Page:The story of saiva saints.pdf/24

Rh too came with Sambanthar. Though they were considered to belong to the depressed class, Thiru Neelanakkar made them remain in the heart of his house by the side of the pial intended for performing daily sacrifice. Finally the Saint took part in the wedding ceremonies of Thirugnana Sambanthar and attained the Feet of Siva.

Naminanthi was a Brahmin Saint of Emapperur. One day when he had been to Thiru Arur, he desired to light lamps in the temple called Araneri. So he stepped into a house nearby and requested to give him some ghee for this purpose. As it happened to be the house of a jain he was refused ghee. Now the voice from heaven bade him to burn the lamp with water. Accordingly he got water from the tank and lit the lamps. From that day on wards he continued this service with devotion. One day he witnessed the annual festival at Thiru Arur and went late to his abode. As he thought he was polluted, he wanted to take bath. While his wife was making arrangements for his bath, he had a nap when the Lord appeared in his dream and told him that all those born in Thiru Arur were Sivaganas. Then he shifted his residence to Thiru Arur. He was glorified by the appellation "Thondarkku Ani” (Linch-pin of devotees) by Thiru Navukkarasar.

Sambanthar was born of Sivapathahruthayar and Bhagavathiyar at Sirkazhi. While he was three years old, he went with his father to the tank in the temple. As the father was busy with ablutions, the boy began to weep and called out "Mother & Father". Uma (Siva's consort) heard the cry, came and fed him with a cup of holy milk. The boy atonceat once [sic] became Thirugnanasambanthar (one connected with wisdom). The father came up from the tank