63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Aruchen Chadaimel Vaitha Ankanar Pujaikana

Narum Kungiliyam Idhelnanindru Perennalla

Perumaridhanmel Undo Perarperu Perruvaithu

Verinikkolavathendru Uraithezhum Viruppin Mikkar

Kungiliya Kalayar was born in Thirukadavoor/Thirukayur located on the river banks of Cauvery.  It is one of the famous villages in the Chola Kingdom where the well-known temple of Lord Shiva – Sri Amritha Ghateshwarar and his consort Goddess Abirami situated.  The splendor of this village with the presence of Lord Sri Amritha Ghateshwarar and  his consort Goddess Abirami,  uninterrupted Vedic chants of Brahmins  and crisp air with the smell of ghee from the sacrificial fire were stolen the millions hearts.

The origin of this temple is closely related to the myth, the deities and demons after the churning the ocean arrived in this place with the pot of elixir of immortality.  They all went to river for a holy dip and when they returned, they could not trace the pot on its place.  They found a huge Lingam on instead.  Hence the divine nectar transformed into a huge Lingam came to known as ‘Amrita Ghateshwarar’/Amritha Lingam.  Abirami Bhattar sang praising the glories of Goddess Abirami in beautiful nectar like verses known as Abirami Andhadhi in this temple.  At the end of the hundredth verse, Goddess Abirami revealed her presence throwing her nose ring on the sky to transform the New Moon into Full Moon Day and saved the life of Bhattar.

Kungiliya Nayanar was a Brahmin and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.  His wife was also equally devoted to Lord and they lived a righteous life.  He carries a pot of incense – a substance burned for pleasant fragrance with him.   He made it a regular practice to keep burning incense for its fragrance before the deity and treated as a service to Lord.  He served the devotees of Lord with utmost reverence.  He spent a large part of his wealth in the service to Lord.  Gradually, he found it difficult to meet the minimum daily expenses in the family.  He sold all his properties and was nothing remained, still he continued his sincere service to Lord.

One day, seeing the unending poverty at home Kungiliya Kalayar’s wife handed Nayanar with her Mangalya Sutra (A sacred chain used to wear married woman) which was only thing left with her.  Kungiliya Kalayar without any anguish he proceeded to the market to sell the sacred chain of his wife, in order to get some minimum supplies to wave off the hunger of their children.  The most compassionate Lord wanted to test the devotion of Kungiliyar and spread his glories to this world.  Lord disguised in the form of an incense seller and appeared before Kungiliya Kalayar.  Seeing the incense with an exceptional fragrance, Kungiliya Kalayar was forgot any of the requests his wife has made for the purchase of provision.  He instantly, gave the Mangalya Sutra to the incense seller and returned with a bunch of alluring fragrance.  He marched towards the temple and burnt all the incense before the deity.

Kungiliya Kalayar’s wife patiently waited for her husband to return home with the provisions.  The whole day passed without any news of him.  She put the children to sleep and continued waiting for her husband. She continued to pray for her husband’s safe return.  On that night, Lord Shiva appeared in her dream and blessed her with all the prosperity for their sincere devotion to Lord.  She abruptly woke up from the sleep and was amazed to see all kinds of richness in their home.  The whole house was transformed into an expensive and attractive looks. Once again, she wholeheartedly sang praising the glory of Lord.  She rushed to cook an elaborate and delicious meal for the whole family and unwearyingly waited for her husband’s return.

Kungiliya Kalayar who was in the temple immersed at the devotion to Lord, suddenly heard a divine voice instructing Kungili Kalayar to return home and have an elaborate meal with his family.  Kungili Kalayar was not aware of the hours he had spend before the deity, started to follow the divine instruction.  When he reached home, he was astounded to see the splendid beauty and its grandeur with the grace of Lord.  Soon, the devotees of Lord assembled and sang praising the glory of Lord.  Kungiliya Kalayar and his wife served them with utmost respect and honor.  He continued his divine service to Lord with the enormous wealth.  He firmly believed that the wealth belongs to Lord and it should be utilized only at the service of Lord.

Kungiliya Kalayar made a visit to the temple of Lord Aruna Satesar, Thiruppanandal.  This is the temple where Thadaka - daughter of a demon worshipped Lord Shiva for an offspring.  Seeing her unparalleled devotion, Lord Aruna Satesar worshipped in the form of Linga made a sharp bend for Thadaka so that she could embellish the Linga with the flower garlands.   Many of the villagers tried to straighten up the Linga with their mighty force; unfortunately none of them were successful.  The King was deeply distressed at this and desired to set straight the Lingam.   Kungiliya Kalayar genuinely concerned about the King and wanted to eradicate his agony.  He tied a rope on his neck and the other end on the Linga, he gently pulled out and straightened the curve of the Linga.   Everyone witnessed were amazed at the devotion of Kungiliya Kalayar and deities showered flowers upon him.  Kunigiliya Kalayar continued his divine service to Lord and finally attained the Abode of Lord Shiva.

In the Tamil month Avani – Moolam is widely celebrated as Guru Puja Day to commemorate the above incident.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Kannappa Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Charvarum Thavankal Seithu Munivarum Amarar Thmum

Karvarai Advi Chenrdhum Kanutharkariyar Thammai

Arvamun Peruka Ark Anpinir Kandu Kondey

Nerpera Nokki Nindrar Neelirul Neenga Nindrar

There was a hunter Nagan and his family lived in a village called ‘Uduppur’. This village belongs to the Kingdom of Pothappinadu, a lush green land with its rich natural beauty.  Nagan, chief hunter and his wife Thathai had no offspring for very long time.  Nagan was a skilled archer and his wife was also equally skilled in the art of archery.  They together with their folks hunt animals and it was the only livelihood for them.  Nagan and his wife Thathai was fervent devotee of Lord Muruga.  They sincerely prayed to Lord Muruga for an offspring to uphold their clan.  With the blessings of Lord Muruga, Thathai conceived and gave birth to a child.  The child was too dark and heavy by birth and they affectionately named him - Thinnan.

Thiru Kalahasthi Puranam describes that Thinnan/Kannappa Nayanar was the proficient Archer and son of Kunti –Arjuna in his previous birth.  Arjuna underwent severe penance praying to Lord Shiva for attaining Pasupatastra, a lethal weapon of Lord Shiva.   Lord was pleased at the devotion of Arjuna and appeared before him as a hunter.  Arjuna was failed to recognize the presence of Lord.  In order to attain liberation Arjuna had to take birth as a hunter in this life.

As years passes by Thinnan grown as a valiant young man. One auspicious day, his parents decided to begin lessons on archery for their son - Thinnan, the entire clan gathered and celebrated the event as a special occasion.  Thinnan learned the art of Archery from his father, soon he proved himself as a proficient Archer to his clan. In the meantime, Nagan was feeling exhausted due to his old age to carry out the routine jobs of a Chief Hunter.  He instructed his son to take up the position of a Chief Hunter.  The hunter clans were happy to accept young and brave Thinnan as the new chief of their clan.  Thinnan enthusiastically followed his father’s instruction.

Once, Thinnan went for hunting with his folks.  While chasing a pig Thinnan and his two men, Nanan and Kadan who where always followed him like his shadow lost their way.  They continued chasing the pig and arrived at a foot hill of Thiru Kalahasthi.  Though Thinnan was a hunter for living, he was a good natured and was very passionate towards the young ones, ill and female animals. The three of them were too tired of hunger and thirst.   Thinnan killed the pig they have chased for long time and assigned the job of cooking the meat with Kadan.  Thinnan left with Nanan to fetch some water from the river.   Thinnan was overwhelmed at the spectacular sight of the hill and a huge temple at the hilltop.   He decided to climb up the hill after hearing from Nanan about the the temple of Kudumithevar (Lord with a tuft).  Nanan followed Thinnan and Kadan stayed behind with cooking of meat.

Thinnan started to climb up the hill; soon he forgot his hunger and weariness.  He felt totally relived and slowly losing his body conscious.  Finally, they arrived at the sight of a huge Lingam.  Thinnan could not control his tears and rushed to Lingam.  He hugged and kissed the Lingam, as if a lost child found its mother.  He continued to stay like the same position and felt relieved from a heavy weight from his shoulders.  He was determined to stay there itself and wanted to safe guard the Lord.  He felt the Lord may feel abandoned without him.  His thoughts were dominated by the affections towards Lord.  Nanan taught Thinnan about the method of worship of Lord, seeing the unparalleled enthusiasm of Thinnan to serve Lord.    Thinnan much loved to serve the Lord by all means; he wanted to offer food feeling that Lord might be feeling hungry, flowers to decorate Him etc... He walked down the hill to fetch a mouthful of water for Lord and showered them on the Lingam.  He decorated the Lingam with the flowers which he had already on his head.  He served the Lord with the best part of the meat after tasting it.    After finishing his performance of Abisheka, Alangaram and Naivedyam to Lord, Thinnan positioned himself at the entrance to safe guard the Lord from any dangers.  Thinnan continued this practice; his parents were worried about the sudden changes in Thinnan and wanted to take him back to their village.  But Thinnan flatly refused to follow them.

While Thinnan was out in search of Naivedhyam for Lord, the temple priest arrived to carry out the daily rituals to Lord and he was mortified at the sight of the sanctum sanctorum.  It was full of filth; the pieces of meat were all over on the deity with a foul smell.  The temple priest immediately got himself into purification work of the entire shrine.  He performed Abhishekam of the Lord with pure water, decorated the Lingam with the fresh flowers, he offered sweets and fruits as Naivedhyam.  He finished that day’s ritual and left to home.

Thinnan got back from hunting and found the fresh flowers and Naivedhyam etc; He removed the entire decorations instantly and started to worship Lord in his own method.  This practice continued for another five days.  The temple priest was deeply distressed at the turn of events and sincerely prayed to Lord.  One day, Lord appeared in his dream and instructed him to secretly observe the worship of Thinnan – A hunter, a zealous devotee of Him.

At the divine instruction of Lord, the temple priest arrived at the shrine and stayed behind the Lingam and observed the worship of Thinnan.  As usual Thinnan hurried to the sanctum sanctorum with a bizarre feeling and pain.  He immediately noticed the blood oozing from the right eye of Lingam.  Thinnan threw the things which he had brought to worship and rushed to Lingam.  He cried out bitterly and tried to stop the bleeding with some herbs.  But it ended in vain.  Instantly, Thinnan plucked his right eye and aptly fixed it on the lingam.  The bleeding has stopped immediately, out of boundless joy and happiness he went on dancing in an ecstasy.  Suddenly, he noticed the left eye on the Lingam started to bleed.  He scurried to Lingam, this time he was even more thoughtful.  He placed his foot on the exact place where the left eye sited on the Lingam and began to pluck his left eye with the arrow.  At this moment, a mystifying voice heard ‘Kannappa stop plucking your eye’.  Lord Shiva caught his hand and brought a sudden halt to his action.  Lord blessed Thinnan with the divine name ‘Kannappa’ – Who gave eyes to Lord; Kannappa regained his vision and remained in godly status.  The temple priest who witnessed the whole phenomenon understood the true nature of devotion to Lord.

Perini Idhanmel Undo Piranthirukku Kannil Vantha

Urukandyanchith Thankan Idanthappa Udhavum Kaiyai

Eruyathu Tharvathan Kaiyyal Pidithukondu Yenvalathil

Marilai Nirka Endru Mannuper Arulpurindhar

In the Tamil month Thai – Mrugashirsham is  widely celebrated as Guru Puja day to commemorate the above incident.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 Jai Sriman Narayana !!

63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Enathinathar Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Kaivaludan      Palakaineeka Karudhiyathu

Cheyyar Nirayudharai Kondrar Enunthimai

Eydhamai Vendum Ivarkendrium Palakai

Neyvaluden Adarthu Nervarpol Nindrar

Thiru Enathinatha Nayanar lived in Eyinanur, one of the cities in the Kingdom of Chola.  Eyinanur is situated on the south-east of Kumbakonam, at the river banks of Arisol.   Enathinathar was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and he firmly believed in serving the devotees of Lord Shiva.  He visualized Lord in the smeared ash marks on the body of his devotees. 

                       

The sacred marks of holy ashes are capable to remove all the impurities, desires, worldly bondages, illusion etc.. in one’s life and provide ultimate wisdom about the eternal truth – Salvation (Moksha) and  relieves from the cycles of birth and death.

Enathinathar was a good swordsman.  He sincerely served the royal family and earned fair income.  Enathinathar enthusiastically spent all that income he had earned to serve the devotees of Lord.  His unconditional devotion to Lord and serving the devotees of Him brought fame amongst the villagers.  There was a fellow Athisuran, who was also engaged in the same profession of Enathinathar lived in the same village.  He was not skilled in his profession, as his name indicates.  Athisuran was jealous at the reputation of Enathinathar and wanted to bring down his good-will amongst the villagers.  He plotted a plan against Enathinathar.

Athisuran arrived with a group of relatives and challenged Enathinathar to fight with him.  He desired to disgrace Enathinathar and wanted to prove to the villagers that Naynar was not fit for their admiration.  Enathinathar accepted his challenge and arrived with the villagers to the forest, where they have already decided as War field.  Athisuran and Enathinathar started to fight against each other.  In the fight many of the innocents lost their lives, finally Athisuran ran out of the field with the fear of life.  Athisuran fumed with the jealous and humiliation on his failure at the war field.  He planned another unscrupulous method to defeat Enathinathar. 

Athisuran sent a message to Enathinathar and invited for an open fight with him, at one condition that both of them would fight each other without any assistance from both the sides.  Enathinathar readily accepted the challenge and patiently waited for Athisuran.  Athisuran arrived at the spot tactfully covered his face under the veil.  The fight began; Enathinathar pounced at Athisuran like a lion.  Athisuran removed his veil; Enathinathar was shocked at the appearance of Athisuran.  His whole body was smeared with holy ashes.  Enathinathar paused, withdrawn from the fight stood motionless holding the sword at his hand.  Enathinathar did not want to commit any sin by killing Athisuran – A devotee of Lord with the smeared mark of holy ashes.  He continued to say motionless with the swords on because he wanted to save Athisuran from the sin of killing of an unarmed warrior in the war field.  Athisuran aptly utilized the moment to accomplish his selfish motive; he swooped over Enathinathar and killed him instantly.

The most compassionate Lord was most pleased at the self-less devotion of Enathinathar and blessed him with Salvation.

In the Tamil month Purattasi – Uthradam is widely celebrated as Guru Puja Day to commemorate the above incident.

 Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Yeripatha Nayanar !!

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 !!

63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Amarnidhi Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!
 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Mandu Kadhalin Maravar Makizhdhudan Year

Andar Thampiran Thiru Arai Kovanam Athuvum

Konda Anpinin Kuraipada Adiyavar Adimaith

Thondum Oththathal Othuner Nindradhath Thulaithan

Amarnidhi Nayanar was a wealthiest merchant in Pazhaiyarai, one of the prosperous cities in the Kingdom of Chola Dynasty.  Amarnidhi Nayanar was a trader by profession, dealing with precious jewels, silks and cotton.  He imported superior qualities of goods and sell them at a reasonable price.  Thus, he made a huge wealth out of fair business.  Nayanar was a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva.  He receives the devotees of Lord Shiva with utmost respect and devotion.  He serves them with food, offer cloth and sends them off with a handful of gifts.

             

 

Sri Dharbaranyeshwar Temple of Lord Shiva situated at Thirunallar is the place where Amarnidhi Nayanar visits quite often to worship Lord Shiva, especially during the festivities.  Subsequently, His supreme devotion to Lord and everlasting desire to serve his devotees made him to settle down in Thirunallar.  He was passionate about his regular visits to the temple and serving his devotees with their requirements.  He established a Mutt (to serve the devotees of Lord with food and shelter) led a devoted life, found divine pleasure in constant chanting of ‘Panchakshara Mantra’ and serving devotees.  The most empathetic Lord pleased at the devotion and services of Amarnidhi Nayanar and decided to glorify his good deeds to public.

One day, a Brahmachari with all the appearances of a devotee of Lord Shiva, the brilliance in his face reveals the saintly grace and divinity in him, beautifully smeared ashes on the body and Rudraksha added brilliance to his looks, he gracefully walked towards the Mutt.  Nayanar was extremely joyful at the sight of the Brahmachari and rushed to him.  The scintillating eyes of Brahmachari keenly looked into the eyes of Nayanar and pleasingly informed him about his willingness to remain his guest on that day.  It mounted the happiness of Nayanar.  Brahmachari handed Nayanar with a dried loin cloth to keep it safely as he wanted to have holy dip in the river and perform oblations.  He also informed that he would be back any time to receive Nayanar’s honor and left the place.

Brahmachari arrived at the Mutt after finishing holy dip and oblations.  He asked for his loin cloth to Nayanar.  Nayanar who has kept the lion cloth safely went to get it for the Brahmachari.  To his utter amazement, the cloth was not in its place.  Nayanar was felt ashamed of his irresponsibility to keep a simple loin cloth safe in his custody.  He was feeling guilty at his carelessness;    he came back to Brahmachari with a face hung down of shame and guilt.  Nayanar revealed his innocence and his readiness to offer anything in its place of a loin cloth.  Brahmachari genuinely exposed to his desire to have nothing other than a loin cloth.  Nayanar agonizingly remembered the truth that a Brahmachari does not require any wealth other than a minimum cloth to wear, due to his negligence the Brahmachari lost that too.  After seeing the anxious state of Nayanar, Brahmachari agreed to receive anything which weighing equal to his drenched loin cloth.  Amarnidhi Nayanar felt relived at this and brought a balancing equipment to weigh the drenched loin cloth of Brahmachari.  He placed the drenched loin cloth in one plate and his precious jewels on the other.  He kept adding his wealth one by one on the balancing machine, miraculously the scale was not moving a bit.  Nayanar painfully remembered that all his wealth were added on the balancing machine and  he had nothing to offer, so far the weighing machine was not showing any sign at all. 

Nayanar worriedly approached Brahmachari and fell on his feet.  Nayanar vulnerably revealed the truth that he has nothing to offer other than himself, his wife and a child.  At this, Nayanar, his wife and the child got into the other plate of scale, remembering the services he had offered to Lord and his devotees were true to his spirit or not.  To his utter amazement, the scale balanced equal, Brahmachari disappeared instantly.  The people witnessed were astounded at the devotion of Nayanar.  Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati appeared before Nayanar and blessed him with eternal salvation for his unparalleled devotion to the devotees of Lord.

In the Tamil Month Ani – Puram is celebrated as Guru Puja Day to commemorate the above incident.

 Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!