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RANGASWAMY • May 2, 1996 


This is a re-post of Sri Rengarajan's article.

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From: "Sampath Rengarajan" 
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 13:06:55 -0500
To: srengara@ae0073.pd8.ford.com




Subject:  A thala puraaNam an analysis on Narsimha avathaar and An Appeal for
construction of a roof at Sholingar temple
 (steps to hill)
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 16:01:29 -0500 (EST)

Sri vishnu purraanam  and paathma puraanam offers details about this sthalam.

\C thirukkadigai - 1 \c

    This Shekthram is situated in Madras-Bangalore Rail line. Fast  way  is
to take brindaavan from Madras to Arakonam Junction and take Bus from  there.
Sholingar Railway station is 9 miles from the temple. One can take a direct
bus from Madras also. Moderate facilities are there for stay.  There  is  a
big  Kalyana  Mandapam  for  organized  group  tours,  and  several  "Mess"
facilities are there.

There are three temples to see.

1. Koil in the town (or in the foot hill)
Moolavar - Not present
Uthsavar - Bakthavatsala Perumal (Thakkaan)
One can have Darshan of Adikesava perumal at the rear end  of  this  temple
only on  certain  occasions.  There  are  separate  sannathis  for  Andaal,
Azhwaars, Erumbiyappa, and Thottaachaarya.

2. Periya Malai or Kadikaachalam. approximately 500 feet high.
Moolavar : Yoga Narasimhar (Akkaarak kani)
Iruntha sayanam, Veetru iruntha thiruk kolam. ie Perumal is sitting in  the
lotus posture (ie. deeply meditating posture). East facing.
Thaayaar : Amirtha Valli
Theertham : Amirtha Theertham, Thakkaan Kulam, paandava theerththam
Vimaanam: Simha Koshtakruthi Vimaanam, Simhaagra Vimaanam and hEma kOti
vimaanam
Prathyaksham : Saptha Rishis, Vishvaamitrar, Siriya thiruvadi

3. Siriya Thirumalai :200 to 250 feet high.
Deity : Yoga Aancchneyar has Changu, Chakkram in his hands, has four hands.

Sri vishnu purraanam  and paathma puraanam offers details about this sthalam.

	 It is believed that Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar came to this palce after
hiranya vatham and stayed here for "ever" in this Yoga sayanam posture. It is
well kown that  Srinarasimha avathaaram took place at "Sri Ahobilam". However,
since munivars requested the presence of Sri Narasimha here on an endless
timescale, The LORD Narasimha chose to stay here for ever. This is also
confirmed by thirumangai aazhwaar's reference to "thakkkaanai" in his paasuram
presented in this article.  Among all the other avathaarams this and the
"vaamana avathaaram are the most significant becuase of the fact that they both
accomplished the misssion instantly. Many of the LAkshmi Narasimha bakthaas
believe that by praying to this LORD (who is an instant acccomplisher), their
prayers are fulfilled instantly if not atleast an instant relief is offered
without delay by this LORD.  (An analysis is presented at the end of this thala
puraanam on narasimha  avathaaram and this shrine's importance as "kadigai" or
instant reliver.).

 It is a belief that, One, would  attain Moksham simply by staying here for one
Kadigai  (period  of time) ie approximately half hour in  this  shekthram.
 Hence  it  is  named
Thiruk kadigai. It is believed that Saint Vishvaamitrar meditated  for  one
kadigai on Lord Narasimhar and obtained his title "Brimha Maharishi"  here.
The Saptha Rishis and vaamathEvar came to this  place  and  and  started
 penance  to  have
darshan of Narasimha Avathaaram, and the Lord fulfilled their  wish  within
one kadigai of penance. Hence this hill is known as Kadikaachalam.
After Sri Raama avathaaram, aanchneYa wanted to go back to sri vaikundam, and
serve the LORD there. The Lord instructed anchnEya to goto this place and
protect the rishis penance from the oncoming danger.    Two demons by name
"kaalan and kEyan" appeared as soon as the rishis started penance and started
to distrub their effort. Sri hanuman wanted an instant tool to stop it and Lord
Rama offered him his changu and chakram with the help of which Hanuman killed
the demons and prevented the tapas of saptha rishis and vaamathEvar .  Hanuman
also had the darshan of sri Narasimha in his avathaara kOlam at the lapse of a
kadigai, and along with the rishis, and accepted the order of Lord Narasimha to
sit in front of HIM in the small hill  and serve as a protector for those
whoever comes to this hills seeking relief from demons or demon effects. It is
believed that Lord Narasimha  asked Hanuman to stay here until the end of the
Kali yugam and reach him after that. There is no other place AanchnEyaa has
such prominance, ( a hill and temple as his OWN abode) and also with changu
chakram and with four hands.

	Sage Durvaasa once sought the thiruth thuzhaay maalai (ie thulasi
garland) of this perumal  and danced with great joy by sporting this "maalai"
on his own shoulder and and sirasu. There were many saadhus present at that
time  and were witnessing this event. Buthan or mercury one of the Nava grahams
was also present in the form of a saadhu and he laughed at this sage's act.
Sage Thurvaasa cursed him and lord budhan had to stay here in this sthalam and
served all those sages who came with great pleasure to this shrine after taking
bath in the paandava theerththam and got his curse (spell) cured or removed.

 On  the  way to hills Garuda Aaaroodar Varadha Raaja perumal sannithi is
 there.  It
is believed that Kaanchi Varadhar offered  Garuda  Vaahana  Sevai  to  Maha
Achaaryar known as Thottaachaaryar here. (as he was not able to got the Kanchi
that year and did meditate on this LORD to offer that darshn ther itself).
 Even to-day this event is observed in Kaanchi and simulatneously here as a
"puase" is kept at the entrance of this temple during the bramotsavam and
garuda sErvai such that the LORD goes to kadigai for that instant to offer
sEvai to thottaach chaaryaa. Similarly "erumbiyapa" was also one of the great
mahaans lived in this place and served the LORD. This place is also used to be
very fertile like chola naadu and was hence called as "CHola Simha puram" which
became sholinga puram later. In pattinap paalai, it is refeerred that, Cholan
karikaalan peruvaLaththaan called this district as "kadigaik kOttam": when he
subdivided his kingdom into 48 distritcs. This place is also one of the 74
simhaasanam established by Sri Raamaanuja in his 74 simhhaasanams outlining the
principles of Sri vishitaahthvaitham.

    Similar to Gunaseelam near Trichy, this place is also known for  relief
from possessing, Billi Sooniyam, etc. People come here and do  Vratham  for
many days, take bath in Thakkaan  kulam  which  is  believed  to  have  the
essence of many Mooligais and climb  the  hills  every  day  to  pray
 anchaneYaa and
Lord Narasimhar and get their "Pini" or "Diseases" or  "Theeraatha nOykaL"
cured
here. This place is also known for the presence of many "Siththars" similar
to Thiruvannaamalai, Kollimalai, and Kutraalamalai. It is believed that the
administration of this temple is under the Aatheenam  of  Sthala  aachaarya
purushaals of Thottaachaaryar Clan.

In "4000" both thirumangai in his periya thorumozhi (naaraayana saptham) and
peyazhwaar in imoonRaam thiruvanthaathi (saraangathithvam), offered these
paasurams.
1731.

\C mikkaanai ; maRaiyaay viriththa viLakkai ennuL
pukkaaNnaip pugazhsEr polikinRa ponmalaiyai
thakkaanaik kadigaith thadangunRiNn misaiyiruntha
akkaarak kaNniyai adainthuynthu pOnEnE
					thirumangai aazhwwar in periya
thirumozhi\c

The meanings for "thakkaanai" in azhwaar paasuram confirms that HE styed here
for ever. "mikkaanai" confirms that he is ever prevading and "pukkaanai" here
means that HE is in every soul and  HE uncovered and inserted the eternal
spiritual light within me. "Akkaara kaniyai" means the fruit which is
unadeltered sweet 100% and nothing less or more than a sugar. En element of
sugar or a fruit that ripes from the tree of pure sugar (assuming such a tree).

3444.

\C pandellaam vEnkadam paaRkadal vaikuntham
kondaNG kuRaivaarkuk kOyilpOl vaNdu
vaLankiLarum neeLsOlai vaNpooNG kadikai
iLangumaraNn RaNn viN Nagar

					pEyaazhvaar\c
The Lord who resided in Sri vaikundam, made his presnece available for the
bakthaas of boolOga in those places where the beautiful vaNdus are dwelling in
the Solai p push pangal of these sthalangal in ThiruvEngadam, Kadikai and thiru
viNNagaram (oppiliappan koil)

Manavaala Maamunikal and Erumbiyappaa's
Sriman Naathamuni, Sri raamaanuja's Mangalaa saasanam  besides  Thirumangai
 and  Pey  Azhwaars.  There  are  4  paadalgal on this sthalam of the "4000".
Two of them are presented  at  the beginning.
	In the noorettu thirup pathi yanthaathi, it is cited similar to the
citation in "4000" for " thiruththip paNikoLvaan", as

"seerruLaal nammaith thiruththi naam munnaRiyaak
kooraRivum thanthadimai koNdathaRkE- nErE
oru "kadikaiyum" manamE uLLukilaay muththi
tharu kadikai maayavanaith thaan"

This malai or hill is also known as "Ekasilaa parvatham" meanng that the entire
hill is made of one stone which is true and one can see that when they visit
this shrine. There are unique methods or procedures attributed to each of the
108 sthalam as  "vazhipaatu niyamanam". At thiruppathi having the hair shaved
and having a supra paatha darshanam are the "best", in oppiliappan koil
observing sravana vratham (without salt) on sravanms is the ideal. In this
temple, it is the desire of the LORD that his bakthass climb the steep
footsteps (which are similar to the parama patha Sobaanam) and pray the LORD.

An Appeal to all Sri Vaishnavaas all over the world

    The 1500 steps to Narasimhar Koil are very steep between 300  and  500
 feet
level. On a hot day (most of the time in a year this area in
North Arcot district has Very hot and dry weather) climbing this portion of
the steps on bare feet is a difficult task even for the local people who are
used to this environment. Dholis carried by bearers are available for old
people. To make  things  easy  for
the pilgrims there are sumai thaangis then and there and shady trees  until
this level. It is the desire of Lakshmi Narasimha Sabha to  facilitate  the
pilgrims with an easy passage of this phase of the climbing by providing  a
Roof in this level.(Thirupapathi has roofing almost for the entire range of
higher altitudes.). The construction of the roof was successfully completed for
the first phase (between 400 and 500 feet) at an approximate cost of  3.0
lakhs. Thanks to Sri Narasimhap priyaa, january 1996 edition. Our Jeer His
holiness 45 th ahahiya singer's photo is presented at the front pages when he
is standing under the roof of the first phase. The second stage between 300 and
400 feet  is estimated to be costing 5.5 lacs. (approximately US $ 18000).
I believe that there are pledges and promises to the tune  of  5%  of  the
project cost so far. Sri  Vaishanavaas around the world  are  invited  to  take
part in this project  by  offering  what  ever  contribution  they  can  by
directly sending their remittances to "Lakshmi Narasimha Sabha".

    There are no plans for  winch  or  rail  car  similar  to  the  one  at
"Palani".  I  guess  it  involves  much  more  capital  and  needs   larger
participation from public and government. Besides the popular beilef here that
past attempts to install the "rail car" were foiled due the Lord's desire that
everyone should come climbing like "sobaanm". One strong and possible reason is
that the turn  over
of pilgrims in a year is not so  high  and  so  it  is  believed  that  the
initiative of government for a rail car project is  unlikely  in  the  near
future. The development of the town was given  a  kick  start  due  to  the
construction of TVS groups, two of their divisions here, Sundaram Fasteners
and Lucas TVS manufacturing facilities are  here,  providing  some  capital
flow to this town. The  Tamil  Nadu  Govt.  has  proposed  to  develop  and
construct the "Manufacturing Technology Park" in consortium with  Singapore
Govt. and several singapore companies, similar to the  software  technology
park in Bangalore, here in Sholingar.

    The Lakshmi Narasimha Sabha is an organization believed to  be  founded
21 years back and is in active service to the Lord Narasimhar all over  TN,
Andhra, etc. It is founded by Mrs. Yadugiri, a Lakshmi Narasimha  Ubaasagar
and a devout Ahobila Mutt  follower.  She  is  also  a  disciple  of  Singa
perumaal Koil Aachaaryar who is himself a Narasimhar Ubaasagar  also.  They
do  Bajans  every  Friday  at  their  place  in  "Desikaa"   chaari   road,
"Aazhwaar"pettai, Madras. The Panguni Utthiram  is  celebrated  every  year
here in a grand scale. They have executed few projects earlier and one such
was a silver peedam for Yoga Narasimhar at sholingar in 1980.

The Address:
 Lakshmi Narasimha Sabha
 11, Desikachari Road,
 Aazwaar pettai
 Madras.



An Analysis on sri Narasimha avathaaram and this shrine at sholingar as the
instant reliever.

It is believed that Hiranyakashyup constructed this pillar with his own hands
and went for penance seeking brahmaa's blessing to become invincable and
indestroyable. The Lord stood up with "prahalaadha" for his satyaagrhaa all
through out but when this final encounter took place, Hirayankshup pointed to
the particular pillar and asked if the ever prevading LORD is "in" that
particular pillar. The Lord came off and  HE waited untill hiranya kaship
attacked him first. He only asked for the presence and after seeing that HE
couldnot stand empty with his ("ego") preconceived notion that he is
invincible. HE chose to attack first and Lord Narasimha (will not attack an
unopposed man) waited untill opposed physically and  killed him with his bare
hands. The nails are the avthaaram of the vajraayudam here. The Lord's anger
caused "thiruk kailaayam" to melt and Lord Shiva came to plead to Lord
Narasimhaa and take  shelter there. Lord would not calm down by this appeal
(shivaas appeal), and subsequently the dEvaas appealed to maaha lakshmi to
request him to cool down, and HE would not calm down either. Untill prahalaadan
himslef appeals for mercy and for saving all the three worlds. (otherwise they
faced extinction due to his veppam). This is another proof that noone can
predict the avathaaramas and the very nature of their course, the avathaaram
would take except that one can analyse after the avathaaraam and learn from
that. Avathaarams are taken as per LORD's own will and no devaa or Lord shivaa
can know about it. If they had known the outcome, they would not plead for
their lives at the height of this avathaaram. Thus by this avathaaram, Lord
Narasimhaas's  lesson to us is that Lord is not bound by any demigod's appeal
and even Piraati's appeal and HE is the sole authoirty granting "sarNaagathi".
Even if "Piraati" has to say that you may delay or offer the saraNaagathi to a
soul, LORD uses his own descretion and offers saraNaagathi and is not bound by
anyone when granting saraNaagathi. The second point is if one has to worship
LORD Narasimha, here for a specific boon or saraNaagathi, he will offer the
same ATONCE. All the avathaarams has to live for a finite time in a life cycle
before their mission was accomplished. It is believed that people who cannot go
their to this shrine can also obtain the same if they meditate on this LORD for
a kadikai from whereever they are, and seek a boon or a relief or acceptance of
 saraNaagathi. As a  precedance and keeping inview withthe above statement for
facilitating the worhip of this LORD in kadigai, I am also presenting the
dyaana slokam  of this shekthram which are not available for a public domain.

Dyaana slokankaL
1.
"Simha mukE roWdra roobinyaam
abaya hasthaankitha karuNaamoorthE
sarva vyaabithamm loka rakshanyaam
paapa vomOchanam "thuritha nivaaraNam"
lakshi kaddksham sarvaabeeshtam
anEham thEhi "lakshmi narasimhaa"
			Yadugiri padmanaaban
2.
"Ugram veeram mahaavishnum
jvaalantham sarvathoMukaam
naarasimaham beeshanam bathram
mrithyum mrithyum nammam yaham"

 Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, thiruk  kadiyilankumaran thiruvadikalE saraNam

   Sampath Rengarajan


---End of forwarded mail from "Sampath Rengarajan"