Surrender Removes
Sorrows
Ira.Mohan
சக்தி விகடன் - 11 Apr, 2017
திருத்தலங்கள் Sacred sites: Temples
Posted Date : 06:00 (28/03/2017)
The Surrenderers don’t have Sorrows!
Tiruppullani that give new directions in life. Ira. Mohan
Tiruppullāṇi A Viṣṇu shrine near Ramnad gives turn for the better in
life.
Tarppa + šayana. A Viṣṇu shrine. |
Pullāraṇyam is a famous shrine of Viṣṇu, also known as tarppacyaṉam.
Of the 108 holy Shrines of Viṣṇu, the 44th is this shrine, receiving 20
poem eulogy from Thirumangai-āzhvār besides accolades from many Ṛṣis,
about 12km from Ramanathapuram. In Kṛita Yuga, Pullavar, Kālvar, and
Kaṇvar, the three Mahaṛṣis observed Tapas (austerity) for weal of the
world in the Tiruppulāṇi forest full of anthills and Darbha grass
(Desmostachya bipinnata). The Asuras (the half-brothers of Suras or gods
also called by matronymic name Daityas) caused suffering in myriad ways
to the anchorites. |
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Mahāviṣṇu appeared in the form of a Pipal Tree (Ficus religiosa) and
rescued them. Fulfilling their supplication, the Lord gave them the
vision: bearing Discus and conch in the pose of Abhaya Mudra (Have no
fear pose). The Muṉis melted at the gesture. Perumal to this day in the
same stance of grace abides in a temple there fulfilling the boons of
the devotees. His consort’s name is Gracious Padmāsinī Thāyār.
Thiruppulāṇi in Itihāsas
King Dasaratha, to beget a son, received religious instructions and Mūla
Mantra of Perumāl and begot a son Sri Ramapiran, according to the
prevailing lore. The special feature in this temple here is Sri Rama
appearing in the stance of Cyanam (lying down) and offering grace.
Itihāsas tell Rama came down to Sethukkarai near Thiruppulāṇi in search
of abducted Sita.
Reaching the seashore, afflicted with fatigue and grief, seeing the
humongous boulder, wondering how to cross the seas, and whom to seek
help from, he rested his head on the laps of his brother Lakshmana. He
spread the Darbha grass and observed fasting for three days. Since the
Darbha grass bore the weight of his body and received great merit, the
sacred place obtained the name of Thiruppulāṇi
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Tirumangai Azvar describes the resting body of Rama on a bed of
scattered Darbha grass looking south to Lanka. Based on this, here the
sacred body of Rama was carved in stone lying on a bed of grass with
sleepy eyes.
குடதிசை முடியை வைத்து குணதிசை பாதம் நீட்டி
வடதிசை பின்பு காட்டி தென்திசை இலங்கை நோக்கி
கடல்நிறக் கடவுள் எந்தை அரவணைத் துயிலுமா கண்டு
உடலெனக் குருகுமாலோ என் செய்கேன் உலகத்தீரே! 890 Divyaprabhandam
Tirumangai Azvar.
O Citizens of the world. The ocean-hued Lord lying with his head to the
east, feet to the west, his back to the North, his eyes to the south
looking at Lanka and lying on the snake-bed with his eyes waning to
sleep: That (scene)makes my body melt (in ecstasy).
The God who gives refuge to those who
surrender.
When Sri Ram was in this site, Ravana’s brother Vibhīshaṇa visited with
him and said, “My older brother Rāvanā exiled me from Lanka.” Saying so,
he surrendered to Rama. Sent by Rāvanā, the spies Sukhan and Sāraṇan
upon seeing Rama also surrendered to Rama.
Sri Rama sought permission from the king of the seas to build a bridge
in the seas. The Lord of the seas did not appear before Rama. Being
angry at the king of the ocean, he got ready to launch an arrow.
Samudraraja (king of the ocean) became afraid and with his wife,
surrendered to Rama.
Sri Ramapiran blessed the surrenderers, relieved them of any fear and
gave them grace. Of the 108 Divine sites (திவ்விய தேசங்கள்), Tiruppulāṇi
shines as the surrender-place (சரணாகதி தேசம்). The local devotees say
the devotees coming and surrendering to Rama at this site face no
difficulties. Rama supplicated to the local resident deity Jagannatha
Perumal to help him rescue Sita. Perumal gifted an arrow to Rama and
blessed him. With that weapon, Sri Rama destroyed Ravana.
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Since this site was the waystation in his march before his rescue
mission, there are no Sita and Lakshmana (represented by Adisessa) but
present are Anjaneya and the consulting deities in building the bridge:
Sun god, Moon god and other deities.
Rama went on an ocean bridge to Lanka from Sethukkari, about four KM
from Tiruppullāṇi. Accomplishing his rescue of Sita and performing Siva
Puja in Ramesvaram, Rama went to Tiruppullāṇi to obtain Darśan of Swami.
After this salutary worships, he went to Ayodya for his coronation. To
illustrate this event, the Sannidhi presents Pattapiraman in his
coronation regalia, Sita and Lakshmana with the flagpole. Pattapiraman
in his coronation regalia with Sita, and Lakshmana by the flagpole in
the shrine gives his graceful Darśana to his devotees.
Privilege of
Progeny assured
Dasaratha for the privilege of progeny performed Putrakāmeṣti Yāga
(sacrifice to obtain son) in this place. He offered to his wives the
sweet porridge that miraculously transpired from the sacred vessel.
Because the wives ate the sacred porridge, the wives gave birth to Rama
and his half-brothers.
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It is the established belief that if the visiting childless devotees
take an early morning dip in the Sethukkarai ocean and go to the
Tiruppullāṇi temple for ritual worship, they will have the boon of
progeny. The temple tree Ficus, and three sacred ponds-Hema Tīrtham,
Chakra Tīrtham and Ratnakara Tīrtham, are in the temple premises. The
temple doors are open from 7 AM to 12:30 PM in the morning and 3:30 to
8PM in the evening. Ritual preparations are taking place at present for
the Consecration.
Those who wish for new directions in life, the devotees should go to
Tiruppullāṇi and worship Sri Rama. The surrenderers obtain happiness,
relief from ups and downs and a whole lot of joy from Rama.
How to go?
The devotees arrive at Ramanathapuram by bus, rail or car and leave for
the temple 12 km away by bus or by metered taxi.
Those coming to obtain Darśan of Ramesvaram can take tourist bus to
Tiruppulāṇi 65 km away and the other nearby points of interest such as
temples in Tiru-uthra-kosamangai, Devippattinam…
Photos by U. Pandi
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