About the Temple & Location:
This sthalam is one of the divya desam found in Thiruppathur taluk Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. 7 miles away from Thiruppathoor, which is found nearer to Melloor and around 70 miles away from Madurai. We can go to this sthalam from Karaikudi also. Lots of bus facilities are available.
Etymology, names and significance
During Satya Yuga, Rishis, devas and people were tortured, anguished by the asura Hiranyakashipu as vengeance for Hiranyaksha's death at the hands of Lord Vishnu in the form of Varaha Avatar. Devas and Rishis then approached Brahma and Shiva for a solution. In response, Brahma, Shiva, all devas, and Saptha Rishis decided to meet at a place to discuss the issue. Finally, all chose Thirukottiyur as the place for the meeting. They came together as a group and so the name Thirukoshtiyur, koshti means in a group or as a team.
Thirukoshtiyur is known for its great temple, Sowmya Narayana Perumal temple ( Thirukovil means temple ). One of the 108 Divya Desams in India. The Divya Desam are shrines of Vaishnava worship that have been glorified by the Azhwars.
Periazhwar in his work Periazhwar Thirumozhi visualizes Thirukoshtiyur as the birthplace of Sri Krishna.
Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal Thirukovil
Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal Thirukovil, surrounded by high walls on its four sides, with a Rajagopuram (Main tower) at the entrance is spectacular to behold. The inner infrastructure, mainly sannidhis (separate shrines) are unlike other temples. Inside the temple complex, the shrine for Narayana is constructed in three stages, similar to that of three floors in a building. These stages represent Boologam (earth), Thiruparkadal and Vaikundham. Narayana appears in three stages in three forms. On the ground floor, Narayana appears as Krishna in the dancing posture. In the next level, he is seen as sayana thirukolam (sayana = reclining, thirukolam = posture), a posture resting on Adisesha. And at the top most level, Narayana is seen standing as Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal. These forms of Narayana have been poetically described as Nindran (means Standing posture), Kidanthan (means sleeping posture), Aadinan (means dancing posture) by Alwars.
Ramanuja
Sri Ramanuja and Thirukoshtiyur are inextricably connected in Vaishnava lore. Ramanuja was advised by Thirukachi Nambigal (Thirukachi means place and Nambigal means sage) to visit Thirukoshtiyur and learn the ' Sacred 8 letter hymn ' - Ashtakshara mantra from Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal(i.e. Thirukoshtiyur sage). Accordingly, Ramanunja travels to Thirukoshtiyr to learn the 8 letter hymn. But he is sent back each time without being taught the 8 letter hymn from Thirukoshtiyur nambigal. On the 18th time, Ramanuja arrives at the doors of Nambigal ashram and says "Adiyen Sri Ramanujan vanthirukiren..!" ( which means "Beloved student Sri Ramanuja has arrived!!") on which he was allowed to enter. The reason why Ramanuja was denied meeting the Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal the previous 17 times and allowed the 18th time is because Ramanuja introduced himself as "Adiyen Ramanujan" (means Beloved student Ramanuja ) on the 18th time unlike his previous visits when he introduced himself as "I, Ramanuja have arrived". The word " I'", which indicates his egocentrism, led Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal to reject him. When his ego vanished in word and deed during this 18th visit, he was considered eligible for learning the Ashtakshara mantra.
Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal blessed Ramanuja with the 'Sacred 8 letter hymn' Ashtakshara mantra ("Aum Namo Narayanaya!!") but asked him to not reveal it to anyone. Nambigal also warns that if Ramanuja disobeys the order, Ramanuja will attain hell. Ramanuja climbs to the top of the temple, summons the whole village and delivers the Ashtakshara mantra to the people of that village. The act enkindled nambigal. When he questions Ramanuja for defying his orders, Ramanuja said if the manthram helped a lot of people to attain moksha, he was only glad to go to hell. Nambigal was overwhelmed by this kindness shown by Ramanuja and he bestowed the name "Emperumanar '' on Ramanuja. This title is used to this day by those of the Sri Vaishnava sect. It is said the event happened in front of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami sannidhi, a small shrine present on the way towards the Sowmya Narayana Perumal sannidhi.
Sthlapuranam :
In this sthalam, a Kadamba Maharishi had a big Ashram, where lots of vedas and spiritual teachings are taught and the rishis and the people around the Ashram lived in peace.
At that time, an Asuran by the name “Hiranyan” gave lots of problems to rishis, devas and all the other people and all of them wanted to find a safe place. They could not protest Hiranyan, since he was very strong and had lots of soldiers, so, the rishis yogis and the Devas thought it was safe to get on to an unreachable place. Thinking Kadamba Maharishi’s Ashram might be the safest place, they all seeked the help of Sriman Narayanan to kill him there by retaining the peace, once again. Sriman Narayanan, Lord Brahma, all the devas and along with the rishis, discussed the killing of the Asuran, Hiranyan. And finally after the discussion, Sriman Narayanan decided on the Narasimha avatar, whose head being the head of the lion and rest of the body as an ordinary human. Since, Hiranyan had got the Varam in such a way that he should not be killed by an ordinary human, Sriman Narayanan has to take this avathaar to destroy and kill him. Since, all the rishis, devas and along with Sriman Narayanan and Lord Brahma met all at one place and discussed, this sthalam is called as “Goshtiyoor”. Goshti means all the devas along with Sriman Naryanan grouped together and met in this, sthalam this sthalam is called as “Goshtiyoor” (or) Goshti Kshetram.
Kadamba Maharishi had an unlimited bhakti towards both Emperuman, Sriman Narayanan and as well as Lord Shiva. In thirukkarambanoor, he did the tapas towards the Emperumaan and in Nagapattinam, towards Lord Shiva and got his Mukti, worshipped all the Mum – Moorthies in this sthalam.
When knowing about the sthalapuranam of Thirugoshtiyoor, another peculiar issue has to be explained which deals with the story of Sri Ramanujar and Thirugostiyoor Nambi.
Thriugostiyoor is the birthplace of Thirugostiyoor Nambi, who is also named as “Selva Nambi”. He was the guru of Sri Ramanujar, who was preached with the “Ashtakshara Mantram”.
But, the way he was taught the Ashtakshara Mantra was one of the main issues that has to be explained. Selva Nambi ordered Sri Ramanujar to do the fasting in this sthalam. Having crossed the age of 60, to get the Mantram, he followed the order of Selva Nambi. He took only water as his food and one fine day, he was preached with the Ashtakshara Mantra for which he was waiting for. But, he was ordered by Selva Nambi that the Mantram should not be published to any one and it should be kept secret.
But on hearing the Mantram, he thought it is not only a secret thing that is helpful and useful for him only, but it should be made public to all and it should be useful for all the other people. As a result of his thought, he went straight to the temple of Sowmya Narayana Perumal and stood on the huge walls of it and all of the village people gathered. And once all the people gathered, he loudly pronounced the Ashtakshara Mantra, which is said to be sacred and explained it to all. He also asked them to repeat it. On hearing this, Selva Nambi got angry at Sri Ramanujar since he has not obeyed his words and has broken the promise that he had given to him. Then, he called up Sri Ramanujar and said that having broken the promise, he will have to pay for the mistake, and as a result, he will be going to hell. But before that, Thirugoshtiyoor Nambi (Selva Nambi) wanted to know the reason why he made the Ashtakshara Mantra so public? But, Sri Ramanujar answered that in this world, all the things belong to Sriman Naryanan and no other thing should be kept secret (or) themselves but it should be used by others. In the same way, on explaining the Mantram to all, it might help them from many things and because of this reason only, he answered that he published the Mantram. On hearing this from Sri Ramanujar, Selva Nambi realised how his mind was narrowed and felt for it. But, at the same time he was attracted by the thinking of Sri Ramanujar towards humanity and vaishnavism. As a result, Selva Nambi called Sri Ramanujar as his Emperumaanar. We can find two separate statues that are made of bronze for Thirugoshtiyoor Nambi and Sri Ramanujar in this temple.
After hearing the story of Sri Ramanujar and Selva Nambi and also the Sthalapuranam, let us know about the temple.
On reaching the temple, one can see the Vimanam which is very big and widely spread. On entering the temple is the mandapam named “Thirumaamani Mandapam”, where Lord Shiva gives his seva as “Sarabeshwarar”. He originated on his own (Swayambhu) and as a result of not caring properly, it was in the damaged condition. On the south direction of the Mandapam, a separate sannadhi for Lord Narasimhar and on the North side, a separate sannadhi for Sri Ramar are found. It is said that in front of this Narasimhar sannidhi only, Sri Ramanujar was taught the “Ashtakshara Mantram” from selva Nambi.
In the upper tier, we can find Moolavar, “Thiru paarkadal Nathan” also named as “Uraga Mellanayaan'' (or) Sthiti Narayanan is found in Veetrirundha thirukkolam and on the either side of him is periya and Bhoomi piratti are found. It is said that utsavar, Sowmya Narayana perumal and other 3 pirattiyaar’s idols are given by Indiran to Kadamba Maharishi. On the south side of Ashtanga vimaanam, a separate sannadhi for Thirumaa magal Naachiyaar and on the North side, there is a separate sannadhi for Sri Aandal is found.
In the middle thalam (or) tier, we can see Nindra Narayanan along with Periya piratti and Bhoomi piratti in Nindra Kolam and he is also named as “Upendran”. Here, we can find lots of various architectural works pertaining to the Indra Loka scenes and saptha rishis. Lots of Painting and artistic works like Desavathaaram, devas, Munis and suriyan and Alwars are found.
On the outer praharam on the North side, two sculptures of Narasimhar are found, which explains the Hiranya Vadham (Killing of Hiranyan).
But, initially one of the statue is kept in Narasimhar sannidhi in the first tier and another one is Sri Ramar Sannadhi. But, it is said that on seeing the statues of Ugra Narasimha, people are frightened, so later these two statues are kept close to the paramapada vasal (entrance). Udayavar, Emperumaanar Sri Ramanujar statue is found on the top of the Vimanam facing the village and this sthalam is so called as “Dhvayam (two) vilaintha thirupadhi”.
This sthalam explains all the necessary actions (or) morals to the people of the world. No one can destroy the enemy as a single person, but if as a team, we can achieve anything and it is well explained by the action performed by Sriman Narayanan to get the divine nectar for the devas. And another incident is the action performed by Sri Ramanujar by explaining the Ashtakshara Mantra to the world. As an extension of this, Udayavr Sri Ramanujar who is the hamsam of Aadhiseshan, is serving as the bed for the Emperumaan.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Uraga Mellanayaan. He gave his pratyaksham for Kadamba Maharishi and Indiran. Moolavar in kidantha (sleeping) thirukkolam and in Bhujanga sayanam facing his thirumugham along the east direction.
Thaayar:
The thaayar of the sthalam is Thirumagal Naachiyaar and has her own separate sannadhi.
Utsavar:
The Utsavar of this temple is Sri Sowmya Narayana Perumal and he is also named as “Madhavan”. Utsavar is found in Nindra thirukkolam and gives his seva to the bhaktas.
Mangalasasanam:
Periyalwar – 21 paasurams.
Thirumangaialwar – 13 pasurams.
Bhoodathalwar – 2 Paasurams.
Peiyalwar – 1 Pasuram.
Thirumazhisaialwar – 1 Pasuram.
Total – 48 Paasurams.
Pushkarani:
Deva Pushkarani
Thiruppaarkadal.
Vimanam:
Ashtanga vimanam. This kind of vimanam is a rare one that is found only in a few sthalams like koodal Azhager temple in Madurai, Vaikunda perumal koil in Kanchipuram and in Thiruporur. Ashta means Eight and 8 vimaanams are found on 4 sides (2 each) of the temple.
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