Muneeswarar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Muneeswarar | |
 Statue of Sri Muneeswarar at a forest temple dedicated to him in Sungai Siput, Perak, Malaysia |
|
| Weapon | Trident, sword |
|---|---|
| Mount | Donkey |
Sri Muneeswarar (Tamil முனீஸ்வரர்) is a Hindu god. "Muni" means single and 'sakthi' while "iswarar" is Lord Shiva.
Contents |
[edit] Story
In ancient India there was a king called Thakshar. His daughter was actually Lord Shiva's wife Parvati in one of her incarnations, so Thakshar was Shiva's father-in-law. When he discovered this, he became very arrogant and began to disrespect Lord Shiva.
One day, Thakshar decided to perform a special puja called the Achvametha Yajna. However, he did not invite Lord Shiva to the Yajna. Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, the Thevars and Maharishis strongly requested that he invite Lord Shiva but King Thakshar was stubborn and refused their request.
Thakshar continued to conduct the Yajna without giving Lord Shiva his share of the Avir. Lord Shiva's became extremely angry. The King was cursed by Nandhithevar, who sits at the base of Lord Shiva's idol, and Shivanintahi resulted. The Yajna did not end, and Lord Shiva's anger exploded. Veera Pathirar, Lord Shiva's frightful guard, appeared angrily from the Yajna.
From the face of Lord Shiva came Sri Muneeswarar who took seven incarnations - Shivamuni, Mahamuni, Thavamuni, Naathamuni, Jadamuni, Tharammamuni and Vazhamuni. This he did to protect the souls.
- As he appeared from Lord Siva's face. He assumed the form of Shivamuni.
- He became Mahamuni who possessed immeasurable divine power .
- Thavamuni removed all obstacles in the path of the Thevars and Rishis during their Yajna.
- Nathamuni offered blessings to the Devagananga and Puthaganga.
- Jadamuni grew trees and possessed Ruthrkshamala Kaatgar and the book.
- Tharmamuni was the protector of the good and the destroyer of evil.
- Vazhamuni is praised and worshipped by the Kabalis who live in the jungle.
By assuming the different incarnations, Lord Sri Muneeswarar showered His devotees with blessings. By praying to Lord Muneeswarar, his devotees may achieve bliss and good health in life. Devotion to him is believed to cure all illnesses.
[edit] Worship of Sri Muneeswarar
The cult of Sri Muneeswarar is popular in Singapore and Malaysia, with many temples dedicated to him. His vahana is a donkey, and a statue of it is placed in front of his shrine. Also associated with Muneeswarar is the three-pronged trident, which is usually adorned with cloth and three limes are placed on the prongs. Murtis (statues) of him are usually painted as opposed to the black stone statues of the other gods.
In Singapore, Daoists have worshipped alongside Hindus at the Hock Huat Keng Temple and Veeramuthu Muneeswarar temple. They participate in each others' rituals to honour the 'friendship' between the Daoist deity Tua Peh Kong and Sri Muneeswarar. For example, both Hindus and Daoists carry milk pots on their heads, to bathe their Gods on New Year's Day (Jan 1).
According to the temple legend, around 60 years ago, a benign tiger started to roam the area. It did not attack the villagers. The Daoist God of fortune, Tua Peh Kong, entered a Chinese medium during a trance shortly after the tiger's appearance. Tua Peh Kong said He was a 'good buddy' of the Hindu warrior god Sri Muneeswarar, who was the village deity. He said that they had both sent the tiger to protect the villagers.
In response, the Daoists installed a statute of the tiger and invited their Hindu friends to set up a temple for Sri Muneeswarar.
