Iyarpagai Nayanar
Iyarpagai Nayanar | |
|---|---|
Puhar | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Organization | |
| Philosophy | Shaivism, Bhakti |
| Honors | Nayanar saint, |
Iyarpagai Nayanar, also known as Iyarpagaiar, Iyarpahai Nayanar, Iyarpagaiya Nayanar and Iyarppakai Nayanar is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the third in the list of 63 Nayanars.[1]
Life
The life of Iyarpagai Nayanar is described in the
Iyarpagai Nayanar was born in
Once, Shiva decided to test the married Iyarpagai. The god disguised himself as a Shaiva ,,(sivanadiyar) (member of the priest caste) and arrived at Iyarpagai's home, where he was welcomed by Iyarpagai and his wife. The elderly sivanadiyar said he had come to Iyarpagai, having heard tales of Iyarpagai's generosity. Upon enquiry about what he wanted, the sivanadiyar asked for Iyarpagai's wife to come to his house and look after him and his household tasks. The sivanadiyar said he never married due to a vow of chastity and did not have any children to look after him in his old age. Therefore, he needs someone to look after him as if he was their own father. Although, since the sivanadiyar continued to work as a pujari in his faraway town, for her to serve the sivanadiyar she would have to live there which was very faraway from their hometown and she would not be able to be with her husband.
The merchant told his wife about the request, who was initially appalled, but later consented considering it as the command of her husband. Iyarpagai's wife worshipped the sivanadiyar feet and readied to proceed with the sivanadiyar. The visitor asked another favour of Iyarpagai. He requested the merchant to escort him and the wife to outside the town and protect him against his kin. Iyarpagai took his sword and shield and accompanied his guest and his wife on their journey.[4][5]
Meanwhile, the relatives of the wife and Iyarpagai, were infuriated that she was to become a virtual slave instead of living her life. Armed with various weapons, they caught with the trio in the way and threatened the "lecherous" sivanadiyar. As the sivanadiyar looked at his caregiver frightened, she comforted him, while the merchant warned the kin to flee or face his wrath. Iyarpagai, who was skilled in warfare, charged at the opposing host and massacred his kindred, chanting the Shiva Panchakshara, following onslaughts from all sides. As the trio approached Tiru Chaikadu (presently known as
Remembrance
One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Iyarpagai Nayanar in the Tiruthonda Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints, praising as the one who was munificent.[6] The Tamil poet Gopalakrishna Bharati (1810–1896) has composed a musical play Iyarpagai Nayanar Charitram, which has 21 songs and some verses based on the life of the Nayanar.[7]
Iyarpagai Nayanar is worshipped in the
The Chayavaneswarar Temple dedicated to Shiva in Sayavanam, where Shiva is described to have appeared before Iyarpagai Nayanar, has a special affiliation with the Nayanar. After bathing in Kaveri's mouth at Puhar, devotees worship at this temple. A shrine dedicated to Iyarpagai Nayanar and his wife, exists in the temple. A special five-day temple festival is celebrated around the great Iyarpagai Nayanar's holy day of salvation in Margazhi. In the Tamil months of
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ^ "The Puranam of Yeyar Pakai Nayanar". T N Ramachandran. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ISBN 978-3-447-03524-8.
- ^ Swami Sivananda(1999). Sixty-three Nayanar Saints (4 ed.). Sivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.
- ^ a b c d "Sri Chaya Vaneswarar temple". Dinamalar. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ISBN 978-81-208-0784-6.
- ^ "Iyarpagai Nāyanār Charitram". The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India. Retrieved 21 December 2014.