Religion:Vishnumaya
| Vishnumaya | |
|---|---|
God of Profit and Sorcery | |
| Vishnumaya Vishnumaya riding a Water buffalo | |
| Malayalam | വിഷ്ണു മായ |
| Affiliation | Hindu god |
| Abode | Karumanthra Vishnumaya Temple,Meloor |
| Weapon | Kurivadi (Magic wand) |
| Mount | പോത്ത് (Water buffalo) |
Vishnumaya, also known as Chathan, is a Hindu god often associated with sorcery, popularly known in Kerala. He is the son of Shiva and Kulivaka – a tribal woman, while in some versions Parvati disguises herself as Kulivaka.
According to Hindu mythology Shiva while on a hunt happened to hear a sweet voice in the jungle. He was surprised to find that it belonged to a tribal girl, "Kulivaka" (Pronounced as Koolivaaka) - a girl of immense beauty. The solitude in that forest area called Kuli van, and the wild beauty of the forest girl, made the Lord lustful. He informed Kulivaka of his wish and told her to wait for him until he returned from his hunt[citation needed]
Kulivaka, who was a devotee of Parvati realized that mating with lord would bring forth the wrath of the goddess upon her; but she feared the wrath of Shiva also in case she refused him. She prayed to her Goddess to save her from the predicament. Parvati, pleased with her innocence appeared before her and revealed her true identity. In her previous birth Kulivaka was Manaswini, a servant in the retinue of Parvati. One day she happened to breast-feed Ganesha who was a baby at that time. Parvati didn't appreciate the fact of a servant breast-feeding her baby. She cursed Manaswini that she would be born in a chandala(outcaste)family. When Parvati's anger subdued, she took pity on Manaswini. Devi Parvati blessed her that although she be born as a chandala she would get the opportunity to breast-feed the son of Shiva.[citation needed]
Devi disclosed that it was the pre-ordained fate that made possible her meeting with Lord Shiva and his passion for Koolivaka. She told the girl that she herself would take on the form of Koolivaka and deceive the Lord Shiva. She also informed Koolivaka that the son born from such a union would be the killer of Jalandhara, a powerful Asura. Thus revealing the course of fate, she sent the innocent girl away.
The pseudo Koolivaka started swinging on a creeper attached to a jackfruit tree and waited for the arrival of Lord Shiva. A child with divine power was born through their union. Lord Shiva arranged a buffalo for the protection of the child. This divine child who came to be known as Chathan was given to Koolivaka for rearing. Koolivaka thus became the mother of Chathan, son of Lord Shiva fulfilling the boon of Parvati.
Chathan lived with Koolivaka for about seven years. The tribals loved the boy who saved them from many dangers. He roamed the jungle riding his buffalo and playing a musical instrument known as "Ezhara".[citation needed]
On his seventh birthday, the tribals held a feast in his honour. During the feast the sage, Narada manifested himself. He revealed to Chathan the secret of his birth. Moreover, Narada advised Chathan to visit his true parents in Kailasa. He also told Chathan the true purpose of his birth.[citation needed]
Chathan started his journey to Kailasam with the permission of his foster mother and friends. He rode on his buffalo to Kailasam. When he was about to reach Kailasam he realized that Nandikeshwara would not allow him to enter Kailash in his present form. So he took the form of Lord Vishnu. On seeing their son, Shiva and Parvati were very happy and hugged their son. Lord Shiva blessed him, saying, "You invoked the form of Vishnu by Maya (magic). So you will be known as Vishnu Maya". Moreover, he taught him the art of warfare and the secrets to kill Jalandhara (an asura who had been harassing the Devas).[citation needed]
Jalandhara was an asura who had got a boon from Indra and he was terrorizing the three worlds (Heaven, Pathala (Nether World) and Earth). Chathan challenged him to battle. After a fierce battle, Chathan took the form of Sudarsana Chakra with his Maya to behead Jalandhara. Sensing danger, he escaped and hid himself in the seas. Chathan as Chakra followed him. Due to the heat of the fiercely revolving Chakra the water where Jalandhara was hiding started to boil. Unable to bear the heat, Jalndhara came out and he was promptly beheaded. Thus came the end of Jalandhara. With the killing of Jalandhara, the power of Chathan was recognized by the Devas. Indra invited him to Heaven. But Chathan declined the offer saying that his place was among the poor people who needed his protection. Chathan returned to his own people.[citation needed]
Another powerful Asura called Briga saw Koolivaka in the forest and wanted to take her as his wife. He had come with a large force and tried to capture her. Chathan along with his elder brother, "Karinkutty" resisted the attack. Chathan was injured in the conflict. From the blood that fell on the ground, there arose 400 "Kuttichathan"s. Sensing his immediate defeat, Briga used ten Brahmastras against Chathan, ten Kuttichathans valiantly swallowed the weapon and gave up their life. The remaining 390 Kuttichathans defeated the army while Chathan killed Briga with his Kuruvadi (short Stick). Some of the famous Ancient Traditional Vishnumaya Temples in Kerala are Avanangattil Kalari first vishnumaya temple (moolasthanam)kizhakkumuri, Vishnumaya temple peringottukara, thrissur district, kerala state ,india.Avanangattilkalari sreevishnumaya temple mention in Kottarathil Sankunni"Aithihyamala" Born 23 March 1855 Died 22 July 1937 (aged 82) Nationality Indian Occupation Writer Known for Aithihyamala Kottarathil Sankunni (real name: Vasudevan) was a well-known author of Malayalam literature, born on 23 March 1855 in Kottayam, Travancore. He made significant contributions in both poetry and prose. He started compiling the legends of Kerala in 1909 and completed the work in eight volumes over a quarter of a century. "Aithihyamala" (Garland of Legends), is a collection of stories of legends prepared by Kottarathil Sankunni.His 5th book and 7th Avanangaattu Panikkarum Chaaththanmaarum.So avanangattilkalari temple having more then 100+ year old.the actual age is unknown. Other important temples include, Karumanthra Shree Vishnumaya Temple Meloor, Kannanchira Shree Vishnumaya Temple, Perigottukara Devasthanam, Kanadikavu Kuttichathan Kavu situated in Thrissur district of Kerala. Most of this temple built by few years back most of them bring idols from avanangattilkalri sree vishnumaya temple. Particularly thrissur district most of family temples have a vishnumaya idol with the main deity. [1][citation needed] In addition to these famous temples, Lord Vishumaya is one of the main deity in Pakkalippallam Temple (situated in the valley of Chembra peak, in the midst of forest) in Wayanad district of Kerala. Lord Vishnumaya is also the main deity of Hindus in central Kerala.
According to the old history Puchanellur Battathiri first prayed to god Shiva and goddess Parvati. Through his prayer Shiva and Parvati were satisfied but they instructed him to pray to the god Sree Vishnumaya. He prayed (upasana) to the god Sree Vishnumaya. Continues prayer god Sree Vishnumaya and 390 brother blessed him. He built a pooja room as his own house (punchanellur mana). God Vishnumaya's blessing achieved goals. After a few years of time thinking about maintain his status. He has only one daughter called Ettinarayani. She can't follow the rule of vishnumaya upasana (pooja ) god sree vishnumaya. Same time avanangattilkalari have two brother unnithaman and kelluuni. They were maintaining kalari. They were praying god Ganesha. But they need (uggra moorthi) powerful god who can help win over enemy's. When they searching for that, they hear about Punchanellur Battathiri and god sree vishnumaya. Unnithamman panicker and kellunni panicker visited puchanellur and they requested help.Puchanellur battathiri give hand to them and provide manthra's. In exchange battathiri requested Ganesha moolamathra's. Avanangattilkalari unnithaman panicker and kellunni panicker agreed for exchange. When they return avanangattilkalari they started upasana(continues prayer). After 41 days god sree vishnumaya blessed them with his 390 brothers.After that unnithaman panicker requested god sree vishnumaya, until his return god need to protect his family and give blessings in avanangattilkalari. He went a well near to avanangattil kalari, which have no water but steps and start praying and sacrifices life for family. Before start praying instructed his brother kellunni to close well opening. He never return. As per given word god sree vishnumaya blessing avanangattilkalari vishnumaya temple.
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