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Kumaraguruparar

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இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: குமரகுருபரர்

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Kumaraguruparar was a Tamil poet who lived in the 16th century. He was associated with the Dharmapuram Shivite Atheenam (Mutt).

Biography

Youth

Kumaraguruparar was born in Thiruvaikundam (Srivaikundam) in the Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu in a Shivite Vellalar family. His father’s name was Sanmuga Sigamani Kavirayar and mother’s name was Sivakama Sundari. Kumarguruparar was speech impaired till he was five. His parents took him to the Thiruchenthur temple and prayed after which he gained his speech. At a young age, he wrote Kandhar kali venba in praise of the Thiruchendur deity, Muruga.

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Kumaraguruparar left his home in search of a Guru who could guide him spiritually to God. When he was in Thiruchenthur he heard a voice saying that when he found his Guru he would lose his speech. He traveled to Madurai in search of his Guru. Thirumalai Nayakkar was ruling Madurai at that time. Upon the king's request, Kumaraguruparar wrote 'Meenatchiyammai Pillaithamizh. It is said that when Kumaraguruparar sang the part of this book named varukaipparuvam Goddess Meenatchi herself came as a little woman and gifted him with a pearl chain.

He also wrote Madurai Kalambagam and Neethi Neri Vilakkam. Then he traveled to Thiruvarur and composed Thiruvarur Nanmani Malai praising Thiyagarasa Peruman.

Ascetic Life

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In Dharmapuram Thurukaiylaya Paramparai Dharumapura Atheenam, a Shivite mutt was run by ascetic Masilamani Desikar. Masilamani Desikar consented to be Kumaraguruparar’s Guru on the condition that Kumaraguruparar shoul go on a pilgrimage to Kasi (Varanasi). When Kumaraguruparar hesitated that it would take a long time to return from such a pilgrimage the Guru asked him to travel to and stay in Chidambaram.

Kumaraguruparar stayed at Vaitheesuvaran Kovil and composed a Pillaithamizh on the deity Muthukumara Suvami. Then he visited Chidambaram and served at the temple for some time. During this time he composed Chidambara mummani kovai. In the first verse, he has mentioned the difficulties in traveling to Kasi and the ease of visiting Chidambaram.

When some people told him that in 'Yaparungkala Karikai (a grammar book) the sample poems were mostly from Jainism and that he should compose a new book with the example poems should reflect Sivite ideas he wrote Chidambara Chhyyul Kovai.

His book Neethi Neri Villakkam has a Poem praising Chidambaram Nataraja and so the book is presumed to have been written while he was in Chidambaram.

On his return from Chidambaram Kumaraguruparar expressed his desire to become an ascetic once again to his guru. His guru Masilamani Desikar accepted the plea and blessed him to be an ascetic. From then on he was known as Kumaraguruparar Munivar. Then he wrote Pandara mummanik kovai in reverence to his guru.

It is said that Kumaraguruparar approached Mughal king Dara Shikoh seeking permission to establish a mutt in Kasi. He has composed a song seeking fluent speech during this meeting, from Kalaimagal. The song is titled Sakalakalavalli Malai.

It is also believed that the Shiva Linga in Kedara Kattam known as Kedara lingam was hidden by the Mughals and Kumaragurupara munivar revealed the Linga and built a temple for the same, and to date there are festivals celebrated there as per Agamas. The mutt where Kumaraguruparar stayed in Kasi is named Kumarasamy Mutt. There is a branch of this mutt in Thitupananthal in Tamil Nadu. These mutts continue to serve Tamil causes to date. When he had visited Kasi, Kumaraguruparar wrote Kasithundi vinayagar pathigam and Kasi Kalambagam. He also instituted a puranic center in the mutt and started discourses in Puranas (epics) in Hindi and Tamil.

It is believed that Tulsidas who was a Ram devotee, enjoyed listening to the preaching and had incorporated ideas from Kambaramayana in his Hindi Ramayana.

Books

  • Kanthar kalivenba
  • Meenatchiyammai Pillaithamil
  • Maduraik klambakam
  • Neethineri Vilakkam
  • Thiruvarur Nanmanimalai
  • Muthukumarasami Pillaithamil
  • Chidambara mummanikovai
  • Chidambara seyulkovai
  • Pandara Mummani kovai
  • Kasi kalambagam
  • Sgalakalavalli malai
  • Madurai meenatchiyammai kuram
  • Madurai meenatchi mmai irattai mani malai
  • Kayilai kalambakam (Text has not been found)
  • Kasi thundi vinayagar pathikam (Text has not been found)

Memorial

In Kayilasapuram the house where Kumaragurubarar was born has been renovated and converted to Kumaragurubar Mutt in August 31, 1952 by Arulnanthi Thambiran Swami.

In June 27, 2010 a stamp was released by the Indian Postal Department in memory of Kumaragurubarar.

Those who sang about Kumaragurubarar

  • Mahavithuvan Meenatchisundarampillai in 338 songs composed Shri Kumaraguruparar Swamigal Sarithiram.
  • Setrur R. Subhramaniya Kavirayar has composed 1001 verses in the book Shrikumaragurupara Swamigal Puranam.
  • Bharathi Dasan has mentioned his fondness to Kumaraguruparar in his book Ethirparatha Mutham.
  • Thenur Ve. Se. Sokalingkanar has mentioned about Kumaraguruparar in his book on Sivite Godmen.

References


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