By Swami Sivananda
In devotion to Siva bhaktas, Kulachirai Nayanar excelled. He was born in Manamerkudi, in the Pandyan kingdom. This place was frequently graced by Siva bhaktas. Kulachirai Nayanar was the leader as well as the supporter of the people. To him adoration of Siva bhaktas was equal to adoration of Lord Siva Himself. He saw no difference between Siva bhaktas and Siva.
Kulachirai was the Prime Minister of the Pandyan King. Yet, he regarded himself as the slave of Siva bhaktas. He was the richest man in the place — yet, to him wealth was only dust. Nothing belonged to him — it was the property of Siva bhaktas. Even Sambanthar extolled Kulachirai's virtuous qualities in a thiru-pathigam (song).
Kulachirai Nayanar was an able soldier and administrator. Yet, his mind was ever absorbed in the Lord. He helped the queen in stemming the tide of the evil influence of Jainism. Kulachirai Nayanar invited Sambanthar to Madurai to fight this evil influence. The Jains set fire to Sambanthar's camp. Sambanthar sang a song and the fire was extinguished. The Pandyan King had high fever, which the Jains could not cure, but which was cured by the sacred ash that Sambanthar applied on him. Sambanthar argued with the Jains and defeated them. Kulachirai sent the defeated Jains to the gallows. Kulachirai served the Siva bhaktas and finally attained Siva's abode.
References:
Sekkilaar, and G. Vanmikanathan. Periya Puranam — A Tamil Classic On The Great Saiva Saints of South India. Ed. Dr. N. Mahalingam. Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math, 2000.
Sivananda, Swami. Sixty-Three Nayanar Saints. World Wide Web edition. India: Divine Life Society, 1999.
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