French
DeutschCheraman Perumal Nayanar
Cheraman Perumal Nayanar | |
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.jpg) Depiction of Cherman Perumal Nayanar in Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur | |
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| Religious life | |
| Religion | Tamil Shaivism (Bhakti) |
| Temple | Thiruvanchikulam Shiva Temple |
Cheraman Perumal Nayanar (Malayalam: ചേരമാൻ പെരുമാൾ നായനാർ; Tamil: சேரமான் பெருமாள் நாயனார்; literally meaning "Chera king the Nayanar") was a bhakti poet-musician and religious teacher (one of the sixty-three nayanars) of Tamil Shaiva tradition in medieval south India.[1]
The Cheraman Perumal's friendship with Chundarar or Chundara Moorthy Nayanar, one of the "Three Nayanars", is celebrated in the bhakti tradition.[2] The legend of the Cheraman Perumal is narrated in the hagiographic "Periyapuranam", composed by Chekkizhar, a courtier of Chola Kulottunga II, in mid-12th century AD. The collection is based on an earlier work by Nambiyandar Nambi (10th-11th centuries AD).[3][4] Thiruvanchikulam Siva Temple in Kodungallur is associated with the Perumal and Chundaramurtti Nayanar.[5]
The Cheraman Perumal is credited as the author of "Ponvannattandadi", hymns in praise of the Lord of Chidambaram, "Thiruvarur Mummanikkovai", in honor of the deity of Thiruvarur, and "Adiyula" (the first of the ulas) or "Thirukkailayajnana Ula", in praise of Shiva.[6][7][2] Historians tentatively identify the saint with Rama Rajasekhara, the 9th century ruler of the Chera Perumal kingdom of Kerala.[1][8]
The legend of Cheraman Perumal
[edit]The legend of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar and Chundarar seemingly had their origins in pre-Chola times.[9] Their current extant forms only took shape at the courts of Chola kings (c. end of the 10th century to 12th century AD).[9]
The Cheraman Perumal (a title, meaning "the Chera ruler"), according to tradition, was born into the ruling 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 take up the reins of the kingdom. At the time, the prince was meditating at Tiruvanchaikkalam and was only convinced to accept the throne with great difficulty.[3][10]
Cheraman Perumal, after some time, learned about the lyricist Chundara (from the Nataraja of Chidambaram himself). Chundara, a devoted follower of 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 passing through the Kongu country, eventually reached Chidambaram. He then proceeded to Tiruvarur, where he met Chundara. Over time, the two became close friends and embarked on a long pilgrimage across south India (visiting 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, Chundara visited his fellow devotee, Cheraman Perumal, at Kodunkolur and stayed in the city as a royal guest for some time.[3] One day, messengers from Shiva arrived at Tiruvanchaikkalam to inform Chundara that it was time for him to "return" to Mount Kailasa. Chundara thus ascended to Kailasa on a white elephant, with the Chera king following him on horseback.[3][10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Karashima, Noboru, ed. (2014). "States in Deccan and Kerala". A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. Oxford University Press. pp. 146–47. ISBN 978-0-19-809977-2.
- ^ a b Veluthat, Kesavan (2004). "Mahodayapuram-Kotunnallur: a Capital City as a Sacred Centre". South Indian Horizon: Felicitation Volume for François Gros. École Française D'Extrême-Orient. pp. 471–85.
- ^ a b c d e Muthaliyar, C. K. Chuppiramaniya, ed. (1954). Periyapuraṇam. Coimbatore: Kovai Tamil Cankam.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 46–47. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 152–153. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 382–383. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 48–50. ISBN 9788188765072.
- ^ Veluthat, Kesavan (2017). "The Temple and the State in Medieval South India". Studies in People's History. 4 (1): 15–23. doi:10.1177/2348448917693729. S2CID 158422635.
- ^ a b c Ali, Daud (2017). "Companionship, Loyalty and Affiliation in Chola South India". Studies in History. 33 (1): 36–60. doi:10.1177/0257643016677455. ISSN 0257-6430.
- ^ a b c d Ayyar, A. S. Ramanatha (1925). "Cheraman-Perumal". Travancore Archaeological Series. Vol. V. Trivandrum: Government of Travancore. pp. 96–98.