THE FIRST SACRED SHRINE
VAATHIRIPATTI KURUNTHA TREE
This place is located at a distance of 21 Kilometers from Pudukkottai via the historically famous
Sittannavasal (Famed for its cave paintings), leading to illuppur. Even to day, We can see and worship the
Yagasalai where Ashwamedha yaga was performed by our Swamigal. The Kuruntha tree under which the
Swamigal sat and meditated, remains the sacred tree (Thala Vriksham) here. The Samadhi of Swamigal’s
wife remains inside the temple. Only here, we get the chance of workshipping our Swamigal with his
wife. This is the first of the guru-sthalams. Above all our guruji had be gotten the wisdom through yoga,
by yoga he fragmented his body into many parts and bewed them back thus this was the place where he
demonstrated such miracles.
One Thirumathi Krishnammal from Tiruvannamalai who came here fifty years ago, built a satthiram
for the devotees to stay. Now in the satthiram, food is offered freely.
THE GREATNESS OF THE KURUNTHA TREE
The infant in the mother’s womb keeps on asking Brahma when will you bring me to the light of
the world. For every human being who come to this world, Brahma, through the avatar of Sadhasiva
Moorthy reveals himself under the Kuruntha tree.
Once, Manickavasakar saw a rishi, teaching his disciples under the Kuruntha tree and requested
him to reveal the right kind of Knowledge. The rishi too taught him and then disappeared.
Not only that he sang so many songs in “Thiruvasagam” in different ways under the Kuruntha Tree
whoever is under the Kuruntha Tree with the fikine feelings of God Siva, They will get the blessings of
God Siva.
THE ASHWAMEDHA YAGA AND OUR GURU
Mahabali, the Asura king was ruling the three worlds. To rule the three worlds forever, he makes
preparations to perform Ashwamedha yaga with the guidance of his guru, Sukhracharya in the northern
banks of river Narmadha. The Devas who have lost heaven lost Mahabali, appeal to Sriman Narayana to
help them. To save Devas and to punish Asuras, Narayan take the “ Vaamana Avatar.” At this time, Mahabali
starts his yaga. Vaamana goes to the place where the yaga is performed and seeks three feet of clay. To
this, Mahabali agrees. Sukhracharya tries to prevent him. Though knowing the fact that the vaamana is
none other than Vishnu-his enemy, Mahabali stood by his words. soon the short Vaamana started growing
and became “Thrivikrama.” Then he scaled the entire earth with one feet and the heaven with the other
feet. At that time, Brahma washed the feet of Vishnu and the water fell on the hair-locks of Shiva and
ultimately dell down to earth as the holy Ganga. Vishnu asked Bali ; “ Where shall I place my feet for the
third time ?, Bali asked Vishnu to place his feet on his head and to bless him as the one who stood by his
words.
Lord Vishnu felt wondered by the words of Bali and asked him to rule the Under world and
promissed that his divine would kill the enemies of Bali. Bali then asked a boon, enabling him to visit his
subjects once in a year. Vishnu asked him to visit his people
On the day of the Thiruvonam star. His annual visit would be celebrated as “ Onam” by his people
Soon,Mahabali entered the Under world and became it’s king. The Vaamana Avatar, the Trivikrama Darshana
and the origin of Ganga all are the results of the Ashwamedha Yaga. The greatness of this Yaga is endless.
The Ashwamedha yaga which could be performed only by the divine was performed by our guru
for the benefit of us at Vaathiripatti (1934). According to Bagavata purana who ever reads/listens the
entire story of Vaamana/ Trivikrama would be absolved of their sins.