In Mythology of Hinduism, each and every place, trees, plants and all the living organisms has their own history and spiritual importance attached to it. Hinduism believes whole nature has its own spiritual significance followed by mythological history.
Here why I am curious about the history and its significance is, for the past so many days my mind was baffling with so many questions and was so curious about to know, how the name a place called “KUDUPU”, which is 10 KM away from Mangalore city has come?
After referring some books, stories and news items, now I am convinced to certain extent and relieved and finally I got a satisfying answer to my fumbling and question “How the name to the place called “Kudupu” came into existence?
According to my references and compilation, once there lived a Brahmin called “Kedar” who is a Vedic scholar and was very orthodox, kind and religious follower. As he was extremely worried of not having a child, thought of seeking blessing of Saint as the ultimate resort for having a child. After heavy search everywhere for one such Saint, finally his search bore a fruit when he came in contact with one such holy Saint called ‘Shringa Muni’ near a small river ‘Bhadra Saraswathi Thirtha’ in midst of a big forest. He prostrated before a saint and placed his reason for worries. Hearing this, saint told him to stay there and start performing intense‘Tapasya’ (penance) regarding Lord Subramanian who would fulfill your wishes. Saint also detailed him about the holiness of that place and the river.
Already worried Kedar accepted the advice of the saint and started a rigorous penance regarding Lord Subramanya with great concentration of mind and devotion. While doing penance (Tapasya) he forgot all about his surroundings and himself. It continued for many years.
As his penance became so intense it created a sort of immense heat in the surrounding and it spread everywhere even up to heaven. Devatas, humans, animals found it very hard to sustain. Everybody began to worry about the future if it continues like this. Worried about his penance Devatas went to Satyaloka to see Lord Brahma and told him about the situation. Thinking of that Lord Mahavishnu only could redress the problem Lord Brahma accompanied by Devatas met him and explained him with all about the situation.
Hearing this Lord Mahavishnu said that Kedar is meditating regarding Lord Subramanya and only he could give remedy to this problem. Lord Mahavishnu promised Brahma and Devatas that he will meet Subramanya and accordingly he met him and told that Kedar is meditating upon him with a single desire of having a child that could be fulfilled by him only. He also asked Lord Subramanya to appear before Kedar and bless him with a child.
But Lord Subramanya told that there is no child in the fate of Kedar and he is eligible only for salvation. But on the request of Lord Mahavishnu, Subramanya appeared before Kedar and blessed him with children. Kedar is so happy and expecting a child he settled near that Bhadra Thirtha River itself duly meditating and worshiping Lord Subramanya.
After some day wife of Kedar saw a serpent laying eggs and thought even snakes have good fortune of having children and worried too much about her fate comparing to that serpent. Year passed and Kedar’s wife became pregnant and couple becomes very happy expecting a child. But after nine months, to their and everybody’s surprise Kedar’s wife delivered three eggs which was more looking like serpent eggs. Devatas thought these eggs are nothing but an incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Mahashesha and Lord Subramanya and became very happy.
But Kedar was not happy. Even after rigorous penance if God blessed him with these eggs as children it is nothing but fate and a result of past karma. That time he heard a divine voice coming from ether saying that these eggs are nothing but an incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu, Lord Mahashesha and Lord Subramanya for the sake of betterment of the world. It also realized him that he does not have further children and advised him to erect the eggs secretly at the place where he did penance upon Lord Subramanya. It blessed a place and River as a holy spot and whoever takes bath in the river will be blessed with children and freed from all sickness and sin. A divine voice also advised him to stay in that holy place worshiping Lord Anantha Padmanabha (another name of Lord Mahavishnu) and blessed him with salvation at the end of his life.
Hearing this voice Kedar became so happy and he kept those eggs in a basket weaved with forest creeps called “KUDUPU” in local language and kept secretly in the place where he meditated upon Lord Subramanya. He spent his rest of life meditating upon Lord Anantha Padmanabha and attained salvation at the end of his life. Now in that place an anthill was grown and the place is well known as Shree Kshetra ‘KUDUPU’. A small river called Bhadra Saraswathi Thirtha resides near the temple itself.
Shekar Moily
