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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:



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