Kshetra Darshan of Muthuswamy Dixithar

Written by Vidushi Neela Ramgopal

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Sri Muthuswamy Dixithar has visited many kshethras in South India as well as north India and has composed many songs on the presiding deities of that particular place. Those kritis  are composed with Raga, Bhava, of various Ragams and Sahithyas that suit mutually and aptly. That is how, we, the artists of today are able to explore many kritis in various Ragas and Thalas by the esteemed Trinities. Muddhuswamy Dixithar has composed many krithis on many South Indian ‘sthalas’ like Vaitheeswaran Koil, SriRangam, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Mayavaram and so on. The knowledge one gets in learning these krithis of any particular place gives us a good picture of that Kshethra’s location, importance, the presiding deity and other Gods’ prominence and the other festivals of the Sthalas.

Vaitheeswaran Koil is one of the very important kshethras of Tamil Nadu. It is known as “Pullirukku Velur” in Tamil. It is located between the famous towns of Sirkazhi and Mayavaram. It is one of the Navagraha sthalas. Angaraka Kshethram.

The presiding deity is Sri Vaidyanatha Swamy, Thaiyal Nayaki – Easwar’s consort. Lord Vinayaka, and Muddukumara Swamy. This sthalam is sung by various devotees like,the composer of  Thevaram, Arunagiri Nathar (Tiruppugazh) Kumara Gurupara Swamigal, Ramalinga Adigalar, Kalamega Pulavar, Padikkasu Tambiran, Ramaswamy Sivan.

Inscriptions from the period of Vikrama Chola (12th century), the Nayakas (16th century) and the Marathas (18th century) are seen in the Vaidyanatha Swamy temple.

Dixithar has composed 9 kritis in praise of the deities in Vaitheeswaran Koil. They are:

1. Sri Ganeshath param – Ardra Desi – K.chapu

Meaning of the song : Who is there to compare with Lord Ganesha, embodiment of 36 thathwas beginning with Siva. Whose heart is devoid of the five kinds of activities like speech etc. Whose form is fully established and is worshipped by sages.

The elephant faced one visualised by Uma and Rudra. His form is worshipped by living and non living beings. He is adorned with white flowers. He outshines the Sun and is decked in yellow silk. Venerated by Brahma whose lotus feet are revered by 5 elements. The son of Lord Siva., who adorns the crescent moon and elder brother of Lord Guruguha.

2. Angarakam Ashrayamyaham - Suruti  Rupakam

Meaning of the song: I take refuge in ‘Angaraka’, the divine ‘mandara’ tree to the humble dependent devotees, the presiding deity of ‘Mangala Vaara’, Tuesday and the son of earth.

He is the Lord of cherished ‘Mesha’ – Aries and vruschika, Scorpion, shines with reddish form, wears the red dress, and is the bearer of the sword and trident. The auspicious one, with beautiful neck, lovely feet, bestower of auspiciousness, riding on the goat and whose highest apogee is ‘Makara Rasi’ Capricorn.

He is worshipped by Gods and demons, one with the face beaming and smiling. Bestower of wealth of lands and brotherhood, with red eye. Protector of afflicted, worshipped in the ‘Vaidyanatha Kshethram’ favoured by the three group of divine teachers such as divyowga, Siddhanga, manavanga, in the Srichakra worship and Guruguha. He is the friend of Surya – Sun, Chandra – moon and Brahaspathi – Jupitar. Shining with his good wife, with his hand on his knees, having four arms, he is quite extrodinary.

3. Sri Kumara Swaminam – Asaveri – Adi

Meaning of the song: I bow to the lotus like feet of Kumara Swami the Guruguha.

Son of Himadrija, daughter of Himavan, who is worshipped by Indra. He is decorated with gem studded pendant. He creates the illusory world. He is prominent among Devas and removes the illusion bestowing good fortune.

He is Kartikeya, Bahuleya, his form has a golden lustre. His peacock is his mount. He adorns the golden chain. He is the essence of Vedas. He is the enemy of Sura and others. He bestowes unlimited spiritual knowledge and he is supreme. He takes away the ignorance from you. He is the esteemed son of Lord Siva who destroys all the misery.

4. Sri Vaidyanatham – Atana – Adi

Meaning of the song: I worship Sri Vaidyanatham, spouse of Balambika who is worshipped by devotees.

He illumines the holy shrine Vaidyanathakshetra and is nector like ocean of mercy. He is three eyed and bestows salvation. He imparts the ‘mula Mantra’ of bliss. His feet are worshipped by learned poets and he dwells in Nada, Bindu and Kala. He delights Guruguha.

5. Balambikayai Namasthey – Nattakurinji – Rupaka

Meaning of the song: I salute Balambika, the bestower of boons. She has many names like ‘Bala’. She is inspiration to her devotees like the black cloud to the peacock. She is worshipped by cresent moon and Bara. She is decorated with golden jewels, happy with ‘Hamsanadha’. She enjoys rice prepared with turmeric. She is the form of Guruguha. She is fascinated by the Raga Natakurinji. She is the supreme danseus and delights Vaidyapathi lord Siva.

 

6. Ganalole Bale – Nagavarali – M.Chapu

Meaningof the song: You are the personification of Mantra having the fifteen letters Pancha dasakshara and enjoys music. She transcends the cosmic world and manifests as name and form the illusory world. She lives in the heart of Guruguha. Her exquisite smile equals the beautiful moon, revered by Sankara and others. Her dark curly hair resembles the hooded serpant.

7. Balambikaya Katakshithoham – SriRanjani – C.Ekam

Meaning Of the song:  I have received the benign glance of Balambika who is adored by wise people and who resides in Trikuta. Whose looks exults the dark cloud, who is pleased by the praise of Siva and Guruguha. She destroyed the son of Bandasura. Her hands shine with Trident and discus.

8. Bajare re chitha Balambikam – Kalyani – M.Chapu

Meaning of the song: O Mind! Worship Goddess Balambika, the wish yielding creeper Kalpalathika. Her feet are capable of giving, the total identity of the soul with the Supreme one. She is of golden hue and is the auspicious one. She is ‘Sarvani’ the consort of Siva.

She is of the form of four Vedas which rose from the Vagbavakuta. She pervades this universe created by Lord Kameswara. She is of the form of ‘Matrka Manthra’ which originated from Shakthi Beeja. She sports in the heart of Lord Vaidyanatha extolled by the Gods.

She is the remover of the miseries of life. She exults full of Bhava, Raga, Tala. She is the giver of Boons. She is the mother of Muddukumara the very form of Guruguha. She is the protector of her devotees.

9. Kriti Balambikaya Param – Kanada – Adi

Meaning of the song: There is nobody superior to Balambika who is attended by Barathi and Rama. Her face surpasses that of moon and the beauty of her form is like crores of Suns.

She is para devatha and worshipped by 3000 esteemed Brahmanas. She gives Joy to Vaidyapathiswara and annihilates the disease of Worldly life. She is the mother of Guruguha. She is the sovereign of the splenderous Vaidyapuri and bestowed the desired boons. She is adorned with garlands made of red lilly etc and is the blemishless one.

In conclusion, the mere rendering of these krithis with an understanding of its general meaning with correct pronounciation and expression will bring all prosperity since he has embedded the esoteric ‘Mantra Sastra’ and Mythological lore in many of his songs.