Cheraman Perumal Nayanar (Tamil: Template:Lang;Malayalam: Template:Lang; literally meaning "Chera king the Nayanar") was a bhakti poet-musician and religious teacher of the Tamil Shaiva tradition in medieval south India, and is counted among the sixty-three revered nayanars.[1]
The Cheraman Perumal's companionship with Sundarar, also known as Sundarar 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 Shiva Temple in Kodungallur, on the Malabar Coast, is closely associated with both the Perumal and Sundarar Moorthy 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 medieval Chera state of Kerala.[1][8]
The legend of Cheraman Perumal
The legend of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar and Sundarar 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 Sundarar through a vision of the Nataraja of Chidambaram. Sundarar, 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 Sundarar 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, Sundarar 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 Sundarar that it was time for him to return to Mount Kailasa. Sundarar ascended to Kailasa on a white elephant, with Cheraman Perumal following him on horseback.[3][10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Oxford University Press(2014). ISBN 978-0-19-809977-2
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 South Indian Horizon: Felicitation Volume for François Gros{{#if:Veluthat|, Veluthat}. École Française D'Extrême-Orient(2004)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Periyapuraṇam{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Kovai Tamil Cankam(1954)
- ↑ Perumāḷs of Kerala{{#if:Narayanan|, Narayanan}. CosmoBooks(2013). ISBN 9788188765072
- ↑ Perumāḷs of Kerala{{#if:Narayanan|, Narayanan}. CosmoBooks(2013). ISBN 9788188765072
- ↑ Perumāḷs of Kerala{{#if:Narayanan|, Narayanan}. CosmoBooks(2013). ISBN 9788188765072
- ↑ Perumāḷs of Kerala{{#if:Narayanan|, Narayanan}. CosmoBooks(2013). ISBN 9788188765072
- ↑ The Temple and the State in Medieval South India. Studies in People's History({Template:Date).
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Companionship, Loyalty and Affiliation in Chola South India. Studies in History({Template:Date).
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Travancore Archaeological Series{{#if:Ayyar|, Ayyar}. Government of Travancore(1925)