Vaidyanatha Ashtakam
Vaidyanatha Ashtakam
Vaidyanatha Ashtakam
Lord Shiva is considered as the king among physicians. He is worshipped in this form in Purlee
Vaijyanath. He is also worshipped in this form at a great temple in Tamil Nadu known as
Vaitheeswaran Koil (Temple of the lord of physicians). It is believed that Lord Rama performed the
cremation of the bird Jatayu in this spot. It is also believed that Lord Angaraka (planet Mars) who
was afflicted by leprosy got cured in this place. It is also believed that Lord Subramanya got his
trident(vel) after worshipping in this temple.
There is a temple tank called Siddha Amrutha Theertha(the all curing nectar water) in this temple.
Bathing in this tank is supposed to cure all diseases. Tiru Chandu pills distributed in this temple are
considerd as a cure of all diseases. This is purported to be the medicine, which Vaidyanatha gave to
Angaraka to cure his illness. Pilgrims who come here to get their illness cured take this medicine
after observing the following directions. They are first required to take bath in the Angasanatana
Teertham on an auspicious day during the Sukla Paksha, get the Mrittika (mud) in a new pot to the
temple, mix it with sacred ash and a few drops of water from Siddhamurta Teertham.
They should grind this into a paste and offer it in prayer to the Goddess and take it in with a little
water from the Teertham, whereby they will be relieved of any sort of illness. After the abhishekam,
the feet of Lord Subrahmanya are covered with sandal paste mixed with saffron powder in equal
weight and devotees receive it as prasad. Devotees who are desirous of getting cured of diseases are
also requested to recited the Vaidyanatha Ashtakam, thrice a day.