Sri Sivashanmuga Nathar (17th century AD) was a saint-poet and a staunch Murugan devotee, who was associated with Lord Muruga’s earthly abode Tirtuttani.
Sri Sivashanmuga Nathar was born in Tirtuttani, near the famous Sri Tiruttani Murugan Temple. He was blessed with Lord Muruga, and he has sung divine songs in praise of Lord Murugan. During his young age, he visited the six famous temples (ARUPADAI VEEDU) of Lord Murugan. After some time, he joined as the chief priest in Tiruttani Murugan Temple, and sincerely served to Lord Muruga. He was born due to the divine grace of Lord Muruga of Tiruttani. Sri Sivashanmuga Nathar left his house, and went to the palace of the then king of Tiruttanai, and there he was warmly welcomed by the king Sri Shivakami nathan. He composed and sung in praise of Lord Muruga. He was greatly honoured and given respect at Tiruttani, and apart from serving at the Murugan Temple at Tiruttani, during his leisure time, he used to visit the king at his palace, and used to submit his divine compositions on the king’s court. After serving Lord Muruga at Tiruttani, since he was very much interested to visit the entire temples of Lord Muruga in Tamil Nadu, he began to travel to those holy temples through a palanquin which was presented to him by the Tiruttani King.
From Tiruttani, Sri Sivashanmuga Nathar went to Swamimalai, and there he had got the darshan of Lord Muruga in child form. Then Lord Muruga has asked him to visit Rishi Agastya at the Pothigai Hills. Agastya has agreed to be the guru of Sri Sivashanmuga Nathar, and after learning lot of spiritual teachings from Agastya Maharishi, he went to the northern part of the country, to spread the significance of Lord Muruga. During his travels, Sri Sivashanmuga Nathar renovated some ancient Murugan Temples, and also he arranged to perform Kumbabishekham for those temples. During his lifetime, he preached the Kaumaram philosophy among the people. He spent the money received from the devotees, towards constructing and building temples for Lord Muruga, and also he has arranged to perform free Annadanam in Murugan Temples. Sri Sivashanmuga Nathar, who was a great Shaivite saint and a poet, has contributed a lot towards spreading the importance of Lord Muruga. He was a knowledgeable man, who contains great spiritual powers. He is the one, who is capable of removing the sins of his devotees, through his divine powers. Hence, let us worship this great guru and be blessed and live happily for ever.
SPIRITUAL WRITINGS
1.Sri Skanda Mani Maalai
2.Muthukumaraswami Muthamudham
3.Sri Sivagurunathar Ashtakam
4.Arupadai Veedu Povoma
5.Murugan Tirukalyanam
6.Valli Ammai Mani Malai
7.Ma Devasena Devi Navaratna Manjari
“SRI SKANDAMAYAM”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR