahmasutras. Sri Bhashya was completed mainly because of the involvement of Koorathazhwar. His works include Sri Vaikunta Stavam, Athimanusha Stavam, Sundarabahu Stavam, Varadaraja Stavam and Sri Stavam. These five works were collectively known as Panchastavee.

After a certain period of time, the glory of Sri Ramanujacharya spread far and wide. Along with it, grew the number of enemies, i.e. the people who became jealous on Sri Ramanujacharya. At that time, the present Chola king was influenced by certain groups and he ordered Sri Ramanujacharya to be brought to his court. Coming to know this, Koorathazhwar immediately rushed back to the mutt in Srirangam and requested Sri Ramanujacharya and the others to move away to some safer place.

Though not interested in moving, Sri Ramanujacharya had to oblige to his adamant disciples. When the soldiers came to the mutt, Koorathazhwar was dressed up as Ramanujacharya. Mistaken they took him along with Sri Mahapurna (Periya Nambi) to the royal court in Gangaikonda Cholapuram. At the court the King thrust a written declaration which read: "Nothing higher than Shiva exists” and commanded them both to affix their signatures to it without protest.

But both of them refused and argued the supremacy of Lord Vishnu, quoting from the Vedas, Upanishads and various other holy texts. At a stage, the king got furious and ordered their eyes to be pulled out. On hearing the statement, Koorathazhwar replied that he doesn't need the eyes which have seen a sinner like the king and he pulled away his eyes himself. The eyes of Mahapurna were also gorged by the soldiers and they were sent away from the court.

The ripe-aged Mahapurna died on the way to Srirangam. Ramanujacharya meanwhile had moved to Melkote in Karnataka along with his disciples and established Vaishnavism there with the support of the local king. After the turbulence period of over 12 years had got over, Sri Ramanujacharya returned to Srirangam and the old friends reunited. Koorathazhwar lived for some more years and attained the holy feet of the Lord. It is said that Lord Rama took birth as Koorathazhwar to serve Ramanuja who was nothing but Lakshmana as a gratitude to all the services rendered by Lakshmana to Rama.

Thyaga Mandapam:

When Yamunacharya (Alavandar) died Ramanuja went to Srirangam and promised for his three wishes but did not see Lord Ranganatha. Lord Vishnu was disappointed, but Lord was happy at growth and achievements of Ramanuja. The intent of Ranganatha Perumal of Srirangam was conveyed to Lord Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchi, who was reluctant to send Ramanuja to Srirangam. But, Ranganatha sends a scholar Thiruvaranga Perumal to go to Kanchi to impress Varadaraja Perumal and request for Ramanuja.

Thiruvaranga Perumal sings very well and goes to court of Lord Varadaraja Perumal and exhibits his talent. Lord Varadaraja Perumal grants him a wish. Thiruvaranga Perumal asks for Ramanuja. Lord Varadaraja Perumal obliges the greater purpose and asks Ramanuja to go and continue his efforts from Srirangam. As Lord Varadaraja Perumal had sacrificed (Thyagam) Swami Ramanuja for the sake of Srirangam Namperumal.

The place came to be called as Thyaga Mandapam. As per Lord Vishnu wish, Ramanuja went to Srirangam. Lord Ranganatha along with Periya Nambi and other scholars welcomed Ramanuja. Lord said that the place merely gains importance by presence of Ramanuja. The leadership was offered to Ramanuja by disclosing the wish of Alavandar through his Paasuram.

Hastagiri:

As per legend, Saraswathi, cursed the king of celestial deities, Indra, to become an elephant and roam around the place. He was relived off the curse with the divine power of Lord Vishnu, who appeared as the mount, Hastagiri. Hastagiri indicates a mount / hill in the form of elephant.

Athigiri:

The name Athigiri is derived from Athi tree (Fig). The Athi tree is considered sacred to Vaishnavas and Hindus. The present stone deity found inside the temple is from a nearby Narasimha temple, the deity is called Devaraja Perumal whose worship is equated to Adhi Athi Varadharaja Perumal i.e.; two gods reside in one Moolavar idol.

Lord Vishnu worshipped in different Yugas:

As per legend, Lord Vishnu was worshipped by Lord Brahma in Krita Yuga, Gajendra in Treta Yuga, Brihaspati in Dwapara Yuga and Adisesha in Kali Yuga.

Thirumangai Azhwar:

Thirumangai Azhwar spent all his wealth and taxes towards the building of the Srirangam temple and the king punished him for not paying the taxes and losing wealth of the kingdom. A divine voice informed the king in his dreams that he can pick up wealth from Varadaraja Perumal temple and relieve Thirumangai Azhwar.

Other Names:

The temple is called as Thirukachi, Athigiri, Perumal Kovil, Vezhamalai and Hastagiri.