Native placeThiruverkadu (Tondai Nadu, near Chennai)
Associated templeVedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu
Guru PujaKarthikai — Mula (Moolam)
In the sixty-threeNo. 32
The Life
Murkha Nayanar was born in Thiruverkadu and devoted his life to feeding the adiyars (devotees) of Shiva, seeing service to them as service to the Lord himself. He spent his entire wealth providing lavish meals to Shaivas. When his riches ran out but his zeal did not, he turned to gambling to raise funds, mastering the dice so that the offering of food could continue. Fierce in protecting the sanctity of his charity, he did not hesitate to strike down cheats and cowards who tried to win by fraud — which earned him the name Murkha, 'the fierce one.' Because his single purpose was always the nourishing of Shiva's servants, the Lord granted him grace and a place at his feet.
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 ›