Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal
Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal". A great Mahan who had lived and still lives, spreading the fragrance of the Divine Name throughout the world.
KUMBAKONAM IS NOT ONLY FAMOUS OF TEMPLES BUT SO MANY BIG SAINTS JEEVA SAMADHIS WHICH IS CALLED AS ADHISHTANAMS ARE VERY FAMOUS PLACE ONE HAS TO REALLY GO TO GET THE BLESSINGS OF HUGE SAINTS. IF WE HAVE LUCK AND PRAPTAM ONLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET DARSHAN OF SUCH ADHISHTANAMS .
ONE SUCH ADHISTANAMS WHICH IS VERY FAMOUS TO SEE NEAR THIRUVIDAIMARUDHUR IS BOTHENDRAL ADHISHTANAMS. WHICH IS IN GOVINDAPURAM VILLAGE AND ITS SITUATED IN THE BANKS OF RIVER CAUVERY. IT IS ON THE WAY TO MAYAVARAM FROM KUMBAKONAM AND IN BETWEEN THIRUVIDAIMARUDHUR AND ADUTHURAI.
I USED TO GO THERE AND DO MEDITATION AND WE GET GOOD VIBRATION THERE AS IT IS THE JEEVA SAMADHI OF GREAT SAINT FROM KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETAM. LET US SEE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PLACE AND ABOUT THE LIFE HISTORY OF THAT GREAT SAINT
YASYA SMARANA MAATHRAENA NAAMA BAKTHIHI PRAJAAYATHEY |
THAM NAMAAMI YATHIHI SRESHTAM BODHENDHRAM JAGATHAM GURUM ||
Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswati Swamigal". A great Mahan who had lived and still lives, spreading the fragrance of the Divine Name throughout the world.
kAshAya danda karakAdi vibhUshitAngAm
vairAgyabhAgya jaladE karuNAnidhE tvam |
samsArakUpapatitasya samAkulasya
bodEndra dEva mama dEhi karAvalambam ||
vairAgyabhAgya jaladE karuNAnidhE tvam |
samsArakUpapatitasya samAkulasya
bodEndra dEva mama dEhi karAvalambam ||
yasyassmaraNa mAtrENa nAmabhaktiH prajAyatE |
tam namAmi yati srEshTam bOdEndram jagatAm gurum ||
tam namAmi yati srEshTam bOdEndram jagatAm gurum ||
bhagavan nAma sAmrAjya lakshmI sarvasva vigraham |
srimad bodEndra yogIndra dEshikEndram upAsmahE ||
srimad bodEndra yogIndra dEshikEndram upAsmahE ||
KUMBAKONAM IS NOT ONLY FAMOUS OF TEMPLES BUT SO MANY BIG SAINTS JEEVA SAMADHIS WHICH IS CALLED AS ADHISHTANAMS ARE VERY FAMOUS PLACE ONE HAS TO REALLY GO TO GET THE BLESSINGS OF HUGE SAINTS. IF WE HAVE LUCK AND PRAPTAM ONLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET DARSHAN OF SUCH ADHISHTANAMS .
ONE SUCH ADHISTANAMS WHICH IS VERY FAMOUS TO SEE NEAR THIRUVIDAIMARUDHUR IS BOTHENDRAL ADHISHTANAMS. WHICH IS IN GOVINDAPURAM VILLAGE AND ITS SITUATED IN THE BANKS OF RIVER CAUVERY. IT IS ON THE WAY TO MAYAVARAM FROM KUMBAKONAM AND IN BETWEEN THIRUVIDAIMARUDHUR AND ADUTHURAI.
I USED TO GO THERE AND DO MEDITATION AND WE GET GOOD VIBRATION THERE AS IT IS THE JEEVA SAMADHI OF GREAT SAINT FROM KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETAM. LET US SEE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PLACE AND ABOUT THE LIFE HISTORY OF THAT GREAT SAINT
Govindapuram Sri Bodendral Adhishtanam - Govindapuram Mutt
YASYA SMARANA MAATHRAENA NAAMA BAKTHIHI PRAJAAYATHEY |
THAM NAMAAMI YATHIHI SRESHTAM BODHENDHRAM JAGATHAM GURUM ||
Jagadguru Bodhendra Saraswati Swamigal
MUTT FRONT VIEW
A single stemmed coconut tree with two separate branchings at the top in front of the Govindapuram adhishtanam
Govindapuram is a village named after Sri Govinda Dikshithar, a minister in Nayak dynasty.
Sri Bodendral was anointed the 59th Acharyal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 1638 by his predecor and Guru Sri Atma Bodendral who commanded Sri Bodendral to spread Bhagavan Namam, following the footsteps of Kabirdas, Tulasidas and Mira Bai. Sri Bodendral was on the forefront of establishing Nama Siddhantam in South. He was the first Guru in Bhajana Sampradhayam. Sri Bodendral was the contemporary of Sri Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval of Tiruvisanallur and Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral. Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal speculated that Sri Bodendral started wearing Vaishnava symbol of Urdhva Pundiram instead of the traditional Saivite symbol of Vibhooti.
After adorning the Kanchi peetam for for 48 years, Sri Bodendral achieved Jeevan Mukthi on the banks of River Kaveri in 1692 AD, Prajotpathi year Purattasi month full moon day. Treating himself as consort to Lord Rama, he achieved Jeevan Mukthi by burying himself in ground, just like Sita Devi had done ages back. For a while, this place was lost and forgotten. Over 100 years later, in 1803, Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered this place after hearing Rama namam emanating from water here. When Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered this place, he also found Nama Kaumudi that Sri Bodendral had carried with him all along. Also, Maruthanallur Swamigal had his Shishya, King Sarabhoji divert the river. Even now, there are reports of devotees hearing Rama namam in Sri Bodendral's Adhishtanam in Govindapuram.
As an interesting aside the Adhishtanam of Sri Atma Bodendral, the predessor and guru of Sri Bodendral was also unknown till it was dramatically discovered by Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal in 1927.
Among the miracles attributed to Sri Bodendral, he made a dumb boy chant Bhagavan Namam and he cured a Brahma Rakshas by chanting Rama Namam.
Sree Rama Rama Ramethi Rame Raame Manorame
Bodhendhral made the Nawab of Arcot
as his disciple. Arcot was hit by plague once and there was no
treatment for this. The Nawab was also attacked by plague and it so
happened that Bodhendral was there in Arcot then. The people in the
city went and told their problem to Bodhendral who then asked them to
get together and chant Rama nama. Once they did this everyone were
cured and there was no trace of plague in the city. The Nawab then gave
some land to his mutt and became his follower.
During his yatra Bodhendral once went to a village called Thirukokarnam for nama pracharam. He was initiating everyone in that village with Rama nama. A dassi came there to him and asked if she could also chant Rama nama and if he would initiate her. Bodhendral initiated her with Rama nama without any hesitation. Those days sanyasi’s were not even allowed to speak to women and when he directly initiated a women that too a dassi, the villagers started speaking ill about him. After some days Bodhendral left the village. The dassi was chanting Rama nama religiously and would chant though out the day. Bodhendral happened to come back to that village after some time. By the time Bodhendral came back she had finished chanting crores of Rama nama. The dassi came to have a darshan of Bodhendral and after prostrating to him she left this world through Kabala moksham(spirit leaving the body, opening the top of her skull at her own will) in front of her guru like how a yogi leave this world. The villagers were surprised seeing this and realised their mistake.
Sri Atma Bodendral returned from Kashi to Kanchi. To complete Kashi Yatra in the traditional manner, he left for Rameswaram with Sri Bodendral. On the way, near Villupuram, in VadaVambalam village, Sri Atma Bodendral passed away, chanting SadaSivom SadaSivom. Thus in 1638, Sri Bodendral ascended Kanchi Peetam. Sri Bodendral continued with his journey to Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti in Tamil Nadu. As an interesting aside, Sri Atma Bodendral's Adhishtanam was unknown till it was dramatically discovered by Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal in 1927. Tanjore King Shahaji became a devotee of Sri Bodendral. In 1677, Tanasha, Nawab of Golconda, paid tributes to Sri Bodendral. Among the miracles attributed to Sri Bodendral, he made a dumb boy chant Bhagavan Namam and he cured a Brahma Rakshas by chanting Rama Namam.
Sri Bodendral met Sri Sridhara Ayyaval
Sri Bodendral had great respect and affection for Sri Ayyaval, who reciprocated the emotion. In his works Namamrutha Rasodayam and Nama Rasayanam, Sri Bodendral had quoted Sri Ayyaval's Bhagavan Nama Bhushanam as reference, even before they met. Sri Bodendral met Sri Ayyaval in Tanjavur province. Sri Bodendral even composed a song for his disciples to worship Sri Ayyaval, who was elder to him. This verse thus ended: "Obeisance to Sri Venkatasa Guru, who is Shiva Incarnate" or "Tam Vande Nara Roopam Andakaripum Sri Venkatesam Gurum". Sri Ayyaval worshipped Sri Bodendral thus: "Yasya Smarana Matrena Nama Bhakthi Prayajathe; Tam Namami Yathi Sreshtam Bodendram Jagatham Gurum".
Sri Bodendral retired to Govindapuram
Srdendral nominated Sri Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati Swamigal to succeed him for Kanchi Peetam. In 1685, after leading Kanchi Peetam for 48 years, Sri Bodendral left it to his successor and departed for Govindapuram, a village named after Sri Govinda Dikshithar, a minister in Nayak dynasty. Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal speculated that Sri Bodendral started wearing Vaishnava symbol of Urdhva Pundram instead of the traditional Saivite symbol of Vibhooti during this phase. Per Sri Premika Vijayam, Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal had a darshan of Sri Bodendral wearing Urdhva Pundram. Sri Premika Vijayam also recounts a remarkable vision where Sri Bodendral took Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal to a pond where frogs were croaking 'Hara Hara Hara Hara' and assured that even the frogs were guaranteed Moksham. Such is the power of Nama Siddhantam.i B
One day kids were playing in the banks of Kaveri. They would keep their feet in the mud and close it with mud and then remove the disappeared leg from the sand. Bodhendral had now planned to leave this world, so he went to the children and said that he would come out if they buried him inside the sand. Taking this for true the kids dug a pit and asked him to get inside. They then closed him completely with sand while he was meditating. Next day people in the village were searching for Bodhendral and they couldn’t find him. The kids then told them that he is buried under the sand and that he had asked them to do that. The villagers were now frightened. They then decided to start digging there and all of a sudden there was a voice saying that he was in Samadhi here and that no one should disturb him. After a few years the exact location of his Samadhi was forgotten as they had not build an Adhishtanam.
After 100 years of his Samadhi, Maruthanallur Sadguru swamigal decided to find his Samadhi and build an Adhishtanam around it. He searched for the exact location in Govindapuram. He would tie his legs and crawl on the river bank as he did not want to accidentally touch the Samadhi on his feet. At one place he could hear Rama nama being chanted and he immediately found out that it was the location where Bodhendral had attained Samadhi. He then went to Maharashtrian king who was then ruling Thanjavore and with his help built the Adhishtanam there.
As Sri Bodendral called his successor Govinda on occasions, Sri Advitatma Swamigal was also called Govinda Samyami. In 1692 AD Prajotpathi year Purattasi month full moon day, Sri Bodendral, treating himself as consort to Lord Rama, achieved Jeevan Mukthi, by burying himself in ground, just like Sita Devi had done ages back. Over 100 years later, when Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered the location where Sri Bodendral had attained Jeevan Mukthi, he also found Nama Kaumudi, that Sri Bodendral had carried with him all along.
Sri Kanchi Periyaval had a great connection to this place and established the procedure of Annadhanam during the Srartha days of the pithrus which has become highly popular now. By paying staring from 2000/= people can arrange for lifetime annadhanam during the Srardha thithis of loved ones. During the Mahalaya period, people throng the place.
Contact:
Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal Trust – 0435 2472054, 2460872, 94437 86370, 94437 45592
Sri Bodendral was anointed the 59th Acharyal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 1638 by his predecor and Guru Sri Atma Bodendral who commanded Sri Bodendral to spread Bhagavan Namam, following the footsteps of Kabirdas, Tulasidas and Mira Bai. Sri Bodendral was on the forefront of establishing Nama Siddhantam in South. He was the first Guru in Bhajana Sampradhayam. Sri Bodendral was the contemporary of Sri Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval of Tiruvisanallur and Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral. Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal speculated that Sri Bodendral started wearing Vaishnava symbol of Urdhva Pundiram instead of the traditional Saivite symbol of Vibhooti.
After adorning the Kanchi peetam for for 48 years, Sri Bodendral achieved Jeevan Mukthi on the banks of River Kaveri in 1692 AD, Prajotpathi year Purattasi month full moon day. Treating himself as consort to Lord Rama, he achieved Jeevan Mukthi by burying himself in ground, just like Sita Devi had done ages back. For a while, this place was lost and forgotten. Over 100 years later, in 1803, Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered this place after hearing Rama namam emanating from water here. When Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered this place, he also found Nama Kaumudi that Sri Bodendral had carried with him all along. Also, Maruthanallur Swamigal had his Shishya, King Sarabhoji divert the river. Even now, there are reports of devotees hearing Rama namam in Sri Bodendral's Adhishtanam in Govindapuram.
As an interesting aside the Adhishtanam of Sri Atma Bodendral, the predessor and guru of Sri Bodendral was also unknown till it was dramatically discovered by Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal in 1927.
Among the miracles attributed to Sri Bodendral, he made a dumb boy chant Bhagavan Namam and he cured a Brahma Rakshas by chanting Rama Namam.
Sree Rama Rama Ramethi Rame Raame Manorame
Sahasranama Tat Thul-yam Rama Nama Varanane
(Phala Stuthi of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothram)
(Phala Stuthi of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothram)
It is only Rama Nama which is equal to a thousand names of Vishnu. Perhaps the above sloka indicates that chanting of Rama once is equal to 10 times chanting of Vishnu, chanting of Rama twice is equal to 100 times (10 x10) chanting of Vishnu and chanting of Rama thrice is equal to 1000 times (10 x 10 x10) chanting of Vishnu. Thus the effect of chanting Rama Nama gets multiplied in geometrical progression
Sri Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal
Sri
Bodendral (pronounced Bodendraal) was born in 1610 AD in Kanva Gotram
and given the namam of Purushothaman by his parents, Sri Kesava
Panduranga Yogi and Srimati Suguna Bai. Early on, Sri Purushothaman came
under the grace of the then Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Acharyal, Sri Athma
Bodendra Saraswathi (or Athma Bodendraal), to whom his parents were
devoted. Eventually, he was anointed the 59th Acharyal of Sri Kanchi
Kamakoti Peetam in 1638 AD. Sri Bodendral was on the forefront of
establishing Nama Siddhantam. He was the first Guru in Bhajana
Sampradhayam. Sri Bodendral was the contemporary of Sri Sridhara
Venkatesa Ayyaval of Tiruvisanallur and Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral.
Sri Bodendral achieved Jeevan Mukthi on the banks of River Kaveri in 1692 AD. For a while, this place was lost and forgotten. In 1803, Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered the place after hearing Rama namam emanating from water here and had his Shishya, King Sarabhoji divert the river. Even now, there are reports of devotees hearing Rama namam in Sri Bodendral's Adhishtanam in Govindapuram, Tamil Nadu. Sri Bodendral is Sri Guru of Sri Sri Anna
Childhood to Sanyasam
Sri Kesava Panduranga Yogi and his wife Srimati Suguna Bai settled in Tamil Nadu, though originally they hailed from Maharashtra. They lived in Mandana Misra Agraharam in Kanchipuram, serving Sri Atma Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 58th Acharyal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. They named their son as Purushothaman, in accordance with the wishes of Sri Atma Bodendral. Purushothaman became a good friend of Jnanasagaran, born 18 months earlier, who came to Kanchi Matam as an orphan when he was an infant. Both Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman were the darlings of Sri Atma Bodendral. Jnanasagaran was destined to be a Jnani.
Sri Atma Bodendral sent Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman to Srimad Kirvanendra Saraswathi Swamigal to learn Advaitist works. Later, Purushothaman who became Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendral, attributed his works to both Sri Kirvanendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Sri Atma Bodendral. When Sri Atma Bodendral departed for Kashi, he left Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman behind in Kanchi. Soon after, Purushothaman lost both his parents. Now Purushothaman left for Kashi to meet Sri Atma Bodendral, with his closest friend Jnanasagaran. Near Narmada river, Jnanasagaran fell ill and passed away. The distraught Purushothaman buried Jnanasagaran in Narmada and owed to die in Ganga on reaching Kashi.
On the banks of Ganga, Purushothaman received Taraka Mantra Dikshai from Sri Atma Bodendral and then attempted to drown in the river, but Purushothaman survived with Guru Krupa. Sri Atma Bodendral initiated Purushothaman into asceticism, which is considered a rebirth for the person, thereby letting Purushothaman keep his promise to Jnanasagaran on his death bed. Thus Sri Bodendral obtained asceticism in Kashi, a rare event in Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Purushothaman was christened Bhagavan Nama Boda by his Guru. As all Acharyal from Kanchi Peetam have Indra Saraswathi suffix, he came to be known as Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal. Sri Atma Bodendral commanded Sri Bodendral to spread Bhagavan Namam, following the footsteps of Kabirdas, Tulasidas, Mira Bai, Sri Krishna Chitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nama Deva, Sri Eknath and Sri Samartha Ramadas.
Nama Kaumudi
After instructing Sri Bodendral to proceed to Kanchi from Puri, Sri Atma Bodendral remained in Kashi. As his Guru commanded, Sri Bodendral proceeded to Puri Jagannath to obtain Nama Kaumudi, a masterly work written by Lakshmidhara Kavi, which propounded that Nama Japam and Bhajan were in accordance with Vedic scriptures. Kaumudi means Moon. Sri Atma Bodendral asked Sri Bodendral to use Nama Kaumudi to ward off resistance from conservatives, who would claim Nama Siddhantam was contrary to Vedic tradition. Later, Sri Bodendral would use Nama Kaumudi as foundation for many of his own works. Independently, Sri Ananda Deva had written a vyakyanam on Nama Kaumudi called Prakasham.
Sri Bodendral had Darshan of Lords Balarama, Subadra and Jagannath in Puri till the temple closed at night, chanting Govinda Namam. To avoid disturbing anyone late at night, he decided to spend the night outside a house unobtrusively.
Sri Bodendral woke up on hearing a Brahmin banging the door of the house at night, but decided to watch the event from darkness. The Brahmin was accompanied by a Muslim lady covered in veil. When the house-owner opened the door, the Brahmin started narrating his tale in tears: The lady in veil was his wife, although disguised in Islamic outfit. They left Tamil Nadu for Kashi, but were waylaid in Bamani Kingdom. The lady was dishonored and disfigured by Muslim extremists, but she managed to escape the terror and joined her husband months later. When they decided to take their lives, an elderly person advised them to approach Lakshmi Kanth, son of Lakshmidhara Kavi, for purification instead. Thus Sri Bodendral ended up at the right place to seek Nama Kaumudi, by Lord Jagannath's grace.
Per Lakshmi Kanth's advise, the Brahmin couple came to Chandan Talab lake the next day. While everyone was watching, the lady entered the lake and chanted Rama Rama Rama with devotion. When she emerged out of water, her disfiguration and Islamic outfit were gone and she came out as a traditional Brahmin lady exuding saintliness. This miracle established the effectiveness of Rama Namam in popular mind and later Sri Bodendral took the couple with him to Kanchi as living proof for Nama Siddhanta. When Sri Bodendral informed his intent to Lakshmi Kanth, he was given Nama Kaumudi. Its author Lakshmidhara Kavi had instructed his wife before his death to preserve Nama Kaumudi and pass it on to a saint from South India who would approach her years later.
Works of Sri Bodendral
Per his Guru's wishes, Sri Bodendral devoted his life to preach the importance of Nama Japam and Bhajan. Sri Bodendral elaborated Nama Kaumudi and composed 8 books: Namamrutha Rasodayam, Nama Rasayanam, Nama Suryodayam, Nama Tharangam, Namarnavam, Hari Hara Beda Thikaram, Hari Harardvaida Bhooshanam, Murtha Brahma Vivekam. These were dedicated to his Gurus Sri Kirvanendra Swamigal and Sri Atma Bodendral. These books conclusively established Nama Siddhanta. Sri Bodendral gave Rama Nama dikshai to individuals, while asking them to chant Govinda and Hara Namam as groups.
Sridhara Ayyaval, of Tiruvisanallur was a contemporary to Bodhendral. He was elder to Bodhendral. They happened to meet each other once and after that they would go together to the villages to do Nama pracharam. They would go to a village and initiate everyone in the village with Rama nama. Once done they would move to the next village. Bodhendral once came to a village called Perambur. One day he was invited by a person to his house for Biksha (lunch). His son was dumb (incapable of speaking). Bodhendral would go to places only where people chanted Rama nama. So he initiated him with Rama nama and also asked him to ask his wife to chant the name of Rama while cooking. When Bodhendral came to his house for lunch he felt very bad that there was no way for his son to say Rama nama as he was dumb. He then felt that his nama siddhantam could not help people like him to reach god. After the lunch when the family prostrated to Bodhendral he was filled with tears in his eyes for the boy. On seeing this, the man said that it was his destiny to be born like this and asked him not to be worried about him. Bodhenral then told him that he was only worried about how he would attain god and not because he is dumb. The man immediately told him that now he knew that his son will definitely reach god as there is a guru who is bothered about him. He also said that his guru kripa will help him attain god. After that the kid automatically started chanting Rama nama in his mind. Forever he would be with Bodhendral and do service to him. Bodhendral was about to leave Perambur after 4 months and the kid started crying as he could not bear the detachment from his guru. Bodhendral then gave him his Sri Padukas and left.
Sri Bodendral achieved Jeevan Mukthi on the banks of River Kaveri in 1692 AD. For a while, this place was lost and forgotten. In 1803, Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered the place after hearing Rama namam emanating from water here and had his Shishya, King Sarabhoji divert the river. Even now, there are reports of devotees hearing Rama namam in Sri Bodendral's Adhishtanam in Govindapuram, Tamil Nadu. Sri Bodendral is Sri Guru of Sri Sri Anna
Childhood to Sanyasam
Sri Kesava Panduranga Yogi and his wife Srimati Suguna Bai settled in Tamil Nadu, though originally they hailed from Maharashtra. They lived in Mandana Misra Agraharam in Kanchipuram, serving Sri Atma Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 58th Acharyal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. They named their son as Purushothaman, in accordance with the wishes of Sri Atma Bodendral. Purushothaman became a good friend of Jnanasagaran, born 18 months earlier, who came to Kanchi Matam as an orphan when he was an infant. Both Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman were the darlings of Sri Atma Bodendral. Jnanasagaran was destined to be a Jnani.
Sri Atma Bodendral sent Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman to Srimad Kirvanendra Saraswathi Swamigal to learn Advaitist works. Later, Purushothaman who became Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendral, attributed his works to both Sri Kirvanendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Sri Atma Bodendral. When Sri Atma Bodendral departed for Kashi, he left Jnanasagaran and Purushothaman behind in Kanchi. Soon after, Purushothaman lost both his parents. Now Purushothaman left for Kashi to meet Sri Atma Bodendral, with his closest friend Jnanasagaran. Near Narmada river, Jnanasagaran fell ill and passed away. The distraught Purushothaman buried Jnanasagaran in Narmada and owed to die in Ganga on reaching Kashi.
On the banks of Ganga, Purushothaman received Taraka Mantra Dikshai from Sri Atma Bodendral and then attempted to drown in the river, but Purushothaman survived with Guru Krupa. Sri Atma Bodendral initiated Purushothaman into asceticism, which is considered a rebirth for the person, thereby letting Purushothaman keep his promise to Jnanasagaran on his death bed. Thus Sri Bodendral obtained asceticism in Kashi, a rare event in Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Purushothaman was christened Bhagavan Nama Boda by his Guru. As all Acharyal from Kanchi Peetam have Indra Saraswathi suffix, he came to be known as Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Saraswathi Swamigal. Sri Atma Bodendral commanded Sri Bodendral to spread Bhagavan Namam, following the footsteps of Kabirdas, Tulasidas, Mira Bai, Sri Krishna Chitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nama Deva, Sri Eknath and Sri Samartha Ramadas.
Nama Kaumudi
After instructing Sri Bodendral to proceed to Kanchi from Puri, Sri Atma Bodendral remained in Kashi. As his Guru commanded, Sri Bodendral proceeded to Puri Jagannath to obtain Nama Kaumudi, a masterly work written by Lakshmidhara Kavi, which propounded that Nama Japam and Bhajan were in accordance with Vedic scriptures. Kaumudi means Moon. Sri Atma Bodendral asked Sri Bodendral to use Nama Kaumudi to ward off resistance from conservatives, who would claim Nama Siddhantam was contrary to Vedic tradition. Later, Sri Bodendral would use Nama Kaumudi as foundation for many of his own works. Independently, Sri Ananda Deva had written a vyakyanam on Nama Kaumudi called Prakasham.
Sri Bodendral had Darshan of Lords Balarama, Subadra and Jagannath in Puri till the temple closed at night, chanting Govinda Namam. To avoid disturbing anyone late at night, he decided to spend the night outside a house unobtrusively.
Sri Bodendral woke up on hearing a Brahmin banging the door of the house at night, but decided to watch the event from darkness. The Brahmin was accompanied by a Muslim lady covered in veil. When the house-owner opened the door, the Brahmin started narrating his tale in tears: The lady in veil was his wife, although disguised in Islamic outfit. They left Tamil Nadu for Kashi, but were waylaid in Bamani Kingdom. The lady was dishonored and disfigured by Muslim extremists, but she managed to escape the terror and joined her husband months later. When they decided to take their lives, an elderly person advised them to approach Lakshmi Kanth, son of Lakshmidhara Kavi, for purification instead. Thus Sri Bodendral ended up at the right place to seek Nama Kaumudi, by Lord Jagannath's grace.
Per Lakshmi Kanth's advise, the Brahmin couple came to Chandan Talab lake the next day. While everyone was watching, the lady entered the lake and chanted Rama Rama Rama with devotion. When she emerged out of water, her disfiguration and Islamic outfit were gone and she came out as a traditional Brahmin lady exuding saintliness. This miracle established the effectiveness of Rama Namam in popular mind and later Sri Bodendral took the couple with him to Kanchi as living proof for Nama Siddhanta. When Sri Bodendral informed his intent to Lakshmi Kanth, he was given Nama Kaumudi. Its author Lakshmidhara Kavi had instructed his wife before his death to preserve Nama Kaumudi and pass it on to a saint from South India who would approach her years later.
Works of Sri Bodendral
Per his Guru's wishes, Sri Bodendral devoted his life to preach the importance of Nama Japam and Bhajan. Sri Bodendral elaborated Nama Kaumudi and composed 8 books: Namamrutha Rasodayam, Nama Rasayanam, Nama Suryodayam, Nama Tharangam, Namarnavam, Hari Hara Beda Thikaram, Hari Harardvaida Bhooshanam, Murtha Brahma Vivekam. These were dedicated to his Gurus Sri Kirvanendra Swamigal and Sri Atma Bodendral. These books conclusively established Nama Siddhanta. Sri Bodendral gave Rama Nama dikshai to individuals, while asking them to chant Govinda and Hara Namam as groups.
Sridhara Ayyaval, of Tiruvisanallur was a contemporary to Bodhendral. He was elder to Bodhendral. They happened to meet each other once and after that they would go together to the villages to do Nama pracharam. They would go to a village and initiate everyone in the village with Rama nama. Once done they would move to the next village. Bodhendral once came to a village called Perambur. One day he was invited by a person to his house for Biksha (lunch). His son was dumb (incapable of speaking). Bodhendral would go to places only where people chanted Rama nama. So he initiated him with Rama nama and also asked him to ask his wife to chant the name of Rama while cooking. When Bodhendral came to his house for lunch he felt very bad that there was no way for his son to say Rama nama as he was dumb. He then felt that his nama siddhantam could not help people like him to reach god. After the lunch when the family prostrated to Bodhendral he was filled with tears in his eyes for the boy. On seeing this, the man said that it was his destiny to be born like this and asked him not to be worried about him. Bodhenral then told him that he was only worried about how he would attain god and not because he is dumb. The man immediately told him that now he knew that his son will definitely reach god as there is a guru who is bothered about him. He also said that his guru kripa will help him attain god. After that the kid automatically started chanting Rama nama in his mind. Forever he would be with Bodhendral and do service to him. Bodhendral was about to leave Perambur after 4 months and the kid started crying as he could not bear the detachment from his guru. Bodhendral then gave him his Sri Padukas and left.
During his yatra Bodhendral once went to a village called Thirukokarnam for nama pracharam. He was initiating everyone in that village with Rama nama. A dassi came there to him and asked if she could also chant Rama nama and if he would initiate her. Bodhendral initiated her with Rama nama without any hesitation. Those days sanyasi’s were not even allowed to speak to women and when he directly initiated a women that too a dassi, the villagers started speaking ill about him. After some days Bodhendral left the village. The dassi was chanting Rama nama religiously and would chant though out the day. Bodhendral happened to come back to that village after some time. By the time Bodhendral came back she had finished chanting crores of Rama nama. The dassi came to have a darshan of Bodhendral and after prostrating to him she left this world through Kabala moksham(spirit leaving the body, opening the top of her skull at her own will) in front of her guru like how a yogi leave this world. The villagers were surprised seeing this and realised their mistake.
Sri Atma Bodendral returned from Kashi to Kanchi. To complete Kashi Yatra in the traditional manner, he left for Rameswaram with Sri Bodendral. On the way, near Villupuram, in VadaVambalam village, Sri Atma Bodendral passed away, chanting SadaSivom SadaSivom. Thus in 1638, Sri Bodendral ascended Kanchi Peetam. Sri Bodendral continued with his journey to Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti in Tamil Nadu. As an interesting aside, Sri Atma Bodendral's Adhishtanam was unknown till it was dramatically discovered by Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal in 1927. Tanjore King Shahaji became a devotee of Sri Bodendral. In 1677, Tanasha, Nawab of Golconda, paid tributes to Sri Bodendral. Among the miracles attributed to Sri Bodendral, he made a dumb boy chant Bhagavan Namam and he cured a Brahma Rakshas by chanting Rama Namam.
Sri Bodendral met Sri Sridhara Ayyaval
Sri Bodendral had great respect and affection for Sri Ayyaval, who reciprocated the emotion. In his works Namamrutha Rasodayam and Nama Rasayanam, Sri Bodendral had quoted Sri Ayyaval's Bhagavan Nama Bhushanam as reference, even before they met. Sri Bodendral met Sri Ayyaval in Tanjavur province. Sri Bodendral even composed a song for his disciples to worship Sri Ayyaval, who was elder to him. This verse thus ended: "Obeisance to Sri Venkatasa Guru, who is Shiva Incarnate" or "Tam Vande Nara Roopam Andakaripum Sri Venkatesam Gurum". Sri Ayyaval worshipped Sri Bodendral thus: "Yasya Smarana Matrena Nama Bhakthi Prayajathe; Tam Namami Yathi Sreshtam Bodendram Jagatham Gurum".
Sri Bodendral retired to Govindapuram
Srdendral nominated Sri Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati Swamigal to succeed him for Kanchi Peetam. In 1685, after leading Kanchi Peetam for 48 years, Sri Bodendral left it to his successor and departed for Govindapuram, a village named after Sri Govinda Dikshithar, a minister in Nayak dynasty. Sri Kanchi Paramacharyal speculated that Sri Bodendral started wearing Vaishnava symbol of Urdhva Pundram instead of the traditional Saivite symbol of Vibhooti during this phase. Per Sri Premika Vijayam, Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal had a darshan of Sri Bodendral wearing Urdhva Pundram. Sri Premika Vijayam also recounts a remarkable vision where Sri Bodendral took Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal to a pond where frogs were croaking 'Hara Hara Hara Hara' and assured that even the frogs were guaranteed Moksham. Such is the power of Nama Siddhantam.i B
One day kids were playing in the banks of Kaveri. They would keep their feet in the mud and close it with mud and then remove the disappeared leg from the sand. Bodhendral had now planned to leave this world, so he went to the children and said that he would come out if they buried him inside the sand. Taking this for true the kids dug a pit and asked him to get inside. They then closed him completely with sand while he was meditating. Next day people in the village were searching for Bodhendral and they couldn’t find him. The kids then told them that he is buried under the sand and that he had asked them to do that. The villagers were now frightened. They then decided to start digging there and all of a sudden there was a voice saying that he was in Samadhi here and that no one should disturb him. After a few years the exact location of his Samadhi was forgotten as they had not build an Adhishtanam.
After 100 years of his Samadhi, Maruthanallur Sadguru swamigal decided to find his Samadhi and build an Adhishtanam around it. He searched for the exact location in Govindapuram. He would tie his legs and crawl on the river bank as he did not want to accidentally touch the Samadhi on his feet. At one place he could hear Rama nama being chanted and he immediately found out that it was the location where Bodhendral had attained Samadhi. He then went to Maharashtrian king who was then ruling Thanjavore and with his help built the Adhishtanam there.
As Sri Bodendral called his successor Govinda on occasions, Sri Advitatma Swamigal was also called Govinda Samyami. In 1692 AD Prajotpathi year Purattasi month full moon day, Sri Bodendral, treating himself as consort to Lord Rama, achieved Jeevan Mukthi, by burying himself in ground, just like Sita Devi had done ages back. Over 100 years later, when Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal discovered the location where Sri Bodendral had attained Jeevan Mukthi, he also found Nama Kaumudi, that Sri Bodendral had carried with him all along.
Even today, It is said that
Bodendra Swamigal lives
there chanting the Rama Nama
all 24 hours and round the
year.
Devotees who go there and
chant the Taraka Mantra in
His Samadhi can hear Rama
Nama emanating from the
Samadhi when they spend
their night there. A few can
even see the form of the
Mahan in Danda and Kamandala
circumambulating the Samadhi
chanting the Rama Nama.
Today, anyone going to Sri
Bodendra Saraswati
Swamigal’s Samadhi
Govindapuram with problems
and sufferings in their
heart and pray with Bhakti
are ridden of their ills.
That is the greatness of the
Mahan who lived more than
three hundred years back,
and lives in his Samadhi
even today.
Annadhanam on Srardha days
Sri Kanchi Periyaval had a great connection to this place and established the procedure of Annadhanam during the Srartha days of the pithrus which has become highly popular now. By paying staring from 2000/= people can arrange for lifetime annadhanam during the Srardha thithis of loved ones. During the Mahalaya period, people throng the place.
Contact:
Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal Trust – 0435 2472054, 2460872, 94437 86370, 94437 45592
SRI BAGAVAN
NAAMA BODHENDHRA SARASWATHIKI !! JAI !!!
Next comes the great saint and bagavathar who found out the samadhi of bothendra swamigal and made it popular. Sri Venkatramana Desikar, popularly known as Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru
Swamigal, was born in the year 1777 at Thiruvisanallur. He lived in
Maruthanallur Village, near Kumbakonam of Tamil Nadu. Sri. Sadguru
swamigal is to be remembered ever as he was the one who took pains to
formulate the ‘Sampradhaya Bhajan’ and popularise the same in the
interest of human society.
He traveled the length and breadth of our country in order to collect the compilations of many saints and devotees and made existing smapradhaya bhajan
.
Saraboji Maharaja was a disciple of him. Sri. Swamigal found out the ‘jeeva samadhi’ of Sri.Bhodendra Swamigal in a river at Govindapuram. On his request King Saraboji, diverted the river and developed Sri.Bhodendra Swamigal’s Jeeva Samathi. He lead his life as a parama bhagavatha. He made ‘Rama Nama’ mantropadesam to Sri. Tyagaraja Swamigal of Tiruvyaru. He practiced unchavirthi dharma daily. He attained muthi in the year 1817.
A Bhajan or kirtan is a Hindu devotional song, often of ancient origin. Great importance is attributed to the singing of bhajans with Bhakti, i.e. loving devotion. "Rasanam Lakshanam Bhajanam" means the act by which we feel closer to either our true self (see jiva, atman), or to God (see Brahman & Ishvara). Acts which are performed for the purpose of pleasing God are also sometimes called bhajan.
Sri Maruthanallur Satguru Swamigal is the one who has given us the Basic Bhajana Sampradaaya Paddhathi, though added and developed by the later Bhagavathaas as said above. Even today, there is his Mattam in Maruthanallur Village, which is administered by his lineage, who are spreading the fame of Satguru Swamigal.
As there are Trinities in Carnatic Music (Thyaagaraaja Swamigal, Muthuswami Deekshithar & Shyama Sasthrigal), so also in Dakshina Bhajan Sampradaayam field, there are three Gurus (Govindapuram Bodhendra Swamigal, Thiruvisanallur Shridhara Venkateswara Iyyavaal and Marudaanallur Sadguru Swamigal), who have prescribed Naama Japam and Bhajan as the only source for Mukthi in Kaliyuga. They knew that in Kaliyuga people will not be able to engage themselves in Dhyana, Yaaga, Yajna, Tapas, Pooja etc. etc. as done in Krita, Thretha and Dwapara Yugaas, which are too time consuming and needs more spending. They have evolved a method which is so easy to follow and is definite in results.
Sampradaya Bhajana or Dakhshina Bharatha Sampradaya Bhajana is the
tradition of Bhajans in India and as the name suggests particularly in
South India. It's the collection of Kirtanas and Namavalis in specific
order. Mainly the order has been evolved by Sri Marudhanallur Sadguru
Swamigal, Sri Pudukottai Gopala Krishna Bhagavathar.
The bhajans are typically rendered in the following order:
Panchapati (Five songs in
Telugu (Bhadrachala Ramadas), Kannada (Sri Purandara dasa), Sanskrit
(Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral), Tamil (Sri Gopalakrishna Bharati) and
compositions of Sri Tyagaraja, Kabir Das, Meera Bai, Tulsi das or Surdas Marathi Abhangs on Lord Panduranga
Now comes the turn of Dyana keertanais (hymns on Gods)
1. Baro murare (welcome)
Pooja ends here and Divya namam starts.. (deepa pradakshinam - With lighted lamp in the middle considering the lamp as God, bhagavatas will do sankeertan by doing pradakshinas) This equals going around the earth.
Then comes dolotsavam (making God sleep), Anjaneya Keerthanai and Mangalam.
Ayyaval as he is respectively called is contemprary of bothendra sarawathi swamigal. Sridhara Venkatesa Dikshitar (1635–1720), popularly known as Ayyaval, was a Hindu saint and composer who lived in the village of Thiruvisanallur in the then Thanjavur Maratha kingdom.
Various events are associated with the life of Sridhara Ayyaval. Chastised for feeding a hungry Dalit by orthodox Brahmins who insisted that Ayyaval should bath in holy Ganges and thus purify himself, Ayyaval prayed to Shiva and recited the Gangashtakam sloka appealing to the goddess Ganges. According to the traditions of the Sri Sridhara Ayyaval Mutt, when Ayyaval had finished reciting the Gangashtakam, water from the holy Ganges river flowed out of the well in his house.
Ayyaval outlived his wife and most of his contemporaries. He is believed to have died in 1720 at the age of 85. According to most accounts, he disappeared mysteriously while on a visit to the Mahalingeswarar Temple. Ayyaval's followers believe that on entering the temple, Ayyaval's soul entered the idol of the presiding deity, Mahalingeswarar, and became one with him.
Sridhara Ayyaval was a contemporary of Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi and Sadasiva Brahmendra. Sadashiva Brahmendra's song Tunga Tarange Gange was written on Ayyaval who brought the Ganges.
He also holds an important status in Dakshina Sampradaya Namasankirthanam and is a member of the "trinity". Several songs have been written and composed on him and are always sung in any proper Namasankirthanam. The krithis are almost always followed by the namavali "Gangadhara Gangadhara", referring to Ayyaval as the bearer and bringer of the Ganges
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was an embodiment of humility. For the sake of uplifting man he composed many works. Bhagavan Nama Bhooshanam, Aakya Shashti, Dayashatakam, Stuti Paddhathi, Shiva Bhakti Kalpalatha, Shiva Bhakta Lakshanam, Achyutaashtakam, Dola Navaratna Malika etc. are a few to name. Though titled differently, all these works were primarily about the greatness and glory of the Divine Names of the Lord.
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Yoganandeswarar Temple at
Thiruvisanallur is a very ancient temple. The presiding deity of this
temple, Yoganandeswarar is also known as Sivayoginathar. Eight Shiva
yogis after severe penance on Lord Shiva, merged with the Lingam and
hence the name Sivayoginathar. This place was a vilva forest at one
time and hence He is also called Vilvaranyeswarar. He is also known as
Puradhaneswarar. His consort here is known as Soundaryanayaki or
Shantha Nayaki. The sthala vriksham is Arasa maram and the
Theertham Jatayu Theertham.
Chatur Kala Bhairavar is famous here.
The four Bhairavars with Saneeswara Bhagawan and Sivalingam on their
sides denote different periods of life and praying here will solve our
problems for our entire lifespan.
The four Bhairavars, (Chatur Kala Bhairavars) each representing the four phases or four Ashramas in the lifespan of a human being are as follows:
Gnana Bhairavar :
The Brahmacharya phase of the human life is dominated by his quest for knowledge. Gnana Bhairavar bestows good education and good employment on his devotees.
Swarna akarshana Bhairavar:
In the Grahasta phase, Swarna akarshana Bhairavar blesses his devotees with excellent growth in career and material gains.
Unmattha Bhairavar:
In the Vanaprastha phase, His devotees are blessed with good health, financial stability and good luck.
Yoga Bhairavar:
In the Sanyasa stage of life, a man is supposed to be totally devoted to God. By praying to Yoga Bhairavar and the Kailash Lingam beside the Yoga Bhairavar, man attains salvation. The objective of existence is to try to merge the jivatma (individual self) with the paramatma (God). This is known as moksham or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The four ashrams prepare a person to undertake the process in a controlled but directed manner.
Lighting oil lamps with black pepper on
eight consecutive Sundays during Rahu kalam 4.30PM to 6.00 PM at
Bhairavar’s sannidhi results in getting back lost property and wealth.
Kala Bhairava Gayatri Mantra
“Om Kaalakaalaaya vidhmahey Kaalaatheethaaya dheemahi Thanno Kaala Bhairava Prachodhayaath.”
Once a man who was a habitual sinner was about to be taken away by Yama. This man had only indulged in evil deeds and had not not anything good to anybody all his life. This man came running into the temple to escape from Yama and was shouting and pleading to Lord Shiva to save him. Nandi trained his ears towards the entrance of the temple to hear the cry of the man and informed Lord Shiva about the same. Though, this man was a habitual sinner, Lord Shiva blessed him with papa vimochanam (absolution of sin) and Mukthi because he had come to Shiva with total devotion. It is to be noted that you can see the idol of Nandi with its head turning to a side. It is believed that those who pray to Him here during the Pradosham (Twilight period in the evening on the 13th day of every Lunar fortnight) will be absolved of all their past sins
There is also a sannadhi for Lakshmi and Narayanan which is a rare. Vishnu and Lakshmi are supposed to have got the blessing of Shiva here for their marriage. Worshipping Lakshmi Narayanan on shravan nakshatra, ekadasi and Saturdays is considered special. Devotees who light 6 oil lamps and offer Tulasi garland to this deity for six consecutive weeks are blessed with progeny, peaceful family life, removal of obstacles in marriage and general prosperity.
There is a Sun Dial in the periphery
wall of this temple opposite to Ambal’s Sannidhi, which is a symbol of
the scientific advancement during the Chola period.
Sri Sadguru Swamigal
He traveled the length and breadth of our country in order to collect the compilations of many saints and devotees and made existing smapradhaya bhajan
.
Saraboji Maharaja was a disciple of him. Sri. Swamigal found out the ‘jeeva samadhi’ of Sri.Bhodendra Swamigal in a river at Govindapuram. On his request King Saraboji, diverted the river and developed Sri.Bhodendra Swamigal’s Jeeva Samathi. He lead his life as a parama bhagavatha. He made ‘Rama Nama’ mantropadesam to Sri. Tyagaraja Swamigal of Tiruvyaru. He practiced unchavirthi dharma daily. He attained muthi in the year 1817.
A Bhajan or kirtan is a Hindu devotional song, often of ancient origin. Great importance is attributed to the singing of bhajans with Bhakti, i.e. loving devotion. "Rasanam Lakshanam Bhajanam" means the act by which we feel closer to either our true self (see jiva, atman), or to God (see Brahman & Ishvara). Acts which are performed for the purpose of pleasing God are also sometimes called bhajan.
Sri Maruthanallur Satguru Swamigal is the one who has given us the Basic Bhajana Sampradaaya Paddhathi, though added and developed by the later Bhagavathaas as said above. Even today, there is his Mattam in Maruthanallur Village, which is administered by his lineage, who are spreading the fame of Satguru Swamigal.
As there are Trinities in Carnatic Music (Thyaagaraaja Swamigal, Muthuswami Deekshithar & Shyama Sasthrigal), so also in Dakshina Bhajan Sampradaayam field, there are three Gurus (Govindapuram Bodhendra Swamigal, Thiruvisanallur Shridhara Venkateswara Iyyavaal and Marudaanallur Sadguru Swamigal), who have prescribed Naama Japam and Bhajan as the only source for Mukthi in Kaliyuga. They knew that in Kaliyuga people will not be able to engage themselves in Dhyana, Yaaga, Yajna, Tapas, Pooja etc. etc. as done in Krita, Thretha and Dwapara Yugaas, which are too time consuming and needs more spending. They have evolved a method which is so easy to follow and is definite in results.
Marudaanallur Sri Sadguru Swamigal, born to Venkata- subramania
dampathis after about 100 years of Bodhendra Swamigal's Samaadhi and
originally named as Venkata- ramana, was said to be the re-incarnation
of Sri Raama. He was duly initiated into Brahmacharya and Gruhastha
Ashramaas, being married to Janaki.
Sadguru Swamigal was engaged in Bhakthi Maarga by singing the names of God. He was the one who identified the Samaadhisthal of Bhagavan Naama Bodhendra Swamigal in the Cauveri river bed in Govindhapuram (Kumbakonam), which was earlier washed away by flood waters and people did not care for it. Ordained by fate, he decided to discover the Samaadhi by tying his legs (nay he may stamp on the samaadhi) and rolling on the river bed. He heard the chanting of "Raama Raama" at one particular location and decided that it should be the samaadhisthal of Sri Bodhendraal, which he wished to re-build surrounded by a beautiful Brindaavan. However, Sadguru Swamigal, being a gruhastha with no financial backing, approached the then Maratta King Sri Sarabhoji Mahaaraja (the ardent disciple of Samartha Raamadaas - a Raama Bhaktha), who financed the project of diverting the flow of the river a little away and to build an Adhishtaanam at the spot where he Samaadhi was found.
Sadguru Swamigal followed the Bhagavatha Dharmaanushtanam meticulously and travelled throughout India and observed and collected the songs composed and sung regularly by various Bhakthaas/Sants in their own languages such as Hindi, Maratti, Thelugu, Kannada, Tamizh,Malayalam and Sanskrit, the Saptha Bhaasha. The Bhakthaas who have rendered/sung songs/slokaas can be classified as: Thukkaraam, Naamdev, Gorakkumbha, Santh Gnaneswar, Gnaanaabai, etc. in Maharashtra; Purandaradas, Kanakadas etc. in Karnataka; Meerabai in Rajasthan; Kabirdas, Thulsidas etc.in Uttar Pradesh; Jayadevar in Orissa, Chaithanya Mahaa Prabhu in Bengal; Raamadas, Annamaacharyar, Narayana Theerthar etc. in Andhra; Sri Narsi Mehta in Gujarath; Aazhvaargal, Naayanmaargal, Bondhendraal, Sridhara Ayyavaal,Sadhasiva Brahmendral, Thyaagaraaja, Gopalakrishna Bharathi etc.in Thamil Naadu, and many others.
Sadguru Swamigal was engaged in Bhakthi Maarga by singing the names of God. He was the one who identified the Samaadhisthal of Bhagavan Naama Bodhendra Swamigal in the Cauveri river bed in Govindhapuram (Kumbakonam), which was earlier washed away by flood waters and people did not care for it. Ordained by fate, he decided to discover the Samaadhi by tying his legs (nay he may stamp on the samaadhi) and rolling on the river bed. He heard the chanting of "Raama Raama" at one particular location and decided that it should be the samaadhisthal of Sri Bodhendraal, which he wished to re-build surrounded by a beautiful Brindaavan. However, Sadguru Swamigal, being a gruhastha with no financial backing, approached the then Maratta King Sri Sarabhoji Mahaaraja (the ardent disciple of Samartha Raamadaas - a Raama Bhaktha), who financed the project of diverting the flow of the river a little away and to build an Adhishtaanam at the spot where he Samaadhi was found.
Sadguru Swamigal followed the Bhagavatha Dharmaanushtanam meticulously and travelled throughout India and observed and collected the songs composed and sung regularly by various Bhakthaas/Sants in their own languages such as Hindi, Maratti, Thelugu, Kannada, Tamizh,Malayalam and Sanskrit, the Saptha Bhaasha. The Bhakthaas who have rendered/sung songs/slokaas can be classified as: Thukkaraam, Naamdev, Gorakkumbha, Santh Gnaneswar, Gnaanaabai, etc. in Maharashtra; Purandaradas, Kanakadas etc. in Karnataka; Meerabai in Rajasthan; Kabirdas, Thulsidas etc.in Uttar Pradesh; Jayadevar in Orissa, Chaithanya Mahaa Prabhu in Bengal; Raamadas, Annamaacharyar, Narayana Theerthar etc. in Andhra; Sri Narsi Mehta in Gujarath; Aazhvaargal, Naayanmaargal, Bondhendraal, Sridhara Ayyavaal,Sadhasiva Brahmendral, Thyaagaraaja, Gopalakrishna Bharathi etc.in Thamil Naadu, and many others.
He felt that to involve people in Bhakthi Marga, there must be unity and
he compiled the songs sung by the above Bhakthaas in various languages,
codified them into a Paddhathi and made it his daily routine. What a
herculean task! This brings out the theory of Unity in Diversity. What a
best method of National Integration. Marudaaanallur Sadguru Swaamigal
was the one who provided us the basic Dakshina Sampradaaya Bhajan
paddhathi by incorporating songs in different languages, which came to
stay as the basic Paddhathi Krama that are in use today.The Sampradaayam
prescribed by Sadguru Swaamigal is found in original Ola Chuvadi in the
Mattam and at Bodhendral Mattam and about 60 years ago it was publshed
in Grandhaksharam by Thillai Sthanam Narasimha Bhagavathar under the
title : BHAJANOTHSAVA PADDHATHI. Later, in Chennai Sri Kothandarama
Swamigal published an elaborate Paddhathi in Thelugu. Again, Thiruvayaar
Nagaraja Bhagavathar brought out a short publication of this in Thamizh
for the first time. Later Udumalaipettai Ramakrishna Bhagavathar has
brought out a somewhat elaborate Paddhathi in Thamizh, which used to be
followed widely all over India
BHAJAN is
derived from the word "BHAJANAM", meaning "concentrate on Naama or Roopa
of God". Roopa Bhajanam requires one to sit and meditate for a long
time on a figure of Ishtadaivam. This is little hard to practice, as
some rules have to be followed for good results. Naama Bhajanam is
repeating the name of Ishtadaivam. This is very simple and can be done
throught the day and night without any effort or rules. Added to it, if
the Naama is uttered with Music (Sruti, Raaga and Thaala), it gives a
soothing effect and takes the mind to "layam". It, therefore, makes it
easy to get one pointed attention and at the same time, it is more
pleasant to the ears of the audience, who are also attracted towards
this process. It becomes a collective effort (group prayer) which is
more effective. Hence, singing in praise of God is the way of life one
should adopt in Kaliyuga. It is simple to follow. This should be done
with concentration, Bhakthi/Devotion and with one pointed attention.
Types of Bhajans
A look into the past reveals that bhajans as a genre have come a long way; weaving a home for themselves into the core of human hearts. Traditions of bhajan singing, such as Nirguni, Gorakhanathi, Vallabhapanthi, Ashtachhap and Madhura-bhakti, have been formed over the ages. Each sect has their own sets of bhajans and methods of singing.
Types of Bhajans
A look into the past reveals that bhajans as a genre have come a long way; weaving a home for themselves into the core of human hearts. Traditions of bhajan singing, such as Nirguni, Gorakhanathi, Vallabhapanthi, Ashtachhap and Madhura-bhakti, have been formed over the ages. Each sect has their own sets of bhajans and methods of singing.
The traditional form of bhajan in south india is known as Sampradya Bhajans.
The
trinity of gurus as far as Sampradaya Bhajans are considered as
Bodhendra Swamigal, Sridhara Ayyaval and Marudhanallur Sadguru Swamigal. The sampradaya bhajana paddhati has mainly evolved due to the tradition and efforts of Marudhanallur Sadguru Swamigal.
- Dhyana Slokam
- Sangraha Thodaya Mangalam (Thotakam - Beginning with a praise, Mangalam - End)Thodaya Mangalam is different from Thotaka Ashtakam of ADI SANKARA
- Guru Dhyanam
- Guru Abhangs
- Sadhu Keertanas (hymns on Sadhus and sants. It can be abhangs also)
- Jayadeva Ashtapadi
- Narayana Teertha Krishna leela Tharangini
1. Vinayaka
2. Saraswati
3. Murugan
4. Shiva
5. Ambika
6. Nrusimha
7. Ram
8. Krishna
9. Vishnu or Dashavatara stuti
10. Venkatesha
11. Vittal or Pandurang (Abhangs)
12. Lakshmi
13. Sita or Radha
14. Anjaneya
15. Garuda
16. Aiyappan
17. Nandikeshwaran
18. Chandeeswaran
19. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
20. Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavatar (or Guru Keertanai)
Then comes Pooja Sampradaya Kritis
2. Sharanagata vatsala (request)
3. Kastoori gana.. (pooja)
4. Chita juni... (aarati)
5. Shobane
6. Jay Jay aarati...
7. kanjadalakshiki..
8. Prartana Abhang
9. Rajadi rajaya.. (pushpanjali)
10. Kattiya vachanam (verses from variety of books)
11. Chatur veda parayan
12. Kshetra mahatmiyam (verses on importance of tirta kshetras)
13. Upacharamu.. (upachara sankeertan)
14. Vinnappa gadyam (praying to God - shlokas)
15. Sri Krishna Govinda hare murare.. (naamaavali)
Pooja ends here and Divya namam starts.. (deepa pradakshinam - With lighted lamp in the middle considering the lamp as God, bhagavatas will do sankeertan by doing pradakshinas) This equals going around the earth.
Then comes dolotsavam (making God sleep), Anjaneya Keerthanai and Mangalam.
Sri Sridhara Ayyaval mutt at Thiruvisainallur
śrīkaṇṭhamiva bhāsvantaṁ śivanāmaparāyaṇam| śrīdharaṁ veṅkaṭeśāryaṁ śreyase gurumāśraye ||
Ancestry and early life
Very little is known about Ayyaval's ancestry or early life. According to some accounts, Ayyaval was the son of one Sridhara Lingarayar, a Brahmin who settled in Thiruvisanallur, during the reign of Shahuji I. Some accounts mention that Ayyaval's father was the Diwan of the Mysore kingdom. When Ayyaval, a staunch devotee of the Hindu god Shiva, was offered the post of Diwan upon his father's death, he rejected the offer and instead, chose to become a sanyasi or Hindu monk and embarked on a pilgrimage of the Saivite temples of the Cauvery Delta region.Events
On Ayyaval's arrival in Thanjavur, he was offered all assistance and respect by Shahuji, the then ruler of the Thanjavur Maratha kingdom. Shortly afterwards, he restored a Brahmin dead of snakebite to life and thus acquired a reputation as a miracle-worker. He was attracted to the Mahalingeswarar shrine at Thiruvidaimarudur and set up his house at the neighbouring village of Thiruvisainallur.Various events are associated with the life of Sridhara Ayyaval. Chastised for feeding a hungry Dalit by orthodox Brahmins who insisted that Ayyaval should bath in holy Ganges and thus purify himself, Ayyaval prayed to Shiva and recited the Gangashtakam sloka appealing to the goddess Ganges. According to the traditions of the Sri Sridhara Ayyaval Mutt, when Ayyaval had finished reciting the Gangashtakam, water from the holy Ganges river flowed out of the well in his house.
Ayyaval outlived his wife and most of his contemporaries. He is believed to have died in 1720 at the age of 85. According to most accounts, he disappeared mysteriously while on a visit to the Mahalingeswarar Temple. Ayyaval's followers believe that on entering the temple, Ayyaval's soul entered the idol of the presiding deity, Mahalingeswarar, and became one with him.
Sridhara Ayyaval was a contemporary of Sri Bodhendra Saraswathi and Sadasiva Brahmendra. Sadashiva Brahmendra's song Tunga Tarange Gange was written on Ayyaval who brought the Ganges.
He also holds an important status in Dakshina Sampradaya Namasankirthanam and is a member of the "trinity". Several songs have been written and composed on him and are always sung in any proper Namasankirthanam. The krithis are almost always followed by the namavali "Gangadhara Gangadhara", referring to Ayyaval as the bearer and bringer of the Ganges
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was an embodiment of humility. For the sake of uplifting man he composed many works. Bhagavan Nama Bhooshanam, Aakya Shashti, Dayashatakam, Stuti Paddhathi, Shiva Bhakti Kalpalatha, Shiva Bhakta Lakshanam, Achyutaashtakam, Dola Navaratna Malika etc. are a few to name. Though titled differently, all these works were primarily about the greatness and glory of the Divine Names of the Lord.
Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodendra Swamigal was a contemporary of Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval. Sri Bodendra Swamigal had deep reverence for Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval. They used to meet often and enjoy the bliss of talking about
the glory of the Lord. Though Sri Shridhara Ayyaval saw no difference in
the prowess of Lord Shiva's name and Lord Vishnu's name he loved
chanting the names of Lord Shiva. Similarly, Sri Bodendra loved the name
of Rama more than anything. When Sri Bodendra Swamigal read the work of
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval named 'Aakya Shashti', which primarily talked
only about the greatness of Lord Shiva's names in sixty verses, he said,
"You could have named this work as 'Shivaakyashashti' instead of 'Aakya
Shashti'! Though all the names of the Lord are equally sweet and
powerful, you have chosen to sing the greatness of only one of them! Why
is it so? Don't you like singing the divine Name of Lord Rama?" The
moment Sri Shridhara Ayyaval heard this from the great saint, he replied
in a beautiful verse emphasizing the greatness of the Divine Name of
Lord Rama. "While Lord Shiva, the glory of whose name I have sung in
these sixty verses, himself does not cease to chant the Divine Name Rama
even for a moment out of such taste and love for that name, how can I
dare to describe the beauty and glory of the Divine Name of Rama?"
Sri Bodendra Swamigal shed tears of joy hearing this verse.
Sri Bodendra Swamigal shed tears of joy hearing this verse.
Sri Bodendra Swamigal and Sri Shridhara Ayyaval spent many such
wonderful moments of divine bliss. Sri Sadashiva Brahmendra, another
great Saint of the same time, also used to join Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
and Sri Bodendra Swamigal in their discussions.
A few learned scholars of the city envied Sri Shridhara Ayyaval for the
place he had found in the heart of the king. Once, they had arranged for
the celebration of Janmashtami festival with much pomp and show. Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval did not relish the worship that was devoid of
devotion. Therefore, he did not participate in the function. The people
who conducted the function carried a picture of Lord Krishna in
procession. When Lord Krishna's procession came to the door of Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval, the priests and scholars refused to accept the
offerings of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval. Reprimanding Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
for not taking part in the festival because of pride, they said, "Why
feign devotion when you totally lack devotion?Keep away. Our Lord
Krishna hardly needs your worship."
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval smilingly replied,
"Lord Krishna knows who His devotees are!" Cut to quick by these
words, the priests and scholars said, "Well! In that case, why don't you
call Lord Krishna? If you are indeed a great devotee, let us see if
Lord Krishna accepts your invitation!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval composed and
sweetly sang the names of Lord Krishna in a beautiful verse. While Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval stood on, the priests ordered the procession to move
on. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval too went inside his humble home.
When the procession reached the next house, the priests and scholars
found the image of Lord Krishna missing in the photograph! Trembling
with fear, they ran to the house of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to beg his
pardon. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was putting Lord Krishna to sleep. He
composed the 'Dola Navaratna Maalika' on Lord Krishna that night. The
priests and scholars who had offended Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, out of
ignorance, now understood the glory of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and his
steadfast devotion and love for the Lord. To absolve themselves of the
sin incurred by offending a great devotee and with a hope to develop the
kind of love for the Lord which Sri Shridhara Ayyaval had they too
spent the entire night with Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, singing the Divine
Names of the Lord.
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval used to visit the Temple of MahaLinga, Lord Shiva,
in the nearby city of Madhyarjuna. Rain or shine, he would not miss
visiting the temple. He preferred to see the Lord when there was not
much crowd and so chose the early hours of the morning for the visit.
Once, Lord Shiva intended to test the love and devotion of Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval. That day, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was on his way to the temple
as usual. He had to cross the river Kaveri in order to reach the temple.
On reaching the banks of Kaveri he found the river flooded. Boatmen
refused to ferry the boat across the river. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval could
not bring himself to return home without seeing His Lord in the temple.
Gazing at the tower of the temple on the other shore, Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval stood with tear-filled eyes. He felt he must have offended the
Lord in some way and that sin acted as a block to the darshan of His
Lord. He composed a soulful prayer called 'AarthiHara Stotra' in which
he prayed, "Oh Lord! Please bestow your loving and compassionate glance
on me, who is suffering from the pangs of separation from you! You have
the untarnished fame of relieving the one who merely chants your Divine
name from the clutches of sorrow! How is it that though I have sought
refuge in You, I am agonized? Did you not bestow your grace on the
hunter who, on death bed, chanted your divine name 'Hara Hara Hara'
unintentionally, while teaching his son the way to hunt-'Prahara,
Aahara, Samhara'(attack, bring, kill)? Such being your compassion, how
can you turn your face away from me who am piteously praying- 'Save me
Lord Shiva!'
While Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was lamenting thus a priest of the Shiva
Temple, who was known to him, came to him and gave Vibhoothi Prasada
(Sacred ashes). He said to Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, "I did not find you in
the temple today. Knowying that you would be saddened at not being able
to cross the river and have the vision of the Lord I decided to come
and give you the sacred ashes." Transported to Bliss Sri Shridhara
Ayyaval prostrated before the priest and accepted the sacred ashes with
reverence.
While Sri Shridhara Ayyaval moved towards his home, shedding tears of
joy thinking of the love of the Lord towards His devotees, the question
'how did the priest manage to cross the flooded river?' arose in him.
From his memory he recalled that the priest was not a bit wet and the
sacred ashes smeared on his body were not sumdged! Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
wondered if it was Lord Shiva himself who had come in the garb of the
priest. Next day, the flood subsided and Sri Shridhara Ayyaval went to
the temple and found the same priest there. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
thanked the priest for his kindness and said that his mind was at peace
only after receiving the sacred ashes from him the previous day. The
priest was utterly confused hearing this. He said, "Sir! I never came to
the other shore! Indeed, who could have dared to cross the flooding
river?"
On hearing this, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was moved beyond words. He
realized it was Lord Shiva himself who had taken pity on him and come to
give the sacred ashes. With a grateful heart he sang the glory of the
compassion of the Lord in the hymn 'Dayashatakam'. In this hymn, he
sings, "Oh! The Compassion of the Lord! One is cleansed of all his sins
the moment you cast your glance on him! When will you bless me so that I
will always be immersed in the bliss of chanting the Divine names like
'Madhava', 'Murari', 'Kaamaarey', 'Shiva', 'Mahadeva', 'Govinda' and
'Purahara'! Be pleased to bestow two boons on me! That my mind may
always be established in the Divine Form of Lord Shiva and that my
tongue may always chant the Divine Names! In my last breath, let me
chant the Divine Name 'Shiva'!"
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval, who composed 100 such verses glorifying the
compassion of the Lord, was none other than Lord Shiva himself! Needless
to say, he was an epitome of compassion! He could not bear to see
anyone suffer. He considered even liberation a trifling matter as
compared to compassion to all beings.
One day, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval was on his way to River Kaveri for a
bath. It was a day of 'Sraardha' (annual death rites for ancestors) in
his home and all food offerings were ready. On the way he found a poor
man belonging to a low caste fallen down in an unconscious state due to
hunger. Unable to bear the sight of the suffering of the poor man Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval rushed back to his home and returned with the food
prepared for the ceremony. He gave it to the man. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval ,
who saw the Lord in all, neither had a second thought about doing this
nor was he bothered about the sin he might incur. He knew that by
appeasing the hunger of this man he would be pleasing the Lord. After
giving him food Sri Shridhara Ayyaval went back home and cleaned the
entire place. He cooked fresh food for the priests and invited them for
performing the ceremony. The priest who were to perform the ceremony
were a jealous lot who envied Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and chose this as
the right moment to create trouble for him. They picked up an argument
with him on this matter. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval quoted scriptures to show
the greatness of timely help and said it was in no way sinful to feed a
hungry man. However, the priests were adamant and refused to accept any
explanation. They all walked out of the house and proclaimed Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval as an outcaste. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval accepted this
too as the divine will of Lord and continued the ceremony without the
help of the priests. The Trinity -- Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord
Brahma -- themselves appeared at the home of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval and
participated in the ceremony! They partook of the food cooked by Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval with pleasure. What will the Lord not do for His
loving devotee?
Though the ceremony was performed
in this manner that year, the following year Sri Shridhara Ayyaval,
very compassionate, requested the priests to participate in the
ceremony. The arrogant priests refused the invitation bluntly. Sri
Shridhara Ayyaval pleaded with them to accept his invitation and said
that he would carry out any atonement that they prescribed for the sin
incurred. The priests then said, "Take a dip in the Holy Ganga. That is
the only atonement for the terrible sin incurred."
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval replied, "The Holy Ganga
is up in north and I am already old. I do not think I can travel that
far. Instead, I shall bring the Holy Ganga to me in the well here my
backyard."
Hearing
this, the priests said, "How preposterous of you to speak so! Of course,
there are some verses in the scriptures which exalt the Holy Name of
Ganga by saying that if one takes a dip in any water chanting the name
of Ganga, he would gain the merit of having taken a dip the Holy River
Ganga. But these are nothing but exaggerations! Just as you exaggerate
the glory of Divine Names!" and laughed out. "Don't even imagine that
you can trick us and become one among us again!"
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval humbly replied, "I do not intend to cheat
anybody. I shall bring the Holy Ganga right here." Saying this, he
prayed to Holy Ganga through eight verses of Gangashtakam composed by
him then. And lo! The Holy River Ganga gushed out of the well in the
backyard of Sri Shridhara Ayyaval's home! The priests were terrified to
witness this miracle. Now they were alarmed to see the river gush out to
the roads! They ran and fell at Sri Shridhara Ayyaval's feet and begged
his pardon. They requested Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to send the river
back! Sri Shridhara Ayyaval invited all of them to take a dip in the
river. The panicked mass insisted he send it back and refused to take a
dip. Sri Shridhara Ayyaval then prayed to Mother Ganga to stay in his
well in the backyard of his home for ever. The Holy River Ganga paid
heed to his prayer and subsided into the well. This incident occurred on
the new moon day in the month of 'Karthika'. Till this day, many
pilgrims travel to Tiruvisainallur to take a dip in this well every year
on the new moon day of the Karthika month.
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval joined Sri Bodendra Swamigal in spreading the
message of chanting the Divine Names as the easiest means to gain both
material and spiritual benefits. One day, while Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
was on his way to visit the temple of Lord Shiva he discoursed to his
devotees emphasizing the glory of divine names and love for the Lord.
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval looked unusually bright and lustrous that day. In
the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord, with tears in his eyes, he prayed to
the Lord through many verses. Overwhelmed by the pangs of separation
from the Lord and unable to stand it any longer, Sri Shridhara Ayyaval
rushed to the Sanctum of the Lord in order to embrace Him. While the
priests attempted to stop him Sri Shridhara Ayyaval ran and disappeared
into the Sanctum of the Lord. The Lord, in the form of Linga, shone
brightly like a sun for some time. The awestruck devotees stood looking
on, as this wonderful incident happened, and shed tears.
Sri Shridhara Ayyaval spent every moment of his life striving to uplift
the mass by spreading the nectarine Divine Names of the Lord. Let us all
pray to Sri Shridhara Ayyaval to bless us all with a taste for the
Divine Names of the Lord.
Every year on the New moon day of Karthigai month around 10,000 people
throng the madam and take a dip at the well. A grand annadhanam also
takes place. A grand 10 day utsav is also being celebrated preceding
that New moon day. It was fascinating to imagine for a moment how it
will look like when the Ganga flows out from the well through the
Agraharam and the whole village. Due to the presence of Ganga, the place
is considered like Kasi; the mandapam is called Viswanatha mandapam;
the dining hall is called Annapoorna hall etc.,
Ayyaval had
composed a number of works some of which are not yet been printed and some not available. Some of his works are listed below.
(1) Bhagavannama Bhushanam.(2) Akhyashashti.(3) Daya satakam.(4) Matrubhtasatakam.(5) Stuti paddati.(6) Shivabhakthikalpalatha.(7) Shivabhaktha lakshanam.(8) Taravali stotram.(9) Artihara stotram.(10) Kuliresvarashtakam.(11) Jambhunathashtakam.(12) Doshapariharashtakam.(13) Krishnadwadasamanjari.(14) Achyuthashtakam.(15) Dola navarathnamala.(16) Padamanimanjari - a sanskrit dictionary.(17) Shahajiraja charitamMUTT FRONT VIEW
ANNADHANA MANDAPAM
There is a photo of four saints Sri Sridhara Ayyaval, Sri Bodhendral,
Sri Marudhanallur Swamigal and Sri Brahmmendhral on top of the
Viswanatha mandapam. All the great four lived in the same period and met
each other.
\
WELL WHERE HOLY GANGES COMES
THIRUVISAINALLUR IS ALSO FAMOUS FOR SIVAYOGINATHAR TEMPLE. LET US SEE SEE BREIFLY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE.
Thiruvisanallur – Sivayoginathar Temple Gopuram
NANDI IN OUTER PRAHARAM
The four Bhairavars, (Chatur Kala Bhairavars) each representing the four phases or four Ashramas in the lifespan of a human being are as follows:
Gnana Bhairavar :
The Brahmacharya phase of the human life is dominated by his quest for knowledge. Gnana Bhairavar bestows good education and good employment on his devotees.
Swarna akarshana Bhairavar:
In the Grahasta phase, Swarna akarshana Bhairavar blesses his devotees with excellent growth in career and material gains.
Unmattha Bhairavar:
In the Vanaprastha phase, His devotees are blessed with good health, financial stability and good luck.
Yoga Bhairavar:
In the Sanyasa stage of life, a man is supposed to be totally devoted to God. By praying to Yoga Bhairavar and the Kailash Lingam beside the Yoga Bhairavar, man attains salvation. The objective of existence is to try to merge the jivatma (individual self) with the paramatma (God). This is known as moksham or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The four ashrams prepare a person to undertake the process in a controlled but directed manner.
Devotees who worship Chatur Kala Bhairavar during the 8th day
of the waxing period (ashtami of Sukla paksham or valarpirai) gain in
prosperity and advancement in business and career. Devotees worship
during the 8th day of the waning period (ashtami of Krishna
paksham or theipirai) to get cured of their diseases, peaceful family
life, protection from evil spirits and envy.
Kala Bhairava Gayatri Mantra
“Om Kaalakaalaaya vidhmahey Kaalaatheethaaya dheemahi Thanno Kaala Bhairava Prachodhayaath.”
Once a man who was a habitual sinner was about to be taken away by Yama. This man had only indulged in evil deeds and had not not anything good to anybody all his life. This man came running into the temple to escape from Yama and was shouting and pleading to Lord Shiva to save him. Nandi trained his ears towards the entrance of the temple to hear the cry of the man and informed Lord Shiva about the same. Though, this man was a habitual sinner, Lord Shiva blessed him with papa vimochanam (absolution of sin) and Mukthi because he had come to Shiva with total devotion. It is to be noted that you can see the idol of Nandi with its head turning to a side. It is believed that those who pray to Him here during the Pradosham (Twilight period in the evening on the 13th day of every Lunar fortnight) will be absolved of all their past sins
There is also a sannadhi for Lakshmi and Narayanan which is a rare. Vishnu and Lakshmi are supposed to have got the blessing of Shiva here for their marriage. Worshipping Lakshmi Narayanan on shravan nakshatra, ekadasi and Saturdays is considered special. Devotees who light 6 oil lamps and offer Tulasi garland to this deity for six consecutive weeks are blessed with progeny, peaceful family life, removal of obstacles in marriage and general prosperity.
This is the temple for Rishabha Rasi. People born under Rishabha rasi are recommended to visit and pray at this temple regularly.
Sridhara Ayyaval is reported to have vanished after entering the Sanctum
Sanctorum of Madhyarjuna Siva temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur.
