ಭೀಮತ್ವೇ ಸಹ ಸಹಜೈಃ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿತಃ ಪ್ರಾಕ್ ಪಂಚಾತ್ಮಾ ಮುರರಿಪುರಂಚಿತೋ ಯದತ್ರ |
ಪಾಂಚಾಲ್ಯಾ ಬಲಿಸಲಿಲಂ ಸಮಂ ದದತ್ಯಾ ಸೋಽಸ್ಮಾರ್ಷೀತ್ ತಮಿಮಮಥ ಪ್ರಪೂಜ್ಯಪೂಜ್ಯಃ |

-ಮ.ವಿ.(೧೬/೩೬,೩೭)

ದಕ್ಷಿಣಕನ್ನಡದ ಪವಿತ್ರಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲೊಂದು ಶ್ರೀಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಪಾರಂತಿ. ೫೦೦೦ ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗಿಂತಲೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪ್ರಾಚೀನವಾದ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಇದು. ದ್ರೌಪದೀಸಮೇತರಾದ ಪಂಚಪಾಂಡವರಿಂದ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿತವಾದ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯ ಪಂಚಮೂರ್ತಿಗಳ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಇದು. ಭೀಮರೂಪದಿಂದ ತಾವು ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿಸಿದ್ದ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯ ಮೂರ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಶ್ರೀಮಧ್ವರೂಪದಿಂದ ಪುನರುಜ್ಜೀವನಗೊಳಿಸಿದ್ದು ಶ್ರೀಮದಾಚಾರ್ಯರು. ಕಾಲಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಪೂಜೆ ಲುಪ್ತವಾಗಿದ್ದ ಈ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಿ, ಅರ್ಧದಿನದೊಳಗೆ ಪೂಜೆಗೆ ಅಗತ್ಯವಾದ ಸಕಲ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯನ್ನು ಶ್ರೀಮದಾಚಾರ್ಯರು ಮಾಡಿದ ವಿವರ ಸುಮಧ್ವವಿಜಯ ಗ್ರಂಥದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ಇಂದು ಪಂಚಲಿಂಗೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿರುವ ಇದು ವಾಸ್ತವವಾಗಿ ಪಂಚರೂಪೀ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ : ಪಂಚಾತ್ಮಾ ಮುರರಿಪುರಂಚಿತೋ ಯದತ್ರ (ಮಧ್ವವಿಜಯ ೧೬/೩೭). ಲಿಂಗಾಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅನಂತಾಸನ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿನಿಂದ ಪರಶುರಾಮರೂಪದ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯು ಉಡುಪಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೆಲೆಸಿರುವುದು ಸರ್ವವಿದಿತವೇ ಆಗಿದೆ. ಇದು ಶ್ರೀವಾಯುದೇವರ ಎರಡು ರೂಪಗಳಿಂದ ಪೂಜಿತವಾದ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ. ಧರ್ಮರಾಜ, ಅರ್ಜುನ, ನಕುಲ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಹದೇವ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಮ, ಇಂದ್ರ, ಹಾಗೂ ಅಶ್ವಿನೀದೇವತೆಗಳು ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ. ಭಾವೀಸರಸ್ವತಿಯಾದ ದ್ರೌಪದಿಯು ಪೂಜಾಜಲವನ್ನು ಸಮರ್ಪಿಸಿದ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ.  ಶ್ರೀಮದಾಚಾರ್ಯರಿಂದ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರಗೊಂಡ ಈ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಕಾಲಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಪುನಃ ಪೂಜಾದಿಗಳಿಂದ ವಂಚಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ  ಪುನಃ ಕ್ರಮಬದ್ಧ ಪೂಜಾ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು ಪ್ರಾತಃಸ್ಮರಣೀಯರಾದ ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಮಾನ್ಯತೀರ್ಥಶ್ರೀಪಾದರು. ಪೇಜಾವರಮಠಾಶರಾದ ಪರಮಪೂಜ್ಯ ಶ್ರೀವಿಶ್ವೇಶತೀರ್ಥಶ್ರೀಪಾದರ ಸಹಕಾರದಿಂದ ಪಾರಂತೀ ಟೆಂಪಲ್ ಟ್ರಸ್ಟ್ ರಚಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದು,  ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಿತ್ಯಪೂಜಾದಿಗಳು ಕ್ರಮಪ್ರಕಾರವಾಗಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಫಲಿಮಾರುಮಠಾಶರಾದ ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಶ- ತೀರ್ಥರು ಈ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾನದ ಮುಖ್ಯ ರೂವಾರಿಗಳು.

ಕಾಲಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿಥಿಲಗೊಂಡಿರುವ ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರಸಮಿತಿಯೊಂದು ರಚಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಪರಮಪೂಜ್ಯಶ್ರೀವಿಶ್ವೇಶತೀರ್ಥರು ಗೌರವಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿಯೂ, ಪರಮಪೂಜ್ಯ ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಶತೀರ್ಥಶ್ರೀಪಾದರು ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾಗಿಯೂ ಸಹಕಾರನೀಡುತ್ತಿರುವರು. ಶಿಲಾಮಯವಾದ ಗರ್ಭಗುಡಿ, ಮುಖಮಂಟಪ, ಪೂರ್ವ ಹಾಗೂ ದಕ್ಷಿಣಭಾಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಗೋಪುರ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ – ಇವು ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರ ಕಾರ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇರಿವೆ. ಶ್ರೀವಾಯುದೇವರು ಎರಡು ರೂಪಗಳಿಂದ ಆರಾಸಿದ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯ ಮೂರ್ತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಉಡುಪಿಯ ಎರಡು ಮಠಗಳ ಅಪತಿಗಳು ನೇತೃತ್ವವಹಿಸಿರುವುದು ಆಸ್ತಿಕಜನತೆಯ ಭಾಗ್ಯ. 50 ಲಕ್ಷ ರೂಪಾಯಿ ಅಂದಾಜುವೆಚ್ಚದ ಈ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸಕಲ ಸದ್ಭಕ್ತರ ತನುಮನಧನಗಳ ಸಹಕಾರ ಅತ್ಯಗತ್ಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ಆಸಕ್ತರು ಉಪ್ಪಿನಂಗಡಿ ಶಾಖೆಯ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ , ಉಳಿತಾಯ ಖಾತೆ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ 8082500100436301(IFSC code KARB0000808) ಅಥವಾ ಬಜತ್ತೂರು ಶಾಖೆ, (ಉಳಿತಾಯಖಾತೆ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ 2285) ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ನೇರವಾಗಿ ಸಂದಾಯಮಾಡಬಹುದು. ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರಸಮಿತಿ, ಶ್ರೀಪಂಚಲಿಂಗೇಶ್ವರದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ, ಪಾರಂತೀಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ, ಮುದ್ಯ ಈ ಹೆಸರಿಗೆ ಚೆಕ್/ಡ್ರಾಫ್ಟ್  ರೂಪದಲ್ಲೂ ಹಣವನ್ನು ಸಂದಾಯಮಾಡಬಹುದು.

ಜೋ ಜೋ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣ ಪರಮಾನಂದ
ಜೋ ಜೋ ಗೋಪಿಯ ಕಂದ ಮುಕುಂದ ಜೋಜೋ ||ಪ||

ಪಾಲಗಡಲೊಳು ಪವಡಿಸಿದವನೇ
ಆಲದೆಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಲಗಿದ ಶಿಶುವೇ
ಶ್ರೀಲತಾಂಗಿಯರ ಚಿತ್ತದೊಲ್ಲಭನೇ
ಬಾಲ ನಿನ್ನನು ಪಾಡಿ ತೂಗುವೆನಯ್ಯ ಜೋಜೋ ||

ಹೊಳೆವಂಥ ರನ್ನದ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲ ಮೇಲೆ
ಥಳಥಳಿಸುವ ಗುಲಗಂಜಿಯ ಮಾಲೆ
ಅಳದೆ ನೀ ಪಿಡಿದಾಡೆನ್ನಯ ಮುದ್ದು ಬಾಲ
ನಳಿನನಾಭನೆ ನಿನ್ನ ಪಾಡಿ ತೂಗುವೆನು ಜೋಜೋ ||

ಯಾರ ಕಂದ ನೀನಾರ ನಿಧಾನೀ
ಆರ ರತ್ನವೊ ನೀನಾರ ಮಾಣಿಕವೋ
ಸೇರಿತು ಎನಗೊಂದು ಚಿಂತಾಮಣಿ ಎಂದು
ಪೋರ ನಿನ್ನನು ಪಾಡಿ ತೂಗುವೆನಯ್ಯ ಜೋಜೋ ||

ಗುಣನಿಧಿಯೇ ನಿನ್ನ ಎತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದರೆ
ಮನೆಯ ಕೆಲಸವಾರು ಮಾಡುವರಯ್ಯ
ಮನಕೆ ಸುಖನಿದ್ರೆ ತಂದುಕೋ ಬೇಗ
ಫಣಿಶಯನನೆ ನಿನ್ನ ಪಾಡಿ ತೂಗುವೆನು ಜೋಜೋ ||

ಅಂಡಜವಾಹನ ಅನಂತಮಹಿಮ
ಪುಂಡರೀಕಾಕ್ಷ ಶ್ರೀ ಪರಮಪಾವನ
ಹಿಂಡು ದೈವದ ಗಂಡ ಉದ್ದಂಡನೆ
ಪಾಂಡುರಂಗ ಶ್ರೀ ಪುರಂದರ ವಿಠಲ ಜೋಜೋ ||

Jo Jo Shri Krishna Paramananda
Jo Jo Gopiya Kanda
Mukunda Jo Jo || pa||

Palgadalodalolu Pavadisidhavane
Aaladelaya Mele Malagida Shishuve
Shrilathangiyala Chitadollabhane
Bala Ninnanu Padi Thoogovenaya Jo Jo ||1||

Holevantha Ranadda Thotila Mele
ThalaThalisuva Gulaganjiya Male
Aalade Ne Pididadenayya Muddubala
Nalinanabhane Ninna Padi Thooguvenu Jo Jo ||2||

Yara Kandha Ninaru Nidahni
Yara Rathavo Ninara Manikavo
Serithu yenagondu Chintamanyendu
Pora ninnanu padi Thooguvenaya Jo Jo ||3||

Gunanidhiye Ninnayethi kondare
Maneya Kelasavanyaru maduvaraiya
Manake Sukhanidreya Thandukobega
Phanishayanane Ninna padi Thooguvenaya Jo Jo ||4||

Andajavahana AnanthaMahima
Pundarikaksha ShriParamapavana
Hindu Daivada Ghanda Uddhandane
Panduranga Shri Purandara Vithala Jo Jo ||5||

There are numerous controversial stories that spell the tale of Brahmin inhabitants in the Malabar region of Southern coast of India (Kerala). The present day Karnataka coast was also a part of this region in the history. However, this belt of land was a bit different from that of the Kerala coast, due to the language of its inhabitants, Tulu. The region was hence called, the Tulunaadu.

But when did the Tulunaadu come into existence? When did Brahminism come to existence in this region? Why are the Brahmins of this region important to the cultural history of South-India? There would be appropriate answers to all these questions, somewhere in this planet, but I have got some approximate answers. Thanks to the preservation of historic tales of various temples of the region, I could conclude on a few things about the questions above.
There is an astonishing ‘Purana’ behind the flourishing of Brahminism of this region, which is closely related to a famous ancient temple in the town of Thiruvalla, in Kerala. The temple is none other than, the Srivallabha Sudarshanamurthy Temple, attributed to Lord Vishnu. This temple is one of the largest in South India, covering 8.5 acres of land boxed up with 12 foot high walls built during B.C. 57 approx. (2050 years ago). There are many unique customs in this temple, whose uniqueness is described as below (Ref: Wikipedia)

“Vishnu at Srivallabha Temple is being worshipped his cosmic, original and transcendental form, Purusha which can be understood from -

1. Using different Moola Manthra (fundamental hymn) for different aspects of Purusha contrary to the strict usage of only a single fundamental hymn in all temples,
2. Sanctum-sanctorum is built in such a way that the top and bottom of the deity can’t be seen as Viratpurusha has no origin and end,
3. Peetha Pooja which is mandatory in all Vaidika temples is not done here as Purusha is devoid of origin and end,
4. Dressing up the deity only with white or saffron clothes contrary to popular yellow clothing used for Vishnu temples of Vaidika Sampradaya which suggests the eternity of Purusha and,
5. The rituals and customs followed in the temple include all Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakteya worshipping that are now in practice in Vaidika Sampradaya because Purusha being the ultimate and others being only aspects of Purusha. Generally all Malabar temples follow Vaidika School of worship based on the book Tantrasamuchayam. But Srivallabha Temple doesn’t follow Tantrasamuchayam and follows its own School called ‘Pancharaathra Vidhaanam’.

The worship protocols were set by Durvasa Maharishi, when the Srivallabha Idol ascended to earth from the hands of Vishwakarma and Samudradeva during Dwapara Yuga. It is to be noted that the temple has never changed its worship protocols since 59 BC and it is doubtful that any other temple follows such an ancient system.”

Srivallabha Sudarshanamurthy Temple

With the above brief description of the Srivallabha temple, we can now get into the story of how this temple and its deity are connected to the existence of the Brahmin society in the Malabar and Tulunaad regions. The story of the Srivallabha idol being installed in this place is a really fascinating one, which would provide answers to questions mentioned above.

Purana: During the Kritha Yuga, Viratpurusha of Lord Vishnu appeared to Brahma during the process of ‘Srishti’. He understood the Lord as he could and later on continued worshipping Purusha in an idol created by Vishwakarma from energy concentrated out of extreme power and vehemence of Purusha. This idol was then handed over by Brahma to Samudradeva (king of Oceans), to worship as per his protocols. The idol was worshipped by Sreedevi, Samudradeva’s daughter, to such an extent that Lord Vishnu promised to marry her and install her in his heart. This sacred idol is none other than the Srivallabha (Lakshmi’s Husband) idol. This idol was then gifted to Lord Krishna by Samudradeva during the Dwapara Yuga during the construction of the Dwaraka city. It was installed in the presence of Satyaki by Vedavyaasa, and Vishwakarma built a large temple for the same. But when Dwapara Yuga came to an end, the idol was handed over to Garuda by Satyaki, to hide it safe, for the humans in Kaliyuga to worship. Garuda went to Ramanaka Island and worshipped it there. When the time for Garuda to leave the earth reached, he had hidden the idol in the ‘Bhadra’ deep of ‘Netravathi River’ (in present day Dakshina Kannada Dist., Karnataka). It’s high time to understand the importance of Tulunaadu from this incident – for thousands of years the waters of Netravathi had protected the solemnest, foremost and the invincible form of Lord Vishnu created by Vishwakarma, worshipped by Parabrahma, Vedavyaasa, Samudradeva, Krishna, Durvasa and Sreedevi. Perhaps, the Srivallabha Idol is the first of its kind when it comes to Idol Worship in Hinduism…!!!!

History: Approximately, 5000 years ago (B.C. 2998), there were 3000 Brahmin families in a place called Mallikavanam (presently the town of Thiruvalla, Pattanamthitta District of Kerala. These Brahmins were stringent followers of Lord Vishnu and they had a very dedicated approach in following the Ekadashi Vratha. A prominent female in this society, named Sreedevi Antharjanam was also a stringent follower of the Ekadashi Vratha throughout her life. During her old age, she found it very difficult to follow the Vratha since the Brahmacharis, (to whom she had to perform Paada Pooja ceremony on the final day of Vratha) were then killed by a demon (man slaughterer/dacoit) called Thokalaasuran. No Brahmachari could either enter or leave Mallikavanam due to this demon. Hence, she cried in front of her idol of Vishnu requesting not to break her custom that she had been following from many years. Immediately a Brahmachari boy appeared in front of her house and Antharjanam became glad to see him and asked him to come after bath since she needed to complete rituals of Ekadashi. The boy silently went to the place of the demon and killed it using the Sudarshana Chakra. Antharjanam performed the rituals in harmony and paid respects to the Brahmachari. The residents of Mallikavanam were surprised to know how the demon was killed. Then the brahmachari removed his ‘Uthareeyam’ (dress covering his chest) showing his chest adorned with Sreevatsam and goddess Lakshmi residing there, for Antharjanam to be confirmed that he was lord Vishnu only and on showing his Vishwaroopam, Antharjanam along with her servant and servant’s son got salvation by merging with Him. This incident happened on ‘BC 2998′ and thereafter Mallikavanam became famous as Chakrapuram. As per Antharjanam’s wishes a temple was built for the Sudarshana Chakra in this place.

Around 2900 years after this incident, approx. B.C. 57, King Cheraman Perumal visited the temple and his wife Queen Cherumthevi expressed her wish to build a shrine for Vishnu also attached with it rebuilding the whole structure. They ordered a Vishnu’s idol from Tamilakam after the temple construction. One night the Queen had a dream in which Garuda disguised as a Brahmin informed her about Sreevallabha’s idol and asked to install it there. With the help of Tulu Brahmins, King Cheraman brought the idol to Chakrapuram from the Netravathi River Bank where Garuda had hidden it during the end of Dwapara Yuga. But during installation ceremony, the idol didn’t fit to its Peetham or seat, the priests felt something supernatural and everyone came out near Jalavannthy. Then they heard celestial instruments being played and chanting of Vedic hymns from inside. As they rushed and opened altar door, they saw the idol installed at right place with blazing light everywhere and a couple of bananas in an arecnut palm leaf in front of the idol. Two celestial beings came out of the sanctum-sanctorum and disappeared on eastern bank of Jalavanthy and they were Durvasa and Vedavyasa. The completion of the temple was then performed by the then Architectural Legend, Uliyannoor Perumthatchan. The Pooja Samskaaram was then assigned to the Tulu Brahmins who brought the idol to this place. The set of handful of such Brahmins have not left this place for generations, till now. These Brahmins have now converged into the Malayalam sect of Brahmins and do not speak Tulu anymore.

It is told that, the first of the priests who worshipped the Srivallabha Idol in the temple had their Mantra Upadesha from the sages Durvasa and Vedavyaasa, themselves.

[Ref. : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Vallabha_Temple; http://srivallabhatemple.org]

It is now evident that both the Tulu and Malabar Brahmins had their roots dating back to 3000 years (or more), contradicting to the Aryan history of migration to this region 2500 years ago.

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ಯೋಗಿನಾಮ್ ಅಪಿ ಸರ್ವೇಷಾಂ ಮತ್ ಗತೇನ ಅಂತರಾತ್ಮನಾ |
ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾವಾನ್ ಭಜತೇ ಯಃ ಮಾಂ ಸಃ ಮೇ ಯುಕ್ತತಮಃ ಮತಃ || ೬.೪೭ ||

yOginAm api sarvEShAM mat gatEna antarAtmanA |
shraddhAvAn bhajatE yaH mAM saH mE yuktatamaH mataH || 6.47 ||

Even of all the Yogis, he is considered by Me to be the foremost Yogi who worships Me with faith, with his mind and heart centered in Me

he who worships Me with bhakti is a greater Yogi; and, he who without attachment to fruits, with perfect resignation and faith worships Me, he is the foremost of all Yogis

ತಪಸ್ವಿಭ್ಯಃ ಅಧಿಕಃ ಯೋಗೀ ಜ್ಞಾನಿಭ್ಯಃ ಅಪಿ ಮತಃ ಅಧಿಕಃ |
ಕರ್ಮಿಭ್ಯಃ ಚ ಅಧಿಕಃ ಯೋಗೀ ತಸ್ಮಾತ್ ಯೋಗೀ ಭವ ಅರ್ಜುನ || ೬.೪೬ ||

tapasvibhyaH adhikaH yOgI j~jAnibhyaH api mataH adhikaH |
karmibhyaH cha adhikaH yOgI tasmAt yOgI bhava arjuna || 6.46 ||

A Yogi is superior to those who [blindly] practise austerities; he is definitely superior to even the learned; a Yogi is superior even to those who perform karma (duties), therefore be thou a Yogi, O Arjuna

ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಾತ್ ಯತಮಾನಃ ಅಸ್ತು ಯೋಗೀ ಸಂಶುದ್ಧ ಕಿಲ್ಬಿಷಃ |
ಅನೇಕ ಜನ್ಮ ಸಂಸಿದ್ಧಃ ತತಃ ಯಾತಿ ಪರಾಂ ಗತಿಮ್ || ೬.೪೫ ||

prayatnAt yatamAnaH astu yOgI saMshuddha kilbiShaH |
anEka janma saMsiddhaH tataH yAti parAM gatim || 6.45 ||

If the mere desire to know the Yoga leads to Mukti, then it would mean that the practice of Yoga is unnecessary. So the Lord points out that Mukti cannot result from that alone, but that in many a life it has to be practised.

But endeavoring with great effort (making endeavors when he has known what Yoga is) he becomes the Yogi destitute of all evil and becomes accomplished through many lives; thereupon he reaches the highest goal