The foursome made of King Chinnabomman, Tanjore king, Appayya Dīkṣithar
and a Vidvān went to the temple Darśan. 1
An idol of a village deity had its adamantine index finger resting on
its nose. Asked about the reason, the answer coming from the temple
official was, “A Mahāṉ will reveal the secret of the idol, and the
Sāsthā (the deity) will move his finger from his nose.” The kings
looking at Srīdīkṣithar and the Vidvān asked, “Can anyone of you reveal
the idol’s secret?” The Vidvān came forward and said, “Sāsthā’s Vigraha
(idol) is thinking since he is the son of Mahavishnu, equal to Brahma,
he regrets his misfortune of associating with Siva’s Bhūta Gaṇas
(attendants).” 2
That explanation by the Vidvān did not move the finger of the idol off
its nose. All the assembled people begged Srīdīkṣithar to offer an
explanation. 3
Srīdīkṣithar: “When I go to Kailas, I call Parvati, ‘Amma’ (Mother).
What would I call Lakshmi Devi, the wife of my mother Mahavishnu in the
form of Mohini?” That is what the idol is thinking. That was the
explanation given by Appayya Dīkṣithar. 4
Explanation: The idol is the son of Parvati and Siva. Mahavishnu is the
brother of Parvati. Mahavishnu in a quixotic turn of events morphed into
Mohini, a luscious woman and a mediatrix between the gods and the demons
in the partition of Amṛta or the nectar of immortality. Siva fell in
love with Mohini (his brother-in-law, now a woman). The son of Siva is
confused and flabbergasted wondering what he would call Lakshmi, the
real wife of Mahavishnu.
That very moment, the finger of the idol came off the nose and went
down. All the assembled people praised Srīdīkṣithar, paid homage and
received Dīkṣithar's blessings. Dīkṣithar’s fame and name spread.
Likewise, the trashy throng of his detractors and the jealous gained in
strength and began its mischief-mongering. 5
Once Srīdīkṣithar went to the temple for worship. His enemies arranged
to offer him Prasādam (sacrament) tainted with poison. Srīdīkṣithar
ingested the poisoned Prasadam. The enemies expected him to fall on the
floor. But the poison did not go past his neck. He appeared as a
blue-throated Nīlakaṇḍar (Siva with blue throat). He forgave every one
of them and offered his blessings. 6
It is a common practice to receive the royal gifts with the right hand.
There was an instance of a poet receiving the awards with the left hand.
Mahāṉs offered benedictions either with the right hand or with the left
hand. Srīdīkṣithar offered his blessings with his left hand (like
putting the palm of the hand on the head or shoulder). 7
Once, Mahāṉ’s enemies told the king, “King! Dīkṣithar offers blessings
with his left hand (பீச்சாங்கை/ பீச்சக்கை), which amounts to an insult
to you.” 8
The king, knowing the Mahāṉ, wanted to impress on the naysayers, the
greatness of Srīdīkṣithar. The king took them to Srīdīkṣithar. By divine
intuition, Srīdīkṣithar understood the intent of their arrival, summoned
his friends to bring the picture of the king. 9
When the king’s picture came, Srīdīkṣithar placed it before him and with
the right hand offered his blessings. The picture caught fire and became
a heap of ash. Seeing this, the king and the enemies of Srīdīkṣithar
shook with fear and realized the truth behind (the difference between)
the blessings with the right and the left hand. 10
Inimical Vidvān witnessing the fiery event, had other plans and thought
to himself, “Humm! The story must come to an end.” The Vidvān arranged
for assassins to kill Srīdīkṣithar. 11
Srīdīkṣithar went out to bathe in the pond. He knew the conspiracy,
chanted, ‘Mārgabhanthu Stotram,’ a panegyric about Siva, meditated on
Siva and left home. The killers were at the ready to do their assigned
job. But they did not kill Srīdīkṣithar. What was the reason? 12
The killers had an incredible daylight vision of a multitude of warriors
bearing tridents on the march and surrounding Srīdīkṣithar. That was the
end of their killer assignment. They dropped their weapons, fell at the
holy feet of Srīdīkṣithar, offered homage, named the instigator and
begged for forgiveness. 13
Srīdīkṣithar appealed to Paramesvara, “The Vidvān had not only evil
intentions but also instilled evil thoughts in the hearts and minds of
others.” He anguished over it. There is a narrative that tells the
enemies died upon being skewered and roasted by thunderbolts. 14
There are some events we know of Srīdīkṣithar. Srīdīkṣithar’s life story
of severe trials and tribulations is a lesson for us. We are used to
breakdowns from minor mishaps. 15
Srīdīkṣithar had no enmity in his heart and did not remonstrate with his
enemies, who were bent on extreme opposition and enmity. He had God’s
divine grace as his sole companion and attained victory. He shuffled off
his mortal coil at the age of 72 years and merged with the holy feet of
Nataraja Perumāṉ. 16
Srīdīkṣithar, well-versed in Vedas and Sastras, authored about 104
treatises. His treatise on Mārgabhandhu Stotram (A panegyric about the
company of a friend or relative [God] on a pilgrimage) lauded the
faithful divine companion and was the reciter for those on pilgrimage or
travel. 17
கனகாபிஷேகம் kaṉakāpiṣēkam, n. < id. + abhiṣēka. Showering gold,
bestowing gifts liberally as a mark of appreciation shown by kings and
noblemen; அரசர் முதலியோர் ஒருவரை மதித்துப் பொன்னால் அபிஷேகஞ்செய்கை
அல்லது மிகுதியாகக் கொடுக்கை.
Srīdīkṣithar honored with kaṉakāpiṣēkam (கனகாபிஷேகம் = Showering Gold or
gifts) by the king Chinnabomman, used the royal gifts to build two
temples: Adaiyapalam SrīPārvati Ambāḷ Samētha Kālakaṇdēsvarar Temple and
Srīmahādēvi Samētha Varadarāja Swāmy Temple. 18
Kānchi Mahāṉ Swāmigaḷ had often issued his gracious pronouncements about
Srīdīkṣithar. Upon his arrangement, temple Kumbābhiṣēkam took place on
March 16, 1960, in honor of Adaiyapalam the most gracious Pārvati Ambāḷ
Samētha the most gracious Kālakaṇdēsvarar. 19
There on the same day, Srīmahāswāmigaḷ established a library in the name
of ‘SrīAchārya Dīkṣitha Kōsam.’ 20
Along with that, Swāmigaḷ offered the Srīdīkṣithar-authored book ‘Nyāya
Rakṣāmaṇi’ and others from his Mutt. Besides, Swāmigaḷ prompted
officials at the publishing house ‘Srīkāmakōti Gōsasthāṉam’ to give many
books and conferred his gracious blessings. 21
According to Srīmahāswāmigaḷ’s gracious order, every year, the
Srīappayya Dīkṣithar birthday celebrations are held grandly. 22
There are historical narratives about Dīkṣithar’s stay in
Chennai-Vēḷacchēri for some time, pilgrimages to sacred places like
Tiruvāṉmiyūr and Tiruvāṉmiyūr Īśaṉ turning his body and face to the west
in a miraculous fashion. 23
Let us obtain Darśan of Adaiyapalam, Tiruviriñjai and other temples
established by Srīdīkṣithar. Within us, divine grace will flourish. 24
Divine Grace will thrive.
Wordsmith with a golden tongue P.N.Parasuraman.
Images: K. Murali
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துன்பங்கள் தீர்க்கும் துர்கா சந்திர கலா ஸ்துதி!
Hardship-resolving Durga Chandra Kalā Stutu!
காந்தார மத்ய த்ருடலக்ன தயாவஸந்நா:
மக்னாச்ச வாரிதி ஜலே ரிபுபிச்ச ருத்தா:
யஸ்யா: ப்ரபத்ய சரணௌ விபதஸ்தரந்தி
ஸா மே ஸதாஸ்து ஹ்ருதி ஸர்வ ஜகத்ஸவித்ரீ
Meaning: Those stranded in the middle of the forest not knowing the way
out, those drowning in the sea and struggling for breath, and those
surrounded by enemies: Upon surrendering to Ambāḷ, they gain freedom
from such danger. That Ambikai, the creator of the universe, must always
remain in my heart, mind, and soul. 1
Ambāḷ sends a shower of grace by giving us freedom from hardship on land
and sea. 2
Srīappayya Dīkṣithar gave us ‘Durga Chandra Kalā Stuti.’ This is it, the
panegyric for Durga Chandra Kalā. During Pūjai on these Navaratri’s
auspicious days, reciting this poem and worshipping Ambāḷ, hardships,
fear of enemies, adverse Karma and other inauspicious elements will
leave us. The desired things will happen, as thought. |