INTRODUCTION
Nedurama Pandiyan also called as Koon Pandiyan due to his hunch back was the Pandiyan king who ruled Madurai in the 7th century. He had converted from Shaivism to Jainism due to the influence of Jain monks in his region but then again re-converted into Shaivism through the guidance of Sambandar. After he got cured by Sambandar he was called as Sundara Pandiyan (“Handsome Pandiyan King”) and Nintra Seer Nedumara Pandiyan, since he was relieved from his hunch back.
During the 7th century, Jainism flourished throughout South India. Koon Pandiyan had embraced Jainism but his wife, Mangaiyarkkarasiyar and his minister Kulachirai Nayanar remained as Shaivites. When the king suffered from hunch back and severe health related problems his wife and his minister were invited the Great Shaivite saint Sambandar to Madurai. Sambandar is said to have relieved him from his several health related problems. After getting relieved from the health problems, the king immediately embraced Shaivism and his people also converted to Shaivism. Sekkizhar praises the glory of the nayanars Koon Pandiyan, Kulachirai and Mangaiyarkkarasiyarand all the three of them attained SALVATION and reached Mount Kailash after their death.
Let us worship the great nayanar saint and be blessed.
“OM SREE NEDUMARA NAYANARE NAMAHA”
“OM SREE SUNDARARE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
WRITTEN BY R.HARISHANKAR
