Bala Subramanya Swamy Temple, Pakasalai – Legends
Brahma
Sastha:
As per Hindu legend, Brahma,
the Hindu god of creation, disrespected Lord Muruga, the son of Lord Shiva, at
the time of visiting Mount Kailash, the abode of Shiva. The child Muruga got
angry with Brahma and asked him how he was creating living beings. Brahma said
that he was creating living beings with the help of the Vedas (Hindu
scriptures). On hearing the reply, Muruga asked Brahma to recite the texts from
Vedas. Brahma started to recite the text with the holy word called Pranav Mantra,
"Om".
At that time Muruga stopped
Brahma and asked him to explain the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Brahma did
not expect such a question from the child and could not reply. Lord Murugan
knocked Brahma on his forehead with his clenched fists and punished him with
imprisonment. Muruga took up the role of the creator. The Devas (celestial
deities) were surprised by the absence of Brahma and they requested Vishnu to
negotiate with Murugan to release Brahma. Vishnu could not help and as the last
resort, Shiva went to the rescue of Brahma.
Shiva came to Muruga and asked
him to release Brahma from imprisonment. Muruga refused to release him stating
Brahma was unaware of the meaning of the Om - (Pranav Mantra). Shiva asked
Muruga to explain the meaning and Muruga extolled to Shiva the meaning of Om. Lord
Shiva behaved like a student to a teacher, listening with rapt attention from
his son. Since, he took the role of Brahma for a short time, he came to be
called as Brahma Sastha. This form of Lord Murugan is represented by holding
Akshara Mala and Kamadalam in his hands. Akshara Mala and Kamadalam are generally
attributed to Lord Brahma.
Equivalent
to Kasi:
As Kusasthalai River flows here
from south and north, it is considered as Uttara Vahini similar to Ganges in
Kasi. Hence the place is equivalent to Kasi.
Pathiri
Ayya:
Lord Murugan of this Temple is
also called as Padhiri Ayya. There is an interesting story behind the name
Padhiri Ayya. A British Collector, during the British rule, was travelling
along the Kusasthalai river. He was tired and decided to take rest under the
tree near to this Temple. He found a small Temple for Lord Murugan and found the
idol similar to a priest holding a rosary. He decided to have a closer look,
but the officials accompanied him rejected his idea as non-Hindus will be denied
entry into the sanctum.
It was believed that Lord
Murugan in the disguise of priest came and took the British collector in night
time to the Temple. After having the darshan of idol, British collector
searched for the priest but nowhere to find. The collector was overjoyed by the
incident. From this time, Lord came to be called as Padhiri Ayya. Even today, during
Aadi Kiruthigai, Local Christians break coconuts to Lord Murugan in remembrance
of this incident. This Temple is a perfect example of religious harmony.
People
worshipped Lord Muruga here:
Saint Raghavendra, Saint
Arunagirinathar, Adi Shankarar, Sage Agasthya, Lord Brahma, Chitragupta, Narada
and Navagrahas worshipped Lord Murugan of this Temple.
References
in Puranam:
The Temple had been mentioned in
Matsya Puranam, Koorma Puranam, Bhavishya Puranam, Linga Puranam and Markandeya
Puranam.