Monday, September 30, 2019

Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple, Mamallapuram – Legends

Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple, Mamallapuram – Legends
Sthala Sayana Perumal:
The famous Sage Pundarika used to live in this town. Sage Pundarika was performing penance here. He had planted and maintained a beautiful garden. The lotus tank once bloomed with hundreds of lotuses. The Sage was thrilled and gathered 1008 lotuses. He then decided to find Lord Vishnu and offer the lotuses at his feet. Picking up the flowers, he proceeded to Tirupaarkadal, but the sea obstructed his march. To make way, he began to dry the sea by removing the water day and night. This went on for years.
Tired, he cried “Oh Lord Parandhama, if I am your true devotee, let the sea dry and make way for me and till such time I reach you these flowers should not fade off.” His mind was completely set on Lord. Perumal appeared before him as an aged man. The old man asked the sage to get him food as he was hungry. He also advised him to stop his impossible task and do something worthwhile. The sage asked the old man to hold his flower basket and wait till he brought food for him saying that he was determined to see Perumal in Tirupaarkadal, place the flowers at his feet and would not rest till then.
The sage went to bring food for the old man. Before he returned, Perumal wore all the flowers on his Thirumeni (body). In keeping with the desire of the Sage, the Lord gave him dharshan in the reclining pose. As Lord Vishnu gave darshan in his reclining position, He is praised as Sthala Sayana (reclining) Perumal.  It was a pleasant shock for the sage to see his Lord and begged his pardon for making him carry the flower basket and also begged to allow him at his feet. At this temple, one finds Pundarika Rishi at the feet of Sthala Sayana Perumal offering the Lotus flowers. The legend is sanctified by Bhoothatazhwar in his verses in Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Sage Agastya visit to this Temple:
As per another legend, sage Agastya is believed to have visited the temple and he came around the temple and prostrated before the presiding deity. As per divine intervention, he was advised to remain in Astavasramam in the northern part of Pundarika Theertham (temple tank).
Mahabalipuram:
It is said that Mahabali Chakravarthy ruled this area and as per the boon, he got from Vamana, one of the Incarnations (Avatharams) taken by Lord Vishnu, this sthalam is named as Mahabalipuram.
Seven Pakodas:
There is folklore that there were seven temples (Seven Pakodas) built on the sea shore. One of them was Sthala Sayana Perumal. The waters in this part of the shore are well known to be rough and the waves are high and strong. Soon, six of the temples were washed away. To protect and preserve the unique statues of Lord Sthala Sayana  Perumal, the Vijayanagar King, Parankusa, shifted the temple to its current location away from the shore. He further built the four Mada streets that circumvent the temple. 
King Harikesari Varman daily trip to Thiruvidandai:
King Harikesari Varman, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu used to visit Thiruvidandai, another Divya Desam, North of this temple (towards Chennai on East Coast Road) for his daily prayers to Nithya Kalyana Perumal. Only after he had offered his players, would eat. To test his devotion, one day Nithya Kalyana Perumal, disguised as an old man, intercepted the king just as he was for leaving for Thiruvidandai and asked for food. Put in an awkward situation, the king decided to visualize the old man as his Thiruvidandai Lord, prayed before him and thereafter offered him food. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu was pleased by his devotion and appeared as Sthalasayana Perumal at Mahabalipuram.