The story of saiva saints/58. KOTPULI NAYANAR
58. KOTPULI NAYANAR
This Saint was a Vellala by Caste and he lived in Thiru Nattiyaththankudi. He was a commander of an army of the Chola king. He used to store paddy for oblation to Siva. Once while he left for a battle field, he instructed his kith and kin that they should not use the paddy for their personal needs and that the paddy should be used exclusively for oblation to the Lord. He issued this order under the command “Thiruviraiyakkali”. After a few days there was a famine. His relatives infringed the oath and used the paddy. The Saint returned and came to know of the violation of his command. He gathered all his relatives under some pretext and killed everyone who used the paddy. A child alone was left and he killed it also saying that it would have suckled the milk of its mother. By the grace of the Lord all were brought back to life and the Saint was blessed by the Lord.