Salakkinaru, Sevilimedu, Kanchipuram
Salakkinaru
is located close to the Ramanujar Sannidhi, this is the well from where Sri
Ramanujar used to draw water and carry to Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple for Thirumanjanam
purpose. It is located at about 7 kms from Varadaraja temple is Sevilimedu the
place where one can see the holy Salai Kinaru. Salai Kinaru was from where Bhagavad
Ramanuja used to bring water for Varadaraja Perumal daily.
There
was a story behind selecting this well particularly. Ramanujacharya as a
vidhyarthi (student) studied under Yadava Prakasa. He was disturbed once by his
guru’s interpretation of “Kaapyasam Pundarikakshan” and gave the right meaning
for the metaphor. On another occasion when his guru was asked to drive away a Brahmarakshasa
who had possessed the local princess the Brahmarakshasa wanted Ramanuja’s feet
to touch the head of the girl. The guru got worried that his Shishya would
surpass him and hatched a plot to do away with him.
A Kasi
yatra was planned and the ruse was to kill Ramanuja on the way. Govinda,
Ramanuja’s cousin came to know of this and warned Ramanuja to escape while he
proceeded with the group to avoid suspicion. Poor Ramanuja thus was left alone
in the dense forests of the Vindhyas. Perplexed he was wondering what to do
when he spied a hunter couple. He asked them for help and he followed them when
they walked and slept when they rested. They lit a fire to keep warm and fed
him with berries and fruits.
They
asked Ramanuja to tell them the story of Srirama and Seetha and the travel
weariness was reduced. While going to sleep one night he heard the hunter woman
ask her husband for water as she was thirsty. Being pitch dark Ramanuja waited
for daybreak to bring water for the couple who helped him. He took along with
him the pot used for doing anushtanam (sandhya Vandanam) and looked around for
a source of water. He found a well and hurriedly drew water and carried it to
the spot where the couple was resting.
But
there were no signs of them at all. He came back to the well and asked people
around in which place he was. They showed him the Punyakoti vimanam at a
distance and tears rolled down his eyes when he understood the hunter couple
who brought him to safety was none other than Perundevi Thayar and Varadaraja
Perumal Saddened by his missed opportunity of offering them theertham he made
it a point to carry water from this well to the temple every day.
It has
been cordoned off safely and is probably opened every year when Anushtana Kula
utsavam takes place. This happens the day after iyarpaa in the month of
Margazhi. Devotees visiting Varadaraja Perumal can engage an auto to visit this
place. There is a temple to Bhagavad Ramanuja close by and can have darshan
through an open window.
References
