The Life
Vichara Sarman, a young Brahmin of Thiruseignalur on the bank of the Manni, was moved to pity seeing the village cattle untended and took up their care. From their abundant milk he bathed a lingam he fashioned of river sand, worshipping with total absorption. Villagers complained of the 'wasted' milk, and his father Echadattan came and, finding the boy lost in meditation, kicked over the sand lingam. Roused from his trance, the boy struck at the offending foot with his herding staff, which turned into an axe and severed his father's leg, for to him one who defiled the Lord's worship was no longer a father. Shiva at once appeared, embraced him as His own son, restored the leg, and made him Chandeshvara, chief of His hosts and keeper of His wealth.