Palani
has been mentioned in the Tamil Sangam Literature as “Podhini”,
which came to be called as “Palani” later, according
to the historions. In “Thirumurukatruppadai” (
a Sangam Literature ) Palani has been mentioned as the 3rd
“PadaiVeedu”. This was the southern end of the
Kongu Nadu and edicts refer to this place as “Vaiyapuri
Nadu” , which was ruled by king “Vaiyapuri Kopperumbaegan”.
Many “Siddhas” are said to have lived in this
region. The idol of Palani Andavar is said to have been
made of “Navapashanam”.
The
deity of Palani is known as Dandayudhapani Swami, the Lord
having the Staff in his Hand. The deity at the sanctum sanctorum
is made out of an amalgam of nine minerals popularly called
Navapashanam. Some people say it is a combination of medicinal
herbs.
It
consits of the following items :
Veeram
Pooram
Rasam
Jathilingam
Kandagam
Gauri
Pasanam
Vellai
Pasanam
Mridharsingh
Silasat
The
deity is in a standing position with a baton in his hand.
He has the look of a person who has renounced all worldly
pomp. He has just a loincloth besides the baton. He is a
mute messenger of the great precept 'Renounce all to reach
Me'. The icon is unique in the whole world. It was made
by siddha Bhogar by combining nine poisonous substances
(Navapashanam). Murugan signifies beauty and Lord Murugan
of Kurinji land is the god of Beauty and Youth.
Navapashanam-1
Vaidyanathan:
Siva abinding near Sirkazh is called Vaidyanathan, and the
place is Vaithisvaran Koil. Muruga in that temple is called
Muthukumaran. That is the reason for naming Muruga of Periyanayaki
amman Koil as Muthukumaran.
As
Palani is a place where ills are cures, the name of Muruga
become Muthukumaran. You may wonder what is the connection
between curing and Muthukumaran. Shell may be insignificant.
But the pearl is very precious. Forms a low source a precious
material is borne, Sugar-cane, ivory, rain, paddy too are
all sources of pearl. Likewise from the sweat of the forehead
Siva, contain curative properties. Has not that pearl -
Muthukumaran - become famous? You might have heard of Muthu
Paspam, which curus several maladies. Here Bogar did not
carve the main deity in stone. On the contrary he solidified
the essence of Nava Pashanam and from that material formed
the Moolavar. Pashanam means poison. If it wxcwwds the proper
proporation it will become poison. In propor proporation
Bogar has used it. There is a special stone too called Pashanam!
It
is customary to plant a stone on the 16th day of death of
a person. That too is called Pashanam. In Palani not one
Pashanam but nine Pashanams have been used. Eighty one Siddhars
joined Bogar, mixed 81 Pashanams, converted in into 9 mixtures
and made this image. That is why it is called Nava Pashanam.
We have heard of 18 Siddhars. Their disciples were 81. The
Pashanam was burnt by 9 type of fuel, filtered 9 times (
9 x 9 =81 ) and that means 81.
1.
Avarai, Chittamurutti - With this fuels they will heat for
disease caused by heat.
2.
Usil, Ilandai - By heating with this fuels, they cured discapes
of eye, nose, ear and feet.
3.
Iluppai, Tamarind - For oils for external use.
4.
Vembu (Neem), Pooarasu, Arasu - for diseases of Vadha.
5.
Nuna, Vanni, Mavilangam - for Vadha diseases external and
internal.
6.
Nelli (Amla), Vembu (Neem), Vila for Pitha ills.
7.
Usil, Vel, Konrai, Vengai; for Phlegm.
8.
Panai (Palm), Thennai (coconut), Vembu (Neem); for all medicines
which contain Rasa.
9.
Vel, Vengai; for medicines which contain iron.
After
heating with the obove 9 types of fuel they will filter
9 times.
1.
Excrement of Kadai 1
2.
" Kowdri 3
3.
" Kukkudam 10
4.
" Varaham 50
5.
" Peacock 100
6.
" Elephant 1000
7.
" Manal ( sand ) 90
8.
Earth 4 finger measure
9.
Garm 800
The
first six are heated by fuel of the excreta then spreading
sand buried in earth to a depth of 4 finger lengths. Then
burnt by fuel of excreta of cow.
A
substance called pashanam is sold in shops. Lingam, Chendooram,
Gaudhakam, Padharasam, Rasakarpuram, Vediuppu, Paraiuppu,
Chavuttuppu, Valaiuppu, Erukam flower, Kanthakam, Lokam,
Venkaram, Changuppodi, Kalnar, Silachit, Chatravedi, Poonir,
Chippithasan, Erukkampal, Kallippal, Thurusuparpam, Chippi,
Chunnam, Anda Chunnam, Porikaram, Thalakam, Kal Channambu,
Corel, Tin, Evacharam, Sambarani, Iron, Manosilai, Thakkam,Aritharam,
Kundumani all these are ingredients in the pashanam.
When
all these things are heated and filtered a semi liquid mass
hardens into a stone.
Everyday
ablutions are performed. During Kartigai days it will be
in hundreds. These ablution provide not only grace of Muruga
but also cures for ills. When milk ablutions are performed,
the milk after coming in contact with the Navapashana body
of Muruga absorbs all its medicinal qualities. The beauty
is that for a long time the milk is spoiled. Similar is
the case with sandal ablution. The sandal paste over the
body of Muruga is removed in the shade. A process to preserve
the sandal paste has been finished by Somaley.
We
ourselves should purchase good sandal bars and grind it
. Kasturi, Korochanai, Saffron, Pachaikarpuram, Kesari Powder,
Sandal pieces, Sandal attar, panneer, Punugu, Poolankizangu.
Mattipal should be of taken and mixed with ground sandal
in proporation of 1 measure to 1 tola. one tola is 12 gms
which is equal ato old one rupee weight. Now it has become
a medicine.
