Nayanmars/Nayanars – an introduction
The Nayanars/Nayanmars were a group of 63 saints (also saint poets) in
the 6th to 8th century who were devoted to the Hindu god
Shiva in Tamil Nadu. They, along with Alwars, influenced the Bhakthi movement
in Tamil Nadu. The collection of hymns by many devotees is called “Panniru
Thirumurai”.
63 Nayanars
image source: google images
These Thirumurais were composed over a number of years by devotees who
lived during different periods and there was no information about any palm
scriptures of the same. Many hyms were sung in temples regularly and hearing
one, King Raja Raja Cholan was ecstatic.
He wanted to find out more about such compositions and also if any
written records were available. He requested Nambi Andar [his minister
&priest] to help him find these who in turn requested the Polla Pillayar of
Thirunaraiyur to let them know the location of these scriptures.
On hearing from Lord Ganapathi that the original palm scripts of the
hymns were kept locked in a chamber in the Chidambaram temple. The King and
Nambi Andar Nambi proceeded to Chidambaram. On opening the chamber, they were
shocked to see that most of the palm leaves were eaten away by white ants and
they could recover only some of it.
Chidambaram Temple
image source: Google images
The list of the Nayanars
was initially compiled by Sundarar (Sundararmurthi). In his poem, Tiruthonda
Thogai, he sings, in eleven verses, the names of the Nayanar saints up to Karaikkal
Ammeiyar, and refers to himself as "the servant of servants". The
list was expanded by Nambiyandar Nambi during his compilation of material by
the poets for the “Thirumurai” collection [1-11], would include Sundarar
himself and Sundarar's parents.
Naalvar- Appar, Sundarar, Manikavasagar, Thirugnanasambandar
image courtesy: google images
Thirumurais 1, 2 and 3 are the verses sung by Thirugnana
Sambandar called Thevaram. It is also called Thirkkadai kaapu.
Thirumurais 4, 5 and 6 are the hymns sung
by Thirunavakarasar (Appar) called Thevaram.
Thirumurai 7 is by Sundaramurthy Nayanar also
called Thevaram. It is also called Thiruppaatu.
Thirumurai 8 is the Thiruvasagam and
Thirukkovaiyar by Manickavasagar.
Thirumurai 9 consists of the verses of
Thiru Maligai Thevar and eight others Senthanar
, Karuvur Thevar , Poonthuruthi
Kaadanambi, Kandaraathithar, Venaatuadigal , Thiruvaaliamudhanaar ,
Purutothama Nambi , Sethirayar and it is
called Thirvisaippa and Thiruppallaandu.
Thirumurai 10 is the Thirumandiram by
Thirumoolar.
Thirumurai 11 by Lord Thiru Aaalavaiudayar (Lord Shiva) himself and eleven others Karaikal
Ammaiyar, Iyadigal Kadavarkon, Seraman Perumal, Nakeerar, Kalladar, Kabilar, Baranar, Ilamperuman Adigal , Athiraavadigal ,
Patinathu adigal. This Thirumurai also includes the hymns sung by Nambi Andar
Nambi who compiled all of the above. This is also called Prabhandam.
Thirumurai 12 is the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar. This was written very much later
compared to the compilation of the first eleven Thirumurais and documents the devotion
and the life of 63 Nayanmars to their Lord.
This was initially called Thiruthondar Puranam and later came to be
called as Periya Puranam and considered as the twelth Thirumurai.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
THIRUCHITRAMBALAM
