63 Nayanmars - 13 Arivattaya Nayanmar/ Aruval Tayya Nayanar

13

Arivattaya Nayanmar/ Aruval Tayya Nayanar

Kannamangalam was a beautiful country side located on the banks of Cauvery river in the Chola Kingdom. In Kannamangalam a rich Vellala by name Thayanar. Thayanar was a great devotee of Lord shiva and his main occupation was agriculture. He used to offer the Lord daily food prepared with red rice, a curry made of red herb and Spinach, and mango pickle(vaadu maanga) . He only used the superior paddy for Lords purpose and used inferior ones for his home. He belived in the popular tamil adage that the food a mother cannot feed can be fed with help of mango. He must have loved Lord shiva like a mother loves her Children.

Lord shiva was pleased with Thayanar devotion. Lord shiva wanted to test Thayanar and bring out his goodness in front of the whole world. Thayanar lost his wealth and was poor but he did not lose hope. Thayanar got employed as a worker and earned his wages in kind (red rice). He used to live on the inferior rice but continued to offer the superior red rice with red sauce of spinach and herbs and mango pickle.

Lord shiva tested him further. All the wages was red rice of superior quality. Thayanar could not touch it. His wife made a mash of greens which the family continued to eat. Thayanar continued with his contribution to Lord daily without any changes.

The Lord put His devotee through more severe tests. The greens also got scarce and there was nothing left. Thayanar and his family lived on water. Thayanar had lost weight and grew thin because of starvation but he continued with his daily offerings.

One day, Thayanar who was weak was carrying his usual offerings to Lord but he stumbled and the offerings fell on the dusty path. Thayanar was sad that his offerings to God has been spoilt by his carelessness.

Even the green leaves withered away and there was nothing left for their family to feed. Thayanar was not at all perturbed. He happily lived on mere water. His mind was full of the bliss of the worship of the Lord and he felt neither hunger nor thirst.

One day, Thayanar who had become feeble (now emaciated and weak) was taking his usual offering to the Lord, followed by his wife. He stumbled on the way and fell down. The offering he had spilt on the ground. Thayanar was sad that today he could not carry out his usual offerings. He considered himself as a sinner and took out his Aruval (sickle) used to cut paddy and cut his throat.  Hence the name Aruvaltaya Nayanar.

Suddenly a hand came from the grounds and caught hold of Thayanar hand and his wound was miraculously healed. Thayanar heard the sound of someone biting a mango pickle he was happy that his offering covered in dust was accepted by Lord Shiva. He understood Lords play and he danced and sang with ecstacy about the mercy of Lord. Thayanar and his wife were awarded with Vision of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathi devi on Nandi Thevar.

Aruval taya nayanar statue with his wife in  Neenerinathar Temple Thandalacheri.