Veerataneswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi – Legends
Slaying
of Jalandarasuran by Lord Shiva:
Indira the king of Devas went to Mount Kailash to have
Shiva darshan with the pride of a king. In the guise of a watchman, Lord Shiva
prevented him from proceeding further. Proud Indira struck Shiva with his Vajrayudha
when Lord opened his forehead eye. Realizing the watchman was Shiva; Indira
fell at his feet and sought his pardon. Lord Shiva spilled a drop of his
sweat in the milk ocean from where a demon child was born. The child pulled the
beard of Lord Brahmma who cried in pain. His tears also fell on the child. The
child wet with Shiva’s sweat, Brahma’s tears and the drop of the milk ocean was
named Jalandarasuran.
When he grew, he demanded Brahmma a life without death
and the rule of the three worlds. Brahmma denied it. He got the boon that he
would be alive till such time his chaste wife Brindhai was found mentally
tainted. His atrocities grew in leaps and bounds and finally decided to kill
Lord Shiva himself. Lord came before the demon in the guise of an aged person, drew
a round line as a chakra. He asked the demon to take the Chakra, place it on
his head and said that it would destroy him. Arrogant demon challenged that the
Chakra could not kill him as his wife was a chaste woman. Shiva called
Lord Vishnu and asked him to appear before Brinda as Jalandarasuran.
Not knowing that the visitor was not her husband, she
called him in with the respect of a husband and thus got tainted mentally. Lord
Shiva placed the Chakkara on demon’s head which chopped off his head. Knowing
the design of Lord Vishnu, Brinda immolated herself cursing Lord Vishnu that he
would have to suffer separation from his wife. To come over the curse, Lord
Vishnu had to take the Ramavathara later, goes the story. Due to curse of
Brinda, Lord Vishnu became mentally retarded.
To cure Him, Lord Shiva sowed a seed at the place where
Brinda burnt herself. Tulsi plant grew. A garland was made of the Tulsi
leaves and placed on Lord Vishnu. He was cured completely. Lord Vishnu
asked Lord Shiva to gift him the Chakra-discus. He worshipped Lord Shiva with
thousand lotus flowers. When he found that the number was short by two, he
unhesitatingly took his eyes for the puja. Pleased Shiva rewarded Lord Vishnu
with the Chakra.
Thulasi
as Sthala Vriksham here:
Thulasi, which is normally the Sthala Vriksham in Vishnu
temples, is the Sthala Vriksham here. Interestingly the Thulasi here is believed
to be the reincarnation of Brinda, the wife of the slain demon.
Appar
Peruvizha:
Appar is said to have spent his last years here,
dedicating his life to the upkeep of this temple, and the Appar Peruvizha which
lasts for a period of 10 days, celebrates these events.