THIRUVAZHUNDUR OR THERAZHUNDUR
Once there lived a king called Uparicharavasu. He was a
Dharmic ruler. He did a Purodasa Yaga worshipping Lord Vishnu. The Lord pleased by his yaga gave darshan to
him. He was surprised to see the Lord in person and shouted in joy. However the
sages performing the sacrifice there relented. They could not agree that the
king could see the Lord whereas they had not. Then the Lord spoke “Iam attained
only by those having devotion. I cannot be attained by Tapas, or Yoga marga. I
have given the king my darshan as he is full of loving devotion towards me. The
sages having heard this praised the king for his bhakthi. After the completion
of the yaga the Devas presented the king an aeroplane with which he could
travel anywhere around the world and attain success.
Once while travelling
in his vimana, he felt something pulling it. He came to the ground and was
stunned to see Lord Krishna grazing a cow. How come you are here Oh, Lord? Why
have you left the banks of Yamuna and why have you chosen the banks of Cauvery
instead, he asked. The Lord smiled and related to him an incident.
“ Once Lord Shiva
wanted to see me as little Krishna. He was meditating on my form when Parvathi
playfully closed his eyes. Angered by it he cursed her saying “ You are Vishnu
Maya. You , who close the eyes of one and all against wisdom are now trying to
close my eyes too. That which is devoid
of knowledge is a pashu (cow). May you become a cow. When the Lord showers his grace on you, you can rejoin me.”
Thus Parvathi became a cow at the banks of the river Cauvery and I looked after
her. Shiva too came here and had my darshan. With a fulfilled heart, my sister
Parvathi released from the curse went back to her loka. Now I stand before you
to show you my beautiful form.” Uparicharavasu was only too happy to build a
beautiful temple for the Lord Gosakhan- friend of the cow. Those who worship
this Lord will always beget victory in all their endeavour. The kshetra is
called Therazhundur because Uparicharavasu’s vimana was stuck here. The Lord is
called Aamaruviappan because he holds the cow close to him ( Aa- cow, maruvi-
hugging).
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