Appar was born and brought up at Thiruvamur, in Thirumunaipadinadu, on
the banks of the river Pennai. He was born in a Velan family to
Puhalanar and Madiniyar. The coupld had first a daughter Tilakavati and
some years later a son Marulnikkiyar who later beame Appar.
Marulnikkiyar was given the tonsure rite at the appropriate age and
started learning in the traditional way. When Tilakavati attained the
age of twelve, Kalippahai, of another velan family and a great Saivaite,
sought her in marriage. Kalippahai was serving the ruler of the region.
Puhalanar agreed to give his daughter in marriage to Kalippahai. But
before the marriage could take place Kalippahai had to go to the battle
front in the north at the bidding of his king. The war in which
Kalippahai fought raged for several days.
In the meanwhile, Puhalanar died of an incurable disease and Madiniyar
committed sati. The death of both father and mother together, threw
Tilakavati and Marulnikkiyar into grief. Before they could recover from
this shock, news came that Kalippahaiyar, had died in the battle.
Tilakavti was not married to Kalippahai. As her parents had agreed to
Tilakavati’s marriage, she held him as her husband and prepared to
commit immolation. Marulnikkiyar successfully appealed to her not to do
so for his sake. Tilakavati took to a life of penance. Marulnikkiyar
donated wealth, established feeding houses, drinking water sheds, flower
gardens and tanks, and spent his ancestral wealth on the poor. The
ephemeral nature of the world made Marulnikkiyar seek after religious
truths and a life of the recluse. This led him to turn a Jain. He went
to Patalipura, joined the Jain monastery then and accepted their moe of
drss and signs. He mastered Jain scriptures and literature, and was
given the name Dharmasena by the Jains. He soon became a leader of the
faith and defeated Buddhists in disputations.
Tilakavati renounced the world, took to Saiva path and went to
Thiruvadigai, sacred Sivakshetra to live. She spent her life cleaning
the temple premises, and making flower garlands for worship. However the
thought that her brother had become a Jain tormented her. She prayed to
Lord Siva to rescue him from the Jain faith and make him a Saiva
devotee. Siva appeared in a dram to Tilakavati and blessed her.
Dharmasena was soon afflicted with unbearable stomach ache. The Jains
who were masters of medicine applied all their expertise to cure him.
They sanctified the water in their kundika, with incantations and
administered it to Dharmasena. They then soothed his body with the
peacock’s feather. But the pain did not diminish. Dharmasena was
afflicted with pain. The Jains finally proclaimed that his disease was
incurable. Dharmasena’s thought now turned to his sister Tilakavati. He
sent word to her about his ailment. She told the messenger that she
would not enter the Jain monastery to see her brother. Dharmasena
abandoned all his Jain marks like the kundika, the mat, the peacock’s
feather etc. left the Jain monastery and reached Thiruvadigai. He came
to the matha where Tilakavatiyar resided, fell at her feet and prayed to
her to cure him. She suggested that he devote himself to Lord Siva.
Next morning, sister and brother both entered the temple of Virattana at
Thiruvadigai. Tilakavatiyar chanted the Pancakshara and gave the sacred
ashes to her brother. Wearing the ashes, which removed his delusion, he
prostrated himself before Lord Siva and sung the hymn ‘kurrayinavaru
vilakku’. The stomach ache vanished Dharmasena got immersed in Siva’s
divine grace. A divine voice was heard calling him Navukkarasu. The
reconversion of Navukkarasar, was received with consternation in the
Jain camp. They felt that Dharmasena’s desertion was a great blow to
their religion and apprehended a great decline among their followers.
They also felt that if the King became aware of this state of affairs,
he would himself forsake the Jain faith and embrace Saivism. They
decided to report to the king that Dharmasena’s stomach ache was a
pretence to embrace Saivism and is an outright falsehood. They arrived
at the court of the Pallava ruler, who was a Jain and told him about
Dharmasena’s desertion. Enraged at that, the king sought their counsel
as to what should be done. A series of attempts were suggested by the
Jains to do away with Thirunavukkarasu.
The Jains first suggested that the saint be thrown into the sea. The
king sent his messengers to fetch Navukkarasar. When the king’s soldiers
came to the saint at Thiruvadigai, the saint refused to accompany them,
stating that he was not a subject of any mortal king to obey the
orders, and that he would not fear death. He sang the famous hymn “Maru
marru Thiru Tandakam”.
The king ordered that Appar be confined in a lime kiln. After seven
days, when the kiln was opened the saint emerged unhurt. The Jains
attributed his escape to the secrets he had learnt as a Jain. Appar was
then administered a deadly poison which again did him no harm. As a
third step, the king let loose the terrible royal elephant against him.
The ferocious elephant caused havoc in the streets and approached Appar.
At this juncture, Appar sang the hymn “Sunna ven andanac candu”. In
this remarkable hymn of ten verses, Vagisa, describes the Sivaswarupa
and states that as Siva was his friend there was nothing he was afraid
of, and nothing would terrify him. When the elephant neared him, it fell
at his feet. Rising slowly it turned on those who had let it loose.
In another attempt to kill the saint, he was ordered to be tied to a
slab of stone and thrown into the sea. In the sea, tied to a heavy
stone, he sang another hymn, invoking the sacred power of Namassivaya.
The Namassivaya hymn as it is called seems to have formed the basis for
this story for in this Appar says that Namassivaya in his succour even
if he is thrown in the sea with a stone tied to him. The legend goes
that when Vagisa sang this hymn the stone slab started floating like a
wooden plank with Appar seated on it. Drifting in the waves, the stone
plank carried him to Thiruppadiripuliyur (modern Cudddalore). Praising
the presiding deity of the local temple with the hymn “Inralumay Enekku
entaiyumay”, Appar returned to Thiruvadigai where he was received with
great honours and acclamation. The Pallava ruler hastened to
Thiruvadigai, fell at the feet of Appar, and embraced Saivism.
The Pallava ruler who recognised the falsehood of the Jains destroyed
their monasteries and temples at Patalipura and erected a temple to Lord
Siva using the very same materials. The temple was called
“Gunabharesvaram”.
Vagisa Muni, started on a pilgrimage toSivakshetras. He first visited
Thiruvennainallur, Amattur, Thirukkoyilur and other places. When he
reached Pennagadam, he sang the hymn “Ponnarnta Thiruvadikku en
Vinnappam” in the temple of Tunganaimadam. By the grace of the Lord, a
Siva bhuta imprinted on his shoulders the Saivaite signs of trident and
bull. Then he reached Chidambaram and entered the temple of the Lord of
the Dance, through its western gate. His visit to Chidambaram was
surcharged with emotion its western gate. His visit to Chidambaram was
surcharged with emotion. In ten excellent verses, he exclaimed “My Lord I
have come here to behold your cosmic dance”. Several outstanding hymns
were composed at Chidambaram which include “Annam Palikkum”, Vanapavala
vay tirandu” and “Ariyanai Andanar tam cintaiyanai.” Having heard about
Jnanasambandar at Chidambaram he went to meet him at Sirkali.
On seeing Jnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, fell at his feet. Sambandar
in return fell at the feet of Navukkarasar, took his hand and addressed
him respectfully as “Appar” (i.e. Father). That was a meeting of the
two greatest of Saivaite saints.
At Nallur, Lord Siva imprinted his sacred feet on the head of Appar,
when he sang the hymn “Nanaintanaiya Thiruvadi en Talaimel Vaittai”.
Appar reached Tingalur, the native place of saint Appudi Adigal. Appudi a
Brahmin had heard about Appar’s devotion to Siva and was a great
admirer of him, though he had never met him so far. Appudi established
in the village, a Salai (feeding house), a well, a tank, and a water
shed and named all of them after Appar. When Appar came to the village,
he saw the drinking water shed, and was surprised to note that it bore
his name “Thirunavukkaraasu water shed.” He learnt from the villagers
about Appudi Adigal and went to his residence to meet him. Appudi came
out and on seeing a Sivabhakta fell at his feet, and welcomed him. Appar
put a question to him “On my way I noticed a drinking water shed
established by you. How is it that it bears not your name, but someone
else’s”. Appudi was hurt by this question. “He is not someone else. He
is the great Saint Vagisa, who by his eminent devotion to Siva, defeated
the treacheries of the king. It is a great service to religion that has
shown the path of release to men like me. He is not some one else to
me” said Appudi. He went a step further and said, “There is none in this
world whohas not heard the name “Thirunavukkarasu”. You appear with
Saivaite marks, but ask me such a question? Tell me who you are” Appar
was taken aback at the intensity of veneration Appudi had for him,
though they had never met before. “I am the same Thirunavukkarasu, whom
you hold so dearly” said Appar. The first meeting of these two saints is
thus depicted in dramatic fashion by Sekkilar, bringing out the noble
traits of both. Appudi’s joy found no bounds when he realised that the
visitor was none other than Appar. He danced in ecstasy and invite the
saint to lunch with him. Soon another miracle was to take place.
While they were conversing and the meal was ready, Appudi’s son went to
the backyard to fetch a plantain leaf for serving the food. As he cut
the leaf he was bitten by a deadly snake. He rushed to his mother handed
over the leaf and fell dead. The shocked mother and father thought that
if the death was known, appar might not take his food. So they hid the
body of their dear son and invited Appar. But through divine intution
Appar, learned of the happening, and felt deeply for the death and for
the sincere devotion of the parents. He prayed to Lord Siva singing the
hymn ”Vidam tirta padigam”. By Siva’s grace the boy got back his life.
After staying with Appudi Adigal for some time, Appar continued his
pilgrimage and reached Thiruvarur, where he met the saint Naminandi.
Naminandi was Brahmin and a great Saivaite. Once he happened to beg for
oil to burn the temple lamp. It happened to be in a Jain colony. The
Jains riducled him and said that his Lord with fire in his hand required
no light and if Naminandi still wanted he might use water and burn the
lamp. Hurt at this insolence, Naminandi prayed to Lord Siva. He placed
water in the lamp. By divine grace, the lamp burnt. Appar met this sant
and refers to him in his verses. Appar later met Muruganar, a Brahmin,
who spent his life fetching beautiful flowers, making garlands and
worshipping God Siva and Thiruppuhali. Later Appar had another meeting
with Sambandar. When they were together with Muruganar at Thiruppuhali,
they were visited by Saints Siruttondar and Nilanakkar. Later Appar also
met Kungiliyakkalayar at Thirukkadavur.
Once when Appar was residing at Thiruvilimilalai in the company of
Sambandar, the country faced a severe drought. There was alround
poverty. Lord Siva came to their rescue and gifted daily a gold coin,
each for Appar and Sambandar. The coin used to appear on the balipitha
in the east and west of the temple. With that amount both the Saints fed
thousands of devotees.
Both Appar and Sambandar reached Vedaranyam. According to legend, the
temple was worshipped by the Vedas. After the time of the Vedas, the
doors of the temple remained closed. At the request of Sambandar, Appar
sang a hymn in praise of Lord Siva, beginning “Pennin ner moliyal!”.
Thereupon the doors of the temple opened. The routes taken by Appar, as
given by Sekkilar are indicative of the pilgrim’s path known in the 12th
century.
When Vagisa reched Palaiyarai, he found that the famous “Vadatali”
temple of Siva could not be located as it was camourflaged by the Jains.
Appar was disappointed and took to fasting. Lord Siva appearaed in the
dream of the ruling king, and showed him the place of ‘Vadatali’ hidden
by the Jains. The king with his ministers and other retinue visited the
site, unearthed the temple and put to death those who did the mischief.
Appar was delighted to see the temple of Vadatali, where he offered
worship.
At Kanchipuram, appar visited Ekambam, Mayanam, Merrali and other Siva
temples. From Kanchi he went to Thiruvorriyur, visiting enroute
Thirukkalukkunram, Thiruvanmiyur and Mayilappur. From there he went to T
hiruvalangadu, Karikkarai and Kalahasti. From Kalahasti, he went to
Srisailam (Sriparvata). Upto the temple of Srisaila Sekkilar gives the
name of the Sivakshetras. But then on Sekkilar gives only the name of
the countries Appar passed through. After Srisaila, Appar is said to
have crossed the borders of the Gelungu country and reached the Kannada
and from there the Malaya country. Then crossing dense forests, he
reached he Lata country, crossed several hills, forests and rivers and
reached “Madhya paitiram”. Crossing this country, he reached the banks
of the Ganges and came to Varanasi. Having worshipped Siva at Varanasi,
he reached “Karcuram´i.e. the hilly tract. Having reached Kailasa
mountain, he started climbing the hill by hand. As the hands got tired
he made use of his chest and crawled. Later he rolled up to reach the
summit. After reaching a certain height Appar could not climb further.
At that place, a saivaite saint appeared wearing a bark of tree,
jatamakuta, sacred thread and sacred ashes on his body. There was a lake
nearby. Appar told the saint that he was going to the summit of Kailasa
to behold Lord Siva seated with Parvati there. The saint advised Appar
to turn back as Kailasa was beyond the reach of even Devas, and it was
impossible for human beings to reach it. Appar stood firm and replied
that he would not return with his body, without beholding Lord Siva on
Kailasa. Thereupon, the sage, who was none other than Siva, appeared
before Appar in his true form and blessed him. Appar prayed that he be
given the sight of Lord Siva’s appearance on Kailasa. Siva asked Appar
to take bath in the lake and at Thiruvaiyaru, he would behold the divine
appearance. Appar bathed in the lake. When he emerged from the waters
of the lake, he found himself in a lotus pond at Thiruvaiyaru in
Tamilnadu. As he approached the temple he found everything in front as
Siva and Sakti as if appearing in Kailasa. It was a vision of
unsurpassed beauty with Lord Siva and Parvati seated, Nandikesvara
standing in attendance, the mount Bull seated in front, and surrounded
by ganas. Appar sang the hymn “Matar pirai Kanniyanai”. He stayed for
some time at Thiruvaiyaru and later visited Thirumalapadi, Neytanam and
Punturutti. At Punturutti he established a matha.
While residing at Thiruppunturutti, Appar composed “Palvahai Tandaka,
Tanittandakam, Adaivu Thiruttandakam, Angamalai, and Panmaittohai. While
there Thirujnanasambandar came to see him. Having learnt of his visit,
Appar went to receive him, mingled with the crowd and without anyone’s
notice, started carrying the palanquin of Sambandar. On reaching the
village, Sambandar enquired about Appar. There emerged the saint as a
bearer of the palanquin. Sambandar was surprised, immediately fell at
the feet of Vagisa. Both the saints spent some time at Thiruppunturutti,
where Sambandar narrated his visit to the Pandya country, the
atrocities committed on him by the Jains, and finally the conversion of
the Pandya.
Appar later visited the Madurai temple and met the Pandya king
Nedumaran, his queen Mangaiyarkarasi and their minister. Kulaccirai.
From there he went to. Thiruppuvanam and Rameswaram. From Rameswaram he
visited Thirunelveli and Kanapper and finally reached Pumpuhalur. While
at Puhalurr he sang “Ninra Thiruttandakam” “Tanittandakam”
“Kshertrakkovaitandaka”, “Kurainta Thirunerisai” Taninerisai”, “Aruyir
thiruviruttam” “Dasapuranattadaivu” “Papanasapadigam” “Panmurai”, and
“Araikuvum Thiruppadigam”. On a Sadaya say in the month of Chittrai, he
sang the hymn “Lord I am reaching your sacred feet” and passed away.
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