Yoga Rama
Temple, Nedungunam – Legends
Lord Rama met Sukabrahmma Rishi on his way back to
Ayodhya:
On his
way back to Ayodhya after the war with Ravana in Sri Lanka Sri Rama passed
through this place and met parrot faced Sukabrahmma Rishi who was performing
penance on the hill here. Sukabrahmma Rishi invited Rama to his
hermitage. It was a critical and embarrassing time for Rama then. He
could neither refuse nor accept the hospitality of Sukabrahmma rishi to stay
for a day and dine with him. The 14 years deadline to return to Ayodhya
was nearing.
Bharatha
was all set to fall in the fire if Rama did not return in time. A confused Rama
gave his ring to Hanuman to be given to Bharatha as evidence that Rama was
fast on his way to Ayodhya. Meantime, Rama and Hanuman dined on a single
leaf when Rama drew a line on the leaf to facilitate easy use. That line
became a permanent mark on the plantain leaf, goes the hearsay story. This
happened in Nedungunam.
The Rishi
immensely pleased with the visit of Rama with Sita and Lakshmana gave Rama some
palm leaves containing some rare scriptures. Receiving the palm volume from the
Rishi with all humility, Rama sat with Sita on the left and Lakshmana on the
right and asked Hanuman to read the scriptures. Hanuman sitting in a Padmasana
form read the leaves. The Rishi taught Hanuman the Muktikopanishad here,
according to a story. The name Nedungunam conveys the noble quality of Rama –
Nedum meaning high/ noble and Gunam meaning Quality/ Personality.
Eri Katha Ramar & Nedungunam Yoga Ramar:
The
Kaliyar River starts from here through the waters of the nearby Dheerkachalam hill
and ends at the Maduranthakam Lake near Chengalpet which was protected by Eri
Katha Ramar. So both the temples are connected by legend.
Abhimana Perumal:
Rama is
the Abhimana Perumal for people belonging to almost 25villages around
Nedungunam.
Sukha Brahma Rishi, Devotee of both Shiva & Vishnu:
Sukha
Brahma Rishi is a devotee of Lord Shiva as well. Sukha is an expert in changing
forms and once he changed into a parrot. He flew to Kailayam where he saw Lord
Shiva was preaching Shiva secrets to Parvathi Devi and Sukha wanted to know the
secret. So he was flying around between Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi. Parvathi
Devi got angry and cursed him to be in the Parrot form itself.
Sukha
then pleaded pardon and Shiva gave some relief to be in human form but with
Parrot face. Sukha penanced at a place called Thiru Idayaru near
Sidhalingamadam near Tirukoyilur and got blessed by Shiva. Sukha has a separate
shrine in this temple. Thus Sukha Brahma Rishi is a devotee of Lord Shiva as
well as Lord Rama.