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.
