Kannappar

KANNAPPA NAYANAR

 

   His original name is Thinnanar.  He comes to forest for hunting with his servants.  While chasing an animal he comes to see the temple of Kalathi.  On seeing this Shiva temple he forgets everything. The very sight of the temple brings him to his senses.  He strongly understands the futility of worldly life.  He gets himself lost in the thought of the Lord and in offering service to Him.

   He renounces everything and sticks to the temple.  His approach to Siva is unique.  He does not know any rituals and so he follows his own mind in conducting pooja and offering service to God.

  

    He offers even meat to the shrine. Next day the priest of the temple comes and he is disgusted to see the meat within the temple.  One night Siva appears in the dream of the priest and informs him of Thinnanar and his strong devotion to Him.  Siva asks him to hide in the temple after 'pooja'.

   He does the same and sees Thinnanar coming with meat etc.  He pays offerings to God as usual.  Suddenly blood drips from one eye of the idol.  Thinnanar is undone to see such a scene.  He runs into the forest and brings some medicinal leaves and drops the essence on the eye of the idol.  The blood does not stop.

   He remembers an old saying in Tamil "Flesh for Flesh".  So he plucks his eye at once and places it on the eye of the idol.  Blood stopped dripping.

   After a while blood comes from the other eye of the idol.  Then he tries to pluck out his other also for putting on the shrine.  Then God Siva blesses him with mukti.