The path leading to penance - Thava Neri Aaludayar

 திருத்துறையூர்

Temple Information 

Saint Sundarar has praised the Lord in his Thevaram hymn praying the Lord to teach him the rules of penance.   This is the 15th Shiva temple in the Nadunaadu region praised in Thevaram hymns.

The  sculpture depicting the darshan of Lord to saint Sundarar is on the ghoshta wall near Lord Dakshinamurthy shrine.  There are shrines for Lord Bhairava, Surya Linga, Ramalinga, Bheema Linga, Sun God, Lord Adikesava Bhaktavatsala, Mother Gajalakshmi in the prakara.  Lord Nardana Vinayaka is in a separate shrine facing east.

After worshipping Lord Shiva with his first song beginning with the word “Pitha” at Tiruvennainallur, saint Sundarar came to this temple but was intercepted by the spate of Thenpennai River.  He sang his hymns from the river bank.  There came an old couple and took the saint to the other bank of the river in a boat.   Lord Shiva hid Himself.  Sundarar saw around but could not find anybody.  The old man told Sundarar that the person he was seeking to see was up above and disappeared.  The Saint had the darshan of the Lord with Mother Parvathi on His Vrushaba-bull vehicle.

Sundarar begged the Lord to impart him teachings on the rules of penance.  As Lord Shiva was a Guru-Teacher to the saint, He is praised as Sishta Gurunathar and Thava Neri Aaludayar – teaching penance rules.  As Thursday belongs to Jupiter-Guru planet, special pujas are performed in the temple.

During Pradosham days – 13th day from new moon and full moon fortnights, a flag with Nandhi symbol is hoisted here.  In olden days, this practice was followed.  It is not in vogue now.  This practice is still followed in Shiva temples in Sri Lanka even now.

This practice is followed in this temple.  The Shiva Linga is big in size.  The point of the peeta-Avudayar is on the right side.  Poornima – full moon day – pujas are performed on Mondays. Those facing problems in wedding proposals and those concerned with the health and welfare of children light ghee lamps and perform archanas with Vilwa leaves.  Lord Muruga graces with six faces as Lord Subramanya praised by saint Arunagiriar n his hymns.  Lord Adikesava graces from a shrine facing south.  Saint Sundarar appears with his Sengole-a stick symbolizing royal authority.  People use to dress Sundarar with a turban as a mark of respect.

There are shrines opposite the temple for Thaduthu Aatkonda Easwarar granting darshan to the saint as a ripe old person and for Mother Gajalakshmi and Ashtapuja Kali.  The monument of saint Arunandhi Sivachariar, disciple of Meikanda Nayanar belonging to the Saivite Guru Parambara is nearby.

Thirumurai 7.13

1. மலையாரரு வித்திரள்
மாமணி யுந்திக்
குலையாரக்கொணர்ந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
கலையார் அல்குற் கன்னியர்
ஆடுந் துறையூர்த்
தலைவாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

2. மத்தம்மத யானையின்
வெண்மருப் புந்தி
முத்தங்கொணர்ந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
பத்தர்பயின் றேத்திப்
பரவுந் துறையூர்
அத்தாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

3. கந்தங்கமழ் காரகில்
சந்தன முந்திச்
செந்தண்புனல் வந்திழி
பெண்ணை வடபால்
மந்தீபல மாநடம்
ஆடுந் துறையூர்
எந்தாய் உனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

4. அரும்பார்ந்தன மல்லிகை
சண்பகஞ் சாடிச்
சுரும்பாரக்கொணர்ந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
கரும்பார்மொழிக் கன்னியர்
ஆடுந் துறையூர்
விரும்பாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

5. பாடார்ந்தன மாவும்
பலாக்களுஞ் சாடி
நாடாரவந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
மாடார்ந்தன மாளிகை
சூழுந் துறையூர்
வேடாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

6. மட்டார்மலர்க் கொன்றையும்
வன்னியுஞ் சாடி
மொட்டாரக்கொணர்ந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
கொட்டாட்டொடு பாட்டொலி
ஓவாத் துறையூர்ச்
சிட்டாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

7. மாதார்மயிற் பீலியும்
வெண்ணுரை யுந்தித்
தாதாரக்கொணர்ந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
போதார்ந்தன பொய்கைகள்
சூழுந் துறையூர்
நாதாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

8. கொய்யார்மலர்க் கோங்கொடு
வேங்கையுஞ் சாடிச்
செய்யாரக்கொணர்ந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
மையார்தடங் கண்ணியர்
ஆடுந் துறையூர்
ஐயாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

9. விண்ணார்ந்தன மேகங்கள்
நின்று பொழிய
மண்ணாரக்கொணர்ந் தெற்றிஓர்
பெண்ணை வடபால்
பண்ணார்மொழிப் பாவையர்
ஆடுந் துறையூர்
அண்ணாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

10. மாவாய்ப்பிளந் தானும்
மலர்மிசை யானும்
ஆவாஅவர் தேடித்
திரிந்தல மந்தார்
பூவார்ந்தன பொய்கைகள்
சூழுந் துறையூர்த்
தேவாஉனை வேண்டிக்கொள்
வேன்தவ நெறியே.

11. செய்யார்கம லம்மலர்
நாவலூர் மன்னன்
கையால்தொழு தேத்தப்
படுந்துறை யூர்மேல்
பொய்யாத்தமிழ் ஊரன்
உரைத்தன வல்லார்
மெய்யேபெறு வார்கள்
தவநெறி தானே.

on the northern bank of the unequalled river, Peṇṇai which dashes against the bank, bringing and depositing big gems, from the multitude of streams descending from the mountain tops.
the chief in Tuṟaiyūr where virgins, who wear beautiful clothes, bathe.
I would pray for the path leading to penance only, from you I won`t desire any other thing

on the northern bank of the unequalled river, pennai which brings pearls from banboos and pushing while tusks of elephants which are frenzied with fluid of must.
the father in tuṟaiyūr where pious people praise in the second and third without ceasing!
see 1st verse.

on the northern bank of the unequalled river, peṇṇai in which cool freshes descend from mountains and flow, pushing eagle-wood and sandal wood whose fragrance spreads very far.
our father in tuṟaiyūr where the female monkeys perform many great dances imitating ladies!
see 1st verse.

on the northern bank of the unequalled river, peṇṇai which dashes against the banks, bringing with its floods breaking the jasmine and the champak trees which have abundant buds for the bees to drink the honey in them.
Civaṉ, the object of my desire in tuṟaiyūr where virgins whose words as sweet as the juice of the sugar-cane bathe.
see 1st verse.

on the northern bank of the unequalled river, peṇṇai which dashes against the banks and brings for the people of the country to enjoy, breaking the mango-trees and jack trees which are abundant on its sides.
Civaṉ who assumes many forms out of grace and who is in Tuṟaiyūr surrounded by mansions which are full of wealth;

breaking the indian mesquit and koṉṟai trees which have flowers full of honey.
on the northern bank of the unequalled river, peṇṇai, which dashes on the bank bringing buds to fill the floods.
the supreme god in tuṟaiyūr where the sound which is produced by the beating of the instruments like drum, dance and songs never cease.
see 1st verse.

on the northern sides of the unequalled river, peṇṇai which throws on the banks bringing with the freshes abundantly pollen and pushing exceedingly beautiful feathers of peacock and white foams.
the master who dwells in tuṟaiyūr surrounded by natural tanks which are full of buds about to blossom!
see 1st verse.

breaking the guava trees, common caung with flowers, and east indian Kino trees.
on the northern bank of the river Peṇṇai which throws them bringing them to fill up the fields.
the master who dwells in Tuṟaiyūr where the young women whose big eyes are coated with collyrium, bathe!
see 1st verse.

when the clouds which have cover of the sky pour rain without ceasing bringing with the floods the fertile soil abundantly.
on the northern side of the unequalled river, peṇṇai which throws its waves on the banks.
the chief in tuṟaiyūr where beautiful girls whose words are as sweet as melody types, bathe!
see 1st verse.

alas!
Māl who tore open the mouth of horse in the incarnation of Kaṇṇaṉ and Piramaṉ who is seated on a lotus flower, became confounded wandering in search of your feet and head, though they were very powerful gods;
the god in tuṟaiyūr surrounded by natural tanks which are full of flowers.
see 1st verse.

the chief of Nāvalūr where lotus flowers blossom abundantly in fields and who has the name of Nampi Ārūraṉ who composed Tamiḻ songs which never become false.
on tuṟaiyūr which is praised by all with joined hands.
those who are able to sing those verses.
will definitely obtain the path leading to penance.