1.Adipatthar or Adhipattha Nayanar is one of the 63 Nayanmars. He was a sincere devotee of Lord Shiva and lived in the Chola kingdom at present day Naagapattinam (referred in sangam literature as Naagai) by the sea shore.
Life
He was the head of his group of people called Paradhavar. The main source of income and food for them was fish gotten from the sea. As a way of expressing love to God Siva, Adipatthar would toss the very first fish he earned every day back into the sea, dedicating to God. He would practice this ritual even if he got just one fish on a day, thereby deciding to stay hungry the entire night.Chekkizhar's Periya Puranam about Adipatthar:
" The head of Paradhavars who lived in the shores of Nagai touched by waves, Adipatthar dedicated the first fish he received in his net to God every day. Once for several days he received just one fish which he left back to sea for God. He then got a big golden fish one day which he gave to God happily and thus attained Lord forever"
The dancing God of golden court decided to test his love and patience. Therefore, Adipatthar started to get just one fish for many consecutive days. Even then, the ardent devotee left them back to sea happily saying "Let this be to Thy who is our father and Mother". As a result, Adipatthar started becoming more and more poor. Days passed in the same way and one day his clan saw a miracle. They got a big golden fish filled with nine types of gems in their net. Adpatthar admired the fish and told "This wonderful fish shines like the Sun. It is the first one we got today and we are blessed to give it back to Shiva". He then left it back to the sea. Having felt his sincere love, the Lord who wears the crescent descended from the sky and blessed Adipatthar and his people saying "Let you and your people be with me forever". Adipatthar thus attained the glorious place near God Himself.
2.Aiyadigal Kadavarkon Nayanar Pallava King Aiyadigal Kadavarkon, was a ruler of the Pallava dynasty and was ruling from Kanchipuram. Later he became the 46th Nayanar Saint in Tamil Nadu.
Explanation of Name
According to Sujit Mukherjee the saint king appears to have been a Pallava King, Simma Varman (c. 550-575). The Encyclopedia of Saivism identifies the term Kadavar with Pallava dynastyand the Tamil term kon as king. The author suggests that the king is identical with Pallava Paramesvaravarman, who ruled from c.670-700 and the author do not have any historical evidence to establish his claim.
Efficient Ruler
Kanchipuram, the capital of Pallavas is known as the city of active power. The king Aiyadigal Kadavarkon worshiped Shiva with faith and devotion and ruled his kingdom with his royal stick of justice i.e., the Justice of Shiva. As a brave warrior and courageous king, he protected the Shiva and other Hindu temples and cared his land and people and infused the spirit of Saivism into their minds. The king was fluent in Tamil and Sanskrit languages and his knowledge of Tamil and Sanskrit has been the source of Tamil hymns on Shiva.
Pilgrimage
The king found that ruling the country was a hindrance to his progress towards Shiva and to his Saivite duties and services. He crowned his son and made him to continue as an administrator in according to his principles. Thereafter he renounced the world and left for continuous pilgrimage to Shiva temples. Wherever he goes, he used to compose Tamil hymns on Shiva. After worshiping many Shiva temples, he reached Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram. He stayed there and was melted with the cosmic dance of Nataraja. Finally the saint merged with Shiva in the dancing court.
3.Amaraneedi Nayanar was a Vaisya by caste. He was an ardent Shiva devotee. He belonged to a village named Pazhaiyaarai in the Chola Kingdom. Pazhaiyaarai was a very fertile place, surrounded on all sides by gardens and green fields. In those days this place was very famous. Amaraneedi Nayanar was a trader in gold, diamonds, silks and cotton goods. He used to import these goods from foreign countries and was selling them at reasonable prices. He earned money honestly and became rich. Though he was engaged in worldly activities, his mind was fixed on Lord Siva. He would invite Shiva devotees to his house and worship them. He would give the Kowpeenam, money, etc., and feed them nicely and send them away happily, with other gifts. He used to visit the sacred temple of Tirunallaru during festivals and worship Lord Shiva with extreme faith and repeat Panchakshara Mantra daily .
4.Anaya Nayanar is a shaivaite saint. He is one of the Nayanar from 63 Nayanars.
Life
Anaya Nayanar was born in the village of Thirumangalam, Tiruchi of Tamil Nadu, he was cowherd by birth. He used to take cows out for grazing everyday. While cows were grazing on the fields he used to play tunes on flute on Lord Shiva. One day he saw a tree full of flowers and thought that he is none other than Lord Shiva. Overwhelmed with devotion, he started playing melodious tunes on his flute. Pleased with his music and devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and showered his blessings.
Anaya Nayanar was born in Thirumangalam, one of the flourishing lands in the kingdom of Men Mazanadu. Nayanar was a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva. At a young age he achieved the highest spiritual knowledge with his asceticism and strict Yoga Practices. He gained the ultimate wisdom, an unparalleled devotion to Lord is the one and only way to get relieved from all material bondages and freed from cycles of Birth and death. Nayanar’s untainted love towards Lord Shiva swamped in the form of mystic hymns through the flute he was carried all the time. Nayanar found heartfelt joy in playing ‘Panchakshara Mantra’ on his flute and felt the perpetual presence of Lord in his melody.
Anaya Nayanar was a cowherd and lived a simple life. He protected the cattle from the dangers of wild animals and given sincere attention while they are sick. He loved his work and taken good care of the cattle. His passion for flute very often made him to search for fresh bamboo canes in the forest, he artistically made beautiful flute out of it which produces miraculous sounds of music. In one of his songs in Periya Puranam describes the method of crafting a superior flute.
It was the beginning of Monsoon; as usual Anaya Nayanar arrived in the forest with his herds settled in a serene and beautiful place. His appearance was so captivating, beautifully smeared holy ashes on his forehead and all over the body, garlands of Rudraksha on his neck and attractively holding flute between the fingers arrived in a garden full of Barbados( Konrai flower – Lord Shiva also known as Konrai Vendhan). The mere appearance of this flower made Nayanar feel the presence of Lord, he took his flute and started playing in a most enthralling magical voice. The mesmerizing voice of music streamed out through the flute brought a sudden halt to the actions of all the creatures around and encircled him. The divine ambiance brought a blissful state in creature assembled. The wind started blowing gently, cows stopped grazing and started listening to the supreme melody with their ears straightened up, calves stopped consuming milk and peacocks danced around gracefully, Anaya Nayar continued to play his flute and dance in ecstasy.
The most compassionate Lord Shiva – Lord Samavedhishwarar with Goddess Lokanayaki pleased at the authentic rendering of Samaveda blessed Anaya Nayanar with ‘Salvation’.
In the Tamil month Karthikai – Hastham is widely celebrated as Gurupuja day in Thirumangalam to commemorate the above incident.
5,10,11,12,14,19,20,24,25,28,30,32,33,34,36,40,42,46,49,50,51,52,53,55,56,60,61,62 not have an article with this exact name.
6.Arivattaya Nayanar or Thayanar (Tamil: அரிவட்டாய நாயனார்) was the 12th Nayanar, a group of 63 Shaivite saints, venerated as great devotees of the Hindu god Shiva. Nayanars lived before or during the lifetime of Sundaramurthy Nayanar (8th Century).
Primary Source
In the Thiruthondar Thogai (8th Century), a canonical work of Shaivism, Sundaramurthy Nayanar compiled the legendary lives of 62 Nayanars and he himself as the 63th Nayanar. In the Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar (12th Century) compiled the legendary lives of the 63 Nayanars.
Birth and Life
Arivattaya Nayanar was born as Thayanar on a Thiruvadhirai (Adra) star day in the Tamil month Thai in a wealthy Vellalar family in Kannanthangudi, a village located in Thanjavur district. Thayanar was a staunch devotee of Shiva and lived in Kannamangalam village with his wife.
Though Thayanar was the richest man in Kannamangalam, he led a righteous life. He was blessed with fertile farmland and adequate wealth. Thayanar and his chaste wife vowed to spent self-less service to Shiva. The couple made it routine to offer fine variety of cooked rice along with spinach to Shiva as Naivedya (food offering). Thayanar continued his humble and modest life with devotion by serving Shiva and his devotees.
Test of devotion
Shiva wanted to test the devotion and faith of Thayanar and his wife. Thayanar lost his wealth gradually, but his devotion still remained intact.
Once a farm-owner, now Thayanar worked as a daily wage labourer in the fields. Yet he vowed to continue his devotional duties and offered Shiva cooked rice, made out of the grains he earned as wages. He was contended with the poor quality grains those remained for him and lived in poverty with his staunch faith in Shiva. Over a period of time the village was affected severely by drought and famine. Thayanar and his wife struggled to earn a livelihood and starved for days together. Thayanar's wife was never discouraged by the hardships. For the continuance of services to the Lord, the couple sold everything they had.
One day, the couple prepared and packed a basket full of cooked rice, green spinach, mango pickle, milk, curd, buttermilk, butter, ghee and the holy ashes. They proceeded towards Kannanthakudi Shiva temple to offer the food. The aged couple appeared thin and lost their energy due to incessant starvation. Hunger and poverty were taxing them. Thayanar, who carried the food basket lost his control and fell down on the ground. The food fell on the ground and was wasted. Thayanar was much moved and wept terribly. His carelessness was the reason for the loss of food meant for God and he wanted to punish himself for the sin. He took a dagger and thrust it on his neck.
Thayanar felt the presence of some force, preventing his attempt for suicide. When he opened his eyes, Shiva and his consort Parvati appeared before the couple by sitting on their celestial bull vehicle. Shiva appreciated the couple's selfless devotion and faith and declared that they passed their trial of faith. Shiva blessed the couple with Salvation.
Since saint Arivattaya Nayanar was born in the star Thiruvadhirai (Ārdrā) of Tamil month Thai, the saint is being worshipped in Shiva temples on this specific day and is celebrated as Arivattaya Nayanar's day.
7.Chandesha or Canda or Chandeshvara is one of the 63 Nayanmars. Processional bronze images of him generally show him as a boy, with entwined locks of hair, standing with his hands in Añjali Mudrā and with an axe in the crook of his arm. In the Shaiva temples of South India, his shrine is positioned within the first enclosure wall of the temple complex and to the North East of the lingam. He is there typically shown seated, with one leg dangling downwards, a hand on one thigh and an axe clasped in the other. He faces inwards towards the main temple wall. He is depicted as deeply lost in meditation, and devotees snap their fingers or clap their hands to attract his attention. Another explanation, since he is considered to be the guardian of the temple belongings, is that devotees clap their hands to show that they are leaving the temple empty-handed. It is also customary to leave even the sacred ash inside the temple itself.
His original role was probably that of recipient of nirmālya, that is to say of offerings of food and garlands that had originally been offered to Shiva.
Mythology
The South Indian legend, narrated, for instance, in the Periyapuranam, states that he was born into a Brahmin family. When he was a young boy, he found that cows remain uncared for, and hence he himself commenced tendering and caring for the cows. While doing so, he would pour some milk on a lingam, which he made of sand. The news of this wastage of milk reached the ear of his father, Datta; and he himself came to the field to scold his son. Chandesha was deep in meditation in front of the sand lingam, and he did not see his father. The enraged father kicked the sand lingam. At this Chnadesha’s meditation was interrupted, and he struck his father’s leg with a staff. The staff turned into an axe and his father’s leg was severed. At this point, Shiva manifested himself, and blessed Chandesha, declared that he would become a father to Chandesha; and restored the severed leg of Datta to normal state.In some Sanskrit works, however, Chandesha is instead said to be an incarnation of Shiva's anger. Chandesha is now often regarded as an exclusively South Indian figure, but he was once known in North India too, and probably also as far afield as Cambodia.
8.Rajashekhara Varman (Rama Rajashekhara, Cheraman Perumal Nayanar , Parameswara Bhattaraka) was a ruler of the Later Chera dynasty, who is venerated as a Saivate-Nayanar saint in southern India.
As per traditional historians he is the second ruler (820- 844 AD) of the Later Chera dynasty, whereas according to MGS he was the founder of the dynasty (800-844 AD). It was during his reign (in 825 AD) the Malayalam calendar known as Quilon Era commenced.
Rajasekhara Varman is reputed to have issued the Vazhapalli plates- the first epigraphical record of a Chera king to be discovered from Kerala. The inscription makes a specific mention of the Roman produced dinarius coins. His reign was noted for the rise of the Hindu temples to a place of importance in religious and cultural life. The work of the Nayanar led to the establishment of a number of Saiva shrines in Kerala. According toSekkilar, he made a pilgrimage to the major Saivate shrines of South Inda with his friend Sundaramoorthy Nayanar during his later years. The two saints are believed to have died at the city of Thiruvanchikkulam. He was succeeded by Sthanu Ravi Varman.
The Hindu saint Adi Shankara was a contemporary of Rajasekhara Varma. His Sivanandalahari mentions the Chera ruler as Rajasekhara.
Rajasekhara also figures in Madhavacharya's Sankaravijaya.
Dandi Adigal, a blind devotee of Shiva, used to often circumambulate the Shiva temple of Tiruvarur, his birth place in the Chola Kingdom, and was found chanting Shiva Panchakshara mantrawhile worshipping. Hagiographical accounts
Many Jain structures "encroached" upon the premises of the Shiva temple of Tiruvarur, then a prominent Jain settlement. Dandi Adigal decided to rebuild the sacred temple tank, whose western bank was accompanied by Jain houses. As Dandi Adigal was blind, he erected a post were the earth needed to be dug and tied a rope to it. The other end of the rope was also tied to another post erected on the bank. He started digging using spade and collected mud in a basket and walked back to the bank by touching the rope and emptied the basket by throwing the mud away. The Jains were irked by the digging, which they felt would harm the earthy micro organisms and insects, a sin in Jainism. They mocked Dandi Adigal's blindness and in some versions, promised to leave the town if Shiva would restore Dandi Adigal's eyesight. Jains stopped the work by removing the posts and snatching the digging tools.
Dandi Adigal pleaded to Shiva to help. In some versions, Shiva appeared in Dandi Adigal's dream to assure him and then appeared in the Chola King's dream directing him to resolve the affair.In all versions, a miracle happens and Dandi Adigal's eyesight is restored and the Jains become blind in presence of the King. Jains release Tiruvarur after the incident, due to the King's orders or as per their promise or due to the fear of more divine wrath. The renovation of the temple tank was completed by the King.
13. Gananatha Nayanar is the 37th Nayanar. Gananatha means the head of the group of Gaṇas or the attendants of Shiva and live in Kailasa (the soldiers of the Shiva) at the abode of the Omnipresent. This pious Shiva devotee was born in a traditional Brahmin family in Sirkazhi. His love towards Toniappar was overwhelming; his faith was surplus and his devotion towards the services of Toniappar was powerful. He enjoyed in rendering all kinds of services and also engaged himself in discussing with the people about the glory of Toniappar .
People had warm feelings for the selfless devotion shown by the saint and often approached him for advice. He trained many people in Shaivism services. Many people were impressed by the perfect services rendered by the saint and expressed interest in rendering perfect service in the Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi. People engaged themselves in Shaivism duties like plucking flowers, preparation of flower garlands, fetching holy water for consecration, writing hymns, chanting hymns etc., The saint also provided facilities in the temple complex to make the people feel comfortable while rendering selfless service to the god. They believed that service to god is the ultimate worship. Work as Service to God
Gananatha Nayanar was a contemporary with Sambandar (Tirugnaana Sambandar) who also figure in the 63 Nayanars. The saint was also enjoyed the love and blessings of Sambandar. He had taken Sambandar as his Guru and engaged himself in serving him and his devotees.
The saint spent his remaining part of his life by rendering Shaivism services. The selfless devotion and faith shown by the saint pleased Shiva and Parvati and they graced the saint with salvation and made him to lead Shiva Ganas. Since it is believed that Gananatha Nayanar was born on Thiruvathirai star Ardra (nakshatra) of the Tamil month Panguni, the specific day is celebrated as Guru Pooja day in all Shiva temples.
15.Ilayankudi maranar . Maranar was born in the Tamil month of Avani at Ilayankudi of tamil nadu. He was a farmer by caste and profession. Maranar was his name and since he lived in a village called Ilayankudi, he got the name ilayankudi maranar. He is an ardent devotee of lord shiva’s devotees. He took the greatest pleasure in serving them and considered that as Maheswara pooja.
On seeing a devotee of Lord Shiva, with the external marks of Vibhuti (sacred ash) and Rudraksha, he will take them as Lord Shiva himself, he will welcome them, prostrate before them, he will wash their feet (padapooja), after giving them a seat, he will worship them with flowers, Doopa, Deepa, and Naivedya, pleasing them with sweet words, thanking the Lord for this wonderful opportunity, and he will accompany the guest for some distance while sending them away. These constitute the Maheswara Pooja of Marana nayanar. This pooja also included Chariyai i.e. offering food to the Lord’s devotees which had purified his heart and made him a fit receptacle for the grace of God.
Nayanar was blessed with all the wealth of the world. But, he considered that the wealth belonged to the Lord, and it should be utilised only for the benefit of his devotees. Lord Shiva was delighted with His devotee. He wanted to reveal his true greatness to the world.
Years rolled by and Nayanar’s wealth melted away due to his charity. His wealth had left him, but not his virtue. On the contrary, his devotion to the Lord and his devotees grew more and more deep. Nayanar sold all his property and had to sell even himself in order to be able to serve the devotees of the Lord.
One day there was a heavy downpour. Nayanar and his wife were starving for the whole day. No one came forward to help them. Finally, he bolted the door and was about to fall asleep. Just then he heard a knock at the door, and, on opening it, found a sage standing in front of the house, fully drenched with rain. Nayanar at once took the guest inside, dried his body and gave him fresh clothes to wear. He requested the sage to have dinner at his home and told his wife of to prepare some food. But both of the couple know that there was nothing to offer the devotee of the Lord. At that time Nayanar’s wife suggested that he could go into the backyard and collect the grain-seeds that they had just sown that day. Nayanar accepted the idea. Because of the heavy rain, the grains were floating and it was easy for nayanar to collect them in a basket. As soon as he brought the grains, the wife fried and pound them, and with the help of some greens that grew in their own backyard, cooked a nice dinner for the guest.
Nayanar was very happy and thanked the almighty for helping him at this situation.. went to awaken the guest, but he found that the sage had disappeared. At the same time, Nayanar saw in sky, Lord Siva and Mother Parvathy blessing him and his wife. The Lord said that he was immensely pleased with their devotion to his bhaktas and both of them will very soon reach his Abode and live there for ever.
Since ilayankudi maranar was born in Magha nakshatra of Avani, that day is celebrated as his day in all shiva temples.
16.Isaignaniyar is a female poetess who lived in Tirunavalur of Tirumuraipadi. All her ancestors were ardent devotees of Lord Siva and her husband Sadaiya nayanar is too one of the 63 nayanars. She was also devoted to the Lord. Due to their virtuous deeds in their past life, a divine child was born to them. He was no other thanSundaramurthi Nayanar.Narasinga Munaiyar, the king of that region, was attracted by the child’s beauty and wanted to bring it up himself. The king approached the parents and they, without a moment’s hesitation, handed the child over to him. By this action, they showed that they had no attachment at all to anything in this world. Legend
One day the king of pandiya kingdom invited Isaignaniyar for a singing competition. She was very talented and proved her talent over there. But the king made an injustice because his lady love is too a participant. When Isaignaniyar came to know about this she pleaded the lord to save her. The lord by his divine voice announced that isaignaniyar is the winner. The king and his lover felt guilty and begged isaignaniyar to forgive them. Gnaniyar excused them and asked them to prostrate before lord shiva. This blessed Isaignaniyar led the ideal Grihastha (household) life with sadaiya nayanar and finally attained the lord shiva’s grace.
17.Iyarpagai Nayanar was one of the 63 nayanmar's of saivism. He was born in Kaveripoompattinam of chola kingdom. He was born in the month of Markazhi (mid dec to mid jan) and he isVaisya by caste. He considered Shiva Bhaktas as the living manifestations of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva was delighted with His devotee. He wanted to reveal his true greatness to the world. So, the Lord, in the disguise of a sage, with sacred ashes smeared all over his body, came to Nayanar’s house. He welcomed the Sage with great joy, as the very sight of the holy man thrilled the Nayanar. The Sage said that he had heard about his charitable nature and he came hear for a gift. Iyarpagaiar was very happy to hear this and agreed readily. He went inside the house and informed his wife of all that had happened. She was shocked at first, but quickly regained her self-control.
According to Hinduism, to a chaste wife, her husband is God, and whatever he commands is Law and Dharma. She readily agreed to follow the Sage-guest as his wife. Iyarpagaiar came out with his wife and asked the Sage to accept the gift. The Sage feared the rage of the wife’s relatives and asked Iyarpagaiar to accompany them till they were safely out of the village and out of danger. Nayanar agreed to do so and armed himself to protect the Sage. They then proceeded to go.
In the meantime the relatives of nayanar’s wife came to know of the whole story and were furious. The Sage pretended to be scared. Iyarpagaiar was ready to fight them. The relatives tried to convince nayanar of the unrighteousness of the whole thing, and, when they found that they could not, they preferred to die at his hands, than submit to the shame. Iyarpagaiar at once pounced upon them and chopped off their heads. All of them died and nayanar was actually happy because he had succeeded in keeping his vow of worshipping his devotee, preceded further with the Sage and the wife. When they reached the temple of Tiruchaikadu, the Sage asked Iyarpagaiar to leave them and return. Nayanar prostrated to the Sage and turned his steps homeward.
As he had hardly proceeded a few yards on his homeward journey, the Sage again called Nayanar by his name aloud. Thinking that there might have been another attack on the party, Iyarpagaiar hastened to where the Sage was but, to his amazement, found that the sage had disappeared and that his wife was standing alone there. At that time Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathy appeared in the sky and blessed Nayanar and his wife and said that he was immensely pleased with their devotion to his bhaktas and both of them will very soon reach his Abode. At the same time nayanar’s relatives who died at his hands also attained the lotus feet of the Lord.
Since Iyarpagai nayanar was born in Uttara Phalgunī nakshatra of Markhali, that day is celebrated as his day in all shiva temples. NEXT