Friday, October 7, 2016

Amirtha Kadeswarar Temple, Thirukadaiyur – Legends

Amirtha Kadeswarar Temple, Thirukadaiyur – Legends

Amirtha Kadeswarar:

As per legend, once, Devas and Asuras together churned the milky ocean (Thiruparkadal) for the nectar of immortality (Amrita). As a general practice, Ganesha should be worshiped before commencing any works but the Devas forgot to worship him. Lord Ganesha got offended by the behaviour of the Devas. So, he stole the  pot of Amrita and hid it here. Hence, Vinayaga in this Temple came to be called as Kalla Pillaiyar.

The place came to be called as Thirukadaiyur due to the presence of the nectar pot. Vinayaga created a Shiva Linga here and poured some of the Amrita over it. It is believed that the presiding deity is the Lingam created by Vinayagar and has the power to grant longevity to its worshipers. As the Amrita from the pot is poured over the Shiva Linga by Lord Vinayaga, Lord Shiva came to be called as Amirtha Kadeswarar.

Kala Samhara Moorthy:

As per legend, Mrikandu Rishi along with his wife Marudmati lived in Thirukadaiyur. The couples worshipped Lord Shiva and sought from him the boon of begetting a son. Mrikandu Rishi performed penance on Lord Shiva for realizing his wish. Lord Shiva appeared before him and he was given the choice of either a righteous son, but with a short life on earth or a child of low intelligence but with a long life.

Mrikandu rishi chose the former, and was blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of 16. Sage Markandeya grew up to be a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He even brought water from the Ganges to the temple via an underground passage for his worship. On the day of his destined death, he continued his worship of Lord Shiva in his aniconic form of Shivalingam in the temple.

The messengers of Yama, the god of death, was unable to take away his life because of his great devotion and continual worship of Shiva. Lord Yama then came in person to take away Markandeya's life and sprung his noose around the young sage's neck. By accident or fate the noose mistakenly landed around the Shivalingam, and out of it, Lord Shiva emerged in all his fury attacking Yama for his act of aggression and killed him.

Lord Shiva further blessed Sage Markandeya would live forever at 16. Thus, Lord Shiva came to be called as Kalantaka (Kala Samhara Moorthy). As Lord Shiva vanquished Lord Yama here, this temple is considered as one of the Ashta Veerattana Sthalams, the eight holy places where Lord Shiva revealed his wrath and strength.

Meanwhile, with Yama being rendered inactive, there were no deaths on earth, but people were still being born. Burdened by the weight of so many people and unable to sustain their hunger, the earth-goddess, Bhumi Devi, appealed to Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva, feeling compassionate for the earth-goddess, revived him, allowing death to occur again.

However, in order to remind Yama never to try to kill someone while they are worshiping Shiva again, the icon of Lord Shiva in this temple depicts the Lord with his forefinger raised in warning. Since it is believed that Lord Siva subdued Yama in Thirukkadaiyur, the Lord Shiva came to be called as Mrutyunjaya (Conqueror of Death or Victorious over Death). It is believed that this temple is considered as the 108th Shiva Sthalam where Markandeya worshiped Lord Shiva.

Abhirami Bhattar:

Thirukadaiyur is considered as the birth place of Abhirami Bhattar, the author of Abhirami Andhadhi. His birth name was Subramanian. He was an ardent devotee of Goddess Abhirami and was a priest in this temple. He loved the goddess so much that he saw her everywhere and in everyone, but especially in all women. He consider any women entering the temple as an embodiment of Goddess Abhirami.

One day, Thanjavur Maratha King Sarabhoji visited the temple and saw Subramanian was in deep prayer thinking only about goddess Abhirami. He also noticed that Subramanian did not bow before him as he entered the temple. The king got furious and enquired about him to the devotees in the temple. One of the priests told him that he was mad worshiping all women as the divine mother and showering them with flowers.

However, another priest informed the king that he was a saint and a great devotee of goddess Abhirami. The king was confused by the two conflicting statements. So, he decided to put Subramanian to the test. Therefore, he asked Subramanian whether today a full moon day or a new moon day. Subramanian was still in deep prayer and was seeing the shining face of goddess Abhirami in his mind.

He responded to the King saying that it was a full moon day mistakenly thinking the shining face of goddess Abhirami for the moon, but it was actually a new moon day. The king concluded that he must be mad and ordered his soldiers that he should be burnt at dusk if the moon failed to appear. When the dusk approached, the soldiers ordered him to come with them to be burnt for his madness.

He realized what had happened. He went with the soldiers and reached the pyre. He realised only goddess Abhirami could save him now. He started singing her glory in 100 verses in the Andhadhi poetic style begging her to come to his rescue. Andhadhi is a unique kind of Tamil poetry constructed such that the last or ending word of each verse becomes the first word of the next verse.

In some instances, the last word of the series of verses becomes the beginning of the very first verse, thus making the poem a true garland of verses. Andha(m) means end and Adhi means beginning. While singing the seventy-ninth verse of his song, Mother Abhirami appeared before Subramanian, his executioners, and the unbelieving king. She threw her earring into the sky, it took the form of the full moon.

The king, having realized his mistake and immensely pleased by his devotion, released Subramanian. Since, then he came to be called as Abhirami Bhattar (priest of Abhirami) and the king became his disciple. This event is celebrated in the temple on the new moon day of the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb). 

Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar:

Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the eleventh in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is regarded as a historical figure, evident from accounts where he played host to the Nayanar saints Appar (Appar, 7th century), Sambandar (7th century), Siruthondar (Paranjothi, the army general of the Pallava Emperor Narasimhavarman I, who ruled between 630 – 668 CE) and Nilanakkar (Tiruneelanakka).

The life of Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars. Kalaya was born in Thirukadavur, presently known as Thirukkadaiyur in Mayiladuthurai District of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It was then part of the Chola kingdom. Kalaya was a Brahmin, member of the priest caste and worked as a temple priest. Kalaya served Shiva by offering him incense called Kungiliya, giving him the name Kungiliya Kalaya.

Lord Shiva is said to be pleased with Kungiliya Kalaya's service but decided to test his devotion. Over course of time, Kungiliya Kalaya's wealth diminished. He lost his money and possessions. He had to sell his properties to feed his starving family. However, he continued to burn incense sticks in Shiva's temple. When all valuables were sold, only his wife's gold thali (a necklace given by a groom to a bride in a Hindu wedding, which she wears as a sign of her marital status) remained.

The wife removed her thali and gave it for Kalaya to sell and bring some rice for the family, even though it was considered inauspicious for a married woman to remove it. However, Lord Shiva disguised as a Kungiliya merchant or hawker and asked if he wanted to buy the incense. Unmindful of his family's condition, Kungiliya Kalaya traded the thali for a bag of incense and went to the temple to burn it. The wife waited patiently and finally put the children to bed and prayed to Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva was pleased with the devotion of the couple and appeared in the dream of the wife and promised to restore their wealth. When she woke the next day, the house was filled with valuable objects. She sang a panegyric in honour of the Lord Shiva and prepared the meal and waited for Kalaya. Lord Shiva then appears before Kungiliya Kalaya, who had lost his senses and was immersed in devotion till then, in the temple and blesses him.

He instructs him to return to his home and wife. Kungiliya Kalaya returned home to find his house transformed into a mansion with all wealth. Several devotees of Lord Shiva gathered there. Kungiliya Kalaya served the devotees and distributed money amongst them. He is also associated with another legend related to Thiruppanandal Aruna Jadeswarar Temple. The Nayanar wanted to visit this temple. The Lingam of this temple was bent.

It was said that a female devotee called Thadaga was garlanding the lingam where her upper part of the sari slipped; she tried to garland the lingam with one hand while holding her sari by the other. Lord Shiva bent his neck (shaft of the lingam), making it easier for her to garland the Lingam. The Lingam remained in the leaning posture since that day. Many tried to straighten the lingam but failed. The Chola king, who was renovating the temple, was upset.

The saint offered to help the king. He sang the Panchakshara mantra and offered Kungiliya incense to Lord Shiva. He tied one end of the rope around his neck and other bend around the shaft of the stone lingam, at the risk being suffocated by the noose. He pulled gently, and Shiva complied by making the lingam straight. The king became happy and rewarded Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar with many gifts.

The hagiography says that after serving Shaivas for many years, Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar attained Kailash, Shiva's abode on his death. One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) mentions Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar (called Kalayan of Kadavur) in hymn to various Nayanar saints. When Sambandar met Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar at Thirukadavur, he composed a hymn singing the glories of the latter.

Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar is depicted wearing a crown, with folded hands and holding a club in the crook of his arm. His Guru Pooja is celebrated on the ninth day of the Tamil month of Avani. He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.

Kari Nayanar:

Kari Nayanar is Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the 47th in the list of 63 Nayanars. Traditional hagiographies like Periya Puranam (13th century CE) and Thiruthondar Thogai (10th century CE) describes his legendary life and services to the Hindu god Shiva. Kari Nayanar was born in a Vedic Brahmin family in Thirukkadaiyur, a coastal town in Mayiladuthurai District on the east coast of Tamil Nadu.

He was renowned in Tamil poetry as well as Sanskrit Vedas. The saint compiled the vedic truths in Kovai (Anthology), a Tamil composition titled Karikkovai. Hence, the saint came to be called as Kari Nayanar. He also composed anthologies in praise of the three crowned monarchs i.e., Chera, Chozha and Pandyan, the rulers of three major Tamil kingdoms. In appreciation of his anthologies, the saint was rewarded with heaps of prize money and gifts.

The saint utilized all his earnings for the cause of Shaiva services. The saint built many Shiva temples and served Shiva devotees. After rendering the prolonged selfless services, the devotion, faith and intense prayers of the poet-saint made him to attain the abode of Shiva. Guru Puja of Kari Nayanar is celebrated in Pooradam star day in the Tamil month of Masi.

Adhi Vilva Vana Nathar:

As per legend, once, Lord Brahma went to Mount Kailash to have the Gnana Upadesa (wisdom learning). Lord Shiva gave the seeds of Vilwa tree to Brahma and asked him to sow them in earth in various places. Lord Shiva further stated that where the seed germinates within one hour into a tree shall be venue of teaching. It is said that the miracle happened in Thirukkadaiyur. The Shiva Linga worshipped by Lord Brahma is called as Adhi Vilva Vana Nathar and can be seen in a separate shrine in the temple premises.

Lord Vishnu as Mother of Ambika:

As per legend, Lord Vishnu wished to perform Shiva Puja before serving the nectar to Devas. It is a general rule that the Shiva Puja should be performed along with Ambika. Lord Vishnu took off all his ornaments to represent Mother Ambika. She rose from these ornaments. Thus, successfully he completed the Shiva Puja and served the nectar to Devas. It is believed that the ornament of Lord Vishnu is the home of Mother Mahalakshmi. As Ambika (Abirami) was born of the jewels, Lord Vishnu is praised as the Mother of Ambika.

Jaathi Malli:

When Markandeya was performing abishekam to Amirtha Kadeswarar with Ganga Water, Ippinjilam flowers too came with the water. Ippinjilam is also called as Jaathi Malli. It is a Jasmine variety that blossoms throughout the year. This flower is used only for the God and should not be used for human purposes. An archana with a single flower is considered equal to 1008 archanas.

Punniyavarthanar:

As per legend, when Pulasthya came to visit Markandeya, he worshipped Amirtha Kadeswarar and installed a Shiva Linga at this temple. This Linga came to be called as Punniyavarthanar. 

Papa Vimochanar:

As per legend, Sage Agastya installed a Shiva Linga, worshipped it for relief from a sin (papa). Hence, the Shiva Linga came to be called as Papa Vimochanar.

Other Names:

Thirukadaiyur was called as Thirukadavur Veerattam, Pinchila Vanam, Kadapuri and Vilvaranyam.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Vinayaga, Yama, Devas, Sapta Matrikas, Agastya, Pulasthya, Markandeya, Durga, Bhoodevi, Sibi, Soma Sharma, Shiva Sharma, Yama Krida, Rathnakaidan, Chandra Pooshanan, Ratnakara, Pancha Suryas, Brahmathiraja, Vasuki, Sambandar, Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar, Kari Nayanar, Appar, Sundarar, Thirumoolar, Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, Nakkeera Deva Nayanar, Parana Deva Nayanar, and Sekkizhar had worshipped Lord Shiva here.