Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple,
Thirumayyam – Legends
Sathyagiri Nathan:
As per legend, once, asuras were dominating the world.
Due to their rule, Yagnas and poojas were stopped and adharma thrived in the
world. The sages and the devas were frightened seeing the plight of the world
and could not be able to confront the asuras as they got enormous powers. They
went to goddess of Dharma, Dharma Devathai and surrendered to her holy feet. They
requested her to help them to get out of this danger safely.
Seeing their plight, Dharma Devathai agreed to help
them and transformed herself into a deer and came to this Sathya Kshetram. Lord
Vishnu came in front of Dharam Devathai in this place and promised her that he
would stay in this place as Sathyagiri Nathan and would help all the people
including the sages and Devas from the asuras and would put an end to adharma
prevailing in this world.
Mukthi Sthalam of Sage Sathya:
As per legend, a sage named Sathya performed penance
at this place. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu granted him a boon that he would
appear to the sage whenever he wished. The sage had no wish to move away from
river where he was performing the penance. Lord Vishnu converted the river to a
Pushkarani, the rock to Meyyam hill and banyan tree to Asvatta tree. The sage
performed penance again and wished salvation. Lord Vishnu told him that he
would attain salvation at the same time as king Pururava.
Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a boar and created
havoc in the kingdom of Pururava. The king chased the boar to the forest where
the sage was performing penance. Sage Sathya was disturbed and opened the eyes,
while the king saw the boar disappeared. Lord Vishnu appeared to grant a vision
to both of them. He granted salvation to the sage and directed the king to
build a temple at this place, which went on to become the Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple.
Unique posture of Adisesha:
Once, two demons namely Madhu and Kaitabha came to
Srivaikundam and tried to kidnap Sridevi and Bhoodevi while Lord Vishnu was in
his Yoga Nidra. Fearing them, Maha Lakshmi hid inside the chest of Lord and
Bhoodevi at his feet. Adisesha did not want to disturb the sleep of Lord Vishnu
and decided to drove the demons out without the permission of Lord Vishnu.
Accordingly, he spits the poison out of his tongue and drove the demons away
from Srivaikundam. After droving them out, Adisesha was worried that he acted
without the permission of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu, however, appreciated the
deed of Adisesha and blessed him. To commemorate this incident, Adiseshan is
depicted with a shrunken hood and scared look on his face in this temple.
Adisesha penance on Lord Vishnu
here:
As per Brahmanda Purana, once Adisesha, the
serpent of Vishnu wanted to convert his Tamasa guna (wild
behaviour) to Satvaguna (human behaviour). He came to the place via
the netherworld in a path, which went on to become the river Pamapar. He
performed intense penance on Lord Vishnu at this place. Pleased with his
penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before him in the form of Hayagriva and
granted him a boon.
Adirangam:
It is believed that the Srirangam temple has been in
existence for 64 chaturyugams (one chaturyugam is equal to one each of Satya
Yugam, Treta Yugam, Dwapara Yugam and Kali Yugam), but this temple has been around for 96 chaturyugams. This temple is considered older
than Srirangam Temple. Hence, the temple is referred to as Adi Rangam (Original
Rangam). This temple is considered only second in sanctity to the Srirangam Temple.
Thirumeyyam:
The name Thirumayam is derived from the word Thiru Meyyam
which means place of truth in Tamil. Lord Vishnu of this temple is also called
Meyyar. As he stayed in this place, the place came to be called Thirumeyyam. Thiru means holy or sacred and is traditionally
used in front of names in many parts of Tamil Nadu.
Lord Vishnu granted Vamana
darshan to Chandra:
As legend, Chandra performed intense penance on
Lord Vishnu at this place. Pleased with his penance, Lord Vishnu appeared
before Chandra in the form of Vamana.
Lord Shiva explaining the
greatness of this place to Sage Narada:
As per legend, Lord Shiva himself explained the
greatness of this place to Sage Narada. Lord Shiva further said that Sathya
Devathai and Dharma Devathai will bless the devotees with peaceful life and
longevity during Kaliyuga.
Venu Vanam:
As this place was dense with bamboo (Venu) trees
during ancient times, this place is also called as Venu Vanam.
Sathyagiri Hill equivalent to
Salagrama Hill:
As per Brahmanda Purana, It is said that Sathyagiri hill is equivalent to Salagrama hill.
