Thread by @sk_diary1

#sculpture #story -

Chandesha-Anugraha Murti - One of the Sculpture in Brihadeshwara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram - built by Raja Rajendra Chola I

This Sculpture depicts Bhagwan Shiva along with Devi Paravathi blessing Chandeshwara - one of the 63 Nayanmars.

#Thread

Chandeshwara/Chandikeshwara is regarded as custodian of Shiva Temple's wealth&most of Shiva temples in South India has separate sannathi for him.

His bhakti for Bhagwan Shiva elevated him as one of foremost among Nayanmars.
He gave importance to Shiva Pooja&protection of cows.

There are series of paintings, illustrating the #story of Chandikeshwar in the premises of
Sri Sathiyagireeswarar #Temple at Seinganur,near Kumbakonam,TN

Chandikeshwara's birth name
is Vichara sarman.He was born in the village of Senganur on the banks of River Manni.

His Parent names were Yajnathatan and Pavithrai.
Vichara Sarman was a gifted child and he learnt Vedas and Agamas at a very young age.
He was very devout and would always think about Bhagwan Shiva.

One day he saw a cowherd man brutally assaulting a cow,Vichara Sarman could not tolerate this. He spoke to cowherd: ‘Do you not know that the cow is worshipful & divine? All gods & Devas reside in her.So it is our duty to protect cows &we should not to harm them.

He was very angry on seeing the rude behaviour of the cowherd man, Vichara sarman took up the duty of tending the cows himself.From that day onwards,the cows looked happier and yielded more milk.Cows grew healthier due to care showered by him on them.

After supplying milk to villagers, Vichara Sarma decided to offer milk to Bhagwan Shiva.So he built Shiva Linga on banks of river Manni with mud&offer abhishek with milk regularly.One villager saw this&complained to his father abt wastage of milk on mud.

Next day,his father followed him at a distance.When Vichara sarman started pouring milk on Mud lingam,his father hit him with a stick &knocked down the milk pot.Vichara Sarma took the stick, prayed to Shiva & hit his father's leg.Stick transformed to an axe &cut his father's leg.

Vichara Sarma was engrossed in worship,that he did not check on what had happened to his father& continued his worship.

Shiva was pleased with his devotion. He appeared along with Parvati Devi & blessed. Named him as 'Chandikeshwar'& crowned Chandesa with a garland of flowers.

Due to his bhakti,Chandesa was blessed by Bhagwan Shiva.So this form of Shiva is known as Chandesa Anugraha Murti.

NOTE - This sculpture at Gangaikonda Cholapuram is not related to Coronation of Rajendra Chola

📸- respective owner

Source text n painting pics credit templefolks website

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