Kanjanur-Navagrahasthalam Of Lord Sukra

Faith Mysticism

oi-Priya Devi

By Priya Devi

Thursday, April 22, 2010, 17:27

Lord Sukra (Venus) of the nine planets plays a significant part in one's life according to Hinduism. He is the one who bestows all the comforts in one's life and hence the placement of Sukra in one's horoscope is of prime importance. It hence becomes a necessity to appease Lord Sukra for the malefic planetary effects of its wrong placement in one's birth chart .

The special feature of the Navagrahasthalam in Kanjanoor (Kanjanur), dedicated to Lord Sukra is that Lord Shiva Himself is worshipped as Lord Sukra. It is thus the manifestation of the truth that everything arises from the Lord and that He pervades all.

Thirukanjanur is one of the important temples near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.

The Legend

The temple holds a special significance that both Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva in Kanjanur.

As per the legend, Lord Vishnu, in Vamana Avathara, asked for the land covered by three steps to King Bali. Sukracharya, the Asura Guru getting an inkling that the dwarf was a no ordinary one, tried to hinder the granting of the wish. He assumed the form of a bee and clogged the hole in the Kamandalam (a jar ), the pouring of water from which will indicate the completion of granting the boon. Lord Vishnu, in order to unclog the hole, inserted a Darbhai grass which blinded one of the eyes of Sukracharya. The asura guru in rage, cursed Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is then said to have sought refuge in Lord Shiva in Kanjanur to get Himself absolved of the curse.

The temple history resonates with the devotion of Sudarshanar known as Haradatta Sivacharyar and Lord Shiva's bestowal of grace over him. Sudarshanar was born to Vaishnavite parents and even in a tender age his devotion for Lord Shiva was strictly condemned by the Vaishnavites. Hence in order to prove the greatness of the Lord, the child sat on a red hot iron stool and chanted the name of Shiva thrice. He thus emerged unscathed to the amazement of all. His devotion to Lord Shiva and the Lord's grace was testified and henceforth came to be known as Haradatta.

The most interesting factor is that Haradatta was the incarnation of none other than Lord Vishnu who was cursed by the very same Sukracharya. Sukracharya's mother was beheaded by Vishnu's chakra accidentally during a war between the Devas and the Asuras, the result of which Lord Vishnu was cursed by Sukracharya(Asura Guru)

The legend also states that Lord Brahma offered prayers to Lord Shiva here and hence was blessed with the boon to witness the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The Brahma Linga in the shrine of Kanjanur is said to be worshipped by Lord Brahma.

The temple is again associated with Sukracharya through another interesting legend. Lord Shiva had imparted Sukracharya with the 'Amirtha Sanjeevini Mantra' which is capable of raising the dead. Sukracharya misused the mantra by raising all the dead Auras in a battle between the Devas and the Asuras which enraged Lord Shiva. The Lord in a rage thus swallowed up Sukracharya who meditated on the Lord from within. With the intervention of Goddess Karpagavalli, the asura guru was freed. Shiva on the repentance of Sukraharya, bestowed him the status of a celestial planet in Kanjanur.

The temple is also holds another significant legend.Once a Brahman threw a buddle of grass on calf accidently which killed it. He was hence thus strongly condemned by the others in his community. Following Haradatta's instructions, the Brahman fed the temple bull, Nandhi, made out of stone with grass chanting the 'Panchakshara Shiva mantra' . He was absolved of his sin when the stone bull responded by eating the grass.

The prevailing deity Lord Agneeswarar here is called thus as He was worshipped by 'Agni' or the Lord of Fire. Others who have worshipped the Lord here are Parasara Munivar, Brahma, Agni, Kamsan, Chandran, Viruthakaalakandan, Chandrasenan, Markandeyar and Suraikaa Munivar

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