Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna – Legends

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna – Legends

Gouthama Kshetram:

Once, there was a terrible famine in the country and the sages found it difficult to get water for bathing, etc. They went in search of a suitable place for their ablutions. On their way, they came to the hermitage of Sage Gautama, on the bank of River Godavari. Gautama was very pleased with the arrival of the sages and welcomed them. He requested them to remain in his hermitage for some time more. On his way to the river, Gautama sowed the paddy seeds in fields, with the help of his disciples. He returned from the river after offering ablutions. In the meantime, his disciples brought the corn, which had already grown, and prepared a delicious feast for the sages.

On seeing such a good feast served to them, some of the sages became envious of sage Gautama. They then planned to drive away Sage Gautama from the hermitage. The next day, they created a cow by their mystic power. She grazed the corn in the field of Gautama. While returning from the river, Gautama saw the cow and asked his disciples to drive it away; the disciples did so. The cow ran to Gautama and fell dead at his feet. Immediately the sages loudly cried out that Gautama killed the cow. Gautama realized that this was the evil plan of sages and cursed them to be evil and cruel.

After this incident, he went on a pilgrimage. On the way, he reached Sri Rangam, and prayed to Lord Ranganatha there. The Lord appeared before him and said that at Srirangam, He was being served by Vibhishana, and that Gautama might go to the sacred place, where Adiranga had established himself. As directed by the Lord, Gautama went in search of this place. On his way, he had darshan of the River Tambraparani, the Mahendra Mountain, the Sahyadri Hills and the birthplace of Kaveri. Then being accompanied by a number of sages, he came to Srirangapatna and continued to live there.

Once, when he was narrating the glories of Lord Ranganatha, a group of sages such as Bodhayana, Atri, Yajnavalkya, Kanva, Shuka, Parashara came there. Gautama became very jubilant on their arrival and welcomed them all. Under the leadership of Sage Gautama, all the sages performed a sacrifice worshipping Lord Ranganatha. Pleased by their sacrifice, Lord Ranganatha appeared before them and blessed them. He instructed Gautama that his Deity was lying hidden the nearby grove of Thulasi and was covered in an ant-hill.

All the Sages and the devatas saw the huge ant-hill in the Thulasi grove as told by the Lord. They paid obeisances before it. Then the ant-hill was removed using the milk of Kamadenu. All the devotees present there had darshan of the magnificent Lord. Lord Ranganatha’s face radiated with great splendour. He laid resting on Adisesha, with his head resting on his right arm. His left arm stretched over his body, Lakshmi on his chest and Kaveri praying at his feet. Along with the devatas, Sage Gautama glorified the Supreme Lord.

Lord Ranganatha was pleased with the prayers and blessed Sage Gautama that Srirangapatna would be called after him as Gautama-Kshetra, and the temple would be called as Brahmananda Vimana. They also had darshan of Srimati Ranganayaki to the south east of the Lord. After having darshan, they performed parikrama of the Lord. This was in the month of Mesha, on the 7th day of Shukla paksha. Later, Gautama learnt pancharatrika method of worship from Narada and worshipped the Lord.

The day on which Sage Gautama first worshipped the Lord is celebrated every year as Sri Ranga Jayanti. On this day, the celebrations begin with abishekam in the early morning hours, and then the Vairagi Seva is performed. Gautama-puja and Mahamangala-arati are also offered to Lord Ranganatha. In the night Lord Ranganatha is adorned with Rajamudi and taken on a procession. From the next day, Gautama commenced Sri Ranga Saptaha lasting for a week. On the last day of Ranga Saptaha, the Lord gave darshan on Garuda. Even today this day is celebrated every year as Garuda Utsava.

River Cauvery penance on Lord Vishnu here:

The devotees cleansed their sins by bathing in the sacred Cauvery. With even Ganga coming here once a year, Cauvery accumulated all the sins and was stuck with a Dosham and took on the ‘Rakshasi Roopam’. To rid herself of this, she undertook penance and sought the help of Lord Vishnu. Pleased with her prayers, he came down to this place. Delighted at the darshan of Lord Ranganatha, Cauvery undertook service at the feet of the Lord and was immediately relieved of the sins. Hence, to this day, one can see Goddess Cauvery at the feet of Ranganathaswamy at this temple.

Place for Salvation:

As per mythological studies, river Cauvery on her way forms three big islands. These islands are the Shivanasamudra of Karnataka, Srirangapatna and Srirangam. It is believed that devotees who visit these three temples, all in one day will surely attain salvation.

Gandharva princes got relieved of their sin:

Once, the Gandharva princes, Chitrasena and Chitranath fell in love with Sachi, the wife of Indra. Being angry, Indra cursed them to born as demons. While wandering, these two demons came to Gautama-Kshetra. After bathing in the River Kaveri on the Purnima day of the Thula month and having darshan of Lord Ranganatha, they got purified of their sins and went back to heaven attaining heavenly form.

Narration of glories of Lord Ranganatha to Sage Narada by Lord Shiva:

The glories of Lord Ranganatha were narrated by Lord Parameshwara to Narada Muni. On hearing such a wonderful pastime, Narada became ecstatic and offered his obeisance to the Lord. Those who hear or read this pastime of Lord Ranganatha will attain the blessings of the Lord and achieve liberation.

River Cauvery equivalent to Viraj River:

The water of Cauvery is similar to the water of the scared viraj river which is found in Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Swayam Vyatka Moorthis:

God Ranganatha has manifested himself in three places in the east at Srirangam, in the south at Ananthashaynam and in the west at Srirangapatna. At these three Places the idols are Swayam Vyatka Moorthies i.e. they are not being made by man but have been formed by themselves.

Holy Place:

The scared Place of Lord Ranganatha of the west is Considered to be very holy place by the Devas including Brahma Rudra and by the Nithyasuris such as Sanakar and by the Rishis such as Kapila.