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 The thunderous sound was only the bursting of tyres. The sound might have reached the cosmic guardian, Mahavishnu. The success of the mission was probably welcomed by the applauding of the Devas, hence the 'thunderbolt sound'. Whatever the reason, the truck with the stone arrived at the spot with 'providential interference'.
Renowned sculptor Muthiah Sthapathi was engaged to chisel the idol of the Anjaneyar. An accomplished sculptor, he was at a loss for words to describe the transformation of the stone into an idol form. He was just an instrument in shaping the Lord's form. The image emerged from within the stone, quips the sculptor, who was bewildered and awestruck at the progress.
When the tail was sculpted upwards, it broke. Bewildered by this, the group sought the advice of the Sringeri Sankaracharya and the tail was chiselled downwards. A spiritual guru who has prophetic vision, he declared that as Rama's shrine was planned inside, naturally the tail of Hanuman should be facing downwards, as a mark of respect.
The temple is steeped in miracles and mysteries. The watchman of the temple had a 'holy experience'. He claims he saw a 'figure' from the Raghavendra Mutt moving towards the stone and paying obeisance to it. The apparition returned to the Brindavan after worshipping the stone. Who else could it be other than the devout 'Raghavendra Swamy' who is a staunch disciple of Lord Anjaneya. Another devotee, drowned in the world of Rama, is said to have seen a 'jothi' on Anjaneya's chest. The jothi symbolises Lord Rama who is permanently stationed there with Sita. It was thus decided to sculpt Rama and Sita on Anjaneya's chest.
The sculptor, on having finishing the job dutifully, exclaimed that the Lord emerged from the stone himself and he had very little work. He feels he is really blessed to have undertaken this job.
This 32 feet tall Hanuman attracts devotees by sporting a youthful smile and 'sannidhyam' which is discernible. He is 'santham' personified with no traces of' 'ugraha'. He resembles a child in an enlarged form. There is a Panchamukha Yantra embedded under the Lord which has made him omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
Anjaneya yearns for our love and devotion and not materialistic offerings. He showers grace and blessings abundantly on the devout. He exists in human form for the founder and trustees who are occupied with his thoughts. He promptly answers their prayers because they dwell with him.
Now began the rituals that were to make him an object of worship. Idols represent the descent of the supreme in various forms. By the force of concentration and the recital of certain mantras, accompanied by prescribed rituals, the invisible God is made to enter the idol. What are the rituals ?
To be continued
UshaRaja
Plot-93-D,
Second Main road,
Nanganallur,
Chennai-600061.
usharaja60@hotmail.com
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Anjaneyar
Temple-3
