திருவிடைமருதூரில் லிங்கத் திருமேனியில் ஆசீர்வதிக்கும் சிவன் – தலபுராண நோக்கில் ஓர் ஆய்வு: Shiva Blessing from the Linga Form in Thiruvidaimarudur: A Study from the Perspective of Sthala Purana

முனைவர் செ. சக்திமுருகன்; முனைவர் வெ. ச. சீனிவாசன்; முனைவர் க.சந்தானம்

doi:10.63300/tm12022026.24

Authors

Dr.C.Sakthimurugan Assistant professor in Tamil, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode -638052 Author
Dr.V.C.Srinivasan Administrative Officer, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode. Author
Dr. K.Santhanam Asst.Professor, Nandha College of Education, Erode-52 Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/tm12022026.24

Keywords:

Thiruvidaimarudur, Mahalingaswamy, Sthala Purana, Advaita, Adi Shankara, Lingodbhava, Tevaram

Abstract

In the Shaivite temples of Tamil Nadu, the tradition of Linga worship extends beyond a purely formless (arupa) state of worship; it is described in many sacred spaces through local legends (Sthala Puranas) as a vibrant, living relationship between God and devotee. This paper focuses on the research of the Sthala Purana legend of 'Shiva Blessing from the Linga Form' at the Arulmigu Mahalingaswamy Temple located in Thiruvidaimarudur, Thanjavur district.

According to the temple legend, when Adi Shankara questioned Mahalingaswamy about the truth of his Advaita philosophy, the Linga split open, a hand emerged, and blessed him by proclaiming "Advaitam eva Satyam" (Advaita alone is the truth). This narrative is presented as a unique theological event where a manifest (sarupa) blessing emerges from within the formless-form (arupa-rupa) symbolic structure of the Linga.

This paper comparatively analyzes such puranic stories of divine blessings (including legends related to Markandeya, Varaguna Pandyan, and Chandra), explaining the philosophical message of Advaita they present and the role they play in the Sthala Purana tradition of Tamil Nadu. Drawing upon 15 recent research papers, this article evaluates the unique significance of this sacred site by linking it with current research trends in Tevaram literature, the genre of Sthala Puranas, and Chola temple architecture.

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Author Biographies

Dr.C.Sakthimurugan, Assistant professor in Tamil, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode -638052

முனைவர் செ. சக்திமுருகன், உதவிப் பேராசிரியர், தமிழ்த்துறை, நந்தா கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் கல்லூரி (தன்னாட்சி), ஈரோடு -638052

Dr. C.Sakthimurugan^*, Assistant professor in Tamil, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode -638052

Orcid Id: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1996-2099.

*Corresponding Author Email: sakthimurugan.c@nandhaarts.org.
Dr.V.C.Srinivasan, Administrative Officer, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode.

முனைவர் வெ. ச. சீனிவாசன், நிர்வாக அதிகாரி, நந்தா கலை மற்றும் அறிவியல் கல்லூரி (தன்னாட்சி), ஈரோடு.

Dr. V.C.Srinivasan, Administrative Officer, Nandha Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Erode.

Email: srivc2345@gmail.com Orcid Id: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9926-7982
Dr. K.Santhanam, Asst.Professor, Nandha College of Education, Erode-52

முனைவர் க.சந்தானம், உதவிப் பேராசிரியர், நந்தா கல்வியியல் கல்லூரி, ஈரோடு -52.

Dr. K.Santhanam, Asst.Professor, Nandha College of Education, Erode-52

Email: ersanthanamma@gmail.com

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