Thirukoshtiyur: Where The Narayana Mantra Was Made Known To The World!

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Thirukoshtiyur, a quaint little village in Tamil Nadu, hosts the temple where the 'Narayana mantra' was proclaimed to the world by Saint Ramanujacharya. Let's look into the significance of the Thirukoshtiyur temple, its history and the story behind the announcement of the mantra to the world.

History Of Thirukoshtiyur Temple

In the Satya Yuga the devas, the rishis and the people were tortured by Hiranyakashipu as revenge for the death of his brother Hiranyaksha in the hands of Lord Vishnu. Hence the devas and the rishis looked upon Lord Shiva and Brahma to come to their aid.

Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, the devas and the rishis chose Thirukoshtiyur as the place to huddle in order to discuss the issue. They gathered as a group, for which the village came to be addressed as Thiru ( sacred), Kosti (group), ur (place).

A noteworthy significance is that Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Narasimha here and revealed it to Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, devas and the rishis even before incarnating it to vanquish Hiranyakashipu. Lord Vishnu further revealed his three other forms at the behest of the gods and rishis in the reclining posture, dancing posture and sitting posture. This place also holds much importance for having Saint Ramanujacharya proclaim the Narayana mantra to the world.

Significance Of Thirukoshtiyur Temple

The Thirukoshtiyur temple is one among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. It finds prominence in the Naalaayira Divya Prabandham (The 4000 hymns in praise of Lord Vishnu). The presiding deity here is Sowmya Narayana Perumal.

The Thirukoshtiyur temple is significant as it is built in different stages to host the four different forms of Lord Vishnu, which he revealed to the gods and the rishis. He assumed the form of dancing Krishna (Nardhana Krishna), who is also addressed as the Bhooloka Perumal on the ground level, as Sowmya Narayana Perumal also known as Thiruparkadal Perumal in the reclining pose in the first level, Upendra Narayana or Devaloka Perumal on the second level and Paramapatha Nadhar or Vaikunda Perumal in the sitting posture in the third level.

Goddess Thirumamagal, the consort of Sowmya Narayana Perumal is enshrined separately to the South of the main shrine. The temple boasts of the Ashtanga Vimana, which has eight parts over the sanctum. Lord Narasimha blesses from the northern side of the Ashtanga Vimana unusually with Rahu and Ketu next to him. Lord Narasimha also bestows grace from a separate shrine in the temple. Another uncommon feature is the presence of a Swayambu linga in the entrance of this Vishnu temple. There is also the Santhana Krishna or the Prarthana Kannan in a cradle. People wishing for the boon of a child pray to Santhana Krishna.

The silver idol of Thirukoshtiyur Perumal or Sowmya Narayana Perumal now used in processions was given by Indra to Kadhamba Maharshi. There is also the Mahamaga Kinaru or well where the Lord fulfilled the wish of King Pururava by appearing before him there on Mahamaga festival.

Lighting Lamps In Thirukoshtiyur temple

Lighting lamps and praying here is an important part of worship for the fulfilment of wishes in Thirukoshtiyur temple. People whose wishes are fulfilled by Sowmya Narayana Perumal light lamps and float them in the sacred pond in the temple on Masi Magam or the Float festival which falls between February and March. Those others whose wishes are yet to be fulfilled can pick up a lamp, take it home and worship it in the puja room. When their wish is fulfilled, they bring back the lamp along with 3 or 5 others and light them in the sacred pond the following year on Masi Magam or the Float festival. This practice is carried out mainly for those seeking a suitable marriage alliance or seeking the boon of a child.

Saint Ramanujacharya's Proclamation Of Narayana Mantra

Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal the guru of Saint Ramanujacharya, the expounder of Vishishtadvaita philosophy, revealed the Ashtakshara or the Narayana mantra, 'Om Namo Narayanaya' to him, cautioning him to not disclose it to anyone. When Ramanujacharya asked him about the consequences of the disclosure of the mantra, the guru said that he will go to hell.

The guru's words did not deter Ramanujacharya from sharing the Narayana mantra with the world for its welfare despite his suffering in hell. He climbed the gopuram or the temple tower of Thirukoshtiyur, summoned people from all walks of life and announced the Narayana mantra to the world sans caste discrimination. The guru, Thirukoshtiyur Nambigal was however pleased with the intention of Ramanujacharya and named him 'Emperumanar', meaning 'my superior'. One can see a life-size image of Saint Ramanujacharya in the Ashtanga mandapam of the temple.

Such is the glory of the Thirukoshtiyur temple. Let us thus seek the blessings of Sowmya Narayana Perumal for a fruitful life.