Spiritual Stories: Post #53 “How the Tiruvachakam was Written”

[Guest guest]

MURUGA SARANAM

 

 

 

29th July 2007

Spiritual Stories: Post #53 "How the Tiruvachakam was Written"

 

 

Dear Members..

 

The last Sunday of July 2007 brings you the last story in the Brahma, Vishnu Siva Trinity section of the spiritual stories. The next section Yoga Vasishtam will continue for six more weeks before the spiritual stories by Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi concludes.

 

 

This week's story narrates how Lord Nataraja wrote Tiruvachakam by His own hands as Manikkavachakar was reciting them in bliss. The incident took place at the great temple of Thillai (Chidambaram) which I have visited several times while studying there. Chidambaram figures both in Pancha Bhutha sthalas and the five Sabha (halls) of Lord Siva. The Chidambaram Rahasyam could be seen there by entering the sanctum sanctorum where emptiness is decorated with Vilva Garland indicating that Lord is in the form of SKY out of the Pancha Bhuthas (in the form of WATER at Thiruaanaikka, AIR at Sri Kaala Hasthi, EARTH at Kanchipuram and FIRE at Thiruannaamalai). Besides this form He blesses His devotees in the form of Nataraja with Sivakami Amba from the main sanctum sanctorum. In front of the main sanctum, the roof is decorated with Sree Chakram and praying to Ambalathaaduvan below this will grant any wish. The presiding deity faces the south in this temple and the roof is made of gold. This temple also has shrines of Perumal which is also frequented a lot. In the outer Prakaram you will find a shrine of Lord Murugan which is always crowded. The huge temple premises also has the Siva Ganga Theertham a very large tank. The front courtyard has a thousand pillared Mandapam (open hall which has many pillars though may not be exactly one thousand). Often people cross into the temple premises to get across to the other side (for example from east car street to west car street). This is common in many of those huge temples in Tanjore district.

 

 

Mayilam is probably the nearest Murugan temple apart from Vaitheeswaran kovil where you will find Muthukumaraswamy shrine.

 

 

May All Glories be to Muthukumara Swamy !

Muthukumaraswamikku Arohara !!!

 

Muruga Saranam

 

 

With Best Regards

Meyyappan S

 

 

 

****

The Story begins here

 

How the Tiruvachakam was Written

 

 

MANIKKAVACHAKKAR WAS GOING from one place to another until he came to Chidambaram. While witnessing Nataraja's dance he started singing heart-melting songs and stayed in that place itself. Then one day Nataraja, with a view to make people know the greatness of Manikkavachakar and to bless the people with an excellent collection of hymns, went to the house of Manikkavachakar in the night, in the guise of a brahmin. He was received cordially and when asked the purpose of the visit, the Lord smilingly and with great familiarity asked, "It seems you have been singing hymns during your visit to sacred places of pilgrimage and that you are doing it here also. May I hear them? I have been thinking of coming and listening to you for a very long time but could not find the required leisure. That is why I have come here at night. I suppose you don't mind. Can you sing? Do you remember them all?There is no need to worry about sleep. I shall sing all the songs I remember. Please listen." So saying Manikkavachakar began singing in ecstasy

(*). The Lord in the guise of a brahmin sat down there writing the songs on palm leaves. As Manikkavachakar was in ecstasy he hardly noticed the brahmin who was taking down the songs. Singing on and on, he completely forgot himself in the thought of God and ultimately became silent. The old brahmin quietly disappeared.

 

At daybreak, the dikshitar (priest) came to the Nataraja temple as usual to perform the morning puja and as he opened the doors he found in front of the Nataraja image, on the doorstep, a palm-leaf book. When the book was opened, and scrutinised the words Tiruvachakam were written as well as an explanation that the book was written, as dictated by Manikkavachakar. It was signed below Tiruchitrambalam, i.e. Chidambaram. The stamp of Sri Nataraja was also there below the signature. Thereupon, all the temple priests gathered in great surprise and sent word to Manikkavachakar, showed him the Tiruvachakam, and the signature of Nataraja and asked him to tell them about the genesis of the hymns.

 

Manikkavachakar did not say anything but asked them to accompany him, went to the temple of Nataraja and standing opposite the Lord said, "Sirs, the Lord in front of us is the only answer to your question. He is the answer." After having said that, he merged into the Lord.

 

As he narrated the story, Bhagavan's voice got choked. Unable to speak any more he remained in ecstatic silence.

 

Courtesy: Concise Oxford English Dictionary

(*)

ecstasy

(noun) - an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement

 

Ends

********