Appar, also known as Thirunavukkarasar or Navukkarasar, was a Tamil Shaiva poet-saint from the seventh century. The life history of Thirunavukkarasar shows his return to Shaiva form of worship after embracing Jainism.
Appar Story
Born into a humble Shaiva family, he was raised as an orphan
by his sister and lived for about 80 years, with his life generally dated
between 570 and 650 CE. Appar composed a total of 4,900 devotional hymns
dedicated to the god Shiva, of which 313 have survived and are now recognized
as the 4th to 6th volumes of the Tirumurai. He holds a significant place among
the sixty-three revered Nayanars, the devout Shaiva saints.
Originally named Marulneekkiyar, Appar was later called
Dharmasenar during his study and leadership at a Jain monastery. However, after
returning to Shaivism and composing devotional hymns to Shiva, he came to be
known as Appar, a name given by the child poet-saint Sambandar. Sambandar
affectionately referred to him as "Appar" (meaning father). Appar is
also known as Tirunavukkarasar (meaning "King of the Tongue or Lord of
Language").
Orphaned at a young age, Appar was raised by his elder
sister, Thilagavathiar, who had dedicated her life to Shaivism and caring for
her brother after her betrothed, a military commander, died in battle. Appar
spent his early years in Tiruvamur village near Atikai, according to most
accounts.
Unlike his sister, Appar initially embraced Jainism. He left
home and joined a Jain monastery, where he was renamed Dharmasena (Tarumachenar).
He studied Jainism and eventually became the head of the Jain monastery in
Tiruppatirippuliyur. However, due to a painful stomach ailment, he returned
home, and it was his sister who provided him with Tiruniru (sacred ash) and
taught him the five-syllable mantra "namaccivaya" (Namah Shivaya).
Together, they visited a Shiva temple in Atikai, where he spontaneously
composed his first hymn of Thevaram. While singing the second verse, he
experienced a miraculous cure of his stomach illness. From that point, he was
known as Navukkaracar, or more popularly, Appar. He renounced Jainism and
became a devoted Shaiva.
Appar's hymns are deeply devotional to Shiva, with
occasional verses expressing remorse for his time as a Jain. In Tevaram hymn
IV.39 and others, he critiqued the Jain monastic practices, such as not
brushing teeth, lack of personal hygiene, harsh ascetic practices, the doctrine
of pallurai (anekantavada) as self-contradictory relativism, and the hypocrisy
of withdrawing from the world and yet begging for sustenance within that same
world.
Appar primarily resided in Atikai with his sister but also
traveled to other Shiva temples to sing praises to Shiva. Upon hearing of
Sambandar, he journeyed to Sirkali to meet him, and Sambandar respectfully
addressed him as Appar (father). Together, they traveled, singing hymns. Appar
is believed to have visited around 125 temples in various towns and villages
across Tamil Nadu. He passed away during the Sadhaya Nakshatra in the Tamil
month of Chithirai at the Tirupukalur Shiva temple at the age of 81.