In the previous post, we have seen the purification process of paashaanam. As this is the tedious stage and one can easily proceed with the further steps if succeeded in this purification process. However, the major loss in weight of each paashaanam during purification cannot be controlled. As the total weight before purification is 500 grams where, the total weight comes around 300 grams after purification which is further used for bundling process.
Now the next step is obtaining kuzhambu* from the purified baashaanam. Modern chemistry gives two ways for liquefying the solid substance. One is melting and another one is dissolving the solid in liquid medium to obtain solution.
While Bogar quoted the following method to obtain the solution from paashaanam;
"கண்டுபார் பாடாணக் குழம்பதனை
kandupaar paadaanak kuzhampathanai
கனமான சதுரக்கள் ளிப்பாலிற்போட்டு
kanamaana sathurakkal lippaalirpoattu
விண்டுபார் சாமந்தான் மூடிவைக்க
vindupaar saamanthaan moodivaikka
விடுபட்ட சுத்தசலம் போலேயாகும்
vidupatta suththasalam poalaeyaakum
கொண்டுபார் சிறப்பான பாடாணந்தான்
kondupaar sirappaana paadaananthaan
கொடிதான அயச்சட்டிக் குள்ளேவைத்து
kodithaana ayachchattik kullaevaiththu
மண்டுபார் நாற்சாமம் சுருக்குப்போட
mandupaar naarsaamam surukkuppoada
மகத்தான பாடாணம் குழம்பாமே.
makaththaana paadaanam kuzhambaamae."
- போகர் (Bogar)
Placing the paashaanam in the square cactus milk and place it for a saamam* by closing it resulting in the liquefied paashaanam. Then, it is placed in iron container and by condensing it for 4 saamam. Finally, we will get the desired solution of paashaanam.
I adopted above method to get the solution of 5 paashaanam individually. Then, after measuring the accurate weight, I took the equal amount in every 5 to get the desired solution kuzhambu.
Now the final process is pouring the solution in structured mould. I bought this mould from chetti street in Colombo - 11. It happened to be lot and lots of divine moulds there, for which I confused and finally bought mould of lord Shiva in linga form.
As I poured the mixture solution in mould and place it in sunlight (Surya pudam), it get hardened. Finally, the “Pancha Paashaana Lingam” is ready and can be seen in the below picture, which took 2 months to prepare. Eventhough the size is small; it contains unbounded glory with in it.
It can be placed in home for worshipping. However, if prepared in big size, it can be used in temple. Even though most of our temples principal statues are of this paashaana type, but the forgotten or hidden information fades the glory of the temples.
The belief of obtaining cure on worshipping specific lord in specific place is all due to this type of statues. The information like abisheka water, milk from the principal statue can cure the disease gets modified over time and becomes the culture and tradition nowadays which are also fading gradually.
In that series, we can worship the above “Pancha Paashaana Lingam” and can perform abishekam daily. Uroma rishi told that, the continuous intake of abisheka water stables the paralysis, bile and phlegm as it has plenteous medicinal property, there will not be occurrence of any disease and can live long.
Irrespective of gender, it can be worshipped by both male and female. Bogar told that, placing the statue in pure and neat place and by chanting the mantra “Om Namasivaaya” , results in mind peace and focus.
*Saamam – 3 hours especially at midnight
*Kuzhambu – the liquid of thick consistency (such as sandal paste)
Original – www.siththarkal.com
Translated by Lalithambika Rajasekaran
