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Essay name: Sucindrasthala-mahatmya (critical edition and study)

Author: Anand Dilip Raj
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Department of Sanskrit

The essay studies in English the Sucindrasthala-mahatmya which represents a significant Sthalamahatmya from South India detailing the origins and development of the Trimurti temple at Suchindram in Tamil Nadu. The study reveals its legends, customs, and religious practices.

Chapter 1 - Sthala-mahatmyas of South India

Page:

16 (of 39)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Warning! Page nr. 16 has not been proofread.

The author gives more importance to the kumaribhava of Devi. According to Indian tradition devi has numerous forms. Kumari and BhadrakÄli are two among them. Chapter Nine has 43 slokas. It deals with the story of SuryaÅ›arma, who has some Similarities with that of the Adipose of Greek mythology, who killed his father and made his mother wife. There was a certain Brahmin by the name sÅ«ryaÅ›arma. He killed his father and made his mother his wife. A child was born to him by his mother. Once he accidentally reached Kanyakumari. In the presence of devi sÅ«ryaÅ›arma became aware of his sin. He then approached sukramuni who was doing penance on the nearby place. He advised him to do penance after bathing in the bhadrakÄlÄ«thirtha At the same time the mother of sÅ«ryaÅ›arma also came to Kanyakumari. Sri Suka advised her to penance. Both of them did penance for 3 years. Devi appeared before them and gave absolution from their sin. So the bhadrakÄlÄ«tirtha is unique among tirthas. It gives salvation even to great sinners. Then comes the story of NÄrada. Once upon a time NÄrada go to see surya. At that time the waves of ocean climbed up to the sky level and prevented NÄrad's travel. He cursed them and they lost their water. The Oceans came to Kanyakumari and they got absolution from the curse. The tenth chapter has 48 verses which deals with story of Balabhadra s visit to Kanyakumari and describes the story of Arjunatirtha. Here Arjuna is supposed to be done penance on the advice of vedavyÄs. There is also the story of BalarÄma. Once Balabhadra, the elder brother of Srikṛṣṇa visited naimiÅ›a forest Suta who was narrating purÄna's to various 25

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