Another classic of the 17th century in praise of the god of Tiruchendur is Kandar Kalivenba by Kumaraguru Paraswamigal a disciple of Srilasri Masilamani desigar of the fourth head of the Dharmapuram Adheenam and was the founder of Thiruppananthal Adheenam which is also known as Kasi Mutt. The author was horn in 1625 A.D. of a Saiva Vellala family at Srivaikuntam on the northern hank of the Tambaraparani, nineteen miles from Tiruchendur. His parents Shanmukha Sikhamani Kavirayar and Sivakami Ammaiyar were blessed with this child after a long penance to Muruga of Tiruchendur. The boy grew of age and until his fifth year showed no signs of speech. The parents were pained at this and resorted to Tiruchendur penance again. Tired of waiting for months and seeing signs of approaching speech, the parents determined to drown themselves in the sea along with the child if he would not speak by a particular day.
The day dawned, and yet there were no signs. At last, both the parents and the child entered the foamy waves. Deeper and deeper they went from knee to neck and, as they were about to sink with the waves over their heads a human form appeared with a flower in his hand and asked the child what it was; all in a surprise the child broke out in praise of the Lord with the words; "Poomevu senggamalap…" the opening lines of Kandar Kalivenba. This delightful poem of 244 lines projecting the praise of God and the truths of Saiva Siddhanta.Having studied Tamil at the feet of his father Shanmukha Sikhamani Kavirayar, and attained in it great proficiency by divine grace, he grew up to manhood, took to an austere way of life, left home, and wandered throughout the Tamil country visiting famous places of pilgrimage and composing poems on the presiding deities. From Thiruvarur Kumaraguruparar moved to Dharmapuram, reaching where his mind was signaling about a great thing that was going to happen soon. This town hosts the renowned Adheenam (mutt) of the Saiva Siddhantha tradition called Thirukkayilaya Paramparai Dharmapura Adheenam. The saint who was decorating the presidency of the mutt was Srilasri Masilamani Desigar.
Arriving at the mutt, Kumaraguruparar paid his obeisance to the saint. Desikar asked Kumaraguruparar to explain the significance of the song from Periya Puranam – "Ainthu perarivum kankale kolla". This is the song that describes the state of Sundaramoorti Nayanar, as he saw the dance of Lord shiva at Thillai. Who can tell the state of that great Saint Sundarar as he saw to his ecstasy the blissful dance of his beloved Lord ! Sekkilar has so beautifully described the union Sundarar achieved with the God at that sight. Unless by utter stupidity one tries to talk about that glory beyond any words, how can it be explained at all?
Kumaraguruparar stood stunned. His words stammered. He realized that he is in front of the guru whom he has been searching for so long. He fell down at the feet of Desikar and pleaded him to initiate him in the renounced life. Desikar was not just a spiritually oriented person. He also had enough care about the society. When spiritually getting elevated, shouldn't one become full of love for all the lives around ? Desikar has realized the state in which Hinduism is getting crushed under the Moghul empire with its barbaric intolerance towards Hinduism. He realized the need for the spiritually high, well skilled and devoted caliber like Kumaraguruparar to strengthen the saivite wisdom in the troubled lands. So he agreed to be the guru of Kumaraguruparar on the condition that he goes on pilgrimage to Kasi and returns, subsequently he would initiate Kumaraguruparar into sannyasa.
Kumaraguruparar pleaded to Desikar that it would take long time for him to complete the pilgrimage to Kasi (given the lack of facilities at that point of time). So Desikar waived off Kasi for the time being and asked him instead to stay at Thillai for period of one mandalam (48 days). Happily Kumaraguruparar agreed to that and proceeded to Thillai Chitrambalam. On the way divinity called him to Vaithishvaran Kovil. There he sang Muttuk Kumaraswami Pillai Tamil
. It is said that during the early days of Kumaraguruparar, he was invited to adorn the chair of court poet by Tirumalai Nayakar (1623-1659 AD) and he did good service to Tamil by writing Neethi Neri Vilakkam. When he was inaugurating his devotional prabhandam Meenakshi Pillai Tamil in praise of Goddess Meenakshi at the royal court, the Goddess Herself as a young maiden appeared and seated upon the lap of Tirumalai Nayakar, taking out a pearl necklace and put it on the neck of the poet and disappeared.
Kumaraguruparar enjoyed the stay at Thillai worshipping the Dancing Lord. He composed on the God and Goddess Chidambara Mummanik Kovai, Chidambara Cheyyut Kovai, Sivakami Ammai Irattai Mani Malai. On his return Desikar initiated him to the renounced life with the saffron robe. Having given the initiation, Desikar stressed him the importance of revitalizing Saivism in the northern part of the country where it was suffering from the oppression by the Muslim rulers. Now Kumaraguruparar agreed to go to Varanasi.
It was about the year 1658 AD. Dara Shuko was the ruler of the Varanasi province of the Moghul empire. Aurangazeb the most intolerant of the Moghul lineage was ruling at Delhi. Dara was an exceptional one in the Moghuls. He was tolerant enough to seek what the other religions have to say and encouraged discussions among the religions. He dealt with respect the scholars of Hindu religion (to be killed by his own brother Aurangazeb!). He is said to have translated some of the Upanisads into Persian language. This was a long time before the successive Muslim invaders ruined the holy city of Kasi and demolished the abode of Lord Visvanathar. At this point of time there was a critical urge to keep alive the spirituality of the suppressed Hindus.
On reaching at Kasi, Kumaragurupara sung Sakala Kalavalli Malai in praise of Goddess Sarasvati, praying her to bestow the skill of words. The blessings of Vaani came as the boon when he had to convince the opponents about the glory of the Saivism. He got to know Hindustani language by Kalaivaani's grace. Kumarguruparar wanted to meet with the Badusha, in order to establish a mutt in Kasi. Though Dara was fair with other religions, Kumarguruparar had to cross many obstacles to meet Dara.
The blessed saint, who had the valiance of the spirituality, rode over a lion and went majestically into the court of Dara with all obstacle creators frightened. Dara realized the spiritual power of Saint Kumaraguruparar. He showed his respect to the saint. Dara had organized an inter-religious conference. He requested the saint to address the same. Kumaraguruparar accepted the invitation and he spoke fluently in Hindustani language explaining the greatness of the philosophy of Saiva siddhanta. The audience were thrilled to know the glory of Saivism. Dara bowed down to the saint and venerated him.
Dara asked him what he could do for him. What materials would the saint want, for whom only God matters. He asked the king to provide him with the land in Kasi where he can build a mutt and serve Saivism. The king gave the option of the place to the saint himself. The saint wanted to renovate the Kedareshvara Swami Temple at the Kedhar Ghat. He said there would be a kite that would fly above the spot, whatever be the area that it circuits in the sky, that should be given to him to build mutt. The kite (Garudan) appeared in the sky and marked the area that included the Kedhareshvarar Temple and the land for building a mutt. Dara happily gave that land.
Kumaraguruparar renovated the abode of Kedhareshvarar which was earlier ruined due to the religious intolerants. In the Kumaraswamy Mutt that he built, he guided the people in the glory of Saivite philosophy. His inspiring teachings paved way for the restoration of the highly adored Lord Viswanatha temple. The devotees offered lots of valuables to the saint. He took them to his guru at Dharmapuram. But Desikar denied to accept them and directed him to spend those for the spiritual development of the people of Kasi. As per that Kumaraguruparar spent the materials in spreading the message of Saivism.
Kumaraguruparar visited Dharmapuram four times to pay respect to his guru. In Tamil Nadu he paved the way to build another Kasi Mutt at Tirupanandhal in Kumbakonam District. Later this mutt was enlarged by Kasivasi Thillainayaga Swamigal. The sixth head in the line after Saint Kumaraguruparar Swamigal, Srilasri Muthukkumaraswami Tambiram Swamigal, now presides over Kasi Mutts both in Kasi and Tirupanandhal.
Kumaraguruparar while in Kasi also had sung Kasi Thundi Vinayagar Patigam and Kasi Kalambakam. It is said that Kumaraguruaparar also gave discourses on Kamban Ramayanam, and among those who got inspired by that were the famous Hindi poet Tulasi Das, who wrote Ram Charita Manas.
Kumaraguruparar stayed in Kasi for thirty years from 1658 to 1688 spreading the glory of Shaivism giving the vital support to the Hinduism that needed support during those troubled periods. He attained samadhi at Kasi on the third day after fullmoon day in May 1688. His vital services for the sustenance of Hinduism will be remembered along with his beautiful compositions by the generations of devotees.
Amongst Kumarakuruparar's other literary works, Meenakshi Pillai-Tamil, Meenakshi-kurram, Neethineri-Vilakkami Madhuraikkalampakam and others are ever popular and widely read.
kumaraguruparar (குமரகுருபரர்)
Childhood
kumaraguruparar was born in srIvaikuNTam in thirunelveli district in Tamilnadu. His parents - shaNmuka sikAmaNik kavirAyar, shivakAma sundhari ammaiyAr - did not have child for long. They worshipped their beloved deity Lord murugan of thiruchchendhUr. By the grace Lord muruga, they gave birth to kumaraguruparar. Though they got the son, as a result of their devotion and prayers, the child did not speak until five years. The worried parents again took their pleading to the presence of the Lord of thiruchchendhUr. Astonishingly, the child began to not just speak, but started the speech by singing a composition at that young five years of age on Lord murgan, called kandhar kaliveNpA. The austerities of all the previous births made him into a prodigy !
Early wanderings
Some time later kumara guruparar left his house in search of a guru who can kindle his spirit in the pursuit of God. In thiruchchendhUr he heard a divine voice that his guru would be the one in whose presence he is unable to speak well. In his way to find a guru, kumaraguruparar came to madhurai, where the renowned thirumalai nAyakkar was ruling. thirumalai nAyakkar honoured kumara guruparar in madhurai. He composed mInAkshi amman piLLaith thamiz and sang the childhood of Goddess mInAkshi one stage a day. One day when he sang varukaip paruvam Goddess mInAkshi Herself came as a young girl and bestowed Her grace by presenting a pearl garland to him. kumaraguruparar sang madhuraik kalambakam, mInAkshi ammai kuRam hailing the God and Goddess at madhurai. On the request of nAyakkar, he also composed a song-book of ethics by name nIthi neRi viLakkam. He was celebrated at madhurai.
He went ahead to thiruvArUr, where he sang thiruvArUr nAnmaNi mAlai rejoicing the grace of Lord thyAgarAjar of that abode.
Meeting the guru
From thiruvArUr kumaraguruparar moved to dharumapuram, reaching where his mind was signaling about a great thing that was going to happen soon. This town hosts the renowned mutt of the shaiva siddhantha tradition called thirukkayilAya paramparai dharumapura AdhInam. The saint who was decorating the presidency of the mutt was mAsilAmaNi dhEsikar. Arriving at the mutt, kumara guruparar paid his obeisance to the saint. dhEsikar asked kumaraguruparar to explain the significance of the song from periya purANam - ain^thu pEraRivum kaNkaLE koLLA. This is the song that describes the state of cundhara mUrthi nAyanAr, as he saw the dance of Lord shiva at thillai. Who can tell the state of that great saint cundharar as he saw to his ecstasy the Blissful dance of his beloved Lord ! cEkkizAr has so beautifully described the union cundharar achieved with the God at that sight. Unless by utter stupidity one tries to talk about that glory beyond any words, how can it be explained at all ?!
kumara guruparar stood stunned. His words stammered. He realized that he is in front of the guru whom he has been searching for so long. He fell down at the feet of dEsikar and pleaded him to initiate him in the renounced life. dEsikar was not just a spiritually oriented person. He also had enough care about the society. When spiritually getting elevated, shouldn't one become full of love for all the lives around ? dEsikar has realized the state in which Hinduism is getting crushed under the moghul empire with its barbaric intolerance towards Hinduism. He realized the need for the spiritually high, well skilled and devoted caliberlike kumaraguruparar to strengthen the shaivite wisdom in the troubled lands. So he agreed to be the guru of kumaraguruparar on the condition that he goes on pilgrimage to kAshi and returns, subsequently he would initiate kumaraguruparar into sanyAsa.
Initiation of kumaraguruparar
kumara guruparar pleaded to dEsikar that it would take long time for him to complete the pilgrimage to kAshi (given the lack of facilities at that point of time). So dEsikar waived off kAshi for the time being and asked him instead to stay at thillai for period of one maNDalam (45 days). Happily kumaraguruparar agreed to that and proceeded to thillaich chiRRAmbalam. On the way divinity called him to vaiththIshvaran kOyil (puLLirukku vELUr). There he sang muththukkumAraswami piLLaith thamiz.
kumaraguruparar enjoyed the stay at thillai worshipping the Dancing Lord. He composed on the God and Goddess chidhambara mummaNik kOvai, chidhambarach cheyyuT kOvai, shivakAmi ammai iraTTai maNi mAlai. On his return dEsikar initiated him to the renounced life with the saffron robe. Having given the initiation, dEsikar stressed him the importance of revitalizing shaivism in the northern part of the country where it was suffering from the oppression by the Muslim rulers. Now kumara guruparar agreed to goto vAraNAsi.
The saint on lion
It was about the year 1658 ACE. dArA shUkO was the ruler of the vAraNAsi province of the moghul empire. aurangazeb the most intolerant of the moghul lineage was ruling at inpdraprastham (delhi). dArA was an exceptional one in the moghuls. He was tolerant enough to seek what the other religions have to say and encouraged discussions among the religions. He dealt with respect the scholars of Hindu religion (to be killed by his own brother aurangazeb !!). He is said to have translated some of the upaniShats into Persian language. For a long time before the successive Muslim invaders and ruined the holy city of kAshi and demolished the abode of Lord vishvanAth. At this point of time there was a critical urge to keep alive the spirituality of the suppressed Hindus.
On reaching at kAshi, kumaragurupara sung sakala kalAvalli mAlai in praise of sarasvathi, praying her to bestow the skill of words. The blessings of vANi came as the boon when he had to convince the opponents about the glory of the Shaivism. He got to know Hindustani language by vANi's grace. kumarguruparar wanted to meet with the bAdusha, in order to establish a mutt in kAshi. Though dArA was fair with other religions, kumarguruparar had to cross many obstacles to meet dArA. The blessed saint, who had the valiance of the spirituality, rode over a lion and went majestically into the court of dArA with all obstacle creators frightened. dArA realized the spiritual power of saint kumaraguruparar.He showed his respect to the saint. dArA had organized an inter-religious conference. He requested the saint to address the same. kumaraguruparar accepted the invitation and he spoke fluently in Hindustani language explaining the greatness of the philosophy of shaiva siddhanta. The audience were thrilled to know the glory of Shaivism. dArA bowed down to the saint and venerated him.
Establishing Kasi Mutt and Services
dArA asked him what he could do for him. What materials would the saint want, for whom only God matters. He asked the king to provide him with the land in kAshi where he can build a mutt and serve Shaivism. The king gave the option of the place to the saint himself. The saint wanted to renovate the kEdhArIshvara swamy temple at the kEdhAr ghat. He said there would be a kite that would fly above the spot, whatever be the area that it circuits in the sky, that should be given to him to build mutt. The kite (garuDan) appeared in the sky and marked the area that included the kEdhArIshvarar temple and the land for building a mutt. dArA happily gave that land.
kumaraguruparar renovated the abode of kEdhArEshvar which was earlier ruined due to the religious intolerants. In the kumAraswamy Mutt he built, he guided the people in the glory of Shaivite philosophy. His inspiring teachings paved way for the restoration of the highly adored Lord vishvanAth and Lord pANDuranga temples subsequently. The devotees offered lots of valuables to the saint. He took them to his guru at dharumapuram. But dEsikar denied to accept them and directed him to spend those for the spiritual development of the people of kAshi. As per that kumaraguruparar spent the materials in spreading the message of Shaivism. He visited dharumapuram four times to pay respect to his guru. It is said that kumaraguruaparar also gave discourses on kamba rAmAyaNam and among those who got inspired by that were the famous Hindi poet tulasi dAs, who wrote rAm charita mAnas. kumaraguruapar stayed in kAshi for thirty years from 1658 to 1688 spreading the glory of Shaivism giving the vital support to the Hinduism that needed support during those troubled periods. He attained samAdhi at kAshi on the third day after fullmoon day in May 1688. His vital services for the sustenance of the Hinduism will be remembered along with his beautiful compositions by the generations of devotees.
