#AaniThirumanjanam - a day of celebration of Lord Nataraja, aka Neelakanta. As promised in my earlier thread, here is the answer to the question : What is the connection between Sagar manthan - the churning of the milky ocean and the 63 Nayanmars? A thread 
Once when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi were enjoying a conversation, the mother asked of the Lord -" Oh Natesa, while I adore you in your present form with matted locks, the serpent and clad in skin, I would love to see you all dressed up and bejewelled like a bridegroom"
The Lord, desirous of pleasing the goddess, asked for a full-length mirror. When Parvathi looked into the mirror, she saw the Lord sporting a golden crown, wearing jewels of all kinds and dressed in the finest silks. He looked beautiful, a "Sundaran". The Goddess was delighted!
The Lord too loved this form so much, that he looked into the mirror and said, "Emerge, Sundara!" The young man who looked exactly like the Lord but dressed like a groom, walked out of the mirror. From that day, Sundarar became a companion & attendant to the Lord in Kailasa
Sundarar looked after every wish of the Lord and stayed as a confidant, performing all tasks befitting a trusted aide. When the sagar-manthan happened, and the Halahala poison flared up, threatening to destroy all the three worlds, Lord Shiva decided he had to intervene.
He beckoned Sundarar to go fetch the Halahala poison. The latter, ever-obedient, rushed to the scene where the Devas and Asuras were languishing under the effect of the poison. In one scoop, Sundarar, who was blessed with the Lord's power, lifted the Halahala & took it to Kailasa
The Goddess watched as Sundarar brought the poison & gave it to Lord Shiva. The Divine Lord, in order to save humanity, decided to swallow the poison. As He took it in His mouth, Mother Parvathi placed Her hand, quickly caught & confined the poison to the centre of His throat!
And thus the Lord, with the blue poison remaining in His throat, became Neelakanta - the Blue-Throated One! But what happened to Sundarar? The handsome groom was banished by the Lord to come to earth and take the form of Arooran - one of the 4 Nayanmars - known as Sundarar!
It was this Sundarar - often known as Halahala Sundarar or Alala Sundarar in Thamizh, who wrote the "Thiruthondathogai" which was the source for the hagiography of the 63 Nayanmars! What were the circumstances that lead to Sundarar's exit from Kailasa? A tale for another day!
Sundarar represents the common man who is loved by God, is an image of God, undergoes trials & tribulations, but never ever ceases in his faith. Sundarar's creation of the Assemblage of the Sacred Saints of Lord Shiva is the basis for Periyapuranam.
The story of Sundarar is entwined with divine events performed by the Lord Tyagesar of Thiruvarur! Story Source: "Periyapuranam" by Sekkizhar Swamigal,
Pictures: Google.
@krithikasivasw @tskrishnan @IamRajii @GhorAngirasa @wataboutery @Kunthavi5 @ShefVaidya @AnuNaganathan
Pictures: Google.
@krithikasivasw @tskrishnan @IamRajii @GhorAngirasa @wataboutery @Kunthavi5 @ShefVaidya @AnuNaganathan
