Tirugnana Sambandar
by Srimathi Laxmi Veloo
012 620 9570
Thirugnana Sambanthar
The Wondrous Journey of a Divine Child
Introduction: Step into the mesmerizing world of Thirugnanasambanthar, the young and extraordinary Saiva poet-saint who graced the seventh century with his divine presence. This website page invites you to embark on an enchanting journey, filled with miraculous encounters, musical wonders, and celestial blessings that surrounded the life of this remarkable saint.
A Miraculous Beginning: Imagine a young child, just three years old, crying in a Shiva temple. Little did anyone know that this innocent child would capture the attention of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi themselves! In a divine encounter, it is said that the Goddess lovingly fed young Sambanthar with milk, leaving everyone astonished. His father returned to find drops of milk on his son’s mouth, and when asked who had fed him, the child pointed to the sky, responding with a melodious song called “Thodudaya Seviyan,” the first verse of the Devaram.
A Blossoming Prodigy: News of Sambanthar’s divine song at such a tender age spread like wildfire, and people believed that he had been blessed by the divine himself. Followers flocked to him, accompanying him on his journeys to various Shiva temples. Even Thirunavukkarasar, another renowned Saiva saint of that time, was in awe of young Sambanthar’s talents and occasionally carried his palanquin.
Divine Encounters and Musical Marvels: Throughout his travels, Sambanthar continued to experience extraordinary encounters and receive celestial gifts. At Thirukolakka, as he passionately sang his hymns, Lord Shiva noticed the pain in his hands and gifted him two golden “Thalam” plates, infused with the power to produce heavenly musical notes. In Thiruidaichuram, Lord Shiva, disguised as a shepherd, quenched Sambanthar’s thirst with buttermilk and guided him to a temple.
Miracles and Marvels: Sambanthar’s spiritual journey was punctuated by miracles and blessings. At Sri Kabaleeswarar temple, he is said to have revived a young girl who had succumbed to a snake bite. Offered her hand in marriage, Sambanthar declined, knowing his own destiny. In Thirumarugal, his hymns brought a merchant back to life after a venomous snakebite. These miraculous events further solidified his reputation as a chosen instrument of the divine.
A Life of Devotion and Hymns: Sambanthar’s fervor for Lord Shiva led him to visit 220 Shiva temples across the southern regions of India. His dedication resulted in over 16,000 Pathigams, captivating hymns that flowed effortlessly from his heart. Each Pathigam contained 10 to 11 verses, carrying profound spiritual messages. While 383 Pathigams have been recovered, totaling approximately 4,000 verses, it is a testament to his prolific outpouring of devotion.
A Transcendent Departure: As fate would have it, Sambanthar attained salvation (mukti) on the day of “Visaka Nakshtaram” during his marriage ceremony at Nallur Perumanam (Achalpuram). This young saint-poet, who had graced the world for just sixteen years, left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and touch the hearts of countless devotees.
Experience the Divine Melodies: On this website page, immerse yourself in the captivating verses and divine melodies of Thirugnanasambanthar. Explore his hymns, witness his miraculous journey, and feel the profound connection between the divine and the human spirit. Allow the spirit of this prodigious child to awaken your soul and transport you to a realm of wonder and devotion.