Satti Nayanar

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Satti Nayanar (Shatti Nayanar, Chaththi 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. [1] Satti Nayanar is described to cut off the tongue of whoever talked ill of his patron god Shiva or Shiva's devotees.

Contents

Life

The life of Satti Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars. [1] Satti Nayanar was a Vellalar, a caste of agricultural land owners. [2] Satti Nayanar belonged to Varinjiyur, presently in Tiruvarur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Little is known about this Nayanar. He was a devotee of the god Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism and honoured Shaivas, the devotees of Shiva. He did not tolerate any one who spoke ill about Shaivas and cut off the person's tongue. He is said to forcibly pull out the tongues of the "blasphemous sinners" with tongs and cut them off with sharp knife called satti, which gave him his name - Satti Nayanar. Shiva is said to blessed him for his service. [3] [4]

Some Kannada and Sanskrit inscriptions state that Satti Nayanar (sometimes called Shaktinatha) had taken a vow to slay all non-Shaivas, not only those who slandered Shaivas. However, no tradition actually records him killing any individual. [5] Though the blasphemers are not explicitly identified in the narrative, they are interpreted to be Jains or Buddhists. [6] Satti Nayanar may sometimes be depicted severing the tongue of a Jain monk. In folk tradition, he is called Kalacittia. [7]

Assessment

According to Swami Sivananda, the narrative of Satti Nayanar besides exalting the Nayanar saint, also touches upon the topic of blasphemy. The tale teaches that one should not speak ill of, revile or disparage holy men and devotees of God. The narrative emphasizes that not only talking ill of devotees is a sin, but also hearing to such profanity is harmful. Sivananda does not advocate the violent means of the Nayanar, but suggests that one should exit the place immediately, avoiding listening to the blasphemy. [3]

Dr. D. Dennis Hudson, Emeritus Professor of World Religions at Smith College identified twenty-four Nayanars, including Satti Nayanar, displaying "violent and fanatical devotion" and contrasts it with the "saintly devotion" in the Bhagavad Gita . [8] These acts denote the "unusual and paradigmatic" love of the Nayanars for Shiva. The absolute nature of these acts, that go beyond the boundaries of convention and custom, makes them praiseworthy. Satti Nayanar's violence is justified by the maxim: "the sins of the devotees of the Lord are virtues whereas even the good actions performed by those without love are vices." [8] [9] The Nayanar is also excused since the narrative blames the victim to be the instigator of the attack, by his actions. [10]

Remembrance

The images of the Nayanars are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Sri Kokarneshvarar Temple in Tirukokarnam.JPG
The images of the Nayanars are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu.

Satti Nayanar may be depicted cutting a person's tongue with a sickle or knife. A stone panel in the Airavatesvara Temple, the 12th-century Shiva temple in Darasuram built by the Chola king Rajaraja Chola II depicts him doing so with a sickle. [11] A shrine in his honour is built in his home town of Varinjiyur. [4]

Satti Nayanar is specially worshipped in the Tamil month of Aippasi, when the moon crossed into the Pushya 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]

Related Research Articles

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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

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Yenathinathar, also known as Yenatinata, Yenathi Nayanar, Yenadhinatha, Yenadinath, Yenadinatha Nayanar and Yenadhinatha Nayanar, was a Nayanar saint hailing from Eezha clan, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the ninth in the list of 63 Nayanars.

Idangazhi (Idangali), also known as Idangazhi Nayanar, Idangaliyar (Idankaliyar) was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-fourth in the list of 63 Nayanars. He was an Irukku Velir chieftain, who is described to not only have pardoned a devotee of the god Shiva, who stole from the royal granaries, but also distributed rice to devotees of Shiva.

Kalikamba Nayanar, known as Kalikkamba, Kalikamba, Kalikambar, Kaliyamba, Kalikkambar, Kalikkampa(r), Kali Kambanar, Kalikkampa Nayanar and Kaliyamba Nayanar(u), is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the forty-third in the list of 63 Nayanars. His hagiography speaks about how he cut the hand of his wife, who did not help in serving a Shaiva, devotee of the god Shiva.

Murthi Nayanar

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.

Murkha Nayanar

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Nami Nandi Adigal

Nami Nandi Adigal, also spelt as Naminandi adigal, Naminandi adikal and Naminanti Atikal, and also known as Naminandi and Naminandhi, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the 27th in the list of 63 Nayanars.

Isaignaniyar

Isaignaniyar, also spelt as Isainaniyar, Isaignaniyaar, Isaignaniar and Isaijnaniyar and also known as Isai-jnani Ammaiyar, is the mother of Sundarar, one of the most prominent Nayanar saints. She is herself regarded as a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism, along with her husband Sadaiya Nayanar. She is generally counted as the last in the list of 63 Nayanars.

Sadaiya Nayanar

Sadaiya Nayanar - 7th century, also known as Sadaya Nayanar, Sadaiyan (Cataiyan), Sadaiyanar (Cataiyanar) is the father of Sundarar, one of the most prominent Nayanar saints. He is himself regarded as a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism, along with his wife Isaignaniyar. He is generally counted as the sixty-second in the list of 63 Nayanars, Isaignaniyar being the last Nayanar. Sundarar is the only Nayanar with both his parents enlisted as Nayanars. The inclusion of Sadaiya Nayanar, streams solely on the basis on his association with Sundarar, rather than individual merit.

Eyarkon Kalikkama Nayanar, also known as Eyarkon Kalikama Nayanar, Kalikkama Nayanar, Kalikamba Nayanar, Kalikkamar, Kalikamar, Kalikkambar, Yeyarkon Kalikkamar and Eyarkon Kalikkamar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the twenty-ninth in the list of 63 Nayanars.

Eripatha Nayanar

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

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 the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the eighth in the list of 63 Nayanars.

Sirappuli Nayanar

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.

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

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.

Munaiyaduvar

Munaiyaduvar, also known as Manai Aduvar Nayanar, Munaiyaduvar Nayanar, Munayaduvar, Munayaduvaar, Munaiyaduvaar and Munaiyatuvar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the 52nd in the list of 63 Nayanars. Munaiyaduvar is described as a mercenary soldier, who would fight for the weak and vanished and use the fees received in service of his patron deity Shiva and the god's devotees.

Ilayankudi Maranar, also known Ilaiyangudi Nayanar, Ilaiyankuti Nayanar, Ilayangudi Mara Nayanar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fourth in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is also called Marar, Maran and Mara Nayanar, names he shares with Somasi Mara Nayanar. The two Nayanars are generally differentiated by the prefixes "Ilayankudi" and "Somasi".

Iyarpagai Nayanar

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Roshen Dalal (2011). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 281. ISBN   978-0-14-341421-6.
  2. ↑ Vidya Dehejia (1988). Slaves of the Lord: The Path of the Tamil Saints. Munshiram Manoharlal. p. 155. ISBN   978-81-215-0044-9.
  3. 1 2 Swami Sivananda (1999). Sixty-three Nayanar Saints (4 ed.). Sivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.
  4. 1 2 T N Ramachandran. "The Puranam of Satthi Nayanar" . Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. ↑ Mor̲appākkam Appācāmi Turai Araṅkacāmi (1990). The Religion and Philosophy of Tēvāram: With Special Reference to Nampi Ārūrar (Sundarar). University of Madras. p. 1034.
  6. ↑ Keith E. Yandell Keith E. Yandell; John J. Paul (2013). Religion and Public Culture: Encounters and Identities in Modern South India. Taylor & Francis. p. 248. ISBN   978-1-136-81808-0.
  7. ↑ Te. Po Mīn̲āṭcicuntaran̲ār (1976). Tamil: A Bird's-eye View. Makkal Nalvaal̲vu Manr̲am. p. 70.
  8. 1 2 Hiltebeitel, Alf (21 September 1989). "Violent and fanatical devotion among the Nayanars: A Study in the Periya Puranam of Cekkilar". Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees: Essays on the Guardians of Popular Hinduism. SUNY Press. pp. 373–7, 400. ISBN   978-0-88706-982-6.
  9. ↑ Andrew O. Fort; Patricia Y. Mumme (1 January 1996). Living Liberation in Hindu Thought. SUNY Press. p. 236. ISBN   978-0-7914-2705-7.
  10. ↑ C. Shackle; Rupert Snell (1992). The Indian Narrative: Perspectives and Patterns. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 107. ISBN   978-3-447-03241-4.
  11. ↑ S. R. Balasubrahmanyam; B. Natarajan; Balasubrahmanyan Ramachandran (1979). Later Chola Temples: Kulottunga I to Rajendra III (A.D. 1070-1280). Mudgala Trust. p. 239.
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