Small Stories from Srimath Mahabharath and Srimath Ramayana

Sri Rama of Srimath Ramayana got ready to return to Sri Vaikund Loga (world)when the cause of his incarnation in this world was completed,made an announcement to his people that those who are interested can accompany him to the Vaikunda loga should get readyin order to reach Sri Vaikund along with Sri Rama. All the people happily got ready to go with him but Sri Anjaneya was sitting in a corner and chanting Sri Rama nama. When Sri Rama asked him, would he not accompany him to the Vaikaund. Sri Anchaneya, who is very fond of chanting Sri Rama Manthra always, inquired Sri Rama whether anybody would chant Swfri Ramanama in Sri Vaikund and he would be able to hear Sri Ramamanthra chanting there, when Sri Rama replied that there was no chance for that as Sri Rama is the name for his avathar in this worldand only “OHM SRI NAMO NARAYANA” would be chnted in Sri Vaikunt, Sri Hanuman prayed with folded hands that he be allowed to stay back in this world chanting Sri Rama Manthra ever. Understanding his Bhakthi, Sri Rama permitted him to stay back as he desired and ordered him to stay in guard of the Sedhu Bridge built by His beloved Vanaras (monkeys)and told him that he would be a Chiranjeevi and live in this world till the end of this Kalpam. This worried Sri Anchaneya much. He told Sri Rama that a Kalpam means too long time for him to stay in this world without having thedhivya Dharshan of Sri Ram For this Sri Rama told him that he would give him dharshan before the end of Dwabhara Yuga. Sri Hanuman felt satisfied at that promise, sat guarding the bridge and doing Sri Rama Nama japa. Time was passing as usual without waiting for anything or anybody. During Dwabara yuga and during the period Mahabharadh and during Sriman Naryana’s Ssri Krishnavadhara, Sri Arjuna the closest friend and devotee was very close to him while going around Bharath bhoomi on a pilgrimage reached to Sedhu Bandhan (Sedhu Bridge built by the monkey soldiers of Sukreeva ). He did not notice Sri Hanuman siting there in the form of a old monkey started self talking sarcastically that if Rama was an expert in the art of archery he should have built a bridge using arrows, instead he built the bridge with stone only which trumpets his inability to use his arrows to build a bridge to Lanka island. Sri Hanuman got angry on hearing the insult to Rama. He got up, jumped and shouted at Arjuna “ who are you? Are you an expert in archery? More powerful than my Sri Rama? How dare you insult my Sri Ram. What do you know about my Sri Ram?” Sri Hanuman challanged Sri Arjuna to show is expertancy by building a bridgewith arrows to Lanka in order to prove his ability.
Arjuna, a Kshatariya, accepted the challenge, very easily built a bridge across the sea to Lanka . With much proud told Sri Anchaneya to check the strength of the bridge if he could. Sri Anjaneya put one step on the bridge chanting Sri Rama nama. The bridge collapsed instantly even before he could step his another foot on the bridge. Arjuna being a great warrior, and expert in archery equal to none in that profession, could not bear this and felt insulted and humiliated. He never thought that his bridge would collapse so easily by the weight of a old monkey He lamented and thought of Sri Krishna to share with him his feelings and what had happen to his art of archery and how th bridge collapsed. While this was going on there appeared an old man who recognized Arjuna, asked him with affection why he looked so sad. Arjuna narrated the whole story to him. Now the old man asked both as
“ So there is a competition between you two? If there is a competition there should be a judge to decide the victor” I would do the job of judge. “
“Arjuna you go ahead with building the bridge new.”
“Let us check the strength of the bridge you are going to build.” Then Arjuna started to build another bridge with his arrows and bow keepin g Sri Krishna in his mind and pray for his blessings. The bridge was ready again. Now Sri Krishna suggested sri Hanumann to check the strength of the Bridge.Sri Anjaneya Stepped on the bridge expecting it to collapse immediately, found it was standing strong and was very much surprised and confused. Then he jumped danced on the bridge with all his strength to damage the same. But the bridge withstood all his check and test and nothing happened to the bridge. It proved to be very strong bridge. Both Sri Anjaneya and Arjuna looked at the old man stood as judge.. But inhis place Anjaneya could see Sri Ram and could see Arjuna as Sri Krishna, made them both understand that Sri Rama and Sri Krishna are not different personalities. Both are the incarnations of Sriman Narayana. Sri Anjaneya said with folded hands”Rama Rama Sri Jaya Rama” and fell at the feet of sri Rama. Arjuna with shivering voice and tears in the eyes prayed “ Krishna KrishnaHare Krishna” Sriman Narayana Clarified them that Sri Anjaneya was close to Him in his Rama Avatar and Sri Arjun was close to him in his Krishna incarnations, told Sri Anjaneya, “Very shortly there will be war at Gurukshetra between Gauravas and Pandavs” In which I will be the driver for Parthan( Sarathi for Sri Partha = Partha sarathy). You should stay in the flag of Arjuna’s chariot and save him from the Asthras hit his chariot and shower on him your blessings in order to win the war”. Telling so he disappeared. Both Ssri Anjaneya and Srijun understood that thjey were brothers As ordred Sri Anjaneya stayed in the flag of Arjuna’s Car and saved him from the asthras aimed at him and left the flag only after completion of the war. While Si Kishna was teaching Gita to Arjuna at the war front, Sri Anjaneya sincerely, listened, heard learned and understood complete meaning and purpose of the Gita.

Small Stories from Srimath Mahabharath and Srimath Ramayana

Sri Vedapureeswar of Mavoothu

Once at Sri Kailash, - (the holy abode of Sri Paramasiva and his consort Sri Parvathi,) there was a music party, which was being attended by all Devas, Siva ganas, Bhooda Ganas and Sakthi Ganas and other heavenly and spiritual bodies. For that pleasant occasion the Holy Kailash was nicely decorated. All Devas experts in playing all sorts of musical instruments were present there with their musical instruments to please Sri Paramasiva and Parvathi Devi,with their Deva Gaana (Divine music. Sri Parvathi and Sri Parameshwar were sitting ona highly decorated seats. Among the musicians one Sri YazhvValladeva an expert in playing the music instrument called Yazh. (Can be compared with our present Veena.) He was bringing pleasure to everyone who heard his music. At that same place while Sri Yazhvalladeva was busy playing his instrument, there came a test for him in the form of a Devanangai, a maid of Sri Parvathi Devi. She was very much attracted by the music, lost herself in the music and the beauty of Yazh valladeva looked at him with love ( Love at first sight) and lust overflowing from her eyes.. At the same time yazh valla deva also had an instinct that someone was watching him with much curiosity. To confirm his instinct ion, he looked around and noted Deva nangai looking at him. With that single sight, he forgot the fact that he was a Siva Gana sitting and playing music in the presence of Sri Paramasiva and Sri Parvathi and forgot everything and fell in love with that girl. Lord Siva who is the Lord of the whole universe saw all these game and grew angry, as Sri Kailash is not a place for worldly thoughts and human feelings because devas should never behave like humenbeings and should never have human feelings, cursed them to born in the world and suffer all good and bad like normal human beings Only after cursed by the almighty they understood their mistakes and begged the Lord to forgive them. Lord Siva told them that they should suffer for their wrong and promised that they would be brought back to Sri Ksailash at proper time after living in this world for some years.

As decided by the Almighty, Yazhvalladeva born to one sri Thillaikone and Thilakamadhi his wife lived at Kottaiyur. Both are staunch and sincere devotees of Lord Siva. Their profession was to rear cows, produce milk and sell the product pure without adding water. From the sale proceeds they lived happily, helped other people and Siva Devotees (Sivnadiars). Yazhvalladeva in this birth was named as Pachaimal because of his color. Thillaikoan’s sister Singaramangai with her husband Senkamalakannan was living in the same village. Though they had seven male children they had no girl child and were longing for such a child. Devamangai was born to them as eighth child. The couple were over whelmed with joy dancing with joy on the birth of their long awaited girl child. This girl child was christened as Sadai nangai. As normal children these two children also grewwith usual naughtiness. When Pachaimal reached sixteen years of age and Sadai mangai twelve years of age their parents decided to perform marriage for , Pachaimal with Sadainangai as per their regular custom. Both got married and started their lives as happy birds. Pachaimal took his family profession of cattle rearing and producing milk. He would take milk from his cows and handover to Sadai nangai. She would take home the milk to give to Pachaimal’s parents and they would sell the same as usual. With the sale proceed all were living very happily. Amazingly under the care of Pachaimal his cattle multiplied in number very fast. Time went very fast without waiting for anything and anybody. Without much remarkable incidents twenty years passed. Now time came for Sadainangai to leave this worldly life and to become a Goddess. Sri Parameshwar took the form of a Shivayiogi and appeared at the holy village Mavoothu near Thanipaarai, with huge jadamudi over his head, Rudraksha garlands around his neck, Dhandam and Kamandalam in his hands. HE sat under a tree on the way Sadainangai pass every day in order to be noted easily by Sadainangai. On that day while sadai nangai passed that way she noticed the Shivayogi. Due to her purva jenma bandhan she stood before him with folded hands and head down. The Siva sithar blessed her smiling and asked her in a requested to offer him some milk to quench his thirst and hunger. Without hesitation she poured milk in a small pot and gave him. The Siva Sithar drank the milk without a single drop balance and told her that his appetite and thirst were satisfied and again requested her to give him some milk daily in the same manner to satisfy his hunger and thirst. Sadainangai readily accepted. As accepted she was giving the Shiva Sithar some milk daily. The drama was going on for some days. The elders in the house were not aware of this matter. But they noticed the reduction in the quantity of milk brought home daily. They doubted that Sadainangai was playing some trick, but did not inquire Sadai nangai but inquired Pachaimal about the reduction in the quantity of milk. He too was not aware of the daily offer of milk to the Siva sithar So he replied his parents that he had no knowledge about it, and would enquire his wife about it. He decided to check her movements next day without her knowledge.

As decided Pachaimal followed his wife next day without her knowledge and watched with anger when she offered milk to the Siva Sithar on the way. Then he reached home fast and waited for Sadai nangai. When she reached home he called his wife in a roaring voice. He shouted and slapped her on the face for offering milk to an unknown man without his knowledge. She did not expect such a treatment from her husband. Pachaimal thought while he was toiling all the day in the hot sun taking his cattle for grazing and caring them in the forests, his irresponsible wife offering the precious milk to some unknown lazy fellow sitting under a tree. Sadainangai could not bear such a harsh treatment as it was the first time he slapped her and cried. The next day she narrated the whole thing to the Siva Sithar when she offered milk as usual because she treated the Shiva sithar as her own father. The sithar consoled her telling that the time had come for her to leave this world and to attain Godhood. He gave her Knowledge of her previous birth and blessed her with mukthi at the same place and made her to attain Godhood, told her to stay there forever as Jadadhari Amman and bless people with whatever they wanted As instructed by Lord Shiva Sadainangai stayued there as Sri Jadaadhari Amman in a separate temple. Even now we can see a separate temple housing Sadainangai at Mavoothu with name as Sri Jadaadhari Amman. As Saainangai did not return back to the house her seven brothers grew tension and ran up and down in search of their sister. After she attained Godhood her seven brothers searching for their beloved sister came to the Siva Sithar and enquired aboiut her. The Siva Sithar explained them that their sister was not an ordinary human being. She lived in this world as woman due to a curse. As time had come, she was relieved of her curse and attained God Status and showed them Sri Jadaadhari Amman who was none but their own sister, and advised them to worship her as their Kula Deivat to obtain her blessings. Then the Siva Sithar transformed the seven brothers as Ayyanars with powers of Gods and ordered them to Guard the Sadhuragiri from seven directions. Then the Shiva sithar, as prayed by the seven brothers of Sadainangai stayed at Maavoothu in the form of Shiva Linga even beforeSri Sundaramahalingam came to Saduragiri and settled there.

Pachaimal learned from his fellow villagers that his wife attained mukthi, had become a Goddess as Jadaadhari Amman and her brothers have had become Guarding Gods of Sadhuragiri, cried, wept and lamented at the separation of his wife from him and that he would not be able to see his wife anymore. After that incident he felt alone and lost interest in everything, became mentally upset, took his cattle to Sadhuragiri and lived there without any contacts with his relatives. He stayed alone on the Sadhuragiri offering milk, curd etc to whoever approached him with hungry. Once he was taking his cattle to grazing, he saw Swamy Sundarananda performing pooja to Sri Sundaramurthy Siva linga installed and worshipped by Sage Agasthiar. He requested Swamy Sundarananda to allow him to offer some milk for the purpose of Abhishekam to the Shiva Linga idol and for the personal use of Sri Sundarannda Swamy. For this purpose he did not use the milk of any cow available. He selected the best one among his cattle and reserved its milk as offerings to The Sundera murthy Lingam That particular cow’s milk was not used for any other purpose and was kept reserved for the use Lord Siva and for sage Sundarananda. This was going on for some days. When the time came for his mukthi and relief from his curse, Sri Kailashpathy came and settled in the Sadhuragiri disguised as a Siva yogi. Then he caught hold of the cow whose milk was daily given to Sundarananda for abhishsekam and concealed her from the eyes of Pachaimal. On the evening of that day while other cows were back from the grazing field, the cow consealed by the Sivayogi (Lord Shiva) did not come back. Pachaimal searched and searched for the cow as it was time to extract milk from the cow and offer the same for abhishekam of Sri Ssundaramurthy lingam. He thought that she might have missed her way and wandering somewhere. He took a stick which he used to control his cattle and went out in search of his cow. At a distance he saw the Sivayogi drinking the milk directly from the udders of the cow reserved for sundaramurthy lingam and for Sundarananda Swamy . He thought the sivayogi should have asked him for some milk and he would have given him some milk to satisfy his thirst or hunger without murmur or hesitation. Pachaimal got angry because the milk meant for the abhishekam of Lord Shiva was being drunk by an unknown person. In a fit of anger he ran shouting towards the sivayogi and hit him on the head with his stick. The blow fell on the back of the Sivayogi was felt by everyone present at the Saduragiri at that moment. Everyone including Swamy Sundarnanda and Sattai muni came running to the spot to see what had happened. Immediately the Sivayogi disappeared and at the place where he was sitting and sucking milk from the udders of the cow, a shiva lilnga was found in slant position as the same position the shiva yogi sat and drank the milk.Swamy Sundarananda, Si Sattaimuni and others who were performing pooja to Sundaramurthy shiva linga at that moment heard the noise and came running towards the spot where Pachai mal was standing stunned. He could not understand what had happened and was simplylooking at the new Shiva linga in slant position appeared from nowhere. Now Lord Shiva with his consort Sri Parvathi appeared along with Sri Nandhiemperuman. Every one present had the holy and miraculous dharshan of Lord Shiva with the universal mother Sri Parvathi. Only now Pachaimal and others understood that the Shivayogi was none but Sri Parameshwar himself who came there only to relieve him from his cursecried for his innocence for not the Lord and fell on the groundand begged HIM to pardon But the Lord said it was only his Thiruvilaiadal to take Pachaimal back to Sri Kailash and let everyone know abiout Pachaimal who was one of Siva Ganas and asked Pachaimal wha he wanted. Pachaimal replied wih folded hands that he should always stay with him at Sathuragiri. The Suyambu lingam can be seen even now in slant position with a stick mark on the head is called as Sri Sundaramahalingam of Sadhuragiri.
To reach Sadhuragiri: From Virudhunagar of Tamil Nadu take a bus to Watrap. The distance between Virudhunagar to watrap is around seventy kilometer. Reach Watrap. AT specific times mini buses are available between Watrap to Thaniparai. Take a share auto which is available in numerous to Thaniparai, the base of Sadhuragiri. From Thaniparai take a walk fo around ten kilometers inside the forest and mount. The Adhivasis living in that area are able to cross the distance in less than two hours. But for inexperienced city peopleit would take more than four hours to cross the distance. Once we cross the Thaniparai border and enter the forest area we come under the control of Sri Sundarmahalingam of Sadhuragiri. He takes complete control of ourselves and help us to reach the temple safe. Mavoothu is located between Virudhunaaaagar and Watrap. To go Mavoothu, take bus from Virudhunagar to Watrap. Getdown at Thambi Patti, take road proceeding on the right side, travel for about six kilometer. Reach Vedapureeswar temple of Mavoothu. Near by is the temple for Jadadhari Amman .
.

.

Guru Sri Raghavendra Swamygal

An Amazing experience met by a devotees of Sri Raghavendra Swamygall

Mahan Sri Ragavendra said that he would live in his Tomb for seven hundred years and bless the mankind with his blessings from there for ever. The following is a proof that he is still moving around in this world and helping his devotees in the hours of need. Mr. Venkat Rao is a retired employee of University of Madras. He and his wife Srimathi Lakshmi are devotees of Sri Raghavendra Swamygal.
Once they decided to visit the newly started Sri Raghavendra mutt at Iraiamangalam, a village situated at 15 kilometres away from Thiruvallur for darshan. Mr. Sridhar, the husband of Mrs. Ganga the sister of Mr. Venkat Rao had undergone bypass surgery recently. As his health condition did not help him to travel, other members of the family left for the Mutt leaving him at the house. At Sri Raghavendra mutt pooja was going on. At that moment the cell phone of Mr. Venkatrao rang. The call was from his house, the voice in the phone informed that Sridhar, who was in the house was suddenly swooned and fell down and the neighbours helped him to get admitted to the hospital for medication. At the hospital doctors said his brain stopped working and to correct the same they did an emergency operation. But that had become useless. The patient had gone to coma stage. Doctors expressed their fear that the patient may die and they can do nothing more. The patient was in the I.C.U. The relatives were standing outside with worried face not knowing how to save the patient from death. At that moment from nowhere an old man urgently walked into the hospital and entered the I.C.U. (It should be noted that no outsider can easily enter the ICU because it is a sterilized area and a visitor can be allowed inside to see the patient after taken some precautionary steps) Doctor saw some one entering the ICU, and came running to stop him. But he could see no one except the patient inside the ICU. Others also rushed into the ICU. To their utter surprise they saw the coma patient sitting on his bed looking at them. When they enquired the patient what had happened, the patient replied simply that he heard of an old man’s voice softly whispered in his ear to get up and sit as there was nothing wrong with him. The doctors went out to see the old man but could find no suchmn there. Then they enquired the staff at the reception whether they sent any old man inside. They said “No”. After two or three days Sridhar was discharged from the hospital. All the relatives felt and believed that the old man was none but Sri Raghavendra Swamygal who came in time just to save his suffering devotee from death.
Another Amazing experience met by A Devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swamygall
Once two friends while casually speaking decided to visit Sri Manthralayam for a Dharshan of Manthralaya Mahan Sri Raghavendra Swamygall’s Samadhi. They travelled by the Bombay mail (night train) They could not get a beth to sleep because their trvel was an un expecte one and defcided very casually. So they had travelled the whole distance without sleep. The train reached Manthralayam Railway station 80 minutes behind schedule at 11.20 Am. From there they took a bus and reached Manthralayam, had bath in the Thungabadhra river, then went to the Brindhavan for darshan. They had dharshan at Brindhavan. Though they could get good dharshan, they coiuld not get the prasadam (food)because it was too late when they went to the dining hall. This disappointed them very much. With heavy hearts they went to a hotel, had their food (lunch), hired a room in a lodge and slept till 4.00pm because they did not sleep in the train the previous night. When they got up from sleep at around 4.00 pm they saw an old mathwa Brahmin. They thought that old man was working in that lodge. So they enquired him whether he can provide food for them for the night, That man agreed to do so. Then the two guys washed and cleaned their face, hands and legs and again went to the Brindhavan for dharshan and returned to the lodge around 7.30 pm. Now the old mathwa Brahmin brought them night food and served them in big bnana leaves and sat there and watched them eating with affection. The two guys could feel the affection in the eyes of the old Brahmin. But they could not see him straight as his look was very sharp. After they finished eating the old man took the banana leaves to throw them out. The two guys were waiting for the old man hoping to give him cash for the food provided to them. But the old mathwa Brahmin never turned back after throwing the leaves out. The two guys enquired another man working in the lodge about the old mathwa Brahmin who gave them food; the worker said there was no such man working in the lodge and it was not in pactise to provide food for those who stay in the lodge This surprised the youths very much. When they explained that worker about the items served in their food. That man with surprise said that the same items were served as prasadam for devotees in the Mahan’s Brindhavan in the afternopon as prasadam (lunch). This message brought the youths more surprise. Then they vacated the room and reached Manthralaya Railway station hoping to get into any available train and return to their native place. At the station they understood that there would be no train for that night to their native place and the youths had to sleep on the Railway platform. At around 12.00 o’clock in the midnight a porter woke them up and informed them that a train scheduled to arrive at noon was expected to reach the station nearly ten hours behind sschedulen few minutes and suggested them that they can travel in that train if they wish so. The youths were happy and got into that train when it came. In the train there was another surprise for the youth. The Travelling Ticket Exaaminer (TTE) checked their tickets and offered them two vacant berths and told, that they can sleep there without any disturbance. The youths accepted with surprise and reached their native place happily The two young men are still wondering who was that old mathwa Brahmin who provided them food and why he left without collecting money for the food and why the porter in the Railway station woke them only, and how the TTE offered them a berth to sleep. It was that Manthralaya mahan only . Who elso could have done such things to help a devotee.

Swamy Sri Thulsi Das.

Swmy Sri Thulsidas wrote Srimath Ramayan of Sri VAlmiki Rishi in Hindi language. His Rmaayan received popularity and fame even during his own life time. Till today his Ramayan has a special place in almost all the houses in north India. Sri Thulsidas, lived in Kasi was not only a very good poet, but also a sincere devotee of Sri Rama . Through his deep Ssri Rama Nama Japa he was able to see Sri Rama in physically. He used to be in the thought of Sri Rama always. His daily routine was nothing but reading Srimath Ramayan and explaining Srimath Ramayan (Prasangam) and doing Sri Rama Nama Japa. He was an expert in the explanation of Srimath Ramayan. Thousands of people flocked to hear his Srimath Ramayan Prasangam. Day by day his popularity and familiarity was increased. The popularity and fame of this simple Sanyasin irritated some people. In due course their irritation converted into Jealous. Due to that they wanted to destroy Swamy Sri Thulsids. In those time there lived a magician in Kasi, who was a devotee of Sri Bhairava. The agitators approached him and offered him some money fo destroying the life of Sri TRhulsidasHe took some money from those jealous people and handed them over a copper plate with some mantra slogans inscripted on the plate and advised them to drop the same at the door step of the hut of Sri Thulsidas so that when he come out of his hut in the morning he step on that. The magician explained that if it happened immediately he would become a lunatic and would run up and down tearing his cloth. The agitators happily took and dropped the same in the mid night of that day. On the nex day morning the culprits were waiting for news from Sri Thulsidas side. As no news came they went to Sri Thul;sidas’s house and found he was teaching his disciples as usual. They thought that the magician had cheated them after getting money. So they decided to go to his house and beat him nicely and get back their money. As decided they went to the magician’s house and saw to their surprise that the magician running up and down tearing his own clothes as a mad man. The fact was after they dropped the copper plate on the door step of Sri Thulsidas a monkey. (Sri Hanuman in the disguise of monkey) came running and took the copper plate and dropped the same on the head of the magician. Due to the power of the copper plate, the magician himself became mad and was running up and down. There are a saying in Tamil which reads as Thann Vinai Thannai Sudum.” The above is a proof of the saying. If one could understand this fact, no one would never try to harm other people.

Miracles of Sri Gnananandagiri Swamygal.

Many years back, it was an evening around 5.00 Pm at the Thapovanam of Sri GnananandaSwamygall. The smiling child like face of Sri Swamygall would attract everybody. At that time Sri Gnanananda Swamygall was blessing his devotees with his blessed speech. Devotees were paying their respects by doing a ashtanga Namaskara in front of him and taking praadham and leaving the place one by one. After all the devotees left the place a very slim man working in the mutt called as soni because of his size and slimness came, worshiped and stood in front of the swamygall with an intension to request something from the swamygall . Swamygall asked him what was the matter. But Soni hesitated to reply because he felt shy and fear that sawmygall may reject his request and stood without speech. Swamygall again pressed him to tell the matter. Then he slowly and in a shivering voice, revealed the matter that he had arranged marriage for his granddaughter, and for the marriage expenses he needed around. Rs. 5000.00 He wanted the Swamygall to help him with the amount. The swamygall, on hearing the matter smiled and said with great pleasure“ Oho you have arranged marriage for your granddaughter . Sri Panduaranga Swamy would help you to perform the marriage nicely without any hindrance”. But Soni expected money from him and not his wordly blessing only, could not speak anything, stood there with confusion. Now Swamygall asked him how many children he had. Sony said he has only one son. But his son had three girl children; he was working in a shop at Thirukovilur earning Rs. 60/- only per month and after spending for food he could not save anything and Soni again requested the Swamygall to help him with Rs. 5000/- for marriage expense. But the swamygall said playfully that he being a Sanyasi, without money cannot help him with money. Telling so he called another employee of the mutt and ordered him to bring a coconut after removing its cover and a one rupee coin. When the things were brought, he handed them over to Soni and told him that Sri Panduranga Swamy would do him the needful and left inside. Soni was standing there with tears in his eyes and confusion in his mind.
After some time Sri Swamygall came back and sat on his usual seat. At the same time a van carrying some 50 to 55 devotees came and halted in front of the mutt entrance and devotees stepped out of the van, entered the ashram. With folded hands they reached the swamyji and made a ashtanga namaskar to Swamyji. The Swamygall asked them whether they are from Gujarat as if he knew where from they came. Surprisingly they said “Yes” Again Swamygall asked them as to where they were going. They replied that they were on a pilgrimage to Sri Rameshwar, visiting temples on the way. Then Swamygall ordered the mutt people to offer them some thing to drink for refreshingas they reached after travelling a very long distance. After refreshment He showed them Soni, who was still standing there with the coconut on hid hand and told them that they all look strong and they could show their strength by breaking the coconut. They coiuld pass the time for charitable reasons. He told them to break the coconut by hitting the same against ground. But the condition was they should hit only once against the ground without using any metal or any instrument. If they failed in the game they should pay Rs. 100/- towards charity. and that way they could spend their time and money usefully for some noble cause. The condition looked very easy for them so all ageed to the samebecause they were confident that they would break the coconut easily with a single hit. Even if they failed in their attempt they would lose only Rs. 100/- only; which was a very small amount for them. Now the Swamygall instructed Soni to handover the coconut to one of the devotees from Gujarat and told him to try. That devotee tried to break the coconut but could not. Therefore had to pay Rs. 100/-towards charityas per condition laid earlier. Now The Swamygall instructed Soni to spread his upper towel on the ground so that those who failed could place their Rs. 100/- on that. One by one all the fifty five devotees tried. But to the utter surprise of every one, no one could break the coconut. By the time the upper towel spread on the ground was filled with hundred rupee Notes placed by the Gujarati devotees who could not break the coconut. Now the Swamygall turned towards Soni, told him to try his luck. But Soni hesitated because he was aware of his strength. As the Swamygall insisted him to try his luck he had to do so. He took the coconut, praying the Swamygall to help and with the hope that Swamygall would help him,hit the coconut to break, while every one was looking with excitement. To the surprise of all the devotes present in the hall, the coconut broke into two pieces. The highly surprised Soni could not believe his own eyes stood there blinking with confusion. As the coconut was broken by Soni he was hailed as the winner of the game and theoney collected in the towel woulbd become his property. Swamygall smiled happily, told Soni to count the money collected in the towel . He counted and said it was Rs. 5501/- Now the Swmygall told Soni to utilize that amount for his granddaughter’s marriage expense. He also told “ I told Sri Panduranga Swamy’s blessings will be with you to celebrate the marriage. While you wanted Rs. 5000/-, Sri Pandudranga swamy blessed you with 500/- more. Go and celebrate the marriage happily”. Till today Soni could not understand how he could break the coconut while fifty five hale and healthy people could not break the coconut. It is a known fact that coconut will go to pieces if it is hit once or twice against ground. But theat particular coconut was very strong, could withstand fiftyfive hits by healthy peopleand it was not made up of iron or anyother strong metalSwamygall. That was the miracle played by Sri Gnanananda giri Swamygal just help a helpless innocent man, who wanted money for a good and noble cause.

Tower of Kalaiar koil and the Marudhu Brothers.

It was the beginning of nineteenth century and British Rule in India, Marudhu Brothers widely known as Marudhu Pandias, Rulers of Sivagangai were born to Mukkulam Mokka Palaniappan Udaiyar Servai and his wife. Sri Anandhayee alias Sri Ponnatthaal. The brothers became the right hand of Sri Muthuvaduga Nathar the King of Siva gangai Samasthanam and his queen Sri Velu Nachiar in their revolt and war against the British rule in India. They were confirmed with the right to rule the Sivagangai from 1780 to 1801 by the king Sri Muthuvaduga Nathar.

There was a war ensued between the Marudhu Pandiyas and the British army during the month May of the year 1801. On the 1st of October 1801 Mr. Sprey and Mr. Agniv, cihiefs of armed forces of the British army in South India were very happy because they could capture Thirupoovanam, Thirupachethi, Parthibanur, Kamudhi, Piranmalai, Siruvayal and Kalaiar koil of Sivagangai Samasthanam in the war. But at the same time they were unhappy because they could not arrest and punish the Marudhu Brothers. Their intension was not only to capture places but also they wanted to arrest the Marudhu Brothers and put an end to the revolt. While they were in deepl discussion about the ways and means to arrest the Brothers, they heard about the love of Marudhu Brothers for the Kalaiarkoil temple tower (Gopuram). This message gave them an idea to arrest the brothers. Then there was a public announcement by the British that the Brothers should come out of their hideout and surrender to them as otherwise the tower of the Kalaiar koil Temple would be blown out. On hearing this announcement the brothers surrendered themselves to the British. When they were about to be hanged by the British they informed the military court judge that their heads should be buried in the vicinity of the temple so that even after death they would be able to see the temple tower ever as their last desire. The Britih did the sameas desired by the Brothers. Such was their love for that Gopuram. Some say that some local man betrayed them and after regular process of the British military court they were hanged at Thirupathur.

, once they become rulers of Sivagangai, Marudhu Brothers started building a tower for The Sivan temple at Kalaiar koil, which was their dream since long. They decided that the height of the tower should be equal to that of Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. They developed the temple tower as they desired. The construction started in the year 1781 i.e. immediately they became rulers of Sivaganmgai and was completed in 1800. It is said that one cn see from the top of this tower the Southern tower of Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai and the Kundrakudi Sri Murugan Temple. The distance between Madurai and kalaiar koil is about 66 km. The bricks required for the construction work was brought from Mnamadurai. The legend says that workers were made to stand side by side from Manamadurai to Kalaiarkoil and the bricks were Transported by changing hands of the standees from Manamadurai to Kalaiar koil. The Marudhubrothers were not satisfied with the building of the tower alone. After the completion of the construction of the tower they also wanted to make a car (Chariot) for the temple. For this purpose they selected one Sri Kuppa Muthu Achari, well versed in the building of temple cars. By the grace of Lord Shiva they completed the work of the temple chariot. An auspicious day was fixed for the ‘Therottam’. The People of Sivagangai and surrounding places gathered on that day to pull the temple car and to see its running on the street. Everything and everybody was ready. People were holding the big rope in their hands to pull the chariot of their Lord’s temple. But the car did not move an inch even after so many people were pulling. Marudhu Brothers were very much upset at this and were praying the Lord to allow the car to move from the place. At that time a spy of the Marudhu Pandyas brought a secret message that the Kuppamuthu Achari wanted to be king for one day only as it would help move the car from its original place. Without slightest murmur the Peria marudhu removed his official ring from his fingers and handed over to the Achari, who was also present there at that moment. The king also handedover his ‘Sengole’ as a sign of acceptance of Achari’s desire (or demand). Now the Achari became king and sat on the front portion of the chariot and signaled the people to pull the rope. At the same time The Marudhu Brothers were looking with anxious as what would happen. So far the car was immovable, now as a miracle the wheels of the car started rolling on the street nicely like a well lubricated vehicle without any sound like moving on abutter laid street very smoothly. Everyone including Marudhu Pandiyas were very happy to see the miracle. But it was only for a short time. After running for some distance a wheel struck on a big stone on the street and the temple car fell upside down and the Kuppa muthu Achari got under the big wheel of the heavy chariot. Everyone stunned at the sudden mishap and ran for the help of Achari and to those who got under the vehicle. But the Achari was found dead under the Chariot like many other people. There was a palm leaf on the hand of Achari which said, “ The king will die on the day the car run on the street” Who or what saved the king Peria Marudhu from the accident. Was his humbleness or the sacrifice of the Achari or the prayers of the people of Sivaganga?. Lord Shiva alone knows. But it is true that the life of Peria Marudhuwas saved miraculously.
There are some interesting stories about things happened white construction work of the tower was in progress. When the construction was started there was a water spring at the exact place where the tower is standing now obstructing the work. No one was able to stop the spring. The Marudhu brothers tried their level best to stop the water spring using all their technical knowledge. But could not so ao. Finally it was announced by the brothers that anyone who could stop the water spring to enable the construction work start would be prized superbly At that moment a Muslim youth came forward to stop the water spring. But he looked like beggar. None could believe him that he would do the job. But the Marudhu Brothers gave him a chance because of the fact that his ancestors were in experienced in that line. The name of the youth was Sulaiman. He wanted thousand baskets of sand and thousand baskets of Ayirai (a fish variety) fish for the purpose. When these materials were received, he stopped the water spring completely with his unusual technique enabling the construction of the tower. When the youth was offered with money and other prizes by the Pandiyas for his work, he gently refused stating that he wanted the love and support of the Pandiyas and nothing more. After the youth joined the army of he Maudhu Pandiyas and fought in the war against the British and sacrificed his life. The tower stands majestically with nine stages reminding the devotion and patriotism of the Marudhu Brothers forever.

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
)

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.