The Life
A humble potter of Thillai (Chidambaram), Thiruneelakanta made clay vessels and gave earthen begging-bowls freely to Shiva's devotees, revering the Neelakanta (blue-throated) form of the Lord. After a lapse of fidelity, his wife forbade him from ever touching her 'in the name of Neelakanta'; honouring that oath, he vowed lifelong celibacy toward all women, and the couple lived chastely into old age. To reveal their greatness, Shiva came as an aged Shaiva ascetic and entrusted a begging-bowl, which he made vanish. Accused of theft, the potter swore his innocence by plunging his hand, joined with his wife's, into the temple tank, for only the chaste could part their clasped hands. They emerged young; Shiva appeared with Uma and bore the devoted couple to Kailash.