Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar's krithis on the Panchabhootha Sthalams are well known- the one representing the element of Earth (Prithvi) is Kanchipuram. The Prithvi lingam also known as Ekamreshwara (The Lord of the Mango Tree) was praised by Sri Dikshithar in his composition, set to Raga Bhairavi and the Rupaka Tala as-
Pallavi
चिन्तय माकन्द मूलकन्दं चेतः श्री सोमास्कन्दं
Chintaya Maakanda moola kandam cheta: Sri Somaskandam
Cheta: chintaya Sri Somaskandam/moola kandam/ maakanda
Oh mind, remember Sri Somaskanda*1/the one on the base/ of the Mango tree
Anu Pallavi
सन्ततं अखण्ड सच्चिदानन्दं साम्राज्य प्रद चरणारविन्दं
Santatam/ Akhanda Satchidaanandam/Saamraajya prada charanaaravindam
The Eternal One/ The one who is always the embodiment of Sat(Truth), Chit and bliss(anandam)*2 / The lotus feet of whom provides the kingdom *3
Charanam
मंगलकर मन्दहास वदनं माणिख्यमय काञ्चि सदनं
Mangalakara manda haasa vadanam/ maanikhya maya kaanchi sadanam
The auspicious face adorned with a smile/ Resides in the city of Kanchi which is filled with the precious gem- Maanikhya
अङ्ग सौन्दर्य विजित मदनं अन्तक सूदन कुन्द रदनं
Anga soundarya vijita madanam/antaka soodana kunda radanam(His) beauty that surpasses the splendour of the Cupid/ The one who destroyed the demon Antaka has teeth like jasmine buds
उत्तुङ्ग कमनीय वृष तुरङ्गं भैरवी प्रसङ्गं गुरुगुहान्तारङ्गं पृथ्वी लिङ्ग
Uttunga kamaneeya vrusha turangam /bhairavi prasangam/ guruguhaantarangam/ prithvi lingam
Has the tall and beautiful bull as His vehicle/ is the beloved of Bhairavi/is the inner self of Guruguha*5/ has manifested as the linga made of earth*4
Glossary:
*1 Somaskanda-The representation of Lord Shiva with four arms, Goddess Uma (Parvati) to his left and their son Skanda (Lord Muruga) as an infant, dancing in ecstacy between them. The shrine of Somaskanda is to the rear of the shrine of Sri Ekamreshwara within the temple precincts and is being worshipped for centuries too.
*2 Sacchidanda- is a compound of three words सत् (sanskrit meaning- to be or the Truth), चित्(sanskrit meaning- Consciousness) , आनन्दं (sanskrit meaning- Eternal Bliss). These are the three attributes of the eternal Parabrahmam as per the Advaita philosophy
*3 Saamrajya- the kingdom here refers to the Moksha Samrajya or the kingdom obtained on relief from the cycle of birth and death (Mukti). Samrajya here can also be seen as attainment of self-realisation/ or attainment of the Supreme Brahman. Dikshithar says that the lotus feet of Sri Somaskanda, who is the the embodiment of Eternal Truth, Consciousness and Bliss, provides the kingdom of Mukti
The Sthala Puranam of the temple of Ekamreshwara-
*4 Prithvi Lingam-
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| A mural representing the sthala puranam |
Kanchipuram, hosts the temple of Lord of the mango tree (Ekamreshwara or Ekambareshwara, one of the Panchabhoota (Pancha=five and bhoota=elements) Sthalams and represents the element of earth or Prithvi. Once in Mt.Kailash, when Lord Shiva was engrossed in meditation on the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe, Parvati is said to have closed his eyes in playful attitude. This being a serious offence, stalling the functioning of the entire universe, she was cursed by Parameshwara to be born on the earth and expiate her sin through penance. Parvati, in order to secure the hand of Lord Shiva again, makes a linga out of the earth on the banks of the river Vegavathi (or Kampa), beneath a mango tree and worships him. In order to test her devotion, Lord Shiva sends many an obstacle in her path, which she overcomes with the help of Lord Vishnu, her brother. Finally, Lord Shiva sends a flood on the river, threatening to wash away the mud-linga that Parvati was worshipping. In order to prevent the wash-out, Parvati is seen embracing the linga. Overwhelmed by her devotion, Lord Shiva marries Parvati or Kamakshi.
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| Lord Ekamreshwara and Kamakshi in their bridal attire, found in the temple of Ekambareshwara |
One can find Lord Ekamreshwara and Goddess Kamakshi in their bridal attire in this shrine. Also, the ancient mango tree, beneath which, the Prithvi lingam was consecrated by the very hands of Goddess Kamakshi is still found in this temple. This tree, has four branches, representing the four vedas and bears four different kinds of mango fuits in four different seasons.
Since the linga in this temple is made out of earth, its covered by metal-like sheaths and abhishekam similar to other Shiva temples is not performed here.
An Insight into the Composition
*5 Guruguha- is the mudra of Dikshithar and the word is found in all of Dikshithar's compositions. Dikshithar has exemplified his expertise in Sanskrit by using the mudra in appropriate context in the composition.
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| A portrait of Sri Muthuswami Dikshithar |
Guruguha, refers to Lord Muruga, who is supposed to be the guru of Dikshithar. Since Lord Muruga is seen as an amsha of Lord Shiva, Dikshithar mentions that Ekamreshwara is the inner self of Lord Muruga. It is to be noted that Kanchipuram also has an important shrine dedicated to Lord Muruga, called Kumara Kottam, in the vicinity of the shrine of Ekamreshwara.
One another instance where Dikshithar has shown his command over the Sanskrit language in this composition, is by employing alankarams (figures of speech) like Alliteration (Anupraasa in Sanskrit) as in-
"maakanda moola kandam"... "maankandam" meaning "mango tree" and "moola kandam" roughly translating to "the linga in the base", with the sounds "kandam" repeating twice but with different meanings.
It is to be noted Dikshithar has incorporated the name of the raga of this composition within the phrase, "the beloved of Bhairavi", typical of his style.
Yet again, singing this composition is enough to transport one to Kanchipuram, without having to visit the shrine of Ekamreshwara in person and that's Dikshithar for you!!
