Sundara R
Sundara R
Sundara R
org/wiki/Sundarar
Sundarar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sundarar (Tamil Cundarar), also known affectionately as Tampiran Tan (Comrade of the Master,
meaning Shiva)[1] was an eighth-century poet who was one of the most prominent Nayanars, the Shaiva Sundarar
bhakti (devotional) poets of Tamil Nadu. He was a contemporary of Cheraman Perumal and Kotpuli Nayanar
who also figure in the 63 Nayanmars.[2][3] The songs of praise are called Thiruthondathogai and is the original
nucleus around which the Periyapuranam is based.[4] The Periya Puranam, which collects the legends of the
Nayanars, starts and ends with him. The hymns of seventh volume of the Tirumurai, the twelve-volume
compendium of the poetry of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta, were composed by him.
Contents
1 Life
2 Compilation
3 In temple worship services
4 List of temples revered by Sundarar
5 Notes
6 References
7 Further reading
8 External links
Life
Sundarar is unique among the Nayanars in that both of his parents are also recognised as Nayanars. He was
Religion Hinduism
born into an adi saiva, temple priest Brahmin group.His original name was Nambi aroorar. The ruler of the
local kingdom (Thirumunaipadi-Nadu), Narasingamunaiarayar a chieftain, adopted him and brought up as his Philosophy Shaivism, bhakti
own son, attracted by the beauty of the child he saw playing in the street. Sundarar was a contemporary of Personal
great Pallava emperor Rajasimha who was also a nayanmar saint and also author of many devotional hymn
works in tamil. A temple inscription in tiruvarur says that sundarar's father sadayan also a nayanmar saint Born Tirunavalur
belonged to the gotram or lineage of sage Bharadwaja and his mother isaignani also a nayanmar saint Literary works Thevaram
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belonged to the gotram or lineage of sage gautama. From epigraphs it is also inferred that a Sanskrit Honors Nayanar
hagiography on sundarar namely sva swami mitra prabhandam translated as travelogues of he who became
friend of lord is now not available.
Legend states that while Sundarar was being married, the service was interrupted by an old ascetic who asked for
Sundarar as his servant, making a name sake claim that Sundarar's "grandfather pledged him" according to an ancient
palm leaf manuscript in his possession. Sundarar and those assembled at the wedding were outraged and called the old
man a madman (piththaan: Tamil). But a court of Vedic scholars concluded that the palm leaf was legally valid.
Crestfallen, Sundarar resigned himself to servitude in the old man's household and, following him to Thiruvennainallur Family of Sundarar (l->r): Sadaya
village, was led to the Thiruvarutturai Shiva temple. Nayanar (father), Isaignaniyar (mother),
Paravai Nachiyar (wife), Sundarar,
The old man was said to be Shiva (Lord Thiagaraja) himself, who told him: " That the document shown was only a name Sangili Nachiyar (wife), Narasinga
sake reason and he wanted sundarar to be reminded of his actual form as alalasundarar a servitor in lord's kailasam, who Muniyaraiyar (foster-father).
had to be born in earth both due to moments of worldly thoughts that overcame him as well as due to the fact that the
southern tamil region that had done great thavam during kali age need be blessed with an account on lives of great
nayanmars called tiru thondar thokai.You will henceforth be known as Vanthondan, the argumentative devotee. Did you not call me a mad man just a short while
ago? Begin your hymn addressing me 'O mad man!'".[5] Lord sivan had also advised vanthondar to" while on earth sing of us in words of Tamil".
Subsequently, Sundarar moved around Tamil Nadu, visiting several Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu. In Tiruvarur, in the Thanjavur district, he fell in love with a
girl named Paravayar, of the Rudra Kanyakayar caste of female ascetics, and married her. Sundarar was held in such a high regard by his contemporary
nayanmar saints like viranmindar, kalikamanar etc. that he was offered royal treatment by those rich servitors. One another nayanmar saint namely kotpuliyar a
velalala, praised for some superb services also offers sundarar hand of his daughter but the saint politely declines and instantly picks up the girl and puts in his
lap and dedicates a hymn to siva in the end of which he says that he considers the girl equivalent to his daughter. The same treatment is accorded by the saint to
yet another girl namely singati. In many hymns sundarar makes this declaration of love filled,gracious patronage to the children that he accorded.
In Thiruvottriyur, a sea-side suburb of Madras, he prayed at the Padampakkanathar/Thyagarajar/Vadivudaiamman Temple, where he saw a farmer's girl,
Sangiliyar, who was preparing flower garlands and married her, promising never to leave.[5]
Sundarar is also famous for declaring in many hymns that one reality of lord sivan is apprehended by selfless, dispassionate and attachment free service to him.
He also declares that all beings are created equal by lord.
At tirupunkoor near thillai chidambaram a famous saivite temple, the region was devoid of rains for a long time. A local chola prince requested sundarar to
address the problem, thereupon the saint put up a wail for justice saying that 12 of land be given to the temple if it rains by his service and upon completing the
song to lord sivan rains lashed incessantly. After many such days sundarar was summoned by the prince again to fix the problem of heavy rains. sundarar once
again insisted that 12 more acres be given to the temple should the rains cease after his song. The same happened and the temple became richer by 24 acres
more.
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At avinashi an ancient saiva pilgrim centre near present-day coimbatore sundarar prayed to lord sivan to give back life to
an eight-year-old boy who had died untimely many years ago. On hearing his hymn lord sivan bestowed his grace and
the boy who was swallowed by a crocodile was instantly returned by the same crocodile.
The legend states that at Tiruvarur he recited the names of all sixty-three future Nayanars: this recitation is called
Tiruttondar-Tokai. In it, he refers to himself as the servant of servants of these saints.[4] His fame reached the ears of the
Cheraman Perumal, who came to Tiruvarur. Both embarked on a pilgrimage. But Sundarar became tired of life and was
taken up to heaven by a white elephant. The king followed him on his horse. This occurred in "Swathi Nakshtra" in the
Tamil month of "Aadi".
Compilation
Raja Raja Chola I (985-1013 CE) embarked on a mission to recover the hymns after hearing short excerpts of Tevaram
in his court.[6] He sought the help of Nambi Andar Nambi, who was a priest in a temple.[7] It is believed that by divine
intervention Nambi found the presence of scripts, in the form of cadijam leaves half eaten by white ants in a chamber
inside the second precinct in Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram.[6][7] The brahmanas (Dikshitars) in the temple are
supposed to have disagreed with the king by saying that the works were too divine, but Rajaraja is said to have Sunadarar (left) with Paravayar (Paravai
prevailed.[6][8] Rajaraja thus became to be known as Tirumurai Kanda Cholan meaning one who saved the Tirumurai.[8] Nachiyar).
Thus far Shiva temples only had images of god forms, but after the advent of Rajaraja, the images of the Nayanar saints
were also placed inside the temple.[8] Nambi arranged the hymns of three saint poets Campantar, Appar and
Sundarar as the first seven books, Manickavasagar's Tirukovayar and Tiruvacakam as the 8th book, the 28 hymns of Tirumurai
nine other saints as the 9th book, the Tirumandiram of Tirumular as the 10th book, 40 hymns by 12 other poets as
the 10th book, Tirutotanar Tiruvanthathi - the sacred anthathi of the labours of the 63 nayanar saints and added his The twelve volumes of Tamil aiva
[9]
own hymns as the 11th book. The first seven books were later called as Tevaram, and the whole Saiva canon, to hymns of the sixty-three Nayanars
which was added, as the 12th book, Sekkizhar's Periya Puranam (1135 CE) is wholly known as Tirumurai, the holy Parts Name Author
book. Thus Saiva literature which covers about 600 years of religious, philosophical and literary development.[9] 1,2,3 Tirukadaikkappu Sambandar
The earlier pallava dantivarman and kampavarman inscription informs about the singing of tirumurai in temples to 4,5,6 Tevaram Tirunavukkarasar
the sounding of udukkai(small drum) and talam(cymbals). 7 Tirupaatu Sundarar
Tiruvacakam &
In 1921, an English translation of Sundarar's hymns was done by Francis Kingsbury and GE Phillips, both of 8 Manikkavacakar
Tirukkovaiyar
United Theological College, Bangalore (Edited by Fred Goodwill) and published in a book as Hymns of the Tamil
aivite Saints, by the Oxford University Press.[10] Tiruvisaippa &
9 Various
Tiruppallaandu
In temple worship services 10 Tirumandhiram Tirumular
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Tirumurai was one of the sole reasons for converting Vedic ritual to Agamic puja followed in Shiva temples.[11] 11 Various
Though these two systems are overlapping, Agamic tradition ensures the perpetuation of the Vedic religion's
12 Periya Puranam Sekkizhar
emphasis on the efficacy of ritual as per Davis.[11] Odhuvars, Sthanikars, or Kattalaiyars offer musical programmes
in Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu by singing Tevaram after the daily rituals.[12] These are usually carried out as Paadal Petra Sthalam
chorus programme soon after the divine offering. There are records from Kulothunga Chola III from Nallanyanar Paadal Petra Sthalam
temple in South Arcot indicating singing of Tiruvempavai and Tiruvalam of Manickavasagar during special Raja Raja Chola I
occasion in the temple.[8] From the 13th century, the texts were passed on to the Odhuvars by the Adheenams or Nambiyandar Nambi
charitable establishments. The charitable establishments that ran on philanthropy of individuals and merchant
caravans had come to be because after the 13th century, the time of ancient nation states viz. cholas etc. was
finished and the temples became only denominated, voluntary, charitable places. This is briefed by a 15th-century, chidambaram temple inscription.During the
time of cholas etc. the temple hymn service workers were known as uvacchar and marars. These terms are of very ancient origin and traceable to even early
sangam times.
Periya Puranam, the 11th-century Tamil book on the Nayanars that forms the last volume of the Tirumurai primarily had references only to Tevaram and
subsequently expanded to 12 parts and is one of the first anthologies of Tirumurai.[13] One of the first anthologies of moovars hymns called the Tevara
Arulmuraitirattu is linked to Tamil Saiva siddhantha philosophy by grouping ninety-nine verses into 10 categories.[13] The category headings are God, soul,
bond, grace, divine intiation, methodology, enlightenment, bliss, mantra and liberation - correspond to Umapthi's work, Tiruvarutpayan.[14] Tirumurai kanda
puranam is another anthology for Tirumurai as a whole, but primarily focuses on Tevaram. It is the first of the works to refer the collection of volumes as
Tirumurai.[14]
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Thiruanegathangavatham Kanchipuram 11
Thirupoovanam Thirupoovanam 8
Thirunatuthogai Thirunatuthogai 11
Thiruthuraiyur Thiruthuraiyur 11
Thirupachilasiramam Thirupachilasiramam 12
Thirunatiyathangudi Thirunatiyathangudi 10
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Thirumazhamannipadikarai Thirumazhamannipadikarai 10
Thirukazhipalai Thirukazhipalai 10
Thirumuthukundram Thirumuthukundram 21
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Thirukarugavoor Thirukarugavoor 10
Thirukarupariyaloor Thirukarupariyaloor 11
Thiruidaiyatruthogai Thiruidaiyatruthogai 10
Thirukodikuzhagar Kodikkarai 10
Thiruthondathogai Thiruthondathogai 11
Thirukanatumullur Thirukanatumullur 11
Thirukachoor Thirukachoor 10
VenjamakoodalThiruvenjamakoodal Thiruvenjamakoodal 10
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Muthupathugangai Muthupathugangai 10
Thiruamathur Thiruamathur 11
Oorthogai Oorthogai 10
Thirupandikodumudi Thirupandikodumudi 10
Thiruvalangadu Thirvalangadu 10
Thiruneedur Thiruneedur 11
Thiruvazhkolliputhur Thiruvazhkolliputhur 13
Thirukazhumalam Thirukazhumalam 10
Thiruvegambam Thiruvegambam 11
Thirukolakka Thirukolakka 10
Thiruthinainagar Thiruthinainagar 10
Thiruvalivalam Thiruvalivalam 11
Thiruvalampuram Thiruvalampuram 11
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Thiruthuruthi Thiruthuruthi 5
Thiruvelvikudi Thiruvelvikudi 5
Thiruparupatham Thiruparupatham 10
Thiruketheeswaram Thiruketheeswaram 10
Thiruchuzial 10
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Thirukanapper 10
Thiruparthaanpanankattur 10
Thiruvenpakkam 11
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Thirunanipalli 10
Thirunodithan Malai
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Notes
1. Studies in history: Volume 10; Volume 5; Volume 10; Volume 5. 11. Cort 1998, p. 176
Jawaharlal Nehru University. 12. Ghose 1996, p. 239
2. Origin and early history of aivism in South India, page 179 13. Prentiss 1992, p. 140
3. The guru tradition: voice of the guru, page 225 14. Prentiss 1992, p. 144
4. Ten saints of India, page 35 15. "A comprehensive description of the 275 Shivastalams glorified by the
5. A short introduction to Saivism, page 223" Tevaram hymns" (http://www.templenet.com/Tamilnadu/shivlist.html).
6. Culter 1987, p. 50 templenet.com. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
7. Cort 1998, p. 178 16. International review for the history of religions, Volumes 15-17.
8. Vasudevan 2003, pp. 109-110 International Association for the History of Religions, CatchWord
9. Zvelebil 1974, p. 191 (Online service)
10. Kingsbury, F (1921). Hymns of the Tamil Saivite Saints (1921) 17. Prentiss 1992, pp. 51-52
(http://www.ibiblio.org/guruguha/MusicResearchLibrary/Books-English
/BkE-KingsburyF&PhillipsGE-Hymns-of-Tamil-Saivite-Saints-
1921-0103.pdf) (PDF). Oxford University Press. pp. 3568. Retrieved
8 July 2014.
References
Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1993). South Indian ei=6Zz_TpLoIo6Etge_y6zQBg& Bhargava, Gopal K.; Shankarlal C. Bhatt
shrines: illustrated (https://books.google.com ved=0CEUQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage& (2006). Land and people of Indian states and
/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&pg=PA22& q=tevaram&f=false). Asian Educational union territories. 25. Tamil Nadu
dq=tevaram&hl=en&sa=X& Services. ISBN 81-206-0151-3. (https://books.google.com
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/books?id=wyCoMKZmRBoC&pg=PA467& Cutler, Norman (1987). Songs of experience: Prentiss, Karen Pechilis; Karen Pechilis
dq=thevaram&hl=en&sa=X& the poetics of Tamil devotion (1999), The embodiment of bhakti, New
ei=cnz2Tt3rHpO5twfhzbzPBg& (https://books.google.com York: Oxford University Press,
ved=0CFkQ6AEwBg#v=onepage& /books?id=veSItWingx8C&pg=PA4& ISBN 0-19-512813-3.
q&f=false). Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. dq=tevaram&hl=en&sa=X&ei=gfX8Tq- Vasudevan, Geetha (2003), The royal temple
ISBN 81-7835-381-4. SJo_1gAfEydSuAg& of Rajaraja: an instrument of imperial Cola
Callewaert, Winand M.; Rupert Snell (1994). ved=0CEoQ6AEwAw#v=onepage& power (https://books.google.com
According to tradition: hagiographical q=tevaram&f=false). USA: Library of /books?id=O1b1N_Dx0jsC&pg=RA1-
writing in India (https://books.google.com Congress Cataloging-in-Publication-Data. PA109&dq=tevaram&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sy3-
/books?id=GrMwdEqHLzEC&pg=PA194& ISBN 0-253-35334-3. TsnyCIy5twfq64TQDQ&
dq=tevaram&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sy3- Eliot, Charles. Hinduism and Buddhism, Vol ved=0CFsQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&
TsnyCIy5twfq64TQDQ& II. (of 3) (https://books.google.com q=tevaram&f=false), New Delhi: Abhinav
ved=0CGYQ6AEwCA#v=onepage& /books?id=K4ZpPleiyokC&pg=PA171& Publications, ISBN 81-7017-383-3
q=tevaram&f=false). Otto Harrasowitz. dq=tirumurai+criticism&hl=en&sa=X& Zvelebil, Kamil (1974). A History of Indian
ISBN 978-3-447-03524-8. ei=pYUAT6rvJYKgtwe5zpDQBg& literature Vol.10 (Tamil Literature)
Coward, Harold G. (1987). Modern Indian ved=0CFsQ6AEwBg#v=onepage& (https://books.google.com
responses to religious pluralism. New York: q=tirumurai&f=false). Middlesex: Eco /books?id=OQ33i496MsIC&pg=PA130&
State University of New York. p. 151. Library. ISBN 978-1-4068-6296-6. dq=five+epics+of+tamil+literature&hl=en&
ISBN 0-88706-571-6. Harman, William P. (1992), The sacred ei=nZLmTrmaIsmXtwf1kaWfAg&sa=X&
Cort, John E. (1998). Open boundaries: Jain marriage of a Hindu goddess, Delhi: Indiana oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&
communities and culture in Indian history University Press, ISBN 978-1-59884-655-3. ved=0CEEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&
(https://books.google.com Khanna, Meenakshi (2007). Cultural History q=five%20epics%20of%20tamil%20literatur
/books?id=WWfnXbVWjKcC&pg=PA178& of Medieval India (https://books.google.com e&f=false). Otto Harrasowitz.
dq=tevaram&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sy3- /books?id=ZbKv3zyIFD8C&pg=PA66& ISBN 3-447-01582-9.
TsnyCIy5twfq64TQDQ& dq=tevaram&hl=en&sa=X&
ved=0CGAQ6AEwBw#v=onepage& ei=MrP7TtuiHsq2twedoK3QBg&
q&f=false). Albany: State University of New ved=0CEIQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&
York Press. ISBN 0-7914-3786-8. q=tevaram&f=false). Delhi: Social Science
Press. ISBN 978-81-87358-30-5.
Further reading
Swamigal, Sundaramurthi. "tEvAram of http://projectmadurai.org. Retrieved Swamigal, Sundaramurthi. "tEvAram of
cuntaramUrti cuvAmikaL tirumuRai 7, part 1 2011-12-13. External link in |publisher= cuntaramUrti cuvAmikaL tirumuRai 7, part 2
Poems (1-517)" (http://projectmadurai.org (help) Poems (518-1026)"
/pm_etexts/pdf/pm0207.pdf) (PDF). (http://projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts
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Sundarar - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundarar
/pdf/pm0211.pdf) (PDF). The religion and philosophy of thevaram by A short introduction to Saivism By Subodh
http://projectmadurai.org. Retrieved M.A. Dorai Swamy Kapoor
2011-12-13. External link in |publisher= Development of Religion in South India by Songs of Sundararmoorthy Swamigal
(help) K. A. Nilakanta Sastri (http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1
Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN Arupathu Moovar Kadhaigal by Durgadas S. /songview.php?thiru=7&
0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola K. Swamy (Prema Pirasuram publishers) Song_idField=7001&padhi=001)
Songs of the harsh devotee by David Dean Origin and early history of aivism in South Life of Sundaramoorthy Swamigal
Shulman India By Sadananda (Swami.) (http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1
Ten saints of India By T. M. P. Mahadevan /nayanmar_view.php?nayan_idField=3)
External links
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