Thiru Adanur - Revision history

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 == References ==
 <references />
 [[Category:Article needs attention]]

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 [[Category:Temples]]
-Thiru Adanur is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples situated 9 kms from Kumbakonam and 3 kms from Swamimalai.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
+{{NeedCitation}}Thiru Adanur is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples situated 9 kms from Kumbakonam and 3 kms from Swamimalai.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
 == Introduction ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:17, 20 September 2018
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	== References ==		== References ==
		+	<references />
		+	[[Category:Article needs attention]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Temples]]
-Thiru Adanur is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples situated 9 kms from Kumbakonam and 3 kms from Swamimalai.
+Thiru Adanur is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples situated 9 kms from Kumbakonam and 3 kms from Swamimalai.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
-=== Introduction ===
+== Introduction ==
-There are 108 shrines considered as sacred to Vishnu. Thiru Adanur is one of them that is of great antiquity and is held in high veneration. Here, Vishnu reclines as Aandalakkum Aiyan. He is believed to have been worshipped by Bhargava Rishi and Adishesha.
+There are 108 shrines considered as sacred to Vishnu. Thiru Adanur is one of them that is of great antiquity and is held in high veneration. Here, Vishnu reclines as Aandalakkum Aiyan. He is believed to have been worshipped by Bhargava Rishi and Adishesha.<ref name=":0" />
 {| class="wikitable"
-|+Thiru Adanur at a glance
+|+Thiru Adanur at a glance<ref name=":0" />
 |Vishnu here is referred to as
 |Aandalakkum Aiyan
 |-
 |Lakshmi is referred to by the names
-|Ranganayakiyar, Bhargavi, Kamalahasini, Sri Chakranivasini, Mantra Priteshvari
+|Ranganayakiyar, Bhargavi, Kamalavasini, Sri Chakranivasini, Mantra Priteshvari
 |-
 |Kshetra is referred to as
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 |3 kms from Swamimalai
 |}
-=== Structure ===
+== Structure ==
-The temple of Thiru Adanur situated in the centre of the village, is said to be a perfect specimen of Dravidian architecture. In its present form, the temple is located on a one-acre site. The construction of the temple is solid yet simple. The shrine comprises of a small tower that dominates the landscape with a three tier Rajagopuram. The designs on the Gopuram is that of small squares converging at the summit into a tower. This symbolically represents the thought that every being has to merge ultimately with the Supreme. While, inside the sanctum the atmosphere is very calm and quiet, dark but sublime. The temple houses a separate shrine for Sri Lakshmi and does not possess any extraordinary sculptures. However, that is compensated by the multitude of its legends.
+The temple of Thiru Adanur situated in the centre of the village, is said to be a perfect specimen of Dravidian architecture. In its present form, the temple is located on a one-acre site. The construction of the temple is simple. The shrine comprises of a small tower that dominates the landscape with a three tier Rajagopuram. The design on the Gopuram is that of small squares converging at the summit into a tower. This symbolically represents the thought that every being has to merge ultimately with the Supreme. While, inside the sanctum the atmosphere is very calm and quiet, dark but sublime. The temple houses a separate shrine for Sri Lakshmi and does not possess any extraordinary sculptures. However, that is compensated by the multitude of its legends.<ref name=":0" />
-=== Deity ===
+== Deity ==
-Narayana here, is known as Aandalakkum Aiyan, the one who is the essence of time. It is believed that He measures our action and metes out the rewards or punishment deftly. And while doing so, as proclaimed by the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], He has no friend or foe. He is seen in a reclining posture resting on a measuring bushel (Marakkal) facing the east. Sri Lakshmi is known by several names and is popularly worshipped as Kamalavasini and Ranganayaki. Surya and Chandra Pushkarnis are the holy thirthas in this kshetra and the vimana is known as Pranava vimana. Tradition goes that Mahavishnu appeared before Brghu, Agni, Kamadhenu and Thirumangai Alwar. The temple is revered by Thirumangai Alwar in one of his pasurams.
+Narayana here, is known as Aandalakkum Aiyan. He is the essence of time. It is believed that He measures our action and metes out the rewards or punishment deftly. And while doing so, as proclaimed by the [[Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता)|Bhagavad Gita]], He has no friend or foe. He is seen in a reclining posture resting on a measuring bushel (Marakkal) facing the east. Sri Lakshmi is known by several names and is popularly worshipped as Kamalavasini and Ranganayaki. Surya and Chandra Pushkarinis are the holy thirthas in this kshetra and the vimana is known as Pranava vimana. Tradition goes that Mahavishnu appeared before Brghu, Agni, Kamadhenu and Thirumangai Alwar. The temple is revered by Thirumangai Alwar in one of his pasurams.<ref name=":0" />
-=== Legends ===
+== Legends ==
-The Brahmanda purana extols the glory of the Lord of this shrine in great detail.
+The Brahmanda purana extols the glory of the Lord of this shrine in great detail.<ref name=":0" />
-==== Adishesha's Samashrayana ====
+=== Adishesha's Samashrayana ===
-According to a purana, once Mahavishnu left paramapada and came to Adanur in search of solitude. He was accompanied neither by his consort nor Adisesha. In the meanwhile, Adishesha began searching for his master. After a long search, he traced Mahavishnu to this sacred spot. Looking at the plight of his master, reclining on the ground without any couch, Adishesha was grief-stricken and inconsolable.The Lord of Vaikunta wanted to test whether Shesha was the same Sarpa Raja that he had known from time immemorial. As Adisesha proved his identity to Mahavishnu, he was initiated into the fold of Vaishnavism. Bhagavan himself performed the ritual of Samashrayana. This ritual, also known as Mudra Dharanam, is the ritual of initiation. It is, when the devotee is branded on the shoulders with the emblem of Vishnu's shankha and chakra (discus and conch). As a reflection of this incident, one can see the mark of discus and conch on the Adishesha's hood in this kshetra which is symbolic of the Mudra dharanam. Therefore, here in Adanur, Mahavishnu himself became the Acharya to Adishesha.
+According to a purana, once Mahavishnu left paramapada and came to Adanur in search of solitude. He was accompanied neither by his consort nor Adisesha. In the meanwhile, Adishesha began searching for his master. After a long search, he traced Mahavishnu to this sacred spot. Looking at the plight of his master, reclining on the ground without any couch, Adishesha was grief-stricken and inconsolable.The Lord of Vaikunta wanted to test whether Shesha was the same Sarpa Raja that he had known from time immemorial. As Adisesha proved his identity to Mahavishnu, he was initiated into the fold of Vaishnavism. Bhagavan himself performed the ritual of Samashrayana. This ritual, also known as Mudra Dharana, is the ritual of initiation. It is, when the devotee is branded on the shoulders with the emblem of Vishnu's shankha and chakra (discus and conch). As a reflection of this incident, one can see the mark of discus and conch on the Adishesha's hood in this kshetra which is symbolic of the Mudra dharana. Therefore, here in Adanur, Mahavishnu himself became the Acharya to Adishesha.<ref name=":0" />
-==== Mahavishnu's aid to Thirumangai Azhwar ====
+=== Mahavishnu's aid to Thirumangai Azhwar ===
-According to another legend, Mahavishnu once directed Thirumangai Azhwar in his dream to go to the bank of Kollidam river. Thirumangai Azhwar then followed the lord's instructions and reached the bank of Kollidam river. There, he met a trader with a weighing measure. It was this unknown mystic who helped Thirumangai Azhwar in the construction of [[Srirangam]] temple boundary wall. The mystic was also holding a palm leaf and writing instrument. This mystic trader gave everyone a bushel full of mud, but in the Azhwar's hand it turned out to be gold while with the rest it remained as mud. The crowd became furious and started attacking the mystic. At this juncture, the Azhwar brandished his sword to drive away the crowd. This incident is depicted in the Garbagrha with the Azhwar brandishing a sword in one hand. As the mystic trader travelled, Azhwar also followed him who reached the Adanur temple and disappeared. Then Mahavishnu gave darshana to Azhwar in the bhujanga shayana form with weighing measure as his pillow, left hand holding the palm leaf and the right holding the writing instrument.
+According to another legend, Mahavishnu once directed Thirumangai Azhwar in his dream to go to the bank of Kollidam river. Thirumangai Azhwar then followed the lord's instructions and reached the bank of Kollidam river. There, he met a trader with a weighing measure. It was this unknown mystic who helped Thirumangai Azhwar in the construction of [[Srirangam]] temple boundary wall. The mystic was also holding a palm leaf and writing instrument. This mystic trader gave everyone a bushel full of mud, but in the Azhwar's hand it turned out to be gold while with the rest it remained as mud. The crowd became furious and started attacking the mystic. At this juncture, the Azhwar brandished his sword to drive away the crowd. This incident is depicted in the Garbagrha with Azhwar brandishing a sword in one hand. As the mystic trader traveled, Azhwar also followed him who reached the Adanur temple and disappeared. Then Mahavishnu gave darshana to Azhwar in the bhujanga shayana form with weighing measure as his pillow, left hand holding the palm leaf and the right holding the writing instrument.<ref name=":0" />
-==== Birth of Mahalakshmi ====
+=== Birth of Mahalakshmi ===
-Bhargava Maharishi, was in deep penance at Adanur with the desire that he be blessed with goddess Lakshmi herself as his daughter. Finally, one day he found a female child near the temple pushkarini and named her Bhargavi. Thus, his desire to have goddess Lakshmi as his daughter got fulfilled. Therefore, this kshetra is known as Bhargava Kshetra. When Sri Lakshmi in the form of Bhargavi came of age, Mahavishnu descended to Adanur and asked for her hand in marriage. And the Lord himself became Bhargava Muni's son-in-law.
+Bhargava Maharishi, was in deep penance at Adanur with the desire that he be blessed with goddess Lakshmi herself as his daughter. Finally, one day he found a female child near the temple pushkarini and named her Bhargavi. Thus, his desire to have goddess Lakshmi as his daughter got fulfilled. Therefore, this kshetra is known as Bhargava Kshetra. When Sri Lakshmi in the form of Bhargavi came of age, Mahavishnu descended to Adanur and asked for her hand in marriage. And the Lord himself became Bhargava Muni's son-in-law.<ref name=":0" />
-==== Shapa Vimochana Sthala ====
+=== Shapa Vimochana Sthala ===
 * It was in this place that [[Agni (आग्निः)|Agni]] bhagavan was relieved of his curse. Therefore, this place is called as a Shapa Vimochana Sthala. Prof. S. Narayanan says,
 <blockquote>''"According to legend, Agni Bhagavan lured by its idyllic and sylvan surroundings bathed in the waters of repentance and got relieved of his curse by practising severe austerity at this Bhargava kshetra representing the quintessence of bhakti marga."''</blockquote>
 * Also, it was here, that Lord [[Indra (इन्द्रः)|Indra]] regained his lost glory, wealth and kingdom after offering Kainkarya to Mahalakshmi.
-According to the legend, once Sage Durvasa was presented with a garland of rare Santhanaka flower by Goddess Lakshmi. In a completely devotional state of mind, the Muni gave the garland to Indra seated on Airavata, his elephant vahana. Failing to understand the sentiments of the Muni, he in turn gave away the garland to Airavata. Unable to realise the sanctity of the garland where Goddess Lakshmi dwelt, Airavata trampled the garland with his legs. This enraged the sage who cursed Indra that Sri Lakshmi would disappear from the three worlds ruled by him. Realising his folly, Indra then approached Mahavishnu and prayed to him for redemption. Sri Lakshmi then asked him to go to Adanur and pray at Bhargava kshetra where she would be born as the daughter of Bhargava Maharishi. As Indra came to this kshetra with prayer on his lips and faith in his heart, as promised, Sri Lakshmi cast a glance on him and redeemed him of Durvasa's curse and restored his lost glory and wealth.
+According to the legend, once Sage Durvasa was presented with a garland of rare Santhanaka flower by Goddess Lakshmi. In a completely devotional state of mind, the Muni gave the garland to Indra seated on Airavata, his elephant vahana. Failing to understand the sentiments of the Muni, he in turn gave away the garland to Airavata. Unable to realise the sanctity of the garland where Goddess Lakshmi dwelt, Airavata trampled the garland with his legs. This enraged the sage who cursed Indra that Sri Lakshmi would disappear from the three worlds ruled by him. Realising his folly, Indra then approached Mahavishnu and prayed to him for redemption. Sri Lakshmi then asked him to go to Adanur and pray at Bhargava kshetra where she would be born as the daughter of Bhargava Maharishi. As Indra came to this kshetra with prayer on his lips and belief in his heart, as promised, Sri Lakshmi cast a glance on him and redeemed him of Durvasa's curse and restored his lost glory and wealth.<ref name=":0" />
-==== Kamadhenu and Mahalakshmi ====
+=== Kamadhenu and Mahalakshmi ===
-As described in the earlier legend, Goddess Lakshmi disappeared from the three worlds because of sage Durvasa's curse. Due to this, the devas lost all their energy and strength. They became so weak that they were easily vanquished by the demons. Then, on the advice of Mahavishnu, they churned the ocean to recover Goddess Lakshmi. The devas and the asuras together churned the ocean using the serpant Vasuki as a rope. Many auspicious things like Kamadhenu, Dhanvantri and Kalpakavrksha emerged out of the ocean. Goddess Lakshmi was the last entity to come out from the churning. She came out and cast herself on the chest of Vishnu. In the meanwhile, Kamadhenu, the celestial cow wanted to have precedence over Mahalakshmi since she emerged before Lakshmi. She prayed to Mahavishnu to grant her supremacy. The Lord, the impartial judge, gave his weighing measure and asked Kamadhenu to fill it up with her aishwarya. The measuring unit did not get filled up fully. He then asked Mahalakshmi to reveal her qualities of aishwarya. With a prayer on her lips and devotion in her heart, Mahalakshmi took a tulsi from the Lord and placed it on the measuring unit; And the unit overflowed. Seeing this, Kamadhenu realised her folly and sought forgiveness by performing a deep penance. Moved by her sincerity, Mahavishnu appeared before Kamadhenu and forgave her. Symbolic of the incident, one can find Kamadhenu along with her calf in the sanctum at the feet of the Lord in this kshetra.
+As described in the earlier legend, Goddess Lakshmi disappeared from the three worlds because of sage Durvasa's curse. Due to this, the devas lost all their energy and strength. They became so weak that they were easily vanquished by the demons. Then, on the advice of Mahavishnu, they churned the ocean to recover Goddess Lakshmi. The devas and the asuras together churned the ocean using the serpant Vasuki as a rope. Many auspicious things like Kamadhenu, Dhanvantri and Kalpakavrksha emerged out of the ocean. Goddess Lakshmi was the last entity to come out from the churning. She came out and cast herself on the chest of Vishnu. In the meanwhile, Kamadhenu, the celestial cow wanted to have precedence over Mahalakshmi since she emerged before Lakshmi. She prayed to Mahavishnu to grant her supremacy. The Lord, the impartial judge, gave his weighing measure and asked Kamadhenu to fill it up with her aishwarya. The measuring unit did not get filled up fully. He then asked Mahalakshmi to reveal her qualities of aishwarya. With a prayer on her lips and devotion in her heart, Mahalakshmi took a tulsi from the Lord and placed it on the measuring unit; And the unit overflowed. Seeing this, Kamadhenu realised her folly and sought forgiveness by performing a deep penance. Moved by her sincerity, Mahavishnu appeared before Kamadhenu and forgave her. Symbolic of the incident, one can find Kamadhenu along with her calf in the sanctum at the feet of the Lord in this kshetra.<ref name=":0" />

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 The Brahmanda purana extols the glory of the Lord of this shrine in great detail.
-It was in this place that Agni bhagavan was relieved of his curse. Therefore, this place is called as a Shapa Vimochana Sthala.
+==== Adishesha's Samashrayana ====
-* Also, it was here, that Lord Indra regained his lost glory, wealth and kingdom after offering Kainkarya to Mahalakshmi. According to a purana, once Mahavishnu left paramapada and came to Adanur in search of solitude. He was neither accompanied by his consort nor Adisesha. In the meanwhile, Adishesha began searching for his master. After a long search, he traced Mahavishnu to this sacred spot. Looking at the plight of the Lord, reclining on the ground without any couch, Adishesha was grief-stricken and inconsolable.The Lord of Vaikunta wanted to test whether Shesha was the same Sarpa Raja that he had known from time immemorial. As Adisesha proved his identity to Mahavishnu, he was initiated into the fold of Vaishnavism. Bhagavan himself performed the ritual of Samashrayanam for initiation. This ritual is also known as Mudra Dharanam. It is when the devotee is branded on the shoulders with the emblem of Vishnu's shankha and chakra (discus and conch). As a mark of this incident, one can see the mark of discus and conch on the Adishesha's hood in this kshtra which is symbolic of the Mudra dharanam. Therefore, Mahavishnu himself became the Acharya to Adishesha.
+According to a purana, once Mahavishnu left paramapada and came to Adanur in search of solitude. He was accompanied neither by his consort nor Adisesha. In the meanwhile, Adishesha began searching for his master. After a long search, he traced Mahavishnu to this sacred spot. Looking at the plight of his master, reclining on the ground without any couch, Adishesha was grief-stricken and inconsolable.The Lord of Vaikunta wanted to test whether Shesha was the same Sarpa Raja that he had known from time immemorial. As Adisesha proved his identity to Mahavishnu, he was initiated into the fold of Vaishnavism. Bhagavan himself performed the ritual of Samashrayana. This ritual, also known as Mudra Dharanam, is the ritual of initiation. It is, when the devotee is branded on the shoulders with the emblem of Vishnu's shankha and chakra (discus and conch). As a reflection of this incident, one can see the mark of discus and conch on the Adishesha's hood in this kshetra which is symbolic of the Mudra dharanam. Therefore, here in Adanur, Mahavishnu himself became the Acharya to Adishesha.
-According to another legend, once Sage Durvasa was presented with a garland of rare Santhanaka flower by Goddess Lakshmi. In an atmosphere surcharged with devotion the Muni gave the garland to Indra seated on Airavatha. Failing to understand the sentiments of the Muni, he in turn gave away the garland to the elephant Airavatha. Unable to realise the sanctity of the garland where Goddess Lakshmi dwelt Airavata trampled the garland with his legs. The sage got angry at this and cursed Indra that Lakshmi would disappear from the three worlds ruled by him. Realising his folly Indra approached Vishnu and prayed to him for redemption. Lakshmi asked him to go to Adanoor and pray at Bhargava kshetra where she would be born as the daughter of Bhargava Maharishi.
+==== Mahavishnu's aid to Thirumangai Azhwar ====
-At the same time Bhargava Maharishi was in deep penance at Adanoor. One day he found a female child near the temple pushkarni. He named her Bhargavi. Thus as per his desire he was blessed with the goddess Lakshmi incarnated as his daughter and the Lord of four arms becoming his son-in-law. Therefore this place is known as Bhargava Kshetra. When she came of age the Lord descended to Adanoor and asked for her hand in marriage.
+==== Birth of Mahalakshmi ====
-Meanwhile Indra came to this kshetra with a prayer on his lips and faith in his heart. As promised Lakshmi cast a glance on Indra and redeemed him of Durvasa's curse and restored his lost glory and wealth. Legend also tells that once the devas had lost all their energy and strength. They became so weak that they were easily vanquished by the demons. On the advice of Vishnu they churned the ocean to recover Goddess Lakshmi who had disappeared from the three worlds because of sage Durvasa's curse. The devas and the asuras churned the ocean using Vasuki, the serpent as a rope. Goddess Lakshmi came out as the last entity. She cast herself on the chest of Vishnu. Many auspicious things like Kamadenu, Dhanvantri and Kalpakavriksha emerged out of the ocean. Kamadenu, the celestial cow wanted to have precedence over Lakshmi since she emerged first. She prayed to the Lord to grant supremacy. The Lord, the impartial judge, gave his weighing measure and asked her to fill it up with her aishwarya. The measuring unit did not get filled up fully. He then asked Mahalakshmi to reveal her qualities of aishwarya. With a prayer on her lips and devotion in her heart Mahalakshmi took a tulsi from the Lord and placed it on the measuring unit. The unit overflowed with Kamadenu realising her folly. She sought forgiveness by her deep penance. Moved by her sincerity the Lord appeared before Kamadenu and forgave her. Symbolic of the incidence one can find Kamadenu along with her calf in the sanctum at the feet of the Lord.*
+==== Shapa Vimochana Sthala ====

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 === Legends ===
-There is no account of this temple which can be complete without the sketch of the Lord who reclines and saves mankind.  The main spring of inspiration for this kshetra is provided by the Alwar saints and their hymns dating back to aeons of time. and Brahmanda puran extols the glory of the Lord in great detail.
+The Brahmanda purana extols the glory of the Lord of this shrine in great detail.
 According to legend, Agni Bhagwan lured by its idyllic and sylvan surroundings bathed in the waters of repentance and got relieved of his curse by practising severe austerity at this Bhargava kshetra representing the quintessence of bhakti marga.

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 |}
 === Structure ===
-Situated in the centre of the village the three tier temple is a perfect specimen of Dravidian architecture. The old temple in ruins managed by Ahobila Mutt. The temple in its present form is located on a one-acre site with a separate shrine for Lakshmi. The temple is solid and simple in its construction. An imposing but small tower dominates the landscape and the temple has a special reason and awesome background that heightens its glory. An unassuming three tier Rajagopuram with designs of small squares converging at the summit into a tower symbolically represents that every being has to merge ultimately with the Supreme. Inside the sanctum the atmosphere is very calm and quiet, dark but sublime. The temple does not possess sculptures of extraordinary merit but it is compensated by many of its legends.
+The temple of Thiru Adanur situated in the centre of the village, is said to be a perfect specimen of Dravidian architecture. In its present form, the temple is located on a one-acre site. The construction of the temple is solid yet simple. The shrine comprises of a small tower that dominates the landscape with an unassuming three tier Rajagopuram. The designs on the Gopuram is that of small squares converging at the summit into a tower. This symbolically represents the thought that every being has to merge ultimately with the Supreme. While, inside the sanctum the atmosphere is very calm and quiet, dark but sublime. The temple houses a separate shrine for Sri Lakshmi and does not possess any extraordinary sculptures. However, that is compensated by the multitude of its legends.
 === Deity ===