Glory of Thirunyanasambandar



Thirunyanasambandhar is well known for rendition of hymns in praise of Lord Shiva. His hymns are classified as Thirumurai 1, 2 and 3 in the 12 Thirumurai compilation. Although his hymns are generally termed as Thevaram, but initially it was called as Thirukadaikaapu. Thirukadaikaapu forms the first 3 Thirumurai. Thirunyanasambandhar recited his first hymn at the age of 3. Thirunyanasambandhar lived during the 7th century. He was born in Seekaazhi, now wrongly called Sirkali, and was believed to be breastfed by the goddess Parvati herself, whereupon he sang the first hymn. On the request of queen of Pandya dynasty (Mangaiyarkarasiyar), Thirunyanasambandhar went on pilgrimage to south, defeated Jains in debate, the Jains' provoked Sambandhar by burning his house and challenging him to debate. Thirunyanasambandhar eventually won over them. He was a contemporary of Appar, another Saiva saint. Both were thick friends and propagated Saivism teachings during the same era.


Here, I'm not going to dwell into the history and life of Sambandhar, but focused mainly on his renditions. Sambandhar has a unique way of producing his hymns. When we take a Pathigam (collection of hymns), there would be 10 to 11 hymns in total. Sambandhar would talk about Bhakti of Ravana in his 8th hymn. Subsequently, in the 9th hymn, he talks about the greatness of Thiruvannamalai and how Brahma and Vishnu could not attain the feet and head of Shiva who took the form of Lingotbavar. In the 10th hymn, he emphasizes on the Saiva teaching and the greatness of Saivism as compared to Jainism and Buddhism. In the 11th hymn, he would give an attestation that this Pathigam was recited by himself by mentioning his own name and the benefits one would derive if one recites this particular Pathigam. At times, it makes us wonder, why does he mention his own name while praising the God? This is what a typical child would do, self claiming when he/she does something good. Eg, ''Mom, I helped you sweep the floor today, am I not a good child?''
Sambandhar's command of the Tamil language is truly remarkable. Refer to the Pathigam below, will you be able to decipher the meaning? 

யாமாமாநீ யாமாமா யாழீகாமா காணாகா
காணாகாமா காழீயா மாமாயாநீ மாமாயா

Yaamaamaanii Yaamaamaa Yaazhiikaamaa Kaaṇaakaa
Kaaṇaakaamaa Kaazhiiyaa Maamaayaanii Maamaayaa 

This Pathigam with a total of 11 hymns was recited in Seekaazhi and it is in Maalai Maatru format. Maalai Maatru means, a hymn's 2nd stanza is the exact mirror reflection of the 1st stanza. means you can also read it backwards and it still reflects the same meaning. Please try!

Now lets get to the meaning of this hymn.

Yaamaamaa - Are we (men) capable of much?
Niiyaamaa - You are the most powerful!
Maayaazhii - You the one playing a big Veena!
Kaamaa - You the handsome one like Manmatha!
Kaanaakaa - You the one seen wearing snakes as ornament!
Kaanaakaamaa - You the one who made Manmatha disappear!
Kaazhiiyaa - You the resident of Seekaazhi!
Maamaayaa - You the great one who deludes!
Nii Maamaayaa - You please destroy my delusion.

We can see that although the hymn looks simple, just 2 stanzas, easy to memorize but it carries deep meaning. Likewise, the remaining 10 hymns of this Pathigam were recited in the same manner.

 There were instances when Sambandhar has proved his true devotion towards Shiva. he underwent challenges at a tender age but through his devotion and surrendering upon Shiva, he was able to overcome those challenges.
When the queen of Pandya Dynasty requested him to travel south to win over the Jains, Appar discouraged him saying that, this is not an auspicious day to travel. However, Sambandhar recites the Kolaru Pathigam where he says that there will be no hindrance impacting him as Shiva himself dwells within him (என் உளமே புகுந்த அதனால், En Ulame Puguntha Athanaal) and ஆசறு நல்ல நல்ல அவை நல்ல நல்ல அடியாரவர்க்கு மிகவே (Aasaru Nalla Nalla Avai Nalla Nalla, Adiyar Avarku Migave), where he emphasizes that as long we remain devotees of Shiva, having full faith, everything that comes will be positive by nature.
Humble Pranams to Thirunyanasambandhar

 Another video that I have spoken about the background of Thirumurai.

Thiruchitrambalam

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