INTRODUCTION
Sundarar was an 8th century famous Shaivite Saint and is also one among the 63 Nayanmars. The Periya Puranam,tells the importance of the Nayanmars and praises the glory of Sundarar and his relation with Lord Shiva. He also contributed a major portion in the divine tamil text Tirumurai and was widely praised by the shaivites. His birth name was Nambi Aroorar.He was born in Thirunavalur into a Shaivite Priest family. He was adopted by the king Narasingamunaiarayar, and brought him up as his own son.
Sundarar’s father, Sadayanand his mother Isaignani were also nayanmars. While Sundarar was about to get married in Arulmigu Sokkantheeshwarar Temple at Puthur, Lord Shiva came in the form of an old man and asked him to sing songs on him. Sundarar began his first poem by addressing Shiva as “Pithaapiraichudi… Perumane”. The meaning for the song is as follows:
“Lord Shiva is called by me fondly as a mad man, who was wearing the moon on his head, controlling the entire universe and always occupying in my mind and in the minds of several millions of his devotees. Let me always think about Lord Shiva and sing in praise of him.”
Sundarar visited several holy shiva temples of Tamilnadu . In Tiruvarur, he married a pious and noble lady Paravayar. In Thiruvottriyur, at the Vadivudaiamman Temple, he met a farmer’s girl, Sangiliyar and married her also.
Sundarar is very famous for singing beautiful songs on lord Shiva and he also declares that all the living beings are equal before god, and we must give respect to each other.
At Avinashi, near Coimbatore, Sundarar prayed to lord shivaand restored the life of a dead boy who was swallowed by a crocodile.
He also taught the principles of Shaivism to his followers in a simplified manner.
Once, Sundarar took King CheramanPeruman along with him to MOUNT KAILASH.
IMPORTANCE
Sundarar in his previous birth was one of the divine attendants of Lord Shiva with the name “ALALA SUNDARAR”. Since his attention was diverted by seeing MATA Parvati’s female attendants, he was made to be born as a human being in the earth, to serve Lord Shiva for some time and finally reached KAILASA, the divine abode of Lord Shiva.
He was also considered to be a friend and a devotee of Lord Shiva and was very close to Lord Shiva while he was serving him in KAILASA. He was a fond devotee of Lord Shiva, who blessed and safe guarded him in many circumstances, and given him SALVATION at the end of his life.
Let us praise the great “SUNDARAR” and be blessed.
“OM SREE ALALA SUNDARARE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
“OM PARVATHI DEVIYE NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY R.HARISHANKAR