It was said that if his child touched the earth then this act would bring an end to the earth. When the queen went into labour, the king could not find a mid-wife. He had to choose a woman named Periyachi. This stern woman successfully completed the delivery of the child and held it up so that it did not touch the earth. Periyachi asked for payment, but the King treated her badly and refused to pay. The king did not know that Periyachi was devi Parvati, so he was surprised when she took on her true form.
Using her multiple arms she trampled the King underfoot. Sri periyachi is considered as the protector of children and mothers. Newly born babies are placed at her feet to receive blessings for a healthy and a long life.
The periyachi Pooja is conducted annually in the temple in a grand manner and is attended by many devotees. Sri Periyachi has an interesting legend associated with her. Periyachi was dragged to the forest in the middle of the night to deliver the baby of Vallalan. It was a complicated delivery due to two reasons. One, it had to be done in the forest where there were no facilities. Two, Vallalan was a strong believer in astrology who believed that the baby should not touch the earth.
Periyachi performed this delivery skillfully. She put Kaarkuzhali on her lap while seated on a boulder in the forest. She delivered the baby by cutting open her abdomen Caesarean section and held the baby in one of her arms. At this point, both the mother and the baby were in good condition.
However, King Vallalan had other plans. He had been advised by his astrologer to kill the baby as well as anyone who touched the baby with their hands. This means that Periyachi should be killed as well. When Vallalan drew his sword out, Periyachi was enraged and showed her military prowess.
She impaled his heart with a spear, and then put him under her legs to ensure his death. The wife who tried to help him, was disemboweled and Periyachi ate her intestines, in a fit of rage.
During the entire time, she held the baby safely in her hand which was later brought up as her own child. She named him Seeralan. Periyachi became a hero for killing the bandit who was terrorizing Thondai Nadu. During her lifetime, Periyachi became an icon among pregnant women.
It is said that no matter what, Periyachi will ensure the safety of babies. Tamil folklore often praise her of being the best obstetrician and pediatrician. How could separation during a certain month be beneficial? If a baby was conceived during Aadi month, it would be born in the month of Chithirai April-May which is the height of summer in South India. The infant mortality rate would peak during this month, due to the scorching heat.
This temporary separation is still practiced today in the name of faith, oblivious to the scientific principle. Medical Enhancements: Periyachi is also known for creating several surgical instruments and enhancements in the field of medicine. Note that surgery was invented in India, around 6th century B.
Her innovative instruments were depicted on the original Periyachi statues, although the current ones may not reflect history accurately. During the period of the festival Thimithi , scenes from epic Mahabharata are enacted by the devotees and drama troupes.
A week before the fire walking, they perform prayers to Periyachi. The prayer session is held to request her blessings upon the devotees and that no unpleasant incidents should happen during the festival. Periyachi is also worshiped as a household or family deity by devotees.
She is also said to possess some of her devotees. No comments:.
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