20

Legends of the Nayanmars

ordered the guard to escort Muthanathan to the outskirts of the

city safely.
The guard did as was instructed by his noble King. Only
on hearing the assurance from his guard that the devotee is safe
across the city limits did the King breathe his last. Such was the
depth of his devotion to Lord Shiva.
5. VIRANMINDA NAYANAR
Viranmindar was born in an agricultural family in a tiny
hamlet called Tiruchengode which belonged to the Chera
Kingdom. He grew up to be a very zealous devotee of Lord
Shiva and his lifes mission was to visit the holy places of Lord
Shiva and worship him. According to him, the devotees of Lord
Shiva are to be as revered as the Lord himself.
With such idealistic principles, he journeyed all over the
country, visiting the holy places, listening to the verses of other
Shiva devotees and serving them as devoutly as if he is serving
Lord Shiva himself. During the course of his journey, he reached
a famous place named Thiruvarur. It was considered to be one
of the most distinguished places of Saivism.
In this town was a hall called Devachiriyam, where Shiva
devotees thronged and sang the praises of Lord Shiva. The place
was electrified with the rhythmic chants of the Shiva devotees.
Viranmindar was spellbound on seeing this place of supreme
spirituality that he decided to extend his stay there. He continued
his service to the Shiva devotees there.
One day, a great saint by the name of Sundaramurthi
Nayanar came to this place. He was an ardent devotee of Lord
Shiva and prayed for the opportunity to serve Shiva devotees.
When he entered the Devachiriyam, he was so enthralled to be
in the holy place that instead of paying respects to the devotees