BIRTH OF KERALAM

     BIRTH OF KERALAM

KERALA PIRAVI - KERALATHIN JANANAM             

R

ushi Jamadagni and his wife named Renuka Devi lived together in a hermitage, which situated in a beautiful forest for many years.  The Rushi was doing many poojas and always worshipped God Mahaavishnu with Renuka Devi. 

They had no children.  They got much worried on this.  Renuka Devi began to think that they should have at least one successor.  Rushi also started penance on Mahaavishnu and at last they got a very good boon.  In due course they got four sons, the fourth one very well known as Bhargavaraman, Avatar Purushan (Incarnation) of Mahaavishnu himself.  This Bhargavaraman usually did Tapas and later he got so many weapons like Axe, Bow & Arrow, etc. from God.  He used to go out always only with Parasu (Axe) and henceforth he was known as PARASURAMAN.  His father’s father (Grand father) by name Sage Rishikan had a Dhanusu (Bow), gifted by Mahaavishnu for his very good penance earlier and it was called as Vishnu Dhanusu.  His grandfather blessed Parasuraman and gave this Dhanusu to him.  Out of the four sons, Rushi loved Parasuraman too much.  Renuka Devi also loved Parasuraman very much and in turn Parasuraman was also very affectionate to Renuka Devi.  Parasuraman obeyed the parents very much.  Parasuraman immediately obeyed the words of his father, whatever that be.  One day Renuka Devi went to a nearest river for a bath as usual.   

Devendra liked Renuka Devi.  For her bad time, while Renuka Devi was taking bath she saw the image of Devendra on the water.  She also noticed the same for a while.  Actually, a married woman should not think of another man in her husband’s place.  She used to make a Pot out of the river sand and take water to her house every day because of the purity of her mind.  Likewise, that day also after bath she tried to make a pot but failed and because of that she was not able to bring water to the house.  That day the Rushi was waiting at the house for water.  He saw his wife was returning home empty handed and he enquired the reason behind that.  On hearing the reason Rushi got very angry and asked his sons to kill Renuka Devi.  All the first three sons were not able to obey his father’s will.  But the fourth son (Parasuraman) immediately obeyed his father’s words.  He cut her mother in to two pieces, the head as one piece and the body as another piece.  Rushi was very happy and told Parasurama to ask for any boon. Suddenly, the clever Parasuraman asked him to give back his mother alive.  Since Parasuraman had obeyed his father’s words and since his father was ready to give a boon, he had sanctioned such a boon to Parasuraman.  Thus Renuka Devi got back her life but by the time somebody took her body away.  Only Renuka Devi’s head was available.  Hence Renuka immediately left for Heaven and blessed Parasuraman from there.  From that day onwards people worshipped her head as Lord and named her Devi Renuka. 

All are aware that Seetha was married to Srirama (another incarnation of Mahaavishnu).  When Srirama was returning to Ayodhya after the marriage, Parasuraman appeared before them on their way back to Ayodhya.  He wanted to test Srirama since He had lifted the Siva Dhanusu and married Sita.  Parasuraman asked Srirama to tie the rope in the Vishnu Dhanusu also.  If this is possible Parasuraman told Srirama that he would agree that Srirama is a mighty man in using Bow & Arrow.  Srirama being an Avatar Purushan immediately did so.  In return, Parasuraman offered all his Taposakthi (the power attained by doing penetration) to Srirama and blessed.  He also told the reason of his Avatar to Srirama.  Parasurama’s story comes not only in Mahabharatham but also many other stories.  Lord Krishna and Balaraama happened to visit Parasuraman when he was in a penance at Gomethaka Hill. 

Also, Parasuraman had visited Indraprastha when Yudhistira performed Rajasooya Yaga.  When Krishna went to Dhritarashtra’s Palace as a mediator for Pandavas Parasuraman was seated there with Kauravas.  Not only that, Parasuraman also gave very good advices to Kauravas.   But Kauravas did not heed it.

Rushi Jamadagni owned a sacred cow by name KAMADHENU that granted its owner all his/her needs and desires whenever required.  Once a nearby Kshathriya king, named KAARTHA VEERYA ARJUNA belonging to HAEHAYA dynasty, along with his warriors came once to the Rushi’s Ashramam and liked to have a feast there. Accordingly, the Rushi met with their will & wish immediately.  He wondered that how a Sage living in a forest could offer such a good feast and later he came to know that it is only with the help of Kamadhenu.  He wanted to own the Kamadhenu at his Palace. He decided to steal the cow for his own use (for his Kingdom) and he approached the Rushi and asked the same.  But, the Rushi said a big NO.  The disappointed and cruel king pretended to be very calm and was waiting for a better chance.  One day the king killed the Rushi Jamadagni when he was under meditation and took the cow away.  Immediately the sishyas (assistants) and others in the Ashramam were shouting for help. Parasuraman came there and knew about this.  This enraged Parasuraman and he decided to wage war on all Kshatriyas to their complete annihilation.

Parasuraman attacked the KSHATRIYA strongholds 21 times and caused untold damage, slaughter and misery.  Later he felt guilty of his doings, and decided to become a hermit as atonement.  His little land was gifted to the Sage named KAASHYAPA.  Parasuraman who went to penance and returned home later from the forests, found himself without home and land.  Therefore, he did penance on the Sea God and the sea god also appeared before him later.  He reclaimed some land from the sea god on the west coast. And the sea god asked Parasuraman to take as much land he wishes.   Parasuraman stood on the top of Western Ghats facing west; he made a mighty heave of his axe into the sea.  It fell some many miles away in the sea, in difference to the wishes of Parasuraman, the SEA receded up to that point.  The sea gave up land measuring more than 500 miles in length of land, extending from GOKARNAM (now in Karnataka) to CAPE CO MORIN (now in Tamilnadu).   The west side of land is Arabian Sea and the east side is Western Ghats.  This piece of land so came to be called KERALAM, now known as Kerala State, and in due course Parasuraman offered the same to Brahmins.

After salvaging the piece of land that he got from the sea, he decided to develop it.  Consequently, he invited people from different parts of Bhaaratha Desam (Indian Country).  The NAGAAS of North East of India near the Himalayas came in large numbers and settled in that area.  They cultivated and produced grains and fruits for consumption.  Along with their fighting qualities, they introduced their family practices and the family Deity.  Their family deity is the NAGA namely snake – an abode for the Naga was made in every Family House, called the SARPPAKKAVU where regular poojas and offerings were made.  They also had their own individual way of life, habits, simple living, etc. 

There was an influx of people from Kashmir who were Brahmins.  They came to be called Nambudiris in Keralam, now known as Kerala State.  These Brahmin sects, called Nambudiris, were different from Brahmins of other parts of Bhaaratham.    The Nagaas adopted the same name “Nairs” in Keralam.   These said Nairs and Nambudiris joined together as a team and had worked very harmoniously.   Also the Nairs produced food and other materials, manned them and looked after their spiritual needs.  The Brahmins struck to the Sanskrit language (Deva Bhasha) for Maanthreeka worship in temples; a simpler language came into existence being called as MALAYALAM, a mixture of Sanskrit, Tamil and other dialects.

In this new piece of land, which came to be called as Keralam, various communities fused into one another, improved their languages Sanskrit and Malayalam.  So many other sub sects & religions also have migrated to this land from other parts of this Country.  A variety of arts were developed like Kadhakali, Koodiyaattam, Mohiniyaattam, Ottanthullal, Chaakkiarkoothu, etc.  They had their unique character and individuality about them, which have made them internationally famous.  The unique Kadhakali Crown is the national emblem.

With the resultant civilization and culture of Kerala and with the blessings of Parasuraman, it developed.  Parasuraman has sought blessings very well on KERALA in no small measure.  Apart from salvaging the land, it was given excellent climate; rivers and fertile land and that had helped grow vegetation of all varieties.  It has become the GREEN TREASURE HOUSE of the entire subcontinent. He also helped them attain a unique civilization and culture with which they can hold themselves upright anywhere in the World.

In due course he (Parasuraman) himself constructed several temples in various places. Saastha Temples in eastern hills, Devi temples in western coasts and at the center of Keralam he constructed several Temples for Siva and Mahaavishnu.  In olden days the Saiva-Vaishnavaas have made a number of fighting’s among themselves.  They made them grow rapidly.  It was very essential to overcome this.  Some people decided to unite these two Divisions together.  Due to this, some more temples came up.  People constructed some big temples comprising of Siva Prathista at one side and Vishnu Prathista on the other side.  As per the Dharma Saastha Puraanam, those people started to construct temples for Saastha at the center and worshipped since Lord Saastha/Ayyappan is the son of both Siva and Vishnu.

In Kerala’s Eastern Hills Parasuraman made prathishtas of Saastha in Five places namely, Kulathoorppuzha, Aaryankaavu, Achankoil, Sabarimala and Kaanthamala.  The Prathistas are as follows:

Bala Roopam (boyhood) in Kulathoorppuzha,

Arasan (King) in Thirukkalyana Roopam (marriage) at Aryankaavu,

Gruhasthan (family man) in Achankoil,

Baalayogi (bala sanyasi – yoga roopam) in Sabarimala.

There are three types of Poojas namely:

1.        Vaidheekam:  Several Vedas, Upanishads, and lots of Slokas, etc., are compiled by the age-old rushies.  So many other aachaaryaas have compiled new slokaas on various Gods/Goddesses.   Various Brahmins very strictly follow Acharyas who strictly followed the Rushis.   Aagama Saasthraas are very important on this.  Chanting of Vedas, Upanishads, etc., by devout Brahmins is very correct and lovely.  All the Brahmins do the poojas, rites, etc. only in Vaideekam style (Aagama Saasthram), in which they will chant the Manthras loudly.  Most of the people also prefer only Vaideekam other than Keralites.

2.         Thaandreekam:           In this style also Vedas, Upanishads, etc. are there, but only with a slight variation.  All the Keralites will perform their Poojas, Kriyas, etc. in Thandreekam style, in which these people will chant the Manthras only silently.  The Manthras will not come out of the mouth of the Kartha.  Actually, there is no difference in the Manthras excepting a few ones.  But, more mudraas are there.

3.         Maandreekam:          This is a mixed form - certain part of Vaideekam and certain part   of Thaandreekam and the balance of Durmanthraas (praying evil Spirits).    Franckly speaking, those who are having vengeance (enmity) on others, generally select only this crooked type to do ill (evil) to others. 

The people who do this style of Pooja worship evil spirits only.  The Nambudiris and Nairs were made very famous, frankly saying the one should be very strong in Mandreekam.   In the concerned approach, such people namely Nambudiris & Nairs;  are doing this type of evil things even today.  For all the above, (Vaidheekam/Thandreekam/Mandreekam) Mudraas are most important namely, Karanyaasam & Anganyaasam.

Parasuraman brought expert Brahmins to Keralam to do Karmaas (rituals, rites, etc.) in Vaideekam & Thaandreekam styles only.  For this purpose he initially brought two brothers from Andhra Pradesh.  They too were pure Brahmins.    On their way from Andhra to Keralam, Parasuraman wanted to test them.  He tricked a little.  The Krishna River, which was very dry then, raised high water level suddenly.   These two brothers wanted to cross the river.  They were very much worried on seeing this.  Those brothers immediate started to meditate and came to know that this has happened only because of Parasuraman’s Taposakthi (Yogasakthi i.e., Meditation Power).  Immediately, the elder brother used his Taposakthi, walked through the water (over the water), crossed the river and went to the other bank (coast).  By using the Taposakthi, the younger brother also made the Krishna River dry, crossed it and he too reached the other coast.  On seeing this, Lord Parasuraman came near to the brother who walked over the water and presented a Kamandalam (a stand to hold the hand during Penance) to the younger brother.  Thereafter the family of the brother who walked on the water was known as Tharananallur Madom Thandri Family (because he made tharanam i..e, walked over the water) and the other brother’s family was known as Thaazhamann Madom Thandri Family (because he crossed the river on the thazhe i.e., bottom of river).  

All over Kerala, most of the Thandries come from this Thazzhaman Madom Thandri family only.  Parasuraman authorized the Tharananallur thanthri to do poojas of Vaishnava Temples and Thaazhaman thanthri to do poojas for Saiva temples.  The same is followed now.  For our indebtedness, do we remember Parasuraman?  Parasuraman is a Chiranjeevi.  There are lots of temples all over Kerala.  People call Keralam as Parasurama Khsethram.  There are many temples for Parasurama even in Maharashtra.  Parasurama is worshipped even from Bharuch of Gujarat to Cape-co-Marin.  Lord Parasuraman deserves a most distinguished place in the Galaxy of our Gods.

Later so many Kings ruled the Kerala State and so many of them built several temples in various places.   Even though the people now have formed several parties and too much politics, etc. they are developing so many things.  They are also modifying or expanding the temples built by Parasurama and the Kings.  The religious feelings are not completely vanished off even today.  Some new temples are also coming up and this is an example for it.