Srimathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha:
WHY THIRUMALIRUMCHOOLAI IS THE KSHETRAM OF CHANDRAN ? part-2
by Dasan Kudanthai Amudhan
Origin of Chandran and his emergence from Thiruparkadal.
Chandran was born to maharishi Athiri and Anusuya. When he was young, he did penance in the forest praying to lord Vishnu with a desire to get boon for serving all seven types of beings like devas, rakshas, yakshas, gandharvas, nagas, pitrus and manushas without any discrimination. Pleased with his social outlook, Lord Vishnu appeared before him and directed Chandran to perform a Rajasuyaa yagam.. Accordingly, after marrying 27 daughters of Dakshan, chandran performed a grand yagam attended by devas and apsarus. Tara, the lovely wife of Brahaspati also came on this occasion.She was attracted by the beauty of Chandran and courted with him to get a Child later named as ‘Budhan”.After some time ,Tara left for her place leaving the child under the care of Chandran who entrusted Budhan to his wifes to look after him. But only Rohini was affectionate with this child and took care of him.Hence Chandran was more in proximity to Rohini ignoring other wifes which irritated and made his father-in-law Dakshan to curse Chandran to lose his beauty (kalai ) everyday to meet his end.
Hence Chandran who was initially gifted and blessed with 16 kalais started losing everyday his beauty.After having virtually lost all his kalais but only two kalais balance to lose his life due to the curse of Dakshan,immediately took shelter in Thiruparkadal and surrendered to Lord Vishnu residing over there.Relatively in an another episode, Sage Durvasar cursed indran and other devas to lose their wealth and power due to their arrogance.This resulted in Sri Mahalakshmi to leave them and take shelter at Thiruparkadal. Sriman Narayanan who was waiting for this opportunity took Kurma (Turtle) avatar to bring back Sri Mahalakshmi from the milky ocean as well as to give immortal nector (amrita) to devas ,since entire universe went in to darkness without Sri lakshmi.After Churning the ocean for few days, first appeared was Halahal venom which toxicity was so dreadful, both devas and asuras could not withstand.Hence all devas prayed to Shiv dev who came from mount kailash feeling pity on them to save them from disaster.So Shiv dev swallowed the Halahal Venom.This occasion is celebrated as Pradosham on 13ththiti of trayodasi sandhi kalam in thei pirai.
The Potency of Poison scorched so much to shiv dev,parvathi devi stopped the passage of Venom at his neck by tieing up with a snake and prayed Sri Vishnu to ward off the evil effects on her husband.Sri Vishnu in his Kurma avatar, ordained Chandran to act accordingly who in turn emerged from the milky ocean and adorned on top of the matted locks of shiva to cool his body from the scorching heat ( symbolically here a wanning moon (thei pirai) with left curve appeared on the head of Shiva as he was only with two kalais).This occasion is celebrated as Maha Shivrathri on 14th day chaturdasi night before new moon day when shiv dev along with parvathi performed cosmic dance in joy after getting relief in cool rays emitted by Chandran.
Shiv dev thus pleased with the timely action of Chandran,unable to reverse the prajapathi Dakshans curse fully,had blessed Chandran with a relief of having to undergo waxing and wanning in the sky every 15 days in two pakshams in a month by visiting the mansions of all his 27 wifes in their form as Stars.Thereafter shiva and parvati left for mount Kailash.During churning of ocean,many Rathnas came including Sri dhanvantri holding the amrita.On the day of 15th New moon,Sri Lakshmi came finally from Thiruparkadal to be reunited with Emperuman.Thus Sri Lakshmi has become the brother of Chandran as both reappeared from milky ocean.
Hence Dippawali is celebrated at the fag end of chaturdasi tithi in dark before the advent of new moon by lighting the houses, based on belief this was the end of the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodiya after 14 years exile.Similarly Sri Lakshmi puja is done in the evening of dippawali on new moon day conciding with the occasion of her emerging from milky ocean.Therefore number 14 is important to KATAKA RASSI because 14 Rathnas came from Thirparkadal, Sri Rama who was born in Kataka rassi returned to Ayodiya after 14 years, there are 14 manvantras in a kalpam,there are 14 lokas created by Brahma.On 14th day Chandran emerged from the milky ocean to traverse in the Sky from next day new moon onwards going by a cycle of phases for every 15 days by the grace of Lord Vishnu to whom Chandran surrendered at thiruparkadal to escape the virtual destruction by the curse of dakshan.
Since then Chandran with his 2 kalais at the end of 14th tithi of wanning moon goes to Sun,the pitru Karaghan on new moon day, shedding one kalai to pitrus holding his only one constant kalai (16th) being the absolute, pray to Agni deva, at the center of Suriya mandalam to get purified of all his doshams.This coincide in reality with moon getting combusted with Sun at zero degree conjunction,when one can not see the moon in the sky on 15th tithi Amavasya.Moon start waxing from next day onwards going by a cycle of Phases endlessly by the grace of Suriya Narayana who gives life and light to Chandran.
During Vamana avatar,when Lord Vishnu manifested as Thirivikrama,his Lotus feet was washed by brahma in sathya loka from the water in his kamandalam.This fallen theertham first flowed down to Duruva mandalam and later to Chandra mandalam from where it fell on the matted locks of Shiva dev in Kailash.This Theertham finally tricked down to our puniya bhumi assumed as river ‘Ganga’ from the matted locks of shiva as per the prayer of King Bhagiratha to him for properly receiving this sacred water in earth.Thus by receiving the sripatha theertham of Lord Vishnu first in its mandalam, Chandran also mitigated the powerful force of Ganga water that would have otherwise caused dreadful effects on the matted locks of Shiv dev.Moons deep craters on its surface filled with ice and water beneth as per recent findings are believed to have been created due to the powerful force of ganga water that fell from Sathyaloka on moon.Since Chandran got the boon from Lord Vishnu to serve all class of beings with his social objective outlook without any discrimination,the core essence of Vaishnavam, Chandran is most dearer to Sriman Narayana. Chandran washed his Dosham by receiving the sripatha theertham of SrI Vishnu,besides making agni pravasam to Suriya mandalam on every new moon day in order to pray agnideva to purify himself.Let us see his connection with this Kshetram and its lord azhagar.
5) Chithirai Thiruvizhaa,the full moon water festival of madurai –Kallazhagar every year set out for jasmine city Madurai on the fourth day of chitthirai festival.Later the Lord makes an entry in to Vaigai river on chitra pournami day, when sun is transiting in mesha, its uccha rassi.On this day moon is at Chitrai star of tula rassi in opposite 7th place from mesha. Hence moon receive maximum splendour of radiation from exalted Sun .So blazing moon is able to reflect its peak soft,bright and snowy beams of rays on this day.Chandran denoting conch (sangu) in the transit at the constellation of Chitrai star is significant as this is the birth star of Thiruvazhiazhwan (chakram).This day is also important due to the birth of Chitra gupta,the recording celestial assistant to Yama dharma raja on whose request,Lord Brahma created him out of a chitram (picture drawing) to assist Yama maintains Dharma by keeping proper records of our deeds.Later on Chitra gupta took birth to Kamadhenu, the celestial cow as a child for childless indran and indrani.Hence Chitra gupta is closely connected to Vrushabhadri hill ( azhagar hill) as he was created for dharma devan as per his wish and later through Kamadhenu, the celestial cow that came from Thiruparkadal. Vrushabhadri denotes dharma in the form of Yama dharma rajan, on whose request Lord Soundrarajar came in to being at azhagar koil.Also this kshetram itself is considered as thiruparkadal from where chandran emerged. Hence kallazhgar stepping in to Vaigai river on Chitra pournami,the birth day of Chitra gupta is important.Moreover the highlight of this celebration on this day is about re-enacting the puranic episode of manduka rishi who is relieved of his curse and given moksham by the Lord here. This story goes with when a sage by name Sudabha was in deep penance immersed in the water of silmabaru flowing down in this hill, durvasar muni along with his disciples came over here.Upon finding no response from sage Sudabha who was deep inside the water, to the call of durvasar muni for long time, the furious muni cursed this sage to be a manduka ( frog) that dwells in water always.Hence Kallazhgar stepping in to this river to give moksham to sage sudabha in puranic episode is re-enacted every year to remind us the kind mercy of emperuman to those who surrender to him.This chithirai thiruvizhaa is considered as a ‘water festival’ because Lord Kallazhagar stays on the banks of Vaigai river for 4 days travelling to many villages situated along the river.Apart from this fact, devotees used to sprinkle water drawn from Sacred rivers stored in mobile tankers through the hoses and pipes continuously on the idol of Kallazhagar besides on vahanas and on the people accompanying procession enroute to Madurai.This reminds us the celebration of holi festival of north.On this occassion,Lord kallazhagar receive a garland of Sri andal from Srivalliputtur brought in a grand procession.Lord Kallazhagars kalyana guna of sausilyam is glorified in following pasuram of Bhoothathazhwar-
வெற்பென் றிருஞ்சோலை வேங்கட மென்றிவ்விரண்டும்,
நிற்பென்று நீ மதிக்கும் நீர்மைபோல் – நிற்பென்று,
உளங்கோயில் உள்ளம் வைத்துள்ளினேன் வெள்ளத்,
தினங்கோயில் கைவிடேலென்று!-பூதத்தாழ்வார் திருவந்தாதி(2- 54)
Thus this Chithirai thiruvizha is connected closely to the karaghathvam of Chandran on its re-enacting the episode of giving moksham to frog (manduka rishi), water splashing, Stepping in to the river and staying along the river bank for four nights and the day of pournami thiti choosen for this festival as frog,water and staying in riverbank,full moon are denoted by chandran.Informatively all over south east asian countries like vietnam,myanmar thailand,Cambodia ect witnesses similar type of water festivals during this same period of april month coinciding with their new year festival similar to the rituals of chithirai thiruvizha.Same way they celebrate on full moon day during august (kataka- aadi )to glorify moon(water god) as full moon water festival.
6) Chandran lineage starts with his son Budhan whose clan grew in chain like Budhan-pururavas-indrathyumnan-malayadwajan-soundra pandian ect They were the rulers of pandiya desam as part of early clan of chandra vamsam.The celebrity king Malayadwajan was ruling pandia nadu spread out from meru hills to down south, holding the flag with the image of ‘fish’ that reminds us the very first Vishnu avatar.He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and was traversing everyday to Gaya Kshetram for taking holy bath in a Pushpak vimana gifted to him by sage agasthyar.One day when he was passing through azhagar hills over the sky, his pushpak vimana could not fly over further but descended on this hill. Then king heard an aerial divine voice directing him not to take the trouble of going to far away Gaya kshethra but to take holy bath in Noopura gangai in this hill itself, which is more divine and sacred than ganga.The divine voice of Emperuman reminded him about his father indrathyumnan penance at this hill and his devotion to this theertham of Noopura gangai for taking holy bath which rendered the birth of malayadwajan as his son. Upon hearing his fathers great devotion to azhagar, the king was so pleased with the divine direction of emperuman, did great services and kainkariyams to Lord soundrarajar.He also built this koil in the present form.This shows the influence of chandran through his lineage of kings and their kainkariyams to azhagar koil.The flag of pandiyan kings with the image of ‘ fish’ also shows the influence of moon which denotes fish, turtile,crab ect.
7) Chandran is called as ‘Soma Oushadhinaam Adhipathi” as he controls all medicinal herbs ( oushadh) which are regulated by moon whose cycle of phases are associated with the growth of new plants.Herbs and Creepers are regarded as amrita (ambrosial).The flowers are also associated with Moon as it aesthetically please the eyes and its appeal to the sense of smell by imparting pleasant fragrance gladden the mind.Hence the derivation for flower in Sanskrit synonym as “Suman” meaning which delights the mind.Sri Dhanvantri Bhagawan emerged from Thiruparkadal along with Chandran among 14 Rathnas during Samudra manthan holding in his four hands Sanghu,pot filled with amrita,Herbs and Leech.These items are all connected with Moon.Sri Krishna said in Bhagwath gita ( 9-18) “ I am the medicinal herbs among the plants’ and also in B G (10-21) “ I am the soma among nakshthras”.Six azhwars rendered many pasurams about Thirumaliumcholai as a divine hill with dense forest of herbal plants, rare fragrant trees,flowers, gems, streams,rivulets bringing down water with natural minerals and herbal properties. Foremost among 18 siddhas, Boga siddhar had written a beautiful poem on Silambaru,azhagar hills and Its Lord Kallazhagar.Many Siddhars like Idaikaadu and Ramadevar lived in this hill.some of them attained jeeva mukthi here after spending their life on research of medicinal herbs and rare trees in this hill.True to the pasurams of Azhwars, even now this hill is the most favourite place for many researchers of medicinal herbs and trees.Azhagar hills has a tropical dense reserved forest with high bio-diversity value known for its medicinal herbs.Hence Our forest department maintains a big herbal garden (muligai vanam) in this hill restricted only to Siddha research scholars and this garden is irrigated by a natural spring.This hill itself is described as thiruparkadal, in a azhwar pasuram ,from where Chandran emerged whose Karagathavam is closely connected to this Kshetram.
“ திங்கள்நன் மாமுகில்சேர் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை நின்ற
நங்கள்பிரானை இன்றுநணுகுங்கொல்! என்நன்னுதலே !
8) Aadi Brahmotsavam celebrated as a big festival in this Temple for 10 days is closely connected to Chandran.Aadi is known as Kataka masam because Sun is transiting in Kataka rassi, owned by Moon.Car festival celebrated on 9th day glorify Suriyan who gives light and life to Chandran.Ther is the vahana of Suriyan.Lord Kallazhagar with his consorts take procession in a Chariot around the main streets on Aadi pournami.Lord Soundrarajar is delighted to be seated in Ther Vahana on this full moon day when Chandran receive maximum light from Suriyan transiting in moon sign.During the first 8 days of this Brahmotsavam,Chakrathazhwar is taken out through the main gopura entrance of ‘pathinettam padi’ for veethi purappadu of azhagar and brought back when these doors will be opened only at that time for entry to Azhwan.Even Lord kallazhagar do not go via this entrance but always use only the side entrance known as “vandi vassal“.Otherwise this doors are permanently kept closed because it is believed that Krishna Putra is manifested on this 18 steps and hence none is allowed inside to go. Suriyan is the embodiment of Chakram.Periazhwar describe Chandran as -
“நஞ்சுமிழ் நாகமெழுந்தணவி நளிர்மாமதியை,
செஞ்சுடர் நாவளைக்கும் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலையதே ! (4- 3திருமொழி)
Azhwan passing through 18 steps at the Main entrance doors is important as number 18 is closely linked to Chandran. Moons yantra in silver plate charged with mantras on its numerical side has total 18 in each horizontal row and vertical column with a geometrical image of Moon engraved on its reverse side.This Symbolically represent in reality that east facing Garbhagraham of Lord Paramaswamy,the moolavar of this koil, Panchaloka idol of Kallazhagar and Silver idols of other three utsavars are placed under Soma Chanda Vimanam similar to the Shape of Moon, facing the entrance of 18 steps on the main gopura vassal.Informatively Tickets are issued for Rs 54 as “padikatanam”to permit devotees seeing the 18th steps through a small opening.This odd figure happens to be the combined numerical number of Chandra yantra ( 18 x 3 col/row). Aadi amavasya is important due to Garuda seva on this day. 18th pathinettam peruku is celebrated here in festive mood as water signify the karaghathvam of Chandran.Aadi Peruku is exactly on 18th day of sun transiting in Kataka sign based on Solar calendar linked to the festival of swelling of rivers mainly along the rice cultivation belt as rice is the daniyam of Chandran.Same way,in Lunar calendar,18th tithi falls as akshaya trithya valar pirai in chitrai masam when sun and moon are exalted in mesha and vrushaba signs respectively.The purchase of white metals like silver and platinum are made as an auspicious on this day,since Moon signify silver/white metals.Jasmine flowers blooming during chittrai month coinciding with this festival timing is due to moons karagathvam.
!!OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!
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