The Life
Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar Nayanar was the chieftain of Thirumunaipadi, ruling from Thirunavalur, and a great devotee who loved nothing more than to honour the servants of Shiva. On every Thiruvadhirai (Ardra) star-day he arranged special worship at Shiva's temples and grand feasts for the devotees. Once a devotee came to his assembly naked but for the sacred ash smeared over his body; instead of scorn, Narasinga Munaiyaraiyar recognised the man's inner detachment and self-mastery, prostrated before him, feasted him royally, and gave him two hundred gold coins. It was this same chieftain who lovingly raised the young Sundarar (Nambi Arurar) as his own foster-son, bringing him up in princely comfort. For his boundless reverence toward Shiva's devotees, he attained the Lord's grace.