Page:The story of saiva saints.pdf/12

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There was a feudatory of the Pallavas at Kovalur, by name Meypporul Nayanar. He believed that "It is true wealth to be in the guise of Siva .” Hence he came to be known as Meypporul. He had a foe called Muththanathan who tried several times to defeat him, in vain. So he planned to win him by deceit. He hid his sword in a manuscript of palmyra leaves and came inthe robes of a devotee of Siva to the palace of the Nayanar. He was given free entry. He met the Nayanar in his private chamber, bade his queen to leave the apartment and told the Saint that he came to him to teach the spiritual truths embedded in a rare Sivagama. The Saint bowed down and the deceipt drew his sword and struck him down. The body guard of the Saint, Datta by name, was alert and rushed in to strike him. But he could not, for, the dying Saint bade Datta to lead the new comer out of the palace unhindered. After explaining to those that assembled there the importance of the path of Saivism, he left the mortal body and attained Siva Bliss.

In the Chera country at Sengunrur there lived a Saint called Viranminda Nayanar. He belonged to the Vellala Caste. Once he visited Tiru Arur and remained in a Hall called Devasiriyan worshipping the Lord. One day Suntharar (one of the four great Saiva Saints) passed by the side of the Hall to worship the Lord without paying divine honour to the Saints. Viranmindar mistaking that he was so haughty as not to pay respects to the Saiva Saints, declared that he was an out cast or outsider to the Saivafold. On hearing this Suntharar