Page:The story of saiva saints.pdf/19

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21. CHANDESWARA NAYANAR

In Thiruchcheynalur, there was a Brahmin called Bohohadaththan. He had a son named Vichara Sarman who became well versed in Vedas. The cow herd of the village while tending the cattle beat a cow severely. On seeing this Vichara Sarman took to himself the service of grazing the cattle. Ha tended them very carefully and the cows began to spill in plenty. Looking at this Vichara Sarman made a Siva Linga out of the sand of R. Manni and used the milk for abhishekam (bathing of the idol). This was reported to the · owners of the cows and Echchadaththan went to the common pasturage to find out the truth. To his astonishment he found his son performing abhishekam and also pots full of milk. Loosing his tem ser, he struck against the pots. Vichara Sarman took a stick which became transformed into an axe and cut the legs of the father. The Lord appeared and saying that "all Mowers that used to adorn Him and all clothes and garments and oblation should become his”, awarded the rank of Chandeswara.

22. THIRUNAVUKKARASU SWAMIGAL

In the South Arcot District at Thiru Amur there lived a Saivite couple Pugazhanar and Mathiniyar. They were blessed with a daughter named Thilakavathiyar and a boy named Marulneekkiyar. After a few years when Thilakavathiyar's marriage was settled, the parents died. Kalippagaiyar to whom she was to be married also died. In order to bring up her brother, she resolved to live. The brother joined the Jain College at Patali (modern Thiruppathirippuliyur) where he won the respect of all and came to be known as Dharmasena. Thilakavathiyar silently prayed to Lord Siva at Thiruvathigai to redeem her dear brother from the Jaina religion. Her prayers were heard by Lord Siva. Dharmasena was affected with pain in the stomach, which no medicine could cure. He