Sowmiya Narayana Perumal Temple, Thirukoshtiyur - Legends
Story of Hiranya
Kashipu and Thirukoshtiyur:
Asura
Hiranyakashipu prayed to Brahmma for a boon that he would not be killed by
Devas, human race, animals or by weapons. Having secured the boon, he went on a
rampage harassing everyone and forcing them to utter ‘Namo Hiranyaya Namaha’. Worried
at his increasing power and anxious at what his next action would be, Devas
sought Shiva’s help, who directed them to Brahmma, who further directed them to
Vishnu as the only one who could pin down Hiranyakashipu.
The
Devas went to Thiru Paarkadal only to be told by Lord Narayana that Hiranya’s
powers had spread around the world and they had to go and find a place in the
world where his name was still being chanted. They managed to find Kadamba
Rishi’s ashram as the one place where Lord Narayana’s name was still being
uttered. The Rishi was undertaking severe penance in his quest to have darshan
of the Lord as Sheerabdhi Nathan.
The
Devas and Tri Murthis went to Kadamba Rishi’s ashram to discuss the plan to
kill Hiranya. While everyone remained there, Lord Narayana went back to Thiru
Paarkadal where, he asked Sanghu Karna to be born as Hiranyakashipu’s son
Prahalada who would utter Namo Narayana all the time, much to his father’s
shock. The Devas pleaded with Vishnu to show the form before he could take it.
Vishnu showed them the avatar, but not pleased with the vision, the Devas and
sages pleaded him to show it again.
Vishnu
appeared in three forms of standing, sitting and resting posture at Thirukoshtiyur.
Since Vishnu showed his form after hardship (called Thirukkai in Tamil) of
Devas, the place came to be known as Thirukoshtiyur.
Brahma built Thirukoshtiyur Temple:
After
Hiranya Samhara, Kadamba Rishi requested Brahmma to give him a model of Lord
Narayana killing Hiranya. It was Brahmma who directed Vishwakarma to construct
a 3 tier structure at this place - one with Om, another with Namo and the third
with Narayana with the Southern side of the tower depicting ‘Lord ‘Narasimha
catching Hiranyan’. He asked Mayan to construct the Northern side of the tower
depicting ‘Narasimha killing Hiranyan’. Indra, who had stayed back here till
the Hiranya Samhara, presented to Kadamba Rishi the silver plated idols of Sowmiya
Narayana along with Sri, Bhoo and Neela Devi.
Pururavan built Thirukoshtiyur Town:
When
Pururavan, the son of Budhan (Mercury) flew above Thiru Koshtiyur on his way
for a bath in the Ganges, he was brought down to this place through the powers
of the Ashtanga Vimana. Having had a darshan of the Thiru Koshtiyur Lord and
lured by his presence, Pururavan built the town where people could stay and
have darshan of Sheerabdhi Nathan.
Ramanujar publicizing Ashtakshara Mantram:
Thirukoshtiyur
is the birth place of Thirukoshtiyur Nambi, who is also named as "Selva
Nambi". He was the guru of Ramanujar, who was preached with the
"Ashtakshara Mantram". But the way he was taught the Ashtakshara
Mantram was one of main issue that has to be explained. Selva Nambi ordered Ramanujar
to do the fasting in this sthalam. Having crossed the age of 60, to get the
Mantram, he followed the order of Selva Nambi. He took only water as his food
and one fine day, he was preached with the Ashtakshara Mantram for which he was
waiting for. But, he was ordered by Selva Nambi that the Mantram should not be
published to any one and it should be kept secret.
But on
hearing the Mantram, he thought it is not only a secret thing that is helpful
and useful for him only, but it should be made public to all and it should be
useful for all the other people. As a result of his thought, he went straight
to the temple of Sowmiya Narayana perumal and stood on the huge walls of it and
all of the village people to gather. And once all the people gathered, he
loudly pronounced the Ashtakshara Mantram, which is said to sacred and
explained it to all. He also asked them to repeat it.
On
hearing this, Selva Nambi got angry on Ramanujar since he has not obeyed his
words and has broken the promise that he had given to him. Then, he called up Ramanujar
and said that having broken the promise, he will have to pay for the mistake,
and as a result, he will be going to the hell. But before that, Thirukoshtiyur
Nambi (Selva Nambi) wanted to know the reason why he made the Ashtakshara
Mantram so public. But Ramanujar answered that in this world, all the things
belongs to Sriman Naarayanan and no other thing should be kept secret (or)
themselves but it should be used to others.
As the
same way, on explaining the Mantram to all, it might help them from many things
and because of this reason only, he answered that he publicized the Mantram. On
hearing this from Sri Ramanujar, Selva Nambi realised how his mind was narrowed
and felt for it. But, at the same time he was attracted by the thinking of
Ramanujar towards humanity and Vaishnavism. As a result of it, Selva Nambi
called Ramanujar as his Emperumaanar. We can find two separate statues that are
made of bronze for Thirukoshtiyur Nambi and Ramanujar in this temple.
Thirukoshtiyur as the birth place of Lord Krishna:
In
Periazhwar Thirumozhi, a Vaishnava canon contributed by Periazhwar (one of the
twelve azhwar saints of South India), predicts Thirukoshtiyur as the birth
place of Lord Krishna.
The Name - Removal of all Sins:
As the
Devas came here in Groups (Ghosti) requesting Lord Narayana to kill Asura
Hiranyakashipu, this place is called Koshtiyur. The belief is that a visit to
this place will remove one’s sins as can be seen from the name – Thiruku (Sin)
– Otiyur (removed).
Importance of this Divya Desam:
Belief
is that visiting Thiru Koshtiyur provides one the fruits of visiting
Naimisaranyam Divya Desam, a bath in the Ganges and a visit to Kurukshetra. It
is said that a Vaishnavite who does not visit Thiru Koshtiyur will become a
monkey in the next birth.