#storytimethread - #stories
from Thiruvilayadal puranam

64 divine leelas of Shiva performed in Madurai - including how temple was built,how #Madurai city was formed, birth of Meenakshi devi.. abt Pandiya kings...and many more

story 1 - abt how Indra got rid of sin

Once Indra was enjoying the dance performance of Apsaras. He was so involved that he didn't even see arrival of Guru Brihaspathi.This made guru little angry.Even then,he waited till performance was over.Indra saw Guru,but didn't get up from his throne or ask for forgiveness.

Before he could realise his mistake Brihaspati had left. Filled with regret Indra immediately went to bring his Guru back,but all his efforts went in vain as he was nowhere to be found.Devas no longer had a http://Guru.At  this time that Asuras attacked Devas.

Devas needed a Guru to perform a yagna for http://victory.So  he went to Brahma dev to get some help/ advice.Brahma thought that over & suggested Indra to ask three-headed Vishwarupa as Guru. Vishwarupa,son of Dhuttuva &he accepted to be Guru for Devas after Indra requested

Vishwarupa was one among few people who knows Narayana Kavacha which was an impregnable armour.But Vishwarupa was bit inclined towards Asuras.He still prayed for welfare of his Asura brothers. Once when he was offering such prayers, Indra heard what he thought.Indra got angry.

In fit of rage,he killed Vishwarupa. Since Indra killed an unarmed person,he got bhramahathi dosha so was very distrubed.Meanwhile, Dhuvatta got news of death his son,Vishwarupa.He was so upset & wanted to take revenge.
He began to do yagna, from which came a rakshasha,Vritasura

Vritasura started to follow Indra wherever he went &giving trouble to him.Indra was no match to Vritasura.Later,he sought help of Dhatheesi Rishi who gave up his life &Vajra ayutha was made from his spinal chord.With Vajra ayutha ,Indra killed Vritasura.

But still Indra was caught by Bhramahathi dosha and was very http://troubled.To  escape from this torture, Indra hid himself inside a stem of lotus flower in a pond. Without Indra,Indralok lost its charm.Other Devas,Indra regretted and wanted to apologize to Guru Brihaspathi.

Brihaspati appeared before him & advised Indra to visit many Kshethrams on earth.On the way he would get rid of Bhramahathi Dosha.
Indra started his journey to various temples.When he reached kadambavanam,present day Madurai,Indra felt that he was relieved from dosha.

He asked his men to search the kadamba tree forest.Finally they identified a swayambu Linga under a Kadamba tree.Indra realised that he was relieved from the sin,due to grace of Bhagwan Shiva &wishes to worship him with flowers.Near,he also found a pond full of lotus flowers.

After taking bath in pond,he worshiped Shiva with these Lotus pond is known as Pottramarai Kulam.

Indra built a temple for Shiva with help of Vishwakarma.Shiva is known as Chockanathar.This vimana portion has sculptures of 8 Elephants-8 directions,32 lions & 64 Shiva Ganas.

The Shiva Sannadhi of Madurai #MeenakshiAmman temple is known as Indra Vimana.We can see 8 white elephant sculptures, lions and shiva ganas sculptures around the sannadhi.They are the majestic Astadik elephants.

So on next visit to Meenakshi Amman temple,don't miss to see around the Shiva Sannidhi.

Walls around Shiva’s sanidhi are painted with murals & sculptures depicting the scenes related to 64 leeles.

All images used in this #story
#Thread - credit to resp. owners.

Source txt -Based on Divine Games of Lord Shiva/ Thiruvilayadal Puranam - by Sage Paranjothi - narrates the 64 Tiruvilayadals

Will post next Thiruvilayadal
Story next week.

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