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.
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
 
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.
 
 
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.
 
 
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