Names of Kanchi Kanchi is celebrated by different names: Satyavrata kshetra, Bhaskara kshetra; Taijasa kshetra; Harihara kshetra; Sakti kshetra; Mahapunyaprada kshetra; Kailasa; Vaikuntha; Sripuram.
Satyavrata Kshetra: Primacy to the glory of Sakti; Aspects of Sakti’s glory are visible; Evokes the presence of Siva; Seat of Vishnu, who is another form of Sakti; imperishable; surrounded by the wise and virtuous. Bhaskara Kshetra: Surrounded by excellent hills, rivers and temples. Taijasa Kshetra: Surrounded by Mahabilam (Great Cave), Maha Vriksham (Great Tree), Punyakoti Vimana. Harihara Kshetra: Kshetra of Sakti (Hari) and Siva (Hara). Sakti Kshetra: Mahadevi, Chit Sakti (Power of Consciousness) is in: Saguna (with attributes) form as Sakti (Kamakshi) and Vishnu (Varadaraja) Nirguna (without attributes) form: Mahamaya as Bilakasa (Cave Space). Kailasa, Vaikuntha, Sripuram: Decayless; Stainless; Abode of people of great religious merit. Punyaprada Kshetra: All trees are divine; all Tirthas are Ganga; all humans are Devas; idols are all Siva-Vishnu forms; the dust of the feet of those who walk the earth here is purifying; wind is controller of sinful acts; Devas, Siddhas and Mukti-inspired Rishis shine brilliantly; everything is thus divine here. Parasakti in Three Forms Once Brahma wished to obtain boons of full power to give fresh life and fulfil other desires of Asuras. He embarked on austerities in the Sannidhi of Sri Kamakshi Devi in Kanchi. In order to prevent obstacles to his penance, he made Madhu and Kaitabha, the two Asuras who came from the ears of Vishnu, keep strict watch. Parasakti assumed the form of Vishnu and cut off he heads of the two Asuras with Chakra and stood at the entrance of the Bila (Cave) in south-east corner. Brahma heard the commotion; when he found that the Asuras had been decapitated, he became furious and saw the form of Vishnu in the south-east corner. He rushed there and was about to string Brahmastra to kill Vishnu. Devi in the form of Vishnu told him that it was Rudra, who had actually killed the Asuras, and who was now behind him. Brahma now saw Rudra (Bhairava) running in the north-west direction; it was also Devi, who had taken the form of Rudra. Brahma now ran after Rudra. Rudra asked him why his eyes had turned red with anger. Brahma kept quiet. Rudra disappeared in the sky. Brahma turned and saw Vishnu also vanish in the sky. Brahma was overcome with fear and rushed to Brahmaloka. >From then onwards, Parasakti shines in the form of the Mango Tree and Ekamreswara in the north-west corner of Kanchi; Varadaraja, who emerged with divine glory from the Yagagni of Asvamedha yagna performed by Brahma, in the south-east corner; Kamakshi in the Bilakasa at the centre. Limits of Kanchi First Avarana (Enclosure) East: Sea. Once Saraswathi Devi took the form of a river in order to get rid of some blame and merged in the sea here. Along with Brahma, she gave the boon to Samudraraja: “Those who bathe here at any time, will get purified and attain the state of Siva.” Hence there is no restriction in regard to time for bathing in the sea at this merger location. (unlike at other locations in seashore, where bathing should be done only on specified occasions). South: Dakshina Pinakini. Once when sage Bhrigu picked up Pinaka, Siva’s bow, lying on ground and handled it by Siva’s grace, it turned into Ganga and flowed as river. Bhrigu named the river Pinakini and said that those who bathe in that river would attain to Sivaloka. West: Silahridam (Kallaru in local parlance). When Hanuman brought life-saving Sanjivini herbs, he washed them in this Tirtham and then went to revive Lakshmana. Hanuman gave the boon that those who bathe here would become Siddhas, live long, and then attain to Vishnu’s state. North: Swami Pushkarini. When Vishnu came to Seshachalam (Tirupati) for marrying Lakshmi, he created this tank for the benefit of his attendants, established Viraja river (of Vaikuntham) in it; he himself bathed in it after the marriage. He named the Tirtha as Swami Pushkarini and said that those who bathe in it would enjoy all pleasures in this world and finally attain to Vishnuloka. The region bounded on four sides as above came to be known as Tundiramandala, as it was ruled by king Tundira justly. Second Avarana (Enclosure) We noted that the eastern limit of Kanchi is the sea. Coming one yojana westward from the sea, we reach Mahabalipuram. (1 yojana = 10 miles = 16 km). King Mahabali lived here prosperously by Siva’s grace. Five yojanas from there, in south-west is Devakipuram. King Ugrasena worshipped Siva and got Devaki as his daughter and lived here. Five yojanas from there, in north-west is Virinchipuram. Apsaras Rambha prayed to Siva that she should be dearer to Indra than Urvasi and others. This place was created by Brahma (Virinchi). Five yojanas from there, in north-east is Nagahalapuram (Nagalapuram in local parlance). It was here that Siva took the terrible Halahala poison in his hand for consuming. The region bounded on four sides as above came to be known as Tapovanam, as Sri Parvati Devi penanced here and worshipped Sri Ekamreswara, thus lighting up the whole area. Third Avarana (Enclosure) Three yojanas west of Mahabalipuram is Triveni Sanga Nagari. (This is known as Tirumukkudal, situated in Sivapuram- called Sivaram.) Vishnu blessed a devotee here that he would reap the merit of bathing in Triveni Sangamam. One-fourth yojana from there, in south-west, is Vyaghravanam. (This is known as Tiruppulivanam, on the way to Uttiramerur). Here Sri Nataraja danced to sage Vyaghrapada earlier and resides now. One-fourth yojana from there, in north-west, is Kshirabdhinagari. (Known as Tirupparkadal). Vishnu showed his Kshirabdhi (Milk Ocean) form to a devotee here. One-fourth yojana from there, in north-east, is Nandigangapuri. (Known as Thakkolam). Siva took pity on a chandala, whose fields were dry in absence of rain, and made Ganga emerge from the mouth of Nandi, made the fields fertile, got the butcher to bathe in the waters and attain to Moksha. The region bounded on four sides as above came to be known as Brahmasala, as Brahma performed Asvamedha yaga here. Further inside, are the following deities: One yojana west of Triveni Sangama Nagari is the seat of Panchalika Durga. 89 Amsa west of that place is Kanyakesa Siva. (one Amsa = 1/160 of yojana = 1/16 of mile = 100 metres). 50 Amsa north of that place is Sveta Vishnu on banks of Surya Pushkarini Tirtham. 17 Amsa east of that place is Kshetrangi Durga on banks of Chandra Pushkarini Tirtham. तत्पुराणेन चाद्यापि काञ्च्यां सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ तस्मात्क्षेत्रे तु यो दद्यान्मुष्टिमात्रं धनं द्विजे । कुरुक्षेत्रे तुलादानाद्यत्फलं तत्फलं लभेत् ॥ “As per the Purana (Sri Kamakshi Vilasa), even today all Devas and auspicious things remain established. Hence one, who gives in charity handful of coins to good brahmana, reaps the fruit of Tuladanam (giving coins of weight equal to oner’s own) in Kurukshetra.” SRI VARADARAJA TEMPLE Parasakti manifests as Varadaraja in the south-east of Kanchi and that kshetra is known as Harikshetra and Harisala. It has five names: Harikshetra, Punyakoti, Vaikuntha, Hastisailaka and Trisrota. Limits of this Kshetra East: Pourandaresa Temple South: Panchalini Temple West: Simhalaya Temple North: Kshetrangi Temple In Harisala bounded within the above limits are Dakshinavartha (Valamburi in local parlance) Vinayaka and Subrahmanya; both are in the Temple of Varadaraja. When Brahma performed Asvamedha yaga in Kanchi, he installed Vinayaka for averting obstacles, and Subrahmanya as Sadhakacharya. There are four Durga Temples: Panchalini, installed by Brahma during his Asvamedha yagna for Suvasini Puja. Kshetrangi, who killed Hayasura and retrieved the Yaga horse. Kambudharini, who worshipped Vishnu and obtained Conch. Banambika, who stood watch over the Yaga and the village. There are three Siva Temples: Punyakotiswara, whom Brahma worshipped at the start of the Yaga. Manikantheswara, who was Oudgata (Sama Veda chanter) in the Yaga. Satyanatheswara, who granted a thousand eyes to Indra (in lieu of yonis). There are the following eight Vishnu Temples: Yathoktakari, who lay down naked and subdued the conceit of Saraswathi, when she came as Vegavathi river in order to destroy Brahma’s Yaga. Guhasimha, who was worshipped by Indra in his heart-cave in Varadaraja Temple on his becoming elephant due to a curse. Ashtabhuja, who fought Maya Kali, pushed her down and sat on her head. Vidyakunda, who, when worshipped by Saraswathi, restored her honour. Narasimha, who killed Kapalika and devoured and digested his missiles. Dipadhara, who killed Mayanala and held him in his hand like a lamp. Vaikunthanilaya, who showed Vaikuntha to Tundira Maharaja. Vidrumabha (Pavalavannar in local parlance), who drank the blood of Asuras and attained coral colour. There are the following five Mudras: Varadaraja, whom Bhudevi worshipped with flowers and attained him as husband. Two Lizards, who were earlier two brahmanas, cursed to become lizards, and who regained their previous form later; they were installed by Indra as gold and silver lizards in Varadaraja Temple. Twentyfour steps, representing the twentyfour principles (Tatvas) on way to Varadaraja’s Sannidhi, built by Visvakarma. Mahadevi, who got Ardhasanam (shared seat) with Vishnu by marrying him. Punyakoti Vimanam, installed by Indra for Varadaraja to reside. There are four Tirthas: Anantasaras, where Adisesha bathed and got the capacity to carry the earth. He blessed that one, who bathes in this Tirtha on Saturday, reaps the fruit of bath in Kaveri. Bhaktodayasaras, which bestows Vishnuloka on the devotees of Vishnu, who bathe in this. Indra said that one, who bathes in this Tirtha on Ekadashi day, would be rewarded with fruit of bath in Kshirabdhi. Indra Tirtham, which conferred a thousand eyes on Indra. Indra said that one, who bathes in this Tirtha on Wednesday, will reap the fruit of bath in Yamuna. Panchalika Tirtham, which was created by Vishnu with his Sudarsana Chakra for Kalika. Kalika Devi declared that one, who bathes in this Tirtha on the days of Sravana and Sravishta stars, will get the fruit of bathing in Viraja river. Story of Harikshetra Mahima There was a Rigvedi brahmana named Gargi of Vasishtha Gotra in Banakundam on the banks of Sindhu river. He abandoned all Svadharma including Pitrukarmas, and took to evil conduct, stealing others’ wealth, coveting others’ wives, eating others’ food etc. In Chaitra month, he climbed a gooseberry (Dhatri) (Nelli in Tamil) tree and plucked the fruits. At that time he saw a brahmana of Kanchi, coming that way, who was very thirsty. He gave the gooseberry fruits to that brahmana and showed him the water reservoir nearby. The brahmana was thus freed of hunger and thirst, and continued on his journey. After some time, Gargi died; Yamabhatas subjected him to severe torture and were taking him to Yamaloka. Vishnu’s Ganas came at that time, drove away Yamabhatas, saying that Gargi was a highly meritorious man, put him in Vimana happily and took him to Vishnuloka. Yama was furious at this, went to Vaikuntha and asked Vishnu to hand over Gargi to him for meting out punishment for the grave sins committed by him. Vishnu replied, “All men who live in Harikshetra on earth are only my forms. The Dhatri fruit given by Gargi to the brahmana from Harikshetra and the water arranged for him went straight into my belly. So Gargi has acquired high merit and all his sins are destroyed.” Yama paid respects to Vishnu, took leave of him, and returned to his realm. "यो वसेत्तद्धरिक्षेत्रे क्षणार्धं वा तदर्धकम् । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यस्साक्षाद्विष्णुर्नराकृतिः ॥" "तस्मात्तत्र हरिक्षेत्रे यो वसेत्स नरो हरिः । तस्माद् भूलोकवैकुण्ठं हरिक्षेत्रधरातलम् ॥" “One, who lives in this Harikshetra even for a second, will get relieved of all sins and become Vishnu in human form indeed.” “One, who lives in Harikshetra is Hari indeed; Harikshetra is Bhuloka Vaikuntha.” Hastigiri पुण्यकोटिविमानाङ्कं तत्वसोपानभूषितम् । नारसिंहाधिष्ठितगुहं हस्तिशैलं नमाम्यहम् ॥ “I prostrate to Hastigiri, which holds Punyakoti Vimana, decorated by steps of Tatvas (Principles of Life) and has the Cave where Narasimha is seated.” -- 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 visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqv8j-bLuMQB06YVSuSx-vAueHFvgx3ZR%3DL03i20S9-cw%40mail.gmail.com.
