The legend of a yagam, which Brahma planned to perform in Satyavratakshetram (Kanchipuram), in order to get back his task of creation (he had lost it because of Brihaspati’s curse) and the efforts his consort Saraswati made to scuttle the sacrificial fire is well-known and is in circulation with the rise of Athivaradar. Thanks to Mahavishnu’s intervention, Saraswati is mollified and the Yagam takes place. From the fire emerges Mahavishnu as Varadaraja, It is a Sunday, in the month of Chithirai (the first of the Tamil months), with the Conch, Discus and Gadha, his right hand sporting Abhaya mudra.
Brahma is overwhelmed and thanks the Lord. His mission is accomplished, his consort is back with him and he has got his job of creation back all due to the kindness of Mahavishnu. But Brahma has one more request. Says he to Varadaraja: “Oh, Devadhiraja! Whatever I have accomplished is all due to your Grace. And you have blessed me with this darshan of your glorious form. But I have one more wish. Please remain in this sacred place, for ever and bestow your kindness on human beings, just as you fill us celestials with happiness by your presence in the Milk of Ocean.
Vaikunte thu yathaaloke yadhaiva ksheerasaagare! thatha Sathyavratha kshethre nivaasasthe bavedhiha! Hasthisailasya sikhare sarva loka namaskruthe! punyakoti vimaanesmin pasyanthu thvaam narsaas sadhaa!
Lord Varadaraja obliged and in turn asked Brahma to conduct Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi, to culminate on the day of Sravana Nakshatra.
Several divine acts are associated with Lord Varadharaja. A few are given here:
Made Nammazhwar Sing his famous Thiruvoimozhi
Gave enough wealth to Thirumangai Azhwar to bring him out of a crisis
Pointed out to Alavandar that Sri Ramanuja was the unparalleled Acharya of Srivaishnava Sampradhaya
Conversed with Thirukkachi Nambigal in the Archa Form itself
Sent Ramanuja to Srirangam to be the Pitadhipati of Srivaishnava Simhasanam
Partook the milk offered by Nadadhur Ammal
Reincarnated as Pillai Lokacharya and gave the 18 rahasyas to the world, in line with the preaching of Ramanuja
Showered His blessings upon Vedanta Desika, believed to the avatar of the Ghanta Mani at Tirumala
Earned the name, ‘Arulicheyal Pitthan’ (meaning, one that craves for the nectar like hymns)
Blessed Manavala Mamunigal, the reincarnation of Ramanuja, to compose verses on Himself, to ward off the evil eyes that He incurred due to the above mentioned acts.
