| When Rama
prostrated before the linga, Lord Siva took his real form and told Rama that the Rakshasas
were all Brahmins and that was why Brahmahatti followed him. He also advised him to bathe
in the Mani- karnika and adore the Shivalinga, to be freed of the sin. He added that a
bath at won in it would bestow mighty strength and that it was equal to a bath at Banaras
in the morning hours. On a request made by Rama, Lord Siva consented to be stationed there
forever for the benefit and salvation of all human beings, and merged into the linga
itself. Rama took a holy bath in the sacred water,
of the Manikarnika in the company of the sages and monkeys worshipped the linga and were
freed of the sin of Brahminicide. This place came to be called Adi Setu to distinguish it
from the Setu built by Nala to take Rama's hosts to Lanka.
During the deluge, the Vedas, Sastras and the Puranas took shelter under this linga, and
reappeared from here when God created the world again. This linga is a permanent one and
suffers no destruction even during the deluge (Yugapralayam). It is interesting to note
that when a few years ago a Cyclone deluged the town of Vedaranyam, not a drop of water
entered into the temple, which gave shelter to thousands of refugees. |
