Nayanmar Overview
| Nayanmar | Viralminda Naayanaar |
|---|---|
| Birth Place | Sengunru |
| Category | 63 Nayanmar (Saivite Saints) |
| Tradition | Saiva Siddhanta / Tamil Bhakti Movement |
History & Sacred Legend
Viralminda Nayanar was born in Sengunru. He was a Vellala by caste and a staunch devotee of Lord Siva. To him, worship of Siva Bhaktas was paramount—even surpassing direct worship of the Lord Himself, as he held that Lord Siva cannot be pleased if His devotees are ignored or dishonoured.
When visiting the famous Tiruvarur temple, he observed Sundaramurthi Nayanar entering the inner sanctum to worship Lord Tyagaraja without first offering prostrations to the gathered assembly of Siva devotees in the Deva Asiriyan hall. Viralmindar boldly proclaimed that Sundarar was excommunicated from the fold of devotees, and that the Lord Himself was an outcaste for accepting such worship.
Recognizing the elevated spiritual vision and sincerity behind Viralminda Nayanar's reprimand, Sundarar immediately prostrated before him and composed the celebrated hymn 'Tiruthonda Thogai', enshrining the glories of all the Nayanmars. Highly pleased by his unwavering zeal, Lord Siva made Viralminda Nayanar the chief leader of the Siva Ganas.