The Life
Paranjothi of Thiruchengattankudi served the Pallava king Narasimhavarman as general and led the conquest of Vatapi. Renouncing war, he returned home to devote himself wholly to Shiva, feeding the Lord's devotees daily and humbly calling himself Siruthondar, 'the little servant.' To test him, Shiva came disguised as a Bhairava ascetic who demanded, as his meal, the flesh of a five-year-old only son, cooked by the parents themselves. Without hesitation Siruthondar and his wife Thiruvenkattu Nangai slew and cooked their child Seeralan. When the ascetic further asked that their son join the meal and the parents call him, the boy came running alive from the street. The ascetic vanished; Shiva appeared with Uma upon the bull, restored the child, and granted the family everlasting grace.