Pazhoor Perumthrikkovil, Piravom – Legends & History

Pazhoor Perumthrikkovil, Piravom – Legends & History

Cheraman Perumal Nayanar:

Rajashekhara / Rama Rajashekhara (9^th century CE), was a Chera / Kulasekara ruler at Kodungallur in medieval Kerala, southern India. Rajashekhara is reputed to have issued the Vazhappally copper plate (830 CE), the earliest epigraphical record of a Chera king to be discovered from Kerala. Shivanandalahari, attributed to Hindu saint Shankara, indirectly mentions the Chera ruler as Rajashekhara. Sanskrit poet Vasubhatta in his Yudhishthira Vijaya refers to his first royal patron as Rama Varma and Rajashekhara. Rajashekhara was succeeded by king Sthanu Ravi Kulasekara in 844 CE.

Political authority of the Chera Perumals, like Rajashekhara, over medieval Kerala is a matter of debate. It has variously been described as a monarchy supported by a Brahmin oligarchy, or as a ritual monarchy under a bold and visible Brahmin oligarchy. Rajashekhara is usually identified by historians with Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, the venerated Shaiva (Nayanar) poet-musician. He is the author of three devotional hymns - Ponvannattandadi, Thiruvarur Mummanikovai, and Adiyula/Tirukkailayajnana Ula. The latter one is first of the Ulas, a form of poetic composition in Tamil.

According to Sekkizhar, a courtier of Kulotunga Chola II and the author of Periyapuranam, Cheraman Perumal made a pilgrimage to the major Shaiva shrines of southern India with his friend Sundaramurti Nayanar in his later years. The two saints are believed to have died at the city of Thiruvanchikulam. The Tiruvanchikulam Siva Temple (then known as Tiruvanchikkalam) in Kodungallur is associated with the Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.

It was during Rajashekhara reign in 825 CE, the calendar known as the Kollam Era commenced in the port of Kollam. The calendar is also known as Malayalam Era. The exact events that lead to the foundation of the era is still matter of scholarly debate. According to historian Noburu Karashima, it commemorated the foundation of Kollam harbour city after the liberation of Venatu from the Pandya rule (and hence beginning of Chera influence). It is possible that the king Rahappa, an unidentified monarch, whom Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I Akalavarsha is stated to have defeated was Rama Rajashekhara. Krishna I is stated to have obtained the title Rajadhiraja Parameswara after defeating Rahappa.

Cheraman Perumal Nayanar was born in Kodungallur. It was the capital city of Malai Nadu (the present Kerala). He was born in the royal family of Kothayars, otherwise known as the Uthiyan family. The name Cheraman was the common name for all Cheras. Perumal was the title adopted by him after his coronation. His original name was Perum-Ma-Kothayar. Cheraman Perumal had great devotion to the Lord even as a child. As he grew, his devotion also grew. He did not like to rule the country. So, when he came of age, he renounced the world and went to Thiru Anchaikalam and engaged himself in the worship of the Lord there.

The country was, instead, ruled by Sengol Porayan. Sengol Porayan went to Thiru Anchaikalam and requested Perum-Ma-Kothayar to ascend the throne. Though Cheraman Perumal was reluctant, lest it should interfere with his daily worship, he bowed to the divine will. He went to the temple and offered a prayer. The Lord permitted him to accept the rulership. By the Lord's grace, Cheraman Perumal ascended the throne and ruled the country justly and wisely. After the coronation, Cheraman Perumal went to the temple.

After worshipping the Lord there, Cheraman Perumal returned to the palace. On the way, Cheraman Perumal saw a washerman whose body had been smeared with white sand and mud. The very sight enraptured Cheraman Perumal who saw — in the washerman — the image of Lord Siva with the sacred ash smeared all over the body. Cheraman Perumal was raised to God-consciousness. Cheraman Perumal descended from the elephant and fell at the feet of the washerman, in spite of the latter's protest. All were wonderstruck to witness the supreme devotion of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.

By his many acts of devotion and piety, Cheraman Perumal earned the grace of Lord Siva. The Lord sent to Cheraman Perumal a renowned musician and devotee, Banapatirar, with a palm leaf on which was the Lord's own song in praise of Cheraman Perumal! It read, "Oh king who honours great poets with rich presents, who rules his subjects with love! Glory to you! I am very highly pleased with your devotion and charitable nature. The bearer of this message is Banapatirar who is a great devotee like you. He is a great musician and always sings my glories on his favourite instrument, Yaal. He has come to see you. Welcome him with due respect and honour him with plenty of riches."

Cheraman Perumal welcomed the musician with great love and devotion. When Banapatirar read the song of the Lord, Cheraman Perumal was overjoyed and rolled on the ground. Cheraman Perumal said to Banapatirar, "Oh noble soul, kindly take possession of all these and accept my kingdom also." Banapatirar was astounded to witness the king's devotion and replied, "Oh king, I am highly pleased with your darshan. I shall accept only what is absolutely necessary for me, for that has been the command of the Lord."

Banapatirar took only what he needed and left Kodungallur on an elephant. Cheraman Perumal Nayanar escorted Banapatirar up to the border. Cheraman Perumal Nayanar was greatly devoted to Lord Nataraja. He had surrendered his body, mind and soul to Him. He would daily worship the Lord: and, by his grace, at the time of his prayer, he would hear the musical sound produced by the Lord's anklets during Lord Nataraja's dance. One day, however, at the time of the prayer, Cheraman Perumal did not hear the usual divine sound. Cheraman Perumal was greatly afflicted at heart. He thought that he must have been guilty of a great crime and decided to end his life, with his sword. At once, Cheraman Perumal heard the divine sound and a voice in the sky explained, "Oh noble soul, My friend Nambi Arurar has come to Thillai and he was singing sweet Tamil songs. I was completely absorbed in that and hence, the delay in blessing you with the musical sound of My anklet."

The Lord wanted to create a friendship between Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal and so spoke highly of Sundarar to Cheraman Perumal. Cheraman Perumal, desirous of worshipping Lord Nataraja and also of meeting Sundarar, at once started for Thillai. The very sight of the Lord in Thillai entranced Cheraman Perumal. He sang "Pon Vannathu Anthadi" on Lord Nataraja. In appreciation, the Lord blessed Cheraman Perumal with the musical sound of His anklets. Cheraman Perumal was swimming in divine bliss.

Before Cheraman Perumal reached Thillai, Sundarar had already left the place. So, Cheraman Perumal proceeded to Thiruvarur where he met Sundarar. They embraced each other and fell at each other's feet. They fast became friends. At Thiruvarur, Cheraman Perumal composed the famous "Thiruvarur Mummanikovai" on Lord Thiagaraja. Cheraman Perumal and Sundarar then went to Vedaranyam. There Cheraman Perumal sang "Thiru Anthadi" on the Lord. After visiting many shrines on the way, they came to Madurai. The Pandyan king welcomed them. The Chola prince who was staying with the Pandyan king also welcomed them. In company of the royals, the great saints visited many shrines.

Cheraman Perumal and Sundarar then took leave of the kings and returned to Thiruvarur. From there, at the request of Cheraman Perumal, Sundarar accompanied him to Kodungallur. At Kodungallur, Cheraman Perumal took Sundarar on an elephant and went around the city in procession. When Sundarar returned to Thiruvarur, he had instructed Cheraman Perumal to rule the country justly and wisely. Cheraman Perumal obeyed the saint's commands. On the next occasion when Sundarar visited Kodungallur, Sundarar suddenly left the place and went to the sacred shrine at Thiru Anchaikalam where he sought the Lord's grace and attained liberation.

By intuition, Cheraman Perumal learnt of Sundarar's release and also desired to attain the lotus feet of the Lord. So, using yogic siddhis bestowed to him, Cheraman Perumal shed his mortal coil and proceeded to Kailasa, where Sundarar was heading on a celestial car (a white elephant bestowed by Lord Siva to Sundarar). In Kailasa, Cheraman Perumal became the chief of Lord Siva's Ganas (servants).

Pazhoor:

According to the legend, long ago the area was home for many Brahmin families. The children belonging to these Brahmin families had a very strict teacher. The kids believed that the teacher was being too harsh on them because he had no child. So, the kids made an idol out of sand and payal (weed) and prayed to god for blessing their teacher with a kid. Pleased by their devotion, the god granted their wish. The place was named after Payal called Payaloor. Later got corrupted to Pazhoor.