வம்பு உலாம் கூந்தல் மனைவியைத் துறந்து பிறர் பொருள், தாரம் என்று இவற்றை,

நம்பினார் இறந்தால் நமன்-தமர் பற்றி எற்றி வைத்து, எரி எழுகின்ற

செம்பினால் இயன்ற பாவையை, பாவீ! தழுவு என மொழிவதர்க்கு அஞ்சி,

நம்பனே! வந்து உன் திருவடி அடைந்தேன் நைமிசாரணியத்துள் எந்தாய்!1.6.4 Divyaprabhandam. Verse 1001

- பெரிய திருமொழியில் திருமங்கையாழ்வார்.

Abandoning his wife with fragrant coiffure and seeking the wife of another: such a man upon death is caught by the agents of Yama who tell him, “Hey sinner, go embrace the red-hot fiery copper damsel.” Fearing such utterance, my God, I attained refuge at your holy feet, my Father living in Naimisāraṇiyam! Verse 1001 Divyaprabhandam.

Verse 1001 Periya Tirumozhi by Tiru-Maṅgai-Azhvār. 

                                                               Image of Garuda and flowers: Credit: Harekrishna.de     and    SukiFlowe                                                     

The dream by Dharmavarma came true because the flower garland fell on the sacred place and in its midst, Garuda sat down. Seeing that auspicious event, he thought there cannot be any place more auspicious than where the garland and Garuda landed.

Dharmavarman came to the sacred site with Pūrṇakumbam (Sanctified water pot). He was horripilated seeing Praṇavākāram, the garland on the ground and the Garuda on the skyward flight. The dream has come true! Dharmavarman paid homage to Vibhīṣaṇaṉ.

Vibhīṣaṇaṉ reciprocated saying, “My greetings to the king.”

Dharmavarman: O Chief of Lanka! Let your arrival be auspicious. I had a dream: A Garuda bird dropped a garland on the banks of the Kaveri river. Following it, I received news of your arrival from the spies.

Dasaratha, the Mahārathan performed Putra Kāmēṣṭi Yāgam in Ayodhya, which I attended. When I had Darśan of Praṇavākāra Perumal, he took me as his slave and devotee, giving me grace. Because of Perumal, I became a Tapasvin (Ascetic). Because of my asceticism, Perumal gave me Darśan. Since you caused it, I extend my gratitude. I beseech you to go with me to the palace for rest and recuperation.

Mahārathan (= the fighter and commander of 11,000 chariot warriors.)

Kāmēṣṭi Yāgam (= Sacrifice performed for the birth of sons.)

Vibhīṣaṇaṉ was happy to acknowledge the love shown by Dharmavarman. Vibhīṣaṇaṉ was tired from long-distance travel. He being hirsute appeared like a Ṛṣi.

Vibhishana: “King of Chola country! Thank you for your hospitality. I am not a king yet. I am a devotee of Praṇavākāram. Therefore, I cannot go to your palace as a guest and enjoy your hospitality. That is incivility (if I accept your invitation). Please forgive me.”

Vibhīṣaṇaṉ: The daily Karmāṉuṣtās (observance of daily rituals) are yet to be completed. I must do them after bathing in the river. Brahmadevar himself worshipped this Mūrtham, and therefore rites and rituals should not be missed because of travel. No one should say that a nominal Pūja is sufficient.” So saying, he left for bathing in the river with fear, reverence, and responsibility in his heart. He immersed himself in the waters of the river and emerged.

His minions ran towards him and offered the upper garment. Vibhīṣaṇaṉ was ready to offer worship. Mārga Ṛṣi who bathed with him joined him in the ceremonial worship. Dharmavarman with disappointment in his heart at his inability to participate in the worship stood there and watched the event with the people of Uraiyur. Garuda was seen flying in the sky. Garuda saw the Kaveri river appear as a garland in its bifurcation around the island. Perumal’s sight in a straight line seemed to see Lanka from the Kaveri riverside.

Tiruvaraṅgam’s first scene appeared in the eyes of Garuda as the Kṣētra (Sacred place, shrine), with only the Sannidhi (Sanctum) and no temple, rampart, outer wall or terrace!

Then, the Nīli Vaṉa (Chaste Tree Forest) Ṛṣis, Thālapya Munis with their disciples were on their journey to pay homage to Praṇavākāra Perumal. That riverside site of the Chola country was chock-full of an ocean of people.

The midpoint of Kaveri River

At that central point is the Praṇavākāra Perumal’s holy guise. On both sides of Kaveri, the flow of Kaveri in burbles, wall-to-wall people on the island, on one side Dharmavarman and his friends, and on the other side the Nīlivaṉa Ṛṣis and their devotees: The Kaveri island was bustling with activity.

After worship, holding the hands of Vibhīṣaṇaṉ, Dharmavarman pleaded with him to stay in Cholas Nadu for at least a few days. Vibhīṣaṇaṉ consented.

Following this, the Nīlivaṉa ṛṣis proposed celebration of Brahmōtsavam (Principal annual festival in a temple ) there for Perumal. On second thought, they rejected the idea because Brahmōtsavam was for a permanently established Perumal and the latter was on a pilgrimage. They proposed a festivity similar to Brahmōtsavam again.

Vibhīṣaṇaṉ was ecstatic about the proposal. The festivities unfolded. The participants quickly built a Pandal, a public dining hall and a sacrificial platform for the Yāgam. Dharmavarman liberally gave as Kaiṅkaryam (service) whatever needed for the sacrifice. The festivities continued for a week and ended successfully. Vibhīṣaṇaṉ got ready for his Yātrā.

Dharmavarmaṉ was distressed to note the departure of Vibhīṣaṇaṉ with Praṇavākāra. He thought to himself, “Did I perform Tapas just to have you for only seven days. These Nīlivaṉam Rishis performed Tapas like me. Having said that Tapas would yield fruits before its end, you now leave me. Is that fair? South India is the foot of the Indian subcontinent. You showed your holy feet and are now in Yoga Nidra (Conscious Sleep). What greatness will happen by your going to the teardrop island nation of Lanka for abiding in a temple? We have Irakka Maṉam here. Leaving here, how can you go and take roots in soil with Arakka Maṉam? Such were among the multiple questions Dharmavarman entertained. Irakka Maṉam1 and Arakka Maṉam2 are rhymers. = Compassionate mind1 and Demonic mind2

As Dharmavarma’s mind was crashing like waves on the rocks, a miracle was enacting on the stage.

They tried hard to move the Perumal idol. They could not shift Praṇavākāra Perumal. Vibhīṣaṇaṉ down with fatigue sat down and looked up in the sky saying, “O Emperumane, What a trial! What a tribulation! Why do you refuse to budge? A disembodied voice came from heaven.

The Voice: Vibhīṣaṇaṉ! We will remain in the center surrounded by Kaveri river. For all times, we will stay here and offer rescue to the world’s people. We gave protection to you for your good deed. When you give up the elemental body at your death, you will attain liberation. After that, you will never have another rebirth. This does not mean we abandon your country, Lanka. Lanka will shine as an expansive land in my direct vision. My Third-Eye Dīkṣa radiates in three directions. Let Lanka shine in its path. You may arrange for your further journey. You will be on my mind as long as this temple exists. The disembodied voice exhilarated Dharmavarman and continued.

Nīlivaṉa Munis! Honorable Chola king! Your devotion is lofty. Not only because of it, but also because of Kaveri River, we put our roots in this temple. ‘Natham’ means protection. ‘Nathi’ (Nathi = river) means the rivers in this world protect and nourish the lives. It appears at the peak, walks on the plateau, merges with the deep sea, and again becomes vapor, clouds, and rain. Since six (= Āṛu = Six attributes = river) kinds of deeds are involved, the river is called Āṛu (river). Among the rivers, Ganga, associated with my foot flows, rolls, and shines, can expunge all sins. Six attributes of a great river: The peak1, the walk in the plateau2, merges with the sea3, Vapor4, Clouds5, Rain6.

Kaveri once upon a time performed Tapas asking for such fame, name and greatness for herself. Having given the feet to Ganga, I gave Kaveri the boon of my body for its Tapas. To fulfill that boon, I, on this day, stayed in the temple on this island, surrounded by Kaveri River.

From today onwards, Kaveri will be blessed with glory and wealth. Let this sacred place shine as the Water Hall surrounded by Kaveri. During the era of human life, I will appear as Jñāṉis to instruct humanity on Nature, Greatness, and friendship. Let the heavenly Praṇavākāram thrive and shine on earth. Auspicious Blessings to all. That was the end of the disembodied voice.

Hearing the Voice from space, Rishis and the king were exhilarated.

In ancient times, Kaveri originated in the west, came near Tanjai in South country until Perumpaḷḷam town, then went underground and remained concealed. She was not like it today. Now She made Tañjai a verdant basin and merged with the ocean at Poompukār.

Because of Ērakanda Muni’s munificence, and Chola king after Dharmavarma, Kaveri flowed into Tanjai and made the fields a verdant oasis.

That is a beautiful history.

Will Continue.

Author: Indira Soundarrajan

Images: M.S

153-77-255