Wednesday, October 3, 2012

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH -OCTOBER 2012



                                             THIRUMEIYAM

Once Indra was seated on the throne along with Sachi Devi at Amaravathi. He was surrounded by all the other Devas, kinnaras, Kimpurushas, apsaras, Gandharvas. Vishnu too was in that sabha. Just then Sage Narada entered and praised Lord Vishnu with his sweet music. Indra questioned Narada “ I have heard that
Truth is the greatest theertha
Truth is the greatest penance
Truth is the greatest merit
Tuth is the greatest vratha.
Those who lie even casually will beget hell. Please tell me who at present in this world is a staunch follower of this truth?

Narada said “ there is a hill by name Sathyagiri ( Thirumeiyam) at the banks of Pushpabhadra river.There is a banyan tree by name Bhadravatam and a stone by name Chakrashila. There a sage by name Sathyamedas does penance. He is the most truthful of all.”

Having heard the words of Narada Vishnu and Indra wanted to test the sage. Vishnu took the form of a varaha and Indra disguised as a hunter came to the sage. The hunter came chasing the pig and the pig sought the help of Sathyamedas. The sage in turn hid the pig in his own ashrama. The hunter who came searching for it questioned sathyamedas “ Oh Dear Sage Where is that pig which I have been chasing all along. Me and my family have been starving for many days and that pig is my prey. Tell me where it is. Did you see it” Sathyamedas was caught in a fix. If he said he didn’t know about it, it would be a lie. And if he did tell out the truth the pig would be killed by the hunter. He then diplomatically answered “  You ask me if I have seen the pig. Who is the perceiver? What is to be perceived? What is meant by sight? May you understand by thinking about these three truths.”
 Having heard this wise yet true reply Vishnu and Indra appeared in their original form. Looking at Sathyanarayana and Indra the sage extolled the Lord beautifully “ Lord,You are the origin of truth, repository of truth, path of truth, protector of Truth. Truth both in word and conscience ( Rutham) are your eyes. One is truthful only when one acts as per his conscience. Rutham is protected by sathyama and vice versa. As you are the antharyami you know each person when he lies. By your maya the true athma looks as if untrue and the untrue world looks as if true. May you show me the exact truth. Those who speak nothing but the truth attain great peace and happiness. Those who speak the truth are mostly silent and speak very less.”

The Lord highly please by His words blessed him saying “ This hill will be named  after you and I shall show my presence here. Those who speak untruth especially in the court will be punished by me duly. Those sinners who truly repent will also be forgiven by me.”

Thus those devotees who truly realise their folly and worship sathyanarayana swamyt at Sathyagiri will be relieved of their sins.

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