Anaya Nayanar | |
|---|---|
 Anaya Nayanar (centre), depicted playing the flute | |
| Personal | |
| Born | Sometime before 8th century |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Philosophy | Shaivism, Bhakti |
| Honors | Nayanar saint, |
Anaya Nayanar, also known as Anaya and Anayar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu Shaivite sect. Anaya is considered to be the 14th of the 63 Nayanars. His playing of the Panchakshara (five-syllable mantra) on his flute so pleased the god, Shiva, that he took Anaya away to the eternal world. [1]
The life of Anayar is described in the Thirutthondar Puranam ( Periya Puranam) by Sekkizhar, which is documents the Histories of the 63 Nayanmar. [1] Anaya is described as a cowherd (ஆயர் or Aayar). Anayar was born and lived his life in Tirumangalam (Thirumangalam), currently in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. In Anayar's times, Tirumangalam was part of the Kingdom of Mazhanadu (modern-dat Tiruchirappalli district). Tirumangalam is a place of pilgrimage, famous for its Samavedeshvarar Temple, dedicated to Supreme Lord Shiva. Aanaayar used to tend cows. He used to take the cows for grazing in the pastures outside of the town. He used to protect the cattle from disease and beasts of prey. Anayar used to smear Sacred Ash (நீறு) on His body. In the meadows, He used to play the Panchakshara (Five-Letter) Mantra of Supreme Lord Shiva on his flute. Music was his way of worshipping Lord Shiva. A verse from Periya Puranam tells about He crafted a flute from bamboo, following rules in the scriptures. [1] [2]
One day at the onset of the monsoon, Anayar started playing the Holy 5 Letter Word on His flute under the Konrai tree, which is sacred to LORD Shiva, in a garden of blossoming konrai trees. The Periya Puranam devotes several verses to describe the natural beauty of the location. The mellifluous sounds allured all animals. The cows stopped grazing, the calves stopped drinking milk and the birds stopped chirping and listened enthralled. The peacocks danced in joy, while bulls and other wild animals bowed down in bliss. Mortal foes like the snake and the peacock, the lion and the elephant and the tiger and the deer gathered together. The wind stopped blowing, the river calmed down and the waves slowed down to listen to the Divine Music. The Sages of the forest gathered. The celestial beings like Devas (gods), Kinnaras and Vidyadharas descended from heaven. Ultimately, Supreme Lord Shiva appeared with HIS Consort, Goddess Uma, pleased by the melody and blessed Anayar. LORD Shiva took Anayar with HIM to His Eternal Abode Kailasa. [1] [2]
Anaya Nayanar is depicted very similar to the iconography of Venugopala, a form of Krishna, who is also described as a cowherd. Like Venugopala, he is depicted playing the venu (flute), in a relaxed posture with one leg crossed casually in front of the other. This often leads to confusion in identification of sculptures between Venugopala and Anaya Nayanar. [3]
One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) mentions Anaya Nayanar (called Anayan of Mankai here) in hymn to various Nayanar saints. [4]
Anaya Nayanar is specially worshipped in the Tamil month of KArthikai, when the moon enters the Hasta nakshatra (lunar mansion). He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals. [1]
Manakanchara Nayanar, also known as Manakkanychaara Nayanar, Manakkancharar, Manakanjara Nayanar, Mankkanjara Nayanar and Manakkanjarar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the twelfth in the list of 63 Nayanars. Like other Nayanars, he was a fervent devotee of the god Shiva. Manakanchara Nayanar is dated to the 8th century and was a contemporary of Eyarkon Kalikkama Nayanar, a Nayanar saint and his son-in-law as well as Sundarar. He is described to have cut his daughter's hair and given it to Shiva disguised as a Shaiva ascetic, on her wedding day.
Kotpuli, also known as Kotpuliyar and Kotpuli Nayanar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-seventh in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Dandi Adigal Nayanar or Dandiyadigal Nayanar is the 31st Nayanar saint. Traditional hagiographies like Periya Puranam and Thiruthondar Thogai describe him as a great devotee of the Hindu god Shiva.
Muruga Nayanar or Muruka Nayanar is the 15th Nayanar saint. Traditional hagiographies like Periya Puranam and Thiruthondar Thogai describe him as a great devotee of the Hindu god Shiva. He is described to have lived an ascetic life, filled with austerity and selfless devotion to Shiva, spending his time in collecting flowers from woodlands and decorating the Shiva Lingam with garlands and coronets.
Apputhi Adigal, also spelt as Apputhi Adikal, Atputhi Adigal, Apputi Adigal, Appoodi Adikal, Appoothi Adikal and Appudhi Adigal and known as Appuddi Nayanar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the twenty-fifth in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is described as a contemporary of Appar or Thirunavukkarasar, one of the most prominent Nayanars.
Yenathinathar, also known as Yenatinata, Yenathi Nayanar, Yenadhinatha, Yenadinath, Yenadinatha Nayanar and Yenadhinatha Nayanar, was a Nayanar saint hailing from ezhakula Channar clan, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the ninth in the list of 63 Nayanars. In 1901, P.Sv. Perumal Nadar formed Srimath Yenathinadha Nayanar Thirumadalayam at Aruppukottai
Sakkiya Nayanar was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Shaiva sect of Hinduism. He is generally counted as the thirty-fourth in the list of 63 Nayanars. He was a Buddhist, who converted to Shaivism.
Satti Nayanar, also known as Satti (Sathi), Sathiyar, Shakti Nayanar, Shakti, Shaktiyar (Saktiyar), Sattiyandar and Thiru-Saththi Nayanar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the 45th in the list of 63 Nayanars. Satti Nayanar is described to cut off the tongue of whoever talked ill of his patron god Shiva or Shiva's devotees.
Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar, also known as Kungiliya Kalaya, Kalayar, Kunguliya and Kalaya Nayanar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the eleventh in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Murthi Nayanar, also spelt as Murthy Nayanar, Moorthy Nayanar and Murti Nayanar and also known as Murtti, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifteenth in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Somasi Mara Nayanar, also known as Somasi Maranar, Somasi Marar, Somasimarar and Somasira Nayanar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the thirty-third in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is also called Marar, Maran and Mara Nayanar, names he shares with Ilayankudi Mara Nayanar. The two Nayanars are generally differentiated by the prefixes "Somasi" and "Ilayankudi". He was a contemporary and devotee of Sundarar.
Eyarkon Kalikkama Nayanar, also known as Kalikkamanar, Kalikamba Nayanar, was a King of Haihaya (Eyar), Commander-in-chief of the Chola army, a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the 29th in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Eripatha Nayanar, also known as Eripathar, Eripatar, Eribattar, Eripattan', Eripaththa Nayanar and Eripattha Nayanar, is Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the eighth in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Pugal Chola, also known as Pukal Chola, Pukazhchozha Nayanar, Pugazh, Pukazhcchozhar, Pukal Cholan and Pugal Chola Nayanar, is described as a Chola ruler and was a Nayanar saint, venerated in Shaivism, one of the main sects of Hindu. He is generally counted as the eighth in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Sirappuli Nayanar, also known as Sirappuli, Sirapuli Nayanar, Sirappuliyar (Chirappuliyar), was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the thirty-fifth in the list of 63 Nayanars. Sirappuli Nayanar is described to have served the devotees of the god Shiva and worshipped the god with various ritual practices.
Seruthunai Nayanar, also known as Seruthunai, Seruthunaiyar and Seruttunai Nayanar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the 55th in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Amaraneedi Nayanar, also known as Amarneethi (Nayanar), Amarneeti (Nayanar), Amarniti (Nayanar), Amar-Nidhi (Nayanar) and Amarneethiyar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the seventh in the list of 63 Nayanars.
Nesa Nayanar, also known as Sivanesa Nayanar, Neca Nayanar, Nesanar, Nesar and Nesan (Necan), was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-ninth in the list of 63 Nayanars. Nesa Nayanar is described to be a weaver, who was always engrossed in remembering his patron god Shiva and gifting clothes he knit to devotees of the deity.
Kutruva Nayanar, also known as Kootruva , Kutruva, Kutruvar, Kootruvar, Kurruva Nayanar, Kurruvar, Kurruvan, Kutruvanar, Kurrrruvar, Kalappallan and Kalappalar, was a chieftain of Kalandai and a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the 39th in the list of 63 Nayanars. Kutruva is often described as a Jain, who became a devotee of Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism.
Iyarpagai Nayanar, also known as Iyarpagaiar, Iyarpahai Nayanar, Iyarpagaiya Nayanar and Iyarppakai Nayanar is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the third in the list of 63 Nayanars.