- August 4, 2025
Among the four great Saivite saints (Samaya Kuravars), Sundaramurthi Swamigal holds a unique place. He regarded Lord Shiva not only as God but also as his closest friend, earning the revered title “Thambiran Thozhar” (Friend of the Lord). The hymns he composed in praise of Lord Shiva were compiled as the Seventh Thirumurai of the Saivite canon. Let us explore his inspiring life story in detail.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Thirunavalur (Thirumunaipadi Nadu) |
| Parents | Sadaiyanar and Isaignaniyar (Adi Saiva lineage) |
| Birth Name | Nambi Aaroorar |
| Kailasa Name | Aalala Sundarar |
| Honorary Titles | Vanthondan, Thambiran Thozhar |
| Thirumurai | Seventh Thirumurai (Thevaram) |
| Important Star | Swathi Nakshatra in the Tamil month of Aadi (Age 18) |
In Mount Kailasa, Aalala Sundarar was engaged in the divine service of Lord Shiva. One day, while gathering flowers from the celestial garden for worship, he saw two attendants of Goddess Parvati named Anindithai and Kamalini. He became attracted to them, and they too developed affection for him.
Knowing this, Lord Shiva ordained that all three should be born on Earth and experience human life. In accordance with the divine command, Aalala Sundarar was born as Nambi Aaroorar to Sadaiyanar and Isaignaniyar in Thirunavalur.
Recognizing the divine radiance of the young Nambi Aaroorar, the local king Narasinga Munaiyar adopted him and raised him in the royal palace.
When he came of age, arrangements were made for his marriage with the daughter of Sadangavi Sivachariyar of Puthur. Because he looked exceptionally handsome in his wedding attire, everyone began calling him “Sundarar” (the handsome one).
Just as the wedding ceremony was about to take place, Lord Shiva appeared in the guise of an elderly Brahmin and presented a palm-leaf document claiming:
“You are my servant and therefore have no right to marry.”
Angered by this, Sundarar replied:
“Can one Brahmin be the slave of another? Are you mad?”
He tore up the document, calling the old man a “Pithan” (madman).
The dispute was taken before the assembly at Thiruvennainallur. There, the elderly Brahmin produced the original deed proving Sundarar’s servitude. When the judges asked where he lived, the old man walked directly into the temple and disappeared.
Only then did everyone realize that the old man was Lord Shiva Himself.
A divine voice then declared:
“Though you spoke harshly to Me, your devotion is true. Henceforth you shall be known as Vanthondan.”
The Lord also blessed him with the gift of sacred poetry. When Sundarar asked what he should sing, Shiva replied:
“You called Me ‘Pithaa’ (Mad One), did you not? Begin with that.”
Immediately, Sundarar sang his first Thevaram hymn:
“Pithaa Piraisoodi Perumane Arulala…”
Travelling to many sacred shrines, Sundarar eventually reached Thiruvarur. Kamalini, who had been one of the celestial maidens in Kailasa, had been born there as Paravaiyar. By the grace of Lord Shiva, Sundarar and Paravaiyar were married.
A farmer-devotee named Kundaiyur Kizhar was unable to send paddy to Sundarar due to a severe famine. Through Lord Shiva’s grace, heaps of paddy appeared throughout the village like mountains.
At Sundarar’s request, Lord Shiva sent His divine attendants (Bhuta Ganas), who transported all the grain overnight to the streets of Thiruvarur.
Later, Sundarar visited Thiruvotriyur, where Anindithai had been born as Sangiliyar.
When Sundarar wished to marry her, she insisted on a promise:
“You must never leave me.”
Using a clever approach, Sundarar made the promise beneath a Magizha tree outside the temple and married her.
After some time, Sundarar longed to witness the grand spring festival in Thiruvarur. Ignoring the promise made to Sangiliyar, he crossed the boundary of Thiruvotriyur.
The moment he did so, he lost the sight in both eyes.
Despite his blindness, he continued singing the praises of Lord Shiva. At Thiruvenpakkam, the Lord granted him a walking staff. At Kanchipuram, he regained vision in his left eye, and at Thiruvarur, his right eye was restored completely.
Thus, through divine grace, his blindness was cured.
When Sundarar returned to Thiruvarur, Paravaiyar initially refused to accept him. Lord Shiva Himself went as a messenger in the guise of a temple priest and reconciled the couple.
Because he was blessed with such intimate friendship that even Lord Shiva acted as his messenger, Sundarar became celebrated as “Thambiran Thozhar” (Friend of the Lord).
Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, the king of the Chera kingdom, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
One day, Lord Shiva delayed granting Cheraman the divine sound of His anklets because He was absorbed in listening to Sundarar’s hymns. Learning the reason, Cheraman travelled to Thiruvarur to meet Sundarar.
A profound friendship blossomed between them, and together they visited many sacred temples.
As time passed, Sundarar became increasingly detached from worldly life and deeply absorbed in divine consciousness.
At Thiruvanjikkalam, he sang a hymn requesting the Lord to take him back. In response, Lord Shiva sent celestial beings with a white elephant to bring Sundarar to Kailasa.
Seeing his friend ascending to heaven, Cheraman Perumal whispered the sacred Panchakshara Mantra (“Namah Shivaya”) into the ear of his white horse. The horse immediately flew through the skies.
Together, Sundarar and Cheraman Perumal reached Mount Kailasa and attained the divine presence of Lord Shiva. Paravaiyar and Sangiliyar too eventually joined them through the grace of the Lord.
Sundarar attained Kailasa at the age of 18, on Swathi Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Aadi.
The hymns of the Seventh Thirumurai composed by Sundaramurthi Swamigal are treasured masterpieces of Tamil devotional literature. Devotees believe that celebrating his Guru Pooja on Aadi Swathi and singing his hymns with devotion removes obstacles from life and brings prosperity, happiness, and the blessings of Lord Shiva.
