Aaarupadaiveedu-Pazhani

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The formless truth or the reality is elusive to the eluding mind that thrives on forms. To aspire to grasp the essence of the truth,though a noble effort lies still within the realm of the form. Hence the truth itself manifests itself in forms to lead the aspirant through different stages of spiritual development .

The stories of such manifestations symbolically represent the underlying truth which ultimately leads one to discard the delusive mind and to delve into the formless divinity or truth. This would mean liberation. The legend of Pazhani or Palani temple is another example of the divine play.

The Legend

The is dedicated to Lord Muruga and is referred by Nakeerar as the third among the Aarupadaiveedu ( Six battle camps ) in his work Thirumurugaatrupadai. The legend goes thus when once Sage Narada presented a divine mango fruit to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati that was supposed to bestow wisdom to the one who consumes it. Lord Shiva in turn wanted His sons Lord Ganesh and Lord Muruga to partake of the fruit of wisdom. However Sage Narada's opinion was that the fruit should not be cut. Hence Lord Shiva threw a contest to His sons that who ever comes round the world in a second would be the recipient of the fruit.

Lord Muruga immediately mounted his vehicle, the peacock to complete the mission. Lord Ganesh however circumambulated His parents saying that His world consisted of His parents and thus won the fruit of wisdom. Lord Muruga who had completed the mission within the allotted time felt outwitted. In a fit of rage He left His parents seeking seclusion. He reached the place called Thiru Aavinankudi. ( Now the foothills of Pazhani ) with the name 'Kuzandhai Velaayudha Swami.'

Lord Muruga was meanwhile pacified by His divine parents that He was Himself the fruit of wisdom ( Pazham-fruit, Nee-you )

Sage Agasthiya meanwhile had commissioned his disciple Idumban to transfer the Shivagiri and Shaktigiri hills to be moved down south which was his abode. The fatigued Idumban while carrying out his master's mission placed down the hills that he had slung across his shoulder in a Kavadi ( a long staff placed across his shoulder with the hills slung, one in the front and the other behind ).

Idumban wanting to resume his journey was unable to move the Shivagiri hill which Lord Muruga mischievously withheld it for making it His abode. A fierce battle ensued and the defeated Idumban requested the Lord that who so ever walked his way to Pazhani bearing a Kavadi, should be delivered from their suffering immediately by His grace. He also requested the Lord to entrust him with the duty of being His sentinel.

Lord Muruga was meanwhile pacified by His divine parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati that He was Himself the fruit of wisdom ( Pazham-fruit, Nee-you ) and what need of Him for a fruit to gain wisdom? The pacified Lord then withdrew to the Shivagiri Hill that He had withheld from Idumban and settled there as a recluse in seclusion. He came to be worshipped as Lord Dhandaayudhapaani.

About Bhogar

People who are aware of Pazhani would be aware of Bhogar, a saint as well. Bhogar was the disciple of Kalangi Nathar . He chose the Pazhani hill for his yogic practices and thus attained Swarupa Samadhi by the grace of Lord Muruga in Pazhani.

Bhogar convoked a meeting with the other Siddhars before the advent of Kali Yuga and was entrusted with the job of formulating the worship of Lord Muruga in Pazhani. Bhogar hence created a statue of Lord Dhandaayudhapaani ( Lord Muruga in Pazhani) with the mixture of nine secret herbs and chemicals called the Navapaashaanam. Eight ingredients were used to mould the statue and the ninth constituted the catalyst to solidify it.

Bhogar also formulated the Abishekam for the statue with Panchamirtham spread over the idol as a part of the worship. The Panchamirtam poured over the idol withdrew the properties of the statue is believed to cure illness as well bestow spiritual advancement. The Raakaala Sandhanam or the sandalwood paste smeared on the idol also serves the same purpose.

It is also believed that Bhogar was the spiritual master of Babaji who advocated the Kriya Yoga.