Healer of the sick and the Lord of justice

by Dr. C. Srideva

Lord Murugan (Kartigeyan) is the presiding deity of Hindus of Sri Lanka, be it Lord of Kathirkamam of South, or at Nallur in Jaffna and He is common to all. Nallur Temple is one of the oldest and most sacred centre of the cult of Skanda in the island. But He is adored as the guardian deity of Hindus and patron of the Tamil art, culture and language. The word Murugan means "infinite beauty".

The real ideology of the Lord manifesting itself and assuming this form is out of compassion for humanity and saving the world from misery and oppression by maintaining the balance between the forces of good and evil and this epic has really created an emotional appeal to the Hindus living all over the world.

During the difficult periods in the North many stories of experiences are being told about the mercy, compassion, protection and other Leela of miracles created, manifested, enacted to various devotees to protect them and there were stories about the Lord in families and friends circles, to be retold every time. Certain devotees had the vision of Wiswaroopa Dharshan of Skanda prior to and during the time of mass exodus in 1995.

Devotees with total surrender pray thus.

For those who chant, The Lord Murugan's name (Om Saravanabava mantra), If fear appears as the devotee face. Then His six faces will appear in fierce conflict, the Vel (sphere) will appear with "Do not fear" assurance and if you meditate on His feet once, He will appear at all times.

There were several Saints born in Jaffna and who were ardent true devotees of Nallur deity and they had the blessings of the Lord because they possessed supra mental powers and behaved like manifested forms or personalities of Divinity. One such Saint of recent past was Yoga Swami. Swami had stated in nineteen fifties that "God's ways are mysterious and are sometimes incredibly destructive and wasteful". In addition in his own words said that small bottle (kuppi) lamps will flicker miles apart, one from the other, all will run from here deserting this beautiful divine place of Nalluran. The game plan of Lord Murugan is terrible to experience. Death destruction, poverty, malnutrition, hunger, indignity, greed, arrogance, ignorance, vices of all sorts, all asuric nature manifest and dance.

The wise, righteous, honest punniya atmas adhere to values virtues, to accept all happenings as leela of divine will and pray to Lord Murugan to give the strength to bear with all misery and to guide them at times of difficulty.

During the festival days the images of the deities are taken out in vehicles (vimanas) of different sorts decorated beautifully in a procession around the temple at nights with glittering lights and on the final twenty fifth day the Lord Murugan with his two consorts. Valli and Devasena are taken round the temple in the huge lovely beautiful magnificent chariot (Vel cart - Ther) which is pulled by thousands of devotees. It is really a sight to view the six faced Arumuga Swami Lord coming out of the temple dressed in beautiful costumes with lot of glittering jewelry and his two consorts dressed in colourful sarees and jewellry. Most of these jewels were donated by devotees as a thanks offering to the Lord the moment their vows are fulfilled.

Apart from the annual festival all other special festivals like Thai Poosam (month of January) Vaikasi Visakam (full moon day in the month of May), Skantha Shasti, Karthigai Vilakkeedu (during October, November) and other rites and observances found in the Hindu tradition are conducted in an exempla nary manner at the Nallur temple.

One should have the urge to reach the Lord and have His Dharshan then only one could receive the blessings of the Lord, Really speaking for those who live in outskirts of Jaffna and in foreign countries the Lord gives or promps the urge and sees that the urge is fulfilled. Devotees come with their own personal problems and once the festival is over they leave Nalluran with a big mental relief. Several devotees offer donations once their vows are fulfilled. But no one requests or demands any funds from any one for the maintenance of the temple. All donations in the form of cash or jewelry given on their own will.

The Hindus living all over the world and who know about Nallur temple, still have a praise for the Divine Soul in human form, who is managing (Dharmakartha) and looking after this historic temple for the last several years. Still it is praiseworthy to mention that the fee charged for a Archanai (pooja) is only ONE rupee. Well, this Rupee has no value in the present economy of this country but is still has great value at Nallur temple. The discipline that is maintained among the workers of the temple is praiseworthy, and punctuality of the temple activities like Poojas etc. maintaining the cleanliness of the temple premises and the surroundings etc. etc. should really be appreciated. Hats off to the management.

In summary, all the main important factors and the usual cultural traditions of Hindus (Saivites) are exhibited at Nallur temple in an exemplanary manner than anywhere else in this island of Sri Lanka. Those who visit and workship the Lrod with a pure heart, knowledge, mind, speech, compassion, contentment and actions but without envy, hatred and ego. He will definitely shower His grace to the devotee.

Devotees have realized that Murugan as the ultimate goal of devotion, fountain of grace, the one who cares for the poor, guardian against evil, healer of the sick and the Lord of Justice. He is the source of knowledge and eternal bliss.