South Indian Bronzes: A Historical Survey of South Indian Sculpture with Iconographical Notes Based on Original Sources c7.13

c7.13

Sundara or Sundara Murti nayanar, flourished about @H Sundara. the eighth century. The story of his illumination and consecration to the service of Siva is briefly as follows:— "Born at Tirunamannallur in the Tirukkoyilur taluk, he was adopted by the King, but brought up as a learned Brahman. When he grew older, a suitable marriage was arranged and in bridal attire, he rode out to the marriage. Then Siva as an aged Brahman came to bar the way and claimed the boy as a family slave. The bond was produced and it was agreed that the marriage must be stopped and the boy must follow the old man as a slave. The boy did so, and he led the way into a Saiva temple where Siva appeared before him and claimed him as his devotee of old and said " My favourite worship is the singing of hymns ; sing Tamil hymns now ". So he sang the first hymn of which the first verse runs thus :—