|
Story of Vajrangada The Benefits of Circumambulating the Aruna Hill and the Story of Vajrangada
Arunachala Mahatmyam
Markendya said: Sivananda (one who has the bliss of Siva)! Lord Nandikesvara! I have listened with great joy to your narration of the glory of the Red Hill. But how did Vajrangada, the Pandya King, show his indifference to this Hill and how did he regain with difficulty his prosperity through Its grace? Again how were the Vidyadharas named Kantisali and Kaladhara saved by the Lord of Arunachala from the curse of Durvasa? Nandikesvara replied: Son of Mrikandu! It is one account of your steadfast devotion to the Lord of the Bhutas (Siva) that you have become immortal (chiranjivi). Listen, I shall describe to you both the events connected with the Red Hill about which you have asked me. In days of yore there lived a Pandya King, named Vajrangada. This earth was like a puppet in his hands. He always followed the dharma and was just, dignified, skilful, patient, calm, humble and intelligent. He was an observer of the vow of monogamy, a worshipper of Siva, a lucky person and a man of virtuous conduct. After conquering his enemies he ruled over all the kings from Kedara (in the Himalayas) to Setu (in the extreme south). Once he set out hunting, mounted on a noble horse, and entered into a forest which extended as far as Arunachala. Seeing a fine civet cat he desired to capture it and urged his horse towards it. The cat fled round the Sona Hill from left to right with the speed of the mind. When the horse also did so the king fell down overpowered by weariness. Like a person who is thrown out of Svarga (Heaven) after enjoying the fruits of his good deeds the king fell down and lost his senses. He said to himself: ‘How did I, for no reason, lose my strength? Where is the horse which carried me? It is not to be seen’. Pondering thus he became confused and bewildered. At that moment there appeared a light in the sky like a flash of lightning. Even as he looked at it the cat and the horse left their bodies on the earth and rose into the sky (in the form of celestial beings) wearing crowns, ear-rings, necklaces, bracelets, and upper and nether garments of yellow silk. The king stood looking at them in wonder. They showed their bright forms as if to remove the darkness of his confusion and said, ‘O King, do not grieve. Know that we have both been thus transformed by the glory (grace) of the Sona Hill’ At this the king became cheerful and asked them humbly with clasped hands: ‘Who are you? How did the three of us become connected to one another? Please tell me. Is it not the nature of great souls to protect those who are helpless?’ Upon this Kaladhara, at the command of Kanthisali, turned to the king and said: ‘O King. We were formerly (i.e. in our previous lives) vidvadharas. We were mutual friends. Once both of us went to the wood on the Meru Mountain on which Durvasa was practising austerities. It cannot (ordinarily) be reached even by the mind (i.e. even thought of). But we penetrated a long distance into it. Flowers were blooming everywhere. Although humble we were ignorant. Kanthisali proudly roamed about noisily hither and thither in a garden of flowers. I was attracted by the scent of the blossoms and began to pick them. At that moment, the sage Durvasa who was seated on a tiger skin under a Shandiya tree and glowing by virtue of his austerities like a blazing fire, looked at us with quivering lips and knitted brows as if he would scorch all those who were before him. We trembled. He said: “Who are you unmannerly fellows: Why are you so arrogant? You have become moths in the blazing fire of my anger. Even the Sun and the Moon dare not set foot in this sacred wood meant for my austerities. It is reserved for the worship of Siva alone. The wind shall not blow in it, nor shall bees enter it. The sinner who desecrated this place by walking through this sacred place shall be born as a horse and carry others. The other who was enamoured of sweet scent shall become a civet cat at the foot of a hill”. In this wise he cursed us. On seeing the Rishi who had hurled the thunderbolt of a curse, (on us) we were alarmed and humbly surrendered ourselves to him. We prostrated ourselves before him and, holding his feet with our hands, said: “Your curse is terrible. It will not go in vain. Kindly tell us when and how it will come to an end”. Seeing our distress that king of sages took pity upon us and mercifully became calm. Turning to us he said: “Fools! The curse cannot be lifted by any act except that of circumambulating the Aruna Hill. Once upon a time when Mahadeva was sitting in state with Indra, Upendra, the Dikpalas and others adoring him, a wood nymph named Nandana offered him a fine fruit. Gajanana (the elephant-faced god) and Shadanana (the six-faced god) being boys, both desired to have it. But their father kept it concealed in his hand and said: "I shall give it to him who goes round the world first”. Hearing this Skanda hastily started going round the world. Vinayaka, on the other hand, went round the Aruna Hill and quickly came and stood before (his father). The latter appreciated Vinayaka’s intelligence and , after smelling the top of his head (as a mark of affection), gave him the fruit. He also conferred upon him a boon which made him thereafter competent to fulfil all the wishes of his devotees. Turning next to the Devas and others in the Assembly Siva said: “He who circumambulates with devotion the Sona Hill which is my form attains a form like mine (saroopya). He becomes the Lord of the entire world and reaches the highest state”. Having fallen into the ocean of anger of the extremely irate sage and being tormented by the black (Kalakuta) poison of his curse we took birth as a horse and a civet cat on the earth. Kalahdara continued: “This Kantisali was born as a horse in Kambhoja and became your mount. I became a civet cat and roamed about the foot of this Hill. We were fortunate enough to circumambulate it as a result of your desire to hunt. You are a great soul. But, as you circumambulated on a mount, you met with this misfortune. As we went on foot we regained our old state. O Indra among Kings! Although we were born of animal wombs yet we were liberated in this manner as we came into contact with you. We shall now go to our region. May you be fortunate.” Thereupon, with clasped hands, the king made his obeisance to Kaladhara and Kantisali who were on the point of returning to their own regions, and said: “You have been rescued from the sea of your curse. What about my release? When I think about it I feel miserable. My life breath seems to be departing from me. The might of Fate is clear”. When he spoke thus Kaladhara and Kantisali said: “Listen carefully to what we say about the manner of your release. Make the mind pure, control it and surrender it to Siva who is the cause of the creation, sustenance and destruction (of the world). You have clearly realized from what happened to us that the Lord of the Aruna Hill is a repository of compassion and that His glory is great. Circumambulate the Aruna Hill on foot. Worship the Lord of Aruna (who is fond of civet) with flowers smeared with civet. Building quadrangles and towers according to your ability. You will gain your object. You will become superior to Puru, Mandhata, Nabhaga, Bhagiratha and others.” After speaking these words they rose up (into the sky). Vajrangada who had listened to their words had not longer any doubt. He became devoted to the Lord of the Aruna Hill.
|