Veerattaneswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram – Legends
Sakkiya Nayanar:
Sakkiya Nayanar was a Nayanar saint,
venerated in the Shaiva sect of Hinduism.
He is generally counted as the thirty-fourth in the list of 63 Nayanars. He was
a crypto-Hindu posing as a Buddhist,
practicing Shaivism
in secrecy. He was reported to have worshipped Lord Shiva, his
patron god, by hurling stones at his iconography. The life of Sakkiya Nayanar
is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th
Century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars. Sakkiya is one of the six
Nayanars from the region of Thondai
Nadu and lived around the time the Pallava dynasty
ruled the area.
He is considered a historical
figure from the 6th century CE, pre-dating Appar, Sambandar and Tirunavukkarasar,
both dating from the 7th century CE. Sakkiya Nayanar was born in the rural
village of Tiru Changa Mangai / Sangaramangai, modern-day Konerikuppam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil
Nadu, India. The village at the time was dominated by Tamil
Buddhists, followers and contemporaries of the Pallava prince Bodhidharma.
Religious tensions were strife during this period, with attacks on Hindus being
a regular occurrence.
Sakkiya and his family were
agricultural land owners from a Hindu Vellalar
background, albeit they did become assimilated for their own safety and started
posing as Buddhists. In keeping in line with the rest of the Buddhist populace
as well as being legitimately interested in spirituality, he went to Kanchipuram and
studied at a monastery, eventually becoming a Buddhist monk (Bhikshu).
Sakkiya was well-versed in Buddhist theology and philosophy. This is also the
origination of his name Sakkiya, a Tamil derivation of Shakya,
the name of the clan of the Buddha belonged to.
However, Buddhism did not
relinquish his thirst for knowledge and enlightenment. So, he embraced
Shaivism, however, he did not give up the garb of a Buddhist monk and continued
to dress in saffron garments as he was convinced that external appearances did
not matter for self-realization. Sakkiya is said to have realized that Shaivism
was the true path to salvation and became a devotee of the god Shiva, the
patron deity of Shaivism. He believed that the Shaiva philosophy of "the
deed, doer, its effect and the controller of the effect" was the most
accurate and Shiva was the Truth he was seeking.
Sakkiya commenced the worship of
the Lingam,
Shiva's aniconic symbol. One day, he unconsciously threw a stone at the lingam
with great devotion. The next day, Sakkiya felt that it was Shiva's divine wish
that he worship Shiva by throwing a stone a day at the lingam as an offering.
Sakkiya realized that God will accept any offering which is offered to him with
great devotion. Sakkiya would not have food without throwing a stone at the
lingam daily.
Once, Sakkiya forgot his daily
stone worship and was about to partake food. However, he remembered his daily
duty and unmindful of hunger, rushed to the temple and threw a pebble at the lingam.
Pleased, Shiva appeared before him, blessed him and took him to Kailash,
the god's eternal abode.
One of the most prominent
Nayanars, Appar Tirunavukkarasar (7th century) alludes Sakkiya in a hymn to
Shiva where deeds of various saints are recalled. The hymn says how Shiva made
Sakkiya worship him by throwing a stone before having
his kanji (porridge) and abandon the eating of rice. Shiva also
granted Sakkiya for his service. Sakkiya Nayanar is depicted with a top-knot or
flowing matted hair and with folded hands.
A holy day in his honour is
observed on the twenty-sixth day of the Tamil
month of Margazhi,
generally coincides with January 10. The moon enters the Purva Ashadha Nakshatra
(lunar mansion) on this day. He receives collective worship as part of the 63
Nayanars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva
temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in
procession in festivals.
Sage Konganeswarar test on Shiva Lingam:
It is believed that Lord Shiva
of this Temple was worshipped by many Sages and Siddhars. Sage Konganeswarar
was one among them. Sage Konganeswarar had an herbal tablet (Kuligai) which can
turn any material into water. He decided to test the Kuligai on Lord Shiva
itself. He placed the Kuligai on Shiva Linga. Instead of turning into water, it
was absorbed by the Lingam. on the Shiva Idol which will turn to water. Instead
it was observed by Shiva Linga. Sage Konganeswarar realized the power of
almighty. He stayed in the temple and worshipped Lord Shiva. Also, he attained
salvation at this place.
Pachai Vanna Perumal to Pavala Vanna Perumal:
As per Kanchi Puranam, Lord
Vishnu worshipped Lord Shiva here to get rid of his green color (Pachai Vanna
Perumal) and got coral colour (Pavala Vanna Perumal) in turn.
Veerattagasam:
This temple got its name from
Veerattagasam, the holy laugh of Lord
Shiva after reducing Kalagni Rudra to ashes.