Pazhoor Perumthrikkovil, Piravom –
Cheraman Perumal Nayanar: Rajashekhara / Rama Rajashekhara (9th
century CE), was a Chera / Kulasekara ruler at Kodungallur in medieval
Kerala, southern India. Rajashekhara is reputed to have issued the
Vazhappally copper plate (830 CE), the earliest epigraphical record of a
Chera king to be discovered from Kerala. Shivanandalahari, attributed to
Hindu saint Shankara, indirectly mentions the Chera ruler as Rajashekhara.
Sanskrit poet *Vasubhatta *in his Yudhishthira Vijaya refers to his first
royal patron as Rama Varma and Rajashekhara. Rajashekhara is usually
identified by historians with Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, the venerated
Shaiva (Nayanar) poet-musician. He is the author of three devotional hymns
- Ponvannattandadi, Thiruvarur Mummanikovai, and Adiyula/Tirukkailayajnana
Ula.
According to Sekkizhar, a courtier of Kulotunga Chola II and the
author of Periyapuranam, Cheraman Perumal made a pilgrimage to the major
Shaiva shrines of southern India with his friend Sundaramurti Nayanar in
his later years. The two saints are believed to have died at the city of
Thiruvanchikulam. The Tiruvanchikulam Siva Temple (then known as
Tiruvanchikkalam) in Kodungallur is associated with the Cheraman Perumal
Nayanar. It was during Rajashekhara reign in 825 CE, the calendar known as
the Kollam Era commenced in the port of Kollam. The calendar is also known
as Malayalam Era.
It was the capital city of Malai Nadu (the present Kerala). The
country was, instead, ruled by Sengol Porayan. Sengol Porayan went to Thiru
Anchaikalam and requested Perum-Ma-Kothayar to ascend the throne. By the
Lord's grace, Cheraman Perumal ascended the throne and ruled the country
justly and wisely. After the coronation, Cheraman Perumal went to the
temple. After worshipping the Lord there, Cheraman Perumal returned to the
palace. On the way, Cheraman Perumal saw a washerman whose body had been
smeared with white sand and mud. The very sight enraptured Cheraman Perumal
who saw — in the washerman — the image of Lord Siva with the sacred ash
smeared all over the body. Cheraman Perumal was raised to
God-consciousness. Cheraman Perumal descended from the elephant and fell at
the feet of the washerman, in spite of the latter's protest. All were
wonderstruck to witness the supreme devotion of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.
By his many acts of devotion and piety, Cheraman Perumal earned the grace
of Lord Siva.
The Lord sent to Cheraman Perumal a renowned musician and devotee,
Banapatirar, with a palm leaf on which was the Lord's own song in praise of
Cheraman Perumal! It read, "Oh king who honours great poets with rich
presents, who rules his subjects with love! Glory to you! I am very highly
pleased with your devotion and charitable nature. The bearer of this
message is Banapatirar who is a great devotee like you. He is a great
musician and always sings my glories on his favourite instrument, Yaal. He
has come to see you. Welcome him with due respect and honour him with
plenty of riches." Cheraman Perumal welcomed the musician with great love
and devotion. When Banapatirar read the song of the Lord, Cheraman Perumal
was overjoyed and rolled on the ground. Cheraman Perumal said to
Banapatirar, "Oh noble soul, kindly take possession of all these and accept
my kingdom also." Banapatirar was astounded to witness the king's devotion
and replied, "Oh king, I am highly pleased with your darshan. I shall
accept only what is absolutely necessary for me, for that has been the
command of the Lord." Banapatirar took only what he needed and left
Kodungallur on an elephant.
The Lord wanted to create a friendship between Sundarar and
Cheraman Perumal and so spoke highly of Sundarar to Cheraman Perumal.
Cheraman Perumal, desirous of worshipping Lord Nataraja and also of meeting
Sundarar, at once started for Thillai. The very sight of the Lord in
Thillai entranced Cheraman Perumal. He sang "Pon Vannathu Anthadi" on Lord
Nataraja. At Thiruvarur, Cheraman Perumal composed the famous "Thiruvarur
Mummanikovai" on Lord Thiagaraja. Cheraman Perumal and Sundarar then went
to Vedaranyam. There Cheraman Perumal sang "Thiru Anthadi" on the Lord.
>From there, at the request of Cheraman Perumal, Sundarar accompanied him to
Kodungallur. At Kodungallur, Cheraman Perumal took Sundarar on an elephant
and went around the city in procession. On the next occasion when Sundarar
visited Kodungallur, Sundarar suddenly left the place and went to the
sacred shrine at Thiru Anchaikalam where he sought the Lord's grace and
attained liberation. By intuition, Cheraman Perumal learnt of Sundarar's
release and also desired to attain the lotus feet of the Lord. So, using
yogic siddhis bestowed to him, Cheraman Perumal shed his mortal coil and
proceeded to Kailasa, where Sundarar was heading on a celestial car (a
white elephant bestowed by Lord Siva to Sundarar). In Kailasa, Cheraman
Perumal became the chief of Lord Siva's Ganas (servants).
Pazhoor: According to the legend, long ago the area was home for many
Brahmin families. The children belonging to these Brahmin families had a
very strict teacher. The kids believed that the teacher was being too harsh
on them because he had no child. So, the kids made an idol out of sand and
payal (weed) and prayed to god for blessing their teacher with a kid.
Pleased by their devotion, the god granted their wish. The place was named
after *Payal called Payaloor. Later got corrupted to Pazhoor. { courtesy:
HINDU TEMPLES OF INDIA}* KR IRS
On Tue, 3 Nov 2020 at 09:15, gopala krishnan [email protected]
[Thatha_Patty] <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> PAZHOOR PATIPPURA-PART 1
>
> [ The roofed-gate of Pazhoor]
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Today I was thinking of writing about Pati [steps]. While trying to get
> some information by surfing, I happened to see a head-line Pazhoor
> Patippura. Eithhyamalla mentions one chapter about Talakulathoor
> Bhattathiri and Pazhoor Patippura. A very lengthy chapter. I thought I
> would write today about Pazhoor Patippura keeping my reading from
> Eithyamala as skeleton. I hope this can be an interesting reading.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Gopala Krishnan 23-11-2013.
>
> *Re posted on 3-11-2020 after editing and updating. *
>
> *R. Gopala Krishnan.*
>
> 1. Thalakkulathur Bhattathiri.
>
> Thalakkulathur Bhattathiri was a famous astrologer and knew astrology from
> boyhood days. After samavarthanam[ returning home from residential school]
> he studied prasna[ astrological inquiry] regularly along with upasana [
> worship]. He was a contemporary of Vilwamangalam swamiyar. He was married
> in due time and was a father. However the child died in an early age.
>
> One day he thought to study his own Horoscope. He found there could be a
> DOWN FALL for him on a particular day. He kept the information to
> himself.
>
> 2. Brahmin’s question and Bhattathiri’s answer.
>
> A few months passed. One day a Brahmin suffering for livelihood came to
> him and asked to predict when his suffering would end. Bhattathiri took
> pity on him.
>
> He said- “Your sufferings are on the verge of their end Do as I say. Go to
> Trichur Vadakkuunatha temple on the next Dwadasi day at midnight and wait
> at North gate. Two Brahmins will come.. Follow them. However they try to
> leave you, never do so, follow them.
>
> If they ask who asked you to follow them, NEVER TELL MY IDENTITY.”
>
> 3. Curse of Brahmins
>
> The Brahmin took leave of Bhattathiri and did as the Bhattathiri
> directed. On seeing the two Brahmins he joined .After a while they asked,
> why he followed them. He said he wanted to go with them wherever it was. They
> said, they were going to Badriasram, and why couldn’t he go separately. The
> Brahmin then told them, he followed them as directed by an astrologer and
> he was not permitted to tell the name. But he would follow.
>
> The Brahmins said-“ We understand things. We cannot neglect a Brahmin. But
> the person directed you to follow us will have a DOWN FALL in due course
> of time. You can close the eye and follow us.
>
> What a wonder, in no time they were at Badri ashram.
>
> 4. Brahmin becomes rich.
>
> The two Brahmins then revealed their identity. “We are Vishnu doothas.
> Your Apphan[ father’s younger brother] is on death bed here after
> finishing all his Kasi trips. You can meet him within 12 minutes.
> (Aranazhika] if you want so. The man on death-bed was conscious and recognised
> the heir.
>
> He asked him to open a box, which had countless money. He handed it over
> to him and in minutes breathed his last . The Brahmin performed last
> rites of Apphan, and came with money and became rich. He informed
> Bhattathiri about down fall told by them..
>
> My note- Sankunni Warier has used apphan and Brahmin in his write up. I
> have followed it. Normally among Nampoothiries APPHAN is used to mention
> father’s younger brother.
>
> 5. Bhattathiri undertakes tour.
>
> Bhattathiri thought ways to avoid down fall. He undertook a pilgrimage
> during
> the period. On the predicted day he was at PAZHOOR and decided to enjoy
> country
> boat trip with local friends in the day and after rest and food again in
> the night again in the Pazhoor River. Bhattathiri thought being in the
> river the downfall may not occur.
>
> My note for readers not from Kerala - Pazhoor is a place close to Piravam
> in the Moovattupuzha Taluk of Ernakulam District.
>
> 6. Bhattathiri comes to Pazhoorpatippura
>
> But at midnight sudden storm and heavy rain occurred. Boat pitched,
> rolled and shipped water . All swam to the bank.. The local friends returned
> to their respective houses.
>
> But Bhattathiri- He was shivering. He wrung the wet cloth and wiped his
> whole body. He then wore it again walked ahead in darkness . He could
> see one patippura[ roofed gate] in the light of lightning. Thinking it
> is not time for formalities, he simply got in.. He found in the next
> lightning a cot with bed and pillow. He lay on the bed and slept since he
> was very tired. After some time storm stopped, and moon-light appeared. (The
> storm and rain appeared as if to Bring Bhattathiri there-
> destiny[Niyogam)[tiy]
>
> 7. Padippura Legend
>
> The Padippura[roofed gate] was of an astrologer’s compound. He was a
> drunkard. Many a times, coming late, he used to sleep on the cot provided
> there without disturbing his wife. On that day, he had gone to drinking
> after a quarrel.
>
> Astroger’s wife came out to answer nature’s call in the night. She
> found the cot occupied. She felt to comfort her husband since he left after
> a quarrel, thinking it was her husband on the cot.
>
> She too occupied the cot. In the warmth of the woman, Bhattathiri got
> into. This was the downfall. After relation ship, Kaniyathi realised it
> was Bhattathiri and not her husband. Time passed. ….
>
> (As per Eithyamala the legend about PazhoorPadippura starts here.)
>
> What happened in the relationship and further course of action by
> Bhattathiri will be told in the next posting.
>
> __._,_.___
> ------------------------------
> Posted by: gopala krishnan <[email protected]>
> ------------------------------
> Reply via web post
> <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Thatha_Patty/conversations/messages/84665;_ylc=X3oDMTJyMGkxZDU4BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE4OTk3Mzk4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNjAyNjA2NwRtc2dJZAM4NDY2NQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNycGx5BHN0aW1lAzE2MDQzNzUxMTI-?act=reply&messageNum=84665>
> • Reply to sender
> <[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20PAZHOOR%20PATIPPURA-PART%201%20%5B%20The%20roofed-gate%20of%20Pazhoor%5D>
> • Reply to group
> <[email protected]?subject=Re%3A%20PAZHOOR%20PATIPPURA-PART%201%20%5B%20The%20roofed-gate%20of%20Pazhoor%5D>
> • Start a New Topic
> <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Thatha_Patty/conversations/newtopic;_ylc=X3oDMTJmMDhta3NiBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE4OTk3Mzk4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNjAyNjA2NwRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNudHBjBHN0aW1lAzE2MDQzNzUxMTI->
> • Messages in this topic
> <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Thatha_Patty/conversations/topics/84665;_ylc=X3oDMTM3bGpsOTU0BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE4OTk3Mzk4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNjAyNjA2NwRtc2dJZAM4NDY2NQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawN2dHBjBHN0aW1lAzE2MDQzNzUxMTIEdHBjSWQDODQ2NjU->
> (1)
>
>
> ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
>
>
> Visit following to see uploaded files related to religious and informative
> files uploaded.
>
> http://groups.google.co.in/group/thatha_patty?hl=en
>
> http://groups.yahoo..com/group/Thatha_Patty/
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thatha_Patty/>
>
> _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________-
>
> Visit Your Group
> <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Thatha_Patty/info;_ylc=X3oDMTJmbnBuazhsBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE4OTk3Mzk4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNjAyNjA2NwRzZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2Z2hwBHN0aW1lAzE2MDQzNzUxMTI->
>
>
> [image: Yahoo! Groups]
> <https://groups.yahoo.com/neo;_ylc=X3oDMTJlYWZtZnFiBF9TAzk3NDc2NTkwBGdycElkAzE4OTk3Mzk4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNjAyNjA2NwRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWUDMTYwNDM3NTExMg-->
> • Privacy <https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/groups/details.html> •
> Unsubscribe <[email protected]?subject=Unsubscribe>
> • Terms of Use <https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/>
>
> .
>
> __,_._,___
>
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Thatha_Patty" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email
to [email protected].
To view this discussion on the web visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqRiARo-D-E79zC%3DopeqY260_Jq_5k_xFPxwGs2yScBAQ%40mail.gmail.com.
