The Triangular Divine love

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Nov 20, 2008

The triangular Divine love

The story of Melkotta Thirunarayana Perumal

Prelude

After the great deluge the Lord was reclining on His banyan leaf and started thinking about the creation of a new world and new creation of life. A beautiful lotus sprang forth from His navel. Lord Brahma was created on the lotus. Thus Sri Narayanan created Nanmukan ( Brahma) Lord Brahma looked around as if he got up from sleep. He was just wondering where from he came. Lord Brahma , being created by Mahavishnu was bestowed with creative power. He was also taught all the four Vedas by Lord Himself. He then created four Manasa puthras. Out of the four Manasa puthras Sanath Kumar stayed with Brahma and was doing service to him.
After Brahma created the jeevas He prayed to Lord Mahavishnu to show him the way to attain mukthi and that he longed to be with Him at Vaikuntam. Lord Vishnu gave him the Idol of Thirunarayana Murthi and told him to do aradhana. Brahma was performing puja to Thirunarayana Murthi with deep devotion and humility.
Brahma was very pleased with Sanath Kumar’s service and he told him to ask for a boon. Sanath Kumar told him that he wanted Thirunarayana Murthi. Brahma never expected that he would ask for his aradhana Murthi and Brahma very reluctantly gave it to Sanathkumar as he felt bad not to keep his words. Sanathkumar installed the Deity at Yathusailam which was called Narayanathri during that period and later on it was also called Yadhavathri and at present it is called Melkotta. This was the Moola Murthi of Thirunarayana Perumal.
Brahma again prayed to Lord Vishnu and got the Uthsava Murthi.
This Murthi initially was called Hruthayothbavar. Brahma was having Hruthyothbavar as his aradhana Murthi.
After Sri Ram had gifted the Ikshavaku kula Dhanam Lord Ranganatha to Vibhishanan, He prayed to Brahma to Bless him with one Aradhana Murthi. Brahma gave him Hruthayothbavar to Sri Ram.
Sri Ram ands Sita were worshipping Hruthayothbavar and Sri Ram was very fond of Hruthayothbava. So he later got the name Ramapriyan. Sri Ram gave the Ramapriyar to Anjaneya. Later Anjaneya handed over Ramapriyan to Kusan and he was very happy and was worshipping the Murthi with deep devotion.
Kusan had a beautiful daughter and her name was Kanakamalini. Kusan had got her married to a prince from Yadhu vamsa. His name was Yathusekara. When Kanakamalini was quite young, Ramayana pravachanam was conducted daily in front of Ramapriyan. She became very devoted to Ramapriyan.
When Kanakamalini left for her in law’s place with her husband, Kusan gave lot of Sridhanam to his daughter. But she was not feeling happy and so Kusan asked her what else she wanted. She told him that she wanted to take Ramapriyan with her. Kusan acceded to her request and henceforth Ramapriyan was worshiped by Yathu vamsam. Vasudeva inherited Ramapriyan and Later Sri Krishna and Balarama were worshiping Ramapriyan.
Once Balarama went on Thirtha yathra and he visited Narayanathri. When he had darshan of Thirunarayana Perumal, he felt that the Murthi was very familiar to him. He raked his brain to remember where he had darshan of Thirunarayana Perumal. Suddenly he realized that Sri Ramapriyar who was Sri Krishna’s and his aradhana Murthi was similar to Thirunarayana Perumal.

After returning from thirtha yathra Balarama was narrating to Sri Krishna about the places he visited. Then he told him that he was surprised to see Thirunarayana Perumal who was similar to Ramapriyar. Sri Krishna told him that he was just imagining and argued with him how there could be any similarity as Ramapriya was their Kuladhanam and they were doing aradhana for generations. Balarama then told <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on">Krishna</st1lace> that they would go to Narayanathri along with Ramapriyar and decide.

Balarama and <st1lace w:st="on">Krishna</st1lace> started with their retinue along with Ramapriyar in a palanquin. They reached Narayanathri and Sri Krishna had darshan of ThirunarayaNa Perumal. Then he told Balarama it was quite surprising that the Moola Murthi and Ramapriyar looked alike. Then they both decided to install Ramapriyar in the temple. On an auspicious day the consecration ceremony was conducted. People of Narayanathri were very happy. Both Balarama and Sri Krishna stayed there for some time and conducted the bramothsavam for the Lord. After some time they returned to their place.
Sanath Kumara had installed Thirunarayana Perumal in Thretha yuka and the place was then called Narayanathri. Balarama and Sri Krishna installed Uthsavamurthi Ramapriyar in Dwaparayuka. Then the place was called Yadhavagiri.

During Mugalaya invations temples were targeted and were looted by the invaders and the Idols were disfigured. Hence the local people used to remove the Idols and some times hid them in river or buried them to save them from invaders. Thus Thirunarayana Perumal Moolaver went underground and the Uthsava Murthi was taken to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Delhi</st1lace></st1:City> by one of the invaders.
What happened to them, we will see in the next episode.

ThirunarayaNan Thiruvadikale saraNam!

To be continued

Anandchitra · Nov 20, 2008

PS
Very well written and learnt so many new things while reading your highly knowledgeable writing here. Thanks for writing.. Now eagerly waiting for more

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Nov 20, 2008

Dear AC,
" KaRRathu kaimmaNNaLavu kallaathathu ulakaLavu." I'm still trying to learn more about our tmples, Deities and their age old sthala puraaNam. While learning I share it with those who are interested. Thank you for your sweet compliments which motivates me.
Love,
PS

kapuchu · Nov 20, 2008

Dear PS

Very nicely written.There is actually so much to learn about our temples and puranams.Thanks for sharing and waiting for the continuity.....very interesting.

bye
kapuchu

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Nov 23, 2008

Dear Kapuchu,
Thanks for your appreciating FB. Each temple and Deity has an interesting story to tell.I love to read and share it with thse who are interested.
Love,
PS

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Nov 28, 2008

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype> ThirunarayaNa Perumal’s Kaliyuka Pravesam

Thirunarayana Perumal’s kaliyuka pravesam is connected with Sri Vaishnava Acharya Sri Ramanuja’s life history. While Ramanuja was staying at Srirangam, A staunch Saivite Choza king sent his men to bring Sri Ramanuja to his court. He got angry with Ramanuja when he came to know that he was spreading Vaishnavism through his Vishistathvaida Siddanth. He had planned to end Ramanuja’s life.
Ramanuja was getting ready to accompany the king’s guards. But Kuathazwar had guessed the king’s plan from what he had heard about him. Hence he approached Ramanuja and told him,
” Swamin, The Choza king, being a staunch Saivite had ordered his guards to take you to his court with some bad intention. If any thing happens to you, who is there to take care of your disciples and the Sri Vaishnava sect? Hence I’ll go with the king's guards. Please change to my white garment and give me your Kashaya vasthram. I beg you to leave Sriangam at once and go to some far off place in hiding.”

Though Acharya Ramanuja was very much distressed to hear this, he left the mutt with Govindan and some other disciples.

Here Kurathazwar and Mahapuranar ( Periya Nambikal) went with the king’s guards.
The king told that he wanted to have a debate over religious matter. He believed that Lord Siva was <st1:city w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Superior</st1lace></st1:city> and He was the one with all powers and every one should worship him only. Kurathazwar tried to prove that Lord Narayan was supreme by quoting many scriptures.
The king got very angry and threatened Kurathazwar that if he did not accept Saivism he had to face the consequences. But Kurathazwar prayed to Sri Ramanuja and was firm in his decision. Then the king told his guards to take away both Kurathazwar amd Mahapuranar away from his sight and pluck off their eyes and that would be the severest punishment for them than killing them. When Kuresar heard these words he told that it was better to pluck his eyes on his own than to see those sinners. He plucked off his eyes and the guards took him and Mahapuranar to the forest. There they plucked off Mahapuraners’ eyes and left them to their fate. Both tried to return to Srirangam with the help of some good souls, but on the way Mahapuranar attained vaikuntha prapthi due to old age and the king’s atrocity. Kuresar was very happy that he was able to save his Acharya Sri Ramanuja from the king's wrath.

The king who committed the great sin also was punished by Lord. He suffered with Kandamalai a disease that affects the neck with infection of germs.

Ramanuja who left Srirangam had traveled to lot of places for twelve years. During that period A Hoisala king who was following Jainism changed to Vaishnavism after Ramanuja conquered the jains in debate. His name was Pittideavan, but he changed his name to Vishnuvardan when he follwed Vaishnavism.

Ramanuja settled in a place called Thondanur where there was a <st1lace w:st="on"><st1lacetype w:st="on">temple</st1lacetype> Of <st1lacename w:st="on">Lord Narasimha</st1lacename></st1lace>. One day he found that there was no Thiruman to.wear. He felt very bad for he used to wear twelve pundarikam daily. He felt very sad and also worried and he couldn’t get sleep at night. He was praying To Lord to show him the place where he could get the white clay like stuff.
The Lord who always comes to the aid of His true devotee, appeared in his dream. He told him to go to Yadhavadri where there was a tank called Kalyani Pushkarani.Nearby he could get ThirumaN and there was also a Thulasi vanam nearby. Under the Thulasi plant there was a mole (PuRRU) and he could find the Lord buried underneath. He told Him to bring Him out and construct a temple and install Him. Ramanuja was very happy and at once started to the place to find the Lord and Thiruman. King Vishnuvardan sent his men to make a path for Ramanuja as he had to travel through forest.
Ramanuja reached Kalyani pushkarani. He found lot of white clay near Kalyani pushkaraNi. He found the Lord’s Moola Murthi in Thulasi vanam under the mole. A temple was built for the Lord and the consecration was conducted. People were very happy and praised Ramanuja very much. They told him that because of his greatness and true devotion the Lord had appeared in his dream and showed Himself the location where He was buried. Ramanuja made arrangements for Nithya puja according to agama sasthras. But the people had to come to the temple to have darshan of the Lord. But those who were old and sick could not have His darshan.

Once again the Lord had appeared in his dream. He told him that He was pleased with Ramanuja for building a temple and installing him, but He wanted to give darshan to people who could not visit the temple. For that he has to get the Uthsava murthi Sri Ramapriyar who was at the custody of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Delhi</st1lace></st1:city> Badsha. If he could go and get Sri Ramapriyar he would be very happy.

To be continued

Malyatha · Nov 28, 2008

Wonderful!!! Thanks for writing this!

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Nov 29, 2008

Dear Malyatha,
Glad that you are keeping track of the story of ThirunarayaNa Perumal! Soliciting God's Grace to write more about Him and His true devotees.
Love,
PS

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Dec 4, 2008

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype>
Sri Ramanuja’s visit to <st1:city><st1lace>Delhi</st1lace></st1:city>

Ramanuja immediately left for <st1:city><st1lace>Delhi</st1lace></st1:city> with his disciples. He reached <st1:city><st1lace>Delhi</st1lace></st1:city> nearly after two months. He met the Delhi Badshah in the palace. The Badshah was very much impressed with Ramanuja’s knowledge and his thejas.

He asked Ramanuja what he wanted from him. Ramanuja told him that he came to know that the king had the Idol of Sri Ramapriyar and he wanted to take him back to Yadavadri as for the Lord’s wish. The king told Ramanuja to go with his men to the museum where he had kept all his collections and if he found the Idol he was free to take Him. Oh! What a great disappointment! Ramanuja did not find Sri Ramapriyar. He told the men who accompanied him that he could not find the Idol.

Ramanuja was very much disappointed and worried. He returned to the place where he was staying. Again that night Ramanuja prayed and beseeched the Lord to show him the place where He was hiding. That night the Lord appeared in his dream and He told him that the Badshah’s daughter was having Him with her.

The next morning Ramanuja told the king that his daughter was having Sri Ramapriyar.The king was surprised to hear this. He said,” Oh! Is the Idol my daughter dotes on is your Ramapriyar? She is very fond of the idol and I do not think she would agree to part with it. She does every thing with so much love to the Idol. But I am sure that she would vehemently oppose to part with it. But I do not want to go back on my words also. I’ll take you to the entrance of her room. You call out His name and if he comes to you on His own then you can take Him.”

They went to the Badsha’s daughter’s room and the Badsha told his daughter about Ramanuja’s wish. The princess was quite upset to hear it.
Ramanuja closed his eyes and prayed, “My beloved Lord! All along you only showed me the place where you were staying and brought me this far. I came here to take you to the place where you belong. You have to come back to your place to give darshan to your bakthas ! When I call you, “Chella Pillay varaay! You have to come!”

Then Ramanuja with folded hands and bent head called aloud, “Oh! My Lord! My Chella piLLaay! Please come and sit on my lap!”
And Lo! The most spectacular scene was witnessed by people who were there. Lord got down from the Prince’s decorated bed and walked slowly while his anklets made sweet sound and his crown dazzled. He sat on Ramanuja’s lap and Ramanuja embraced and fondled him as a father would dote on his child. Filled with emotion he called him, “You are my Chella Pillai! You are my treasure (Sampath)”

The Delhi Badsha was spell bound to see the scene. He cried,
“Achcha! Achcha! You are really the great guru! Even the Lord loves you and came and sat on your lap when you called Him! It shows your greatness! Now who am I to stop you to take Him to His abode?”
Then with great respect he gave presents to the Lord and Sri Ramanuja and also provided a palanquin to the Lord. Ramanuja was very happy and started his return journey.

Hear the Badsha’s daughter started crying and pleaded with him to go along with her lover. Badsha tried his best to make her understand that their religion is quite different and people would call her mad if she behaved like that. But he could not convince and pacify her as she said that she would die if she parted with Ramapriyar. So Badshah made arrangements to send her with escorts.

On the way some robbers surrounded Ramanuja and others and tried to rob the Idol and the gifts given by Badshah. But the local harijans drove them away and saw that Ramanuja reached safely to Melkottah. Ramanuja gave them the name ‘Thirukulathar’ and allowed them in to the temple and have darshan.

Badsha’s daughter also entered the temple and she merged with the Lord like Andal and ThirupaNazwar. Ramanuja was stunned and very much impressed with her devotion and he made an idol of the princess and installed it in the temple and she was called Bibi Nachiyar. Religion and caste is no bar for a true devotee. The Lord accepts a true devotee without any inhibition. There is a separate sannadi for Bibi Nachiar in the Srirangam temple also.

Lord Ramapriyar loved Ramanuja, his true devotee and revealed the places where he was staying. When Ramanuja called out to Him, He came dancing and sat on his lap. He did not discard Bibi Nachiyar who also loved him dearly and followed him. Kurathazwar's love and sacrifice for his Acharya was also infinite. Thus the triangular love of all three triumphed.

Sri Ramanujar ThiruvadikaLe SaraNam!
Sri Selva Pillai ThiruvadikaLe SaraNam!

Anandchitra · Dec 4, 2008

Dear PS
So the Lord followed Ramanujar's call "Chella Pillay Varaay".
Is'nt that sweet. The description of the Lord walking and the pleasing sound of the anklets and the brightness of the crown is wonderful
Though I had heard about bibi Nachiyar I enjoyed reading your account.
Your words Lord accepts a true devotee without any inhibition is so true.
Thanks as always for writing.