Aarupadaiveedu Thiruthani - Part I

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The depth of the urge to merge with the infinite marks the degree of the spiritual advancement of an aspirant. The truth cloaked in a number of mythologies does not evade the earnest eyes of an eligible seeker. The union of Lord Murugan and Valli in Thiruthani is one such mythology that indirectly indicates the union of the Jeevatma and the Paramatma ensued by unblemished bliss.

The Legend

The two daughters of Mahavishnu, Amritavalli and Sundaravalli desired to seek the hand of Lord Murugan. Amritavalli who incarnated as Devasena married the Lord in Thiruparamkundram. Sundaravalli was also favoured by the Lord's grace when she was reincarnated as a hunter chieftain's daughter, Valli.

Upendra, one of the avatars of Vishnu, Lord Vishnu and Mahalakshmi when engaged in a conversation failed to notice the arrival of Sage Kanvamuni. The enraged sage cursed the three. Lord Vishnu was to be born as a dumb sage meditating on Lord Shiva for many births, Goddess Lakshmi was to roam in the forests as a deer and Upendra to be born a hunter.

The penance performed by Lord Vishnu as a dumb saint Shivamuni to Lord Shiva reduced the effect of the curse from many births to one. Due to the intercedence of Lord Shiva, the Sage considered the effect of the curse to be reduced and that the three would resume their true forms in the marriage between Lord Murugan and Valli.

Lord Vishnu who was reincarnated as Shivamuni felt passionate towards a deer ( Goddss Lakshmi ) that roamed in the forest. The deer in turn returned the passion the sequel of which a human child was given birth by it. The child was then abandoned by the deer as being abnormal.

Upendra reincarnated as Nambirajan, a hunter chieftain discovered the child in a cluster of creepers called Valli Kodi in Tamil. She was named Valli after the creeper and affectionately brought up by him in the forests.

Sage Narada notified to Lord Murugan, the beauty of Valli and her devotion to Him. The omniscient Lord set forth to Valli malai to marry her.

The Lord hence assumed a form of a hunter and approached Valli while she was guarding the millet field's against the preying birds. He expressed His desire to wed her, but Valli declined the offer and cried out to her brothers for help. On the approach of the hunter clan, the Lord transformed himself into a tree.

The Lord who wanted to test the perseverance of Valli, then disguised himself as an old renunciate appeared before Valli. Valli not understanding the beguilement, satisfied the hunger of the old renunciate with millet flour and honey. The Lord then expressed His amorous feelings for her to which she calmly replied that she would marry none other than Lord Murugan. The Lord called upon Lord Ganesh, His brother in a form of an elephant to scare Valli. On seeing the trumpeting elephant, Valli pleaded with the Lord to drive the elephant and consented to marry the old renunciate. Once the elephant left she went back on her words and expressed her refusal to marry him. The elephant came charging back which made her rush into the arms of the old renunciate closing her eyes and reciting the Lord's name in swift repetition. On opening the eyes, Valli found herself before her heart's favourite in His original resplendent form.

The brothers of Valli rushed at the Lord thinking Him to be an old renunciate for his misdemeanor with Valli. The Lord vanquished them. They were later brought back to life on the intercedence of Valli. Nambirajan had the marriage of the Lord and Valli carried out in pomp and show