Cheraman Perumal Nayanar
Cheraman Perumal Nayanar | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Depiction of Cherman Perumal Nayanar in the Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur | |
| Notable work(s) |
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| Religious life | |
| Religion | Tamil Shaivism (Bhakti) |
| Temple | Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple |
Cheraman Perumal Nayanar (Malayalam: ചേരമാൻ പെരുമാൾ നായനാർ; Tamil: சேரமான் பெருமாள் நாயனார்; literally meaning "Chera king the Nayanar") was a bhakti poet-musician and religious teacher of the Tamil Shaiva tradition in medieval south India, counted among the sixty-three revered nayanars.[1]
The Cheraman Perumal's companionship with Chundarar, also known as Chundara Moorthy Nayanar, one of the "Three Nayanars", is celebrated in the bhakti tradition.[2] The legend of the Cheraman Perumal is recounted in the hagiographic work "Periyapuranam", composed in the mid-12th century AD by Chekkizhar, a courtier of Chola ruler Kulottunga II. This collection draws upon an earlier compilation by Nambiyandar Nambi (10th-11th centuries AD).[3][4] The Thiruvanchikulam Siva Temple in Kodungallur, on the Malabar Coast, is closely associated with both the Perumal and Chundaramurtti Nayanar.[5]
The Cheraman Perumal is credited with composing several devotional works, including the "Ponvannattandadi", a collection of hymns in praise of the Lord of Chidambaram; the "Thiruvarur Mummanikkovai", dedicated to the deity of Thiruvarur; and the "Adiyula"—also known as the "Thirukkailayajnana Ula"—the first of the ulas, in honor of Lord Shiva.[6][7][2] Historians tentatively identify the saint with Rama Rajasekhara, the 9th century ruler of the Chera Perumal kingdom of Kerala.[1][8]
The legend of Cheraman Perumal
[edit]The legend of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar and Chundarar appears to have originated in pre-Chola times.[9] Their extant forms took shape only later, at the courts of the Chola kings, around the late 10th to 12th century AD.[9]
The Cheraman Perumal (a title, meaning "the Chera ruler"), according to tradition, was born into the royal family of "Malai-nadu", whose capital was "Kodunkolur or Makotai by the Ocean". When the reigning king, "Chenkor Poraiyan", abdicated the throne, his ministers persuaded the young Cheraman — also known as "Perumakkotaiyar" or "Kalarirrarivar" ("the One who knows [all] Languages"[9]) — to assume the responsibilities of the kingdom. At the time, the prince was meditating at Tiruvanchaikkalam and had to be convinced with great difficulty to accept the crown.[3][10]
In due course, Cheraman Perumal learned of the lyricist Chundara through a vision of the Nataraja of Chidambaram. Chundara, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, was singing at the Chidambaram Temple, and the king wished to meet him and pay homage.[10] Accordingly, he left his capital and, after travelling through the Kongu country, eventually arrived at Chidambaram. He then continued to Tiruvarur, where he met Chundara in person.[3][10]
Over time, the two became close companions and embarked on a long pilgrimage across south India. Their journey included visits to Kirvelur, Nagaikkaronam, Tirumaraikkadu, Palanam, Agastyanpalli, Kulagar-Kodikkoyil, Tirupattur, Madurai, Tiruppuvanam, Tiruvappanur, Tiruvedagam, Tirupparangunram, Kurralam, Kurumbala, Tirunelveli, Ramesvaram, Tiruchchuliyal, Kanapper, Tiruppunavayil, Patalesvaram, Tirukkandiyur, and Tiruvaiyyaru.[3][10]
Years later, Chundara visited his fellow devotee, Cheraman Perumal, in Kodunkolur and remained in the city as a royal guest for some time.[3] One day, messengers from Lord Shiva arrived at Tiruvanchaikkalam to inform Chundara that it was time for him to return to Mount Kailasa. Chundara ascended to Kailasa on a white elephant, with Cheraman Perumal following him on horseback.[3][10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Karashima, Noboru, ed. (2014). "States in Deccan and Kerala". A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. Oxford University Press. pp. 146–47. ISBN 978-0-19-809977-2.
- ^ a b Veluthat, Kesavan (2004). "Mahodayapuram-Kotunnallur: a Capital City as a Sacred Centre". South Indian Horizon: Felicitation Volume for François Gros. École Française D'Extrême-Orient. pp. 471–85.
- ^ a b c d e f Muthaliyar, C. K. Chuppiramaniya, ed. (1954). Periyapuraṇam. Coimbatore: Kovai Tamil Cankam.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 46–47. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 152–153. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 382–383. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 48–50. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Veluthat, Kesavan (2017). "The Temple and the State in Medieval South India". Studies in People's History. 4 (1): 15–23. doi:10.1177/2348448917693729. S2CID 158422635.
- ^ a b c Ali, Daud (2017). "Companionship, Loyalty and Affiliation in Chola South India". Studies in History. 33 (1): 36–60. doi:10.1177/0257643016677455. ISSN 0257-6430.
- ^ a b c d e Ayyar, A. S. Ramanatha (1925). "Cheraman-Perumal". Travancore Archaeological Series. Vol. V. Trivandrum: Government of Travancore. pp. 96–98.