Guruvayur, nestled in the heart of Kerala, is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations in South India. The temple is dedicated to Guruvayurappan, a form of Lord Krishna, who became the central focus of the second Bhakti movement in Kerala during the 16th–17th centuries. With its deep spiritual heritage and miraculous legends, Guruvayur continues to draw millions of devotees from across the world.
In this blog, we journey through the sacred stories and divine legends associated with this holy shrine.
Origin of the Guruvayur Temple
The origins of the temple are intertwined with celestial events. According to legend, the murti (idol) of Guruvayurappan was created by Lord Vishnu himself and given to Brahma for worship. Brahma, in turn, passed the idol to the devoted couple Sutapa and Prisni. Their intense devotion led to Lord Vishnu being born as their son Prisnigarbha.
In the Dwapara Yuga, the same couple was reborn as Vasudeva and Devaki, the parents of Lord Krishna. They received the murti again—this time from the sage Dhaumya—and it was through their devotion to the idol that Krishna was born. Later, the murti was installed in a temple in Dwaraka.
Before returning to Vaikuntha, Lord Krishna instructed Uddhava to find a holy place to reinstall the murti so that his blessings could be available to devotees in the Kali Yuga. After Dwaraka sank into the sea, Varuna retrieved the murti and handed it over to Brihaspati (Guru of the Devas) and Vayu (the Wind God).
The two searched far and wide and eventually reached Kerala, where they encountered Lord Shiva and Parvati near a beautiful lake. Lord Shiva asked them to install the idol there. The place was named Guruvayur (from Guru Brihaspati and Vayu), and the divine architect Vishwakarma constructed the temple. The installation took place in the auspicious month of Kumbha.
Janamejaya Freed from a Curse
King Janamejaya, son of Parikshit, once performed the Sarpasatra Yajna to destroy all serpents, seeking revenge for his father’s death by snakebite. However, this mass killing of serpents brought upon him a terrible curse, and he developed a painful form of leprosy. No medicine could cure him.
At last, the sage Dattatreya visited Hastinapur and advised Janamejaya to visit Guruvayur and worship Lord Krishna. The king obeyed, and after four months of intense devotion at the temple, he experienced the divine touch of the Lord in a dream. Upon waking, he found himself completely cured. Overflowing with gratitude, Janamejaya returned to his kingdom, a transformed man devoted to the Lord.
Shankaracharya and the Power of Humility
Once, Adi Shankaracharya, the great philosopher and saint, was flying through the skies using his yogic powers. As he passed over the Guruvayur temple, he failed to offer his respects. Suddenly, his powers failed, and he fell to the ground.
Realizing his mistake, he immediately composed and chanted the Govinda Ashtakam in praise of Guruvayurappan. The Lord forgave him, and Shankaracharya’s powers were restored. This incident stands as a reminder that even great knowledge must be accompanied by devotion and humility.
Melpathur Narayana Bhattatiri and the Narayaneeyam
The celebrated Sanskrit scholar Melpathur Narayana Bhattatiri once took upon himself the arthritis of his guru Achyuta Pisharoti through a sacred act called Avahana. However, suffering greatly and failing to find a cure, he turned to Guruvayurappan for help.
At the temple, he composed the devotional masterpiece "Narayaneeyam", summarizing the Srimad Bhagavatam in 100 poetic cantos. With each verse, he offered his devotion and gradually felt the burden of disease lift. By the end of the composition, he was completely healed—a divine reward for his bhakti.
The Humbling of Melpathur by Poonthanam
Poonthanam, a humble devotee, composed the Malayalam devotional poem "Jnanapana", filled with heartfelt wisdom and love for the Lord. He presented it to Melpathur, who, being a staunch Sanskrit scholar, dismissed it, saying it was unworthy because it was in Malayalam.
The very next day, while working on his Narayaneeyam, Melpathur was visited by a mysterious young boy who began pointing out errors in his work. Shocked and confused, the scholar soon realized that the boy was none other than Lord Krishna. The Lord then vanished, leaving behind a divine message from the sky: “I am more pleased with Poonthanam’s devotion than with your knowledge.”
Melpathur, humbled and ashamed, apologized to Poonthanam and read his Jnanapana with deep reverence.
Conclusion
The legends and stories surrounding Guruvayur are not just tales of miracles—they are powerful expressions of faith, humility, and devotion. Whether it is a king, a scholar, or a humble poet, all who surrender at the feet of Guruvayurappan receive his grace.
To this day, devotees throng to this sacred temple seeking blessings, healing, and spiritual fulfillment. For those who believe, Guruvayur is not just a temple—it is a living abode of the Lord himself.
“Krishnaya Vasudevaya Haraye Paramatmane,
Pranatakleshanashaya Govindaya Namo Namah.”
Let us offer our hearts to the Lord of Guruvayur and walk the path of devotion.
Comments
Post a Comment