day onwards he gained the name of Thirunavukkarasar meaning the 'King of speech' and spread Saivism. * Kancheepuram was then ruled by a Jain king named Mahendra Varma Pallavan . The king heard the news that Dharmasenar had gone back to Saivism. The king ordered his men to bring Dharmasenar to him by any means. First he put him in a lime kiln to burn him to death ; then he poisoned him; when he survived he was charged by an elephant ; lastly he was pushed into the sea with a heavy stone tied to his body. In all the trials the Lord blessed Thirunavukkarasar and he did not die. The Pallava King who came to know his greatness, gave up Jainism. He became a Saivite and did yeomen service to re-establish saivisrn in Tamil Nadu. Thirunavukkarasar visited many Saiva temples and sang Thevaarams and performed many miracles. He is a contemporary of Gnanasambandar. He was affectionately called "Appar" by Gnanasambandar. He lived for 88 years. He went to Thiru Kalahasthi to go to Kailas . He entered into a tank and had the glorious vision of Kaisas. He attained the Lotus feet of the Lord on Sathayam day in the month of Chittirai, singing the Padigam "Punniya un adikkaey poduginren". The songs of Appar are classified under three Thirumurais, namely fourth to the sixth. "Doing service" is the motto of Appar. சுந்தரர் இறைவனைத் தோழமை உணர்வோடு உறவாடி, இனிய தமிழில் இசை பாடித் தொழுதவர் சுந்தரமூர்த்தி சுவாமிகள். இவர் தமிழ்நாட்டிலுள்ள திருமுனைப்பாடி நாட்டில் திருநாவலுார் என்னும் ஊரில் பிறந்தவர். இவர் தம் பெற்றோர், சடையனார், இசை ஞானியார் என்னும் ஆதி சைவர் குலத்தோன்றல்கள். இவருக்குப் பெற்றோர் இட்ட பெயர் நம்பி ஆருரர். இவர் சம்பந்தருக்கும், திருநாவுக்கரசருக்கும் பிற்காலத்தில் வாழ்ந்தவர். இம்மூவரையும் தேவார மூவர்' என்று கூறுவது வழக்கம். 143
