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: