The story of saiva saints/22. THIRUNAVUKKARASU SWAMIGAL
22. THIRUNAVUKKARASU SWAMIGAL
In the South Arcot District at Thiru Amur there lived a Saivite couple Pugazhanar and Mathiniyar. They were blessed with a daughter named Thilakavathiyar and a boy named Marulneekkiyar. After a few years when Thilakavathiyar's marriage was settled, the parents died. Kalippagaiyar to whom she was to be married also died. In order to bring up her brother, she resolved to live. The brother joined the Jain College at Patali (modern Thiruppathirippuliyur) where he won the respect of all and came to be known as Dharmasena. Thilakavathiyar silently prayed to Lord Siva at Thiruvathigai to redeem her dear brother from the Jaina religion. Her prayers were heard by Lord Siva. Dharmasena was affected with pain in the stomach, which no medicine could cure. He therefore left the Jaina Mutt, came to his sister, besmeared his body with holy Ashes, uttered Panchakshara, went into the temple of Thiru Athikai and sang a Pathigam. By the grace of Siva, pain ceased and Lord Siva bestowed on him the name of Thirunavukkarasu.
Dharmasena'a desertion made the Jains tremble. The Pallava king Mahendravarman summoned him and subjected him to a series of trials. He was shut in a burning kiln and he came out of it alive. The royal elephant was incited against him but it would not injure him. He was given poisoned food and it did him no harm. He was bound to stone boulder and thrown into the sea and using it as a flout he reached the shore. Mahendra Pallava became a Saivite
Thirunavukkarasar then went to Thiruvathigai and from there he commenced his pilgrimage. He met Thirugnana sambanthar at Sirkali who christened him with the name Appar. Appar in one of his tours went to Thingalur where Brahmin Saint Appoothi founded many charitable institution in Appar's name and Appar himself saw a Watershed founded in his name. Appar went to Appoothi's house and consented to be his guest. The eldest son of Appoothi while cutting fresh plantain leaf was stung by a cobra and was dead. Keeping this as a secret, Appoothi invited Appar for the feast. Appar found out what had happened and by singing a pathigam he brought back life to the dead body.
In one of his tours he and Thirugnanasambanthar stayed at Thiruvizhimizhalai for a pretty long time and there was a drought. Each of them was supplied with a gold coin by Lord Siva and the devotees were daily fed. Both of them proceeded to Vedaranyam. As the gates of the inner temple were closed, the devotees went in by a side gate. They were informed that the gates were shut by the Vedas. On hearing this Sambanthar requested Appar to have the doors opened by singing a pathigam and Appar did so and the doors opened of their own accord. After worshipping the Lord, Sambanthar closed the door by singing a stanza.
Leaving Vedaranyam, Appar travelled throughout the Tamil Nad and went upto Kalahasti. From there he proceeded southward to have a darsan of Siva at Kailas. He became disabled, but he would not give up the idea. He was bid to plunge in a tank nearby and by doing so he got up at thiruvaiyaru in the Tanjore District, and had the darsan of Kailas there. Then he went to Thiruppoonthuruththi, built a mutt and while he was there he met once again Sambanthar. He then went on pilgrimage to the Pandyan country, then turned to the Chola country, stayed at Thiruppugalur and the attained the Feet of Lord Siva on Sathayam day in the month of Chiththirai.