THE GLORY OF ARUNA HILL

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Shivaya Namaha,

 

Once Narayana continued

to sleep even after a kalpa (a cycle of four yugas or

aeons) had ended and hence the world was enveloped in

darkness. The immortal devas were in distress. They

thought of Mahadeva, the controller of everything and

prayed to Him to save His creation. Siva thereupon created

the devas who were thirty-three crores in number. They

awakened Narayana from whose navel a lotus sprang up.

As soon as he woke up he said to himself, gI slept when I

should not have done so. I was under the influence of

Sivafs maya. What shall I do to expiate the sin of sleeping

at an untimely hour? I shall seek refuge in Siva and expiate

all my sins.h At that moment he saw before him, Siva as

pure Effulgence. He bowed to him respectfully and pleased

Him with his adoration. Looking at Narayana who stood there praising

Him with folded hands, Siva said, gI abide

on earth in the form of Arunachala Hill. The moment

you see me in that form you will cease to be ignorant.

One of the Vishnus who were your predecessors obtained

a boon from me at Arunachala. As the interior of the Hill

is filled with fire, the rains falling on it from the clouds

fear to run down it as streams. They are quite unable to

leave it. That is why all onefs sins are expiated by merely

looking at it. All the wishes of devotees are fulfilled there.

You shall again become the protector of the world by

bowing down to that Hill and worshipping it.h Having

issued this command Siva disappeared.

Vishnu was relieved when he heard these words. He

came to Arunachala, bathed in the Brahma tirtha and

worshipped Arunachala Hill with a tranquil mind. Thereby

his sins were expiated and again regained his position as

protector of the world. It is by worshipping it that Surya

(the sun god) became the ruler of all the planets.

 

 

Om Arunachaleswaraya namaha,

Ramya