Tirukoodal

This kshethram shares many aspects of its Sthala Purāṇam with that of Srivilliputtur. We will see the story of Periya Āzhwār once again. Periya Āzhwār ( Vishṇuchittar ) used to live in Srivilliputtur, leading a straightforward lifestyle, performing pushpa-kainkaryam to Shri Vatapatrashayee. During that time, there was a king named Vallabhadevan, whose capital was situated in Madurai. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishṇu and wished to learn the meaning of the Vedas and Upanishads.

He enquired with his chief minister as to how he could achieve this goal. The minister suggested that the king call all the Vedic Scholars present in his kingdom to debate and question all the matters present in the Vedas and Upanishads. The one who could solve all the questions posed by the king would be rewarded dearly. The king agreed with the minister's suggestion, and soon an announcement was made throughout the kingdom saying there would be a grand meeting of all the Vedic Scholars in the land.

The scholar who would impress the king with their answers would be rewarded with gold coins, which would be hung in a divine binding. The coins would present themselves to the person who would aptly answer all of the king's questions. Many scholars came before the king, but none gave satisfactory answers that the king desired. One night, Lord Vatapatrashayee appeared in Vishṇuchittar's dreams and instructed him to go to the king's court to claim the prize that was being offered.

Vishṇuchittar told the Lord that he knew nothing about the Vedas or Upanishads. All he knew to do was to make garlands and present them to the Lord. The Lord then told Vishṇuchittar not to worry and to go to the court. The Lord said He would speak through the mouth of Vishṇuchittar. That same night, the Lord also appeared in the dreams of the chief minister and asked him to make royal arrangements to receive Vishṇuchittar and escort him to the king's court.

The next morning, a royal elephant with palanquins arrived and carried Vishṇuchittar to the royal court. As he entered, all the scholars began to murmur and pass sarcastic comments about him, knowing that his knowledge was limited. Vishṇuchittar prostrated himself before the king and the gathered scholars, and then began his speech on the Vedas and Upanishads. As and when the king questioned, it was almost as though the answer to the question was pre-prepared and ready.

Finally, to close his speech, Vishṇuchittar made a final statement that said, "Shrīmān Nārāyaṇane Paramporul." This translates to "It is Lord Shrīmān Nārāyaṇa who is the only protector, and it is with His blessing that the universe is surviving. It is He and only He who is the underlying principle that is mentioned in the four Vedas and Upanishads. When this statement was made, the binding came undone, and the gold coins showered into Vishṇuchittar's hands from above. The king was overcome with joy and ecstasy.

All the gathered scholars lowered their heads in shame. The king then asked Vishṇuchittar how he had spoken about all the Vedas and Upanishads in such simple language. Vishṇuchittar then told the king that truly it was he who had spoken and that the Lord himself intended for this to perspire. The king was deeply moved by what Vishṇuchittar said and fell to his feet. He arranged for complete royal honors and sent him around the kingdom in a royal procession.

At one point, when Vishṇuchittar looked up at the sky, he saw the Lord along with Mahālakshmī seated atop Garuḍan, granting their blessing to him. It was at that moment that, with eyes filled with tears of joy, he said the words, "Pallaandu, pallaandu pallayiratthandu palakodi noorayiram." These words are still sung to date during sathumorai seva every day, whether it may be at a temple or within a household.