Vadivazhagiya Nambi Perumal Temple, (Sundararaja
Perumal Temple), Anbil – Legends
Sage Suthaba got relieved of his curse here:
As per
Hindu legend, sage Suthaba was doing penance at this place. He had to powers to
reside both in water and land. He did not observe sage Durvasa, who was waiting for him. Durvasa got irritated and
cursed Suthaba to become a frog called mandukam in Sanskrit. Suthaba requested Durvasa on the penance he had to do
to get relieved off the curse. Durvasa explained him that the curse was on
account of the sin he committed in his previous birth and Vishnu would appear
to him to relieve him. Suthaba, as a frog, continued his penance under water in
the Manduka Theertham in the temple and Vishnu appeared to him as Sundararajan.
Hence, this place is called Manduka (Frog) Puri.
Vishnu appeared to Brahma in his most beautiful form:
As per
another legend, Hindu god of creation, Brahma, was once of the belief that he was the most handsome
individual in the planet as he created all the human beings. Vishnu is believed
to learned this and cursed Brahma to be born as a normal life in earth. In
earth, Brahma worshiped Vishnu to get relieved off his curse. Vishnu appeared
as a handsome young man in front of him. Awed by the individual's personality,
Brahma inquired about his whereabouts. Vishnu revealed his true form and
conveyed to Brahma that physical appearance is temporary and one has to be good
by heart.
Sundara Chozhan built this Temple:
Sundara
Chozhan, the father of Raja Raja Chozhan had stayed here for a night before
going for a battle. He laid his weapons before the Lord and sought his
blessings. Emerging victorious, he is said to have come back here and built the
temple in its current form.
Shiva’s Curse:
To find cure
from the curse of cutting Brahma’s Head, Shiva went on a pilgrimage begging for
food, with Brahma’s skull as the begging vessel. Every time someone filled the
vessel with food, Shiva found to his horror that it vanished immediately. At
Uthamar Koil, Goddess Lakshmi filled the vessel with food, thus ending Shiva’s
hunger. However, to Shiva’s dismay, Brahma’s skull still lay fixed on his hand.
Shiva is said to have visited this place from Uthamar Koil before going to
Kandiyur where he finally got salvation.
Lord coming out in support of Tirumazhisai Azhwar:
Another
story relates that Tirumazhisai Azhwar while visiting this place was teased by
the local people. The Azhwar sang a song on the Lord wherefore the Lord came
out of the Azhwar to prove that he is an ardent devotee of the Lord.
Marriage Sthalam:
It is
believed that prayers to Andal at this temple will result in them finding the
bridegroom.
Vadivazhagiya Nambi:
Once
there was a conversation between Lord Brahma and Saint Valmiki about
beautifulness of Lord Vishnu in Sayana pose. This conversation led to fight
between the two. Lord Vishnu appeared before them and said "In Sayana pose
I am beautiful here". So Lord Vishnu was called as "Vadivazhagiya
Nambi".
Anbil:
As the
pride of Brahma was subdued by Vishnu through his love in this site, the site
is called as Anbil. The word "Anbu" means love/affection in Tamil
language.