Seruthunai Nayanar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | c. 8-9th century CE |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Philosophy | Shaivism, Bhakti |
| Honors | Nayanar saint, |
Seruthunai Nayanar, also known as Seruthunai (also spelt as Ceruttunai, Cheruthunai and Seruttunai), 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. [1]
The life of Seruthunai Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars. [1] [2] The Periya Puranam narrates his tale twice, once in the chapter dedicated to him and again in the tale of the Pallava king Kazharsinga, who is also considered as a Nayanar saint. Kazharsinga is dated between 8-9th century depending on identification with historical Pallava kings.
Seruthunai Nayanar was born in Thanjavur, Marukal Nadu which was then part of the Pallava kingdom ruled by Kazharsinga. Thanjavur is now in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Seruthunai was a Vellalar, a caste of agricultural land owners. He was a devout devotee of Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism. He journeyed to Thiruvarur and worshipped at the shrine of Araneri, dedicated to Shiva. This temple is identified as the Sri Achaleswarar (Vandarkuzhali) temple, which is located in the Thyagaraja Temple complex. He volunteered to perform various services in the temple. [3]
Once, the reigning king Kazharsinga and his queen consort arrived to pay respects to Shiva. She arrived in the temple hall (mandapa) where various flowers were gathered to use as floral offerings to Shiva as well as create garlands for him. A flower had fallen from the dais where the garlands were made. The queen picked the flower and smelt it. In Hinduism, it is taboo to use or smell flowers meant for God, before they are offered to him. Seruthunai Nayanar was enraged by the conduct of the Pallava queen. Ignoring her royal status, he dragged her by her hair and pushed her on the ground. He caught her nose and punished her by severing it. For fearless actions, he is said to have attained the abode of Shiva after death. The chapter of Kazharsinga gives further details about the event. The queen screamed in pain. The infuriated Kazharsinga rushed to her and asked who had dared to assault his queen and challenge his authority. Seruthunai Nayanar took responsibility and explained the rationale of his actions. Kazharsinga deemed the punishment inadequate and chopped off the hand of the queen, by which she had lifted the flower. [3]
One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Seruthunai Nayanar in the Tiruthonda Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints and praising him as king of Thanjavur. [4]
Seruthunai Nayanar is worshipped in the Tamil month of Avani, when the moon enters the Pushya nakshatra (lunar mansion). He is depicted with folded hands (see Anjali mudra). 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]
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.
Pusalar is an eighth-century Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifth-eighth in the list of 63 Nayanars. His hagiography speaks how he created a grand temple for Shiva in his mind and how his patron god Shiva preferred attending the consecration of his mind temple, instead of a grand temple created by a Pallava king.
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.
Vayilar, also known as Vayilan, Vayila Nayanar, Vayilar Nayanar and Vayilar of Mayilai, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-first in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is said to worshipped the god Shiva, his patron, by his Mind and built a grand temple for him in his mind.
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 crypto-Hindu posing as a Buddhist, practicing Shaivam in secrecy. He was reported to have worshipped Lord Shiva, his patron god, by hurling stones at his iconography.
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.
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Viralminda Nayanar, also known as Viranmindar (Viranmintar), Viranmintan and Viranminda Nayanar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the sixth in the list of 63 Nayanars. He was a contemporary of Sundarar. He along with Cheraman Perumal Nayanar are the two Nayanars from Kerala. Viralminda Nayanar is described in legends as the reason Sundarar composed a hymn to the Nayanar saints, which became the first compilation of the list.
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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 the Hindu sect of Shaivism. 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.
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.
Pugazh Thunai Nayanar, also known as Pugazhthunai Nayanar, Pugalthunai Nayanar, Pukazhtthunai Nayanar, Pukazhtthunaiyar and Pukalttunai, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-sixth in the list of 63 Nayanars.
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