Hiranya Kashipu and Prahalathan
Once the Demon named “Hiranyakashipu” underwent a penance towards Lord Brahma Devar and obtained the boon that he would not be killed by Devas, Asuras, Humans, Animals or By Any of the Weapons in the universe. By having a well secured boon, he went on a rampage harassing everyone and forcing them to utter ‘Namo Hiranyaya Namaha’. He even removed the idols from the temple and installed of his own and ordered the people to worship him. Worried at his increasing harassment the Devas requested Lord Siva’s, who then directed them to go to Lord Brahma Devar as he was the one offered the boon. But Lord Brahma Devar directed them to Lord Maha Vishnu as He is the one who could pin down the Demon Hiranyakashipu. Devas went to Thiru Paarkadal but they were told by Lord Narayana that Hiranya’s powers had spread around the world and they had to go and find if there is any place in the world where His name was still being chanted. All Devas went searched and at last they managed to find Kadhamba Rishi’s Ashram as the one and only place where Lord Parantahman’s Name was still being chanted. The Rishi was undertaking severe penance in his quest to have darshan of the Lord as Ksheerabdhi Nathan as He is blessing in Thiruparkadal.
All the Three Lords and the Devas reached Kadamba Rishi’s ashram to discuss the plan to kill the Demon. While everyone remained there, Lord Narayana went back to Thiru Paarkadal and asked “Sanghu Karnan” to be born as Hiranyakashipu’s son Prahalada who would chant “Om Namo Narayana” all the time. At last Hiranya Vatham were done. After Hiranya Samhara, Kadamba Rishi requested Brahmma to give him a model of Lord Narayana killing Hiranya. It was Brahmma who directed Vishwakarma to construct a 3 tiered structure at this place, One with Om, another with Namo and the third with Narayana with the Southern side of the tower depicting ‘Lord ‘Narasimha catching Hiranyan’. He asked Maayan to construct the Northern side of the tower depicting ‘Narasimha killing Hiranyan’.Indra, who had stayed back here till the Hiranya Vatham, gifted Kadhamba Rishi, the silver plated idols of Sowmya Narayanar along with Sridevi, Bhoodevi and Neeladevi. When Pururavan, the son of Budhan ( Mercury ) flew above Thiru Koshtiyur on his way for a bath in the Ganges, he was brought down to this place through the powers of the Ashtanga Vimanam. Having had a darshan of the Thiru Koshtiyur Lord and lured by his presence, Pururavan built this town where people could stay and have darshan of Sheerbadhi Nathan. 3 Tier Ashtanga Vimanam - This is one among the Two Divyadesams with a 'Three tiered Ashtanga Vimanam'. The other one is Thiru Koodal in Madurai. At the ground level, there’s a sanctum here for Lord Shiva. The ALMIGHTY is blessing in the first tier as Lord Uraga Mellanaiyaan Sheerabdhi Nathan in His Sleeping Posture. Above him in the second Tier as Lord Upendra Narayana in HIS Standing Posture and on the third Tier as Lord Paramapadha Nathan in HIS Sitting Posture. Apart from these tow Divyadesams. there is one Ramaswamy Temple near Ambasamudram, which has a similar 3 tiered Ashtanga Vimanam. On Tier 3, through a small gap one can reach the place from where Ramanuja pronounced the Thiru Mandhiram to the world at large.
This is the temple where Ramanujar learnt “Thiru Mandhiram” on his 18th visit all the way from Srirangam.
Ramanujar came down to Thirukostiyur all the way from Srirangam to meet Thirukostiyur Nambi to learn Thiru Mandhiram and returned back with no use consecutively for 17 times. But when Ramanujar came on the 18th occasion, and to a big surprise Nambi welcomed him and informed him that his arrogance had gone and can learn Thiru Mandhiram then. Ramanuja requested his Acharya Nambi to teach him the Thiru Narayana Mandhiram. Nambi agreed to teach him with one condition that Ramanujar would not share it with anyone else and that if he failed, he would go to hell. Having learnt Thiru Mandhiram thoroughly, Ramanuja came up here to the 3rd tier, called out for the people and recited the Thiru Mandhiram to the world at large. Shocked at this break of promise, Nambi questioned Ramanujar why he had not kept his promise. Ramanuja then told him that by breaking the promise, he only will go to hell but sharing the Holy Thiru Mandhiram to the entire world several people would get Moksham and hence, he was ready to go to hell. Impressed with Ramanujar’s reply, Thirukostiyur Nambi called him as “Nee Em Perumaal Aanar” - You Became My Lord. By then Sreeman ramanujar was also called as Emberumaanaar.
There are sepearte sanctum sanctorums for Sreeman Ramanujar and Thirukostiyur Nambi here and Outside of Nambi’s Sannidhi there is a board contains the list of 18 Thiru Mandhiram. On the third tier, on the Southern side, there is a beautifully sculpted statue of Ramanuja in a sitting posture to mark the ‘Thiru Mandhiram’ pronunciation to the world. In the Thirupallandu verse, Peri Azhvaar says that having seen him here at Thiru Koshtiyur, he too like the faultless Thiru Koshtiyur Nambi will become a faithful Servant of the Lord and that he will forever chant and spread the Om Namo Narayana mantra as well as the several other names of the Lord with the sole aim of relinquishing all other unwanted desires in life. In addition to Periyalwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Peyazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar and Bhoothath Azhwar have praised the Almighty here in Thiru Koshtiyur with the total of 40 Pasurams. Periyalwar visualised ‘Aayarpadi’ when he saw Thiru Koshtiyur - When Periyalwar worshipped Thiru Koshtiyur for the first time, it was the day of Krishna Jayanthi and the whole place was with full of festival atmosphere and the people were celebrating with singing and dancing around bringing back memories of the young and playful Krishnan. Peritalwar visualised Thiru Koshtiyur as ‘Aayarpadi’ and sung praise of this place referring to this as ‘one with big mansions’.The Name Removal of all Sins - As All the Devas came here in Groups (Ghosti) requesting Lord Narayana to kill Asura Hiranyakashipu, this place is called Koshtiyur. The belief is that a visit to this place will remove one’s sins as can be seen from the name – Thiruku – Sin. Otiyur - removed. Belief is that visiting Thiru Koshtiyur provides Devotees the fruits of visiting Naimisaranyam Divya Desam, a bath in River Ganges and a Holy Visit to the Gurukshetram. It is also believed strongly that a Vaishnavite who does not visit Thiru Koshtiyur in his life time will born as monkey in the coming births. |
