Thiru 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 is situated.
Image source: Google images
Kungiliya
Nayanar was a Brahmin and a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. His wife was also equally devoted to Lord and
they lived a righteous life. He carries
a pot of sambrani/incense [Kungiliyam – is the gum from the kungiliyam tree
which is a natural incence] – a substance burned for pleasant fragrance with
him. He made it a regular practice to
keep burning incense for its fragrance before lord Shiva and treated it as a
service. He served the devotees of Lord
with great passion. 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 nothing remained, still he continued his sincere service to Lord.
Image source: Google images
One
day, seeing the unending poverty at home Kungiliya Kalayar’s wife handed Kalayar
with her Mangalya Sutra/Maangalyam (A sacred chain worn by married woman) which
was only thing left with her. Kungiliya
Kalayar without any hesitation went to the market to sell the sacred chain of
his wife, in order to get some rice, vegetables 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 totally 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 sacks
of sambrani/kungiliyam. He marched
towards the temple and started to burn the kungiliyam in front of lord Shiva.
Image source: Google images
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 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 Kungiliya Kalayar to return home and have an
elaborate meal with his family. Kungiliya
Kalayar was not aware of the hours he had spent 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 honour. He
continued his divine service to Lord with the enormous wealth. He firmly believed that the wealth belongs to
almighty Shiva and it should be utilized only to 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 Lingam made a sharp bend for Thadaka so that she
could decorate the Lingam with the flower garlands. Many of the villagers tried to straighten up
the Lingam 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 Lingam; he gently
pulled out and straightened the curve of the Lingam. Everyone was amazed at the devotion of
Kungiliya Kalayar and deities showered flowers upon him. Kungiliya Kalayar continued his divine
service to Lord and finally attained the Abode of Lord Shiva.
Birthplace: Thirukadavoor/Thirukadaiyur
Star: Aavani Moolam
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
THIRUCHITRAMBALAM
