Palani Navapashana Murugan

Palani Murugan
Thanks to http://www.palanitemples.com

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
(thanks to http://www.palanitemples.com)


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.