8.Bringing Vaigai

Thatatakai and her relatives learnt some spiritual lessons from the episode of Gundotharan feeling tremendously hungry. They must have especially changed their habit of assessing people based on their wealth.

At this point, Devi asks the Lord the way to sate Gundotharan’s hunger. This indicates the humility with which a soul surrenders to its partner losing all arrogance.

The Lord made four ladles of curd rice to materialise and offered it to Bhootam, thus satiating his hunger. Then when a similar thirst attacked Gundotharan, Lord made the Ganges flowing from his locks to flow as Vegavati. He instructed the Bhootam to place his hand on a spot (Vai kai) and a spring erupted and a stream flowed out. Bhootam’s thirst was quenched on drinking that water, scriptures say.

Now let’s try to understand the inner meaning of this episode.

What is curd rice?

Properly set milk is called curd. This is another trait if milk. Milk is believed to separate from blood. It indicates its expansiveness. The spread out mind tends to become restless. To calm it one must set it with knowledge.

The mind that could not be controlled by the elements will now be controlled by knowledge. The significance of the Lord serving him four ladles of rice is that he uses body-mind-knowledge and awareness to spiritual train and conquer the senses.

Why should hunger give way to thirst?

In spirituality, after realising ‘Who am I?’ comes the next step of what to do with that knowledge, which is what this thirst signifies.

Ganges is an emblem of complete, selfless service. That should be the ultimate goal of the spiritual journey in one’s life. Vedas say that if that thirst is not quenched, then one gets caught in the birth-death cycle.

The words “Kai Vai (place your hands)” suggest place your hand on your heart and stop the flow of desires that make you do evil to fulfil those desires. It is this that leads to one being born again and again.

Only if there is heavy rains in the western ghats during monsoons will the Vaigai river have water. Monsoon here refers to the timely service done to individuals and society in the name of the divine. Only then will the Ganges like Vaigai flow and wash the sins of mankind.

Through the marital bond, the spiritual journey should begin. Sins should come down. For that the desire for material things should come down. The Vaigai river in Madurai shows the way for this. But today we see marriages leading to more and more materialism and the resulting sins. This episode hints at the need for people to see beyond their material – physical and emotional – needs.

Om Namaha Shivaya! 

7.Gundotharan Feels Very Hungry

In Meenakshi wedding feast, the guests from the groom’s side were less than expected. So a huge quantity of food remained untouched. Meenakshi’s mother arrogantly teases the groom about it. Devi too argues with her husband about it. Scriptures say that to teach the mother and daughter a lesson, Lord Siva created ravenous hunger in one of the accompanying Bhootas called Gundotharan, who held the umbrella for the groom, and he started gobbling everything quickly, making the women realise their mistake.

Let’s examine the inner meaning of this episode. It is said that Kanchi Paramacharya once fasted for many days and then consumed a feast made for several people to make people in his realise some of their mistakes.

Who is Gundotharan?

He was a dwarf Bhootam, that is, those who live in the consciousness at the physical level. It is only with the physical body can man start his spiritual quest.

What was his role?

To hold the umbrella over the lord’s head.

Why does the lord need shade?

Our body made of the five elements (bhootas), made aware of the supreme consciousness through spiritual practice, is shaded from arrogance, ignorance and corruption by awareness.

The umbrella that spreads the protective shade is knowledge. We gain that knowledge by obtaining a physical body. The body and mind mature and instead of living a wayward life, it enables us to live in total awareness with knowledge.

What is the significance of the Lord making Gundotharan hungry?

After the strenuous spiritual training, the desires rise up again. This is dangerous, and the Lord makes his Lady realise this. He also indicates to her how their spiritual practice once they start their marital life should be.

If the hunger that was suppressed rises again, it is very difficult to satiate it. Those who follow the spiritual path can again become slaves to their desires easily. Their awareness will try to stop them. Sometimes, despite that they will give in to make some people realise some truths. They will do it knowing it is divine guidance. One must think about this deeply.

It is a Bhoota that holds the umbrella over the Lord’s head, and it is the same Bhoota that roams into homes in a state of severe hunger, looking for food. It is the divine within that is responsible for both actions. That is why the spiritually evolved should not become contemptuous of their non-spiritual friends. They should realise that it is the divine that guides them on the spiritual path. That is why idols show many Bhootas surrounding the Lord.

There are several Bhootas performing a different function. These sculptures indicate that humans made of these Bhootas should do at least one such divine work. This is the significance of the Bhoota vehicle too.

Om Namah Shivaya!

6. The Tale of Dance on Silver stage

Saivism is unique in worshipping dance as a manifestation of the divine, not seen in any other religions of the world.

The constant cosmic movement can be called the divine dance. To make one realise this, people started worshipping the divine through various dance postures. In the various Siva sthalas in Tamil Nadu, Siva is worshipped in various dance postures, each posture signifying something profound.

Saivaite scriptures refer to five places where Siva is depicted in a dancing form:

1. Chidambaram – Golden tower
2. Madurai – Silver tower
3. Tirunelveli – Copper tower
4. Thiru Alankadu – Gems tower
5. Kutralam – Painted tower

Each of these towers is covered by one of the metals. In Kutralam it is covered by painting. Each metal signifies a state.

1. Painting – Drawn creatively with many colours, it signifies our body
2. Nine gems – It represents the nine qualities of human beings
3. Copper – It absorbs everything quickly. This signifies knowledge
4. Silver – With each polish, it shines more. When knowledge is internalised through experience, the mind shines too. Silver signifies self-knowledge 
5. Gold – This is a rare metal and signifies enlightenment - which is also rare.

We can realise the divine within us with the extreme attentiveness of the snake and alertness of a tiger. The resulting understanding of the Truth and the joy that is born by serving others through knowledge is epitomised in the divine dance. The yoga sakthi and self knowledge within us have been given the form of Patanjali – the sage in the form of a snake – and Vyaghrapathar – the tiger-claw-footed sage.

The dance was performed in the wedding reception in Madurai. The city is different in many ways. Normally, the reception used to be held after the wedding, though these days it is held before. Patanjali and Vyaghrapathar wanted to witness the divine dance of Siva, who obliged by performing on top of the silver tower.

Thatatakai beseeched her husband to perform the dance before their wedding. Her deep desire is born from her knowledge and awareness.

The Groom’s Dance

Understanding his wife’s knowledge, Lord Siva must have explained the significance of the Divine Dance to the assembled guests in detail. The Mother and the others would have absorbed the essence and witnessed the dance with their Inner Eye. Later the silver tower must have been constructed near Somasundareshwara’s sanctum sanctorum, and the 10-armed, dancing sculpture of the lord consecrated. The 10-arms idol of the lord is unique to this city where each arm wields a different weapon. They represent the conversion of arrogance to knowledge. That tower is broad and long. Thatathakai’s wedding could have taken place there.

On the first evening of the wedding, the Lord in the form of the husband displays the purpose of the wedding through the Divine Dance. Since he danced at dusk, it is called Sandhya Dance. Sandhya also indicates the end- that is the experience of complete knowledge. Maybe this was the greatest wedding gift for the Mother.

Seeing the divine dance with the inner eye is realising the non-duality between the divine and the self. The dance shows that the Atma and the Paramatma are one and the same.

Om Namah Shivaya! 

5. Meenakshi’s wedding

This girl has earned the true respect and love of her people. Her people thought of her as their god. Under her rule, the Pandya Empire was divided into 365 units. Everyday one of the units should pay the taxes.

Everybody admires her eyes. She commands 8000 elephants, 5000 chariots and 10,000 soldiers.

These facts are noted by historian Pliny who visited Madurai several centuries ago. He refers to the girl as ‘Pandeya’.

Historical records show that this girl is no other than the beautifully sculpted, world-renowned gem among women, Meenakshi. Like the histories of Rama and Krishna, the story of Meenakshi has become one with Madurai.

Because she had eyes like the fish she was called Meenakshi (eyes like a fish).

Because she protected her people the way a fish protects its little ones, she was called Meenakshi.

Just as the fish cannot live without water, she also was always submerged in enhancing her inner consciousness.

Because she showed how women should run their families, she became the Queen Among Women – Mangaiyarkarasi.

Because her hair represents her heightened Siva consciousness, she is called Abhishekavalli.

Because she protected her lands extending up to Kanyakumari, she is called  Kumarithuraiyaval.

Because she was unequalled in beauty, intelligence and culture, she is Abiramavalli.

Because she can absorb knowledge like camphor absorbs fire, she is Karpooravalli.

The Divine Mother has so many names!

History says that at a time when many noble kings ruled the various Indian kingdoms, she was the only queen.

Valluvar says that people consider the king who protects them their god. It is true that this girl also realised the Supreme within herself. She trained to be a good king under her father. She learnt all that was needed to become a good queen, including warfare. But along with all that, she also learnt spiritual enquiry. Such a girl was Thatathakai.

Thatatakai ruled the Pandya kingdom after Malayadhwajan. She was crowned ceremonially and took over the reins of the kingdom.

At the appropriate age, talks of her marriage began. In those days, Pandya kingdom was known for giving women several rights. Realising she would need a partner who would encourage and support her in her spiritual quest, she sought and obtained her parents’ blessings to seek her ideal partner on her own.

Breast falls

When a woman traverses the path of spirituality with her husband, she reaches the masculine Purusha in spirit. One can say that this is the significance of Thatathakai losing her third breast.

Thatathakai fought wars successfully against north Indian kingdoms and then turned her attention to fight the Lankan army headed by Siva. On encountering Siva, she realised she was Shakti and lost her third breast. All of us know that Siva then came to Madurai to ask for her hand and married her as per traditions. There are thousands of poems and literature to sing the glory of the great wedding. In the Madurai Meenakshi temple’s Chitra festival, the wedding takes pride of place. Now let us examine the inner meaning and the miracles associated with the wedding.

What’s Special about Meenakshi’s Wedding?

Unlike other dynasties, Thatatakai did not marry for ensuring heirs. Her goal was to evoke the spiritual energy within her. Who was she, what was she, what was the truth behind her femininity, why had she accepted the rare privilege to become the queen of India, what is marriage, why marry, what is the true significance of it – there is no doubt that she had deeply contemplated these questions and knew the answer well.

A highly enlightened woman tries to attain the purpose of her birth in whatever way possible. She knows that it is possible through marriage and so seeks a suitable life partner.

The significance of saying she saw met her Lord in Kailash is that at the peak of self-realisation, she had the courage to choose a man who had realised the higher truth.

Meenakshi’s wedding was conducted with the fanfare appropriate for a princess. The son-in-law, knowing his wife’s responsibility to her people, agrees to help her in governing her kingdom. Anybody who has realised himself to be one with the Supreme is Sivam. Siva as Sokkeswarar clasps Thatatakai’s hand and rules the kingdom with her.

 The sculpture depicting Meenakshi’s wedding can be seen in the temple. It explicitly displays the inner meaning of our weddings. That is why that image has the pride of place in the wedding invitation of Tamilians.

Thatatakai is the embodiment of Sakthi. Puranas project Sakthi as Mahavishnu’s younger sister. That sculpture shows Vishnu giving away his sister’s hand in marriage to Siva. That is, knowledge is surrendering itself to self-awareness. Brother and sister are one and the same.

What is the Inner Meaning?

Vishnu is the embodiment of complete knowledge. The other form of that knowledge is life power. Siva is total self-awareness. When the life force unites completely with self-awareness, it realises the Divine within it and makes true the says ‘Aham Brahmosmi’ – I am the Divine. That is salvation.

What is Knowledge?

There is nothing called ‘I’. Everything is the Divine. This knowledge is the ultimate Knowledge.

What should one who has been enlightened do?

An enlightened soul should try to understand it through experience. That is a spiritual achievement. That is the state of awareness.

How does one realise the Divine within oneself?

The union of Siva-Sakthi in oneself can be realised by realising the divine within, the divine in others and everything around, doing only good, and serving others with love.

What is the significance of marriage?

Only to realise this truth a man and woman should marry. The service they do to their household is the best way to realise the Sivam within themselves, in each other and in everything around. This is the first lesson Siva gave to Parvati in Mount Kailasha on their first night together.

To experience that and realise it deeply, the Mother Divine took birth in different forms in different parts of India blessing the people of the country.

She is the life force, and we are not separate from Her.

Thatatakai accepted her husband as her guru and started her marital life in her own kingdom. That is why Her wedding festival in Madurai is so popular across the globe. That is why Madurai is also considered auspicious for weddings. Even today Madurai highlights the significance of marriage in our lives. Meenakshi’s wedding is the root for all the miracles there.

Therefore we should understand the inner meaning of Meenakshi wedding. Everyone should also emulate that divine couple in their married lives.

Om Namah Shivaya

• Try to be part of the three-day Chitirai festival which begins with the coronation of Queen Thatathakai, her campaign and her wedding.
• Why do Mother and Lord fight each other in the campaign?
• Our life force does not easily allow its femininity to be destroyed. This battle is portrayed in the campaign. Femininity is not just about the feminine form, but the longings and emotions so typical of human life.

4. Energy Incarnating as Meenakshi

God is also called ‘Avyaja Karuna Murthy’, someone who showers love and grace beyond measure. Then, we may ask, why does man suffer so much? That is a valid question.

No one realises that all that a man is determined to have and not have in this birth, god grants him those in the next.

How many know that those who want to live off others all the time without doing any hard work end up being conmen and beggars in the next?

Those who hate their parents lose their parents very early in the next birth. He who hates marriage will find it difficult to get married in the next birth. He who hates kids will have to do severe penance to beget one.

Similarly, we forget all the good that happens to us with God’s kind grace.

Kanchanamalai’s daughter, the Queen

Kulasekara Pandya’s son Malayadwaja Pandya married Kanchanamalai, a highly born noble woman. The couple follow the path of dharma in their personal lives as well as in ruling the kingdom.

But they become sad as even after several years of being married, they do not have children. They worried that they did not have an heir who would take on their mantle. The king did many Ashwamedha Yagas, but spiritual guides made him realise that it will only earn him power and affluence. They told him to do Putrakameshti Yaga to be blessed with a child.

Meanwhile Kanchanamala also consulted a spiritual guru to find out why they were childless. Hearing the truth calmed her and she was able to undertake the fasts and prayers with deeper devotion. But what was the truth she heard?

The Story Continues

Even at birth, Vidyavati enjoyed the strength of having done good in her previous births. A beautiful princess, she became a devotee of Devi at a young age, and with the guidance of a spiritual guru, worshipped Devi with Tirupurasundari chant.

Her good deeds brought her to the Kadam forest where she realised the Sakthi of the linga there and worshipped it as Devi, keeping several fasts. She was overjoyed when she glimpsed the young form of Balambika, the Divine Power in the form of a three-year-old girl, in her inner mind. She wanted that child to be always with her like her daughter. God fulfils every desire of every human being, doesn’t he?

The Mother blessed her that She would fulfil this desire in her next birth. That Vidyavati is Kanchanamala today.

Realising that the Divine Mother was going to be born as her child, Kanchanamala started preparing herself accordingly. During the Putrakameshti Yaga performed in the presence of the elders, a three year old girl emerged from the holy fire.

As the ghee of devotion in the fire of desire, the knowledge in the form of the divine is evoked within us. That is the Divine Mother’s incarnation as the Fire of Knowledge. Through the power of a yaga, one can destroy a city, rule over a city or obtain the grace of the Mother. The choice is ours, as are the consequences.

Anything obtained for desire will cause disappointment. This is the Eternal Truth. Though the Mother herself was born as the daughter, the king and the queen had reason to be disappointed.

The mother was born with three breasts. The royal couple lamented the birth of an abnormal child.

 Breasts are a symbol of femininity, representation of pleasure. Sakthi is the epitome of pleasure combined with love. The fructifying of this pleasurable love leads one to Sivam. The presence of a third breast indicates the presence of intense power.

The near and dear ones said that when she found her soul mate, the third breast would vanish. What did that mean?

This indicates that when that child transcends its state of being Sakthi and realises the Sivam within her, then she will become part of the Divine One.

So long as the Supreme Power remains supreme, there are no problems. But the moment It incarnates as Sakthi, It is compelled to be bound by universal laws, rules and regulations. The Mother heeds to her devotee’s prayers and is born as her daughter. Being born in a human form, she has to attain salvation like all others. There are no exceptions to this rule. She is now the loved daughter of Malayadwajan and Kanchanamala and heir to the Madurai throne. Her parents lovingly name her as Thatathakai.

Thatatakai has started her journey to overcome hurdles and attain her conscious state. That is our journey too.

Om Namah Sivaya!

Beautiful rock cut sculptures of Kulasekaran – who established Madurai – Dhananjayan and Thatatakai can be seen in the northern side of the lotus pond.

Can a child emerge from the hoy fire? A good question. Read the article on miracles. Also, this should be understood as the couple begetting a child with all the qualities of and in the image of the Divine Mother because of this highly developed spiritual maturity. That awareness combined with heightened consciousness is the fire of knowledge. This is how the parents of Rama and Krishna also prayed. In those cases, the cosmic energy took the qualities of Maha Vishnu.

3. Indra Loses Himself

As per our CAC patter, we can see Thiruvilayadal at five levels like our BMIAC. (Before that, read the book on Miracles and comprehend it well.)

Where does Indra live?

It can be said that Indra is the one controlling our five senses. A life force, as it develops into an enlightened being step by step, still sometimes slips due to the confusions caused by the senses. The Puranas transform these into stories where Indra is cursed or confused.

Who is Guru, Jupiter?

The Devas stand for the good in us.  Their head is Indra. Guiding them towards enlightenment is their Guru, Jupiter of Bruhaspati. The awareness and good qualities in us can be said to be Bruhaspati. When one lives as guided by him, there is no dearth of joy.

On this basis, shall we examine Indra closely?

Indraloka Mesmerised

Indra and the other devas were enjoying the dance of the divine damsels. Among the dancers, the dancer called Tilottama was especially astounding. So he was lost in her art.

Should one have no sensual desires?

Man has been given the five senses so that he may enjoy the good around us well through our senses and awaken the inner eye. That is why, including love-making, our elders identified 64 art forms. The pleasure one derives from these arts is equivalent to attaining salvation. But we do not realise this due to ignorance. We think it is the material thing that gives us pleasure. Through art we should strive for spiritual awakening instead of pursuing physical pleasures. That is why the arts like dance, music, and painting are like doing great penance. There are many who have attained spiritual oneness with the divine by pursuing these arts.

But the question that arises is through these arts, what kind of sensual pleasure do we attain? It is in the hands of the individual. But everything good also has a flip side to it. It is enough if he realises it.

Indra now started enjoying the dance only for sensual pleasure. He forgot himself and his imagination ran amok. At that time his guru Bruhaspati entered the hall.

Indra did not realise that his Guru had entered the room. So he did not pay the respects due to a Guru.

The Guru also, realising Indra’s mood, went away. He also did not make the devas realise his role in awakening their spirituality. Indra and the devas, denied of the Guru’s guidance, lost little by little their spiritual energy. Realising this, Indra went deep into himself and asked Brahma the way to raise his spiritual energy again.

‘Raising the spiritual energy once lost is no mean task. It needs a Guru’s guidance, which you do not have currently. But still, use Daksha’s son Vishwaroopa as your Guru for the time being,’ Brahma advised.

But Vishwaroopa guided demons who sought only physical pleasures. Demons are those who give importance only to physical pleasures and will do anything to achieve it.

With no other go, Indra agreed to take Vishwaroopa as his Guru for a while. For one who had slipped down from his high spiritual energy to base emotions, he could expect only so much.

As per his Dharma – duty – Vishwaroopa too accepts Indra and gives him Siva Kavacha (armour) which helps Indra overcome his base desires. One can call this the battle between the asuras and devas.

Knowledge or Emotions?

Vishwaroopa did everything as per the rules laid down in the Vedas. But without anyone realizing, a part of his offerings were for the demonic forces. That is, the Guru of the demons sowed the seeds for demonic thoughts to grow in Indra’s mind. But Indra, who realized this somehow, beheaded Vishwaroopa through the sword of his awakening. This was an error he committed due to the domination of his emotions.

This indicates that aware of some mistake happening within himself, he tried to overcome the possible wrong with knowledge. But can one overcome such evil so easily? Can one eradicate the evil that happens because of dallying with it so easily? What happened then?

Coming to know of his son Vishwaroopa’s death, Daksha – the epitome of arrogance – unleashed the most evil demonic force. This is the struggle between the good and evil in our minds.

The Primary Text says that these forces were released after eight days of yagnas. The demon who emerged was called Vritrasura – one can say that through his evil power he facilitates the growth of evil in man’s minds (vritti means development in Sanskrit).

Chased by Vritrasura, the devas surrendered to the fully enlightened Mahavishnu. When evil holds sway, man must turn to enlightenment to fight it effectively. It is that knowledge that will help man find the right path again.

Who is an unselfish man?

‘If there is anyone who is willing to give up his life, and therefore his body so that his spine maybe used for the good of the people, then find the person,’ He instructed Indra.

Who will agree to such a sacrifice? That too give up his spinal cord? The devas stood helpless.

Dadhichi’s Sacrifice

There, the devas seek the ashram of Dadhichi rishi. They seek his help in finding a solution for their problem. Dadhichi can be said to stand for selfless goodness that strives for spiritual awakening amongst the people of the world. One who is ready to sacrifice anything so that another may experience spiritual progress can be said to be Dadhichi personified.

When the devas and asuras seeking immortality had gone to churn the ocean to obtain the nectar, they had left their weapons in his keeping.Why should one detached from the world take up such a responsibility?

There is a Limit to Patience

Does nectar bestow immortality? No! Neither of the contenders realized that immortality is only for those who become one with the divine. Dadhichi acquiesced to their request knowing that this was an opportunity for them to realize the truth. But when he saw that they turned a blind eye to this evident truth, the two were more interested in consuming the salty nectar, he lost his patience and drew the powers of the weapons into himself. Vishnu explained to them that all that power now rested in his spine.

He had the ability to internalize the powers of the weapons of the devas and the asuras who wasted their time. So his life time became balanced too. He sacrificed his body so that Indra may shape the weapon and chase Vritrasura who hid in the ocean. Now what could he do?

Indra again sought the counsel of Brahma, who advised him to go to knowledge personified Agastya rishi. Here it is clear that for the evil to be destroyed completely, the guidance of a Guru in needed.

Agastya is said to have drank all the ocean water to help Indra. What does this show? That he destroys the apparent self-confidence that gives rise to evil. Man needs a pure Guru in his life like Agastya. Such a Guru should help his disciple discover the fount of knowledge within himself and not make him dependent on the external Guru forever.

Finally Indra killed Vritrasura with the lightning. But realizing the sin of killing will follow him forever, he surrendered to his Guru Brihaspati, who welcomed him back whole-heartedly.

He advised Indra to worship the Swayambhu Sivalinga near the lotus pond in the Kadam forest on the banks of River Vaigai. Indra and the devas reached there. They purified their ever-changing hearts with the pure water of the pond. They worshipped Siva with pure thoughts that bloomed like the flowers. That too since Indra worshipped with true realization his oneness with the divine, he felt each flower glowed with a golden hue. (Gold stands for purity of thought.) His troubles were finally over.

Looking for a New Place

We must look for the Divine Truth that resides in us as Siva energy with diligence and the guidance of a guru. But to be able to identify that Truth within us, we must overcome all evil thoughts. That in itself is a struggle! But there is no doubt if one finds a pure-hearted Guru and practices certain spiritual exercises under his guidance, then one can find that Siva-like Divine Truth within self.

The Swayambhu Linga is considered by the elders to be the very linga that Indra worshipped. And that linga manifests itself as Madurai Sokkeshwara, Lord Somasundarar and Sri Meenaskhisundareshwara.

Indra temple tower decorates the Lord’s sanctum sanctorum. Eight elephants guard the eight directions.

It is believed that every year, on Chitra Pournami (full moon day in the Tamil month of Chitrai, which falls during April-May), Indra and the devas worship the lord in their ethereal form.

What is the significance of the eight elephants in the Indra Tower?

The eight elephants constantly remind us that the pleasures the five senses make us experience should lead us to the higher plane. The elephants surrounding the linga can be said to signify that the elephant like strong senses should realize the divinity in every the pleasure they experience.

So that the Indra that is the ruling power of the five senses should always experience divinity in every pleasure, should we not then worship Sokkanatha all the time?

Om Namah Shivaya!

2. The Miracle that Created Madurai

The Goddess of Wealth of Maruthanthurai:

Dhananjayan was a jeweller living in Manalur. He travelled to many places on work. While returning from the various places he travelled to, it was his custom to cross Vaigai, also called Vegavati, a river that was flooded after every monsoon; and the kadam orchard on the banks of the river. There were many people living near the orchard. Their main livelihood was farming. Apart from Kadam trees, Marutham cropland could also be seen. The region was called Maruthanthurai or Maruthai.

On the northern side of the orchard, there was a Kali temple dedicated to Selvathamman. The name of this deity who gave generously to her devotees has transformed from Selvathuamman to Chellathamman in modern days. [In Silappadikaram, Kannagi removed her bangles in front of the sanctum sanctorum of this deity. This action of removing one’s bangles is indicative of the person having cancelled all the effects of his karma. From this temple Kannagi walked northwards to the Vaigai banks. There is a temple for Kannagi as a Sumangali next to Chellathamman temple.]

One needs a thousand eyes to see the beauty of Chellathamman. She must have been carved when the early man was still learning to carve idols. She is that ancient.  She has eight arms, and each has a different kind of weapon. She is carved as an angry war Goddess, fighting Mahishan who stands for man’s arrogance. People worshipped Her so that they, their land and nature may always emerge victorious.

Dhananjayan, who knew about the orchard, the temple and ancient deity, got to glimpse the Swayambhu found inside the caves in the Kadam forest (if one looks very closely, then one can see that the cave itself forms the sanctum sanctorum of Sokkanatha). He also saw a beautiful lotus pond beside it. Dhananjayan was also blessed with the sight of some sages worshipping the linga with deep devotion and dedication. From them he got to know the reason for the presence of the Swayambhu lingam in that spot.

Dhananjayan thought of his king’s devotion, dreams and plans for a new capital city, and with appointment, went to meet Kulasekara and share his experiences in Kadam orchard. The king was informed of the Vaigai’s flow, the farming done by the people living in the orchards and their self-sufficiency. Then he formally sought Maruntharai deity’s and the people’s permission. He explained to the people that the orchard would be levelled and a new city built on it. When trees are cut and new cities built, gains and losses are inevitable. The king took the decision after weighing this deeply. The sages must have told him about the holiness of the place. He seems to have met them and obtained their permission first. As per their belief, that Sivalinga had selected that place to take form so that Madurai may be formed and may guide the world in the spiritual path. Jeweller Dhananjayan maybe considered a man of high spiritual awakening. Gold is the metal of consciousness. One can say this tale shows how the Supreme Truth guided the king who is the internal awareness in forming Madurai.

With help from the people and guidance from the spiritual masters, Kulasekara converted the Kadamba forest into a beautiful city. He introduced many unheard of novelties in the city.

• The streets bear the names of the Tamil Months and the four directions
• Houses affordable for people in different professions and income levels were constructed
• To encourage trade with other regions and countries, good roads, transportation and access roads were laid out
• The walls were fortified so that life may go undisturbed from external threats

Raja Shyamala Yantra Nagar

In the centre of the city was a Siva temple with a lotus pond enclosed in its beautiful parapet walls. The Swayambhu Lingam now had a sanctum sanctorum that people of the city worshipped within the colourful temple. Kulasekara designed the city in the form of Sreeraja Shyamala Shakti Yantra, one of the many Yantra forms of his deity Sakti. Even today if one sees Madurai from the sky, then it can be seen shaped like a lotus. (That is why many born in Madurai become artists even today.)

That Yantram awakens creativity and deep spirituality. Kulasekara ensured that his city itself was like the Yantram. He built interweaving roads such that his life and that of his people would always be seeking union with the Brahmam or the supreme power. Kulasekara was keen that apart from temple and their professions, he or his people should not waste their time on any fruitless activities.

The king and his people consecrated the Siva temple on an auspicious day and moved into the city.

So that the life of his people living in the city may always be sweet, he named it Madurai (derived from Maduram).

He also called the city Madurai as drops of nectar from the crescent on Siva’s crest fell on the city. What does it mean? It shows this city is the place for salvation as it enables the moon like heart to become immortal with constant spiritual practice that is like the nectar.

He also called the city Koodal – Union – as the mind is constantly seeking union with the Supreme Power – Sivam – through spiritual practices.

He also called it Koodal as this is where devotees will find salvation because of Sakthi’s merging with Sivam.

So that his people and foreigners and the learned may all live in harmony, he called the city Koodal.

Because it has tall temple towers that welcome people from all four directions, it is called ‘Nanmada Koodal’.

Even today it is called Athens of the Greece and Temple City. It is one of the oldest cities of the world.

Did it become a ‘City that Does Not Sleep’ because the people of Madurai  are not steeped in the darkness of illusion but forever awake in knowledge?

There, because of Kulasekara’s spiritual maturity, he created the city of Madurai where the Divine manifests itself as Siva and worked the miracle of protecting the people in this Kaliyuga from the disease of ignorance.

Without doubt, if Madurai is still a living city despite the years, many calamities, wars and disasters, it is definitely because Kulasekara built it with a vision and devotion.

Kulasekara also installed the appropriate deities in the eight corners of the city shaped like the Mahayantra*. He lived a highly moral life and was blessed with a good son called Malayadwaja. Through proper spiritual training, he realised the divine within him and became one with the divine present in the form of Somasundara and dismantled the linga containing the five elements.

Dear friends, this Madurai is our heart. The Sakthi that is the life force of the city is Madurai’s incomparable queen. Now one by one several miracles will take place. Why? So that man maybe enlightened. How enlightened?

‘We can achieve nothing on our own’ – this is the enlightenment we get. The moment we realise that, there is total surrender. Then our heart strives to become steady in its attempts to unite with the Divine.

Each of the miracles is an answer to our intellect’s mocking question, ‘Cannot man achieve even this on his own?’

There are 63 miracles in Madurai that is our heart. King or pauper; man or woman; poet or enemy; devotee or singer; whoever it maybe, they are all our reflection. Come let’s go to the city with the four towers.

Om Namah Sivaya!

*History says the following deities were installed

• In the east is the Ayyanar temple –Dharmasastha
• West – Chellathamman
• South – Seven Maidens
• North - Koodalazhagar

Uni5 Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam – 64 plays of Shiva in Madurai

Chapter 1 – South Pandya Tamils

Long ago, a group of fishermen in the southern tip of India identified a region and settled there with their family and brethern.

They worshipped Goddess Sakthi as their deity and believed that they were descendants of the moon. They must have strived to guide their waxing and waning emotions towards greater spiritual consciousness.

Pandya dynasty is among the oldest dynasties to have realised that Sakthi and the power behind it, Sivam, are the Ultimate Truth. One can say that their name Pandya is derived from the word Pandeya, which means ancient people.

One can say that because they belong to a clan that understood the Ultimate and Ancient Truth they are called Pandyas.

They called their land Kumari Naadu – the land of the virgin. We can see that in the Indian tradition, there existed a tradition of worshipping the Sakthi as a virgin. They saw everything in this world as a manifestation of Sakthi and named land, hills, rivers as Kumari. Kumari hill range, Kumari stream – everything was called thus.

Fish cannot live without water. The Pandyas, realising that Divine which is like the water is essential for life on earth, selected fish as their symbol. They bedecked themselves with neem leaves which they considered a manifestation of Sakthi. Their rule began in a region to the south of Kanyakumari. Researchers call this place Lemuria.

Tamil Language is Mother Divine!

Language is the Power of expressing what is in our mind. Without language there could have been no development possible for human beings. The Pandyas who understood this revered Tamil as their mother. Through that language, learned poets’ deep thoughts that would help people live an enlightened life for the greater good of the society were published. Editorial boards were established to identify evolved thoughts and present them aesthetically so that they may increase spiritual awareness amongst the people.

Grammar is that which defined the pattern and template for presenting these thoughts as literature. With the help of sages like Agastya, the first among the Saptharishis, and Tholkappiyar, the Pandyas established Tamil Sangams in their cities.

We must understand the deeper meaning when it is said that Lord Siva and Muruga participated in these discussions. Sivan is the deeper realisation within us. Muruga stands for complete Knowledge.  Spiritually enlightened Tamil writers wrote many texts that combined knowledge and realisation to guide the common man.

Pandya kings and the affluent were themselves learned poets and sang many songs. If it is for social good, does it matter who says it?

Pandya’s two capital cities, South Madurai and Kapatapuram, were destroyed by tsunami. Many died and much wealth was lost. Many Sangams were also destroyed. Much of the literature was washed away and only a list of titles remains with us.

When the tsunami hit Pandya kingdom a second time, Kulasekara was the king at the time. With a heavy heart the king and his people moved inland, very far away from the sea.

He installed the clan’s deity Sakthi in the form of Kumari in the southern sea as he believed that his kingdom could not bear yet another attack from the sea; this place is today known as Kanyakumari.

Kulasekara Pandya selected Manalur for establishing his court and ruled his kingdom from there. But he always dreamed of building a beautiful city one day. He resolved to build a capital city that no one had seen before. He also prayed to his deity that his dreams may come true.

Sakthi Foundation – Tamil CAC class

Introduction – Thiruvilayadal Puranam

Om Sat Gurubhyo Namaha

Om Sreem Hreem Gleem Gloum Gam Ganapataye

Varavaradha saravajanam mein vashamaha ye svaha

Sree Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Parabrahmane Namo Namaha

In a good school, students train under very capable teachers. They enthusiastically participate in the class, imbibing all that is taught, thus increasing their knowledge and awareness. But it is natural that sometimes while learning they will face hurdles.

At such a time, when the student tries to succeed in his endeavour and because of this desire, steady mind, and eagerness, he undertakes many exercises, but is still unable to succeed. Realising it is no use to try this alone any further, without hesitation, believing firmly that he can achieve nothing more, he surrenders to his teacher saying, “Sir, despite repeated attempts I am unable to take up this training further. Help me! Help me so that I can understand and become aware about this subject better.” The teacher will encourage him and guide him so that he can achieve as per his maturity level; or train him himself.

The above mentioned concept can be called as the best example to explain how the power called ‘God’ works his miracles! The Ultimate Power, Brahmam, constantly helps true devotees for their benefit as well as for the larger good. Those who are very spiritually aware comprehend this.

India has thousands of holy places. Madurai is one of the best known among the divine lands in southern Tamil Nadu.

It is one of the leading Sakthi Peethams. Idol, land and holy waters – it is special in all forms. Madurai is a symbol of India’s ancient civilised culture. Western historians praise Madurai as the ‘Greece of East’. Madurai shows in an obvious, practical way the deep philosophy of how Sakthi can become Sivam in ways suited to the times.

Epics, old Tamil literature, devotional texts and modern day movies all show Madurai’s greatness and historicity very clearly.

A family’s history is handed down through the oral tradition. Similarly, the story of a dynasty or a land can be also be preserved and perpetuated.

Similarly, some spiritual researchers have recorded some unique, superior developments in the political, social, spiritual, religious spheres in Madurai over the years. Ramayana is the story of a king; Mahabaratham is the story of conflict between relatives; Bagavatham records how the Supreme manifests itself in the world. Similarly, one can say that Thiruvilayadal is the story of a city.

Much historical literature exists about many great cities of the world. But there is a difference between them and the history of Madurai.

This epic shows how the various socially responsible kings, devotees, common people, and others living in the city made their lives meaningful with heightened spiritual awareness.

From then to today, God has been showing his presence to his devotees through miracles. But among these, why were only 63 made part of the epic?

There are many miracles happening every day in the lives of people who have tasted success because of their simple faith in Lord Sokkanatha, lighting camphor in his name in the morning before starting work. But what makes these 63 miracles different from them? Because these miracles have happened in the lives of those who have surrendered with unshakable faith at the feet of the Lord. Others only think of God as a support for them, their lives, their work.

The epic has stories of people who have realised that it is the divine within them that runs their lives. They have been aware that even their blowing the dust away is because of the divinity within them. It is possible that the miracles that have happened in their lives may happen in the lives of other people too today. Every miracle is the answer to the many questions that arise within us. But for those who seek spiritual development with a passionate thirst, every moment is a miracle.

Madurai city made us what we are today.

Till this moment, the fragrance of the city forms our life breath.

This retelling of the epic by Uni5 is an expression of gratitude to our Motherland in words inspired by the divine and His blessings.

Our Offerings at Lord Siva’s feet!

One day Christ saw a widow poor lady offering her few money at the Jew temple. He also saw many rich people offering good amount to the temple and said that the lady's amount are great and most respected. Rich people have much money and offer less. Whereas the poor have less money and out of that they offer to God. This is the same till today in all temples. In olden days [30 year back] our parents, elders used to tie up a 25 paise or 1 Rupee coin. In those days 1 rupee is great which is being used for God's service from less salary - feeble money. But today also most of us continue the same in temples. This also irritates the priests. I have seen people putting 50 paise even today, but they spend Rs.10 per cegerate. The money offered in worshiping spots are the symbol of our SAL energy. Today a man can offer Rs.5 or even 10. Let us think....