Re: Shaiva Bhakti: The 63 Nayanmars

Thirunalaipovar (Nandanar) Born in Adanur on the banks of the river Kolleedam as an untouchable, Nandanar could not enter the temples nearby because of his caste. As a great devotee of Shiva he prayed and yearned to be able to visit Thiruppankoor, a Shiva temple about an hour away from Chidambaram. When he inquired about making the trip, the landlord Nandanar worked for refused to allow him to go without tilling 40 acres of land in one day. Nandanar prayed to Lord Shiva that night and pleaded with him to help fulfill his dream of visiting Shiva?s temple. By the next day, Shiva himself tilled all 40 acres and Nandanar?s landlord realized he was no ordinary devotee of Shiva. At Thiruppankoor, Nandanar realized he could not go inside because of his caste, so he prayed every day to see a vision of the Shivalingam inside the temple. But Nandanar could not see the lingam because Nandi, Shiva?s vahana, was blocking it. Praying to Shiva again, Nandanar asked that Nandi move aside so that he could see the lingam. Amazingly, the Nandi moved aside, and even today, he remains a few feet from the center! Overwhelmed with gratitude and love, Nandanar built Thiruppankoor its own temple tank. During a public discourse, he heard about the wonderous shrine at Chidambaram, regarded as one of the most important Shivalayams. Passionately, he desired to see Chidambaram, but let the days go by out of fear of rejection. He kept saying he would begin the journey the next day. The villagers nearby thus named him Thirunalaipovaar (in Tamil, ?he?ll go tomorrow?). Finally, Nandanar set off for Chidambaram. He stood outside the gates of the Nataraja temple and cried?even other devotees prayed to Nataraja to have mercy on him. Because of his caste, he was unable to cross the gates. Seeing His devotee?s anguish, Nataraja came into all of the Chidambaram priests? dreams one night. He told the priests to walk Nandanar through a sacrificial fire the next morning, after bathing. Nandanar entered the fire and was bathed by the flames until he became golden. He emerged a Brahmin, wearing a yajnopavitam (sacredthread). The Tillai Brahmins carried him on a palanquin toward the Nataraja. He placed his foot on the first step leading up to the temple and, in front of everyone?s eye, he disappeared!

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