by Dasan Kudanthai Amudhan
13) Saptha Matrikas idols are located in southwest to the temple nearby to periazhwar thiruvarasu wherein one can find that all Seven devis idols are in a row on a rocky pedestal.PLEIADES is the name of cluster of fixed stars Visible to the naked eyes in the sky called as “Seven Stars’ or ‘Seven Sisters”.These seven stars in the sky are formed beautifully in the zodiac on the shoulder of the bull sign in a row symbolizing the power (sakthi) at the constellation of Taurus sign( Vrushabha-bull rassi ) in which Chandran is exalted and Lord Krishna took avatar in its Rohini star.Sapta Mathikas are believed to be personification of these Seven stars and are called as Seven Sakthis known as Brahmi, Maheswari, Kaumari,Vaishnavi, Varahi,Indrani and Chamundi. Rig Veda IX- 102-4 mentions that a group of Seven Matrikas control the preparation of Soma, the divine nector carried by Chandran. The embodiment of these Seven Sakthis thus got manifested as a devi known as ‘yoga Maya’ in her universal form of sakthi endowed with the power of seven matrikas, that has the power to induce Sri Vishnu in to mystic Slumber.yoga Maya’ is considered as the power of Sleep of “yoga nidra” in which Lord Vishnu rest at Thiruparkadal between the cycles of creation.When Lord Brahma was challenged by two demons,he prayed to Yoga Maya who in turn released her spell on Lord Vishnu thereby making him awaken in order to slay both asuras- madhu and Kaitaba.During the avatar of Sri Krishna, yoga maya transferred the embryo from Devakis garbha to the womb of Rohini,other wife of Vasudeva to bestow her give birth to Balarama.She herself entered in to the womb of Yasodha to take birth as per the directive of Lord Vishnu.Birth of Sri Krishna is given in PeriazhwarThirumozhi 5-3 as
"மக்களறுவரைக் கல்லிடைமோத இழந்தவள் தன் வயிற்றில்
சிக்கெனவந்து பிறந்து நின்றாய்! திருமாலிருஞ்சோலையெந்தாய்!
Saptha matriakas idols are called here as “சதிரள மடவார்” sannidhi. Yoga maya is the invisible form of durga and is also called as ‘Aparajita’ which means in Sanskrit “unconquerable”. Aparajita puja is performed on the Vijayadasami day during Navaratri festival falling in Kanya masa. Aparajita flowers of white color are used for worshipping Lord Vishnu.These flowers are also called as ‘Sanghu pushpam” or ‘Sanghu kannikodi”in tamil due to its similarity in shape with Sanghu and the organ of femininity.Hence these flowers are used traditionally in ayurvedic to cure Infertility, control menstrual discharge, antistress, antidepressant, for blood platelet aggregation and as brain tonic ect. These ailments and Sanghu are coming under the Karagathvam of Chandran.Lord azhagar is called as ‘Vrushabhadhri nathar’ due to his abode at Vrushabhadri hills.Sri krishna took avatar at Vrushabha sign in the sky,in which these seven stars personifying the seven matrikas are located.Thus “Yoga maya” was born to Yasodha in the same sign of ‘Vrushbha “(bull). Vrushabhadri hill is located nearby to “Then Madura” around the vicinity where many famous villages are located known for “jellikattu”(bull fighting).World famous tourist spot “alanganallur” known for its “Bull fighting” is also in this region closer to azhagarkoil. Long ago traditionally Lord Kallazhagar used to visit Vaigai river bed during Chitrai thiruvizha by passing through alanganallur and thenur before this route was changed during thirumalai nayakar period.if “vada Madura” is called as “Vraja bhumi”,” Then Madura” is called as “vrushabha bhumi”. Lord of this abode Lord Krishna tamed seven bulls and held govardhan hill for Seven days in his little finger.‘yoga maya” is glorified here for her role in Sri Krishna avatar for which pujas are performed to Saptha matrikas on fridays by thayar sannidhi bhattars.Fertility, yoga nidra and femininity thus explained above are the kargathavam of Chandran.
14) Noopura gangai is a sacred theertham known as “Silambaru’ in tamizh to its Sanskrit version of ‘Noopuram’.The water that got splattered from the golden Silambu (anklet) of Lord Vishnu worn in his Lotus feet, fell separately as a stream on this hill when Lord Brahma performed Thirumanjanam in Sathyaloka to the thiruvadi of Thiruvikrama during the process of his measuring the entire universe on his second step.In the above episode the major portion of water that came in big force from the thiruvadi of Emperuman become the sripatha theertham as holy ‘Ganga’ and descended to the moon from where it was received by Shiv dev on his matted locks before it was streamed in to river ganga and branched further in to other sacred rivers.But noopura gangai (Silambaru) came directly from the Thiruvadi of Emperuman to this azhagar hill without touching Chandra Mandalam and the thirumudi of Shiv dev.Hence this holy river is most Sacred aruvi supposed to give ‘Ishta Prapthi’to the one who takes bath here due to the reason it is totally free from the contact of devathas unlike Ganga river as explained above.Chandran,who received ‘ganga’ water from Emperuman Thiruvadi but failed to receive “Noopura Ganga’ visit this Kshetram everynight and make his connection felt with this theertham through his Karagathvams as explained below -
“ சந்தொடுமணியும் அணிமயில்தழையும்,தழுவிவந்து
அருவிகள் நிரந்து வந்திழி சாரல் மாலிருஞ்சோலை”!
(திருமங்கையாழ்வார் 9- 8ஆம் பெரிய திருமொழி)
1)"கணிவளர்வேங்கை நெடுநில மதனில், குறவர்தம்
கவணிடைத்துரந்த மணிவளர் சாரல் மாலிருஞ்சோலை ! '' ;
'2."வானகச்சோலை மரகதச் சாயல், மாமணிக்கல்லதர்
நிறைந்து மானுகர்சாரல் மாலிருஞ்சோலை!" ;
3"சந்தனப்பொழிலின் தாழ்சினை நீழல்,தாழ்வரைமகளிர்கள்
நாளும் மந்திரத்திறைஞ்சும் மாலிருஞ்சோலை!"
Chandrak in Sanskrit is known for peacock feather tails.This is carried away by the water of Silambaru along the hill slopes according to azhwar pasuram.Peacock is the slayer of serpents and the shimmering colors of its tail feather were explained by its supposed ability to transform the snake venom in to Solar irridescence. Its blue neck is believed to be the reason of having consumed poisonous venom of Snakes and its spreading of tail feather will frighten and drive away the serpents.Traditionally even now smoked peacock feathers and its powder are used to treat for snake bites.Hence the water of Silambru is not polluted by Serpents and its poison due to the presence of Chandrak, mayil pelli,the sighting of which in the water of stream itself will drive away the snakes far away.once upon a time, Azhagar malai was inhabited by Nagas headed by their queen uloopi who ruled this hill.Hence many images of nagas in stone forms can be seen inside this koil and also in hill.Naga pujas are performed here.Therefore Chandan-Chandra mani- Chandrak are mentioned in above pasurams about the influence of Chandran who ensure that water of Silambaru is carrying the benefit of herbal/ mineral properties and natural purity, capable of retaining the purity of golden idol of Soundrarajar.Hence all thirumanjanams are performed only with the water drawn from Silambaru .Even if Lord travels to far away Madurai for Chithirai utsavam, only water from noopura gangai is brought in and used.If other source water is used, it is said that the idol of Lord soundrarajar will get black in color and its luster will be lost. Hence the involvement of chandran through his karagathavam is signified in above pasurams since he spread his bright rays to this hill and purify the water of Silambaru directly through his rays as water is the element of moon and also through his Chandan-chandramani-chandrak connections as explained. Namazhwar and Sri andal rendered pasurams on above connection in this hill as-
“... மாதுறு மயில்சேர் மாலிருஞ்சோலை !” (Namazhwar T 2-10)
“ சந்தொடு காரகிலும் சுமந்து தடங்கள் பொருது, வந்திழியும்
சிதம்பாறுடை மாலிருஞ்சோலை நின்ற, சுந்தரனை,
சுரும்பார்குழல் கோதை தொகுத்துரைத்த
செந்தமிழ் பத்தும்வல்லார் திருமாலடி சேர்வர்களே ! (Nachiyar–T 9)
15) Thalai aruvi uthsavam and Rakachi or Rakkayi Devi Sannidhi–“Raka” means in Sanskrit “moon in full glory “or “ full moon”. She is the goddess presiding over the day of Full moon.She is one of the four daughters of Angirasa rishi and his wife Smriti, daughter of Daksha.Angriasa rishi is one of the saptharishi and the manasaputra of Brahma.Angirasa was considered to be the source of light and as priest of gods and Sacrifices.He was the manifestation of Agni, the power of spiritual illumination ,flame (tejas),brilliance and luminious consciousness.His daughters are Raka, sinivali,Kuhu,anumati.They are the lunar goddesses symbolizing the waxing and waning cycle of moon.Raka is the goddess of full moon, Sinivali is the presiding deity of day before new moon, anumati, the day before full moon and Kuhu is the day of New moon.Raka is the parivara devathai of north-west direction facing north in 3rd prahaaram of Sri Vishnu temple.Once upon a time, azhagarkoil had totally seven prakarams.Hence many parivara devathais idols are still in existence at various sannidhis.Rakkayi devi known here also as ‘Rakkayi amman” to local people is the goddess of all theerthams in this hill as well as being the presiding deity of full moon.Hence both Pournami and amavasya are important days for this goddess of lunar and theerthams.All Vedas,Srimath bhagavatham and Sri Vishnu purana mentioned about them in details.Periazhwar rendered pasuram on the parivara devathais of azhagarkoil as ( 4-2)
“எட்டுத் திசையும் எண்ணிறந்த பெருந்தேவிமார்
விட்டு விளங்க வீற்றிருந்த விமலன்மலை,
பட்டிப்பிடிகள் பகடுரிஞ்சிச் சென்று மாலைவாய்த்
தெட்டித்திளைக்கும் தென்திருமாலிருஞ்சோலையே !”
Lord Kallazhagar takes direct showers in the water falls of Noopura ganga on dwadasi day during Iypasi masam.Thirumanjanam is performed on this day with water directly flowing through an opening in the ground floor much below the elevated sannidhi of ‘Rakkayi devi” who stand guard at the entrance for this theertham.The water flowing through a vent below the floor of her sannidhi fall on the idol of Lord azhagar placed in a Thotti .Hence this festival is also called as ‘Thotti uthsavam” This symbolize the acceptance of Lord Kallazhagar to get a touch of femininity from his parivara devatha, “Rakkayi,” the full moon lunar deity of this theertham in Thalai aruvi utsavam.Thirumangaiazhwar on moons connection here as
“பத்தராவியைப் பால் மதியை அணித்
தொத்தைமாலிருஞ்சோலைத் தொழுதுபோய்,
முத்தினை மணியை மணிமாணிக்க
வித்தினைச்சென்று விண்ணகர்க்காண்டுமே ! (thirumozhi 10-1-8)
The origin of source of this perennial water falls is not yet known to anyone as it is believed to be coming from the anklet of Lord Vishnu as Sree patha theertham.Hence it is called as ‘Silambaru”.Those who take holy bath on dwadasi day of Iypasi masam in this theertham is believed to attain moksha prapthi. There are other rivulets like Hanumar theertham, Garuda theertham,Peria aruvi theertham and Pandava theertham in this hill .Out of this only Peria aruvi theertham is bigger and located on top of the hill while rest of them are minor in down hills nearby to Noopura ganga.Azhagar hills top most peak height is about 2600 ft above sea level with three valleys while noopura ganga is in a height of 1405 ft.
“ தானவன்வேள்வி தன்னில்தனியே குறளாய்நிமிர்ந்து
வானமும்மண்ணகமும் அளந்ததிரிவிக்கிரமன்
தேனமர்பூம்பொழில்சூழ் திருமாலிருஞ்சோலை நின்ற (kaliyen
வானவர்கோனை இன்றுவணங்கித் தொழவல்லள்கொலோ! (T M 9-9)
16) Nagas worship is associated with Chandran. Nagas idols are inside the temple in a seperate sannidhi and located all over this hills. Ayuiluam, the birth star of adiseshan is in Kataka sign of chandran.The legend says that during the churning of Thiruparkadal, few drops of halahal venom fell on the earth and snakes are believed to carry this around still. It is believed that Samudra manthan episode mentioned in purana had happened in kataka raasi during aadi masam. Aadi is the month of sowing, rooting, planting of seeds and vegetation as it is the peak monsoon period when rain is showered in abundance. During monsoon season the snakes are believed to move out of their pits and burrows which are filled by rainy water.Hence people observe Naga panchami on the 5th day after aadi amavasya to propitiate the nagas to avoid snake bites. This is the day celebrated to commermorate the victory of lord Krishna over Kaliya naga. Lord Krishna said in Bhagwath gita (10-28) ‘ I am Vasuki among Sarpas’ and also in (10-29) ‘ I am ananthan among nagas “.Vasuki was the serpent used as a rope to spin the mantara malai for churning it in thiruparkadal . Vasuki among twelve serpents are mentioned as strings tied to the chariot of Sun for traversing the sky according to Bhagvata purana. Moon is often afflicted by its two nodes which form eclipses by way of its geometric shadows. These nodes are assumed to take the form of sarpas based on presumption that Serpents as strings of the Sun chariot cast shadows on this. The worship of snakes are traditionally dominated by women who give milk to snakes and smear sandal wood paste on the idols of nagas on aadi pournami ,aadi amavasya and aadi velli. women worship serpents for begetting progeny.Periazhwar pasuram (4-3) signify the glory of seshan.
ஆயிரம்தோள் பரப்பி முடியாயிரம் மின்னிலக
ஆயிரம்பைந்தலைய அனந்தசயனன் ஆளும்மலை
ஆயிரமாறுகளும் சுனைகள் பலவாயிரமும்
ஆயிரம்பூம்பொழிலுமுடை மாலிருஞ்சோலையதே!
Hence nagas worship is closely connected to chandran as it involves women praying for progeny during kataka masam since ayuiluam, the birth star of adisesha is in moon sign.Snakes are connected to Kundalini yoga as energy of Kundalini is pictured as a Snake coiled within the bottom of our Spine in seven chakras. Kundalini is the human connection to the mind and body.Once energy is arosed,it will enlighten the mind in Spiritual path.Adisesha holds the bhumi on its hoods when Lord Vishnu is in yoga nidra at its reclining coils in Thiruparkadal from where Chandran emerged. It is said that azhagar hill was once upon a time inhabited by nagas headed by their queen Uloopi believed to have married arjuna when he came here to azhagarhills on his exile to forest.
!!OM NAMO NARAYANAYA!!
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