Draft:Vishnumaya Kuttichathan Swamy

Vishnumaya Kuttichathan. Swamy is a powerful deity worshipped primarily in Kerala, India. He is known to offer his devotees resolution for their biggest problems. There are numerous temples around Kerala where his devotees throng to resolve their problems with special Pujas. Most Swamy Vishnumaya temples are known to help reverse the effects of black magic.

Legend of Vishnumaya Swamy
There are several legends around the birth and life of Vishnumaya Swamy. This is one of the most believed legends:

The legend is that Parama Shiva was enroute to his divine hunt through a dense forest when he heard a song sung by the Yakshas and the Gandharvas. Captivated by the voice of the singer, Swamy Shiva found himself following the music only to be mesmerized by the enchanted beauty of the singer named Koolivaka. Allured by her beauty, Swamy Shiva's heart was filled with a longing for her. He expressed his desire for her and told her to await his return from the royal hunt.

Koolivaka was torn into a dilemma because of God Shiva's advances. Greatly alarmed at angering God Shiva and invoking the wrath of the Goddess Parvathy. Koolivaka prayed fervently to goddess Parvathy Devi, who appeared before her. The innocence of Koolivaka moved Parvathy Devi and she revealed the past of Koolivaka.

In her past life, Koolivaka was a Yakshini named Manaswini. She lived as a maid in Kailasa in her previous birth. During this time, she was punished by Parvathy Devi herself when she tried to suckle Parvathy Devi's son, Swamy Ganapathy. The curse of Parvathy Devi had caused her to live as a tribal woman in an outcast family. As per the prophecy, her salvation would come only by breastfeeding the son of Swamy Shiva before she lost her virginity.

Parvathy Devi disclosed that Koolivaka's pre-determined fate was her meeting with Shiva Swamy. Parvathy Devi also agreed to disguise herself as Koolivaka and appear before Swamy Shiva. A child was born through the divine union of God Shiva and Parvathy Devi and destined to be the destroyer of Jalandhara, a powerful asura.

Parvathy Devi appeared before Koolivaka and blessed her by allowing her to foster the child. The prophecy for her redemption came true. Swamy Shiva gifted a buffalo to protect the child, who is by then dearly called Chathan. Koolavika became his mother for seven years when Chathan became a beloved figure amongst the tribals. He used to roam freely in the jungle on his buffalo and played a musical instrument called Ezhara.

Once Chathan turned seven, swami Narada unveiled the true origins of Chathan and asked him to seek his biological parents in Kailasa. His foster mother, Koolivaka, and his friends supported Chathan's journey to seek his parents.

As Chathan proceeded to the entrance to the abode of Swamy Shiva on his buffalo, blowing his favorite Eezhara, he was not permitted inside. At this point, Chathan had to transform into Swamy Vishnu. It was a joyous occasion when Swamy Shiva and Parvathy Devi met their son. It was at this time that Swamy Shiva lovingly called him Vishnumaya.

Destiny of Swamy Vishnumaya
Vishnumaya epitomizes the destructive forces of Swamy Shiva and the noble calmness of Swamy Vishnu. Eventually, he receives instruction in warfare and finds means to vanquish Jalandhara, the menacing Asura

Chathan challenges Jalandhara, whose reign of terror spans the heavens and the earth. A fierce battle starts between them and culminates in Jalandhara's beheading by Chathan. The Devas recognize Chathan's might, and he is offered a place in heaven. However, Chathan's commitment lies in protecting the downtrodden, and he returns to his people.