A Peep into Periya ThiruMozhi 191-ThEar azhundhUr 1

[Guest guest]

Srimate SrivanSatakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama:

 

Terazhundoor

 

Names are funny things. The names of people and places are often good

indicators of their character and characteristics. There are some

inscrutable names like Kaattoor, Vandiyur, etc., which do not tell us

anything significant about the place. On the other hand, there are

quite instructive names, which tell us a whole story about the locale

and its history. One such is the name of the Divyadesam, Terazhundoor.

Situated near Mayilaadurthurai in the south, Terazhundoor is a major

destination for everyone intent on savouring the Lord’s beauty in

novel forms. Now for the story which hides behind the name--

 

Sri Mahabharata narrates the tale of Maharaja Uparishravas, who was

called upon to mediate in a dispute between Rishis (who were against

animal sacrifice and preferred to perform the same with the aid of a

creature made of flour, instead of an actual living being) and Devas

(who were adamant that sacrifice in the Yagyas should be of actual

animals and not mere dolls of flour). After listening at length and

with great care to both sides, the Raja decided in favour of the

Devas, holding animal sacrifice to be correct in view of the

overwhelming evidence therefor found in the Shruti and Smriti. The

enraged Rishis, convinced of their correctness, cursed Uparishravas

to a condemned existence in the bowels of the earth, if his ruling

was incorrect, and offered to undergo similar punishment, if they

were in the wrong. The moment the curse was voiced, the Maharaja fell

from the skies, proving the Rishis to have been right, establishing

thereby that Pasu vadham or animal sacrifice should not involve an

actual living creature. The wheels of the chariot in which the King

used to travel had never touched earth, since they were held high by

forces of Dharma. However, once the King uttered an apparently biased

judgement, his chariot fell from the skies to the earth. The place at

which this happened bears the name “Ter azhundoor” till today,

signifying the spot where the magnificent chariot of the Maharaja was

forced down.

 

Thus Terazhundoor has the distinction of being the testing ground for

right and wrong. This is only one of the glories of the place. The

other and more important merit of this small town is that it hosts

Emperuman Aamaruviappan, whose beauty and splendour are such that Sri

Tirumangai Mannan is forced to devote no less than 40 pasurams for

this divyadesam. Also known as “Gosakhan” (the Sanskrit version of

Aamaruviappan—“Go” in Sanskrit and “Aa” in Tamizh mean a cow), the

radiance of this Lord is to be seen to be believed. Those who have

been fortunate to visit this kshetram would readily agree that if

anything, Sri Kalian, in his hurry to move on, must have stopped

reluctantly with just 40 verses, though this Emperuman deserves much

more.

 

True to His tirunaamam, “Gosakshan”, the Lord is to be seen in the

sanctum sanctorum with a cow/calf nearby, which has its admiring eyes

fixed with infinite love and devotion on the brilliant features of

Emperuman. Though the bovine motif figures at other kshetrams too

(like Mannaargudi), the posture of the cow and the devotion on its

face are especially noteworthy at Terazhundoor. The Lord’s preference

for bovine company is a well-chronicled fact—in fact, Sri Nammazhwar

goes to the extent of saying that Emperuman prefers an occupation as

a cowherd, to being the object of adoration at Sri

Vaikuntam—“Divattilum pasu nirai meyppu uvatthi”. Another unique

feature of this divya desam is that Sri Garuda stands with folded

hands not in front of the Lord, as is common elsewhere, but at the

Lord’s side (as at Srivilliputtur), indicating his closeness in

Emepruman’s scheme of things. Appropriaely, the “Vimaanam” atop the

Garbhagriham is known as “Garuda Vimaanam”. On the other flank is Sri

Prahlada, signifying perhaps that all forms of the Lord are ultimately

only aspects of Sri Nrisimha. Another distinguished occupant of the

sanctum is Sri Kaveri, who kneels at the Lord’s left, in obeisance.

Perhaps unique to this divyadesam is the fact that the Moola moorthy

is accompanied not by His Divine Consorts, but by Sri Garuthmaan and

Sri Prahlada. Another of the Lord’s tirunaamams at this sannidhi is

“Devaadi Raajan”, indicating His primacy among deities of all hues

and types. Indicating Her own and Her Consort’s preference for the

lotus, the Taayaar at this divyadesam goes by the tirunaamam,

“Senkamalavalli”. While it is a common sight to fight many temple

tanks dry or with greenish water, the Darsana Pushkarnini, situated

right opposite the temple entrance, is full of clear water fit for

the Lord’s tirumanjanam. Kambar, the author of “Kamba Ramayanam” and

“Satakopar Andaadi” and with close connections to the sishya

parampara of Sri Nathamuni, was born at Terazhundoor. And in more

recent times, Terazhundoor can boast of having There is a magnificent

3 tiered Gopuram in the front and the temple has 2 praakaarams.

 

One of the versions of the Stthala Puranam deals with Brahma’s prank

during Krishnaavataaram. Not realising Sri Krishna’s stature, Brahma

made the entire herd of cows and calves, being grazed by Krishna and

His friends, disappear. When the cowherds were bewildered and

dismayed at the loss of the herd, Sri Krishna, aware of what had

happened and to teach Brahma a lesson he would not forget in a hurry,

created an exact replica of the lost herd, dispelling the sorrow of

his friends. Truly chastised, Brahma fell at Gopala’s feet and prayed

that He should take up residence at Terazhundoor, in response to which

the Lord made the place His abode, as “Aamaruvi Appan”

 

While the Moolavar has the tirunaamam “Devaadi Rajan”, the Utsavar is

“Aamaruviappan”, accompanied by not only Sri and Bhoodevi, but also a

cow and its calf nestling close to His tirumeni. While the two upper

hands of the Lord hold the Divine Discus Sudarsanam and the Cosmic

Conch Paanchajanyam, one lower palm is held out in a protective

posture (“abhaya hastam”), affording refuge to all those who

surrender. The fourth lower arm holds the Magnificent Mace Koumodaki,

a terror to the unholy—“Daitya kulaika hantreem”.

 

However long and hard I may try to bring the splendour and

magnificence of this Emeperuman before your eyes, I would be doomed

to abject failure. Instead, shall we try to catch a glimpse of this

divyadesam and its inhabitants, through the devotion-filled eyes of

Sri Tirumangai Mannan, who has, as aforesaid, devoted no less than

40pasurams to this enticing Emperuman?

 

Srimate Sri LakshmiNrisimha divya paduka sevaka SrivanSatakopa Sri

Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikaya nama: