Lord Muruga is being praised as Tamil God and as God of Tamil people. Lord Muruga killed and destroyed the demon Soorapadman who was troubling celestial Gods. Muruga and Sivasakthi are not different from each other and they are one and the same. There is lot of unity between number six and Lord Arumugan. He has six faces. His name has six letters. He was brought up by Karthigai Pendir(women). The favourite day for him is Shasti, the sixth day of the waxing phase of Moon. Thus all are connected with the number six. Once Lord Brahma visited him. At that time time Brahma with full of ego did not wish Lord Muruga. Kumaran(another name for Lord Muruga) called and enquired as to who is He, and what is his profession(job). Brahma replied that He is the lord for creation. Muruga asked him ‘How he does the job of creation?’. Brahma replied that He does it by reciting Vedas. Muruga asked him to recite Vedas in His presence. Brahma started his recitation of Vedas by first the first word ‘OM’. Immediately Muruga asked him to explain the meaning of the word ‘OM’ which he has just uttered. Brahma blinked without knowing the meaning of the word ‘OM’. Lord Muruga immediately retorted by saying How can he undertake the job of creation without the meaning of the word ‘OM’?. By saying so Muruga imprisoned Brahma. Lord Shiva having heard the news of imprisonment of Brahma rushed to Muruga and asked him ‘Kumara, Do you know the meaning of that word?’. Kumaran replied that if asked in proper way and manner He will definitely explain the meaning of the word to Lord Shiva Himself. Immediately Shiva assumed the role of a disciple(shisya) and asked the meaning. Lord Kumara assumed the role of a Guru(master) and preached Shiva the meaning of the word’OM’. The meaning was a sweet feast for the ears of Lord Shiva. (Then Brahma went to the place called Swamimalai, did shiva pooja and as Muruga explained the meaning through Shiva to Brahma and learned the meaning. Having assumed the role of a Guru to his own father and explained the meaning of Pranavm(OM),Kumaran got the name Thagappan swami(guru for his father). Since Shiva received upadesam(preaching)as a shishya from Muruga,in the role of a Guru this idol got the name SHISYA BHAVA MOORTHI.

Swami malai is situated near Kumbakonam. In this place only this incident took place. By praying the Lord of this temple, one will make good strides in education. On Mondays and Tuesdays by performing archana with Bilva leaves and offering Sarkkarai Pongal (sweet rice) and also lighting ghee lamp one will shine in his education, will have a long life(live for many more years and also will become more intelligent.