Thirunavukkarasar

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Thirunavukkarasar (Tamil: திருநாவுக்கரசர்), literally "Lord of Speech" , also spelt as Tirunavukarasar, and popularly known as Appar, meaning father-figure, or a high one in Tamil is a Shaivite saint who lived in Tamil Nadu. He is one of the 63 saints known as Nayanmars. He is treated as one among the four most prominent or leading Nayanmars and referred as 'kuravar' (குரவர்), which means a leader or Guru. He lived in the 7th century and composed and sang several devotional songs, dedicated to Shiva. He is known to have travelled to about 125 temples in different cities or villages in Tamil Nadu and singing in each place mystical songs set to melodic patterns known as Pann (equivalent to Raga). Around 3066 of his songs are available today^[1]. His songs are compiled, along with the songs of two other saints, in a work called Tevaram, which means Sacred songs. A junior contemperory of Thirunavukkarasar is saint Thirugnana Sambanthar and together they are known to have visited many temples singing melodic songs set to Pann (Raga).

[edit] The legend

The legend states that in his early adulthood, he converted from Shaivism to Jainism, and then back to Shaivism. As a Jain, he became the highest guru of Jains and assumed the name of Dharmaseelar. Many believe that the reason for the final conversion, is that he had become afflicted with a serious illness, and his prayers to Shiva, as advised by his sister, resulted in Shiva curing him of the illness. But this is incorrect. As he sings in his song "Koorainavaru Pugagalir Kodumai Pala Saidana Naan Ariyen," which means "why is it that I am suffering so much in this life when I have not done any harm." Shaivism believes in life-after-birth and the Karma theory while Jainism does not. Therefore, we know that since he suffered from this terrible stomach ache and he says himself that he has not done any bad karma in this life, he starts believing in the Karma theory and therefore Shaivism.

This conversion was not taken lightly by the-then establishment, controlled by the Jains. The Pallava king, Mahendravarman I, was also a Jain. Appar was called to the court of the king. Having been warned to reconsider and rescind his conversion, Appar did not change. He was tortured in the most inhuman manner but he comes out singing:

Mãsil veenaiyum, mãlai madiyamum, veesu thendralum veengila venilum, Moosu vandarai poigayum pondrade, Eesan endan inaiyadi Nizhahle

"The shadow of my Lord's feet is like the sweet sounds of the Veena, the pleasant touch of the Southern breeze, the coolness of a pure stream, and the vibrance of spring."

This engrossed the King to whom he continued to sing the devotional songs dedicated to Shiva and explained the basic tenets of Shaivism through his hymns. Ultimately the king himself was converted to Shaivism.

[edit] His image

Thirunavukkarasar’s image and iconography shows him as completed shaven head, and his palms are shown joined in Anjalimudra. A weed is shown on his shoulder. The weed is said to symbolize his determination to remove all grass and weeds from the vicinity of temples. He followed the older practice of "Uzhavaara Padai" which means "in the service of the Lord." He performed many services to the poor throughout Tamizhagam before he reached the feet of The Lord.

[edit] Reference

1. ^ Thirunavukkaruc cuvaamikal theevaara (thalamurai) (திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் தேவாரம் (தலமுறை)), Thirupanandaal madam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 612 404, 1995

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola