KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2015

                                  

                                                           NILATHINGALTHUNDAM

The Lord of Kasi, Vishwanatha wanted to  see Varadaraja swamy of Kanchipuram having heard of its vaibhavam. There was a mango tree at the banks of river kampa. ( Kampa is river Saraswathi also known as Veghavathi. As she flew with great speed Lord Vishnu wanting to reduce its speed lied down and the river began to shiver in fright. ( Kampa- is shivering). Hence the name Kampanadhi. This mango tree gave a huge shadow and Lord Vishwanatha began his penance under it. Hence he got the name Ekambranaathar. The Lord appeared in front of him and praised Him.

“ Oh Vishwanatha,

1)      It is you who drank the poison ( Halaahalam) and saved the Devas.

2)      You burnt Manmatha into ashes ( The God of Lust)

3)      You saved Markandeya and kicked the Lord of Death.

You, being such a great person have come to see Me. How can I serve you?”

Lord Shiva smiled and replied

“ Oh Varadaraja, you Have been hiding your prowess and praising me as if I have done all these.

1)      It was your will to make me an instrument in your hands, to save the Devas from the fearful poison.

2)      As BadriNarayana you had already conquered Manmatha.

3)      And to Markandeya it was You who gave the darshan of pralaya and as Vatapathrashaayi.

Whereas I have been worshipped by Kubera, Ravana and Banasura to beget wealth, you have been worshipped by true devotees to beget salvation. Wealth can be usurped and snatched away, but not liberation. I only wish to give all men true wisdom. But laymen do not wish for wisdom and salvation. It is you who should give a solution to this.

The Lord then said “ Oh, Siva, You speak as if you do not know the real solution. You give salvation to every soul departing in Kasi. The only way is the Tharakamantra. Rama Nama is the only refuge in Kali. Those who have earned great merit ( punya) in the previous yugas will be devoted to you and Me and such people will chant the Rama Nama. In this kaliyuga it is very difficult to attain vairagya ( detachment from worldliness). Whatever desire is in the mind will surface during death.  If such people chant the Rama Nama they will overcome desires slowly and  I shall bless my devotees with salvation. May you chant the Taraka Mantra during that time in their ears.  This will inturn give them wisdom. Just as in Kasi may you do so in Kanchipuram too.

Thus Lord Siva ( Ekambranathar- as he sat under the mango tree) began chanting the Tharaka mantra in the ears of all those in Kanchipuram too. Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama as TarakaBrahma blesses all with their desires.