Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Vanperun Kaliru Pakar Madiyavum Udaivalaithandhu
Yenperum Pizhayai Nal Yennayum Kollum Ennum
Anpanar Thamakku Theenku Ninaidhanan Yendru Kondu
Munpena Thuyirchenguthu Mudipathey Mudivendrenni
Yeripatha Nayanar was born in Karuvur/Karur is one of the famous cities in Kongu Nadu. Nayanar was a fervent devotee of Lord Shiva; he has taken a vow to protect the devotees of Lord from all dangers. He visits the temple of Lord Pasupatheeshwarar/Anilaiappar on regular basis and worship Anilaiappar with utmost faith and devotion.
There lived Shivakami Andar, a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva. He was well known for his self-less devotion to Lord, he collects flowers from the garden in the early morning hours, make beautiful garlands out of it and carries them to the temple of Lord Pasupatheeshwarar regularly. It was an Maha Navami Day; as usual Shivakami Andar rushed to the temple with a basket full of flowers to offer to Lord Pasupatheeshwarar. Unexpectedly a barmy royal elephant rushed from nowhere, with the king’s men followed. It made a big chaos amongst the villagers; abruptly the elephant began to chase Shivakami Andar, due to his old age and ill health Shivakami Andar could not withstand or pull him out of the danger. Finally, the mad elephant thrashed Shivakami Andar with his basket of flower. Soon he felt worn out and wept loudly thinking of the flower garland destroyed at the hubbub. Shivakami Andar continued weeping bitterly; instantaneously Yeripatha Nayanar happened to view Andar’s in a wretched state. Shivakami Andar explained his pathetic state and his poor health conditions made him to stay behind. Nayanar ran after the elephant with his weapons. Nayanar valiantly attacked the elephant with his powerful weapon and killed instantly.
The news of tragic death of the royal elephant reached at the ears of the King. He rushed to the spot with a group of warriors to witness the slaughterer. There he found Yeripatha Nayanar with his weapons on, amidst the muddle, surrounded by the villagers. Seeing a devotee of Lord in the disarray, the King was in utter dismay. He studied the whole situation from Nayanar; Yeripatha Nayanar wanted to safeguard the apprehensions of a devotee of Lord which made him to chase the elephant and killed. The King Pukazh Neethi Chozan in a state of bafflement approached Nayanar and begged for forgiveness. He was more remorseful about the whole tragic scenario and the mad behavior of the royal elephant; some way he was also felt partially responsible for the mess the elephant had created. Yeripathar described his deep concerns about Shivakami Andar and exposed his vehemence against the ‘Shiva Aparadham’. Hearing from Yeripathar about the ‘Shiva Aparadham’, the King felt terrible and guilty for the custody of irresponsible mahouts, he fell at the feet of Nayanar. The King pleaded Nayanar to chop off his head with his own sword for the sin committed by his mahouts and the barmy royal elephant.
Yeripathar was shocked to see the humility of the King. Nayanar felt rueful for afflicting the guilt and pain in King’s heart which made him to fall at the feet of an ordinary person like Nayanar. Nayanar repentantly took hold of the sword and began to chop his throat. The King was alarmed at this sudden action and fervently stopped Nayanar from committing suicide.
All of a sudden, everyone could visualize Lord Shiva with his consort Goddess Parvati, blessed the noble souls for their abiding faith and devotion to Lord and His devotees. The elephant and mahouts regained their life; once again Shivakami Andar got back his basket full of fresh flower garlands with enchanting fragrance for offering to Lord Pasupatheeshwarar. Nayanar prostrated the King and gave back his sword. Naynar continued his self-less devotion to Lord and finally attained the Abode of Lord Shiva.
In the Tamil month Masi – Hastham is widely celebrated as Guru Puja day in Karur.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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