Viralminda Nayanar travelled to various temples of Shiva and finally
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Once, Sundarar [SundaramurthiNayanar], one of the most celebrated Nayanar saints, came to the shrine and
went straight to the garbhagriha, without bowing to the Adiyaars. This
offended Viralmindar, who not only excommunicated Sundarar from Shaivism, but
also Thyagarajar[Lord Shiva] who insulted the devotees by accepting
Sundarar's worship.
To please Viralmindar, Sundarar composed the Tiruthonda Thogai ("The List of Holy Devotees"), a hymn to Nayanar saints, which is the first compilation of the Nayanmar’s list. The list of Nayanars was organised and rewritten in the Periya Puranam by Sekizhar with addition of Sundarar in the list of the 62 saints of Tiruthonda Thogai.
The Periya Puranam continues
with praising Viralminda Nayanar as the reason for the Nayanars' list and also states
that he received Shiva's grace and reached Kailasa, Shiva's abode after
his death. He was made the leaders of the ganas, attendants of Shiva at
Kailash.
A legend says that after Sundarar
insulted the devotees, Viralminda Nayanar followed Sundarar with his axe. When
Sundarar was just within the grasp of Viralmindar, Thyagarajar[Lord Shiva]
rescued Sundarar by hiding him in the temple wall. A shrine (ottu thiyagarajar sannidhi)
marks the event and spot where Viralmindar is worshipped in the Thyagaraja Temple.
While some accounts narrate that
the composition of Tiruthonda Thogai reconciled the differences
between Viralminda Nayanar and Sundarar, others say that he never forgave
Thyagaraja, Sundarar and the people of Thiruvarur and left Thiruvarur. He vowed
never to enter Thiruvarur.
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Viralmindar was upset with
Thyagaraja for his partiality with Sundarar, despite all his faults. He was
enraged with the god when he heard Thyagarajar gave Sundarar’s vision back. Viralmindar
settled in the village of Vandampalai, outside Thiruvarur. He used to
serve lunch to the devotees every day and would ask for their village name
before serving them. He would kill anyone who came from Thiruvarur with his
axe. Once, Thyagaraja, disguised himself as a devotee and came to Viralmindar's
house. Viralminda's wife welcomed him and asked him his village name. He said
he belonged to Thiruvarur; she immediately warned him about Viralminda's hatred
of Thiruvarur and its people and requested him to lie about his village. The
devotee refused to do so but requested the wife to keep the axe on Viralmindar's
left hand side, instead of the usual right. She also accepted.
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When Viralmindar heard the devotee belonged to Thiruvarur, he reached for his axe, but did not find it in its usual place. The delay helped the devotee escape, but Viralmindar chased him with his axe. The devotee entered the limits of Thiruvarur and Viralmindar unconsciously broke his vow, following him. Viralmindar chopped off his own legs as penance. Thyagaraja revealed his divine form as Shiva and blessed Viralmindar for his devotion. This in turn led to a peaceful agreement between Viralmindar, Thyagaraja and Sundarar. The Shiva temple in Vandampalai was built in memory of the event.
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here...
Viralminda Nayanar is worshipped on
Thiruvathirai, the Purnima (full moon day) of the Tamil month of Chithirai. He
is depicted wearing a crown, with folded hands and holding an axe (parashu) in
the crook of his arm. He receives collective worship as part of the 63
Nayanars. Their statues and images of 63 Nayamars are found in many Shiva
temples in Tamil Nadu. The statues of nayanmars are taken out in procession during
festivals with great galore.
தென்னாடுடைய சிவனே போற்றி!
எந்நாட்டவர்க்கும் இறைவா போற்றி!
நற்றவா உன்னை நான் மறக்கினும், சொல்லும் நா நமச்சிவாயவே.
Even if I were to forget you, my
tongue would always utter your name, Namashivaaya.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
THIRUCHITRAMBALAM
Have a great day and keep reading…
until then I am signing off...
