Pullin Mel Urndhu Varubavan | Thirupullani | The Sacred Recline
72 Chatur Yugas ago, three sages Pullavar, Kannavar and Kalavar came to a place in southern part of Bhaarat, which was then covered densely with darba grass and performed intense penance. Pleased with their penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before them in the form of Peepal Tree. The Sages sought the darshan of Bhagavan in His original form. Bhagavan obliged and gave darshan as Adi Jagannatha, in the kshetra known today as Tirupullani. This tree is still present near the shrine. This shrine is also called Dakshin Jagannath.
It is in this kshetra that King Dasaratha learnt the Mantra to be bestowed with a child and was blessed with Sri Rama and his brothers, as his sons.
Of the 18 divya desams of the Pandya region, Thiruppullani is the most ancient city. The place is also hailed as Pullaranyam, Pullanai, Thiruvanai, Adhi Sethu, Dharbasayanam, Rathnaakara Kshetram, Nalasethu, Saranagati Kshetram and Pullangadu.
Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal faces east in the sitting posture with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. Similarly, His Consort Sri Padmasani Thayar sits and renders Her blessings to the devotees. Sri Dharbasayana Ramar under the ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’ is in a reclining posture on the dharba grass (sacred grass used in the rituals). The dwaarapaalakas have a majestic appearance and hands with ‘aahvaana mudra’ (inviting sign) as if inviting into this unique sanctum. Along with them are Madhu-Kaitaba, Lakshmi, Kausthubam and Sundopasundas. On the side of the crown are Garuda and Markanda. At His feet are Sukha and Sarana, and also Hanuman enjoying the feet of Rama in a valiant posture. At the southern side of the ardha mantapam stands politely Vibishana holding the mace and on the northern side are the Emperor and his wives of ‘Mahodadi (Ocean) making surrender to Lord Rama. Lakshmana is Bhagavan’s Serpent-bed Adisesha. The Utsava moorthi is ‘Sri Kothandaraman’ with Sita Devi, Sri Lakshmana and Hanumanji. The sanctum of Pattabhiramar has a separate flag-pole, Dwaarapaalakas and ardha mantapam.
Thirupullani is closely associated with several incidents of Ramayana. Vibishana does ‘sharanagati’ (surrender) to Lord Rama here. Lord Rama reclining on the dharba grass for three days, requests the Samudra Raja to give way to Him to go to Lanka. Samudra Raja does not concede to His request and infuriates Him. The furious Rama takes His bow and warns Samudra Raja that He would dry up the entire waters. entire waters. The frightened Samudra Raja with his wives rush to Lord Rama and surrenders. Because of the surrenders made here by Vibishana and the Samudra Raja, the place is rightly called ‘sharanagati kshetram’ and since the Lord reposes on the darba grass, He is named ‘Dharbasayana Ramar’.
The victorious Lord Rama, after killing Ravana returned to Ayodhya with Sita Devi in the Pushpaka Vimanam. He rested for a while at this place, and recounts to Sita the events that had happened during their separation.
On the outer mantap of the ‘Darbasayan Ramar’ shrine is a small shrine dedicated to Santhana Gopalan, known as ‘Santhana Krishna Mandapam’. It is a lovely sculptural wonder. Lord Krishna sits on the Adisesha who rests on the ‘kurmam’ (tortoise) surrounded by eight elephants and eight serpents. It is believed that the childless couple will be blessed with a child, if they worship the deity offering ‘paalpayasam’ (sweet-milk porridge) to Him. This is a famous offering in the Thiruppullani temple.
Sri Swamiji sings in praise of Lord Rama at Thirupullani in this Madhurageetham that emerged in Ragam SimhEndramadhyamam.
To watch the song:
1. puLLin mEl Urndu varubavan pul paDukkaiyil shayanitthirukkinDrAn then kaDaRkaraiyil shrIrAmachandran
Sri Ramachandra who rides on a bird (Garuda) is reclining here on a bed of (dharba) grass in the southern coast.
2. kaDal arasanin varavai edirpArtthu kaN thunjchAmal kAyatthai varutthikkoNDu thenkaDaRkaraiyil shrIrAmachandran
Expecting the arrival of the Emperor of the Oceans, Sri Ramachandra lies here in the southern coast subjecting Himself to bodily suffering.
3. pARkaDalil uditthavaL avaLai aDaiya uppukkaDalin karaiyil thAnE thenkaDaRkaraiyil shrIrAmachandran
To attain the One who emerged from the Milky ocean, Sri Ramachandra lies here in the southern coast on the shores of the salty Ocean.
4. lakkuvan seyvadaRiyAmal padapadaitthu niRka mUnDrE nATkaLil kaDalarasanum ODi vandAn ODi vanda kaDalarasan rAman aDipaNiya sEthubandhanam seydu ilangai senDrAn thenkaDaRkaraiyil shrIrAmachandran
Sri Lakshmana stood anxiously not knowing what to do. The Emperor of Oceans came running in three days and surrenderes to Sri Rama. From the southern coast Sri Ramachandra constructed the sethu bridge and reached Lanka.
