Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvarur – Literary Mention
Great Saivite Saints Gnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar,
Sundarar, Manickavasagar had sung the glory of Lord of the temple in their
celebrated Thevaram and Tiruvasagam hymns. Of the Shiva temples on the southern
bank of Cauvery, this is the 87th praised in Thevaram hymns. Sundarar, an
8th-century Saivite saint, mentions "I am the slave of all those born in
Thiruvarur" in his works in Thevaram. Two of the 63 Nayanmars of Saivite tradition namely, Kalarsinga Nayanar
and Tandiyadigal Nayanar were born in Thiruvarur.
The Periyapuranam, a 12th-century Saiva canonical
by Sekkizhar, dedicates a chapter to those born in Thiruvarur,
including these two saints. The seventh century Tamizh saint, Marul
Neekiyaar the poet saint popularly known as Thirunaavukarasar (Thiru Navukku
Arrasar - literally “King of the Sacred Tongue” a title said to have been
bestowed on the great poet by Shiva himself in appreciation of his command over
the spoken word), or more lovingly, Appar, sang beautiful songs in this temple
during Mahendra Pallava's time. In his monumental work, Thevaram,
composed in the 6th Century AD, he lovingly recalls the feats of Siva and
asks the Lord of Thiruvarur, Thyagesa,
“Was it the day you stood
as the Primeval One?
Or was it the day you
emerged as the Trinity?
Or perchance the day you
overwhelmed the God of Death
Or burnt the God of Love
with Your eye of fire
Could it be the day the
Earth and Heaven appeared?
Or the day you captured
the Deer betwixt your fingers
And shared your form with
The Woman of Divine beauty?
Was it before or was it
after all this
You enshrined yourself at
Tiruvaroor?
And
Ambalathu Mannikoothai
Aaduvan Puguvadarkku Munno Pinno
Anniyarur Koyilak Konday
Naalay
Koolam Nee Kollvatharku
Munno Pinno
Kunithaadum Koyilak Konday
Naalay
Vedathai Vidhipadharku
Munno Pinno
Vizhavarur Koyilak Konday
Naalay
In this verse, the Saint wonders when the Deity chose to
ensconce himself at Thiruvarur. He asks if Thyagarajaswami graced
Thiruvarur with his Divine energy before or after Shiva's cosmic dance at
Ambalam (modern Chidambaram)? Was it before or after Shiva decided
to manifest Himself? Or was it before or after Shiva gave the world
the four Vedas?