Sundarar



Sundaramurti Nayanar (Tamil சுந்தரர்)(8th C.C.E.), more usually known as Cuntarar, was one of the most prominent among the Nayanars, the Shaiva bhakti (devotional) poets of Tamil Nadu. The Periya Puranam, which collects the legends of the Nayanars, starts and ends with him. The hymns of seventh volume of the Tirumurai, the twelve-volume compendium of the poetry of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, were composed by him.

Life

Cuntarar is unique among the Nayanars in that both of his parents are also recognised as Nayanars. He was born Nambi Arurar to a brahmin couple, Sadayanar and Isaignani, in the village of Tirunavalur. The ruler of the local kingdom (Thirumunaipadi-Nadu), Narasingamunaiarayar, adopted him and brought up as his own son, attracted by the beauty of the child he saw playing in the street.

The legend states that while the Cuntarar was being married, the service was interrupted by an old ascetic who asked for Cuntarar as his servant and follower. Speaking as Shiva, the figure told him: "you will be known as Vanthondarm the argumentative devotee. Did you not call me a mad man just a short while ago? Begin your hymn addressing me 'O mad man!'".

Subsequently, Cuntarar moved around Tamil Nadu, visiting several temples. In Tiruvarur, in the Thanjavur district, he fell in love with a girl named Paravayar, of the Rudra Kanyakayar caste of female ascetics, and married her. In Thiruvottriyur, a sea-side suburb of Madras, he prayed at the Padampakkanathar/Thyagarajar/Vadivudaiamman Temple, where he saw a farmer's girl, Sangiliyar, who was preparing flower garlands and married her, promising never to leave. It is said that his only purpose in incarnating was his desire for these two, that Shiva intervened to pacify Paravayar's jealousy and also that he was temporarily struck blind when he broke his promise never to leave Sangiliyar. The poet himself mentions his two children; Vanapakai and Cinkati.

The legend states that at Tiruvarur he recited the names of all sixty-three future Nayanars: this recitation is called Tiruttondar-Tokai. His fame reached the ears of Cheraman Perumal, the king of Kerala, who came to Tiruvarur. Both embarked on a pilgrimage. But Cuntarar became tired of life and was taken up to heaven by a white elephant. The king followed him on his horse. This occurred in "Swathi Nakshtra" in the Tamil month of "Aadi".

References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
• Songs of the harsh devotee by David Dean Shulman
• The religion and philosophy of thevaram by M.A. Dorai Swamy
• Development of Religion in South India by K. A. Nilakanta Sastri
• [1] Songs of Sundararmoorthy Swamigal
• [2] Life of Sundaramoorthy Swamigal