Om Namaha Sivaya

                   Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur

This post is dedicated to Shri Pushpagiri Ravi,  
who was a close friend of mine some 5decades
ago and who, strangely, remembers me even
today, though I did not leave any impression
 worthy to be remembered  of while leaving
Trichur but carried an indelible image  of him
in my heart. My salutes to his amazing personality
and if he so wishes, can take this post as a token 
of love from me.

Some where else in my Blogs  I had mentioned that
Trichur was a sleeping City during my childhood  days
but I admit,  I was wrong. The truth was that I was a
sleeping boy of that period for whom the whole
world was sleepy. Otherwise, how can the City be
sleepy which is looked after by the Lord 
Vadakkumnathan,the Lord of the North?
Lord Siva came down from His  Abode
in the Kailas,and through the banks
of Ganges where He established 
Himself as Kasi Vishwanath,came further
down  to the South and  settled here 
amongst the forest of Teak Wood Trees 
at the  centre of this City and  even gave
His name to the place. The ever agile people
of this city, cut through  the forest and made
a beautiful home for the Parameshwar who blesses
His bhakthas ever since.

Sastras and Vedas say, one can not see the God with
our naked eyes as the Brahmam according to them
is not perceivable by any wordily organs. One needs
Divya Chakshus to see  Him.Even Lord Krishna
had to give the Divya Chakshus to Arjuna before
he could   see His Virat Swaroopam. The Upanishad,
in search of Brahmam, negates every thing saying
"this is not that (Neti)", and then imagines  something
and says" "Tat Twam Asi"  with two variables, "Tat"
and "Twam". Experts are still  debating on the
Brahmam as the Form less, Nirguna  and 
Nirankar,when these people of Trichur heard
the sounds of " Aham Brahmasmi", "Aham Brahmasmi"
 ( I am the God),  from  within these very  Teak 
Wood Forest.  They paved the way and saw the
Param Brahmam , the Ultimate God   in this form
of a Siva Linga. Was it the Nada Brahmam which led to
the discovery of Vadakkumnathan  or was it
the Punya Karmas of the people of  this Cultural Capital
of Kerala which attracted the  Lord to this 
beautiful city, I for one, can not say.  But this is the
 Sakara Swaroopam of this  Nirguna Brahmam
 called the Parama Sivan. "OM NAMA SIVAYA"

If one needs any description of the Sakaratwam or
Sagunatwam of Lord Siva, one only needs to go
through the Vedas.  Lord Siva's "Sri Rudram" also
illustrates the Dwigunatwam  of Lord Siva in no
uncertain terms............

Namo bhavaya cha rudraya cha....to...  

Namo vruddhaya cha samvrudhvane cha               

Namo agriyaya cha pradhamaya cha ...to..

Nama stotrothasyaya cha dweepyaya cha

Namo jyeshtayaa cha kanishtaya cha....to..

Namo sravaya  cha prathisravaaya cha

Nama aasushenaaya cha asuradhaya cha..to.

Nama sruthaya cha sruthasenaaya cha

Namo dunthubhyaya cha hananyaya cha..to.

Nama nadhyaya cha  vaisanthaaya cha

Nama koopyaya cha  vatyaya cha...to.

Namo vasthavyaya cha vaasthupaya cha

Nama somaaya cha rudhraaya cha...to.

Nama shivaya cha shiva tharaaya cha

Namas theerthaaya cha koolyaya cha...to..

Nama sikathyaya cha pravaahyaya cha

Nama ireenyaya cha prapadhyaya cha....to.

Namo lopyaya cha  ulopyaya cha. 

Nama oorvyaya cha soormyaya cha....to.

Namo aamivatkebhya.........

And perhaps, through out this Rudra Prasnam,

the same story goes on and on.

The same Nirakara &Nirguna tatwam is 

perpetuated here as the Sakara, Saguna

and even Dwiguna incarnation,called Shankara.

The Lord Siva  is here in this form of 

Vadakkumnathan,who is the Jyothir Lingam

of the 12 Sivasthalas we know, who is like the 

Prabha  of a Koti Suryas.  He resides here among 

the many many Nila Vilakkus and the

many many Prakara vilakkus, in this very 

hot Sri  Kovil, yet He feels very cold and

hence had wrapped Himself with the blanket of

Ghee, which otherwise  melting, but here

feels the ice cold  chillness of the   Lord, 

and hence  frozen'. He is Hot at the same 

time Cold, a dwiguna we  can see with

our own eyes.As we all know, He carries

the Chandra Kalas  on His head,

which must be giving the chillness. 

Yes, we said the same Param Porul, 

The Ultimate  Thing,is here for 

giving Darshan to the many

many Bhakthas who visit Him

every day.  One has  to take the

prescribed route to see Him and

His Co-dieties Shankaranarayana

and Lord Rama. I used to think,

when our goal is  to attain 

the Param Porul, why dont we take 

a direct route to His Abode.

The History and Legends about

Vadakkumnathan Temple is 

available from the internet

sources and they are briefly 

as follows: 

Vadakkumnathan Temple history

dates  back to over 1,000 years.

The history  of the temple is

connected  with the birth of

the great Kerala scholar, 

Guru Adi Shankaracharya.

Shankara was born to the

Shivaguru -Aryamba couple of Kalady,

in answer to their prayers to God 
Vadakkunnathan. According to 

legends, Lord Shiva appeared

to both husband and wife in 

their dream. He offered them a 

choice that they could have either 

an ordinary son  who would live a 

long life or an extraordinary

son who would die early. The

couple chose  the second option.

They named the  son Adi Shankara, 

in honour of Shiva. It is said that

Adi Shankara attained Videha Mukti,

Freedom  from embodiment, in 
Vadakkunnathan temple.

The statue of Lord Shiva is in the form of a huge lingam.
 However, the statue is not visible, as it is covered by a 
mount of ghee, formed by the  daily abhishekam

A remarkable feature is that the ghee does not melt 
even during tropical climate of summer  or due to the 
heat of numerous oil lamps burning nearby. 
The scrapings of the solidified ghee are given to devotees
 as ‘Prasada', which is believed to  have medicinal and
 curative  properties. The ghee even does not have 
any foul odour.  The Nalambalam of Vadakkumnathan
 Temple in Thrissur has a shrine dedicated to Lord 
Vettekkaran (Shiva in a hunter form). Located
 outside the nalambalam are the shrines of Lord Krishna,
 Vrishabha, Parasurama, Simhodara,
 Dharmasastha (Swamy Ayyappan) and Guru
 Adi Sankaracharya. On the verandah of the
 Nalambalam is a large white bullock Nandikeswara
 or Nandi bull. The two important  murals in the
 temple, Vasukisayana and Nrithanatha,
 are worshipped regularly.Inside the temple,
 the devotees can have darshan of

 Lord Shiva of Kasi and Lord  Chidambaranatha of
 Chidambaram, Lord Shiva of  Rameswaram, Sree Kali
 of Kodungallur, Urakam Ammathiruvadi,
 Lord Bharatha (Koodalmanickam) at Irinjalakuda,
 Sree Vyasa, Sree Hanuman and the serpent gods. 
The shrine of Lord Ganapathi, called as Venmadacoil,
 is seen facing the temple kitchen. Offering of Appam,
 sweetened rice cake fried in  ghee, is one of the most 
 important offerings at the temple.


In my school days, I used to walk on these Maidan
 areas,mainly to munch the  sand-roasted peanuts 

rather than visiting  Lord Siva....but as my Gurunathar,
Sri Sri Krishna Premi  Maharaj, the Paranur Mahatma,

used to tell us that  when you are in the premises of Lord
Siva,He showers  His blessings on you even if you are

not going for His Darshan. It is indeed, the Shiva Kripa,
unlimited in measures,that has brought us back to

this city of Three Sivas.  When we chant this Mantra 
of Maha Mrityunjaya, we may,actually not

win over Death, but we will get rid of the fear of it.    .

 

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan

Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat

And if one can chant this Siva Chalisa, as and when possible, 
he/she can sustain the Siva Kripa for the whole life.

Because He is the Ashutosh, the Shipra Prasadaka, 
who is an Abhisheka Priya,likes the Dhara continuously, gets it

from the Ganges which He carries on His Jada, but
if Ganga Water is not within our reach, a few drops of TEARS

for Him is all He wants to shower His Blessings.

 As the Bhagavatam says.....

" Yat Dwyaksharam naama gireritham nrunam,

Sakrut Prasangadaghamasu hanti  tat,

Pavitra Kirthim Tamalamgyasasanam,

Bhavanaho dweshti Sivam Sivetharaha."

Meaning the two letter word Siva,even if chanted 
unconsciously once ,will remove all the Sins

from the chanter and pave the way for Salvation.
And this is vouched by none other than Sati Devi Herself.

 Further clarified by the Vishnu Dhoothas in Bhagavatam.... 

"Sanketyam Parihasyam va sthobham helanameva va,

Vaikunta Naama Grahanam Aseshahakaram   Viduhu."

The famous story of the dying hunter,comes to my mind,
 handing over his  profession to his young son,
saying what he has to do,namely Aahara , Prahara,
 Samhara, and the Bolenath  thought,He is being 
called as Hara, Hara and Hara, and gives 
MUKTHI to the old Hunter. And hence why cant we chant....

                      "OM NAMAHA SIVAYA"

"Om Nama Parvathi Pataye, Hara Hara Hara Mahadeva."

                                               

 Shiva Chalisa Stotra


Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan,Mangal Mul Sujan,
Kahat Ayodhya Das,Tum Dey Abhaya Varadan
Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala,Sada Karat Santan Pratipala,
Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike,Kanan Kundal Nagaphani Ke
Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye,Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye,
Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain,Chhavi Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain
Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari,Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari,
Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari,Karat Sada Shatrun Chhayakari
Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise,Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise,
Kartik Shyam Aur Gana rauo,Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jata Na Kauo
Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara,Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara,
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari,Devan Sab Mili Tumahi Juhari
Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau,Luv nimesh Mahi Mari Girayau,
Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara,Suyash Tumhara Vidit Sansara
Tripurasur Sana Yudha Machai,Sabhi Kripakar Lina Bachai,
Kiya Tapahin Bhagiratha Bhari,Purahi Pratigya Tasu Purari
Darpa chod Ganga thabb Aayee,Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin,
Veda Nam Mahima Tav Gai,Akatha Anandi Bhed Nahin Pai
Pragati Udadhi Mantan te Jvala,Jarae Sura-Sur Bhaye bihala,
Mahadev thab Kari Sahayee, Nilakantha Tab Nam Kahai
Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha,Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi,
Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari,Kinha Pariksha Tabahin Purari
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu goyee,Kushal-Nain Pujan Chahain Soi,
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar,Bhaye Prasanna Diye-Ichchhit Var
Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi,Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi,
Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai,Bhramat Rahe Man Chain Na Avai
Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro,Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro,
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro,Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro
Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi,Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi,
Swami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari,Ai Harahu Ab Sankat Bhari
Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin,Arat jan ko peer mitaee,
 Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari,Shambhunath ab tek tumhari
Dhana Nirdhana Ko Deta Sadaa Hii,Jo Koi Jaanche So Phala Paahiin,
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karon Tumhaarii,Kshamahu Naatha Aba Chuuka Hamaarii

Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nashan,Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan,
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan,Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain
Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya,Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya,
Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai,To kon Hota Hai Shambhu Sahai
Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari,Patha Karai So Pavan Hari,
Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi,Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi
Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai,Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai,
Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha,Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha
Dhuupa Diipa Naivedya Chadhaave,Shankara Sammukha
 Paatha Sunaave,Janma Janma Ke Paapa Nasaave,
Anta Dhaama Shivapura Men Paave

"Om Tat Sat"