Greatness of our holy Motherland India that is Bharath has blessed us
With great Saints and Seers in all religions for the people to live in
Perfect peace and harmony! One such great Saint is Iharpakai Nayanar
Whose birth day is today! We bow to him with respect and revarance!
The life of Iyarpagai Nayanar is described Tamil Periya Puranam Sekkizhar of twelfth century
A hagiography of the Sixty Three Nayanars.] His name “Iyarpagai” means “Contrary to Nature”,
As the Nayanar’s excessively philanthropic ways were against the worldly ways of Nature.
Born in Kaveri-poompattinam, where the river Kaveri joins the ocean. This ancient capital of Chola kingdom And port is now Puhar, Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu. Iyarpagai Nayanar of the Vaishya (merchant) Caste. A staunch devotee of Lord Shiva, he served Shiva and his devotees. A wealthy merchant, he built Reputation that he never refused to anything a devotee of Shiva would ask for.
Once, Shiva decided to test the married Iyarpagai. disguised himself as a Shaiva devotee and arrived at Iyarpagai’s home, where he was welcomed by Iyarpagai and his wife. The elderly devotee said he had come to Iyarpagai, having heard tales of Iyarpagai’s generosity. when asked what he wanted, the sivanadiyar asked for Iyarpagai’s wife to come to his house and look after him and his household tasks. he 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, continued to work as a pujari in his faraway town, for her to serve, she would have to live there which was very faraway from their hometown And she would not be able to be with 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.]
Infuriated relatives of the wife and Iyarpagai,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. was skilled in warfare, charged At the opposing host and massacred his kindred, chanting the Shiva Panchakshara. As the trio approached Tiru Chaikadu the sivanadiyar told Iyarpagai Nayanar to return. The Nayanar prostrated before the Sivanadiyar and left. Suddenly, he heard the sivanadiyar cried of help and rushed back to check any one had Attacked the sivanadiyar again. When Iyarpagai reached the spot, the sivanadiyar had disappeared and his Wife stood alone. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before the couple. The Nayanar bowed in reverence; Shiva praised the Nayanar’s devotion as took the couple to Kailash, his divine abode.
The relatives killed by the Nayanar attained heaven. Great Nayanar is IYARPAGAI indeed!
Envius Thoughts 