>Marcocapelle: /* References */removed parent categories of Category:Nayanars

2021-05-24T08:37:53Z

References: removed parent categories of Category:Nayanars

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|name= Dandi Adigal Nayanar
|image=
|caption =
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
|birth_place= Tiruvarur
|birth_name=
|death_date=
|death_place=
|guru=
|philosophy= [[Shaivism]], [[Bhakti]]
|honors= [[Nayanars|Nayanar]] saint
|literary_works =
|footnotes=
}}
'''Dandi Adigal Nayanar''' or '''Dandiyadigal Nayanar''' is the 31st [[Nayanars|Nayanar]] saint. Traditional hagiographies like ''[[Periya Puranam]]'' (13th century CE) and ''[[Nambiyandar Nambi|Thiruthondar Thogai]]'' (10th century CE) describe him as a great devotee of the Hindu god [[Shiva]].

==Hagiographical accounts==
Dandi Adigal, a blind devotee of Shiva, used to often circumambulate the [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur|Shiva temple]] of [[Tiruvarur]], his birthplace in the [[Chola dynasty|Chola Kingdom]], and was found chanting [[Om Namah Shivaya|Shiva Panchakshara]] [[mantra]] while worshipping.<ref name="shaivam">[http://www.shaivam.org/nadhandi.html dhaNdiyadigaL nAyanAr]</ref><ref name="sivananda">{{cite book | title=SIXTY-THREE NAYANAR SAINTS | publisher=A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION | author=Swami Sivananda | year=1962 | url=http://www.dlshq.org/download/nayanar.htm#_VPID_34| author-link=Swami Sivananda }}</ref>

Many Jain structures "encroached" upon the premises of the Shiva temple of Tiruvarur, then a prominent Jain settlement. Dandi Adigal decided to rebuild the sacred [[temple tank]], whose western bank was accompanied by Jain houses. As Dandi Adigal was blind, he erected a post were the earth needed to be dug and tied a rope to it. The other end of the rope was also tied to another post erected on the bank. He started digging using spade and collected mud in a basket and walked back to the bank by touching the rope and emptied the basket by throwing the mud away. The Jains were irked by the digging, which they felt would harm the earthy micro-organisms and insects, a sin in Jainism. They mocked Dandi Adigal's blindness and in some versions, promised to leave the town if Shiva would restore Dandi Adigal's eyesight. Jains stopped the work by removing the posts and snatching the digging tools.<ref name="sivananda"/><ref name="vidya">{{cite book | title=Slaves of the Lord- Path of the Tamil Saints | publisher=Munshirm Manoharlal Pub Pvt Ltd | author=Dehejia, Vidya | year=1988 | pages=27, 158 | isbn=9788121500449}}</ref><ref name="ayyar">{{cite book| title=South Indian Shrines: Illustrated | publisher=Asian Educational Services | year=1993 | author=P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar | pages=381 | orig-year=1982}}</ref>

Dandi Adigal pleaded to Shiva to help. In some versions, Shiva appeared in Dandi Adigal's dream to assure him and then appeared in the Chola King's dream directing him to resolve the affair.<ref name="sivananda"/> In all versions, a miracle happens and Dandi Adigal's eyesight is restored and the Jains become blind in presence of the King. Jains release Tiruvarur after the incident, due to the King's orders or as per their promise or due to the fear of more divine wrath. The renovation of the temple tank was completed by the King.<ref name="shaivam"/><ref name="vidya"/><ref name="ayyar"/>

==Reverence==
Since it is believed that Dandi Adigal Nayanar was born on ''sadayam'' star (Shatabhishak) of the Tamil month ''Panguni'',<ref name="vidya"/> the specific day is celebrated as ''Guru Pooja'' day in all [[Shiva]] temples.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Nayanars}}

[[Category:Nayanars]]

Dandi Adigal Nayanar - Revision history

>Marcocapelle: /* References */removed parent categories of Category:Nayanars