Chennai Parthasarathy Temple

Darśan - Tiruvallikkēṇi Srī Pārthasārathi Perumāḷ

திருவல்லிக்கேணி ஸ்ரீபார்த்தசாரதி பெருமாள்

பி.சுவாமிநாதன்

P. Swaminathan

The Mahābhārata war lasted for 18 days. Bhagavan served as the charioteer for the Archer extraordinaire Arjuna to whom Bhagavan Kaṇṇapirāṉ taught Bhagavadgita, known all over the world. The advice in the Gita is numerous for an individual relieved of a battle in his mind and attaining mental clarity. It talks about path of virtue in life and living with many examples. It happened at the end of Dwāpara Yuga, about 5000 years ago.

Bhagavan presented Gita in the battle field. He appears as a member of the family in the Tiruvallikkēṇi Temple and is waiting to lead us in the path of Gita. Paramātmā sports a twisted mustache and is the fixed deity as Sri Venkata Krishnan and the processional deity as Pārthasārathy Perumāḷ. The temple is named after the processional deity. He appears in a family configuration: Consort Śrī Rukmaṇi Pirāttiyār, elder brother Balarāma, younger brother Sātyaki, son Pradyumna, and grandson Aniruddha. There are very few temples with such a family constellation. Parantāmaṉ with his family invites the Kaliyga devotees with grace. It is a special privilege to receive Darśan, according to Vaishnavas.

Tirumazisai Azvār the disciple of Peyāzvār stayed here for many years in a yoga state. Achāryās Sri Bāshyakkārar, Ālavandār, and Vedāntachāriyar, musical greats like Sri Thiyāgarājar, Muthusāmi Dhīshithar… visited the temple. Built by Pallava kings and holy services maintained by Chōza-Pāndiya kings, the temple thrived. 

For the residence of Sri Parthasarathy Perumal, this temple is immaculate. This is a high-tech temple and an eye-candy. The temple is air-conditioned in all four shrines including the main shrine of the fixed deity. In all of Tamil Nadu, this is the first temple to install in the Mūlavar Shrine the Cell Phone Breaker (in 2007), which was paid for by a devotee at a cost of Rs. 25,000.

 

Since there were water-lilies in the temple pond, this area in the past was called Tiru Allikēṇi (Sacred Lily pond). Puranas call this temple site Bhirunthāraṇya Kṣetra (Sacred Basil forest). In front of the temple, there is holy lake Kairaviṇi. The tradition is that waters of five holy ponds (Indira, Soma, Mīṉa, Agṉi, Viṣṇu) are contained in the Kairaviṇi pond. This holy tank is holier than Ganga according to Ṣthala Purāṇa. The Temple Tank is maintained well by the students and Public Weal Society.  This temple’s Ṣthala Virutsam (Temple Tree) is Banyan tree, standing in the front yard of the temple.

 (துவசாரோகணம் tuvacārōkaṇam , n. < dhvajaārōhaṇa. 1. Ceremonial hoisting of flag in a temple at the commencement of the annual festival) (மண்டபம்¹ maṇṭapam , n. < maṇḍapa. 1. Pavilion in a temple or other place used during festivals for the reception of idols when they are carried in procession, generally a square or rectangular hall with a flat roof)  பலிபீடம் (sacrificial Pedestal).

Rajagopuram has five levels; seven Kalaṣas; left wall depicts Gītāchāryaṉ in an ambrosial painting. As you enter, the office is on the left side. Further down, there are Duvajārōkaṇa Maṇḍapam (Flagpole Pavilion with hoisted flag), Balipīdam (sacrificial alter or pedestal). Flagpole, Garudāzvār shrine. On the right side, is the Kalyāṇa Maṇḍapam (wedding Hall—Hall for Temple functions). This is where the festivals take place. Near it are the Yāga Sālai, Mirror Room. South of Mirror Room is the Heaven Gate.

Straight from the Garuda Shrine is the Thoṇḍaraḍippoḍi (Thoṇḍar-aḍi-p-poḍi)Azvār gateway. Going through the gateway we see Sri Parthasarathy Perumal appearing majestic and tranquil with his family. It is the custom to take a walk on the circumambulatory path, offer worship to the deities in the shrines along the way and then worship the fixed deity. Let us go on the pathway.

On the path, we see the kitchen and the well, the water from which is used for daily services. On the right side, we see the Friday Hall supported by four columns. Here Vedavalli Thāyār’s Swing service takes place. Past this, going south is her own separate shrine of Vedavalli Thāyār. The processional idol of Vedavalli Thāyār-the Beauty in all body parts- shines with fragrant flowers in the front. The Darśan of the fixed deity comes later.

Sriranganāthar-Mannāthar offers his grace in the subsidiary shrine. His consort is Sri Vedavalli having her own shrine.  A special festival is conducted on a grand scale. How did Vedavalli get importance? Let us see what Purana says.

Bhirunthāraṇyam (Tiruvallikkēṇi) was where Ṛṣis Bhṛgu, Atri, Marīchi, Mārkkaṇḍēyar, Saptharōmā, Jāpāli…performed severe penance. There was a kerfuffle between Perumāḷ and Lakshmi in the Milk Ocean. Pirātti in a fit of anger leaves alone. The forthcoming drama is known to Nārāyaṇa.

Lakshmi appears as a beautiful girl under the Sandalwood tree where the Ṛṣis perform Tapas or austerity. Bhṛgu Mahaṛṣi came to the tree by happenstance and seeing the girl, prattled. He picked up the child and gave her to his wife.  She was named Vēdavalli. They brought her up with love and kindness, as if she was their own.

Afflicted by sorrow from separation from Tirumakaḷ, and thinking, ‘separation no more,’ Perumal went from the Milk Ocean to Bhūlōkam (World) and entered Bhirunthāraṇyam, where he saw a teenage girl Vēdavalli serving the great men. He showed his true form to the Bhṛgu Muṉi and expressed his desire to marry Vēdavalli. Seeing Manāḷaṉ, Vēdavalli was ecstatic and consented to the wedding.

Bhṛgu Muni supplicated to Perumāḷ to remain there in residence after the wedding. Perumāḷ consented to the proposal and demanded that wedding took place immediately.

On the wedding platform, Vēdavalli side glanced the groom with modesty and called him Maṉṉāthaṉ thinking, “He is my Thalaivaṉ (Lord).”  That became Araṅgaṉ (The Lord of the stage), the holy name of Viṣṇu. The wedding takes place in the month of Māci, the day of Suddha Sukla Pakṣa Duvādasi (The day of bright moon on the 12^th day). Sthala Purāṇa states Mahaṛṣi himself was in the forefront for this event. The wedding ceremony proceeds on a grand scale with fire sacrifice, stepping on the flat grinding stone, and conducting Sapthapathi (chanting Mantras).

சப்தபதி capta-pati , n. < sapta-padī. A marriage rite in which the bridegroom pronounces certain mantras and leads the bride seven steps round the sacred fire

 Adjacent to Thāyār shrine is Gajēndra Varathar shrine. In other temples, Garuda worship services are on an assigned day and time. Here Garuda Sēvai is performed every day of the year. Gajēndra Varathar (Mūlavar) who offered Mokṣa to Gajēndran rides on the Garudāzvār permanently.  On Sabdarōmar Mahaṛṣi’s request, Perumāḷ presents himself with Garuda Vāhaṉam. Soul-satisfying Darśan. In the month of Vaikāsi, Kanchi Varathar 10-day festival is showy.

திமிலோகப்படு-தல் timilōka-p-paṭu-, v. intr. < துமிலம் +. To be performed with great eclat (showy or elaborate display)

When you perform circumambulation, Theḷḷiyasingar/Sri Narasimha Swami’s Mahā Maṇḍpam comes into view. On the left is Sri Tirumizisai Āzvār shrine for worship. What a wonderful layout. Separate Temple layout with its own entrance. Duvajārōkaṇa Maṇḍapam, Garuḍāzvār shrine, flagpole, Balipīdam, Dvārapālakars, Kalyāṇa Maṇḍapam are the features here. The special feature is that the fixed deity goes out through this special gate and reenters back in.  For Sri Narasimhar, in the month of Āṉi 10-day Brahmōṛsavam takes place as it happens for Pārthasārathy.

For Atri and Jāpāli Munis, Theḷḷiyasingar gave true-to-life Darśan. Let us look at it briefly. Brahmāṇḍa Purana talks about Avatāra of Emperumāṉ in the form of Theḷḷiyasingar. Atri Muni performed severe penance in Bhirunthāraṇyam asking for birthless Varam in expectation of Mukti. Atri came to know of the wonderful news that Emperumāṉ in the guise of Māmuni Vikatar would confer him grace and Darśan. The news spread far and wide. The blessed day of Darśan came to the fore.

The Devas standing as if in a circle of sprinkled flowers… Āḍisēṣaṉ, Garudāzvār, Sēṉai Muḍaliār, Saṉakāthi Muṉis…performed services…Perumāḷ gave Darśan to Ātri Muni from the aerial car in the form of Narasiṅgar as given to Prahalāthaṉ.

Ātri fell prostrate and submissive addressed Perumāḷ, “Maṇivaṇṇā… please confer on my disciples and me Mukti (liberation).” Perumāḷ obliged him and his disciples. Later on, consenting to the request of Atri, he established himself there with grace as Theḷḷiyasingar. He is the greatest boon-giver and calls the disciple with his left-hand finger, “Come near” and gives protection from fear.

Here Narasimhar is in Yoga stance, the bells on the shrine’s doors do not have tongues (clappers). The bell sounds disturb his Yoga. Sri Āṇḍāḷ’s shrine is the north of his Maṇḍapam. There are individual shrines for Āḷavanthār, Kūrathāzvār, Muthaliāṇḍāṉ, Maṇavāḷa Māmunikaḷ, Srībhāṣyakkārar, Veḍānthāchāriyar, Thirukkacchi Nambikaḷ…

We are now near Mūlavar Pārthasārathy Shrine. On the right are the shrines of SrīRanganāthar (Maṉṉāthar), Chakravarthy’s holy son, Ciṛiya Thiruvaḍi, Āzvārs… In Āḍisēṣaṉ Paṭalam (section) Srī Maṉṉāthar in his Yoga Nidra (Deep Sleep with Awareness) appears facing direction. There are several festival days during the year for Vēdavalli Thāyār and Srī Maṉṉāthar.
Yogic Sleep or Yoga Nidra is unconscious delta-wave deep Sleep with complete awareness (sounds paradoxical). Yogis during Yogic sleep demonstrate delta waves, snore in deep sleep and yet can tell what went on around them during deep sleep confirmed by Delta waves.

Ramapiran stands looking south with Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Satrukkana, Hanumān… Rama gave vision of himself to Madhumān Mahaṛṣi.

Srī Venkatakrishnar shrine. It is an impressive shrine immersing the devotee in the rapturous devotion. Great king Sumathirājan is a serious Perumāḷ devotee. He upon Darśan of Tirumalai Vēṅkatavaṉ supplicated to him, “O Perumāḷ I want to see and enrapture in your role as the charioteer Srī Kaṇṇaṉ.”  Bhagavān said, “Go to Bhirunthāraṇya Kṣētra. There I will present Darśan of myself to you in the guise of Kaṇṇaṉ.

Accordingly, Sumathirājaṉ performed Tapas (austerity) in Bhirunthāraṇyam and obtained Darśan of Srī Vēṅkatakrishnar, which we celebrate today.  Darśan by Vēṅkatavaṉ in the guise of Krishna is the reason he is called Vēṅkatakrishnar!  Here is where Vyāsa Muṉi established with glory the temple according to Sthala Purāṇa. The herein found Mūlavar’s holy constitution is the Sorūpam (self-same form) of Bhagavan in Gītā.

Holding conch on the right hand, showing Varatha Hastha (upheld open palm pose for giving boon) on the left hand, and standing in his holy guise, Srī Vēṅkatakrishnar serves humanity. Rukmaṇi Pirāttiyār stands on Perumāḷ’s right side with a beauteous face. Balarāma stands on the right side facing north holding a plough on one hand and presenting Varatha Hasta on the opposite hand.

With Sātyaki the younger brother on Perumāḷ’s left side with Pradyumṉa (son) Aniruththaṉ (grandson)…facing south, Perumāḷ’s family constellation confers grace. The Arucchakar (the priests) narrate the names and relationships among members of the Mālavaṉ’s family lineage, waving ceremonial lights. The sight is a pinnacle of beauty and wonder.

In front of the shrine are present the processional deity Srī Pārthasārathy Perumāḷ, Srī Dēvi, and Bhū Dēvi. Pārthasārathy’s face shows battle scars. The heat from the arrows launched by Bhīṣma at Sri Parthasarathy has not abated. To soothe the wounds, clarified butter is foremost in offerings. The oils are used to the minimum. The stinging hot chilies are absent. Just some black peppers.

Tiruvallikkēṇi Temple offers devotees Darśan, benefits and merits, the totality of which equals the cumulative from the three important Divya Dēsa Mūrthys at the Srī Raṅgam Temple, the seven-hills Tiruppathi Temple and the Kāñchi Perumāḷ Temple and accounts as the greatest temple. There are ceremonials every day of the year with special decorations of idols, goings and comings, festivities galore… Let us get Darśan of Pārthasārathy. Let us go in humility and seek refuge at his feet.

Bulletin Board

Temple’s Name: SrīParthasarathy Holy Temple

Fixed Deity: SrīVēnkatakrishnar - Rukmaṇi Pirāttiyār (Processiona Deity: Parthasarathy)

Where is the Temple Site?

South Chennai Tiruvallikkeni. Festoonsed gateways in four cardinal directions by devotees.

How to get there?

Bus service available from all parts of the city. There is stop at Tiruvallikkeni from the elevated railway.

Contact the Temple:

Graceful Sri Parthasarathy Swami Temple Tiruvallikkeni  Chennai

Tiruvallikkeni, Chennai-5