Skanda Puranaa...

Maya is born to Asurendran and Mangala Kesi.

Maya maries sage Kasyapa

The birth of Churapatuman

Maya and sage Kasyapa take the form of lions and give birth to Singhamukhan , the lion-faced brother of Churapatuman.

Maya and sage Kasyapa take the form of elephants and give birth to Tarakasuran , the elephant-faced brother of Churapatuman.

Maya and sage Kasyapa take the form of goats and give birth to Ajamukhi, the goat-headed sister of Churapatuman.

The birth of another two lakh (200,000) asuras. They pay respects to their parents.

Churapatuman seeks the grace of Lord Siva by performing tapas (austerities).

Churapatuman receives the boon to rule 1008 worlds and 108 ages (yugas) of the world.

Upon receiving the boons, the arrogant Cūrapatuman imprisons the devas.

The devas tell their grievance to Lord Siva.

Lord Siva promises to produce a son who will end the devas' sufferings

Six sparks appear from Lord Siva's third eye and land in Saravana Poykai (a marshy lake in Himalaya).

The six sparks transform into six baby boys in six lotus flowers.

The six charming baby boys are brought up by the six Krttika nymphs (the Pleiades).

Mother Uma Devi lovingly gathers all six babies and transforms them into the six-faced Arumukhan.

Lord Murugan receives the Vel (divine lance) from His Father Lord Siva

Lord Murugan sets out for battle with Cūrapatuman to end the suffering of the devas

Tarakasuran turns himself into the Kraunca Mountain, but is felled by Lord Murugan's Vel.

Lord Murugan sends Virabahu Devar as envoy to Curapatuman.

Churapatuman speaks arrogantly with Virabahu Devar.

Churapatuman being advised by his younger brother, Singhamukhan, to avoid war with Lord Murugan.

Churapatuman rebukes Singhamukhan

Singhamukhan dies while fighting Lord Murugan.

Churapatuman transforms into a monstrous upside-down mango tree in the ocean

Churapatuman transforms into a monstrous upside-down mango tree in the ocean

Lord Murugan, using His mighty Vel, splits the tree and one half transforms as a peacock and the other as a cock

Lord Murugan takes the cock as His victory flag and the peacock as His vehicle

Lord Murugan performs Siva puja (prayers) at Tiruchendūr and sheds His Divine Grace upon the people

Lord Indra presents the hand of His daughter Devasenu (Teyvanai) in marriage to Lord Murugan, who ended the sufferings of the devas. The marriage takes place at Tirupparankundram

Lord Murugan sheds His divine grace upon Sri Lakshmi, Kamadhenu (the fabled cow which supplies every want in the world of Gods), Surya (Lord Sun), Bhumi Devi (Mother Earth), and Agni (Lord of fire), at Tiruvavinankudi.

Lord Murugan explains the meaning of the pranava mantra ('OM'), to His Father, Lord Siva, at Tiruverakam (Swamimalai

Lord Murugan in His universal form (Viswarupam) at Palamutircholai

Lord Murugan, assuming the form of a Vedar (hunter), seeks Valli's love.

Lord Murugan returns in the form of an old man to seek Valli's love.

The marriage of Sri Valli and Lord Murugan

Lord Murugan with Valli & Theivaanai

Saint Arunagirinathar

The holy land of India had given to the world many great saints and sages who have shown to humanity the correct way of leading a peaceful, happy and divine life. Among them Saint Arunagirinathar, who lived in the fifteenth century, had given to us nine most valuable gems of his works: Kandar Anubuthi, Kandar Alankaram, Kandar Andhathi, Thiruezhukuttrirukkai, Vel, Mayil, Cheval viruthangal and Thiru Vaguppugal. Aurunagiri's philosophy can easily be understood from these works.

It is a marvel that Arunagiri is able to express lofty thoughts in felicitous phrases which, so to say, sing and dance in a dazzling variety of ways. As we read his songs, we see the scenes flash before our mind's eye. It may be a description, one-half of which we see the picture of an old man, grey haired and pot bellied, walking unsteadily supported by the staff, and the other, a delightful picture of Rama as a child crawling along as Kausalya stretches forth her hands to receive Him. It may be a picture drawn with a few strokes describing the life of a person from the pre-natal to the post-mortal state or a tale full of sound and fury signifying nothing unless the Lord is pleased to rescue him.

We may see another dimension of Arunagiri's personality - being free from egoism. His prayer to the Lord to be cleansed of this impurity is answered. He considers himself as a person of no significance at all. We hear of "suicide squads", members of which volunteer for work, which may be fatal. Emancipated souls, likewise, are prepared to forgo the bliss they enjoy in meditation in order to labour and suffer for others. On occasions chosen by the Lord, emancipated souls may enlist themselves as members of a mission seeking redemption, forgoing their enjoyment of bliss. May we not understand in this sense Arunagirinathar's identification with all those who have lapses, spiritual and moral ? Arunagiri never forgets that it is due to Murugan's Grace that he could overcome the temptation of the world and defy death also. His insight and experiences recorded in his works do give us his philosophy of life - life in its fullest sense in all its abundance. His work would also help us to have life and have it in abundance.

Among the Tamil knowing people, Saint Arunagirinthar's name is greatly cherished, not only for the notable events in his life, but also for the excellence of his literary compositions, his profound knowledge and the eminence of his spiritual status.Even though no authenic records are available regarding the biography of Saint, traditions and the facts gleaned from his own writings point to the conclusion that he was born in Tamil Nadu six centuries ago.He lived a life of sin in his very early days but the divine spark that was ever present in him got the better of his base instinct, and Arunagirinathar eventually turned into a great devotee of Lord Muruga. His songs were born of divine inspiration and are collectively known as tiruppugazh Out of 16,000 songs believed to have been sung, about 1,300 are extant. The songs which are in Tamil are remarkable for their captivating rhythmic patterns and high philosophic content. The abstruse concepts of Advaita philosophy are conveyed in his songs in such simple terms that even a layman can comprehend the same. The synthesis of Bhakti and Gnana can be seen in all his innumerable groups of devotees in homes, temples and congregations.In the galaxy of Saints of Bhakti cult, Saint Arunagirinathar occupies a place along with Tulsidas, Nanak, Tukaram, Meera and Chaitanya.

Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar

ST. ARUNAGIRINATHAR flourished during a period when religious minded people were quarrelling among themselves regarding the supremacy of their personal Gods like Siva and Vishnu, the grandeur of their religion like Saivism and Vaishnavism and the greatness of the religious scriptures and the languages in which they have been composed like Sanskrit and Tamil.

To alleviate such apparent contradictions and to infuse new vigour into the understanding of the Puranic lore, religious dogmas, ritualistic elements, philosophical doctrines and spiritual expositions, the saint composed many devotional hymns especially attributed to highlight the grace of Lord Muruga, his personal and propitious deity, through his mellifluous and unique styles of composition with "santham" and "virutham" as the melodies endeavoured to reconcile these peripheral differences among the devotees.

As he got enlightenment at the Tiruvannamalai Siva temple by the grace of Lord Murugan, it was but natural for him to incorporate these two major Gods in the Hindu pantheon wherever possible as father and son. Similarly Saivism and Vaishnavism received equal treatment from the saint since he has hailed Muruga as the son-in-law of Mahavishnu at various places.

In his Tiruppugazh, Kandaralankaram, Kandaranubhuti, Vel Virutham and Mayil Virutham, the saint had copiously used Sanskrit terms in Tamil alphabets to describe the glory of Lord Muruga to show that language is a prelude to experience and not to proclaim its inferior or superior nature.

Thirumuruga Kirupananda Variyar has done yeoman service to Hindu faith by way of popularising its religious doctrines and philosophical ideologies. He had undertaken the arduous task of commenting upon the works of Saint Arunagirinathar in his own unique style so that even a common man can study them.

Through his excellent elucidations, elegant expressions, humorous illustrations, apt analogies, appropriate allegories, thought provoking statements both in writing and oratory, the scholarly saint had made more complicated texts simple and gave a new orientation to religious discourses. Variar Swamigal has rendered a commendable job of commenting upon the hymns of Thiruppugazh pertaining to Tiruvannamalai and Tirukkalathi temples. He has uniformly given the meaning, general gist of the verse, explanatory notes and essential truths for all the verses. The songs of Arunagirinathar are really difficult to read and tough to comprehend the contents and reflect upon. It is highly remarkable that the commentator has made them understandable in a more lucid way. He also culls out the implicit meanings of the terse verses.

The commitment, dedication and involvement of both the saintly author and the commentator to bring ashore the drowning masses in the whirlpool of worldliness, by invoking the ever-abiding abundant grace of Lord Muruga are revealed throughout this work. All Tamil lovers, especially in the religious moorings, must read this book.

Foot Steps.....

Now Muruga devotees everywhere can see, worship, and participate in the development of the unique hill shrine of Lord Muruga Jñanamalai, the only place where one can find the foot prints of Lord Muruga, revealed only recently in a stone inscription on a hill near Vallimalai / Tiruttani Malai. Jñanamalai is 15 kilometres off the National Highway from Chennai to Bangalore at about 97 km from Chennai.

Lord Muruga after the wedding with Valli at the Vallimalai and on his way to Tiruttani, spent time on this hill as per the oral history of the village and as a proof of this story we can see His Foot Prints on the rock. Jnanamalai is also where Saint Arunagirinathar was blessed with Yogaanubhooti and darshan of the lotus feet of Lord Muruga.
This Hill temple of Lord Muruga is situated in the village Govindaseri and is surrounded by lake and fertile plains. The temple is dated about more than 1300 years ago, with the moola vigraha dating back to Pallava era. He is seen in the Brahma Sasta form along with his consorts Valli and Teyvayanai.
From all evidence it appears that there must have been a big Murugan temple and over years of neglect and nature’s fury got reduced to a very small temple occasionally visited by the villagers. No regular pujas were being conducted. There was no proper way or steps to the hill temple.

On the west side there is a very small Siva shrine. Behind this shrine one can see the unique divine Footsteps on the solid rock. This is a volcanic hill and who can put his foot in this molten rock (temperature of 1800 degrees C) to leave a mark on solidification except Lord Muruga who was carried by none other than Agni (Lord of Fire)!
About 600 years ago Saint Arunagirinathar worshipped this temple and the Lord has revealed his Lotus Feet. The one and only internal evidence about the saint’s life where he says he was dejected with this life and when he tried to end his life by jumping from the gopuram (tower) Lord Muruga saved him by showing his Feet. Arunagiri himself reveals this information in his Tiruppugazh “manaiyaval nagaikka…” It is also unique that Vallimalai, Tiruttani Malai and Jnanamalai form a triangle within 40 km. distance.

Adhi Sankara....

Lord Shiva, also known as Dhakshinamurthy, who spreads the Universal Truth not by words but by his silence and by his sign of his hand which is held in the form of "Chin Mudra". About 2500 years ago, when the spiritualisation of the people greatly reduced, all the Gods and the Rishis went to Kailash and pleaded with Lord Shiva to revive the world. Lord Shiva agreed with their request and informed that he will be born in this world. Lord Brahma, Indra and others also agreed to be born in this world to help Lord Shiva.

In Kaladi, Kerala, a learned brahmin, by the name of Sivaguru, and his wife, Aryambal, spent their life in pooja and in giving alms to poor and in other good deeds. This childless couple went to Trichur and performed puja for 48 days to Lord Vadakkunathan (Lord Shiva) and prayed for a son. Lord Shiva melted in their devotion and appeared before them and told them "I am extremely happy with your devotion and you will get what you want. But tell me whether you want a number of dull children or a son who is extremely intelligent, who will live for a short period only." The couple replied the decision could not be theirs as the Lord knows what is good for them.

Lord Dakshinamurthy, pleased with the reply, was born to Aryambal under the star "Thiruvaithhirai". As the Lord had already promised that he will be born to do good to this world, the child was named Sankara. Sam means prosperity and Karathi means te giver. All the visitors stood in awe at the divinity of the child and said "This is not an ordinary child".

As Shankara grew up, he attraced everybody with his intelligence and kindness. At the age of three, he was given "Aksharabyas", i.e., the learning of writing and reading. At the age of four, he lost his father. At the age of five, he was initiated in Brahmacharyam i.e., the holy thread ceremony was conducted and he was sent to Gurukul for learning of scriptures. As per the practice the brahmachari has to go from house to house and take alms and submit this to his guru. On a Dwadasi day Sankara happened to go to the house of a very poor lady jand asked for the alms. The lady did not have a single grain of rice in her house to give. However she had kept a single Amla fruit for herself as it was a Dwadasi day. She unhesitatingly gave this Amla fruit to Sankara as she could not send a Brahmachari empty handed. Sankara was moved by her selflessness and the poverty of the lady and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi in a beautiful sloka which is called "Kanaka Dhara Stotram". On completion of this stotram, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in person and showered a rain of golden coins on the poor lady's house.

One day, the rishis came to him and reminded him of his duty to the land in spreading spiritualism. Sankara agreed it was time to become a Sanyasi and go all over the country to kindle religious ferver.
One day when Sankara was taking bath, a crocodile caught hold of his leg. Sankara called out to his mother. Aryambal came running and to her horror she found her son in the grip of the crocodile and she cried that se did not know how to help her son. Sri Sankara informed his mother that his life was nearing to an end, but if he became a Sanyasi, he could start a new life as a sannyasi. Thus Sri Sankara obtained permission from his mother to become a sannyasi.

Sri Sankara went in the search of a Guru to be formally initiated as a Sannyasi. At the banks of the river Narmada, he found the river gushing forth into floods. By using his powers, he encapsulated the river in his Kamandal (a vessel sannyasi's carry) and released it in the banks of the river. Sri Govinda Bagawathpathar, an ascetic who saw this, marvelled at Sri Sankara dn took him on as a Shishya.

Sri Govinda Bagawathpadar taught various vedas to Sri Sankara. He also taught about Advaita, the principle that every one in this world is the manifestation of God and that God and Atram are one and the same. He advises Sri Sankara to go out in the world and spread this truth throughout the country.

Sri Sankara went to Kasi and by that time, he had a lot of disciples. One of them, Sanandhyaya, was drying the clothes of his Guru and suddenly Sri Sankara called him to the other bank of the river as he needed the clothes urgently. Sanandhyaya, little realising that he would drown, starts walking into the river. However, the Grace of his Guru resulted in a lotus materialising wherever he was keeping his foot. When asked as to how did he cross the river, he says that when his Guru calls, he is not to worry about anything. Sri Sankara named him as Padma Paolar (lotus feet).

Once, in Kasi, when Sri Sankara was going to the Vishwanath Temple, his path was blocked by an "untouchable" who was accompanied by his wife and 4 dogs. The disciples of Sri Sankara shouted at him to make way, and to keep a distance. The untouchable smiled and said, ""According to your principle of Advaita, which you practice, all the Jivatma are same as God. How do you ask me to go? How am I different from your Paramacharya? What you say is unreasonable. How can I go away from myself?" Sri Sankara realised that it was not an ordinary person and understood that it was Lord Shiva himself who had come along with His escort and the four Vedas. He prostrated before the Lord and sang five slokas called "Manisha Panchakam". Lord Shiva presented himself along with Visalakshi and blessed Sri Sankara.

When Shri Sankara was 16, a very old Brahmin of ill health started arguments with him about Brahmasutra bashyam which Shri Sankara had written. Shri Sankara was astounded by his intelligence and arguments but they continued their discussion. The arguments continued for days together and the more Shri Sankara argued, his ideas crystallised more and more and he understood that the old man was none other than Vyasa Rishi, who was the creator of Brahmasutra. Sri Sankara said that he has done a great disrespect to the sage by entering into an argument. Vyasa Rishi said "I fully agree with your bashyam and I wanted to establish that yours is correct. I bless that you should live another 16 years and you should spread this Advaita throughout the country."

Sri Sankara learnt that there was a great learned person by the name Mandana Mishra who lived in Mahishmati and who followed the Karma Mimaamsa method of devotion. Sri Sankara arrived at his house and found his house was closed and Mandala Mishra was carrying out some rituals inside his house. Sri Sankara entered the house by using his powers and entered the house. Mandala Mishra became very angry and shouted at Sri Sankara. But Sri Sankara smiled and explained the uselessness of such rituals. However, Mandala Mishra admired the intelligence of Sri Sankara and started discussions with him after completing the rituals. Sri Sankara said that there should be a judge to decide the winner and suggested that Sarasawani, the wife of Mandala Mishra, to be the judge. Sarasawani, who was extremely intelligent and learned, realised that Sri Sankara was none other than Lord Shiva, did not want to declare her husband as the loser. She suggested that both of them should wear a garland of flowers and whichever garland fades first, that person would be the loser. Naturally, Sri Sankara won.

As per the original condition, Mandala Mishra became an ascetic and started to leave the house. Unable to bear the separation, Sarasawani stood transfixed and told Sri Sankara that according to our faith, the husband and wife, even though have two bodies, are spiritually one and she would be incomplete without her husband. Sri Sankara accepted this and started discussion with this lady. Saraswani showered questions like rain and Sri Sankara gave very beautiful answers and Sarasawani acknowledged him, and followed Sri Sankara and her husband's footsteps.

In their travels, they reached Sringeri in Karnataka, which is on the banks of Tungabadra. While Sri Sankara and Mandala Mishra were walking, Sarasawani did not move and stood fixed in the sands of Tungabadra. Sri Sankara turned back and realised by his divine powers that Sarasawani did not want to proceed any further and created a seat for her for spreading the Advaita. This seat is today called the Sharada Peetham or the Seat of Sharada. This was the first Mutt installed by Sri Sankara, with the direction that all the heads of the Mutts will be called Sankaracharayas and they will have a lineage of Shishyas or disciples.

When Sri Sankara was in Sringeri, he divined by his superior powers that his mother was in her deathbed, and as per his promise while taking Sanyas that he would be by her side while she breathes her last, he reached Kaladi and paid his last respects to the old lady. Aryambal was happy that her son had come back. Sri Sankara prayed to Lord Venkateswara who appeared in person and blessed Aryambal. Sri Sankara did the last rites for his mother but the people of Kaladi said that a Sanyasi does not have the right to do the last rites, but he did not hear that and carried the body of Aryambal and put her in the pyre himself and lit it himself.

After the death of his mother, he went all over the country and converted the people of other faith to Advaita. He revived a number of temples and using his powers, he established a number of Yentras in these temples to spread the blessings of Parasakthi. During his travels, he arrived at Mukambi, a religious place in Karnataka. A poor brahmin came to Sri Sankara with his deaf and dumb son and After the death of his mother, he went all over the country and converted the people of other faith to Advaita. He revived a number of temples and using his powers, he established a number of Yentras in these temples to spread the blessings of Parasakthi. During his travels, he arrived at Mukambi, a religious place in Karnataka. A poor brahmin came to Sri Sankara with his deaf and dumb son and prostrated before Sri Sankara. Sri Sankara asked the boy, "who are you?". The dumb and deaf child, for the first time, opened his mouth and explained, "The body is not me, it is the Paramatma who is my body." Sri Sankara was pleased with his answer and he gave an amla fruit and named this boy as Hastaaamalakan. (Hastaa means hand and Amalakan means amala). Hastaamalaka became one of the principle disciples of Sri Sankara.

Sri Sankara, with his three principle disciples, namely, Padmapadar, Sureshwarar (Mandala Mishra) and Hastaamalaka, went from place to place, and preached Advaita. Sri Sankara gave intense training to his disciples. One of the other disciples, Giri, while listening to the discourses, would not ask any doubts, would not open his mouth, and would be silent all the time. Some of the other disciples thought that this Giri was a dumb idiot and did not know anything. One day, all the disciples were ready to listen to Sri Sankara's discourses. Sri Sankara waited for Giri to arrive. Ultimately, Giri turned up but instead of keeping silent on that day, burst forth into eight slokas which had never been heard by the disciples earlier. These were the creation of Giri. On hearing this, all the disciples felt ashamed and praised Giri. These slokas are called "Thotaka ashtakam". Giri was named as Thotakar by Sri Sankara.

Sri Sankara visited Thiruvidaimarudur in Tanjore district of Tamilnadu, which is a great religious place, and the ruling deity in the temple was Lord Shiva. The learned Saivites of the temple informed Sri Sankara that Lord Shiva is the creator and that they are all merely lowly life created by Lord Shiva, and if that was so, how does Sri Sankara say that they were one with the Lord ? They did not agree with the Advaita principle. Sri Sankara asked them to enter the temple. As they reached the Sanctum Santorum of the temple, their was a thunderous statement "Satyam is Advaita". This was repeated thrice and it was also followed by a hand which came out of the Linga which conformed the truth. All the learned persons acknowledged the principle of Advaita and accepted Sri Sankara as their Guru. Even today, there is a Sankara Mutt at Thiruvaimarudur and there is a linga with a hand materialising out of it.

Sri Sankara visited Thiruvanaikar, near Trichy in Tamilnadu. In this temple, the Goddess Akhilandeswari was having a feirce power and people who went to have her darshan could not stand the fierceness of this Goddess. Sri Sankara created two sets of earrings which are called Tatankam and he presented these to the Goddess. The fierceness of the deity reduced. This tatankam, the earrings, has been maintained over time by the Acharyas of the Kanchi Mutt

Sri Sankara visited Tirupathi and recited the Sloka "Vishnu pathathi keshanta stotra" which describes the Lord from his foot to the head. He wanted the people to visit the Lord in great numbers and get his blessings, he established an yantra. From that day the number of followers of the temple increased and is increasing day by day.

Arjuna tree is the tree of "Marutha" and the place where Lord Shiva appears as a Linga under this "Martha" tree is called Arjuna Kshetra. The Thiruvadaimaruthur which Sri Sankara visited earlier is called Madhyaarjunam. Srisaila, in Andhra, is called Mallikarjunam as Lord Shiva resides under a Marutha Tree which has also got Jasmine creepers on this tree. Sri Sankara visited this tree and became ecstastic on seeing the linga at the foot of this tree. His happiness flowed like the waves of a flood and became a sloka called Sivanandalahiri.

Near Srisailam, there is a forest called Hatakeshwaram, that no man enters. Sri Sankara entered this place and did penance for many days. During this time, a Kabalika, by name Kirakashan appeared before him. Kapalikas are a set of people who live in the burial grounds and pray to God by giving human and animal sacrifice. They were against Advaita which preaches love and affection and shuns violence. He asked Sri Sankara that he should give his body as a human sacrifice to Lord Shiva. Sri Sankara was happy to hear this request and agreed. Kirakashan was about to cut off Sri Sankara's head when Lord Narasimha appeared in the form of a lion and killed Kirakashan.

Sri Sankara completed his travels and went to Badrinath. Lord Vishnu appeared before him and told that his sculpture in Alaknanda river should be taken out and a temple should be built for it. This temple is called Badrinarayan temple and is one of the important religious places for Hindus.

I welcome you to the ecstatic world....

I Welcome you all to the ECSTATIC WORLD.

A Small Prayer:

Aum shuklambaradharam vishnum

Shashivarnam chaturbhujam

Prasanna vadanam dhyayet

Sarva vighnopa shantaye









Lord Vinayaka

Four Vedas

1. Rig Veda
2. Yajur Veda
3. Sama Veda
4. Atharwana Veda

The Puranas..............

There are 18 Puranas

1. Vishnu Purana
2. Naradiya Purana
3. Padma Purana
4. Garuda Purana
5. Varaha Purana
6. Bahagavata Purana
7. Brahmanda Purana
8. Brahmavaivarta Purana
9. Markandeya Purana
10. Bhavishya Purana
11. Vamana Purana
12. Brahma Purana
13. Matsya Purana
14. Kurma Purana
15. Linga Purana
16. Shiva Purana
17. Skanda Purana
18. Agni Purana
    
    Ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu

• Matsaya
• Kurma
• Varaha
• Narashima
• Vamana
• Parasurama
• Rama
• Balarama
• Krishna
• Kalki

Aaru Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga

• Thiruparamkundram
• Thiruchendur
• Palani
• Swamimalai
• Thiruthani
• Pazamudhircholai

Panchaboota Stalams of Lord Shiva:

• Kalahasti
• Jambukeshwaram
• ThiruAnnamalai
• Kancheepuram
• Chidambaram