Introduction:
Vaidheeshvarankoil is an important place of pilgrimage in Tamil Nadu State. The place is situated near the Chidambaram – famous for its Nataraja temple. The presiding deity is Lord Siva, known as Vaidheeshvaran. The Devi is known by the name of Balambika. Lord Siva is said to have been worshipped by Jatayu, the eagle famous for his part in Ramayana and the Sun, Mars and the Vedas themselves. So the place has the names Jatayupuri, Suryapuri, Angarakapuri and Vedapuri. Lord Siva at this temple is said to relieve the worshippers of their sins and other problems. It is at this place only Lord Kartikeya is said to have obtained the spear with which He could fight the demon Soora. So His shrine in this temple is very popular and attracts a large number of devotees. Lord Siva at this temple had been worshipped by sages and Siddhas. Saivaite saints (known as Nayanmars) have visited the temple and sing songs in praise of the Lord. People believe that by worshipping the Lord here they can get rid of even serious diseases: hence His name Vaidheesvara. The following verses in praise of the Devi appear in the Skandha Purana.
Shri Balambika Ashtakam in English:
॥ śrībālāmbikāṣṭakam ॥
velatilanghyakarune vibudhendravandye
lilavinirmitacaracarahrnnivase ।
malakiritamanikundala manditange
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 1 ॥
kamjasanadi-manimanju-kiritakoti-
pratyuptaratna-ruciranjita-padapadme ।
manjiramanjulavinirjitahamsanade
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 2 ॥
praleyabhanukalikakalitatiramye
padagrajavalivinirjitamauktikabhe ।
pranesvari pramathalokapateh pragalbhe
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 3 ॥
janghadibhirvijitacittajatunibhage
rambhadimardavakarindrakaroruyugme ।
sampasatadhikasamujvalacelalile
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 4 ॥
manikyamauktikavinirmitamekhaladhye
mayavilagnavilasanmani pattabandhe ।
lolambarajivilasannavaromajale
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 5 ॥
nyagrodhapallavatalodaranimnanabhe
nirdhutaharavilasatkucacakravake ।
niskadimanjumanibhusanabhusitange
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 6 ॥
kandarpacapamadabhangakrtatiramye
bhruvallarivividhacestita ramyamane ।
kandarpasodarasamakrtiphaladese
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 7 ॥
muktavalivilasadurjitakambukanthe
mandasmitananavinirjitacandrabimbe ।
bhaktestadananiratamrtapurnadrste
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 8 ॥
karnavalambimanikundalagandabhage
karnantadirghanavanirajapatranetre ।
svarnayakadimanimauktikasobhinase
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 9 ॥
lolambarajilalitalakajalasobhe
mallinavinakalikanavakundajale ।
balendumanjulakiritavirajamane
balambike mayi nidhehi krpakataksam ॥ 10 ॥
balambike maharajni vaidyanathapriyesvari ।
pahi mamamba krpaya tvatpadam saranam gatah ॥ 11 ॥
॥ iti skande vaidyanathamahatmye sribalambikastakastotram sampurnam ॥
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