Iraiyanar

Poet of the Sangam period From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Iraiyanar (Tamil: இறையனார்), literally meaning "the Lord" and also a common name of Shiva, was a legendary poet of the Sangam period who is believed to have composed verse 2 of Kurunthogai.[1] He is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva of the temple at Madurai, known as 'Aalavaai Sokkar' or 'Sokkanathar'.[1] Verse 3 of the Tiruvalluva Maalai, praising Valluvar, is also attributed to him.[2]

Legend

Iraiyanar is said to be the human incarnation of Lord Somasundarar at the temple at Madurai.[3] Iraiyanar appears in the Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam, where he confronts poet Nakkirar II.[citation needed] He is also said to have given the work Iraiyanar Akapporul.[3][4] Some claim that Iraiyanar was a mortal poet who lived during the Sangam era.[3]

Views on Valluvar and the Kural

Iraiyanar opines about Valluvar and the Kural text thus:[5]

The Cural which has proceeded from the mouth of Valluvar, the king of poets, will never lose its beauty by the lapse of time: it will be always in its bloom, shedding honey like the flower of the tree in Indra's paradise. [Emphasis in original]

See also

Citations

References

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