Divine Games of Lord Shiva Thiruvilayadal Puranam

By S.Ponnuswamy

Tiruvilayadal Purana is reputed to be one of the 18 Thalapuranas. Yet, it is also revered as one of the Mahapuranas (Periyapurana – the right eye of God Shiva, Tiruvilayadal Purana – the left eye and Kanda Purana – the third eye). It was authored by Saint Paranjothi about 1300 years ago. It narrates the 64 Tiruvilayadals (Leelas in Sanskrit) roughly translated into English as playful miracles of God himself – in this case, Lord Shiva the presiding deity of Madurai. It incorporates the legends and stories already prevalent in the Pandyan Kingdom in South India and covers a period of more than 500 years during the reign of 52 Pandya Kings and 6 other Kings. Lord Shiva and his consort Meenakshi guided, supported, punished, vindicated, blessed and finally gave salvation to the Kings and commoners alike in these 64 episodes. Many of these events find a mention in the earlier great Tamil works like Silappadhikaram, Kalladam, Thevaram, Tiruvasagam and some puranic poetry.
While some of these episodes appear to be understandable and believable, many do not. One explanation for this is in that these episodes are the result of the fertile imagination of great devotees, mostly interesting stories narrated in a highly evolved poetic form by the great poet devotee. Another is that, this is basically a historical narrative of many Pandyan Kings who were all devotees of Lord Shiva described with some poetic license resulting in exaggeration and hyperbole. Another is that there is a mystic element present in these stories, which can be explained and interpreted only by enlightened persons. Yet another is that, these are moral stories built around a grain of truth; each episode teaches indirectly a moral for the humanity with the coating of a story. Whatever it may be, a large majority of us believe that God’s ways are inexplicable and immutable and that we should enjoy reading about these happenings unfolding as poetic drama.
Saint Paranjothi has done a great job in rendering these episodes in Tamil laced with some Sanskrit terms prevalent at that time. This actually makes it easily understandable for the lay reader. All the elements of beautiful poetry are there creating a delightful reading experience. This work is admired as Draksha Panam (grape juice) among other Puranas which are either Tengai Panam (Coconut juice) or Kadali Panam (Banana juice).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Giri Trading Agency Private Limited
• Release date: Dec 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9788179507797

S.Ponnuswamy

S. Ponnuswamy is an engineer and transport planner. He has worked on the Indian Railways in different parts of the India and retired. He has authored or co-authored a few books on bridges and railways. After retirement, his interest in spirituality grew, particularly in Saiva Sidhantha and literature. On reading Periya Puranam, he became an ardent admirer of Sekkizhar and strongly felt a need to propagate his work among the younger generation. To catch their interest, he felt that a rendering of his biographies of the Saints in free flowing English is a desirable step and this book is an outcome of the same.

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FOREWORD

Dr. A.M. Swaminathan, I.A.S., (Retd)

Tiruvilayadal Purana is reputed to be one of the 18 Thalapuranas. Yet, it is also revered as one of the Mahapuranas (Periyapurana – the right eye of God Shiva, Tiruvilayadal Purana – the left eye and Kanda Purana – the third eye). It was authored by Saint Paranjothi about 1300 years ago. It narrates the 64 Tiruvilayadals (Leelas in Sanskrit) roughly translated into English as playful miracles of God himself – in this case, Lord Shiva the presiding deity of Madurai. It incorporates the legends and stories already prevalent in the Pandyan Kingdom in South India and covers a period of more than 500 years during the reign of 52 Pandya Kings and 6 other Kings. Lord Shiva and his consort Meenakshi guided, supported, punished, vindicated, blessed and finally gave salvation to the Kings and commoners alike in these 64 episodes. Many of these events find a mention in the earlier great Tamil works like Silappadhikaram, Kalladam, Thevaram, Tiruvasagam and some puranic poetry.

While some of these episodes appear to be understandable and believable, many do not. One explanation for this is in that these episodes are the result of the fertile imagination of great devotees, mostly interesting stories narrated in a highly evolved poetic form by the great poet devotee. Another is that, this is basically a historical narrative of many Pandyan Kings who were all devotees of Lord Shiva described with some poetic license resulting in exaggeration and hyperbole. Another is that there is a mystic element present in these stories, which can be explained and interpreted only by enlightened persons. Yet another is that, these are moral stories built around a grain of truth; each episode teaches indirectly a moral for the humanity with the coating of a story. Whatever it may be, a large majority of us believe that God’s ways are inexplicable and immutable and that we should enjoy reading about these happenings unfolding as poetic drama.

Saint Paranjothi has done a great job in rendering these episodes in Tamil laced with some Sanskrit terms prevalent at that time. This actually makes it easily understandable for the lay reader. All the elements of beautiful poetry are there creating a delightful reading experience. This work is admired as Draksha Panam (grape juice) among other Puranas which are either Tengai Panam (Coconut juice) or Kadali Panam (Banana juice).

But what about readers of today, who may not be well versed in Tamil? Surely, an English rendering, that too in prose form, will enlarge its readership resulting in this Purana being appreciated worldwide. Here is where my good friend Mr.Ponnuswamy – an eminent engineer turned Saivite Tamil Scholar – has come forward to fill the vacuum. After editing the Periya Purana in condensed English prose and publishing it, he is now bringing out the Tiruvilayadal Purana in simple English without missing any of the essentials. His efforts are praiseworthy and he deserves the gratitude of the Tamil and English reading public for this service.

Mr. Ponnuswamy is 87 years old, bravely tolerating age related health problems. Yet, he has spent days and months reading this Purana and absorbing it, translating in English and putting it on the computer – all without any outside help. Amazing! In this context, I am reminded of what Lord Shiva told to Saint Manickkavasagar (Author of Tiruvasagam) asking for salvation. According to Tiruvilayadal Purana, Shiva said there is some work yet to be done by you; hence please be here for some more time. What a blessing! The Lord’s blessings, Mr. Ponnuswamy will have a healthy and active life for many more years to translate and edit the other great Tamil classics into English to suit today’s lay reader.

I am deeply grateful to my friend Mr. Ponnuswamy for having given me the honour to write this preface.

A.M.Swaminathan

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PREFACE

Tiruvilayadal Purana is an Epic describing the sixty four divine games played by Lord Shiva, who had taken abode in Madurai since time immemorial as Lord Somasundarar. He had done these episodes to show His concern of all lives. The incidents relate to what He did for the welfare and corrective measures to the lives varying from a Blackbird to as high a person like Indra, who had shown their devotion to the Lord and/ or came to Him seeking pardon from Him for its, his or her mis-deeds. According to the legend, narration about these was made by the Lord Himself to his Consort Parvati at Kailash, when their son Lord Muruga/ Subrahmanya was sitting on his lap. Lord Muruga later recited these to diminutive Sage Agastya, who in turn narrated these once at Kashi. They are stated to form Alasiya Manmiyam. (Tiruvalavai Samhita, a part of Skanda Purana, one of the eighteen Hindu Puranas which were recorded by Sage Vyasa and later repeated to other sages). The stories have many versions, sung by many Tamil Poets. This version, narrated here, is based on the original verses of Sage Paranjothiyar, who did this for the benefit of the community at the request of many of his followers and learned people of Madurai (as recorded by him in the 25th verse). It is said that he commenced the work mainly on a command received from Mother Meenakshi of Madurai in one of his dreams when he was staying at Madurai. Skanda Purana is the thirteenth of the eighteen Puranas which, according to some historians date back to the third to tenth centuries CE.

The ancient nature of the Pandya land had been brought out in some other Puranas also, where it is said that sage Narada had once mentioned after an aerial trip of his to the South of this land. The famous early Sangam literature Paripadal had devoted about one third of itself for describing the way in which people in Madurai enjoyed in the River Vaigai. Silappadhigaram, another literature dating back to third century CE contains narration about three of the Tiruvilayadals (Lord Shiva dancing in the Silver Assembly hall at request of two saints, about Vikrama Pandyan throwing the Spear given to him by the Lord at the sea to dry it up and his throwing a flower discuss over Indra’s crown and dislodging it. Kalladam (10th century) contains description of some 21 of these incidents. Many of the later incidents form part of padigams of the three Tevara saints and in Tiruvasagam of Manickkavasagar who lived much later.

There are a few more later poetic literature specially written to cover the Tiruvilayadals like Tiruvalavudayar Tiruvilayadal Puranam (of Chellinagar Nambi), Sundara Pandyan, Old Tiruvilayadal, Kadamba vana Purana, Sundara Pandyan etc.. Of these, only the Tiruvalavudayar Tiruvilayadal of Nambi covers sixty four divine games, as also the last in the series is the one written by Paranjothiyar, mentioned above. But the former is only about half the size of that of Paranjothiyar. There are some differences between the two in the contents and their sequencing also. While Nambi mentions only the names of Pandya kings who ruled during the occurrence of the incidents, Paranjothiyar has tried to establish some historic authenticity to the incidents by listing out all the Pandyan kings who ruled the land during the entire period of all incidents. In sequencing of the events, later research showed some discrepancies in these works, which is natural in such a narration [Source: Tiruvilayadal Purana by Paranjothi Munivar- Vol 1 of N.M. Venkataswamy Nattar]. These show how the Tamils have been emotionally attached to Shaivism and Shiva, to the extent of believing that it was Shiva who created the Tamil language and taught it to Agastya (and established the ancient Tamil Sangam- dating to about 2000 years back), as he taught Sanskrit to Sage Panini. He also ruled the land as Somasundara Pandyar after marrying their princess Tadadagai Pirattiyar (Meenakshi).

Paranjothi Munivar, the author of this epic was born in a staunch Shaiva (known as Abhidekathars) family to a well learned Shiva devotee Meenakshi Sundara Deshikar at Tirumaraikkadu a sacred village in the then Chola Nadu about 300 years back (sixteenth century according to World Press.com). He showed his brightness and love for the faith and Lord Shiva from his early childhood. He took his Deeksha in the traditional manner from his own father in his early childhood itself. He learnt both Tamil and Sanskrit languages and studied a number of and rare books and became quite learned and familiar in both languages. His father taught him the Shivagamas, Thevaram, Tiruvasagam and also Bharatam. He took lessons in music and became an expert singer too. He was so devoted that he used to experience ‘bliss through japa, tapa, dhyana and yoga. He used to go on teertha yathra to many Shiva shrines, where he used to sing the praise of the Lord and Mother Uma in ‘flawless Tamil Verses’. And during one of these travels, he reached Madurai/ Tiru Alavai where, after a dharshan of the presiding deities Somasundarar and Angayarkanni (Mother Meenakshi), he went into ecstasies. He received such bliss in worshipping them that he decided to stay on in that city itself. It is said, during one of his visits to the temple that Shiva presented Himself to him as a Shiva Yogi (Siddha) and being honoured by the devotee, He not only blessed him but also gave him Deeksha and Jnyanopadesam.

When people of the town came to know of his presence, they all thronged to hear his talks and songs and some of the learned persons asked him to render the Lord’s various Tiruvilayadals in Tamil. The Munivar soon thereafter took up the task, staying in Madurai itself. This period coincided with the time when Tirumalai Naicker hall, the famous palace was being built at Madurai. On completion of the Purana, the Munivar sought the assembly of the learned people there and presented his work, Arangetram, in the Thousand Pillared Hall inside the temple. He was highly honoured by the king and people of the town for same. It has proved to be a book of famous literature in Tamil after Sekkizhar’s Periya Purana (written in Chidambaram under the patronage of the Chola King in the 12th Century).

This epic has a total of 3363 verses of which the first 342 form the Prologue. The first chapter of 30 verses, covering Kappu (purpose of the book), also contains prayer to different deities, an introduction stating the benefit of the narration. These are followed by chapters containing another 297 verses on praise to the land of occurrence; history of the Purana; importance of Kailash (Shiva’s main abode);importance of the Madurai as a pilgrimage centre; importance of the sacred water of the place (Golden lotus pool in temple); and speciality of the main Linga. They are followed by the Padigam worshipping the feet of Somasundarar, which also lists different divine games covered in the book in 15 verses, Thus the prologue itself covers 342 verses, a little over 10% of the work. Its thrust is to show how Madurai is held to be the most sacred of Shiva’s top 12 abodes and is held superior in all three aspects of a Shrine viz., the place, the holiness of water (in pool) and the Deity/ Linga. The water of the Golden Lotus tank has become most sacred by having the water of Ganga from the Lord’s head mixing with it. The Linga here was self grown one found in a Kadamba Vana in ancient times, and was the first to come up being earlier than the Lingas of Kedarnath and Kashi and many other places. Another importance of the Linga is that the Linga Incorporates the Lord and Mother Uma itself. It was named Soma Sundarar due to this combination. Thus the city of Madurai is considered the holiest of Shiva’s abodes for anyone to stay and contemplate on Him. According to Sage Sudhar, the sixty four divine games played by the Lord of the place makes the city of Madurai the Shiva Loka on the earth.

The main narration is divided into three parts viz., 18 chapters of Madurai Kandam, 30 Chapters of Koodal Kandam and 16 chapters of the last Tiruvalavai Kandam. The first part has 963 songs and it starts with how Devendra atoned for the worst sin committed by him in killing an Asura, his enemy when the latter was in deep meditation. On the advice of his guru, Brahaspati, he comes down South on the earth to the holy Kadamba Forest. It is his men who first discover the Svayambhu Linga, the holy lotus pond and a very peaceful atmosphere present there, as for example a tigress feeding a young deer whose mother had been killed by a hunter. It thus starts in Treta Yuga. It goes on describe how the Lord made Kulasekhara Pandyan clear the forest around and build the holy city of Madurai, following birth of Mother Uma as a Pandyan princess, her marriage to Lord Shiva who rules over the land for some time, bringing down of Ganga as Vaigai from Shiva’s head. The last incident describes the rising of seas and their being subdued by Somasundarar’s son and successor. The second part of 1015 songs starts which narrates how the city was threatened by the seas again ‘due to anger of Varuna, the Lord of the seas’, when the Lord made four large clouds surround the city as high mansions and high walls, thus making it a high mansioned city alround. The part has many incidents in which He comes to the aid of the Pandyan kings in wars, providing justice, giving never emptying coffers/ granary etc., to help a Pandyan and saving his people against the viles wrought by Samana Munis. One of episodes includes a short narration of Lord Rama’s visit to Somasundarar to worship and seek advice while He was on his way to Lanka to release mother Seeta. It also includes incidents like First Sangam was started and presided over by the Lord Himself. Thus it is set in very old times. This part contains five chapters which describe how the Lord came as mother pig to feed the twelve piglets which had lost their mother in a war, how they received back their human forms and became famous ministers, and His blessing a blackbird, and a heron which were deeply devoted to the Lord. The third part consisting 1042 verses commences with the description of a deluge in which the city of Madurai is destroyed (not the temple) and had to be rebuilt. The Lord came to help the ruling King by deputing one of snakes used as an ornament on His arm to come down, extend itself and mark on ground the boundaries of the new town to be built. It contains a number of incidents of how He became a teacher to Manickkavasagar and came to his help by turning foxes into horses and back. ( about 11th century). It has a few of incidents He had caused as miracles through His devotee Tirujnyanasambandar. The last episode in narration is about making a temple well, Vanni tree and a Linga to appear in Madurai as witnesses for a wedding conducted by Sambandar at Tirupurambayam. This incident is said to have happened in about the seventh century CE.

The idea of translating this epic was suggested to this writer by a Maharashtrian nurse who helped him during a long stay in a hospital, seeing him reading a Tamil abstracted edition of same. It took a long time for him to obtain a copy of the original version of the epic by Paranjothiyar with explanatory notes in Tamil. Having gone through the original work, he felt as a tribute to the Munivar, it would be desirable to make available the contents of the epic in easily readable English prose form for the benefit of those who are not well versant in Tamil and at the same time would like to read such stories. While going through the original, well explained by Venkataswamy Nattar in a three volume master piece of ‘Original and meaning’, he felt that the incidents have, apart from story value and mysteries, explain many of the religious principles of Shaivam. Narrator has tried to cover all major incidents, except descriptions of land and people, with minimum of abbreviation of original text. During the period, he was doing this task, he had a few health set-backs but the Almighty has been kind to give him enough strength and guidance to complete the task. The writer prayerfully submits the work at the lotus of the Lord.

He is grateful to Sri R.T. Namasivayam who has taken upon himself the task of liaison and processing through the publication of the same. He is highly indebted to Dr. A.M. Swaminathan who has taken personal interest and lot of pains in going through the draft carefully correcting it and for his kind suggestions. Being an authority on Shaivaite religious literature and as one of the forces behind the Sekkizhar Research movement in Tamil Nadu, there can be no better person than him for giving a Foreword to this book. The author is very thankful additionally to Dr. Swaminathan for having kindly agreed to and given a very scholarly Foreword for the book.

The author is grateful to his sons Sadayappan and Senthilnathan for the unstinted support, encouragement and help in different aspects of the preparation of this work including editorial advice. He is thankful for the Publishers GIRI and Dr. Ramachandrasekhar for their unstinted help in bringing out a good publication and also permitting him to include a number of illustrations from their earlier Tamil publication on the subject by Mrs. R.Ponnammal.

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Dedication

Dedicated to the memory of my in-laws

Prof. Saravana Arumuga Mudaliar

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Rajalakshmi

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Madurai Kandam

1. Indra’s Atonement for Sin

One day in the Treta yuga, the Celestial King Lord Indra (Devendra) was enjoying himself under the shade of a Mandara tree. Celestial musicians, Apsara dancers and beautiful maiden surrounded him. He was enjoying the dance, music, wine and the company of the maiden and was completely unaware of anything else happening around him. At this time, his Guru and Celestial Preceptor, Sage Bruhaspati came there to see him for some urgent consultation. But Indra was so engrossed in his gaiety that he did not notice even the arrival of his preceptor. Sage Bruhaspati was upset at what was going on and went back from that place disgusted at Indra’s self enjoyment and indifference towards him. Quite a while later, Indra came to his senses. That is when he learnt about his guru’s visit. He realised the grave mistake he had committed in ignoring his preceptor. He was afraid that the Guru’s anger might turn as a curse against him. He, immediately, mounted his elephant Airavata and went to the Gurudev’s residence. He could not find him there. He started searching for him but could not find him anywhere. Sage Bruhaspati had gone to an isolated location not known to anybody and started meditating there. There in Amaravati city, in absence of the Guru and his guidance, the sin of neglect overwhelmed Indra. As a result, all his wealth started dwindling and the Demons started becoming more influential and commanding. Due to this, the celestials started suffering from many kinds of troubles. The virtue and merit started dwindling and ills grew in Indraloka.

Worried about the consequences, the repentful Lord Indra went to see Lord Brahma, the creator of life on earth, to seek his advice and blessings. The latter smiled at the celestial Lord and asked him what he wanted. Devendra narrated what happened in full detail and sought advice of the creator regarding how he could atone for and be released from the sin of disrespect to his Guru. Latter told Indra that, in due course his Guru would return, but in the meantime Indra had to do something as atonement. He told the former that Vishvarupa, the son of demon Sage Tvashta, in turn a descendant of Sage Marichi, was a demon with three faces. Notwithstanding the fact that he was a demon and a ruffian, Vishvarupa followed all religious rites flawlessly and was good to the general public. He was a very accomplished person in religious practice and was considered a good person. The four faced creator advised Indra to accept Vishvarupa as his Guru and continue to do his regal duties and wait for the return of Bruhaspati. Seeing no other way, Indra reluctantly agreed to the advice and approached Vishvarupa with a request to be his Guru. Vishvarupa also did not relish the idea of being Guru to his adversary but accepted the request showing outwardly his readiness. Indra resumed his rule with Vishvarupa’s guidance.

After some time, Indra was very desirous of his real Guru’s return and thought of performing a yajnya for the purpose. He requested Vishvarupa to perform the rites for same. Vishvarupa also agreed, at the same time plotting to work for the downfall of Indra. The holy fire was lit and yajnya started with chanting and offering oblations to Gods. With ill intent in his mind, Vishvarupa chanted distorted slokas with the intent of harming Indra. Indra while performing the rites could divine the thoughts running through former’s mind. He became enraged like the glowing yajnya fire, pulled out his most potent weapon Vajrayudha and slayed the interim Guru Vishvarupa. Thus he committed the sin of killing his preceptor also and as a result, the Brahmahatya curse and illness afflicted him. The Devas were now worried. They observed a lot of penance, yajnya etc., conducted appropriate rites and tried to help Indra to be released from the curse. Indra then resumed his normal duties.

On the other hand, Vishvarupa’s father Tvashta was enraged at the killing of his son by Indra. In order to wreak vengeance on Indra the slayer, he conducted a grand yajnya. From that yajnya fire rose a huge demon with sharp teeth, large red flaming eyes and his breath spouting wild flames. He was with many arms holding different weapons. The wild demon bowed to Tvashta, the master of yajnya, and asked what he should do. Tvashta rose like a volcano and said I am naming you Vrutrasura. Day by day your stature and anger will grow like a hill. You will go and bring Indra who killed my son.

The demon led an army and declared war on Indra. The latter also mounted on his elephant and came in response. The war started and the battle looked like the clash between two huge hills/ mountains. Neither of them was tired at all. Indra threw his best weapon on his adversary, which flew at the demon as fast as a lightning, but the latter could hold it up and hit Indra with a heavy steel pestle. Unable to bear the force of the pestle, Indra fainted and fell down. Vrutrasura seeing his adversary fall and faint, thought that he had died and left the battle field. A while later, Indra rose and realised what happened. He felt that it was not possible for him to defeat the demon and disappeared from there. He went to Satyaloka and saw Lord Brahma again. He sought Lord Brahma’s advice on how to defeat Vrutrasura.

Lord Brahma suggested that they should go and seek the advice and help of the Protector and Saviour of the world, Lord Narayana. Saying so, he accompanied Indra and both of them went to see Lord Vishnu who was reclining on his hooded Adishesha bed. Seeing them, Lord Narayana asked Lord Brahma the purpose of his visit along with Indra. Indra then bowed to the Lord and said Parandhama, the blue complexioned Lord Madhusoodana, I am being greatly troubled by Vrutrasura. Please show me a way to defeat him. The Lord Protector replied Recollect the battle you and devas fought against the asuras in the yore in the milky ocean for the nectar. After winning the battle, you had left all the arms you used with Dadheechi Maharishi. You had forgotten to redeem them. After waiting for a long time, the sage had swallowed all of them using his supernatural powers. They have all been lodged in his back and become a part and parcel of his backbone. Go and seek that bone from the Rishi who will gladly oblige you. Use it as a Vajrayudha and win your war with the demon

Indra proceeded on his mount Airavata, accompanied by Devas to great the Rishi’s ashram. They carried with them all kinds of fruits and gold coins as gifts. On reaching the ashram they placed the gifts in front of the Rishi. The Lord of devas then informed the Rishi of the advice given by Lord Narayana. The hermit replied that he would whole heartedly bless Indra for victory and told him If my back bone will be of such use to you, I shall gladly give it to you. I am ready to give you the same this moment. On hearing this, Indra was very glad and with happy tears and gratitude, he prostrated before the Rishi.

Dadheechi then sat in his meditative pose and told Indra This body is perishable and if it can be of use for you then I shall shed it now. Thus I will help dharma and achieve fame and appreciation for my sacrifice for a good cause. I shall now go into a trance and shed my life which will reach the feet of Lord Shiva. You can then take the backbone and make use of it. Dadheechi muni’s soul left his body soon.

The Lord of devas then took the backbone of the hermit and gave it to Devadatta, the celestial artisan/ carpenter, and asked him to convert it into a Vajrayudha. It was done. After getting that deadly weapon, Devendra felt rejuvenated. He collected his army and went to war with the demon again. Both sides fought fiercely which shook all the three worlds. Both sides used all sorts of weapons, like Fire, Wind, Naga, Garuda, Mohana and Jnyana. There were a lot of casualties on both sides.

Indra started brandishing his Vajrayudha which when finally swung, started chasing the Asura Soldiers and inflicted lot of damage on them. Seeing the damage and destruction caused by Vajrayudha, the demon felt that he could not stand against its force and like a lightning disappeared into the ocean. Indra followed him there but could not locate him in the deep and wide expanse of the ocean. However, he wanted to find him and finish him. He again went to Lord Brahma, paid his respects to him and sought his help and advice for finding Vrutrasura. Lord Brahma told him that it would be impossible to find the hiding asura unless the ocean is drained of all water and made dry. He also told Indra that the only person capable of doing it is Sage Agastya, who once took and contained the swollen and flowing River Cauvery within his water pot. You should proceed immediately to Podigai hills where the sage is doing Meditation and plead with him. Indra immediately proceeded South on his royal elephant mount. Agastya had gone South at the instructions of Lord Shiva in order to restore the balance of the land which had once tilted down in the North by the weight of all celestials including Lord Brahma and Vishnu assembled at the Sun’s wedding in Kailasa. He chose to stay in Podigai. It is said, that since he was appearing as a Shiva devotee with vibhuti smeared on body, the priests in the Vishnu’s temple there would not let him in. He returned donning the signs of a Vishnu devotee and when he was let in, he put his hand on the idol of Vishnu, which turned into a Shiva Linga establishing the fact of unity in both deities.

Meeting the diminutive Maharishi at his abode, Indra narrated all about Vrutrasura and requested the hermit to drain the ocean. Latter also immediately agreed to help the Lord of Devas and went into a deep meditation on the primeval Agni (fire) form of Lord Shiva. He then took a large drop of water (in the size of a black gram) in his palm imagining it as the sea water and did the religious rites of Achamaniyam (swallowing the water and repeating it three times chanting some mantras). As he did so, the sea dried up. After thanking Agastya, Indra went to the sea in search of the demon. Indra reached there and found the demon in deep meditation sitting by a mount unaware of what was happening around him. When Indra saw him near the mount in deep trance, he took his Vajrayudha and slayed the demon in one sweep and thus killed him. This act of his (killing one in deep meditation) became a sin and the curse of Brahmahatya caught Indra. He suffered from same and blabbered like a mad person. Unable to get rid of the curse/ disease, Indra went into hiding within the stem of a lotus in a lotus pond. Devas could not find him and became leaderless.

After deep parleys, the Devas came to a decision to request Nakula, a human who had done lot of penance and Ashvamedha yajnya many times, to become their Lord and rule them. He also gladly agreed and on a holy day took over the reins. Soon after, he wanted to have the company of Indrani, the wife of Indra. But Indrani who was faithful to Indra was not willing and she was worried how to avoid Nahusha. Ten years had passed since Bruhaspati had left. After doing meditation all this long, the Deva Guru had just returned when he heard of the predicament of Indrani. He then advised her that she should feign acceptance of Nahusha but impose a condition that he should come to her in a palanquin carried by the seven holy Rishis. (Saptarishis). He being the Lord of Devas, the Sapta Rishis could not refuse Nahusha’s orders. Agastya led them, carrying the royal sceptre. They carried the palanquin on their shoulders and proceeded at a normal pace. Nahusha wanted to reach Indrani quickly and hence urged his palanquin bearers to proceed fast like serpents and howled at them. Annoyed at this command, Agastya turned and cursed him saying you are a person with pleasure only in mind! You will turn into a serpent and die falling on the earth. Stung immediately by the curse, Nahusha turned into a serpent, fell down and reaching the earth he died.

Indrani and Devas were happy and they paid their respects and praised their Guru, they sought his forgiveness. The queen of celestials then requested the Guru to find through his divining capabilities where Indra was. The guru obliged and found where Indra was hiding. He then proceeded to the Lotus pond and standing on the bank called out to Indra and asked him to come out. Indra, on hearing the sweet welcoming voice of his preceptor was very happy and came out of his hiding. He was overjoyed, came out, greeted his guru and paid obeisance to him. Bruhaspati, on seeing the condition of his disciple was saddened and told Indra that they should go to the earth for getting rid of the Brahmahatya curse.

They both came back to Amaravati, the celestial capital, and met the queen and other devas. The latter were all very happy to see them both and greeted them. Then the guru blessed them all and told the queen and others that Indra and he would have to go the earth for seeking remedy for his affliction. Taking leave of them both left. Indra mounted his horse and Bruhaspati and Devas climbed the Flower decked aircraft. The retinue went down to the earth. They first went to Mount Kailasa, the abode of Lord Shiva and His consort the Daughter of the Hills. They reached the snow-clad peak shining in its white splendour due to the presence of Lord Shiva. Paying their respects to the mount, they proceeded down South. They had holy dip in the sacred Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers and visited Kedarnath, Amarnath, Kashi and other holy places and prayed. Still, the affliction of Indra did not leave.

Then the Guru advised that they should proceed further South. They reached the fertile lands covered with trees and vegetation and pleasant environment. They thus had reached the holy Kadambavana, a thick forest area. The moment they reached that forest, the affliction of Indra disappeared. He now appeared hale and hearty and his body shone with a golden glow. Observing the same, Bruhaspati the Guru was overjoyed. So were the Devas who celebrated the occasion singing and dancing. He blessed the king and narrated to him about the holiness and greatness of that forest. He then informed Indra that it was the most appropriate place for Indra to do meditation and counseled him to stay back and do same and return. The Guru then left.

Indra and devas then went deep into the forest which had an abundance of sandalwood trees and other flowering plants. The spring breeze blowing there was sweet smelling and soothing. Some devas were sent exploring the area. They saw a nice stream flowing through the forest and found the camaraderie existing amongst the different animals and birds there. They found tigers and deers drinking water from the stream standing side by side. Some tigress was found feeding hungry baby antelope. On a rock nearby, they saw some eagles spreading their wings to protect young serpents from Sun’s heat. They also saw a Svayambhu Linga under the shade of a tree on the bank of the stream. A little latter, some devas returned excitedly and told their king about the peaceful environment near the stream and said Deep inside, on the river bank we saw a Shiva Linga with bright light emanating from same. It was bright beyond description. Once you have looked at the idol, you go on seeing the same wherever you look. It is so impressive and captivating. Hearing the same, Indra proceeded there. En route he found a lotus pond in which he took bath. He donned a necklace of rudraksha and smeared Tiruneeru over his body. With raised and folded hands he reached the Kadamba tree under which was the Linga. He went round the same, prostrated and prayed to the Lord and showered the lotus flowers they had brought, on the Linga.

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With the intention of doing an Abhishekha (bathing the idol) and doing Archana (chanting of the Lord’s different names, deeds and greatness) he sent the devas to go and collect the materials required for same like flowers, grains, fruits, gold etc.. The devas collected all required material and brought them to the holy tree. Indra called the celestial architect Vishvakarma and asked him to make a towered shelter over the Linga. Latter quickly made a beautiful Vimana which came down from the heaven. Indra placed it as a shelter over the Linga, supported by eight mighty mountain-like elephants in eight directions. It was embellished with lot of artistic figures of lions etc., and jewels. The king of the devas decided to do festive prayers to the Lord on the full moon day of the month of Chittirai (the first month of the holy Tamil calendar). Devas went to the Indraloka to bring all