The Lord, who is the final destination of all the paths within the fold of Sanatana Dharma, that Shiva, has always attracted devotees from other religions outside the fold. One such devotee who is eulogized among the 63 great devotees was a Buddhist (Shakya). People who seek the truth, whatever be the religion they follow in the beginning, eventually join the final path that leads to the worship of Shiva as the Ultimate.

In the town of Tiruchanga Mangai, where people were generous like mother earth, Nayanar was born in an agricultural family. He learnt many philosophies, not for useless debating or boasting, but to find the truth. He loved all the creatures in this world. He was determined to come out of the cycle of birth and death. He reached the town of Kanchi, the centre of scholars and knowledge, in his quest for the truth. He accepted the path of Buddhism. He took the opportunity to explore the principles of Buddhism and other religions. He studied the scriptures of that religion and other religions. He analysed them with an unbiased view in search of truth. The Lord always leads people on the right path if they are truthful and sincere in their quest. By His grace, Nayanar came to the inference for himself that it is the path of Shiva that is the ultimate truth.

Shakya Nayanar observed that, "There are four basic elements - the deed, the doer, the effect and the controller of the effect. Only Shaivam explains these principles convincingly and Shiva is the Truth". His conclusion was based on his own analysis and so was beyond doubt. He believed, "Whatever be one's state or one’s outward appearance, the right thing to do is to constantly remember the holy feet of Shankara." He didn't change his appearance of a Buddhist monk and was always in bliss, immersed in the thoughts of the feet of Lord Shiva in his heart.

The Lord in the form of a Shivalinga stands for both the form and the formless Supreme. The Shivalinga appeared when there was a dispute between Vishnu and Brahma on who was superior. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could find the beginning or end of the Shivalinga. Thus, it stands as the symbol of the Unmeasurable Unique and Unexplainable Almighty. Realising these concepts, Nayanar one day went to see the Shivalinga. His eyes widened as soon as his eyes fell on this formless form and he forgot the world. His heart melted away like wax at the sight of fire and tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. Unable to understand what to do, he took a stone and threw it on the Lord with great devotion. The Lord was happy with the deed of His devotee. Understanding that it was only the blessing of the Lord, he undertook it as a service to throw stones. From that day onwards, he would throw a stone at the Shivalinga and worship God dressed in ochre robes like a Buddhist monk.

(Is it right to throw stone on the Lord and worship? Won't it lead to misinterpretations? How did the Lord then accept such a worship? It was not the stones themselves that the Lord accepted. It was the devotion behind that deed that He accepted. Whether it is Shakya Nayanar throwing stones or Kannappa Nayanar putting the footwear on the Shivalingam, it was not these actions that are celebrated but the unimaginable peaks of love that got expressed through these deeds that was accepted by the Lord as flawless. )

One day Shakya Nayanar forgot to do his duty of stone worship and went to have his food. Soon he realised, "Oh! How did I forget my Love? How can I eat without worshipping Him?" He rushed to the three eyed Lord's abode. He took a stone and offered it at the feet of God. To bless the devotee, who even forgot his food in his anxiety to serve the Lord without a break, Shambu appeared on the horizon on the holy Bull with the Goddess. The devotee prostrated and praised the Lord with his hands folded over his head. God offered him the coveted place among His servitors in Shivaloka. Let the quest for the Absolute and the love beyond explanation that Shakya Nayanar had for the Lord stay in the mind.

Guru Pooja: Margazhi / Puradam or Dhanur / Purva Ashada

Har Har Mahadev

• Birth place of chAkkiya nAyanAr
• The puranam of Saakkiya Nayanar in English Poetry
• சாக்கிய நாயனார் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• சாக்கிய நாயனார் புராணம் உரைநடை
• शाक्य नायनार दिव्य चरित्र

See Also:
1. Mention of Shakya Nayanar in various Devaram Thirumurai

Back to the list of Nayanmar
​