Muka and Kanchi kshethra

[Guest guest]

I am giving a brief sthala puranam of Kanchi Ekambareswarar temple(from the

web). The story forms the

framework for this poetic work by Sri Muka Kavi. Understanding this set up

becomes indispensable

to appreciate the wild and imaginative strokes of the poet Muka in his work

without prejudices. Muka was a great kavi and an ardent bhakta. His description

of the beauty of the Mother and Her lilas is best seen in the light of this

sthala puranam.

 

My thoughts on Kanchi: This purely a personal observation. Kanchi has been a

city of paradox historically. It is both a vaishnavite and saivite sthala.

Historically, Kanchi was a top city for Jain saints. Archeological studies have

revealed ( I have read some of the accountsin popular press) that there existed

Jain structures in the Ekambareshwarar temple complex. The temple complex is an

ancient, serene and beautiful place worth a visit for any contemplating mind.

We should just remember that at each footstep in the temple complex, we are

walking on the dusts of almost 1500 years, over the prints left maybe by Sri

Shankaracharya and his disciples, nayanmars, shiva bhakthas and prodigies like

Muka and thousand others. I sincerely pray to Mother that this venture of

tranliteration is brought to completion to rekindle in us the glory of Kanchi

kshethra, the abode of the Mother.

 

The following story is classified under a puraana. Later I would post the story

of how a Muka became Sri Muka kavi the Grace of Mother Kaamakshi. It is indeed

heartening to know that there has always been many yearning and praying to

Mother to bless them with Gnana, vairagya, paandithya -just to sing praise of

Her etc. even when temptations of siddhis are beckoning around the corner!!

 

 

Background story of Kamaakshi and Siva at Kanchi (sthala puranam):

 

http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/tamilnadu/kancheepuram/page21.htm

 

Sri Ekambareswara temple:

 

The most famous Siva temple at Kanchi is the Ekambareswara temple

where he is worshipped in the form of Prithvi Linga (Earth Linga).

The sthalapurana says that when Lord Siva was deeply immersed in the

task of creating, protecting and destroying the Universe, Parvati, his

consort, in a jocular mood, closed his eyes. This resulted in a "pause"

in the process of creaton and destruction as well as obstruction to the

natural law of things. It was a serious matter and Siva became angry

and cursed Parvati to go to the Earth and expiate her misdeed.

 

 

Accordingly Parvati came to the banks of the river Kampa under a

single mango tree at Kanchi and made a Shivalinga out of sand and

worshipped it. To test her sincerity Siva placed various obstacles and

hindrances in the way of Parvati's penance. But with the help of Vishnu

she could tide over all the difficulties. At last Siva hurled a deluge

by taking out the Ganges from his matted hair, to wash away the Linga

worshipped by Parvati. She clasped it with all veneration to her breasts

and this pleased Siva who took her again as his consort. In the month

of Phalguni on the 10th day of Uttiram the marriage of Siva and Parvati

is celebrated with great pomp and splendor.