Native placeThirukovilur (Milad Nadu)
Associated templeVeeratteswarar Temple, Thirukovilur
Guru PujaKarthikai / Uthiram
In the sixty-threeNo. 4
The Life
Meiporul, chieftain of Milad Nadu ruling from Thirukovilur, honoured every wearer of the Shaiva marks, matted hair, sacred ash and rudraksha, as Shiva Himself. A jealous rival king, Muthanathan, unable to defeat him in battle, disguised himself as a Shaiva ascetic carrying a palm-leaf scroll and gained entry to the chieftain's chambers past the guard Dathan. Drawing a hidden dagger, he stabbed Meiporul. Though mortally wounded, Meiporul restrained Dathan from striking the 'ascetic,' declaring that one bearing the holy ash must never be harmed, and ordered him escorted safely beyond the kingdom's borders. Honouring the outward form of a devotee even at the cost of his own life, Meiporul earned Shiva's grace and was taken to Kailash.
திருநீலகண்ட நாயனார்Thiruneelakanta Nayanar
the potter of Thillai who kept his vow of chastity
Chidambaram (Thillai)Read the life ›
தில்லைவாழ் அந்தணர்Thillai Vazh Andhanar
the three thousand Brahmins of Chidambaram
Thillai (Chidambaram)Read the life ›
இயற்பகை நாயனார்Iyarpagai Nayanar
the merchant who gave away his own wife at a devotee's word
Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar)Read the life ›