Balarama as a Deity was prominent at Thiru Maliruncholai in the Sangam Age
Nalayira Divya Prabhandham ( which followed Paripatal) offers similar description of the animals, flowers and trees around the Divya Desam
The
6th Paripatal on Tirumaal by Ilam Peruvalootiyar of the Pandya Clan is
in a sweet rhythm. Typical of a resident of the Pandya Kingdom, the poet has
shown great devotion to the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai and praised the
greatness of the Lord there ( similar verses of praise on Maliruncholai have
later been presented by Periyazhvar and his daughter Andal in the Nalayira
Divya Prabhandham).
The
entire theme of this poem is the Lord of Thiru Maliruncholai (referred to as
Malirun Kunram) and the greatness of the hill.
While
there are very many great mountains in the world the poet says that the Solai
Hills is the holiest among them.
Praising Balarama and his
ornaments
Silver
cascade of flowers that flow down the hill looks like white Katampu Garlands
adorning Balarama’s mighty chest. It is a rare reference to Balarama’s chest
ornaments. He also praises Balarama as having a beautiful single ear pendent. Balarama
is referred as Lord’s elder brother and of white complexion.
Images
of two gods of Thiru Maliruncholai - Krishna and Balarama - are mentioned. They
were believed to have divine powers and devotees prayed to them for relief from
cycle of birth and death. The poem brings out the worship of Balarama at Thiru
Malirunkuram. Clearly this is yet another indication of the then prevalence of
workship of Balarama in the Pandya region in that period. Surprisingly, one
rarely finds a Sannidhi for Balarama in any of the temples these days.
The
poet compares Tirumaal to a dark mountain bathed in the gentle morning sun.
Animals at Malirun Kunram
The
poet find excited female monkeys leaping from rock to rock with their young
ones clutching their bosom ( similar reference is found in Periyazhvar
Thirumozhi in the decad relating to Krishna holding the Govardhana Mountain).
Beautiful
peacocks call each other from everywhere. The Kuyils are seen making sweet
noises all around.
Wide range of Flowers
The
poet praise the jasmine vines as being covered with blossom buds that he
describes as ‘bright and chaste’ as wives!!!! The Kurukkati trees are seen
shedding their leaves on the ground.
The
devotees who throng the roads to the hill are advised to worship the hill itself
as it is seen as the seat of the God who removes all worries and destroys the
sins of devotees.
From
this poem dating back to the Sangam Period, one gets a real feel of the scene
around the Thiru Maliruncholai temple. The most fascinating description though
is of Balarama and the extent of worship dedicated to him at Thiru
Maliruncholai. One wonders as to how that worship got dispensed with at the
temple.
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