Puraanic Episodes Relating to Maasi Maham and Maamaanggam, auspicious to Lords Siva
This is one of those festivals, which are celebrated on the day of the occurrence of the asterism which coincides with full moon in a particular month. In the month of Maasi (mid-February to mid-March) the full moon day co-occurs with the asterism, Maham.
We shall see the Puraanic episode which mentions the reason for the significance of this day. According to “Koyil Puraanam”, once, in order to win over a Raatchasa, the guru of Varuna Bahavaan, went to the latter to find out a way to win over the demon. Since it was dark, ‘Varuna’, thinking that it was an enemy, threw his noose (‘paasam’) at the guru. The guru died. Consequently, a ghost appeared (as a result of brahma hatthi dhosham) and tied the legs and hands of ‘Varuna’ together with his neck, and threw the latter in the deep sea. ‘Varuna’ stayed in the sea for a long time; during that period Varuna was just not in a position to provide the rain; subsequently, both the devas and people prayed to Lord Siva to save ‘Varuna’.
Due to these prayers Lord Siva came to the sea and saved ‘Varuna’. This happened on a day when the asterism Maham was in its ascendence in the Tamil month of Maasi. ‘Varuna’ thanked Lord Siva and requested that those who bathe at that place should be blessed by Lord Siva, by which their impurities (paasam) will be removed and salvation will be granted for them.
The ‘Koyil Puraanam’ continues to say that when sage Viyaagrpaadhar told this episode to king Iraniyavarman, he raised the flag at Chidambaram temple in conjunction with the Maasi Maham. All devas came and beseeched Lord’s blessings, and decorated the path through which Lord Siva would arrive at the seaside. When the Lord came to the sea, ‘Varuna’, was happy and paid his homage to the Lord. The Lord had the ceremonial bath at sea, blessed all and returned to the temple.
Among the ten sacred bathing places (theerttham) in Chidambaram, one of them is named ‘paasam aruttha thurai’(bathing ghat which cuts off the bondage). It is situated about a mile away from Chidambaram. On this day, ‘theertthoatchavam’ is elaborately celebrated at this location (Paasam aruttha thurai).
Every twelve years this festival is celebrated as ‘Mahaa Maham or ‘Maamaanggam’. There is also a puraanic episode behind this very special day. At one time, the nine divine rivers went to Lord Siva and said that all people come and purify themselves by having a dip in them, and asked the Lord how were they to wash off all the impurities which were imparted to them. Lord Siva told them to come to the pond known as ‘Mahaamaha Kulam’ at Kumbakonam, once in every twelve years and have a dip there.
Lord Siva asked ‘Nyanaakkini Deva’ (Deva of the fire of spiritual wisdom) to be in that pond and burn the impurities of the people who come and have a dip in that pond. Hence, it is said that the ‘Fire of Spiritual Wisdom’ dwells in the ‘Mahaamaha Kulam’ and burns, with immediate effect, the impurities, which were passed on to the holy rivers by the devotees and, the impurities of the people who bathe in that pond as well.
The significance of bathing in the sea or other water bodies on the day of Maasi Maham is clearly reflected by the episodes above. They also indicate that a guru should be revered; any harm done to him will bring a heavy toll on the offender. It is also a day which inspires us to acquire Spiritual Wisdom through which we can burn our three impurities and attain salvation.
The Asterism, Maham, is acknowledged as the Asterism of Pitrudeva
It is stated that bathing in the sea, rivers and any other water bodies is known as ‘pithir mahaa snaanam’. The asterism, Maham, is also referred to as ‘pitrudevaa natchatthiram’, and it is this ‘pithrudhevaa’, who gives peace to the souls. It is believed that, if our ancestors are in peace, we will be blessed with all that is good. According to religious texts, when the Almighty thinks of creating the world, He creates ‘Pithrudeva’ first; it is then that He creates the devas, human beings and other living things, and therefore it is the Pithrudeva of Maham, who is given the first acknowledgement and respect. The religious texts require us to offer our special prayers to our ancestors in which ever religious functions we have, so that the function will be blessed and successful. https://tamil.samayam.com/religion/significance-of-maasi-magam-in-tamil/articleshow/63111821.cms
Maasi Maham is also auspicious to Devi and Lord Vishnu
Although the Maasi Maham is commonly associated with Lord Siva, it seems to be a day auspicious to Devi Uma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Muruhan. Devi appeared in the form of Dhakshayini on the day of Maasi Maham. Therefore, it becomes auspicious for Devi. When the mother earth was drowned in the deep sea during the deluge, Lord Vishnu delved into the ocean in the form of a boar and brought her back to the surface. When he reached the surface, he landed at Kumbakonam according to the Thalapuraanam of Kudanthai (Kumbakonam). http://kungumam.co.in/APArticalinnerdetail.aspx?id=6193&id1=50&id2=18&issue=20210220
Lord Muruhan is also not Spared in the Celebrations of Maasi Maham
How Maasi Maham is observed as an auspicious day, also to Lord Muruhan? According to the various websites, Lord Muruhan is supposed to have explained the meaning of the primordial sound, Om, to Lord Siva at the sacred place of Swaamimalai, in the month of Maasi; some say that it was when the asterism ‘Maham’ was in the ascendance, while others say that when the asterism ‘Poosam’ was in the ascendance. The website, https://www.vikatan.com/spiritual/temples/149787-this-article-is-about-masi month-surasamharam-festival-of-thiruporur-murugan-temple which speaks about the importance of Maasi Maham, cites the Thirupporoor Kanthasamy Temple, where the third day of Maasi Brammotchavam is celebrated as the “Ubadhesa Utchavam” (festival of explaining the spiritual meaning of a manthra), and states that it is only at this sacred place (Thirupporoor) where this festival is carried out to acknowledge the instance when Lord Muruhan explained the meaning of ‘Om’ to Lord Siva. It continues to say that the tenth day, Maasi Maham, is celebrated as the Theerththotchavam (ritualistic dipping in the sacred bathing-ghat). According to the website, the Temple priest, Arun, gave quite a bit of information about the Thirupporoor Maasi Birammotchavam, and a some of the information is given here.
Conclusion
From the facts seen above, Maasi Maham seems an auspicious day for offering prayers to all our prominent Deities. In effect, there are more Puraanic stories for deities like Lord Vishnu and others; apart from these, the significance of appeasing our ancestors on the specific days like the respective thithi and amaavaasai (especially, the Aadi amaavaasai) is also well emphasized.
Prepared by: Dr.K.Thilagawathi