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Home > Devotees > 63 Nayanmar Stories
kuNgiliyak kalaya nAyanAr
The land where the river kAvEri gently washes the
entire land with the canals taking her deep into the fields is the
town kadavUr. The tall coconut trees fanning the Lord like
chAmaram who is served the feast on a banana leaf by the
plantains, the fishes in the field curling and entertaining, the land is
prosperous in production and worship. With the vedic rituals happening all
around, even the rain would be smelt to have the odor of the ghee in the
ritual fire.
In that town came in the tradition of people who think with kindness
about all creatures, was the devotee kalayar. Reinforced by a high
degree of discipline, n^AyanAr led the life for saluting the Spear-handed
Lord who stood striking down the fast coming death for the surrendered
young sage. For the Lord who is described as the sweet odored by the vEdas,
he used to put the fragrant smoke of kuN^giliam(Benzoin) and stand
worshiping the Lord with his heart sublimating in that love. His wealth was
spent off fully in that service, still he did not think of a pause.
With nothing left for even food and the relatives and family in
discomfort, n^AyanAr's companion in his charity - his wife gave her
thAli(ma.ngaLa sUtraM - important ornament for married
women) and asked him to get rice grains for food. When he was proceeding to
bring some rice by selling that necklace, on his way came a merchant who
sells the kuN^giliyam. The devotee with the sacred thread was
delighted to see the kuN^giliyam. He thought he was blessed to do
the great service by the God bearing ga.nga that day too, what
else to buy. He got that sack of kuN^giliyam in exchange for that
necklace and with great devotion did not even stop before reaching Its
abode. With the nectar of love filled full in his heart he burnt them for
the Lord sitting as the nectar pot.
While the devotee was in the temple, on the Almighty's command the dEva
of wealth kubEran, placed huge wealth in the devotees place. While
the family was sleeping in hunger, the Lord on Holy Bull indicated to
n^AyanAr's wife the grace. She woke up to see that sweet surprise with the
entire house had become rich in wealth. She praising the feet of God of
suffering people, started making delicious food for her beloved husband.
Meanwhile the Lord conveyed to the n^AyanAr to go and have the milk rice
and end his hunger. Unable to refute His grace he saluted and went home. He
saw that his house was completely changed with heaps of material decorating
it. With raised brows, he enquired his wife. She told the mercy of Lord
shiva. Worshiping the Holy feet of the Lord which never leave the one who
surrendered in lurch, they had the feast with the devotees of the Lord. He
continued the fragrant service.
That time when he was serving the Lord of thirukkadavUr, the
king who wanted to see the Lord of thiruppanan^dhAL standing
straight, who bent the head of His shivali.ngaM for helping a dEva
virgin by name thAdakai to worship Him. The king tried with his
elephants, soldiers and all force, they all became tired but the Lord did
not stand straight. n^AyanAr appreciating the motive of the king to see Him
upright, went to the green land thiruppanan^dhAL saluting many
abodes of the Lord with axe in His reddish hand. Wanting to be one in the
lot who did the effort, n^AyanAR who had the distinguishable great love for
the God, tied the Lord with a floral garland and tied that with a rope on
his neck. He pulled, not to test or show his power, but to participate in
the service; not having big physical force, but with an admirable force of
love for the Master. How can the Lord who can not be impressed by force,
neglect his selfless love. He stood straight blessing the ripe love of the
n^AyanAr directed towards Him. The floral rain drowned the place. The king
fell down under his feet praising the devotion. The king left after
doing many services to the Lord of mountain bow. n^AyanAr returned to
kadavUr after somedays worshiping the Dancing feet.
Some time later when the master of thiruththANDakam
appar(1) and the prodigy thirunyAnachampan^dhar(2) came
on their pilgrimage to kadavUr, n^AyanAr hosted them and the
accompanying devotees with enchanting hospitality and got their blessings
and the grace of Lord of greats. He did various services to the
mR^ityuJNjaya and resided in the comfort under His fragrant feet.
Let the soft, sweet, directed and determined devotion of kuN^giliyak kalya
n^AyanAr stay in the mind.

gurupUjai : AvaNi mUlam
See also:
1. thirun^Avukkarachu n^AyanAr(appar)
2. thirunyAnachampan^dha n^AyanAr
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