Kidathalaimedu Sri Durgadevi

During Krudha yugam there was rakshas called Mahishasuran. He was perpetually troubling the hermits and innocent people. On complaints from the people and hermits Logamatha Sri Durgadevi defeated and beheaded him. The place where the cut off head of the Mahishasuran fell is called as kidathalaimedu. In our legend the [place is called as Mahishasironnapuram. Sri Durgapureeswarar samedha Sri Kamukambal temple situated in the village, confirm the above news. There is a separate sannadhi for Annai Sri Durga Devi in standing posture on the kidathalai (buffalo head). The Kidathalaimedu village is situated on the northern bank of Kaveri River and on the Northwestern side of Mayialaduthurai and Northern side of Thirumananjeri. It is eight kilometer from Kutralam and three kilometer from Thirumanancheri and sixteen kilometer from Mayiladuthurai.

To relieve herself from the sin of killing Mahishasura, Sri Durgaddvi, worshipped Lord Shiva tenpled here. While Lord Shiva relieved her of her sin He suggested Her to stay at the Southwestportion of the temple and bless all the devotees who come and worship her ever. The name of the Ambal is Sri Kamukambal. There is a story behind this name. Sri Manmadhan, the god of love shot an arrow of flower to divert the attention of Sri Parmasiva, Who was meditating at that time towards Sri Parvathi. Lord Shiva got angry and burned the God of Love with his third eye. Rathi devi, the wife of Manmadhan became brokenhearted at the sad end of her husband, worshipped Lord Shiva and begged him to bring her husband back to life. Lord Sivaperuman pleased with her devotion and blessed her with a conditional boon, which brought Manmadhan back to life but would be visible to Radhi Devi only. It is said that Manmadhan had to suffer the anger of Lord Siva because he insulted Lord Siva in his purva jenma(Last birh).Sri Manmadhan after coming back to life worshipped Sri Durgapureeswar of this temple and Sri Amball. Sri Ambal pleased at the devotion of Sri Manmadhan, gave him sugarcane bow and flower arrows and is called as Sri Kamukambal.

Now let us visit the temple. The temple is facing eastern side, no Tower (RajaGopuram). After entering the temple we have the dharshan of Sri Vinayagaperuman, Bali peetam and then Nndhi Dever. Before reaching for the main deity, Sri Durga pureeswar, we can have dharshan of Sri Kamukambal in a separate Sannidhi, facing the Western side in standing posture. On the Ghoshtam of the of main deity we have dharshan of Sri Dhakshinamurthy, Sri Lingothpavar and Sri Brahmma. When we walk around the prakara we can see Sri Vinayagar, Sri Durga Devi, Sri Valli Devasena Smedha Subsramanyar, Sri Durga, Nalvar (Apper, Sundarar, Manikavasagar and Sri Thirugnanasambandhar) and Sri Punugeeswar, (very big Siva lingam, Gajalakshmi, Sandigeswarar and Sri Sani Bhaghavan. Sthala Vruksham Vilvam and Theertham –Kaveri.

The Speciality of the temple is Sri Durga devi. The idol is in standing posture on a buffalo head with different weapons on her five hands. On the idol of Sri Durga devi there is a small hole on he left nostril for wearing nose stud. There is a story behind this. The making of the idol completed and was ready for installation. Even finishing touches are over. On the night of that day, the sculptor had a dream, in which Sri Durgadevi appeared and told him that she wanted to wear a nose stud and suggested him to make a small alteration in the statue on the left nostril. But the sculptor feared to make any alteration at that stage because he felt that even the smallest alteration would spoil the appearance of the idol. He told the Logamatha of his fear. But Sri Durgadevi suggested him to keep the chisel at the particular point of the left nostril of the statue and she would take care of the balance. The sculptor did exactly what was advised by The Devi. Even before he could hit his small hammer to make a small nose stud hole on the nostril of the idol a neat and perfect hole was made on left nostril of the idolwithout the effort of the sculptor. The overwhelmed sculptor fell at the feet of the idol and worshipped chanting the praises of the Mother of all Universe. From that day onwards the habit of fixing nose stud to Sri Durgadevi idol started in this temple.

The temple has so many miracles and prides within itself. The following is an example of an miracle happened some eighteen years back. Some eighteen or twenty years back Sri Duega Devi came in the form of a woman to attend the Sumangali pooja and took Saree and other holy things as prasadam. It happened in the year1990. On 6th July 1988 Kumbabishekam was performed in this temple. From then onwards Sumangali pooja was performed at the Sri Durga Sannidhi on the full moon day of every month. On the full moon day in front of the Sri DurgaSannidhi special homam(holy fire) was performed. On that occasion nine Sumangali ladies would be invited, the temple priests would perform pooja to those nine sumangali ladies and gift them with nine metre saree, blouse pieces and other sacred things to them along with food and Dhakshina and all. This was going on for two years. The function committee members wanted the celeberate the completion day in a very grand manner. They fixed the celebration on 5th August 1990. It was planned to collect three hundred Sumangali ladies on that auspicious day and honour them with gift of Saree, blouse and other sacred things like kumkum, Termeric and many more such things. The fixed day of 5th August 1990 came. On that day the temple was decorated in a very grand manner. All the Sumangali ladies invited have arrived at the temple. One of the member of the function committee counted the sumangali ladies assembled for the pooja. To his surprise he could find only two hundred and ninety nine ladies only. He was very much distressed as to what to do and where to go to bring one Sumangali lady at that neck of the moment. His distress caught other members also.
After some time they received message from the 300th lady that due to unavoidable reasons she could not attend the function. Function committee members kept one set of the gift material meant for the absent 300th lady at the feet of Sri Durgadevi and to treat Her as the 300th Sumangali. Then they performed pooja for other 299 Sumangalis and then handedover them the gift materials meant for them. Then all the Sumangalis were served sumptuous tasty food with vada and payasam o and other special items on banana leaves. After all the ladies had their foods and left the temple premise, the temple priests with their chief priest went to the chief priest’s house to have their food.Here the priests were served with the same food. When they were about to put the first bit of the food in their mouth there was lady voice from outside informing them that she had come to attend the pournmi pooja. All the priests came out, and saw a very old lady aged around eighty years with a big kumkum Thilagam on her forehead between the brows, which self explained that she was a Sumangali. All the priests were very much happy that all the 300 Sumangalis invited had come to attend the pooja as planned, took that old lady to the temple and performed pooja for her also . After completion of the pooja they took the gifts meant for that 300th Sumangali and handedover her. She happily accepted the gifts and asked them to provide her some food as she was very tired. She explained the delay for attending the pooja as she had to visit so many places and then come to attend the pooja. She was served the food meant for the 300th Sumangali. After having food the old lady told the priests that she wanted to take rest because she was too tired and would lie down in the temple itself. Before that she told the priests to go and have their food as they were starving since morning and lie down on the prakara and closed her eyes as if sleeping. The priests went and resume the consumption of their food. After food they were chatting about that day’ pooja and celebration. In their chat they forgot the old lady they left in the temple. One of them suddenly remembered of the lady left in the temple and told the others about it. Immediately all the priests stopped their chat and got up and left for the temple to find out the lady. The lady was not in the temple when they go in search of her. They searched every nook and corner of the temple but she was not there. Then two or three priests took their two wheelers and went around to look for the lady. They also could not find her anywhere in the vicinity of the temple. By the time it was time for evening pooja in the temple. Again the priests came back to the temple to resume their evening pooja. As it was evening, people started to come to the temple worshipping. One of the lady devotee got Arul and shouted that “It was me (Sri DurgaDevi) who had come to attend the pooja as 300th Sumangali. You people could not recognise me. Are all of you happy?” Telling so she swooned. All the people around and the priests were beleaguered with happy that Sri Durgadevi herself attended the pooja in person and gave her sared dharshan and accepted the gifts in person and gone.

This temple has got such great prides within. Such a great temple is at present in dilapidataed condition. Now devotees of this village decided to renovate the temple and started works connected to that. Spiriual minded people should help them finnially or physically whichever is possibleand ge the blessings of Sri Durga parameshwar of this Kidathalaimedu
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Thiruanaika Temple

Thiruanaika Kshetram housing Shiva temple, the main deity is Sri Jambukeshwar Swamy, built by Chola king Ko Chenkannan, has numerous other names also. The following are few of them: Gajaarannyam, Jambukeshwaram, Jambuveeshwaram, Venn Naval vanam, Sambuvanam, Gnanakshetram, Gnanabhoomi, Dhandhivanam, Dhandhipuka koil (Dhandhi means elephant) dhandhipuha koil means elephant cannot enter the temple. It is also called as Shiva puram. Of the Panjabhoodha sthalam this is called as appusthalam. In krudhayugam an elephant was wandering in a forest filled with Venn Naval Trees unexpectedly saw a Shiva linga under a Venn Naval Tree (Naval is a small dark blue color fruit. Naval tree is a kind of tree). The elephant was a Shiva gana in his previous birth. (Due to a curse he had become an elephant and wandered in the forest) Because he was not an ordinary elephant he decided to stay there and take care of the shiva linga. Daily he used to bath in the nearby Kaveri river and bring water in his trunk and did abhishekam to the Shiva linga. Then he would go back to bring some flowers and fruits available in that forest to perform puja. This was going on for some time. Then came one spider, saw the shiva linga without a roof for protection from rain and sun. This spider was also not an ordinary spider. He was origfinally a Shiva gana, came to the world as a spider due to a curse. This spider decided to develop a roof for the shiva linga in order to protect the Lord from rain and sun. After all she was tiny creature, where he could go for bricks and other building materials. But he had another way. With his salaiva he spun a web roof over the shiva linga and felt happy and consoled that he was able to provide a shelter to his God. Next day the elephant came to perform his daily pooja, saw the spider web over the Shiva linga. He could not treat it as a shelter to the Shiva linga. Cursing the spider who spun the web over the shiva linga cleaned the same with water as usual and performed his daily pooja with flower and fruits and left the place. Then came the spider saw the place litered with flower and fruits and the spoiled roof (web)of the Shiva linga, got angry that some culprit hadinduled in such mischief and insult to the Shia linga, cleaned the place and spun a web roof over his Shiva linga again. This was going on for some days. The spider could not take it easy that someone coming daily and insulting his god. He wanted to catch hold of the culprit and punish him in such a way that the culprit should never turn his head to the direction of Shiva linga . With this determination he hid himself on the tree waited for the culprit to come. At that time the elephant came as usual for the pooja, removed the web roof and started performing his daily puja. The spider who was very anxious to punish the elephant who spoiled the roof of his Shiva linga immediately entered the trunk of the elephant and started biting him from inside the trunk. The elephant could not bear the pain. Without knowing the reason for the pain and to get rid of the same he hit his trunk to the ground with full force and fell dead. The spider who get caught inside the collapsed trunk of the elephant also died on the spot. The soul of the elephant reached Sri Kailas, the abode of Lord Shiva and became Shiva Gana again as he was relieved of his curse. But the spider whose desire to build a shelter for Shiva linga was not fulfilled, had to born again in the world as the son of a Chola King Subhadevan and his queen Kamalavathi. In this birth he was named as Ko Chengan Chola. In this birth he could remember who he was in his previous birth. He decided to fulfill his purva jenma (previous birth) desire of building a shelter to Lord Shiva. After the death of his father he became the king. Once he became king he started building a temples for lord Shiva. In that process he built seventy temples for Lord Shiva. All the temples built by him are Anai puha koilgal, i.e. elephant cannot enter the temples. May be this was due to the fact that he remembered the incidents of his previous birth. Even in Thirruanaika temple elephant cannot enter. Though the temple is very big with five prakaras, the entrance to Sanctum sanctorum is very small. Only five or six people can stand and worship the lord at a time. Elephant is a very big animal and he cannot enter the moolasthanam.

The fourth and fifth prakaras are filled with houses, so we can straight away enter the third prakara passing fifth, fourth and third towers on the entrance. The idol of the min deity Sri Jambukeshwar installed some three or four steps below ground level. From somewhere water is oozing in the sanctaum sanctorum. We can find water around the Shiva linga, the main deity. The sculptures in the temple speaks much about the artistic and imaginary capacities of the sculptors of those days.

It is said and believed that Lord Shiva himself supervised the building of the construction of the fifth prakara personally. The legend speaks asunder : While the construction works for the fifth prakara compound wall was going on an age old sanyasi with a long beard and jadamudi came there and instructed the workers as to how to do the construction work. Every day evening he used to give some holy ash ( Thiruneeru) to each workers as their wages for their work done on that day. When the workers go home and see the holy ash they would find gold exactly equal to the work done. The fifth prakara compound was constructed by giving Thiruneeru as wage it is called as Thiruneetran Madhil (madhil in Tamil means compound wall) We can find the Shiva temples built by the king Ko Chengat Chola at Nannilam, Thiruamber on Thiruvarur- Mayiladutrhurai route and at Thiruvaigal near Karaikal. King Ko Chengat chola also built one Vishnu temple. Which can be seen at Thirunariyur (Nachiar Koil). It was the custom of Chola kings that they would offer rare things whenever they got. Once Chola king Kounarkillireceived a rare pearl Garland from one of his visitorsas gift. Theking did not follow their custom of offering the rarest things to the Shiva temple. Instead he wore the same around his neck. The king daily used to bath in the river Kaveri and then go for Jambukeshwar temple for attending the puja and dharshan of Sri Jambukeshwar. After finishing his bath and was about to get out of the river, he noticed that his pearl garland slipped in the river. Then he understood that it would not be possible to search for the missing jewel in the running water of the river. Standing there he prayed to the Lord Shiva to pardon him for the mistake and accept the pearl garland as his humble offering. Praying so he reached the temple. At the temple the pujari started to bathe the idol Sri Jambukeshwar with the holy water brought from the Kaveri river. While doing so something glittering from the water pot fell on the Shiva linga . The pujari took the material in his hand and found to his great surprise that it was a garland madeupof good selected pearl. He understood that it was not ordinary jewel. May be it was the property of some king or some wealthy merchant equal in status to a king. The pujari brought the garland to the king to clarify himself weather it belonged to the king. The king checked the garland and was very much amazed that it was his own pearl garland slipped in the river kaveri and told the pujari that he only missed it in the river and miraculously it reached the Shiva linga. So it should be kept in the temple for adaorning the Shiva linga for ever. Such is the power of Sri Jambukeshwar Swamy of Thiruanaika .

Thiruanaika is located one kilometer east of Srirangam. River kollidam on the north and Sacred river Kaveri on the south running and surrounding the Sacred kshetram Thiruanaika like a garland.Thirunavukarsu Swamygall had visited the kshetramand had dharshan of Sri Jambukeshwar and sung poems in praise of the Lord Shiva and in praise of the Kshetrak Thiruanaika.

The Curse of Ashtavasus and the birth of Bhishma

Why King Chandanu of Surya dybasty married Ganga Devi and why did she killed her seven babies immediately after they born? There is a legend behind this because there is a reason for whatever happen. Thelegend: King Iklahuvaku of Surya Dynasty had a son called Mahabishek. During his life time he was considered as equal to Devenndra; because he performed one thousand Aswamedha yagas. He frequently used to visit Sri Brahma Loga and Indra Logas very casually. Once when he visited the Brahma Loga, Sri Ganga Devi was also present there. Sri Brahma praised her as she was the one who wipe out the sins of the people of the world. On hearing the praise Sri Ganga Devi grew very proud and thought there was no body equal to her in the world. Sri Brahma understood the thought running in her mind. Sri Brahma opined that Sacred persons should not feel proud when others praise them. He decided to wipe off such feeling from the mind l of Ganga Devi. At the same time due to a strong wind her upper cloth flew away. King Mahabishek saw this and stunned at her beauty. The same way Sri Ganga also looked at him and both fell in love. Sri Brahmma was noticing all thrdframa and got angry because in the Brahma Loga there should not be any feelings like humans. He cursed them to born in this world to live as husband and wife and suffer good and bad of the world life, then return to the Brahma Loga.
As per the curse of Sri Brahma King Mahabishek born as son of King Pradhiban. The same Ganga Devi also born as a girl in the world. Once King Pradhiban was doing penance in the forest. Sri Ganga Devi came there, at that time, saw the king and sat on the right lap of the king. Due to this disturbance the king stopped his penance and opened his eyes, saw the unexpected guest. Sri Ganga Devi asked him would he take her as his wife. But the king who was well versed in all Sastras and Dharma stunned at this question.. As per custom a wife can sit on the left lap. Only the daughter, mother, or daughter in law can sit on the right lap because daughter in law is considered as daughter . So the king replied Ganga devi that because she sat on his right lap he would take her as his daughter or daughter in law and could not marry her. On hearing this Sri Gana devi immediately disappeared from there. Then the King Prathiban returned to the Palace and told his son Chandanu that there was a beautiful girl on the bank of river Ganges. He should marry her when he happen to see her. After some years the King Prathiban passed away bequeathing his kingdom to his son Chandanu. After becoming king, Chndanu happened to see that very beautiful Ganga devi, requested her to marry him. Sri Ganga Devi agreed to that on a condition that the king should not question or object whatever she do. The king agreed to that condition and married her. Both enjoyed happy days after marriage. Sri Ganga devi gave birth to a beautiful male baby at proper time. The king was vaery happy. But his happiness was immediately disappeared because Ganga devi took her new born baby to river Ganges and immersed it to death. After that incident she gave birth to six babies. The same way all the children were killed. Though the king was very unhappy with what his wife was doing, he could not object her deed because of the condition laid already. More over the king was very much in love with her. If he objected her deed she would have left him. Truly the king was not afford to lose her. The queen became pregnant on the eighth time. As usual a beautiful baby born at appropriate time. This time the king could not keep quite. When Ganga devi was about to take her baby to river Ganges for killing, king Chandanu stopped her and questioned her as why she was behaving very cruel towards her own bbies. At that Ganga devi said that she would leave him because he did not keep up his promise and objected her deed. So saying she took her new born baby with her and left the king for evef. WhileLeaving she promised the king that his son would be returned to him at proper time. Sri Ganga devi who brought up her eighth son under the guidance of Sri Parasurama giving training to handle all weapons because he was son of a king and christened him Dev Vrath for 16 years. Sri Gangadevi narrated the reason for the immediate death of her first seven babies when she came to hand over her eighth son Sri Bhishma to King Chndanu as follows: Once Rishi Vashishta was having a wonderful cow. It had the capacity to give whatever we want. Once Ashta vasukal (Vasukal – a category of Devas They are eight in Number) visited the Rishi Vashishta. The wife of one of the Vasus wanted to take the cow for her. So her husband with the help of other seven vasukkal took away the cow without the knowledge of the rishi. Vashishta Rishi cursed them to born in the world and suffer for kalpa kodi years. When they understood their fault and begged his pardon, the rishi revised the curse with mercy that they should return to the Brahma Loga immediately after born in the world. But the one vasu who stole the cow for his wife should live in the world for many years as bachelor without enjoying the worldly pleasures. That eighth vasu was saved by the king Chandanu by raising objection for the deed of his queen Sri Ganga Devi

True Tales are Stranger than Fiction.

It happened some sixty of sixty five years back. Sri Mahaperiava of Kanchi Sankara mutt was touring Thanjavur District. It was a july month. Sri Mahaswamygal was camping in a free choultry in Aaduthurai. Peoples of the surrounding villages were visiting the place to have dharshan of the Swamygal. Peoples residing in the surounding villages like Nadarajapuram, Govindapuram, Thyagarajapuram and Sathanur decided to join together and perform Samashti Biksha Vandhanam for the Swamygall. Maruthuvakudi is another village situated at one kilometer south of Aaduthurai. Brahma Sri Santhana Wathiar an orhodox Brahmin was living in that village. He was a Muthradhigari of Sri Kanchi mutt wanted to perform Samashti Biksha Vandhanam on behalf of his village. He visited the Swamygall along with his son. When they were about to enter the choultry where Sri Mahaswamygall was camping, the secretary of the Kanchi mutt, who too was acompanying the Swamygall in his tour, saw them. As he was aware that Sri Sandhana wathiarr was the Muthradhigari of Kanchi mutt, welcomed him and enquired whether his village too would perform Samashti Biksha Vandanam for the Swamygall o. Sri Santhana wathiar said he had come there to conmfirm the date for the same with Maha Periava and enquired how much it would cost as he had to collect the fund from his village VIPs. For this the Secretary replied with a smile that it would cost around five hundred rupees, which included Rs. 250/-fee to the mutt and fruits and vegetables. After completing the process while collecting the prasadam and blessings from the Swamygall offerings to the swamygall as Padha samarpanai should be at the convenience and capacity of the village people. He also asked him whether he would be able to collect the funds required from his village people. To this Sri Santhana Wathiar replied with pleasure and without any hesitation that he can. Then he enquired how much other villagers offer as Padha samarpaani and heared from the Secretary that it would be around Rs. 1000/- or less. Then they entered the choultry for the Dharshan of the Swamygall. When they saw the swamygall they prostrated before the swamygal and informed about their intension and requested his permission with blessings. Swamygall gave the permission immediately and asked the Wathiar whether such wealthy people living in his village to donate such huge amount in order to do the Samashti Biksha vandhanam. while other villages join together to perform the Samashti Biksha vandhanam collectively his village would do the same separate without joining hands with others. Actually Swamygall would have thought, while other villages join together and perform the Samashti Biksha vandhanam collectively, his village do the samewihout the help opf others means his villge may be a wealthy one . Bscause in those days Rs.1000/- was treated a big amount for a small village like Maruthuvakudi. May be that was the reason Swamygall asked the wathiar whether he would be able to collect the amount require for the Samashti Bikasha Vandanam from his village alone.
As permission and blessings are received, the Wathiar returned to his village started to collect the fund and making necessary arrangements for the Biksha vandanam. Wathiar could collect Rs.400/- from the thirty houses of the village agraharam. Then he with other three or four persons contributed another Rs. 100/-. Altogether Rs. 500/- was collected from the village. Now Wathiar required another R. 500/- for the Padha Samarpanai. He was much worried for that amount. It was a Thursday. He planned to perform the Biksha Vandanam on Sunday . Only two more days were there. He did not know how to collect that amount within two days. On Friday he with his son went to Aduthurai to have Dharshan of Swamygall. There was a big crowd waiting in long queue Dharshan Sri Santhana wathiar and his son stood in a corner with their faces immersed in worry and praying God to show some way for the amount required. Suddenly there was a mercigful and affectionate voice of the Swamygall calling the wathiar to come closer. When they came closer and prostrated befoere him, Swamygall asked him why he could not be seen on Thursday. Was he busy with his regular works. And before wathiar could reply he started talking about things not connected with Samaashti biksha. Suddenly he asked the wathiar about the water flow and water level in Kaveri river in that area. But Sri Santhana wathiar was unable to give a perfect reply to the qustion. Now the Swamygall told him in ordering voice to go and bath in the kaveri tomorrow and inform him about the water level and flow in the kaveri without fail. He also told him in convincing voice that his desire will be fulfilled by the blessings of Sri Chandra mouleeswar as if he understood the worries in the mind of the Wathiar. The wathiar without understanding the reason for the order, went to the kaveri next day with his son around 6.30 or 7.00’oclock in the morning still not knowing how to arrange Rs. 500/- for the Padha Samarpanai for the Swamygal on Sunday. There was none on the bank of the river when they reached the kaveri for bathing. When he was about to start the Kaviri Snana Sangalpam, before beginning his bath. Someone from behind called him in requesting voice to perrform Snana Sngalpam for him also. When Sri Santhana Wathiar turned back he could see a brahmin aged about 50 or 55 years. The wathiar did as he wanted. After bathing they got up on the river bank. The man who joined them in kaviri bath took Rs. 5/- from his shirt pocket and offered it to the wathiar as Dhakahina for having done the Snana sangalpam. Now the wahiar asked him casually who he was because he did not see him before in his village. That man replied that his grandfather was a native of that village. That way he was also a native of that village. His grand father was having own house in that village They all left the village long back and settled in Bombay. During the days of his mother she often used to say that whenever he happened to go through their native village he should take bath in the Kaveri running through Aaduthurai.. “Only today I got a chance” and that’s how he had come there. He also said that Sri Chandra mouleeswar Swamy of Melur near Thiruneelakudi was their Kula Deivat. He casually asked that he could see people going in group dressed nice ly with Silk Sareesand Silk Waisty when he was coming from the Railway Station. “ What was special there on that day”. In reply Sri Santhana wathiar narrated the visit and camp of Sri Mahaswamygall in Aaduthurai and about Samashti Biksha Vandanam which was about to take place on that day and the same program which was about to take place on the next day on behalf of Maruhuvakudi. On hearing this that man felt very happy and said “ Oho it is very nice to hear . But I am in hurry, cannot attend the program. Telling so He took a cover from his pocket and handed over to the Sri Santhana Sasthirigall and told him that it was his contribution for the program on Sunday. The Sashtrigal opened the cover and stunned to see the contents. He could find Rs.500/- in that cover, the exact amount he needed for the Padhasmarpanai. By the time the manwas abouit to leave the place saying goodby to the Sashtrigall. But the sashtrtgall stopped him and asked for his name. He repllied ‘Chandramouli’. Now the sastrigal remember what was told by the Maha swamygall yesterday that his desire will be fulfilled by the Grace and blessings of Sri Chandra mouleeswar Swamy. He happily went to the choultry to meet the Swamygall and to report the water position in the Kaveri. He could not find the swamygall there. When he enquired he was informed that Mahaswamygall left the choultry around 4.00o’clock in the morning , had bath in the Kaveri and gone to the temple. Now the Sashtrigall understood why Swamygall ordered him to go Kaveri. But could not understand how could he forsee a man with cash to help the sastrigall would also present there at the same time. When a Maha Gnani do something there would be definitely a reason behind that. No one can understand.

Sanderson become Sandhanathevan

Ohm Namasivaya!!! Ohm Sri Sai Ram!!!

It was a night time. Naturally it was very dark in the Kalaiar koil forest. It was during the British rule in India. In that dark forest a mother was trying to make her son to sleep by singing a lullaby. But the young boy had no intension to sleep. Instead he got up and took a stick nearby as if it was a sword and was shouting as “I too will fight the whites as my father is,” telling so the boy was running here and there as if he was really fighting with some one. His mother struggled hard to keep him under control. The name of that young mother was Amudham, the wife of Veerathevan., the right hand of Marudhu Pandya Brothers. That Veerathevan also was hiding in the same forest in a different corner of which his wife was not aware Colonel Agnu was searching to kill him because he thought that if he could kill Veerathevan the right hand of Marudhu Brothers, he would easily subdue the Marudhu Brothers. So he ordered his soldiers to capture and kill Veerathevan first. As ordered his soldiers were combing the forest in search of Veerathevan, shouting that they would kill him without fail and demanded him to come out from his hiding place. Without understanding the situation the young boy asked his mother that some one was calling his father’s name, should he go out and see who’s that. But Amudhamcould see two bright eyes behind the bush where they were hiding. While she was telling her son to start run, she could see a rifle poking its nose out of the bush pointing towards them. Holding their souls in their hands they ran as fast as they could in the dark; hit a tree on the way and swooned holding her son in her hands. At that moment Veerathenvan appeared in the scene lifted his wife Amudham like a flower. She could not recognise him because as she was unconscious. The son asked his father “ Where had you been so far”. “See mummy is crying.” Veerathevan gave out a strange sound from his throat. Shortly one bullock cart came and flew off with Veerathevan family without wasting a single moment and stopped in front of a hut. There Amudham was given treatment. . Amudham regained conscious and cried on seeing her husband. Peria Marudhu appeared suddenly there and said “ Veeraheva! We are surrounded by the Whites . Get ready for a fierce battle. We are betrayed by the Tamils while we fight t for them.. What to do with these idiots”. Veeratheven said “ We raised the flags against the whites for the sake of Tamils. But that flags are being downed by the Tamils themselves. Oh! Muruga please throw your Vel at these evil force” On hearing this the young boy said “ Appa give me the Vel I will throw at them” Peria Marudhu said” Very good my boy you will become great warrior than your father”.. Even before he could complete his words the hut started to burn. Every body ran up and down to save their lives. A voice told “shoot” A bullet aimed at Veeratheavan flew very fast. But Amudham Was even faster than the bullet to save her husband. Took the bullet on her chest and fell dead with satisf action of saving her husband’s life. The British could not catch Veerathevan but his son. They took him to the church and converted him to Christianity christened him Sanderson. Up to eighteen years age he was busy with his studies and more busy with his physical exercise and body building, became very strong and handsome. Now Sanderson’s name became shorter as “Sander” As he was first in his studies and physical strength the British took him in their service. But because Sanderson was from pure Indian blood, he could not be loyal to the British. He could not forget what had happened to his mother in the past. So he set up secret camps in the forest for young Indian boys to create a battalion of freedom fighters. He spent all his earnings for the betterment of those young bloods in the camps. All his wealth was being enjoyed by his fellow Indian brothers. Naturally they were loyal to him and started calling him as Sandhanadevan. Though the British were doubt full about his behavior they could do nothing against him for want of evidence.

Once he met his father Veeratheven in the forest and both recognized each other. His father advised him not to believe the British and not to continue in their service. But Sandhanadevan was having a different idea i.e. to earn money from the British and utilize the same against them by arranging secret camps in forest. So he spent all his money to divert the young Indians against the British. There is an unconfirmed news that Sandhanadevan was caught and hanged to death by the British for his secret activities in his later years. But there is no news about his father Veerathevan. It is heard that he left for Kasi in his older age. And never returned.

Like this Veerathevan and Sandhanathevan, thousands of people died for the sake of India’s Independence without leaving a trace of them for the future generation.

Karthaveeryarjuna

Ohm Namasivaya
Ohm Sri Sai Ram

King Karthaveeryarjuna

King KarthaVeeryarjuna was ruling the country Kegaya with Magishmadhi city as its capital. He was fully surrendered himself to Sri Dhaththathreya ,the incarnation of Sri Vishnu.. Prayed him very sincerely and whole heartedly. Sri Thaththathreya was pleased with his sincere prayer gave him some boons. Due to the boons the king gained extra ordinary and immense powers. He got thousand hands and became a warrior with tremendous power and strength whom no body could win. Apart from these he gained fame, power, strength and unlimited wealth. With these powers he was roaming the world as a great warrior without any fear of defeat.

Once he went to river Narmadha with his wives to play water games and to bath . With his powerful thousand hands he stopped the flow of water in the river, entered the river and started playing in the water with his wives.

Without knowing this, Ravana, the king of Lanka came to the same river noted the flow in the river was very less. So he put a tent on the bank of the river and entered the river had a good bath, sat near his tent, started to perform Shiva Puja.

Karthaveeryarjuna decided to finish his water game after some time and and go back to his palace. So he he removed the blockage of water and allowed the flow in the river. The stopped water flew with great force in the river. This affected Ravana’s Shiva puja, his tent was taken away by the force of flood. Ravana was very furious at the sudden flow of water in the river. He searched for the reason and understood that it was the work of Karthaveeryarjuna. He ran towards Karthaveeryarjuna to hit him. But Karthaveeryarjuna saw Ravana came running to fight with him and smiled within himself. In his presence Ravana looked like a tiny insect. Karthaveeryarjuna lifted him with his fingers without any effort as if he was lifting a tiny creature even before he could start the fight, took him to his capital city Magishmathi and imprisoned him. Ravana had to be in the prison for many years. After some years Karthaveeryarjuna took pity on him and released him from the prison (This happened many years before Sri Rama -Ravana war)

Once Karthaveeryarjuna with some of his soldiers went to the forest for hunting. In the forest they became very tired, hungry and thirsty after running after the animals for a very long time saw a hermitage nearby; went there to get some water to drink. That hermitage belonged to hermit Jamadhakni. At that time he was alone in the hermitage, saw the king and his followers were very tired and hungry. Welcomed them and offered them sumptuous tasty feast with the help of the holy cow Kamadhenu,. The king and his followers had nice food took rest for some time and left for their city. Though they returned to the palace, the king was thinking of the Kamadhenu that she would be of more use to him in the kingdom than it was with the hermit and wondered at her power to provide and fulfill all our desire. Slowly jealous entered into his mind. After a prolonged thought he decided to bring the cow Kamadhenu to his kingdom.. He thought, If he had such an animal in his kingdom, he could provide food for every one and no one would be suffering from the disease of hunger. So he called the best of his soldiers and ordered that the holy cow Kamadhenu should be brought to the palace at any cost without fail and to use force if necessary. Though the king was aware what he intended to do was against Dharma, would have to meet dire consequences; he was very proud that no body could question or win him in fight. With that thought he decided to do such an injustice to the Rishi Jamadhakni. When the soldiers entered the ashram of the hermit only Rishi Jamadhakni was there. His sons were out on some work. So the soldiers took the holy cow Kamadhenu by force against the wish of the hermit to the king’s palace.

The sons of Rishi Jamadhakni returned back to their hermitage after some time and knew what had happened in he hermitage in their absence. Sri Parasurama the youngest of them took all sorts of weapons and ran to the palace to kill Karthaveeryarjuna and bring back the holy cow. Karthaveeryarjuna saw Sri Parasurasma, coming to fight with him. He knew Sri Parasursama was expert in using the weapons. He gathered his complete forces and stood before of Sri Parasursama. He took various kinds of weapons in all his thousand hands and fought with Sri Parasurama. Sri Parasurama stood single on the war field fought and killed thousands of the king’s soldiers.. Thee sons of Karthaveeryarjuna and the balance soldiers retreated and ran back for lives. Karthaveeryarjuna was isolated. He was alone in the war front facing Sri Parasurama. He understood using weapons against Sri Parasurama would be of no use. So he started playing trick. He plucked big trees, lifted mounts and threw at Sri Parasurama. But Sri Parasurama cut off all his thousand hands and cut off his huge head. Karthaveeryarjuna fell dead. By the time the people of Kegaya kingdom were shivering in fear as what was going to happen to them and how to escape the anger of Sri Parasurama. The sons of Karthaveeryarjuna and the people came running and handed over the holy cow Kamadhenu to Sri Parasuama and begged his pardon. Sri Parasuama pardoned them, gave them back their kingdom and left to his father’s hermitage with the holy cow.

When Sri Parasurama reached the hermitage with the holy cow his father condemned him for killing the king though what the king had done was not just. scolded him that as a Brahmin he should not have showed parience instead of killing the king

At the Kegaya kingdom the eldest son of Karthaveeryarjuna crowned himself as king absolutely because of the mercy shown by Sri Parasurama. Once crowned as king, he became very proud and head weight and decided to take revenge for his father’s death. He again marched towards the hermitage with his soldiers. At that time also the sons of Sage Jamadhakni were not in the hermitage and The sons of Karthaveeryarjuna cut off the head of the sage in the presence of his wife Renuka even while she was begging them not to kill her husband.

Kanchi Swamigal - True Tales are Stranger than Fiction

Ohm Namasivaya!!! Ohm Sri Sairam !!!

Many years back it was a Chitra Powrnami day (Full Moon day of Tamil month Chitrai).
Land lord Mr.Narayanaswamy Iyer was performing Mahanyasa Rudrabishekam with Mahanyasa Rudra Japam in a very big way to Sri Mahalinga Swamy, the main deity of Thiruvidaimarudur Temple. There were eleven Pandits (experts in chanting the Veda manhras and Rudra Mantras) present here and were performing the Abhishekam. Sri Narayana Swamy Iyer was a staunch devotee of Sri Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathy Swamygal, the peedathipathi of Kanchi Sankaramadam (called by his devotees with love as Maha Periavaa)

The Rudra Jabam was started at about eight o’clock in the morning and was extended and completed at about one o’clock in the afternoon. Mr. Narayanasamy Iyer wanted to submit the abhisheka prasadam to Mahaperiavaa. He took the prasadam folded in a banana leaf which in turn packed in a new Silk cloth got into Madurai – Chennai Passenger train on the same day evening; got down at chingalpet on the next day morning. Entered in to a bus proceeding to Kanchipuram and reached the Sankara Mutt there. Had his bath and other morning duties waited for the dharshan of Maha periavaa with the prasadam bundle in his hand. There was heavy rush waiting in a long queue for the Dharshan of the Achariar. At 12 noon maha periavaa came and sat for devotees’ dharshan after completing his regular Chandra Mouleeswar puja. Mr. Narayanasamy Iyer was waiting for his turn to have dharshan of swamyji, but could not go near the swamygal. He was requesting every one to give him way to reach swamyji in order to submit the prasadam to the Achariar. Some staff of the mutt saw the struggle of the Iyer to reach the Swamyji made way for him to reach the Achariar.

On reaching the Swamygal Mr. Iyer unfolded his prasadam bundle and kept it on a bamboo plate near the swamygal and offered it to the swamygall humbly. But the mahaperiavadid not touch the prasadam plate. Instead he asked the land lord sharply as “What is this?” With some proud in his voice the land lord replied that it was the prasadam of maharudraajapa performed the day before to Sri Mahalinga Swamy temple at Thiruvidaimarudur. Swamygall did not touch the prasadam. But asked abother aquestion as to how many pandits came there to chant Sri Rudra japam. The land lord replied that there were eleven pandits to chant the mantra. Again swamygall asked for the list of pandits. The Mirasdar tookout a paper containing the list of Veda Chanting experts who participated in the Sri Rudra japa. In the middle Swamygall appreciated the land lord for selecting all real experts for the japa, and asked if the list contained the name of Theperumanallur Venkatesa Ganabadigall (an expert in chanting Sri Rudrajapa aged more than eighty years). The Mirasdar replied with surprise that the name was also present in the list. The surrounding people let out a strange look as they ould not understand why the Swamygall was very particular about even the small details of the Maha rudra japam performed the previous day. Then the Swamygall said that the ganabadigall would have struggled top chant the manthras fluently because of his old age. For this the Mirasdar replied with great surprise that the Venkatesa Ganabadigall did not chant the manthras properly and troubled too much and that he felt sorry for inviting him for the Rudrajapa. At this, the swamygal shot back sharply and asked with anger that did he not shouted at the Ganabadigal for sitting simply without chanting the mantras. Then Swamygal sat closing his eyes in meditation for some time. The crowd was watching all these silent without understanding as to why the Swamygall was very keen about the smallest details of the Rusdra japa took place on the previous day. After some time Swamygall opened his eyes and said to the Mirasdar that he (Swamygal) himself would explain in detail as wha had happened on the rudra japa day. Then the Swamygal started narrating everything as if he had seen every thing in person. It was as follows: That he showed partiality in offering dhakshina.. While he offered ten rupees to all the pandits, he offered o0nly seven rupees to Theperuma nallur VebnkaesaGanapadigal But the Ganabadigal simply knostted the amount in the corner of his Waisty without bothering even to count the amount offered to him. The matter did not end with that. While offering food to the pandits, the Mirasdar himself served the dishes with his own hand. He also served sweet pongal specially prepared for the pandits with ghee dropping from it. While doing so the Ganabadigall requested for some more of the sweet pongal because he was by nature very fond of sweets. But the mirasdar left as if he did not hear him. This hurted the Ganabadigall too much. He felt insulted too much. While other pandits left Thiruvidaimarudur immediately after food. The Ganabadigall went around the temple and restedin a corner. He got up in the evening and went into the temple and prayed to the Lordand swore in the presence of Sri Mahaling Swamy that he would never consume sweet in future. With great sorrow he left for Theperumanallur by bus.Swamygall conveyed these to the Mirasdar with too much of agony in his voice.

The Mirasdar begged thee Swamygall to pardon him and requested him to accept the prasadam kept before him. But the Swamygall was not in a mood to touch the prasadam and told him harshly that his share of prasadam would come to him direct from the temple. At that moment the Archagar of the Thiruvidaimarudur temple appeared there with a brass vessel in his hand. Kept the vessel before the Swamygall and told him with folded hands that he was coming from the Thiruvidaimarudur temple with Sri Mahalinga swamy prasadam to handover to the Swamygal. Now the Mirasdar again begged the Swamygal to pardon his fault and assured that he would never do the blunder again in his life and requested him to advice him as what to do to get himself relive from the sin. But the swamygall said that the person to forgive the sin swas not him self but it would be the Theperumanallur Venkatesa Ganabadigal and advised him to meet the Ganabadigal and request him to forgive the sin. He would be pardoned only if his fate allowed him. On hearing this the mirasdar bowed his head to Swamygal and left for Theperumanallur wih an intension to meet him to request for pardon. He got in to a bus proceeding to TheperumanallurReached there and walked in to the street where the Ganabadigal was living and enquired some one as which was ganabadigal house. The man whom he asked replied that “Oh! You have come to attend the funeral of the Ganabaadigal?” and showed him the house where a crowed gathered already. Now the mirasdar very sad at the demise of great pandit and understood why the Swamygal told him that the ganabadigal would forgive him only IF his fate allow him. Such is the power of a kamayogi like Kanchi swamygal who was well asware of the pst present and future.