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Tirumurai
The twelve volumes of Tamil Shaivite hymns of the sixty-three Nayanars
1, 2, 3. Tirukadaikkappu Campantar
4, 5, 6. Tevaram Appar
7. Tirupaatu Cuntarar
8. Tiruvacakam and Tirukkovaiyar Manikkavacakar
9. Tiruvisaippa & Tiruppallaandu Various poets
10. Tirumandhiram Tirumular
11. Prabandham Various poets
12. Periya Puranam Sekkizhar

Manikkavacakar (மாணிக்கவாசகர்){literally words like jewels, was a Tamil poet who wrote Tiruvacakam, a book of Shaiva hymns. Manikkavasagar was one of the Nayanar poets of the Hinud bhakti revival: his work forms one volume of the Tirumurai, the key religious text of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta. A minister to the Pandya king Varagunavarman II (c. 862 C.E. – 885 C.E.), he lived in Madurai. His work is a poetic expression of the joy of God-experience, the anguish of being separated from God.

Early life and Revelation

Manikkavasagar is said to have been born in Vadhavoora, seven miles from Madurai on the banks of river Vaigai.1

According to legend the king entrusted him with a large amount of money to purchase horses. On his way he met an ascetic devotee of Siva, who in fact was Siva himself. Manikkavasagar was given enlightenment, realised material things are transitory and built the temple of Siva in Tirupperunturai with the money.2

Thereafter Manikkavachakar moved from one place to other, singing and composing devotional songs. Finally, he settled in Chidambaram. His Tiruvacakam is placed near the image of Shiva there.

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.madurai.com/pittu.htm
  2. ^ http://www.nandhi.com/manickavasagar.htm

References
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