Devanathar Temple, Devarmalai,
Mallangudi – Legends
Perumizhalai Kurumba
Nayanar was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect
of Shaivism.
He is the 22nd of 63 Nayanar saints
of Hinduism. The life of Perumizhalai Kurumba Nayanar is described in Periya
Puranam written by Sekkizhar (12th
century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.
One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th
century) venerates Perumizhalai Kurumba Nayanar in the Tiruthondar
Thogai.
Perumizhalai Kurumba Nayanar
was born in Perumizhalai village (also known as Perumanallur and Devamalai,
located in Pudukottai District, Tamil
Nadu) in a Kurumba family (Kurumba or shepherd
community people engaged in feeding their flocks by extensive grazing, and
weaving their wool into coarse shawl). Sundarar has casually mentioned about
Perumizhalai, in his Vaippu
Sthalangal i.e., places that were mentioned casually in the
devotional songs, in Thevaram.
The guru Pooja of Perumizhalai
Kurumba Nayanar is celebrated every year in his home town. Perumizhalai Kurumba
Nayanar was a local chieftain who governed the Perumizhalai region. The saint
used to pack sufficient food and other articles in a woolen cloth and forward
them from the border of the region. The Nayanar was noted for his simple nature
and austerity by the people. The saint spent his life with great devotion and
faith.
Perumizhalai Kurumba Nayanar
was a contemporary with Sundarar, the Chera
King Cheraman Perumal and Kotpuli Nayanar
who also figure in the 63 Nayanars. Kurumba Nayanar was the admirer of Sundarar
and accepted him as his guru. The saint enjoyed in chanting Panchakshara as
well as the hymns of Thiruthondar Pathikam. Thiruthondar
Pathikam is part of Thiruthondar Thogai composed by Sundarar in
praise of 63 Nayanars at Thiruvarur Temple. Over a period of time
Kurumba Nayanar attained Ashta-siddhis,
eight yogic powers.
Sundarar proceeded to the
sacred land Thiruvanchikulam as a spiritual journey. Kurumba Nayanar came to
know using his siddhis that Lord Shiva has decided to recall Sundarar to his
divine abode, granting Sundarar salvation. As the troubled Kurumba Nayanar felt
that he could not live without his beloved guru, he left his mortal body with
his powers and attained the abode of Shiva, before his guru. Tamil month Adi –
Chithirai star is widely celebrated as Guru Puja Day of Kurumba Nayanar.