WHY SRIVILLIPUTTUR IS KNOWN AS ‘’CHEVVAI’ (MARS) PARIHARA STHALAM ? PART 10

Srimathe Ranga Ramanuja Mahadesikaya Namaha:

WHY SRIVILLIPUTTUR IS KNOWN AS ‘’CHEVVAI’ (MARS) PARIHARA STHALAM ?

             (by Dasan   Kudanthai Amudhan)        PART - 10

Mars influence in zodiac-- Mars is the only planet which has its influence felt in all signs of  zodiac since it governs the life of all living entities in the earth by being the bhumi karaghan. Bhagvath gita was rendered by lord Krishna from his red coral  mouth  during the war between the brothers resulting in blood spilled/ soaked soil in the battle field of  kurushetra .Hene Kurushetra  is called  as ‘land of Blood soil ’ due to its red colored  red muddy soil of blood.Lord Krishna said”I am the skandan among the chief of commanders of army.Hence more importance must be given to see the mars placement in horoscopes.We will see below  the mars influence in each sign and its relative effects on all living beings and entities in the earth.The element of mars is fire.The fire emanates from earth and spread by air, but fire is extinguished by putting water on it. 12 signs of our zodiac is divided in to four elements like fire, earth, air and water. mesha, simha and dhanus are the signs of fire.The signs just behind in 12^th place  of above fire signs are the watery signs like meena,cancer (kataka) and vruchika respectively .Hence only fire and water signs go well with chevvai while the signs of earth and air which spread the fire do not go well with mars.Hence chevvai will give benefic results only to the signs of mesha,kataka,simha,vrichika,dhanus and meena either as a lord of lagna or rasi  as above signs are both fire and watery nature. Mars is the only planet which represents two opposite forces that unite  with each other like its sign vritchika symbolic of serpent and eagle, the bitter enemies to each other.Also mars denotes  fire  and earth together and act as a dual  planet linking both sun and earth.

Mesha (Ares) – The very first sign itself is owned by mars, the planet of  fire.Hence Sun is exalted in this sign (uccham) as both mars and sun adi-devatha is Agni dev. In this sign, Saturn the planet of ice cold is depleted (neecham) as ice will be evaporated in fire. So mars and sun do not go well with Saturn  from this point of view.Mesha is represented by Ram or goats which is signified by mars as its vahana and to agni dev also.Hence goats are given sacrifices in many villages to appease mars to reduce  its evil effects as he is the karaghan for blood. Agni nakshetra period starts during the second half of this month from krittika , the star owned by Sun whose adhi devatha is agni dev similar to chevvai.

Vrishaba (Tarus) –This second sign is owned by venus,the planet of feminine.   This sign is represented by  the element  earth and the symbols of  ”Bull” as well as  ‘Plough” for  mowing the land for cultivation by bulls. Mars is the bhumi karaghan and represents the agriculture farming.The stars of kritika ,Rohini and Mrugaseesha in group  are located in this sign.Agni nakshetra pass through the period  from mesha month of chittrai  till first half of vaikasai month with sun transiting through vrishaba sign by first 4 patas. Also the star Mrugaseesha with the symbol of animal horns is owned by mars.The name ‘kartikeyan” for murugan/chevvai came in to being only due to the presence of cluster of seven stars formed as group known as ‘kritika” in this sign. Moon is exalted here on its own star Rohini. Mars being the friendly planet to moon, the combination of both will make one strong in creative mind as poets/ lyricists if both mars and moon are placed well and aspected by a benefic planet.

Mituna (Gemini) – This sign is owned by mercury but symbolized by couple- husband and wife for this house. Also mrugaseeshas, owned by chevvai’s last two patas (3^rd and 4^th) fall in this sign. Hence chevvai has strong influence on the married life of couples of this lagna/rasi. Since chevvai becomes the lord of 6^th and 11^th sign,mars is not a benefic graha for this lagna if not well placed or aspected by a benefic planet like Jupiter.

Kataka (cancer) – This sign is owned by moon.Chevvai attains its depletion –neecha in this sign.When sun transit over cancer sign,the month of Aadi falls. Jupiter gets exalted –uccham in this sign. Aadi is the important month for married women to seek the divine blessings for fertility and  progeny by worshipping amman- sakti devi.This is the month when Sri andal took avatar as an amsam of bhumi piratti.Since chevvai attains neecha during Aadi, no auspicious functions like marriages are conducted during this month.As Jupiter is exalted in this sign of moon, worship of feminine goddess by women are very important in Aadi .The spate of water in tanks and rivers besides the seasonal rainfall  during this month will make more suitable for sowing of seeds in bhumi. For this kataka –cancer natives mar becomes the yoga karagha being the lord of 5^th and 10^th sign. Hence mars is bound to give benefic results if placed well in horoscope.

Simha (Leo) – This sign is owned by Sun.Hence negative influence of chevvai on this sign owned by its friendly Suriyan, is less when compared to other signs. For Leo sign natives, chevvai becomes a yoga karagha same like for cancer sign by being the lord of 4^th and 9^th house. Therefore for this sign too chevvai is a benefic graha. Avani month is known for ‘avani avittam” or ‘upakarma” when Brahmins change their sacred threads to re-dedicate themselves to the practice of vedic rituals. Avittam is the star of chevvai in 7^th sign kumbha, just opposite to simha sign of fire, as it is owned by sun, when above vedic holy rituals for brahmins are conducted during avani month dedicated to agni dev.

 Kanya (Virgo) – This sign is symbolized by an unmarried women and hence called as ‘kanya”,the sinister girl. This sign has the constellation of first half of chittrai star (1^st and 2^nd patas ) owned by mars. Hence chevvai has its negative influence on this sign towards the marriage affairs of young girls if not well placed since mars is the lord of 3^rd and 8^th sign for virgo lagna natives.

Tula (Libra) –This sign is not good for chevvai as mars become the lord of 2^nd and 7^th sign  both known as ‘marakas” for Tula lagna.Also chittrai stars second half of 3^rd and 4^th pathas are located in this sign. Chittrai is the star of Sudarshana azhwan and when sun transit in mesha sign, coinciding on the day of full moon occurring in the star of chittrai, ‘Chittra pournami “festival is celebrated in all hindu temples. As mesha is the sign of mars and chittai is the star of mars, it has its influence with this festival. Mars being the lord of 2^nd and 7^th governing both household and marriage affairs, it is very important that mars should be aspected by benefic planets like Jupiter or Saturn to neutralize the negative results of mars and chevvai must be placed in a good sign.

Vrichika (scorpio) – This sign is owned by mars. Its symbols are both scorpion as well as serpent. Apart from this, eagle is also represented by this sign. In this sign, moon attains neecha like mars attaining  neecha in moon sign kataka.This is the 8^th sign from the first sign of zodiac mesha and hence indicates death or destruction. If mesha (Ares) the sign owned by mars represent fire, its 8^th house denoting the destruction falls on the water sign vrichika, as water is quite opposite to fire like serpent do not go well with eagle, the dual symbol of this sign.Also this sign natives will have to counter enemies or be quarrelsome in nature due to the symbol of sting of scorpion tail represented by this sign.

Dhanus (Sagittarius) - This sign is owned by Jupiter.Its symbol is bow with an arrow or archer. This sign represents the element of fire and hence it is the friendly rasi for chevvai, the karaghan for fire. Since srivillputtur is symbolically represented by an archer (villi ), this sign is closely connected to Sri andal who performed  vratas during this month of “dhanur (margazhi) and left a trail of mark for this sign as an important month for her. During the month of margazhi, Sri andal thirupavvai pasurams are recited in all sri vishnu temples and sung by the followers of vaishnvaites. Sri bhumi devi the divine avatar of Sri andal is compared with bow (vill ) by Vedas and beauty of her eyes are glorified similar to a bow.This sign is owned by Jupiter, the friendly planet to chevvai. Lord Krishna said ‘Among the months, I am the margazhi “.Mars is the benefic planet for those born in this rasi or lagna as a lord of 5^th and 12^th sign.5^th is the house of purva puniya and 12^th sign is the end of cycle of life, Vaikunda ekadesi falling during this month represent symbolically as a gateway to moksha for blessed souls.

Makara (Capricorn) - This sign is owned by Saturn where chevvai gets exalted (uttacham ) and Jupiter attains neecha. So chevvai is the powerful graha for this sign as he is exalted.This sign has the constellation of uttrata (suriyan) Sravana (moon star)and avittam(2 padas of chevvai star).During this month of Thai, harvest is done in agriculture fields by farmers as this sign is owned by the element of earth.This sign is quite opposite to kataka, the month of Aadi when sowing is done during the monsoon period of watery sign of cancer, while during makara masa (Thai) harvest is done for all crops. Chevvai which attains neecha in cancer gets exalted in makara, the sign located just opposite to cancer on its 7^th sign from it.Saturn represents agriculture and labourers while mars denotes the plough, cutters and other field implements/ tools used in agriculture. Chevvai has influence on this sign as a powerful graha although Saturn the owner of makara sign is inimical to mars.

Kumbha (aquarius )-This sign is represented by water bearer or Kumbam or pot with water or kalasam. This sign owned by Saturn is represented by the element air.The stars of chevvai (avittam 3,4), Rahu (sathyam) and purattathi (Jupiter) are located. Placement of second half of Chevvai star avittam (3^rd and 4^th pathas )in this sign of kumbam symbolize the presence of mangalan –chevvai. When sun transit over this sign in avittam star with Jupiter transiting in the star of magham in its opposite 7^th house of simham on a full moon day, masi maham is celebrated.  This planetary combination takes place every 12 years when Kumbha melas are celebrated alongside holy rivers. Chevvai represent auspicious festivals/ functions.     

Meena (pisces) –This is the watery sign owned by Jupiter, a friendly planet to mars. This sign meena is just behind in 12^th house to mesha , the first sign of zodiac .This being the sign of water just behind the mesha, the sign of fire owned by mars symbolically denotes that water is ready to be poured to extinguish the fire. Mesha and vrichika signs both owned by mars becomes the lord of 2^nd and 9^th house for meena rassi or lagna.Hence chevvai is the benefic planet for meena lagna ,being the lord of both  9^th, an   auspicious house  and 2nd sign governing family and monitory affairs.So mars will do benefic results for  natives of this sign.

PARIHARAM FOR CHEVVAI - Chevvai is the karaghan  for all auspicious functions that take place in life like weddings and functions related to fertility and progeny for ladies and all religious festivals in our society. One has to appease  chevvai to reduce its evil effects by visiting srivillputtur during  Aadi month to worship Sri Andal on the day of Aadi pooram festival. Those natives horoscopes where chevvai dosham is strong due to its placement in 8^th or 7^th sign of horoscope  or attaining  neecha can offer red sari and conduct  Thirukalyanam to Sri andal in Srivillputtur.They can also recite  everyday  Nachiyar thirumozhi and pray  Sri andal particularly for those girls whose  marriage get delayed.They have to be engaged regularly  in  cooking and offering  prasadham for daily  aarathanam at home in order to escape from the wrath of  malefic  aspect of mars to some  extend since they  deal with fire, knife and cutters in kitchen which are governed by mars. For those who suffer lot due to the troubles caused by the malefic adverse placement of chevvai in their horoscopes have to worship chakrathazhwar on Tuesdays in temples.Chevvai being the ferocious and aggressive planet, one should pray only satvik goddess like Sri bhumi devi  incarnate Sri andal. Saivites worship and propitiate murugan and amman to appease chevvai but for vaishnavites, they have to worship Sri andal and chakrathazhwar to get benefic results. One should have the plant of Tulsi at home and worship everyday which will ward off the evil effects of chevvai.Marriages must be conducted as per vedic rituals prescribed in the nachiyar thirumozhi to appease chevvai by undergoing through vedic rituals like wearing red sari, agni homam, saptapadi and  brides are made to dress similar to  Sri andal ect.

IMPORTANT FESTIVALS IN SRIVILLIPUTTUR TEMPLE -

1) 10 days Thirvaadipuram festivals during Aadi month – During this 10 days festival, Sri andal and Sri Rangamannar will grace the devotees from Kannadi Arai –mirror room known also as Ekadesi mandapam.Sri andal car festival is celebrated on 9^th day that falls on pooram star . On the 5^th day of this festival, Sri andal gets sacred bath – Thirumanjanam  during day time and on the night all the five lords of  other vaishnavite temples around this ksheram will assemble in Garuda vahanams to  be greeted by Sri periazhwar upon their arrival. On the seventh day,lord will be seen in “ Sayana thirukkolam” with his head resting on the lap of Sri andal in the shrine of Krishnankoil. On the concluding day of festival,’muthukuri’episode will be enacted by the araiyar when he will don the roles of the mother of the lady loving for union with the lord as soothsayer. He would spread pearls on a bamboo plate and this will go on till late night.The araiyars abhinayam and singing with the help of cymbals will be a treat to watch delightfully.

2) During the month of panguni falling on the star of Utthiram, Sri andal Thirukalyanam is performed in Panguni utsava mandapam. This celestial wedding of Sri andal with lord Sri rangammar is celebrated only in the night unlike other temples during day time.Lord Rangamanar with the scepter in his hand and a pearl umbrella over his head goes around the four nachiyar mada veedhis on  “Kasi yathirai” in the evening when his father- in- law Sri Periazhwar receive the lord and request him to accept the hand of his foster daughter. Oonjal and Nalangu functions are also performed in the presence of Periazhwar idol kept to their left side.All the vedic rites held in connection with the marriage as described by Sri andal in her nachiyar thirumozhi are performed by the head priest of temple. After this “Sri Suktam”is receited to sanctify the Thirumangalyam , Sri andal is adorned with it..Later rituals like ‘lajwanthi – poori and “sesha homam” are performed. In the night the lord mounted on elephant vahana and Sri andal in flowers palanquin are taken round the main streets accompanied by a big retinue of devotees that reaches at  muthu pandal after going around all mada veedhis of town.

3) During margazhi, Srivilliputtur has 7 days festivals called as “Neerata utsavam” when Sri andal gets  Thirumanjanam  every day  inside the mandapam. On the 8^th day falling as the first day of Thai month, she arrives at the outer mandapam to have the Thirumanjanam known as periya jeer festival. During margazhi Adyayanotsavam on the first day, Andal and rangammanar arrive at the house of descendants of Sri periazhwar situated just opposite to the temple to get honors by gracing the vegetables spread out before him. Similarly on the day of Aani swathi, the avatara day of Sri periazhwar, the consorts will visit their house on the occasion of “Pachai parappudhal “-spreading of green vegetables, an interesting function to watch delightfully.

ஸ்ரீ ஆண்டாள் திருவடிகளே சரணம்

                                                       

concluded