The Life
Viralminda Nayanar of Chengunrur in the Chera land (Malainadu) was a fierce and pure devotee who held service to Shiva's servants as the highest duty. Coming to worship at Thiruvarur, he found Sundarar entering the Thyagaraja temple without first honouring the assembled devotees, and even the Lord seemed to favour Sundarar despite his faults. Enraged on behalf of the slighted bhaktas, Viralminda openly rebuked both Sundarar and Thyagaraja for such partiality, vowing his zeal for the dignity of the devotees. Tradition holds that his stand moved Sundarar to compose the Thiruthondar Thogai honouring all the servants of Shiva, beginning "Thillaivaazh anthanar." For guarding the honour of the Lord's devotees so uncompromisingly, Shiva granted Viralminda His grace.