Located at Thoopul half kilometers west from ThiruVekka, is the avathara sthalam (birth place) of Swami Vedantha Desikan. Life history of Swami Desikan has been depicted at this temple in form of beautiful photographs.
Saraswathi’s attempts to disrupt Brahmma’s Yaagam continue
Having failed in her previous attempts (at kanchi) to stop Brahmma’s Ashwamedha Yaagam, Saraswathi decide to take an extreme step. She used her powers and put the entire place into darkness. Lord Vishnu appeared as a flame, thus providing the much needed light to Brahmma’s Yaagam.
Another Asura to destroy the Yaagam
Brahmma invited the Devas to attend the Yaagam. Not to be left behind, the Asuras too decided to attend. However, Brahmma ignored them. Angered at Brahmma not taking notice of their presence, the Asuras went to Saraswathi and poisoned her thoughts once again. They decided to create a dangerous Asura to destroy the Yaagam. The Asura, Maaya Nalan, went to the Yaagam in the form of a dangerous fire.
Once again coming to Brahmma’s rescue, Lord Vishnu took the fire in his hand and held it so served as a lighting lamp. He appeared in this form before Saraswathi, who had followed the Asura.
Saraswathi as the sacred water to cool Vishnu’s hands
Saraswathi accepted her mistake in trying to repeatedly block the Yaagam and came back to Brahmma.
It is believed that Saraswathi herself appeared here as the ‘sacred water’, and a cold one at that, so as to cool the hot burning hand of Lord Vishnu, who had taken the fire in his hand to protect Brahmma.
Azhvaar’s high praise of this Lord
So impressed was Thirumangai Azhvaar with this ‘Lord with the fire’ that he compares the Lord here to ThiruKurundi Nambi, Kumbakonam Aaraavamudhan, Srirangam Lord and Tirupathi Srinivasa.
“Kurungudiyil Ninraane, Moovulagirkum Muthalaavanai
Alavida Viyalaa Aaraavamudhanai, Arangathu Aravanaiyil Palli Konda Aiyanai
Vekkavil Thuyil Amarnthaanai Venkadathu Ninraanai
Intha Thiruthankaa vil Kanden”
Quick Facts
Deity : Deepa Prakaasar/ Vilakoli Perumal – Standing West Facing
Goddess : Maragada Valli
Azhvaars : Thirumangai- 2 Paasurams(1849,2065)
Source
http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/
