Essay name: Sucindrasthala-mahatmya (critical edition and study)
Author:
Anand Dilip Raj
Affiliation: University of Kerala / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies in English the Sucindrasthala-mahatmya which represents a significant Sthalamahatmya from South India detailing the origins and development of the Trimurti temple at Suchindram in Tamil Nadu. The study reveals its legends, customs, and religious practices.
Chapter 4 - Sucindrasthalamahatmya: a critical study
41 (of 74)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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i The next day the accused arrives at the temple with his relatives and friends. The sabha assembles in Kazhakkadom, a rectangular space to the east of the Vadakkedam Dhvajastambe. This is the spot were the ordeal takes place. Next day morning when the yogam assembles the Vattappalli Sthanikar brings the necessary things for pratyeyam, viz.. a big vessel for boiling ghee, a silver lamp, a gold pitcher, two pots with spout (kindis) one of gold and another of silver, a silver pot for holding flowers, another silver vessel containing sandol paste and a pujapatram and other materials like ghee, gingelly oil and coconut oil. The assistant spreads river-bed sand under the oven. When all the things are ready the accused is called upon to produce before the yogam 21 bundles of betal leaves, 310 arecanuts, 26 panams and two Kāsh, as also one kindi a pot with a spout, for pouring water. Bhattathiri reads the Pampu (letter from the lead man of the villose of accused) and the Vattappalli Sthaniker breaks a coconut infront of Indrivatapam pilleyar (Saksi Ganapati) and just prior to the image of Ganapati. The space is unique. On the ceiling, there is a small opening of about 3 square inches, in order to allow the sun's rays to fall on the spot below, so that the ordeal could be held with the celestial surya himself as holy witness. The pillar immediately to south of the place presents the engraved image of Ganapati, described as saksi- Ganapati. This deity was propitiated as the witness of Kaimukku ordeal. The same test was conducted under his auspices, it was believed. The sun, Ganapati and the Lord Siva (Sucindranatha) witness the Kaimukku. It was the tradition of sounding the conch continuously. The poppane Bhattathiri asks the accused to take bath in the spring near to the idol od Sakhi Ganapati. Bhattathiri then writes on a palm-leaf 164
