maRainyAna sambandhar is the third santhAnak kuravar.(1) He was the disciple of aruNandhi shivAchAriyAr.(2) He was born in thiruppeNNAkaDamin the tradition of vedic chanters in parAchara gotram. At the age of seven, upanayana ritual (initiation to vedas) was done to him. Subsequently he learnt the vedas and shivAgamas. In pursuit of a guru he went to aruNan^dhi shivAchchAriyAr. He gave shiva dIksha to maRainyAna sambandhar and guided him in the path of wisdom of Lord shiva.

He went to thillai (chidhambaram) and lived the life of worshipping the Glorious Dancing Lord. umApathi shivAchAryAr was well renowned but was seeking a real guru who could open up sources of Supreme wisdom. maRai nyAna sambandhar became the guide who opened out those eyes of springs of wisdom for umApathi shivam(3). On a AvaNi uththiram day he got the liberation at thirukkaLanychEri west of chidhambaram.

See Also:
1. santhAnak kuravar
2. aruNan^dhi chivAchchAriyAr
3. umApathi shivAchchAriyAr