On the banks of the life stream of the Chozha lands, river Kaveri, is the beautiful town of Pumpukalur. This is the very same place where Tamil yogi Tirunavvukkarasar attained Shiva Samadhi. With the buzzing of the bees in the background, the Vedas chanted in rhythm filled the surroundings. Here drops of dew on the buds of lotuses are less appreciated than the drops of joy that buds on the lotus faces of the Lord’s devotees.

In that charming town lived the devotee with a beautiful heart, Muruga. He was born in a brahmin family where they praised the Three Eyed Lord with Vedic hymns. He was a scholar who excelled in all fields of knowledge and had a heart that would melt very easily for the Flame like Lord. The Nayanar whose name meant beauty wanted to beautify the Supreme Beauty with fragrant flawless flowers. With great austerity he brought flowers to decorate the matted hair of the boundless Lord.

Waking up before the Sun signalled a new day, with a clean mind and body, his thoughts and tongue singing the praise of the Lord, he would bring various wonderful flowers. He would bring flowers from the forests, from the hills, from the ponds and from various creepers around. They would all be separated in different baskets. Above all he would bring for the Lord, his lotus heart that was eternally fresh with devotion. He would then select the best flowers to decorate his Lord who is easy to please. He would make flower garlands, floral crowns, plain strings and also use them loose to decorate the Lord who steals hearts. The Lord of Vartamanishwaram, whose feet are softer than the petals of a rose, enjoyed this service offered by this sincere servitor. 

With the flowers for the Floral feet in hand and the wisdom of all the holy scriptures in the form of the Holy Five Syllables on his lips, he drove away all other odour of material pleasures. This great devotee had the honour of the company of another great devotee. He was blessed with the friendship of the prodigy who called the Lord on the Bull to thwart the ignorance of the masses. That splendid Tirugnana Sambandhar along with the old sage of valiant words Tirunavvukkarasar stayed at his abode on their visit to Pumpukalur. Muruga Nayanar took part in the grand wedding celebrations of Tirugnana Sambandhar and attained the floral feet of Lord Shiva through the flame that appeared at the wedding by the prayer of Tirugnana Sambandhar. Let the relentless service of Muruga Nayanar in worshipping the Lord crowned with the konrai flowers stay in the mind forever.

Guru Pooja: Vaikasi / Moolam or Vrishaba / Moola

Har Har Mahadev

• Birth place of muruga nAyanAr
• The puranam of Muruka Nayanar in English Poetry
• முருக நாயனார் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• முருக நாயனார் புராணம் உரைநடை
• मुरुग नायनार दिव्य चरित्र

See also:
1. Thirunavukkarasu Nayanar 
2. Thirunyanasampandhar 

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