Abhirami Anthadi

Abhirami Anthadi And Thai Amaavaasyai
New Moon days are ideal for introspection and spiritual matters. But Thaimaasa Amaavaasyaas (29th Jan 2006 this time) are special. How come? Well, listen to what my senior friends say.
“Abhirami is the Goddess of Thirukkadavur located on the road linking Mayiladuturai and Tarangampaadi. Lord Shiva who presides over the temple is called Amritha- Ghateswarar. It is believed that while transporting the Nectar (Amritham) got after churning the Ksheerasamudram, the Devas kept a pot of Amritham in Thirukkadavur. This pot fused with the land and became the Shivalingam.
It is also believed that it is at this temple that the Sage Markandeya (16 year old youth) prayed Lord Shiva and escaped from the clutches of death forever. No wonder then, that the conquest of Yama is acknowledged through celebration of 60th (Shashtiabdhapoorthy ) and 80th (Sathaabhishekam) birth anniversaries by hundreds of pilgrims here.
Yes, Muthuswamy Deekshitar's kriti Sankaram Abhirami Manoharam in Kamalamanohari praises this shrine as well. This is a vast temple with 5 praakaarams, imposing towers and ornate mandapams - hailed as one of the 8 Veeratta Sthalams of Shiva. A huge Rajagopuram with attractive stucco images depicting the sthalapuranam adorns its entrance. The Amrita Pushkarini, Kaala Theertham and Maarkandeya Theertham are all located in the temple. The Shankh-abhishekam (abhishekam with a conch) is of great importance here (as mentioned in Deekshitar's kriti as well) in keeping with the belief that Markandeya had performed this form of worship; and the mandapam associated with this is the Shankhu mandapam. Kaalasamhaaramurthy is the fierce form (Ugra) of Shiva, believed to have saved Markandeya from the clutches of Yama (Bhayankara Ghora Roopa - Yama Niigrahanugraha).
More importantly, it is for the above titled song Abhirami Anthadi that this shrine is famous. Abhirami meaning “She who is attractive at all times” is believed to be extremely powerful and fulfills the wishes of all her devotees. Abhirama Bhattar was so devoted to the Goddess that he was ever immersed in praise of Her attributes. This made him go about like a mad man. People even suspected him of practising evil rites. One day Raja Serfoji, the Mahratta king who was ruling over Tanjore visited the temple. The Archakas told him about Abhirama Bhattar. The king while returning to the palace casually asked Abhirama Bhattar the Thithi of that day. Abhirama Bhattar who was at the time visualising the Goddess in his reverie, answered that it was Pournami (Full moon). Raja went his way.
But actually the day was Amaavaasyaa (New moon)- Thai amaavaasyaa in fact. Bhattar realized his mistake soon and felt extremely sorry for having given a wrong information to the king. He then set up 100 rope hangings and hung in them. Below he created a huge fire. He prayed to Goddess Abhirami to help him prove that he was right. This he did by singing 100 stanzas in praise of Abhirami. As soon as one stanza was completed one rope was cut. The stanzas were composed in such a way that the first word of a stanza would have to be the last word of previous stanza (this style of poem is called Anthadhi meaning end-start something akin to anthakshari).It is believed that when he completed the 79th stanza, the Goddess appeared before him and reassured him that she would do the needful. She removed her Thirutthodu (the diamond earstud) and threw it in the sky where it stood stationed. The stud was so sparkling that it appeared like a full moon casting its milky white brightness all around. The Goddess then advised Abhirama Bhattar to go ahead and complete his poem. Bhattar continued and ended with 100 stanzas. Raja Serfoji watching the proceedings realized how great Abhirama Bhattar was and honoured him on the spot.
Each stanza of the poem Abhirami Andhathi is a gem of a poetry in itself. The language however is not the spoken Tamil and this is further complicated by the Anthadi formula making the thought process of the stanza entwined. But my favourite is stanza 32
“AAsaikkadalil akappattu, arul …………………….eesarbhagathu nerizhaye.”-
Meaning, “Being entangled in the ocean of Desire, I would have been dragged to hell to suffer for ever but for your protective lotus feet on which (I) a sinner could rest my head. How shall I sing your grace who occupies (being Shiva’s consort) His left?”
V V R
28th Jan 06