Native placeMadurai, Pandya country
Associated templeMeenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai
Guru PujaAadi - Krithigai
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The Life
Murti Nayanar was a Vaishya merchant of Madurai whose service was to grind sandalwood into fragrant paste for Shiva at the temple. When a Karnata (northern) king seized Madurai and the supply of sandalwood was cut off, Murti refused to let the Lord's worship fail: he pressed his own forearm against the grinding-stone, wearing away his flesh to yield sandal-paste for the deity. Moved, Shiva assured him he would rule Madurai. Soon the Pandya king died childless; the state elephant, sent out to choose a successor, garlanded Murti, and he became king. Ruling righteously with sacred ash and matted locks, rejecting the Jains and refusing conversion, he governed wholly for Shiva's sake and finally attained the Lord's feet.
சுந்தரர் (சுந்தரமூர்த்தி நாயனார்)Sundarar (Sundaramurthi Nayanar)
The comrade of Shiva whose wedding the Lord halted by claiming him as His bond-slave.
Thirunavalur (Tirunavalur), Nadu-naduRead the life ›
திருநீலகண்ட நாயனார்Thiru Neelakanta Nayanar
The Chidambaram potter bound for life by his wife's vow taken in Shiva's name.
Chidambaram (Thillai)Read the life ›
இயற்பகை நாயனார்Iyarpagai Nayanar
The Puhar merchant who surrendered even his own wife at a devotee's word.
Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar)Read the life ›