By Swami Sivananda
Kariyar Nayanar was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva and was a native of Thirukadavur. He was a scholar in Tamil. He used to go to the three Tamil kings, and get money by singing Tamil Kovais (anthology). He earned a lot and built temples with that money. Thus, he spread the cause of Saivism. He also served Siva bhaktas and earned Siva's grace.
A true devotee of the Lord lives for Siva's sake only. All that he has is offered to the Lord as the devotee’s worship. God is your creator, your father and mother, friend and Guru. He has given you the various talents and skills. They, too, belong to Him. He dwells in all and expects you to utilize your talents and skills in the service of all. This is the simple logic by which the saints arrive at the conclusion that they should see God in all, serve the Lord in all, and love Him in and through cosmic love, expressed as selfless service and charity.
By leading such a selfless and divine life, you will conquer your worst spiritual enemy, viz., egoism, and realize God in this very birth, nay, this very second.
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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