Kalarsinga Nayanar, also known as Kalarsinga, Kazharsinga, Kalarcinkan, Kalarsingan, Kalarsinganar, Kalarsingar, Kalarcingar and Kalar-chingar (Kalar-singar), was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the fifty-fifth in the list of 63 Nayanars.[1] While his identity remains a matter of debate, many scholars identity Kalarsinga Nayanar as the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha), who reigned between 700 and 728 CE.
The life of Kalarsinga Nayanar is described in the TamilPeriya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.[1][2] His name "kalarsinga" means "lion with ankled feet".[3]
Kalarsinga was a Pallava king from the Kadava dynasty. He is said to waged wars on foes and conquered kingdoms to the North, becoming an emperor. He was a staunch devotee of the god Shiva, the patron of Shaivism and propagated Shaivism in regions he captured. He went on pilgrimages to many Shiva temples. He journeyed to Thiruvarur and came with his queen consort at the shrine of Araneri, dedicated to Shiva. This temple is identified as the Sri Achaleswarar (Vandarkuzhali) temple, which is located in the Thyagaraja Temple complex. She arrived in the temple hall (mandapa) where various flowers were gathered to use as floral offerings to Shiva as well as create garlands for him. A flower had fallen from the dais where the garlands were made. The queen picked the flower and smelt it. In Hinduism, it is taboo to use or smell flowers meant for God, before they are offered to him.[4] C.K. Subramania Mudaliar's commentary on the Periya Puranam opines the queen was a Samana, whom the king married for political reasons. Though she accompanied the king on official visits to temples, as a non-Hindu, she did not worship Shiva.[2]
Seruthunai Nayanar, another Nayanar, served at the temple noticed the queen's actions. He was enraged by the conduct of the Pallava queen. Ignoring her royal status, he dragged her by her hair and pushed her on the ground. He caught her nose and punished her by severing it. The queen screamed in pain. The infuriated Kalarsinga rushed to her and asked who had dared to assault his queen and challenge his authority. Seruthunai Nayanar took responsibility and explained the rationale of his actions. Kalarsinga deemed the punishment inadequate. With his sword, he chopped off the hand of the queen, by which he lifted the flower. As the devotees in the temple erupted with the cheers of "Hara, Hara" (name of Shiva) lauding his actions, celestial beings shower him with flowers for his just action. Kalarsinga ultimately attained Kailash, Shiva's abode after death.[4]
The tale of Kalarsinga (called Narasinga Nayanaru in the account) is also recalled in the 13th-century TeluguBasava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha in brief and with some variation. Narasinga is described as a Chola king. Seruthunai Nayanar is replaced with a simple unnamed flower boy. Narasinga is said to first cut the queen's finger, followed by her hand, then her fore arm and finally the entire arm. Shiva appeared and took Narasinga with him to his abode, while he also restored the queen's nose and arm.[5]
Identification and datingEdit
One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) venerates Kalarsinga Nayanar in the Tiruthonda Thogai, a hymn to Nayanar saints and praising him as Kadava king, who rules over the world bound by the seas.[6] This reference of Kalarsinga as the emperor of the entire world in present tense is interpreted to suggest that Kalarsinga was the reigning king in Sundarar's times.[7]
While generally Kalarsinga is identified as Narasimhavarman II or Rajasimha (reign: 700-728 CE), other contenders are Nandivarman II (reign: 732–796), his son Dantivarman (reign: 796–846) and his grandson Nandivarman III (reign: 846–869).[8] Though the Periya Puranam associates Kalarsinga with only one other Nayanar (Seruthunai Nayanar), another theory suggests that the unnamed king in the narrative of the Nayanar saint Pusalar is also Kalarsinga.[2] The king in the Pusalar tale is generally identified as Narasimhavarman II, the builder of Kailasanathar Temple of Kanchipuram. Like Kalarsinga, Narasimhavarman conquered the Chalukya kingdoms, which were at the North of the Pallava kingdom. The Sundarar reference as well as the conquest of the North is used to identify Kalarsinga as Narasimhavarman.[9] It is suggested that the Nayanars Aiyadigal Kadavarkon Nayanar and Kalarsinga are the father-son duo of Paramesvaravarman I (reign:670–720) and Narasimhavarman II.
Some scholars reject the identification of Kalarsinga as Narasimhavarman II because the Tiruthonda Thogai or Periya Puranam would have explicitly said the same, while disputing Sundarar's dating. They suggest Sundarar lived in the 9th century, when Nandivarman III - who fought the Battle of Tellaru - ruled. However, there is no evidence in his chronicles that he was ever given the title "Kalarsinga".[10]
RemembranceEdit
The images of the Nayanars are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu.
Kalarsinga Nayanar is worshipped in the Tamil month of Vaisakhi, when the moon enters the Bharaninakshatra (lunar mansion). He is depicted as a king with a crown, folded hands (see Anjali mudra) and sometimes a sword in the crook of his arm. He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.[1]
ReferencesEdit
^ abcRoshen Dalal (2011). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 281. ISBN978-0-14-341421-6.
^ abc"The Puranam of KazhaL Singka Nayanar". T N Ramachandran. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
^T. V. Mahalingam (1969). Kāñcīpuram in early South Indian history. Asia Pub. House. p. 121.
^ abSwami Sivananda (1999). Sixty-three Nayanar Saints (4 ed.). Sivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.
^Siva's Warriors: The Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha. Princeton University Press. 2014. p. 150. ISBN978-1-4008-6090-6.
^Poems to Śiva: The Hymns of the Tamil Saints. Motilal Banarsidass. 1991. p. 335. ISBN978-81-208-0784-6.
^K. R. Subramanian (2002). Origin of Saivism and Its History in the Tamil Landpublisher=Asian Educational Services. p. 70. ISBN978-81-206-0144-4.
^Raju Kalidos (1976). History and Culture of the Tamils: From Prehistoric Times to the President's Rule. Vijay Publications. p. 78.
^C. R. Srinivasan (1979). Kanchipuram Through the Ages. Agam Kala Prakashan. p. 36.
^Mu Kōvintacāmi (1977). A Survey of the Sources for the History of Tamil Literature. Annamalai University. p. 34.
October 14, 2023
kalarsinga, nayanar, also, known, kalarsinga, kazharsinga, kalarcinkan, kalarsingan, kalarsinganar, kalarsingar, kalarcingar, kalar, chingar, kalar, singar, nayanar, saint, venerated, hindu, sect, shaivism, generally, counted, fifty, fifth, list, nayanars, whi. Kalarsinga Nayanar also known as Kalarsinga Kazharsinga Kalarcinkan Kalarsingan Kalarsinganar Kalarsingar Kalarcingar and Kalar chingar Kalar singar was a Nayanar saint venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism He is generally counted as the fifty fifth in the list of 63 Nayanars 1 While his identity remains a matter of debate many scholars identity Kalarsinga Nayanar as the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha who reigned between 700 and 728 CE Kalarsinga NayanarPersonalBornc 8 9th century CEReligionHinduismPhilosophyShaivism BhaktiHonorsNayanar saint Contents 1 Life 2 Identification and dating 3 Remembrance 4 ReferencesLife EditThe life of Kalarsinga Nayanar is described in the Tamil Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar 12th century which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars 1 2 His name kalarsinga means lion with ankled feet 3 Kalarsinga was a Pallava king from the Kadava dynasty He is said to waged wars on foes and conquered kingdoms to the North becoming an emperor He was a staunch devotee of the god Shiva the patron of Shaivism and propagated Shaivism in regions he captured He went on pilgrimages to many Shiva temples He journeyed to Thiruvarur and came with his queen consort at the shrine of Araneri dedicated to Shiva This temple is identified as the Sri Achaleswarar Vandarkuzhali temple which is located in the Thyagaraja Temple complex She arrived in the temple hall mandapa where various flowers were gathered to use as floral offerings to Shiva as well as create garlands for him A flower had fallen from the dais where the garlands were made The queen picked the flower and smelt it In Hinduism it is taboo to use or smell flowers meant for God before they are offered to him 4 C K Subramania Mudaliar s commentary on the Periya Puranam opines the queen was a Samana whom the king married for political reasons Though she accompanied the king on official visits to temples as a non Hindu she did not worship Shiva 2 Seruthunai Nayanar another Nayanar served at the temple noticed the queen s actions He was enraged by the conduct of the Pallava queen Ignoring her royal status he dragged her by her hair and pushed her on the ground He caught her nose and punished her by severing it The queen screamed in pain The infuriated Kalarsinga rushed to her and asked who had dared to assault his queen and challenge his authority Seruthunai Nayanar took responsibility and explained the rationale of his actions Kalarsinga deemed the punishment inadequate With his sword he chopped off the hand of the queen by which he lifted the flower As the devotees in the temple erupted with the cheers of Hara Hara name of Shiva lauding his actions celestial beings shower him with flowers for his just action Kalarsinga ultimately attained Kailash Shiva s abode after death 4 The tale of Kalarsinga called Narasinga Nayanaru in the account is also recalled in the 13th century Telugu Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha in brief and with some variation Narasinga is described as a Chola king Seruthunai Nayanar is replaced with a simple unnamed flower boy Narasinga is said to first cut the queen s finger followed by her hand then her fore arm and finally the entire arm Shiva appeared and took Narasinga with him to his abode while he also restored the queen s nose and arm 5 Identification and dating EditOne of the most prominent Nayanars Sundarar 8th century venerates Kalarsinga Nayanar in the Tiruthonda Thogai a hymn to Nayanar saints and praising him as Kadava king who rules over the world bound by the seas 6 This reference of Kalarsinga as the emperor of the entire world in present tense is interpreted to suggest that Kalarsinga was the reigning king in Sundarar s times 7 While generally Kalarsinga is identified as Narasimhavarman II or Rajasimha reign 700 728 CE other contenders are Nandivarman II reign 732 796 his son Dantivarman reign 796 846 and his grandson Nandivarman III reign 846 869 8 Though the Periya Puranam associates Kalarsinga with only one other Nayanar Seruthunai Nayanar another theory suggests that the unnamed king in the narrative of the Nayanar saint Pusalar is also Kalarsinga 2 The king in the Pusalar tale is generally identified as Narasimhavarman II the builder of Kailasanathar Temple of Kanchipuram Like Kalarsinga Narasimhavarman conquered the Chalukya kingdoms which were at the North of the Pallava kingdom The Sundarar reference as well as the conquest of the North is used to identify Kalarsinga as Narasimhavarman 9 It is suggested that the Nayanars Aiyadigal Kadavarkon Nayanar and Kalarsinga are the father son duo of Paramesvaravarman I reign 670 720 and Narasimhavarman II Some scholars reject the identification of Kalarsinga as Narasimhavarman II because the Tiruthonda Thogai or Periya Puranam would have explicitly said the same while disputing Sundarar s dating They suggest Sundarar lived in the 9th century when Nandivarman III who fought the Battle of Tellaru ruled However there is no evidence in his chronicles that he was ever given the title Kalarsinga 10 Remembrance Edit nbsp The images of the Nayanars are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu Kalarsinga Nayanar is worshipped in the Tamil month of Vaisakhi when the moon enters the Bharani nakshatra lunar mansion He is depicted as a king with a crown folded hands see Anjali mudra and sometimes a sword in the crook of his arm He receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu Their images are taken out in procession in festivals 1 References Edit a b c Roshen Dalal 2011 Hinduism An Alphabetical Guide Penguin Books India p 281 ISBN 978 0 14 341421 6 a b c The Puranam of KazhaL Singka Nayanar T N Ramachandran Retrieved 19 December 2014 T V Mahalingam 1969 Kancipuram in early South Indian history Asia Pub House p 121 a b Swami Sivananda 1999 Sixty three Nayanar Saints 4 ed Sivanandanagar The Divine Life Society Siva s Warriors The Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha Princeton University Press 2014 p 150 ISBN 978 1 4008 6090 6 Poems to Siva The Hymns of the Tamil Saints Motilal Banarsidass 1991 p 335 ISBN 978 81 208 0784 6 K R Subramanian 2002 Origin of Saivism and Its History in the Tamil Landpublisher Asian Educational Services p 70 ISBN 978 81 206 0144 4 Raju Kalidos 1976 History and Culture of the Tamils From Prehistoric Times to the President s Rule Vijay Publications p 78 C R Srinivasan 1979 Kanchipuram Through the Ages Agam Kala Prakashan p 36 Mu Kōvintacami 1977 A Survey of the Sources for the History of Tamil Literature Annamalai University p 34 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kalarsinga Nayanar amp oldid 1024831746, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
