Swaminatha Kadavul

     Kandha was playing with his brothers in Kaliash. Brahma was on His  way to see Shiva. Muruga wished Brahma but in some thought on his own Brahma forgot to return His wishes. Brahma was discussing with Shiva, meanwhile Muruga was discussing with Ganesha, His elder brother that He will teach Brahma a lesson. Ganesha told Muruga not to do anything wrong and let go of this incident.Brahma came back after visiting Shiva, when Muruga asked Brahma to stop and enquired why He did not acknowledge His wishes. Brahma said that He was lost in His own thoughts and did not hear it.
     Muruga said that Brahma's ego has made His pride go before Him. Muruga asked Brahma what His work was and several other series of questions at the end of which Brahma could not answer Muruga's question. Muruga promptly told Brahma that without this knowledge it is not possible for creation to work and so henceforth He will start creation and order His army to put Brahma in jail. Both Parvathi and Shiva felt as if someone had hit them in their head with the knuckle when all this was happening.
     They came down to see all that had happened and asked Kandha to release Brahma but Kandha refused at first and when Shiva insisted He ordered Brahma to be released. Shiva asked Muruga come along with Him and in a separate place asked Him what is the meaning of "Om" that Brahma could not answer. Muruga said that it could not be recited loudly and can only be  told when Shiva sits in the form of a disciple and listen to Him by seating Muruga on His lap. Thus Shiva seated as a disciple with His hands folded and Muruga seated on His lap, listened to the Pranava Mantra whispered on to His ears. From then on Muruga came to be known as Swaminathan Kadavul (One who thought His father). This temple is located near Thanjavur in a place called Kumbakonam.

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