A Brahmin named Pundareeka while on his pilgrim travels to the various temples worshiping the gods with lotus flowers came across a pool which was covered with beautiful large lotus each of which had nearly 1000 petals, the pollen from the flowers gathered as clouds which dazzled and shone in myriad colours with the rays of the rising sun and the morning breeze playing a first me first me as it were between the flowers. the captivating scene and the sweet scent maddened the Rishi who felt only the Lord must be adorned with these beautiful flowers and worshiped. He heard a voice saying only the reclining Lord of the milky ocean must be worshiped with these flowers. The Rishi was happy for that was what he was intending to do. he got into the pond and started collecting the flowers suddenly he saw a large crocodile in the pond he did not know what to do he just looked with mercy at the crocodile and low behold the crock turned into a person and thanked the Rishi for releasing him from the curse. he had been a king before he said he also recounted to the Rishi the origin of Bhoovaraha perumal at Mamallapuram
He said his ancestors a king used to visit a varaha kshetram (Thiruvidaventhai) close to Mahabalipuram and on his return would feed 4000 brahmins after which he would take his meals. one day the perumal decided that he would partake of the food, the Lord and his consort transformed themselves into a very old brahmin and a young girl aproached the King as he was setting out to the temple, he told the King that he was tired and hungry as he had walked a long distance he requested the King to feed them immediately. The helpless King sadly meditated on the Bhoovaraha perumal and believing that the old man was representing God and the little girl his consort fed them with all honour due to a guest. he then prostrated before them and lo behold when he opened his eyes he saw before him his favourite God he could not hold his joy and he continued to prostrate before them in his joy. another miracle was the 4000 brahmins waiting outsied felt that they had already eaten a sumptuous meal and were satisfied. they too got to see the lord and the goddess they prayed to the Lord to continue to stay there and bless all those who visited the place.
The Rishi was reminded of his task of adorning the Lord of the milky ocean with the beautiful lotus flowers he set out and was confronted by a large ocean he had to cross he started bailing out the water with his hands and worried that the flowers meant for the Lord would dry up, an old man approached the Pundareeka Rishi and tried to dissuade him from the task saying he could go to some easily accessible place , the old man then said he was very hungry and wanted food. Pundareeka Rishi went to the nearest Town and got some food and water for the old man on return he found that there was no old man in his place he saw Lord Vishnu reclining wearing the garland of Lotus flowers indicating that all those who sought shelter would get salvation. The Lord came to be known as Sthala Sayana Perumal. This temple got submerged and later on was excavated which is now the site at Mahabalipuram the archaeological marvel the carvings and relief can be seen today.
He said his ancestors a king used to visit a varaha kshetram (Thiruvidaventhai) close to Mahabalipuram and on his return would feed 4000 brahmins after which he would take his meals. one day the perumal decided that he would partake of the food, the Lord and his consort transformed themselves into a very old brahmin and a young girl aproached the King as he was setting out to the temple, he told the King that he was tired and hungry as he had walked a long distance he requested the King to feed them immediately. The helpless King sadly meditated on the Bhoovaraha perumal and believing that the old man was representing God and the little girl his consort fed them with all honour due to a guest. he then prostrated before them and lo behold when he opened his eyes he saw before him his favourite God he could not hold his joy and he continued to prostrate before them in his joy. another miracle was the 4000 brahmins waiting outsied felt that they had already eaten a sumptuous meal and were satisfied. they too got to see the lord and the goddess they prayed to the Lord to continue to stay there and bless all those who visited the place.
The Rishi was reminded of his task of adorning the Lord of the milky ocean with the beautiful lotus flowers he set out and was confronted by a large ocean he had to cross he started bailing out the water with his hands and worried that the flowers meant for the Lord would dry up, an old man approached the Pundareeka Rishi and tried to dissuade him from the task saying he could go to some easily accessible place , the old man then said he was very hungry and wanted food. Pundareeka Rishi went to the nearest Town and got some food and water for the old man on return he found that there was no old man in his place he saw Lord Vishnu reclining wearing the garland of Lotus flowers indicating that all those who sought shelter would get salvation. The Lord came to be known as Sthala Sayana Perumal. This temple got submerged and later on was excavated which is now the site at Mahabalipuram the archaeological marvel the carvings and relief can be seen today.
