Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram Divya Desam - Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple

• Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram Divya Desam - Greatness:

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal (Adikeshava Perumal or Gajendra Varada Perumal) and Alarmelmangai Thayar (Padmasini Thayar) in Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram Divya Desam.

• Divya Desam: Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram is a Divya Desam whose hymn was sung by Peyalvar and Thirumangai Alvar. It is the 44th Divya Desam and is located in Thondai Nadu.
- Perumal is in standing posture facing West.
- Pratyaksham: Gajendran
- Mangalasasanam: Peyalvar, Thirumangai Alvar (12 Pasurams)
- Vimanam: Gaganakruthi Vimanam (or Vyomakara Vimanam), Chakrakruthi Vimanam
- Pushkarini: Gajendra Pushkarini

• The name Ashtabhuja: Ashta means Eight and Bhuja means Arms. The Lord here assumed a form with eight arms with weapons to vanquish a ferocious beast called Sarabha and protect the yagna of Lord Brahma. Hence he is known as Ashtabhuja Perumal.

• The name Gajendra Varadar: Gajendra is the elephant, Vara means boon and Da means giver. The Lord is the giver of boon (of protection) to Gajendra in this place. Hence he is known as Gajendra Varadar.

• Deeds & Grace:

1. Lord Vishnu & Brahma: Lord protecting yagna of Brahma: Once there was a controversy between Lord Brahma and goddess Saraswati due to which the goddess started creating impediments when Lord Brahma started a yagna worshipping Lord Vishnu. Goddess Saraswati sent several demons, but Lord Vishnu protected the yagna by killing all the demons. Finally goddess Saraswati sent Sarabha, a ferocious beast to hinder the yagna. Lord Vishnu then assumed a form with eight arms. Apart from the Sankha (Conch), Chakra (Discus), Gada (Mace) and Padma (Lotus), the arms held Sword and Shield and Bow and Arrow. In this Ashtabhuja form, the Lord vanquished Sarabha and protected the yagna of Brahma.

2. Lord Vishnu & Gajendra: Lord protecting Gajendra: The Gajendra Moksham event is believed to have taken place in this temple. Every day, the elephant Gajendra used to worship the Lord with Lotus flowers from the temple tank. One day a crocodile caught hold of his foot. Gajendra prayed to the Lord for help. The Lord appeared in this place and freed Gajendra.

3. Lord Vishnu & Peyalvar: Peyalvar singing hymns in this Divya Desam: Peyalvar sang hymns in praise of the Lord in this Divya Desam.

4. Lord Vishnu & Thirumangai Alvar: Thirumangai Alvar singing hymns in this Divya Desam: Thirumangai Alvar sang hymns in praise of the Lord in this Divya Desam.

• Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram Divya Desam - Sacred Geography:

• Gajendra Pushkarini: Pushkarini of the temple.

• Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram Divya Desam - To See:

1. Image of Lord Vishnu: The Image of Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal in standing posture with eight hands and facing West. The eight hands are holding Sankha (Conch), Chakra (Discus), Gada (Mace), Padma (Lotus), Sword, Shield, Bow and Arrow.

2. Image of Thayar: The Image of Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar (or Padmasini Thayar).

3. Vimana of the temple: The Vimana of the temple known as Gaganakruthi Vimana or Chakrakruthi Vimana.

4. Pushkarini of the temple: The Pushkarini of the temple known as Gajendra Pushkarini.

• Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram Divya Desam - Location:

• Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram is located in Kanchipuram in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. The temple can be visited from Kanchipuram.

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