Devotees of Lord shiva are called Saivaites. Among saivaites those who spent their life in the service of the Lord are called "Sivan Adiyargal", meaning servants to Shiva. The blessed/enlightened ones are known as Nayanmars and there are 63 in number. We shall read about each one of them in this blog. These Shaivaites belong to different communities and are both men and women. Out of all, one of them is said to be on sitting posture, and it is "karaikal ammaiyar". This nayanmar was revered highly and was given this postures. This is because of the devotional service rendered by her. She was also called as "mother" by the Lord himself.

Samaya[m] Kuravargal [Samayam (religion/faith/belief/path), kuravargal - who spread the faith]: Before we start reading about 'Nayanmars', it becomes important to know about 'Samayakuravargal'. There are 4 in number, namely, 'Gnanasambandar', 'Appar', 'Sundarar', and 'Manickavasagar'. The contribution of these four saivaites are immorable and unmeasurable. They spread the 'Saivisam' and glories of the Lord all over India. They re-established the 'Saivisam' and the truth.

Thiru Navukarasar:

Thiru [meaning Respected or Sir] Navu [meaning tongue, precisely speech] arasar [meaning king]. It's a Tamil [which is a language in one of the South Indian States] word. This means, whose speech can pull people, to which God would listen.

Who is Thirunavukkarasar?

Wageshwar, was a saint who used to meditate on Lord Siva. Once he was passing by the abode of the Lord. He saw a 10 headed demon screaming in agony as his hand got struck while he was trying to lift the abode of the Lord. He wanted to Move the Huge Mountain to his place, Lanka [ Sri Lanka ] where he had his kingdom. Since it was the abode of the Lord Shiva/Siva, [ the Kailasapathi ] who pressed HIS toe and hammered the Lanka Pathi [Lord of Lanka] on that spot, which made him scream for help. Wageshwar noticed this, and took pity on him. He advised him to sing in praise of the Lord. Lanka Pathi, who's a master in singing, took his advice and plucked one of his heads and broke one of his 10 arms, and made a musical instrument, and sang for 1000 years. Lord, with mercy, appeared before him and blessed him with boons. The scream with agony brought him the name, 'Ravana'. He was blessed by the Lord with benedictions. Ravana was blessed with a Sword as boon, which feared his enemies and kept them away from him.

This Wageshwar happens to be Thirunavukarasar in his next birth. The word, Wageshwar meaning the same. [Wakku - Word, Eshwar - Saviour/Lord]

Important Events in his life: Thiru-navuk-arasu, at his early age, assumed the faith of Jainism. He learned all the facts of that faith and was considered as 'Guru' of that path. Those day, Saivism was considered to be a path of untouchability. It was said, people of other faith when they see Saivaits would feel it as an inauspicious deed and would take bath to clear the impure of that activity. NavuKarasu was also said to have performed such activities. This made his sister feel bad about him and she prayed to the Lord to bring him back to Saivism. Lord appeared in her dream and promised of bringing him back to his path. The next day, Navukkarasu had severe stomach-ache. Jains who are experts in healing diseases uttered mantras even after which the pain seem to be persisting. This was informed to the sister of Navukarasu, she inturn asked the people who passed on the information to her to bring her brother, Navukarasu to her. Navukarasu came to a Shiva Temple where he met his sister. He was asked to sing in praise of the Lord on which his pain vanished. He was then determined to follow his path of being a Saivaite.

Manickavasagar: Thiruvadhavorar is the name of Manickavasagar whose native was Tiruvadhavoor. It was said that Manickavasagar heard the sound of the anklet [of Lord] when he was a boy. He assumed himself as a girl [which is similar to Nayaki Bavam in Alwars] and recited 'Thiruvempavai'. Thiru - means sir/respected/auspicious, em - my, pavai - girl/friend. There are 20 songs in it. He is NOT one of the 63 Nayanmars. We would see some of his contributions that are to be read without fail. One of his contribution to the Saivism is 'Thiruvasagam' which is widely recognized by all religious and non-religious people as well. It was said that the Ultimate, Lord Siva would talk with Manickavasagar directly. Once, Lord had asked him to come to his abode. Manickavasagar refused to do so. When inquired the reason, he said to the Lord that HE and his counterpart reside in all devotees and being with devotees is a big blessing, and that's the reason for not coming to his abode.