Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Thiruppaarthanpalli (Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple), Thirunangur – Legends

Thiruppaarthanpalli (Thamaraiyaal Kelvan Perumal Temple), Thirunangur – Legends
Vishnu appearing in eleven forms on Shiva request:
The legends of all the eleven temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. As per legend, the Hindu god Shiva started dancing in fury at this place after the death of his consort Uma due to the yagna (sacrifice) of Daksha. Each time his lock of hair touched the ground; there were eleven other forms of Shiva who appeared. The celestial deities were worried that if the dance continues, it would result in decimation of entire creations. They prayed to Vishnu for help, who appeared at this place.
On seeing Vishnu, Shiva's anger was reduced and he requested Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like he did. On his request, Vishnu appeared in eleven different forms at Thirunangur. Arimeya Vinnagaram literally translates to the place where Hari (another name of Vishnu) resides.
The eleven places where Vishnu appeared are believed to be where the eleven temples in Thirunangur are located. They are;
Thirukavalampadi
Gopalakrishnan along with Rukmini and Satyabama.
Thiruvannpurushothamam
Purushothaman along with Purushothama Naayaki.
Thiru Sempon Sei Kovil
Perarulalan along with Allimaamalar Naachiyar.
Thiru Devanar Thogai
Deiva Naayagan along with Kadal Magal Naachiyar.
Thiru Mani Koodam
Varadharaja Perumal along with Thirumagal Naachiyar and Bhoomi Piratti.
Thiru Paarthanpalli
Thamarai Kelvan along with Thamarai Naayaki, in standing posture in all the above Kshetrams.
Thirumanimaada Kovil
Narayana Gyana Nandha Vilaku along with Pundarigavalli.
Thiruvaali Thirunagari
Amrudhavalli Vedharajan, Narashimar along with Amrudha Kada valli.
Thiru Vaigunda Vinnagaram
Vaigunda Nadhan along with Periya Piratti.
Arimeya Vinnagaram
Kudamaadu Koothan along with Amrudha Kada valli, in sitting posture in above 4 Kshetrams.
Thirutheythri Ambalam
Shenkann Maal along with Sengamalavalli, in sleeping posture of the type Bhujanga Sayanam.
Krishna taught Arjuna here:
Padmapurana details the legend associated with the temple. As per Hindu legend, Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata reached this place on a pilgrimage. He was thirsty and sought water from sage Agastya who was doing penance. There was no water with the sage and all places around. Agastya realised that it was the trick of god Krishna, who was the Lord of Arjuna. He advised Arjuna to pray Krishna, who did accordingly. Krishna was pleased with the prayer of Arjuna and offered him a sword.
Arjuna dug the land with the sword which resulted in a gush of water resulting in the Katka Pushkarani, the temple tank. Arjuna is depicted in the temple sporting a sword, following the legend. Krishna also appeared to Arjuna as Parthasarathy and initiated his knowledge to understand who he actually was. Since Parthasarathy initiated education here for Arjuna, the place is called Paarthanpalli (Parthan + Palli, meaning school of Arjuna).
People who performed penance here:
It is believed that several sages like Agastya, Bharadwaja, Gautama and Varuna performed penance at this place.
Varuna got relieved of Brahma Hathi Dhosham here:
Varuna, the Rain God, once stole the wife of Bhragaspathi, the Devaguru and was caught by the Brahma Hathi Dhosham. He got relieved of it by praying to Lord here.
Sharma Sloga:
It is said that the meaning of the Sharma sloga, the Gota slogam (“Sharva Dharman….”) was got at this place only.