Significance Of Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar

Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar:

The term Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar refers to Lord Shiva, who can relieve us of all debts. 

‘Runa’ means debt, and ‘Vimochana’ is relief. And Lingeshwarar, that is, Linga Ishwarar refers to Shiva, the Ishwara in his Linga form.  The Linga is believed to be an aniconic manifestation of Shiva. He is usually worshipped only in this form as the principal deity, in the sanctums of a vast majority of the Shiva temples, in our land and elsewhere. 

Hence, Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar is called the Kadan Nivartheeswarar, in Tamil, with the Tamil name carrying the same meaning. The Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar temple is situated in the Thirucherai village of the Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district in the state of Tamil Nadu, about 15 kilometers from Kumbakonam town. This temple is famous as the one meant principally for debt relief.

                                                          Participate in this rituals to pay back all your debts

Lord Shiva

Shiva is a supreme God of the Hindu pantheon and is counted among the trinity of Gods who undertake the fundamental functions of the universe – the creation, protection, and destruction. Shiva is regarded as the God of destruction, but he destroys only to rejuvenate and recreate. He is also hailed as Maheshwara, the Maha Ishwara, the great God. He is regarded as an extremely compassionate God, who can be easily pleased and always ready to clear his devotees’ difficulties and provide them with many benefits, both material and spiritual. Hence it is no wonder that Shiva remains one of the very widely worshipped Gods of our country.   

Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar Temple

The temple at Thirucherai is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Sara Parameshwara remains the principal deity of this temple. Sara Parameshwara is also called by other names such as Udayar and Senneriappar and can be worshipped here along with his consort Goddess Parvati, as Gnanavalli. 

Sage Markandeya is said to have installed a Lingam at this place and worshipped him, seeking the welfare of the people living in this area. The Lord fulfilled his wishes, and consequently, the region became fertile, and its people prosperous. It is believed that this Shiva Lingam, in due course, has come to be referred to as Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar. There is a belief that he can relieve people of all forms of debts, improve their finances, and grant them a prosperous and happy life. 

As per historical accounts, the temple is said to be around 1000 years old and built by the Chola kings ruling this region. The Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar shrine is located in the circumambulatory passage of the temple.  

What is ‘Runa’?

Runa’ is a debt. In other words, it is a financial liability. And this is what a majority of the people seem to think. Does ‘Runa’ denote only to a loan taken, or a monetary obligation? 
No, definitely not. It is too superfluous to so measure it, merely in monetary terms.

The term ‘Runa’ or debt has a far broader and deeper meaning, and its implications extend far beyond money, materials, and this worldly life.  Vedas and other ancient scripture aver that we all come to this world carrying 3 types of debts, and those are the Deva Runa, the Rishi Runa, and Pitru Runa. Deva Runa refers to the debt we owe to the Gods, Rishi Runa, is the debt to the sages, and Pitru Runa is the debt towards the ancestors.

 Thus any man, who takes birth in this world, arrives here with these debts only. And he is required to clear all these, in his lifetime, in the course of his earthly journey. 
These scriptures have also given the means of repaying these debts. The Deva Runa can be cleared by worshiping the Gods and being kind to the fellow beings and serving them in whatever way possible. The Rishi Runa can be paid back by following the strict codes of conduct in life, as laid down by the ancient sages. And Pitru Runa can be repaid by doing one’s duty towards the parents and elders when they are alive, and performing ceremonies and austerities, to the departed souls. One cannot escape from repaying any of these debts, and any failure on this count can only result in the person taking birth again in this world so that he gets another chance for repayment!

And Lord Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar can help people repay all these debts, apart from clearing their financial obligations. Praying to him can thus be a Runa Pariharam, the remedy to clear debts.

      
Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar Worship:

Mondays are considered auspicious for Shiva worship. Also, Rudra, the fierce form of Lord Shiva, has 11 forms. Hence the number 11 is regarded as special for praying to the Lord. Therefore it is believed that praying to Lord Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar for 11 consecutive Mondays and performing poojas to him at the temple on these days can earn for the devotes the Lord’s grace and relieve them of all their debts. 

The temple has made a provision for conducting these worships, and this facility can be availed of, even by those who may not be able to physically present to do this worship on 11 consecutive Mondays, as required. For this, devotees can provide the names and birth details like Gotra, the ancient lineage, Janma Nakshatra, the birth star, etc. of themselves and their family members, at the temple. Archana, the light and sound ceremony will be performed to Lord Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar on their behalf and in their names on all the 11 successive Mondays. They will also receive the sacred Prasadams after each of these worships. 

After the completion of the worships, devotees can visit the temple on a Monday and participate in the sacred abhishekam performed to the Lord. Before this hydration ceremony, they will be distributing flowers to the devotees and then take them back during the ceremony. This symbolically implies that the Lord, pleased with the performance of the poojas by the devotees on 11 Mondays, takes back or removes all their debts. The devotees can thus relieve themselves of all their obligations, and lead an unburdened life. Thus, the Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar worship can act as a very powerful Runa Pariharam, to clear debts. 

Benefits of Worship:

Worshipping Lord Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar with sincerity and devotion can help people pay back all their debts and provide them with sound health, wealth, and prosperity. This can also remove their past sins, protect against evil spirits and all adverse effects, cure diseases, and bless with peace and joy.