Thevarams are devotional hymns sung in praise of Shiva by the 3 Nayanmars: Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. Rendered in an ancient musical style that precedes most Indian classical music systems, these songs give us an insight into the wave of bhakti that swept across southern India during the 7th Century.
The Thevaram album is a collection of 6 hymns rendered in a unique style by the Isha Samskriti students, and is a humble effort to offer a fragment of this rich and glorious cultural treasure to the world.
Sadhguru speaks about the essence of bhakti, the celebrated Nayanmars, and many more forgotten sages and saints, who shone amongst the millions that have walked this land. He speaks about how it is possible for every one of us to access such states of abandon and ecstasy. His words are preceded by an invocation that is traditionally chanted before singing any Thevaram.
This is a Thiruthondar thogai (a sacred list) or an ode to the devotees of Shiva, and the Dikshitars at Thillai Nataraja Temple. Sundarar is credited with first having spoken about Nayanmars in this Thevaram, based upon which an entire epic was later written by Sekkizhar about the life of Nayanmars – The Periyapuranam. In this Thevaram, Sundarar praises all the 63 Nayanmars in his unique way, and bows down to these devotees of Shiva.
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Madurai was ruled by a king called Koon (Hunchback) Pandiyan in the 7th century CE. He was stricken by an illness that no medicine at the time could cure. Sambandar cured him of it, and his hunchback, by the use of sacred ash or Thiruneer, whilst singing the song “Manthiram Avadhu Neeru”.
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It is said that at the age of three, Sambandar was taken to a temple, where Shiva and Parvati had appeared before him. After a while, the child’s father noticed drops of milk on his lips. it is said that he was fed the milk of wisdom by goddess Parvathi herself. When asked about it, the child broke into a song - Thodudaiya Seviyan.
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Despite his old age, Appar had a strong desire to see Kailash, to see Shiva. He started walking, but being over the age of 80, his legs soon gave away. Appar then crawled towards Kailash, and soon he had many bruises on his arms and legs, but still he went on. Shiva, impressed by his devotion, appeared and fulfilled his desire. This was when he sang “Madar Pirai Kanni Yanai”.
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Here is a short story about the Origins of Thevaram
Have you heard of the 3 year old Nayanmar? Here is a story where he went to visit a Shiva temple with his parents. It is said he was fed by goddess Parvati herself…
Find out what happened when Shiva interrupted the wedding of Sundaramurthy Nayanar disguised as an old man.
Devotion is at the very core of Tamil culture. Blessed by Beings who lived in beautiful states of bhakti, the Tamil land has a rich heritage of literary work that was an outpouring of deep spiritual experience...