Cheraman Perumal Nayanar

Cheraman Perumal Nayanar (Malayalam: ; Tamil: ; literally meaning "Chera king the Nayanar") was a bhakti poet-musician and religious teacher of the Tamil Shaiva tradition in medieval south India, counted among the sixty-three revered nayanars.

The Cheraman Perumal's companionship with Chundarar, also known as Chundara Moorthy Nayanar, one of the "Three Nayanars", is celebrated in the bhakti tradition. The legend of the Cheraman Perumal is recounted in the hagiographic work "Periyapuranam", composed in the mid-12th century AD by Chekkizhar, a courtier of Chola ruler Kulottunga II. This collection draws upon an earlier compilation by Nambiyandar Nambi (10th-11th centuries AD). The Thiruvanchikulam Siva Temple in Kodungallur, on the Malabar Coast, is closely associated with both the Perumal and Chundaramurtti Nayanar.

The Cheraman Perumal is credited with composing several devotional works, including the "Ponvannattandadi", a collection of hymns in praise of the Lord of Chidambaram; the "Thiruvarur Mummanikkovai", dedicated to the deity of Thiruvarur; and the "Adiyula"—also known as the "Thirukkailayajnana Ula"—the first of the ulas, in honor of Lord Shiva. Historians tentatively identify the saint with Rama Rajasekhara, the 9th century ruler of the Chera Perumal kingdom of Kerala.

The legend of Cheraman Perumal

The legend of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar and Chundarar appears to have originated in pre-Chola times. Their extant forms took shape only later, at the courts of the Chola kings, around the late 10th to 12th century AD. The Cheraman Perumal (a title, meaning "the Chera ruler"), according to tradition, was born into the royal family of "Malai-nadu", whose capital was " Kodunkolur or Makotai by the Ocean". When the reigning king, "Chenkor Poraiyan", abdicated the throne, his ministers persuaded the young Cheraman — also known as "Perumakkotaiyar" or "Kalarirrarivar" ("the One who knows llLanguages") — to assume the responsibilities of the kingdom. At the time, the prince was meditating at Tiruvanchaikkalam and had to be convinced with great difficulty to accept the crown.

In due course, Cheraman Perumal learned of the lyricist Chundara through a vision of the Nataraja of Chidambaram. Chundara, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, was singing at the Chidambaram Temple, and the king wished to meet him and pay homage. Accordingly, he left his capital and, after travelling through the Kongu country, eventually arrived at Chidambaram. He then continued to Tiruvarur, where he met Chundara in person.

Over time, the two became close companions and embarked on a long pilgrimage across south India. Their journey included visits to Kirvelur, Nagaikkaronam, Tirumaraikkadu, Palanam, Agastyanpalli, Kulagar-Kodikkoyil, Tirupattur, Madurai, Tiruppuvanam, Tiruvappanur, Tiruvedagam, Tirupparangunram, Kurralam, Kurumbala, Tirunelveli, Ramesvaram, Tiruchchuliyal, Kanapper, Tiruppunavayil, Patalesvaram, Tirukkandiyur, and Tiruvaiyyaru.

Years later, Chundara visited his fellow devotee, Cheraman Perumal, in Kodunkolur and remained in the city as a royal guest for some time. One day, messengers from Lord Shiva arrived at Tiruvanchaikkalam to inform Chundara that it was time for him to return to Mount Kailasa. Chundara ascended to Kailasa on a white elephant, with Cheraman Perumal following him on horseback.

References

{{Nayanars, state=collapsed

Nayanars
Indian Shaivite religious leaders
People from the Kodungallur Chera kingdom
Kodungallur Chera kings
Chera poets