Known as one of the ancient cities of the world, it was the capital of the early Chozha kings, it was the place where the river Kaveri entered the sea, it was a famous town called Kaviripumpattinam or Pugaar. Being the capital on the shore, it was a very big trade centre.

As a leading businessman of that town and owner of boundless properties, there lived a devotee who spent his life as a servitor of those who serve the Lord with matted hair and the crescent ornament.  He never said "no" to any request from devotees of the Lord. He was more eager to fulfil their wishes even before they were expressed and so he earned the epithet Iyarpakaiyar (he whose deeds were contradictory to the natural ways of the world). While Iyarpakaiyar was leading a married life serving the Lord, God came in the form of a devotee who chants the holy Vedas (a brahmin), in order to show to the world, the dedication of Iyarpakaiyar. With a bright face like that of a blossomed lotus, Iyarpakaiyar gave the visitor a warm welcome. The Brahmin devotee told Iyarpakaiyar that he would make his request based on the guarantee that whatever he asked for would be granted. Immediately Iyarpakaiyar said, "If what you ask for is something that I have, then that is yours without a doubt. Please ask". The Lord who had concealed Himself in the form of devotee asked for his wife.

Iyarpakaiyar replied with delight, "It is my fortune that you only asked for something that I have." He informed his chaste wife, who had undying love for her husband, that he had given her to a devotee. She was shocked to hear this. She was worried but consoled herself and bowed down telling him, "If that is your wish, then it’s my duty". Iyarpakaiyar admired her love and chaste heart and bowed down in response. With this one deed she excelled every other.

Iyarpakaiyar bowed to the Lord and asked what else he could do for Him. Now the Lord who protects his devotees asked his devotee to escort Him out of the town so that He is not attacked by his relatives. The nayanar was ready for this even before the devotee made this request. Taking his sword and shield, he went with the Lord in the guise of a devotee of Shiva and his wife like a lion out on hunting. The relatives of Iyarpakaiyar and his wife were irked by the act of Iyarpakaiyar and discussed among themselves "Iyarpakai has gone crazy! Somebody is taking away his wife. We won't allow it to happen". They all set out with their weapons and confronted the three of them in the outskirts of the town. The Lord shivered as if He was scared, but the girl of great deed said, "Don't worry, Iyarpakai will win!". Iyarpakaiyar warned them to run away and save their lives. But they rebuked him for bringing bad name to the entire family by sending his wife with another man. They then tried to attack God in the form of a devotee. Angered by their intention to attack the devotee, Iyarpakaiyar raised his sword against his own relatives and the entire group was killed by him. Then he, who wore the crown of the holy feet of Lord Shiva, had no one to oppose him.

Iyarpakaiyar assured the devotee that there was no need to be afraid. He and his chaste wife followed the devotee who was verily the Lord whose holy feet cannot be seen even by Brahma and Vishnu. As they approached the place Chayakadu , the devotee asked Iyarpakaiyar  to return. The nayanar bowed down and went his way without turning back. The Lord, pleased by his true devotion, shouted loud, "Oh! Iyarpakai! He who just did the unimaginable! Come Immediately!!". Iyarpakaiyar rushed back to check if anybody had escaped his sword and was giving trouble to the Lord’s devotee. There, he didn't see the devotee anymore, only his wife stood. Then appeared there on the holy Bull, the Lord with his consort Parvati, who looked like a creeper of emerald. The nayanar fell prostate and praised the Lord with words that only rivalled his love for the Lord. The Lord said, "You and your love are unblemished. You and your faultless wife shall stay in our abode". The Devas showered flowers and the exalted sages sang praises, as the faultless couple got the boon of staying with and worshipping the Lord of the Lords. Their relatives also entered Heaven. Let the fame of Iyarpakaiyar stay in our minds forever, he who gave away that which was more valuable than his own life, his wife, to serve the Lord’s devotees. 

Guru Pooja:  Margazhi/Utthiram  or  Dhanur/Uttaram

Har Har Mahadev
 

• Birth place of nAyanAr
• The puranam of Iyarp Pakai Nayanar in English Poetry
• இயற்பகை நாயனார் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• இயற்பகை நாயனார் புராணம் உரைநடை
• इयरपगै नायनार दिव्य चरित्र 

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