Sirutonda Nayanar

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Sirutonda Nayanar

Paranjotiar of Tiruchettangudi was general under the Chola king. He was skilful in all the
methods of warfare and had won many a war for the Chola king. In spite of the fact of his being a
general, his devotion to Lord Siva and Siva Bhaktas was increasing. As a Bhakta of Lord Siva, he
was noted for his humility and he was aptly named Sirutonda Nayanar. He left his post of general
and spent his lifetime in worshipping Lord Siva and serving and feeding Siva Bhaktas. Never a day
was known when he took food without feeding Siva Bhaktas. Such was the intensity of his
devotion. In this way, he was happily living with his wife and a son, Seeralan by name.
Once, it happened that Lord Siva in the guise of Vairavar came to his doors for Bhiksha. Just
at that moment, Sirutondar had gone out to get some Siva Bhaktas for feeding. Vairavar waited for a
while and there came Sirutondar returning from his quest of Sadhus, quite disappointed as he found
none to feed with. To his great joy Vairavar was waiting at his doors. Now Vairavar, expressing his
wish to dine in his house, informed him that he would do so provided Sirutondar complied with his
wishes. On getting his consent, Vairavar told him that he required the cooked flesh of a boy of 5
years old with robust health and without any deformities of mind and body. Though at first the
Bhakta was bewildered in getting the thing required, at last happily decided to offer their own son,
Seeralan, for the feast of Vairavar.
Both the wife and husband hurried up in preparing the required meals, the mother keeping
her son on the lap and the father cutting the throat, and every limb was cooked except the head. Even
this part was nicely prepared after getting the consent of Vairavar. When everything was prepared,
Sirutondar and Vairavar began to take their meals. But at the moment Vairavar stopped and refused
to take food unless Sirutondar got his son by his side for eating. Though Sirutondar told Vairavar
that his son would not serve the purpose at that hour, still Vairavar insisted. Sirutondar got up and
with increased devotion and staunch faith in Him, went outside his house and called out the name of
his son, Seeralan, as if his son was coming from school. But to his astonishment, his son responded
to his call and was coming down the other end of the street as if from school. With his son, he
entered the house. But now, neither the cooked flesh not Vairavar were to be seen. What a dismay?
Instead, Lord Mahadev appeared on the scene with His consort Parvati and Lord Subrahmanya by
His side, blessed both the husband and wife for their intense love towards Him, and took Sirutondar
and his family along with Him. Such was the reward for the Bhakta who offered his son’s flesh for
the feeding of the Sadhu.
May you all develop intense love and faith to the Lord! May the blessings of Sirutondar be
upon us all!