Jai Sriman Narayana
!!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara
Hara Sankara !!
Mevurai Ivvelayil
Nidiyachir Virattam Amarnadhapiran Arulal
Pavuralar Senthmizh Chol
Valapathika Thodaipadiya Panmayinal
Navukkarasarendrula
Kezhinumnin Nannamam Nayapura Manukka
Yendriyavarkkum Viyappura
Manachuraiva Nindaiye Oruvaimai Ezhudhadhuvey
Thirunavukkarasar was
born to Thiru Pukalanar and Mathiniyar as their second child in a village called Thiruvamoor in Thirumunaipady. He was named ‘Marulneekiyar’ (one who removes
all the ignorance) and his elder sister was Thilakavathiyar. When Thilakavathiyar attained the age of
twelve, she was betrothed to Kalaipahayar – a young military commander in the
Pallava army. Immediately after
betrothel, Kalaipahayar was assigned with the duty of warfare and killed at the
battlefield. Afterward Thilakavathiyar
remained unmarried and spent rest of her life as a widower. The unbearable pain and grief impelled young
Thilakavathiyar to lead a life of an ascetic. In a while her father became unwell and passed
away; her mother embraced Sati (commit suicide by jumping on funeral pyre) and
followed her husband. The entire
catastrophic incidents in the life of young Thilakavathiyar and Marulneekiyar
drove them into a miserable state. Thilakavathiyar lived a dejected life and
lived for the interest of her younger brother. She was a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva and
engaged in the service of Lord and his devotees. She immediately took the responsibility of a
mother to Marulneekiyar. Seeing the
terrible conditions in the family, Marulneekiyar was utterly confused and
decided to leave to Pataliputra and accepted Jainism as his
religion.
Eventually, Marulneekiyar
was got attracted to the philosophy of Janism and its practices of
non-violence. Soon he joined in the
school of Janism and mastered over the principles of Jainism and its
practices. Later, he turned out a
brilliant scholar and known as ‘Dharmasenan’ amongst them.
Thilakavathiyar was
dejected to know about her brother’s approach and felt deeply distressed about
his change in faith, consequently abandoning the age old tradition of Shaivism.
She left her native village and settled in Thiruvadihikai. She was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva,
sincerely prayed to Lord Veerattaneshwara (Thiruvadhikai) for her brother and
brings him back on the age old tradition of Shaiva Sidhhantha.
Dharmasenar –
Marulneekiyar developed an unceasing pain in his abdomen. The Jain scholars tried all the remedies to
curtail his pain. But nothing did work
for his excruciating pain in the abdomen; on the other hand it turned out bad
into worse. Marulneekiyar realized that
his days were numbered, he thought of his affectionate sister. In the next moment, he secretly left the
school of Jain and was on his way to meet his sister.
Marulneekiyar arrived at
Thiruvadhikai, fell at
the feet of his sister and wept bitterly.
Immediately, she realized that her prayers were answered. She wholeheartedly welcomed his brother and
comforted him with her sweet words. She applied holy ashes on his forehead, she
instructed him to ingest them and chant the holy hymns ‘Panchakshara Mantra’ of
Lord. Thilakavathiyar took him to the
temple of Lord Virattaneshwarar, Marulneekiyar passionately sung praising the
glory of Lord. He was lamented over his misdemeanor towards saints and the
sacred scriptures of Lord. He wept
resentfully and surrendered to Lord with all hearts. It was truly miraculous act that as he
concluded the song
Marulneekiyar’s pain vanished instantly leaving no trace at all and they could
listen to a divine voice ‘Marulneekiyar will be known to
the world as ‘Thirunavukkarasar’ (Thiru = Sri, Navu = Tongue, Arasar = King) and
his glories will remain forever.’ He was
truly a King of speech; he sung glorious verses of Lord and visited many holy
places all through his life. He and his sister continued their self-less service
to Lord and engaged in spreading the glories of Lord Shiva. Thus,
Thirunavukkarasar (Later, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar fondly addressed
Thirunavukkarasar as ‘Appar’ known to the world at large) became a fervent
devotee of Lord Shiva and his faith in Shaivism restored in double
fold.
The above incident
created a huge chaos amongst the people of Jainism in Pataliputra. Their inability to cure Dharmasenan’s
illness and abandoning the religion created a fret among them. They worried that people may loose faith in
their religion and would be answerable for the reason behind Dharmasenar’s decision to leave Jainism to the public and the King as
well. They plotted against Dharmasenar
and proclaimed him as a conspirator.
King Mahendrvarman of Pallava Dynasty ordered to produce Marulneekiyar in
his court and the final verdicts were announced. Marulneekiyar was shoved into a dungeon of
furnace. Amazingly, he remained safe and sound and he was in deep meditation in
the dungeon for few days. Jains were not
ready to accept their defeat; instead they pronounced that the principle
teachings and prayers of Jainism saved him. Marulneekiyar was poisoned to death,
fortunately the poison turned into nectar with the grace of Lord. King Mahendravaraman ordered mahouts to kill
Marulneekiyar with his Royal elephant. But, the elephant obediently
circumambulated Marulneekiyar and prostrated before him. Soon another verdict followed to punish
Marulneekiyar, he was tied into a huge rock and decided to immerse into the
depth of the sea. Surprisingly, the huge
rock started to float on the sea and Marulneekiyar came into sight singing
priaising the glories of Lord. Finally,
the floating stone took Thirunavukkarasar safely to the shoreline of
Thiruppapuliyur (Cuddalore). That was
just the beginning Thirunavukkarasar continued his spiritual journey and visited
sacred temples of Lord Shiva on his way back to Thiruvadhikai and sung priaising
the glories of Lord.
King Mahendravarman who
was a firm believer of Jainism realized the superiority of Shaivism and happened
to came across many miraculous events which affirmed the faith in Shaivism. At last, King Mahendravarman was deepily hurt
at his misdemeanor towards the great saint, he approached Thirunavukkarasar and
fallen at his feet to forgive.
Thirunavukkarasar affectionately embraced the King and once again his
faith in the shaivisam reinstated at the mercy of Appar. Immdiately the King
ordered to demolish the schools of Jains and built a magnificent temple of Lord
Shiva at Gunapraveecharam, Thiruvadhikai. The majestic Rajagopuram of this temple bears
a resemblance to the chariot of Lord Shiva utilized to behead the demon
Tripurasura.
There was a numinous
incident occurred to Thirunavukkarasar, he felt impure due to the long
association he had with the Jains and their beliefs. He earnestly prayed to Lord Shiva and got
himself untainted with the symbol of Trident and Nandi on his shoulders. Thirunavukkarasar visited the holy shrine in
Chidambaram and sung praising the glories of Lord Nataraja. During his stay at Chidambaram he met Thiru
Gnana Sambandhar at Shiyali (ourskirts of Chidambaram) they flattered each other
and set an example for association of two great saints. They together visited the temple in Shirkazhi
Brahmapurishwarar temple and Appar sung praising the Lord Thoniappar in this
temple. They visited the temple of
Sapthapurishwarar/Sattanathar at Thirukolakka.
Later, Thirunavukkarasar continued his spiritual journey all alone and
arrived at Thiruvaduthurai and sung priaising the Lord with intense austerity,
he moved to Sattimutham there he could listen to the divine instruction of Lord
instructing him visit Thirunallur Sri Kalyana Sundareshwarar temple. He passionately sung praising the glory of
Lord Kalyana Sundareshwarar in this temple.
Thirunavukkarasar
travelled extensively through the length and breadth of the sacred land to
spread the glories of Lord Shiva. While
his visit to Thingallur he met with Saint Apputhi Adigalar a zealous devotee of
Lord Shiva. A miraculous incident
brought Apputhi Adigalar’s son back into life.
Thirunavukkarasar had the dharshan of Lord Tyagaraja at Thiruvarur; he
was received with utmost reverence by the people of Thruvarur. He immersed in total bliss and sung praising
the glory of Lord Tyagaraja in this temple.
He was extremely remorseful in his whole life for the decision he had
made to propagate the Jainism and its principle. He also praised the glories of Naminandi
Adigal who was fervent devotee of Lord Tyagaraja, who was performed the miracle
of lightening the lamps with water when he had no means to buy oil in this
temple. Thirunavukkarasar arrived at
Thirupukalur and visited the temple of Lord Agnishwarar, there he met Thiru
Gnana Sambandhar for the second time and they spent blissful moments at the
company of each others. They together continued their spiritual journey and
visited sacred temples of Lord Shiva singing and priaisng the glory of Lord at
Thiruveelimalai and Thirumaraikkadu – Lord Vedaranyeshwar (Vedaranyam). During their stay at Thirupukalur there were
many saints and holy men were visited them and this place turned out a divine
land of Shaivism. Later,
Thirunavukkarasar earnestly prayed to Thiru Gnana Sambandhar to visit the temple
of Lord Tyagaraja at Thrivarur.
At the divine command of
Lord, Appar continued his journey to Thiruvaimoor leaving behind
Sambandhar. Lord guided Appar throughout
his journey and suddenly vanished in one of the temples situated. In the meantime, Sambandhar came to know
about Appar’s departure and decided to follow him. Sambandhar arrived at the temple there he met
Appar; he was meticulously following Lord and solemnly prayed to Lord to give
dharshan to Sambandhar. Lord was pleased
at the devotion of His fervent devotee – Appar and gave dharshan to both of
them.
Appar resumed his journey
to Palayarai there he found the temple of Lord was plundered by Jains and
established a place for their worship.
Appar was deeply distressed and underwent severe penance. One night Lord
appeared in the dream of the King who was ruled that city and informed him to
sanctify the temple and install a Linga for worship of Appar. At the divine command of Lord, King arrived
with his army and shoved the Jains from this place of worship. He prostrated Appar with utmost reverence and
followed the ordinance of Lord. He
consecrated a Linga under the supervision and guidance of Appar. Appar felt extremely happy at this
micraculous event.
During Appar’s visit to
Thirupanjali, he was tired of hunger and thirst. He had to bring a sudden halt to his
spiritual journey, at this moment Lord Shiva disguised in the form of a Brahmin
and served him with food; He followed Appar upto certain distance and
vanished. Appar realized the mercy of
Lord and wept bitterly at the separation of Him. He resumed his journey to Thiruvannamalai,
Kanchipuram and Kalahasthi singing and priaising the glories of Lord. At Kalahasthi he passionately sang the
glories of Kannappa Nayanar who was a keen servant of Lord. He visited Banaras/Varanasi and worshipped
Lord Vishwanatha. In the meantime, his
desire to visit Kailash grew out of reach.
He expansively walked throughout this sacred land without considering day
or night and fearlessly walked through the woodlands without any fright from
dangers. Soon, Appar turned out fragile and struggled to move on with his flimsy
body. Lord desired to have Appar should
live long singing and praising the glories of Him. He appeared before him disguised in the form
of a saint with matted hair locks, Rudrakshas, marks of Tripundra with Holy
ashes all over the body. He advised
Appar to change his mind from unyielding desire to visit Kailash. But Appar was too firm to pull out from his
decision. Later, Lord followed Appar giving encouragements from time to time. At
one instant Appar earnestly prayed to Lord and worried about his failing
body. Lord instructed him to take bath
in a holy pond created. Appar followed
the divine commands of Lord with the Panchakshara Mantra on his lips. To his amazement, Appar found himself at
Thiruvayyar several miles away from where he had begun his journey to
Kailash. Appar zealously rushed into the
sanctum sanctorum there he could envisage Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva &
Goddess Parvathy with the deities surrounded.
Appar was danced in an ecstasy singing and prasing the glories of
Lord.
Thirunavukkarasar (Appar)
remained in Thiruperunthurai and engaged in the service of Lord Athmanatha
Swamy. During this time, Thiru Gnana
Sambandhar made a visit to Thirunavukkarasar at Thiruperunthurai. Appar joined the followers of Sambandhar to
receive him, without Sambandhar’s knowledge he silently gave a hand to the
people who were carrying his palanquin. When they arrived at Thiruperunthurai,
Sambandhar blissfully searched for Appar and found him carrying Sambandhar’s
palanquin. Sambandhar fell at his feet; they embraced
each other with lot of affections and shed tears of joy.
Appar made a visit to the
Kingdom of Pandya Kings to scrutinize the growth of Shaivism in Madurai. The Pandya King – Nedunmaran and his queen
Mangayakarasi Ammayar along with their minister of assembly Kulachirai Nayanar
received Appar with great honor and respect.
Appar stayed in Madurai for sometime and resumed his journey to
Rameshwaram.
Appar arrived in
Thirupugalur and continued his service (cleaning the temple floors into
sparkling) to Lord Agnishwara. In order
to test his devotion, at the will of Lord the temple floor were crammed with the
precious gems and ornaments. All the
glitters were worthless for Appar and none could deviate his devotion and
self-less attitude of this true Sanyasin. Appar sincerely continued his service
of cleaning the floors, picking the gems from the floor and deposited them far
out of reach like dirt. Lord continued to examine Appar’s devotion; on
the other hand Appar’s devotion to Lord lingered rock-hard. Finally, at the ripened age of 81 years Appar
attained Samadhi and merged with the Lords of Lord.
In the Tamil month
Chithirai – Sathayam is widely celebrated as Guru Puja day in most of the
temples of Lord Shiva in Tamilnadu.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara
Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana
!!
