The land where the river kAvEri gently washes the entire land with the canals taking her deep into the fields is the town kadavUr. The tall coconut trees fanning the Lord like chAmaram who is served the feast on a banana leaf by the plantains, the fishes in the field curling and entertaining, the land is prosperous in production and worship. With the vedic rituals happening all around, even the rain would be smelt to have the odor of the ghee in the ritual fire.
In that town came in the tradition of people who think with kindness about all creatures, was the devotee kalayar. Reinforced by a high degree of discipline, nAyanAr led the life for saluting the Spear-handed Lord who stood striking down the fast coming death for the surrendered young sage. For the Lord who is described as the sweet odored by the vEdas, he used to put the fragrant smoke of kuNgiliam(Benzoin) and stand worshiping the Lord with his heart sublimating in that love. His wealth was spent off fully in that service, still he did not think of a pause.
With nothing left for even food and the relatives and family in discomfort, nAyanAr's companion in his charity - his wife gave her thAli(ma.ngaLa sUtraM - important ornament for married women) and asked him to get rice grains for food. When he was proceeding to bring some rice by selling that necklace, on his way came a merchant who sells the kuNgiliyam. The devotee with the sacred thread was delighted to see the kuNgiliyam. He thought he was blessed to do the great service by the God bearing ganga that day too, what else to buy. He got that sack of kuNgiliyam in exchange for that necklace and with great devotion did not even stop before reaching Its abode. With the nectar of love filled full in his heart he burnt them for the Lord sitting as the nectar pot.
While the devotee was in the temple, on the Almighty's command the dEva of wealth kubEran, placed huge wealth in the devotees place. While the family was sleeping in hunger, the Lord on Holy Bull indicated to nAyanAr's wife the grace. She woke up to see that sweet surprise with the entire house had become rich in wealth. She praising the feet of God of suffering people, started making delicious food for her beloved husband. Meanwhile the Lord conveyed to the nAyanAr to go and have the milk rice and end his hunger. Unable to refute His grace he saluted and went home. He saw that his house was completely changed with heaps of material decorating it. With raised brows, he enquired his wife. She told the mercy of Lord shiva. Worshiping the Holy feet of the Lord which never leave the one who surrendered in lurch, they had the feast with the devotees of the Lord. He continued the fragrant service.
That time when he was serving the Lord of thirukkadavUr, the king who wanted to see the Lord of thiruppanandhAL standing straight, who bent the head of His shivalingaM for helping a dEva virgin by name thAdakai to worship Him. The king tried with his elephants, soldiers and all force, they all became tired but the Lord did not stand straight. nAyanAr appreciating the motive of the king to see Him upright, went to the green land thiruppanandhAL saluting many abodes of the Lord with axe in His reddish hand. Wanting to be one in the lot who did the effort, nAyanAR who had the distinguishable great love for the God, tied the Lord with a floral garland and tied that with a rope on his neck. He pulled, not to test or show his power, but to participate in the service; not having big physical force, but with an admirable force of love for the Master. How can the Lord who can not be impressed by force, neglect his selfless love. He stood straight blessing the ripe love of the nAyanAr directed towards Him. The floral rain drowned the place. The king fell down under his feet praising the devotion. The king left after doing many services to the Lord of mountain bow. nAyanAr returned to kadavUr after somedays worshiping the Dancing feet.
Some time later when the master of thiruththANDakam appar and the prodigy thirunyAnachampandhar came on their pilgrimage to kadavUr, nAyanAr hosted them and the accompanying devotees with enchanting hospitality and got their blessings and the grace of Lord of greats. He did various services to the mRityuJNjaya and resided in the comfort under His fragrant feet. Let the soft, sweet, directed and determined devotion of kuNgiliyak kalya nAyanAr stay in the mind.
Sarvam Sri SeetaRamachandraparabramha aarpanamastu
