Kailasanathar Temple, Brahmmadesam – Legends
Brahmadesam:
Brahma and
his grandson Romasa Rishi worshiped Lord Shiva in this site. Due to
this, the village is called as Brahmadesam.
Chadurvedi Mangalam:
During
the period of Raja Raja Chola, the village was gifted to Brahmins for
chanting four Vedas. Hence, the place is called as Chadurvedi Mangalam or Brahmadeyam.
Ghatana Nadi Mahatmiyam:
As per
Ghatana Nadi Mahatmiyam, the Swayambu Shiva Lingas of Sivasailam,
Thiruvaleeswararm and Brahmadesam emerged at the same time.
Birthplace of Second Shankaracharya of the Kanchi
Kamakodi Mutt:
Brahmadesam
is the birthplace of the Second Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakodi Mutt
HH Sri Sarvajna Atmanendra Saraswathi Swamigal. After having conquered the
leaders of many heretic sects prevalent in many parts of India, Sri Sankara
Bhagavatpada reached Kanchi, the southern Mokshapuri to spend the evening years
of his life in that holy city. One of the famous incidents of Sri Sankara’s
stay at Kanchi is his Sarvajna Peethahoranam or ascending the seat of
Omniscience.
On
knowing about this, scholars from various parts of the Tamil regions gathered
at Kanchi to witness the grand event. Among those, a band of scholars from
Brahmadesam and its neighborhood had a debate with the Acharya on Deva bedha,
Moorthy bedha, etc. By his clear exposition of the Advaita doctrine, the
Acharya silenced their arguments.
After
the successful ascending of the Sarvajna Peetha, Sri Sankara was attracted by a
boy of 7 summers to be very precious. He sent word for the parents of the boy.
They came with their son and bowed before Sri Sankara. Then the great Acharya
expressed his wish to nominate the little boy as his successor to the Kanchi
Peetha. The parents greatly rejoiced and agreed to the Acharya’s proposal.
Thereafter
the Acharya initiated the boy Into Sanyasa asrama, gave him the deeksha name of
Sarvajnatman. The Bala Sanyasi was put under the care of Sri Sureveswaracharya.
Sri Sarvajnatman presided over the Sri Kanchi Shankaracharya Math for a long
number of years. He wrote a lucid summary or rather a further commentary on Sri
Sankara’s Sutra Bashya.
Sri
Sarvajnatman’s commentary is known as The Samkshepa Sareeraka. It is also said
that he is the author of a poetical thesis called Sarvajna Vilasa. The
Samkshapa Sareeraka of Sri Sarvajnatman contains 1267 verses couched in verses
of elegance and easy style. After an eventful and glorious career Sri
Sarvajnatman attained videha mukthi in Kanchi on the 14th day of the dark fortnight
(Vaishaka Krishna Chaturdasi) of the cyclic year Nala (364 BC).