Seeraleswarar Temple, Mathur –
Legends
Paranjothi popularly
known as Siruthondar was an army general of the great Pallava
king Narasimhavarman I who ruled South India from 630 – 668 CE. He
also led the Pallava army during the invasion of Vatapi in
642 CE. In the later years of his life, Paranjothi gave up violence and became
a wandering Saivite monk, Siruthonda Nayanar. He is venerated as one
of the 63 Nayanmars. He regarded himself as the lowly servant of the Lord
and other Siva bhaktas. Hence, he came to be called as Siruthondar (small
servant).
Lord Siva wanted to test his
devotion. So, one day, Lord Shiva appeared in front of Siruthondar house, in
the guise of a Shiva Yogi. Lord enquired Sandana Nangaiyar, maid servant of
Siruthondar, about his master whereabouts. She said Lord that he had gone in
search of a Shiva devotee as he would not take food before feeding a Shiva
devotee. She invited Shiva Yogi to come into their house as his master would be
happy to see a Shiva Yogi at his home.
Shiva Yogi refused to enter
the house as the women in the house were alone without their male companion. Thiruvengattu
Nangaiyar, wife of Siruthondar, also invited him to the house. Shiva Yogi still
refused and informed them that he would reside under the tree near the temple
till the arrival of Siruthondar. Once Siruthondar arrived, his wife informed
about the Shiva Yogi. Siruthondar ran towards to the temple and invited him to
the house.
Shiva Yogi stated that he had
doubts whether Siruthondar might accept his conditions to accept the Bhiksha.
Siruthondar promised that he was ready to accept any demand from the Shiva
Yogi. Shiva Yogi revealed his condition that he wanted to eat the meat of a 5
year old healthy child and should be the only son to their parents. Further, he
stated that the child must be held by his mother and cut into pieces by his
father. Siruthondar realized that his son, Seeralan, fitted all criteria.
Siruthondar told his wife
about the Shiva Yogi and she too agreed. The mother held the child in her lap
and Siruthondar cut his throat in one stroke. They cooked their own son and
requested Shiva Yogi to have his meal. Now, Yogi wanted another Shiva devotee
to eat with him. Siruthondar agreed to give company and ready to eat the flesh
of his son. Yogi further stated that he wanted Siruthondar son to join the
feast. Siruthondar informed Yogi that his son was not in the house currently.
But Yogi insisted Siruthondar
to go out and call his son. Siruthondar wanted to obey the words of Yogi and called
him son. To utter surprise, his son came running to him. The parents were
astonished and went inside to the see the Yogi. Yogi and the meat offered to
him disappeared. Lord Shiva appeared before them, blessed the family and took
them to his abode, Kailasha. It is said that the above incident took place in this
place. Hence, the
temple is considered as rebirth place of Seeralan, son of Siruthonda
Nayanar.