Life Sundarar

family of sundarar (l->r): sadaya nayanar (father), isaignaniyar (mother), paravai nachiyar (wife), sundarar, sangili nachiyar (wife), narasinga muniyaraiyar (foster-father).

sundarar unique among nayanars in both of parents recognised nayanars. born adi saiva, temple priest brahmin group.his original name nambi aroorar. ruler of local kingdom (thirumunaipadi-nadu), narasingamunaiarayar chieftain, adopted him , brought own son, attracted beauty of child saw playing in street. sundarar contemporary of great pallava emperor rajasimha nayanmar saint , author of many devotional hymns works in tamil. temple inscription in tiruvarur says sundarar s father sadayan nayanmar saint belonged gotram or lineage of sage bharadwaja , mother isaignani nayanmar saint belonged gotram or lineage of sage gautama. epigraphs, inferred sanskrit hagiography on sundarar namely sva swami mitra prabhandam translated travelogues of became friend of lord not available.

legend states while sundarar being married, service interrupted old ascetic asked sundarar servant, making namesake claim sundarar s grandfather pledged him according ancient palm leaf manuscript in possession. sundarar , assembled @ wedding outraged , called old man madman (piththaan: tamil). court of vedic scholars concluded palm leaf legally valid. crestfallen, sundarar resigned himself servitude in old man s household and, following him thiruvennainallur village, led thiruvarutturai shiva temple.

the old man said shiva (lord thiagaraja) himself, told him: document shown name sake reason , wanted sundarar reminded of actual form alalasundarar servitor in lord s kailasam, had born in earth both due moments of worldly thoughts overcame him due fact southern tamil region had done great thavam during kali age need blessed account of lives of great nayanmars called tiru thondar thokai.you henceforth known vanthondan, argumentative devotee. did not call me mad man short while ago? begin hymn addressing me o mad man! . lord sivan had advised vanthondar while on earth sing of in words of tamil .

sunadarar (left) paravayar (paravai nachiyar).

subsequently, sundarar moved around tamil nadu, visiting several shiva temples of tamil nadu. in tiruvarur, in thanjavur district, fell in love girl named paravayar, of rudra kanyakayar caste of female ascetics, , married her. sundarar held in such high regard contemporary nayanmar saints viranmindar, kalikamanar etc. offered royal treatment rich servitors. 1 nayanmar saint namely kotpuliyar velalala, praised superb services offers sundarar hand of daughter saint politely declines , instantly picks girl , puts in lap , dedicates hymn siva in end of says considers girl equivalent daughter. same treatment accorded saint yet girl namely singati. in many hymns, sundarar makes declaration of love filled, gracious patronage children accorded.

in thiruvottriyur, sea-side suburb of madras, prayed @ padampakkanathar/thyagarajar/vadivudaiamman temple, saw farmer s girl, sangiliyar, preparing flower garlands , married her, promising never leave.

sundarar famous declaring in many hymns 1 reality of lord sivan apprehended selfless, dispassionate , attachment free service him. declares beings created equal lord.

at tirupunkoor near thillai chidambaram famous saivite temple, region devoid of rains long time. local chola prince requested sundarar address problem, thereupon saint put wail justice saying 12 of land given temple if rains service , upon completing song lord sivan rains lashed incessantly. after many such days, sundarar summoned prince again fix problem of heavy rains. sundarar once again insisted 12 more acres given temple should rains cease after song. same happened , temple became richer 24 acres more.

at avinashi ancient saiva pilgrim centre near present-day coimbatore sundarar prayed lord sivan give life eight-year-old boy had died untimely many years ago. on hearing hymn lord sivan bestowed grace , boy swallowed crocodile instantly returned same crocodile.

the legend states @ tiruvarur recited names of sixty-three future nayanars: recitation called tiruttondar-tokai. in it, refers himself servant of servants of these saints. fame reached ears of cheraman perumal, came tiruvarur. both embarked on pilgrimage. sundarar became tired of life , taken heaven white elephant. king followed him on horse. sundarar prayed shiva take cheraman peruman along him heaven, readily accepted. occurred in swathi nakshatra in tamil month of aadi .