Pugazh Chozha - the king and his sense of justice

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 Pugazh Chozha, one of the greatest kings of the Chozha dynasty, ruled the Kongu region from Thuraiyur by having it as the capital. Various chieftains paid him tribute, but since the transport was difficult for them, he shifted his capital to Karur. The famous Pasupatheeswarar temple is located here. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, so he spent a lot of money for the maintenance of the temple. To conquer and capture other kingdoms and to extend their empire is a rightful duty of every king. Pugazh Chozha sent his army to the surrounding kingdoms to extend his empire.




While everyone surrendered to his supremacy, one of the chieftains called Adhigan refused to accept it or pay any tributes to him. Pugazh Chozha was angered by this act. He sent his army and waged a battle with Adhigan. His mighty army destroyed the army of Adhigan in no time and plundered his kingdom. They looted all the gold and precious stones and killed every person who opposed them. Soon, his army returned with the wealth they looted and the heads they took down.


After reaching Karur, they exhibited the wealth they plundered on one side and showcased the heads they cut off on the other side. Pugazh Chozha was so glad to see his victorious army men. As he checked the heads taken down by his men, he felt so proud about them. But as soon as he saw the head of a devotee of Lord Shiva that had the holy ash on his forehead, he was taken aback. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva himself which he proved when he tried to sacrifice his life during an incident that took place before that involved Eripatha Nayanar.





He was completely disheartened for killing a devotee of Lord Shiva. Though one of his army men committed the murder, Pugazh Chozha took responsibility since he was the one who sent his men to wage a war. He realized that he did injustice to a devotee of Lord Shiva which is nothing but doing injustice to God himself. To compensate for it, he created a holy pyre, carried the head of the devotee in a golden plate and dared to jump alive in the holy pyre. Lord Shiva was amazed by his sense of justice and appeared before him. He praised Pugazh Chozha for his moral values, gave him the title Pugazh Chozha Nayanar and absorbed him within himself. From then, the king Pugazh Chozha became one of the great 63 Nayanmars, the greatest of all devotees of Lord Shiva.





The statue of Pugazh Chozha holding the head of the devotee in a golden plate in front of the holy pyre in a position ready to jump into it is seen on the pole in the outer premises of the Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar temple located in Karur. A hall full of stone pillars that is dedicated to him is also seen here. His story teaches us that justice is above all, no matter even if it is the king. 



#InternationalDayOfJustice 

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