Darbhasayanam is one of the Sethu Stalams, on the coast of Tamil Nadu, linked with the Ramayana. It alludes to the incident in Sri Rama's life when he took rest on the sacred grass during his penance, for three days and nights, in this particular place.
The Deities
The main deity worshipped here is Kalyana Jagannathan or Aadi Jagannathan in a standing posture facing east and the Goddess worshipped here are Padmasini and Kalyanavalli. There is a shrine of Lord Rama in the Darbasayana pose, signifying his resting here and invoking Varuna for help in crossing the ocean, enroute to Sri Lanka in search of Sita.
About The Temple
This temple with two Prakarams covers an area of about 1.5 acres and is crowned with a 120 feet high Gopuram. In this temple the image of Sri Vishnu, in the reclining posture, on his couch of Adi Sesha, is very imposing to see. The place is rich with antiquities connected with divine persons, sages and saints. The Ramanathapuram royal family has patronized the temple.
Pullaranyam was a marshy land full of grass and Sri Rama chose a bed of Darbha grass, which is held very sacred by all the Hindus. The grass is used on all sacred occasions during the performance of propitiatory rituals in honour of Gods and one's ancestors.
THE TEERTHA'S AT THE PLACE
Hamsa Teertha
In front of the Peepal tree where Mahavishnu gave his darsan to Rishi Pullar, there is a big tank, which is very holy. It is surrounded by a number of hermitages. In this tank Sri Narayana assumed the shape of a swan and gave Veda Upadesam to Brahma and hence it is called "Hamsa Teertha" (Hamsa means Swan).
There lived in ancient times three mighty demons by name Mali, Sumali and Malyavan. Of the three, Mali and Sumali were very cruel and they troubled the hermits, Devas and others very much. In order to put an end to the sufferings of the Devas and the hermits, Vishnu repaired on his Garuda to slay them. By using the ordinary arrows he was not able to kill them.
So, he used Sudarsana Chakra, which did away with the Rakshasas (demons). Since the Chakra became impure, Vishnu asked the Chakra to bathe in the Hamsa Teertha (also spelt as Tirtha or Teertha) and wash away all its sins. After the bath the Chakra returned to Vishnu's right hand. The tank got the names of Chakra Teertha, Dharma Teertha and Varuna Teertha also.
Agastya Teertha
Sage Agastya once got very angry and made the mighty ocean flow into his right palm and drank it off in a gulp. He installed a Teertha there and took his bath in it. Then, for the sake of his forefathers, he offered Pindapradana and performed Tarpana. From that day onwards, it is called "Agastya Teertha".
Hiranya Teertha
It is on the western side of Chakra Teertha. On the banks of this, Hiranya performed tapas and received powerful boons.
The Importance Of The Peepal Tree In Pullaranyam
There arose a famine, which lasted for twelve years. The Brahmins went away to the fertile banks of the Ganges. Then, they went to river Saraswati. Their saraswata was reciting the Yajurveda, the version of which was different from that of the Brahmins. The Brahmins told that her that the version was wrong. They took the case before Brahma. He was not able to decide and prayed to Lord Vishnu for assistance. Lord Vishnu told Brahma that the Peepal tree in Pullaranyam would point out the correct version. During the recital, if the leaves did shake, then that text could be deemed correct.
Accordingly, when the Brahmins recited the Veda, the leaves rustled, but when Saraswati recited it, the leaves did not move at all. So, the text of Saraswati was accepted as the correct one. This Peepal tree in Pullaranyam is very sacred, whoever performs tapas under this tree gets salvation. Pullar, Kan Kalavar, Tevalar and others performed penance under this tree and were blessed with Moksha.
It is also believed that if people without child perform Nagapratishtha under this Peepal tree, they would be blessed with children with long lives. The Pradakshina round this Peepal tree wards off the worst sins.
Legends Connected With The Temple
The southern part of India in olden days was a vast shrubby jungle, infested with demons, who were always a great menace to the saints and sages in their pursuit after eternal truth. Sage Pula Maharshi started a penance sitting under a Peepal tree, for the deliverance of people from the persecutions of those Rakshasas. As a result, Mahavishnu appeared in his vision in the form of Adi Jagannatha and declared that he (Vishnu), in his subsequent avatar as Sri Rama, would annihilate the demons and the wicked, and deliver the world from their cruelties. At the request of Pula Maharshi, Mahavishnu also granted the boon by which he agreed to reside in this sacred place and bless his devotees.
Since then, this place has become sacred and known as "Pullaranyam Kshetram". Sri Rama in his search for his consort Sita and in his effort to bridge the gulf to Lanka was perplexed how to overcome the natural obstacle, the sea. He laid himself on the bed of the sacred grass for three days and nights in deep meditation. In answer, Sri Adi Jagannatha appeared before Sri Rama, handed him the weapon of victory, called "Divya Chapa", and blessed him with success.
Adi Setu
Adi Setu, where Sri Rama commenced the Setubandhan, is three miles south of this Kshetra. Sri Rama, on his return from Lanka and after the Linga (also spelt as lingam) Pratishtha at Rameshwaram, visited Adi Setu to bathe in the sea and ward off the evil effects of Brahmahatya committed by his slaying of Ravana, the Brahmin. After visiting Adi Setu, Sri Rama stopped his Pushpaka Vimanam (Lord Rama vehicle) at Darbhasayanam, to show his consort Sita the place of his fast and penance and the place where he received the divine weapon.
Once a hermit by name Tevalar, who was well versed in the Vedas, performed tapas in this forest. One day seven Deva Kanyakas, who were enamoured of the beauty of the place, played under the shades of trees and bathed in the tank nearby, leaving their clothes on the bank. Then Tevalar came there to take his bath. The Kanyakas, unmindful of the hermit, continued their Jalakreeda (water-sport) without any dress on. The hermit, getting offended with the Kanyakas, cursed them and they changed into mortals.
The Kanyakas, however, begged of him to have mercy on them and save them from the curse. Tevalar told them that there was a sage by name Pullar in the forest. He was a devout Vishnubhakta. If they went to him, he would indicate to them the manner of redemption. Hearing this, the Kanyakas went to the hermitage of Pullar.
They related to him their past and present history and prayed to him to save them from the curse. Pullar took pity on them and promised to help them to regain their original status. He said that Mahavishnu would take the Avatar of Sri Rama and if the Kanyakas would get darshan of him, they would be absolved of the curse. The Kanyakas were anxiously waiting for the arrival of Sri Rama.
On the northern side of Pullaranyam was the abode of Kanwa Maharshi. In front of it flows a holy river. The hermit used to bathe in the river and pray to Lord Vasudeva for divine bliss. Sage Kanwa heard a divine voice that, when Raghava (Lord Rama) came to the forest, his desires would be fulfilled. From that day onwards, the hermit too was anxiously waiting for Sri Raghava.
In due course Rama with his army of monkeys arrived at this place. He chanced to see the seven Kanyakas, who immediately got released from their curse and turned into Deva Kanyas again. A hunter who accidentally came there saw Lord Rama and received his blessings.
Rama asked him to turn the place into a hamlet, construct a temple in that forest and watch the bridge Setu. Sri Rama gave the name of "Setu Palaka" to the hunter.
The Festival
In commemoration of Sri Adi Jagannatha's darshan to Sage Pula and Sri Rama, a gjavascript:void(0)reat festival is celebrated in the month of Panguni (March-April) and Brahmotsava is conducted in the month of Chithirai (April-May) to commemorate the two visits of Sri Rama and the incarnation of Maha Vishnu or Adi Jagannatha.
HOW TO GET THERE
Rail:The nearest railway station is at Ramanathapuram and from the station there are regular buses to the temple.
Road: Tiruppullaani is a small town, which is well connected by road with the important towns and cities of the state.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available at the moderate class and small budgeted hotels in Ramanathapuram.
Location : At Tiruppullaani Near Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu
Also Known As: Pullaranyam
Deity Worshipped: Kalyana Jagannathan Or Aadi Jagannathan
Festivals Celebrated: A Great Festival Is Celebrated In The Month Of Panguni (March-April) And Brahmotsava In The Month Of Chithirai (April-May)
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