RamarpaNam-107

File 107.

Dated: Aug. 28th, 2012.

Jai Sri Ram.

Shiva’s bow as Veerya Sulkha.

Paramapada Naadan has incarnated into Archaa idols in several Divya Desams. 106 of them in this world are particularly important as Alwars have sung in praise of these Lords, collectively in their 4000 Divya Prabandams. Of the five statuses, Archaavataram is the closest and the most accessible one for worship by all and sundry.  

In Ramavataar His bow is the inseparable aspect of Rama and no Rama Idol is worshiped without the same.  But the bow he sported during His schooling is called ‘kalvichilai’. The one held at the time of His marriage with Sita was different from what He got from Parasurama’s encounter. This ‘VishNu Danush’ is again different from the one used against RavaNa, in the ultimate fight of the Good over Evil.

‘Silai’ , ‘Vill’ , ‘Karmugam’ , ‘Sargam’ are the different names used to denote His Bow and Azhwar mentions in one of His Pasurams regarding His inalienable association with the Bow as follows.

‘villiRutu melliyal ThOL Thoindaan’ befitting the context of the Shiva Danush and that as bet for Sita’s marriage.

Next day King Janaka appeared in His assembly and Vishvamitra after introducing asked Janaka to show the Shiva’s bow to Rama, LakshmaNa, as they had come to have a glimpse of the same.

darshanaat asya dhanuSo yathaa iSTam pratiyaasyataH

Janaka, before calling for its exhibition, narrated its long history as to how that bow came to His hands, starting from the days of Daksha Prajaapati and Devaraadan, the 6th descendant of Nimi.

Sita is named VaidEhi, as Her ancestor, Nimi was cursed to go body less – Vi + Dedha.

She is named Janaki, as Nimi’s fallen body was churned for a successor to be born – Janaka.

She is named Maithili, as the action of churning is called ‘maththagam’

Rama, LakshmaNa though were not aware of nor informed of the purpose of their visit, Vishvamitra calls it their desire to see the Shiva Danush in the custody of Janaka. To which Rama, LakshmaNa neither objected nor spoke otherwise bringing out the

Acharya paaratantriyam.