In this series, we will go on a pradakshina of Bharata desha as we present, each month, a kirtan composed by His Holiness Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on a particular kshetra, starting from south India and then going north and back.
Parikkal
Around 200 kilometers from Chennai is the temple town of Parikkal. This town is famous for an 1800 year old Lakshmi Narasimha temple. The main deity is Narasimha and is believed to have appeared of his own accord (‘swayambhu’).
The temple was built by a king called Vasantharaja. The legend is that the king who was being troubled by a demon called ‘Parakalasura’ did a penance to Lord Narasimha and requested Him to kill the demon. Lord Narasimha killed the demon but was in a ferocious mood. So the same king prayed to Goddess Lakshmi to calm the Lord’s anger. Goddess Lakshmi complied to the devotee’s request and pacified the Lord.
The king believed that he got the vision of the Lord only because of the demon. So the place was named after him.
Sri Swamiji has written a beautiful song in Tamil language on Parikkal Narasimhar set in the ‘Bhairavi’ raga. The lyrics and the meaning are presented here for the readers to read and enjoy!
Deivam Kaaneere
Raga: Bhairavi
deivam kANIre parikkallil
vAzhum paramanai kANIrE
hiraNyanai vadaitu bAlakanai kAkkum
arimugam koNDa achyuthanai kANIrE
parivuDan bAlakanai maDimel amarttirukkum
prahlAda varadanai kANIrE
tuLaba mAlai tulanga vItRirukkum
mangaLa mUrthiyai kANIrE
sogam pokkiDum moham tavirtiDum
yoga narasimhanai kANIrE
mangaLam aruLiDum amangaLam azhittiDum
mAlolanai kANIrE
karangaLil Ayudham charaNa kamalangaLil pAdukam
muraLIdharan araN kANIrE
Meaning
Oh Ye! Behold the Lord at Parikkal
Behold the Supreme who lives (at Parikkal)
The One who slayed Hiranyakashipu and protected the boy (Prahlada) –
Behold that lion-faced Achyuta!
The One who, with compassion, invited the boy to sit on his lap –
Behold that Prahlada Varada!
The One wearing a Tulasi garland –
Behold His auspicious form!
The One who removes our sorrows and our delusions –
Behold that Yoga Narasimha!
The One who blesses us with auspiciousness and destroys inauspiciousness –
Behold that Maalola!
The One who bears weapons in His hands and wears sandals on His Lotus feet
Behold that Lord of Muralidhara!
Sowmya Balasubramanian, Fremont CA
