stopped. Sundarar who did not then know who the old brahmin was, called him a 'lunatic' (pithan); since he attributed this hard term to God, Sundarar came to be known as ‘hard disciple" (Van Thondar). The term he used as (lunatic-linggir) was the first word he used to sing the praise of God in his Thévaarams. He went to many saiva temples in Tamil Nadu and made his offerings. In the temple of Thiruvarur he met a girl called Paravayar, fell in love with her and married her. He lived with her for some years and later continued his pilgrimage. He came to Thiruvotiyur -a place near Madras, where he met a girl called Sangiliyar who was attending to temple duties and fell in love with her. She agreed to get married to Sundarar on the promise that he will not desert her. He agreed to this and gave his promise under the shade of a 'Mahila' Tree. The wedding took place. Some years passed, Sundarar was reminded of Thiruvarur and he soon left. Because he broke his promise he became blind. The Lord at Thiruvenpakkam gave him a stick for his use. The Lord at Conjeevaram gave him vision in his left eye. On reaching Thiruvarur the vision of his right eye was also restored. The Western coast of South India was called Chera country. During the time of Sundarar this was ruled by Cheraman Perumal. This king came to the land of chola to meet Sundarar and befriended him. The King and Sundarar enjoyed singing devotional songs and they returned to the Chera country. There they went to a place called Thiruvanchai Kulam and Sundarar appealed to take him. Singing the song "Thanennai munpadaithan", he became one with God. The Song that Sundarar began with "Thillaivazh Anthanar tham Adiyãrukkum Adiyẽn" came as the prelude for the history of the sixty three Nayanmars Periya Puranam. The devotional songs of the Nayanmars are known as the Twelve Tirumurais. 146
