Amaraneedi Nayanar

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Amaraneedi Nayanar
Personal
Born
Amaranidhi Chetti

9th Century CE
Pazhayarai
ReligionHinduism
Organization
PhilosophyShaivism, Bhakti
HonorsNayanar saint,

Amaraneedi Nayanar, also known as Amarneethi (Nayanar), Amarneeti (Nayanar), Amarniti (Nayanar), Amar-Nidhi (Nayanar) and Amarneethiyar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the seventh in the list of 63 Nayanars.[1]

Life

The life of Amaraneedi Nayanar is described in the

Sekkizhar (twelfth century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.[1][2]

Amaraneedi Nayanar was born in

Kowpeenam (loin-cloth) to Shaiva ascetics. Once, the merchant visited the Kalyanasundaresar Temple of Nallur (Tirunallur) dedicated to Shiva, to attend the temple festival. He worshipped at the Shiva temple and stayed at Nallur for a few days. One day, Shiva came to Amaraneedi's house disguised as a Brahmin Brahmachari (a celibate member of the priest caste). The young Brahmachari had matted hair and wore only a Kowpeenam. He was adored with the Tripundra (Shaiva marks on the forehead) and carried a staff with two Kowpeenams on it. The Brahmachari told Amaraneedi that he had come having heard of the merchant's generosity. Amaraneedi asked him for a chance to serve him, the Brahmachari lad consented and kept one of his dried Kowpeenams in the merchant's custody and left for a bath.[3][4]

An ascetic wearing the Kowpeenam. Amarneedi is described to donate Kowpeenams to ascetics.

While Amaraneedi kept the Kowpeenam in a safe place, Shiva caused it to be mysteriously disappear. When the Brahmachari returned, he asked for his dried Kowpeenam for a change of dress as his other Kowpeenam on his staff was drenched in the rain. Amaraneedi could not find the Kowpeenam where he left it and searched the house in vain. The dejected Amaraneedi returned with his wife and kin and another Kowpeenam. He apologised and prostrated before the Brahmachari and offered a Kowpeenam of a superior quality. The enraged Brahmachari refused to accept it and after much persuasion, demanded a Kowpeenam equal in weight of the lost Kowpeenam.[3][4]

In a weighing scale, the Brahmachari placed his wet Kowpeenam from the staff in a pan and Amaraneedi placed his Kowpeenam in the other pan. As the Brahmachari's Kowpeenam was weightier, he started putting all the Kowpeenams he had. Then he added silken and cotton garments, but the Kowpeenam pan did not rise from the ground. Finally, Amaraneedi started to add all his wealth, including gold, silver and jewels, in the other pan. After Amaraneedi realized all his wealth could not match the weight of Kowpeenam, he asked the Brahmachari if he, his wife and child can ascend the pan. On consent of the Brahmachari, he circumbulated the pan and implored Shiva that his devotion and service was true, the pans should become equal in weight. He recited the

Kailash, Shiva's abode.[3][4]

Besides the Periya Puranam, the tale is told in the temple lore of the Kalyanasundaresar Temple. Kalyanasundaresar, the presiding form of Shiva, is said to have tested Amaraneedi Nayanar in the guise of the Brahmachari boy.[5]

The tale of Amaraneedi (called Iruvadandari in the account) is also recalled in the thirteenth-century

Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha in brief and with some variation. Shiva is said to have come disguised as a devotee and given his blanket and loin-cloth for safe keeping. At the end, only Iruvadandari ascended the pan and was made a pramatha, an attendant of Shiva.[6]

Remembrance

The images of the Nayanars are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu.

One of the most prominent Nayanars, Appar (Tirunavukkarasar, 7th century) dedicates a hymn to Amaraneedi Nayanar, recalling his tale while praising the temple of Nallur.[3] Another famed Nayanar, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Amaraneedi Nayanar in the Tiruthonda Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints. He is described as adorning a soft jasmine garland.[3]

Amaraneedi Nayanar is worshipped in the

Anjali mudra). He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.[1]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6
    .
  2. ^ "The Puranam Of Amar-Niti Nayanar". T N Ramachandran. Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-81-208-0784-6
    .
  4. ^
    Swami Sivananda
    (1999). Sixty-three Nayanar Saints (4 ed.). Sivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.
  5. ISBN 978-81-206-0151-2
    .
  6. ISBN 978-1-4008-6090-6
    .

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amaraneedi_Nayanar&oldid=1199491666"