Pranam
The data over the ancient valuable subjects , not only strayin far away
from the truth but also suppresses many points of the history, and lends
its own versions of some one from the blogs. Readers may go through the
original leisurely and find out for yourself.
Azhwars periods have no direct evidences but certain facts
fixes their periods; many are born only in kaliyuga; but out of the 12,
Kulasekara azhvar was said to have born in Kali year 27, BCE 3075, 25 year
after the Mahabharata war but smd Bhagavatham does not have any mention of
; but there was a minister in the Chera dynasty as Kulasekara. Mukunda mala
is a famous verse of his. Then came the nammalwar @ Satagopan of Kurukapuri
(then) @ Parasara @ vakulabharana @ Maran {said to be in shudra family who
became a brahmin by expertise in Vedas} in BCE 3059 kali era 43 (60years
later),{ not 3102 BCE}, did Tamil Nalayira prabandham; in sanskrit it was
done later as kuruhesagathanukarana by Ramanuja s/o Govinda of Kashyapa
gotra ( a brahmin who never felt shudra variation) and also by Sri Vedanta
desika, as tatparya valli. Yamunacharya was born in 915 AD 1040AD; Then
Ramanujacharya. Azhwar tirunagari Tamarind tree is connected to Vedam and
can be seen even today. The leaves of this tamarind tree never closes the
leaves in the night and named as URANGAPPULI (NEVER SLEPT TAMARIND); (
STORY OF GOLD GUARDE BY ORDER THE TREE GUARDED DURING THE NIGHT THE GOLD).
Krishnapuram silpas are live and there are many such silpas in the
south Tirunelveli Gandhimathi temple, Madurai Meenakshi etc ; one can see
the vein of the leg so dexterously carved; I wrote about these with
photos long back. Tansen's graveyard has a tamarind tree which leaves if
eaten, it is believed, one gets a good voice. Right from Krishnapuram to
Alwar tirunagari, including Sri Vaikuntam, Ten tirupperai, on both sides of
the road has NAVA TIRUPATHI 9 perumal temples visited in a day starting
from the morning. End of that road is Tiruchendur Temple.
KR IRS 181221
On Sat, 18 Dec 2021 at 10:07, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> QUES ANSW DIVINE 78
>
> Dear friends,
>
> These are information posted by members compiled as QA by me in
> 1998’s-2004’s and stored in my computer. At this date I have no information
> of the members posted.
>
> BEING COMPILATION THERE MAY BE ERRORS.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> *R. Gopalakrishnan, 78, Former AGM Telecom Trivandrum dated 18-12-2021*
>
> Q1 What are the special attributes of Adinatha-swamy temple at Alwar
> Tirunagari?
>
> A1 Alwar Tirunagari is 20 miles east of Tirunelveli and 17 miles west, of
> Tiruchendur, 3 miles from Srivaikuntam, on the Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur
> branch of Southern Railway. *It is a famous Vaishnavite centre, the birth
> place of Saint Nammalwar and Manavalamuni* and contains one of the
> largest temples in the district of Tirunelveli, dedicated to Lord Vishnu as
> Adinatha-swamy.
>
> Alwar Tirunagari is well known in Vaishnava tradition as Tirukurugur and
> has been sung on by Nammalwar. It is the place of nativity of Subrahmanya
> Dikshitar who is the author of the comparative grammar of Sanskrit and
> Tamil, called Prayogaviveka.
>
> A number of paintings depicting scenes from the Ramayana are found there.
> *There
> is a very big tamarind tree whose bark is stripped by devotees for using as
> a medicine for the cure of otherwise incurable diseases.*
>
> During the flowering season, the tree is loaded with flowers but bears
> no fruit. The origin of the tree dates back to thousands of years and is
> known only by legend which has held it in great sanctity from the hoary
> past.
>
> *The story goes that the tree is none other than Adisesha, the heavenly
> serpent* - couch of Lord Vishnu, who took the form of a tree and remained
> near the Adinathaswamy temple to receive Lord Vishnu at a later date.
>
> Lord Chaitanya of Bengal is said to have visited Tirunagari Adikesava or
> Adinatha and taken with him back a copy of the Brahma Samhita or the
> Dravida Samhita, as Tiruvaimozhi is called.
>
> Q2 An interesting question- Did any body made a suggestion to Lord Siva to
> send sage Agasthia to south to balance the weight during Siva’s marriage
> with Parvathi?
>
> A2 It was at the suggestion of the *divine architect Viswakarma *that
> Siva sent Agastya to the South to restore the balance of the land upset by
> the gods assembling in Kailas to witness his marriage.
>
> Q3 What are the commentable points about the saint namalwar?
>
> A3 Saint Nammalwar is one of the Mahatmas in the galaxy of saints, who was
> born in the Kali Age, B.C. 3102 *just 43 days after the departure of Lord
> Krishna* from the world at the end of Dwapara Yuga.
>
> *Saint Nammalwar is considered to be the chief among the Alwars.* The
> popular esteem for Nammalwar is so great that it has eclipsed the
> reputation of Adinatha swamy, which can be seen from the fact that
> Nammalwar has a separate car for himself to join the procession of the
> original deity of Adinatha swamy.
>
> Since his birth, Nammalwar unlike other children, he never showed the
> characteristics of the mortal children such as wake fullness, hunger,
> crying and playing, etc. *His worldly existence was for 35 years only,
> similar to Sri Sankara or Swami Vivekananda *
>
> Q4 What are the attributes of Srivaikyuntam temple?
>
> A4 Srivaikuntarn is in the Tirunelveli District. Because of the Vishnu
> temple here this place has become a famous place of pilgrimage.
>
> Once an Asura named Somuka snatched all the four Vedas from Lord Brahma.
> So, Brahma came to the earth and began to search for a suitable place to
> perform, penance so that he could get back the Vedas with the help of Lord
> Vishnu. At last he selected Srivaikuntharn and commenced the austerities.
> Lord Vishnu who was pleased with them fought the Asura and defeated him.
> Brahma got back his Vedas. Immediately Lord Vishnu went into, the earth.
>
> Through a hole running from the surface of the earth, it was found the
> milk that cows yielded daily flowed to Lord Vishnu. Thus the abhisheka with
> milk was done to Him daily.
>
> The king who ruled over that place came to know about this. The idol was
> dug out and a beautiful temple was built for the Lord (Srivaikunthanatha).
>
> Q5 This is an interesting question- Can you find a temple on lines of
> Khajuraho(?) in Tamilnadu?
>
> A5 Krishnapuram is a small village in Tirunelveli District at a distance
> of about six miles from Tirunelveli town. There are a good number of images
> and idols of sculptural interest in the temple, attracting hundreds of
> visitors.
>
> *Lord Venkatachalapathy has been installed here with Sri Devi and Bhoo
> Devi.*
>
> Any visitor will be impressed by the dexterity with which each image in
> the mandaparn has been carved out.
>
> *They are so life-like and their features and expressions so natural and
> real that a person will be under the impression that he is actually in
> front of living beings.*
>
> Such beautiful idols can hardly be seen else where. The stone for carving
> out the idols have been selected with such care that they produce melodious
> musical sounds when struck at different places.
>
> There is a beuatiful carving of Udhishitra, Bhima and a *Purusha mrigam(
> half man and half animal) *which helped to complete a yagya . To fulfil
> the ritual at an important yaga, Yudhishthira required the milk of
> Purushamrigam,
>
> There is another pillar containing the representation of a princess and a
> prince being abducted by a kuravan and a kuratti (gypsies), while an irate
> king or minister gives an angry chase and rescues them. The princess sits
> serene on the shoulders of the gypsy as if expecting rescue at any moment.
> The charger on one side of the pillar is depicted as if it would leap into
> life any moment under the whip of its rider. A lance has pierced the
> kuravan on his left flank and the blood flowing from the wound is
> represented in a red shade of stone.
>
> The whole body of the man is twisted in an agony of pain. It is a marvel
> where the, sculptor got a model for his work. The other side of the pillar
> shows the princess's mother consulting a female palmist. The curves of the
> feminine body, its dress and ornaments have been depicted in luscious glory
> and with pointed attention to detail.
>
> The same affectionate care has been bestowed upon the statue of Rati
> (Goddess of Love), the eternal beauty, full of an entirely human vanity,
> admiring herself and bearing a look of mixed self-satisfaction and serene
> contentment.
>
> On the other side of the pillar, a sage is shown to be molesting a lady
> who, out of anger, is pulling down his beard.
>
> A lady is carrying away a handsome prince and an old lady with a sword in
> her hand is attacking a man who has been caught between her legs.
>
> On the other side there is a beautiful girl with a parrot in her hand.
> girl is dancing with a bouquet in her right palm and a fruit in her left
> palm. A knight is lying at her feet with a sword in his hand and a gypsy is
> sitting by her side with snakes around him. On the other side of this
> pillar, two lovers are found to be making gestures of love to each other.
>
> Q6 What are the legends behind the orgin of Darbha?What are its special
> attributes?
>
> A6 There is a legend behind the origin of Darbha grass. The story goes
> that when the great Milky Ocean was churned with Manthara mountain as the
> churned resting on Sri Vishnu in the form of a tortoise, *several hairs
> irom the back of the tortoise (Maha Vishnu) fell off*. Pullaranyam was a
> marshy land full of grass and Sri Rama chose a bed of Darbha grass, *These
> hairs were washed ashore by the waves and took root and are known as Darbha
> grass.*
>
> Others say that while happily drinking Amrita (Ambrosia) which they got
> extracted after infinite struggle from the Sea of Milk, *the Gods let
> fall a few drops of the nectar on this grass. The sanctity attached to this
> grass is apparently due to the contact with celestial nectar. *
>
> Then again, others assert that it was produced at the time when Vishnu
> took the form of Mohini and was distributing Ambrosia to the Gods.
>
> *The vessel containing the nectar was supported on Mohini's hip and when
> she moved playfully to enchant the Asuras a few drops fell on the earth,
> which took root and developed in the form of Darbha grass.*
>
> Darbha grass is looked upon as part of Vishnu Himself. An annual festival
> instituted in honor of the sacred Darbha grass is celebrated on the eight
> day of the Moon in the month of Bhadra (September) and is called Darbha
> Ashtami.
>
> The grass is used on all sacred occasions during the performance of
> propitiatory rituals in honor of gods and one's ancestors. This name
> alludes to the incident in Sri Rama's life when he took rest on the sacred
> grass during his penance, for three days and nights, in this particular
> place.
>
> *Q7 What are the special attributes of Tiruppulani?*
>
> *A7 Tiruppulani, pullaranyam and darbha sayanam all are the same*.
>
> Sage Pula Maharshi started a penance sitting under a Banyan tree, for
> the deliverance of people from the persecutions of those Rakshasas. As a
> result, Mahavishnu appeared in his vision in the form of AdiJagannatha and
> declared that he (Vishnu), in his subsequent avatar as Sri Rama, would
> annihilate the demons and the wicked, and deliver the world from their
> cruelties. *At the request of Pula Maharshi, Mahavishnu granted also the
> boon by which he agreed to reside in this sacred place and bless his
> devotees. *
>
> Since then, this place has become sacred and known as Pullaranyam
> Kshetram. Sri Rama in his search for his consort Sita and in his effort to
> bridge the gulf to Lanka was perplexed how to overcome the natural
> obstacle, the sea. He laid himself on the bed of the sacred grass for three
> days and nights in deep meditation. In answer, Sri Adi Jagannatha appeared
> before Sri Rama, handed him the weapon of victory, called Divya Chapa, and
> blessed him with success.
>
> Adi Setu, where Sri Rama commenced the Setubandhan, is three miles south
> of this Kshetra. The presiding deity in the temple is Adi Jagannatha. With
> his divine consort Sri Padmasani Tayar and Darbhasayana Rama.
>
> Sri Rama, on his return from Lanka and after the Linga Pratishtha at
> Rameswaram, visited Adi Setu to bathe in the sea and ward off the evil
> effects of Brahmahatya committed by his slaying of Ravana, the Brahmin. *After
> visiting Adi Setu, Sri Rama stopped his Pushpaka Vimana at Darbhasayanam, t*o
> show his consort Sita the place of his fast and penance and the place where
> he received the divine weapon.
>
> The temple is five miles southeast of Ramnad Railway Station, on the
> Southern Railway.
>
> Q8 What is the Tevalar and Deva kanya story connected with TiruPulani?
>
> A8 Once a hermit by name Tevalar, who was well versed in the Vedas,
> performed tapas in this forest. One day seven Deva Kanyakas, who were
> enamoured of the beauty of the place, played under the shades of trees and
> bathed in the tank nearby, leaving their clothes on the bank. *Then
> Tevalar came there to take his bath. The Kanyakas, unmindful of the hermit,
> continued their jalakreeda* (water-sport) without any dress on. The
> hermit, getting offended with the Kanyakas, cursed them and they changed
> into mortals.
>
> The Kanyakas, however, begged of him to have mercy on them and save them
> from the curse. Tevalar told them that there was a sage by name Pullar in
> the forest. He was a devout Vishnubhakta. If they went to him, he would
> indicate to them the manner of redemption.
>
> Hearing this, the Kanyakas went to the hermitage of Pullar. They related
> to him their past and present history and prayed to him to save them from
> the curse. Pullar took pity on them and promised to help them to regain
> their original status.
>
> He said that Mahavishnu would take the avatar of Sri Rama and if the
> Kanyakas would get darsan of him, they would be absolved of the Course. The
> Kanyakas were anxiously waiting for the arrival of Sri Rama.
>
> In due course Rama with his army of monkeys arrived at this place. *He
> chanced to see the seven Kanyakas, who immediately got released from their
> curse* and turned into Deva Kanyas again. A hunter who accidentally came
> there saw Lord Rama and received his blessings.
>
> Rama asked him to turn that places into a hamlet construct a temple in
> that forest and watch the bridge Setu. Sri Rama gave the name of Setu
> Palaka to the hunter
>
> This Peepal tree in Pullaranyam is very sacred whoever performs tapas
> under this tree gets salvation. Pullar, Kan Kalavar, Tevalar and others
> performed penance under this tree and Veda blessed with Moksha. It is also
> believed that if people without child perform Nagapratishtha under this
> Peepal tree, they would be blessed with children with long lives. The
> Pradakshina round this Peepal tree wards off the worst sins.
>
> Q9 What are the attributes of peepal tree?
>
> A9 Lord Vishnu used the leaf as his couch and floated in the eternal
> deluge, from which the name *Vatapatra-sayee* has been derived.
>
> The very choice of the Creator, Vishnu, of the leaf of a Peepal tree as
> His bed before the Creation goes to attach mystic powers to the tree. The
> tree is held with such veneration that *no one is allowed to cut it down,
> lop off its branches or even pull off its leaves*, unless they are to be
> used for acts of worship. To fell the tree would be an awful sacrilege, and
> quite unpardonable This is being scrupulously observed even today.
>
> The tree is sacred to Vishnu or rather it is Vishnu Himself under the
> form of a tree. For planting such trees, called *Aswattha Pratishtha*,
> elaborate religious rituals and ceremonies are performed.
>
> *Sometimes the tree is given in marriage with elaborate performances and
> ceremonies to a Margosa tree as its consort.* The existence of these two
> trees in close proximity, which is often times seen in the villages, is not
> an accidental growth. *In the Bhagavad Gita the Lord spoke of Himself :
> "Among the trees I am the Aswattha".*
>
> Q10What are the attributes of Tiruvadanai temple and near Tondivinayagar
> temple?
>
> A 10 Tiruvadanai is a taluk headquarter of Ramnad District of Madras,
> State. The place is not very easily approachable. The nearest railway
> station is Devakottai at a distance of 26 miles, on the bus route from
> Devakottai to Tondi or Madurai to Tondi.
>
> A mile and a half from Tondi, which is a sea, coast town, the famous *Tondi
> Vinayaka temple is to be seen. A red stone Vinayaka is place at the
> roadside, *having only a thatched palmyrah roof as a protection from the
> inclemencies of the weather. But the Vinayaka is of famous origin and was
> worshipped by Lord Rama during the course of his banishment. *The local
> tradition connected with this Vinayaka is that Lori Rama got his first
> vision of success, after worshipping the idol*. It is further said that
> Sri Rama wanted to construct a bridge at this point but found that it would
> lead to the backyards of Lanka's fort.
>
> The (idol is so to say the forlorn one sitting at the road-side, always
> graceful to appease the thirst of people *with a glass of sweet water
> which is very rare at the sea-side.* The water seems to be a sign of the
> fulfillment of desire, as Lord Rama's desire was fulfilled. *It was in
> this kshetra that Sankara sang the praise of Vinayaka in Ganesa Pancha
> Ratna Mala. *
>
> Coming to Tiruvadanai temple, it is said in the legend connected with the
> origin of the shrine that *Sage Durvasa cursed Varuni, the son of Varuna,
> to be transformed into the body of an elephant having the head of a goat*.
> With the mouth of a goat, the body of an elephant cannot be sustained.
> Varuni experienced terrible hunger, which could not be satisfied through
> the little mouth.
>
> To get rid of the curse of having such a large figure with terrible
> hunger, never to be appeased, *he had to come for penance at the shrine
> at Tiruvadanai temple of Adi Ratneswara. *
>
> After devoted prayer and penance, he regained his original form at this
> place. The name is derived from *this mythological incident (Tiru-sacred;
> Adu--goat; Aanai-- elephant*; the sacred place where the goat headed
> elephant regained his original form). The name of the goddess in this
> temple is Snehavalli.
>
> Q11 What is the speciality of Avudayar kovil?
>
> A11 Avudayar kovil is an important Sivasthala, 8 miles from Arantangi Rail
> Station. Magic of construction of this temple is that the *rays of the
> setting sun always fall on the sanctum sanctorum although it is inside
> three prakarams!*
>
> Q12 What are the special attributes of kalayar kovil temple and
> Devakkottai?
>
> A12 In the territory ruled by kings of the Pandya Dynasty, there were 14
> sacred shrines of Lord Siva, which have been visited by the three great
> Tamil saints, Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar. Out of these one is the
> present Kaliyar Koil.
>
> *There lived a sect of people, known as Valakillayar, who distinguished
> themselves by their power to curse*, gained through austere penance
> hundreds of years. Lakshmi, the consort of Maha Vishnu, had the luck of
> being cursed by them. As the curse was very effective, she to come to
> Kaliyar Koil for getting redemption of the curse.
>
> *Lord Siva once cursed Parvati Devi for closing his eyes out of lust and
> throwing the entire universe* into complete darkness, which caused untold
> sufferings to the people. As a result of the curse, *she had to spend her
> time on the earth in the form of Kali, worshipping Siva.*
>
> The fort which was built by the Devas for the Devi to reside in s known as
> Devakottai or Devakottai (Kottai means fort). The present town of
> Devakottai has derived its name thus. It is situated five miles away from
> Siva ganga on the railway line from Karaikudi to Rameswaram
>
> Q13 Which Devasthanam has started a college of its own in Tamilnadu?
>
> A13 Pazhani is one of the richest temples in South India. A College of
> Hindu Theology has recently started under the auspices of the Devasthanam. It
> is affiliated to the Madras University.
>
> *My note- There are many higher secondary* schools and one college under
> Travancore Cochin Devaswam board. I have worked for a short period in their
> Higher secondary school at Trikkariyur near Kothamangalam in Kerala.
>
> Q14 What are the special attributes of Dakshina kasi temple at
> Thirumazhapadi ?
>
> A14 Thirumazhapadi is situated in Tamil Nadu, at Perambalur district,
> at the north bank of Kollidam. The village is situated 4 miles west of
> Thiruvaiyaru and 16 miles south of Ariyalur. The river Kollidam is a
> tributary to river Kaveri and it is flowing south to north as
> ‘Uthiravahini’ and hence *Thirumazhapadi is called Dhakshina Kasi. *
>
> It is gathered that the temple is as ancient as 700 B.C. The Linga in
> the temple is swayambu and it was worshiped by many saints like Agsthya,
> Markandeya, Vashishta .The Lord is called ‘Vajrasdambeshwarar’ or
> ‘Vairathoonar’
> as he stands as a rock on the banks of the river to save the village
> from floods.
>
> Three small pits in the Swamy sannadi at *Tirumazhaai padi *represent
> the Navagraha .There is no sannadi for Navagraha as it is believed that
> none in this village will be affected by Navagraha dhosha.
>
> Q15 What are the specialities of appu liongam at Tirivanaikovil? How the
> place got the name so?
>
> A15 *The legend says that Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam used to visit
> this shrine once a year to worship Lord Siva*, But the practice was given
> up later owing to quarrels between the Saivites and the Vaishnavites.
>
> Everybody knows about the curse on Parvati by Lord Sva. *Accordingly, the
> Devi came to this place and made a Lingam out of water particles and
> commenced worship.*
>
> So, the Lingam is known as Appu Lingam (Water Lingam) and even today
> water can be seen oozing out of the Lingam when the Kaveri or Coleroon is
> in flood.
>
> As Devi Parvati took Upadesa (lessons) from Siva in Tiruvanaikavil, she
> and Siva are enshrined here facing each other, the shrine of the Lord
> facing the West and that of the Devi facing the East. Such places are
> known as Upadesa Sthalas.
>
>
>
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