KOYILNET

History & Sacred Legend

‘Charity, free from the mean utterance I have none is found only among men of good birth’ says the Kural. Among such noble souls Iyarpahai Nayanar ranked high. Charity was ingrained in him. It was his practice to invite Siva Bhaktas to his house, worship them with faith and devotion and give them all they wanted. He had taken a vow never to say no to what a Siva Bhakta wanted.

Iyarpahaiar was a native of Kaveripoompattinam. He was a Vaisya by caste. To him Siva Bhaktas were the living manifestations of Lord Siva. Lord Siva was pleased with His devotee and wanted to reveal his true greatness to the world.

So, the Lord, in the disguise of a Brahmin smeared with sacred ashes, came to Nayanar’s house asking for the ultimate test of charity—the gift of his wife. Iyarpahaiar readily granted the request without hesitation, knowing that serving a Siva Bhakta supersedes all worldly attachments. His chaste wife also willingly obeyed her husband's command as Dharma.

To protect the Brahmin and his wife from the wrath of protesting relatives, Iyarpahaiar armed himself with sword and shield, escorting them safely through the outskirts of the town and overcoming all opposition. When they safely reached Tiruchaikadu, the Brahmin disappeared and Lord Siva and Mother Parvathi appeared in the heavens, showering blessings on Iyarpahaiar and his wife, admitting them as well as their kin into the eternal abode of Kailasa.