Sundarar
Also called: Sundaramurti · Topic: Bhakti and Sufi Traditions · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Bhakti-Sufi Traditions"
Meaning
Sundarar, also called Sundaramurti, was a Tamil Nayanar saint, c. 8th century. The Nayanars were devotees of Shiva. He is one of the three poets of the Tevaram, the collection of Shaiva hymns arranged in the 10th century by their music. He spoke of Shiva as a close friend. His hymns helped fix the list of the Shaiva saints, which made the Nayanars a recognised group.
Example
Sundarar's hymn Tiruttondattogai names the devotees of Shiva. Later this became the basis for the list of 63 Nayanars, with Sundarar himself counted as the last. Around 945, the Chola king Parantaka I placed his metal image, with those of Appar and Sambandar, in a Shiva temple. The image was carried in festival processions.
Don't confuse with
- Sambandar: an earlier Tevaram poet, from the 7th century. He is remembered as a child saint and as an opponent of Jainism.
Related concepts
- Alvars
- Nayanars
- Nalayira Divya Prabandham
- Tevaram
- Appar
- Sambandar
- Manikkavachakar
- Nammalvar
- Tondaradippodi
- Andal