63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Anaya Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!




Thisai Muzhudhun Gananathar Devarkkumun Nerungi
Misaimidainthu Varumbozhuthu Verolikkal
Viravamey Achaiezhum Kuzhalalthan Thanthezhuthal
Thamaiperavum Icchaivirumbum Koothanar Ezhuntharuli Yedhirnidrar

Anaya Nayanar was born in Thirumangalam, one of the flourishing lands in the kingdom of Men Mazanadu.  Nayanar was a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva.  At a young age he achieved the highest spiritual knowledge with his asceticism and strict Yoga Practices.  He gained the ultimate wisdom, an unparalleled devotion to Lord is the one and only way to get relieved from all material bondages and freed from cycles of Birth and death.   Nayanar’s untainted love towards Lord Shiva swamped in the form of mystic hymns through the flute he was carried all the time.  Nayanar found heartfelt joy in playing ‘Panchakshara Mantra’ on his flute and felt the perpetual presence of Lord in his melody.

Anaya Nayanar was a cowherd and lived a simple life.  He protected the cattle from the dangers of wild animals and given sincere attention while they are sick.  He loved his work and taken good care of the cattle.  His passion for flute very often made him to search for fresh bamboo canes in the forest, he artistically made beautiful flute out of it which produces miraculous sounds of music.  In one of his songs in Periya Puranam describes the method of crafting a superior flute.

It was the beginning of Monsoon; as usual Anaya Nayanar arrived in the forest with his herds settled in a serene and beautiful place.   His appearance was so captivating, beautifully smeared holy ashes on his forehead and all over the body, garlands of Rudraksha on his neck and attractively holding flute between the fingers arrived in a garden full of Barbados( Konrai flower – Lord Shiva also known as Konrai Vendhan).   The mere appearance of this flower made Nayanar feel the presence of Lord, he took his flute and started playing in a most enthralling magical voice.  The mesmerizing voice of music streamed out through the flute brought a sudden halt to the actions of all the creatures around and encircled him.   The divine ambiance brought a blissful state in creature assembled.  The wind started blowing gently, cows stopped grazing and started listening to the supreme melody with their ears straightened up, calves stopped consuming milk and peacocks danced around gracefully, Anaya Nayar continued to play his flute and dance in ecstasy.

The most compassionate Lord Shiva – Lord Samavedhishwarar with Goddess Lokanayaki pleased at the authentic rendering of Samaveda blessed Anaya Nayanar with ‘Salvation’.

In the Tamil month Karthikai – Hastham is widely celebrated as Gurupuja day in Thirumangalam to commemorate the above incident. 


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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