ERIPATHA NAYANAR

INTRODUCTION
Eripatha Nayanar, is a Shaivite saint, and
considered as one among the 63 Nayanars.
LIFE
Eripatha Nayanar lived in Karur, near
Sri Pasupateeswarar temple. Eripatha is a sincere
devotee of Lord Shiva and a regular worshipper of
Lord Pasupateeswarar. He served Lord Shiva by
performing various abhishekhams and chanted his
various holy names and his panchakshara mantra
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”. He protected Shiva
devotees with an axe. Once, the elephant of Chola
king crushed the flowers from the flower basket of
a shiva devotee. On seeing the incident Eripatha
got angry with the elephant and he caught the
elephant and killed it along with the elephant
guard.
The news reached the ears of the Chola king. The
king approached Eripatha and asked him about
the reason for killing his elephant and its security.
Eripatha informed about the incidents. On knowing
about the incidents, the king asked the Nayanar to
kill him, since the king only is ultimately
responsible for the entire incidents. Eripatha was
astonished on seeing the greatness of the king,
and he tried to commit suicide with a sword. But
the king stopped him from doing so, and Lord
Shiva appeared before them and blessed them for
their sincere devotion. He blessed the king and
Eripatha nayanar and gave back life to the
elephant and to its guard. After death, Eripatha
reached the holy abode of Lord Shiva, the Kailasa
and attained MUKTHI.
IMPORTANCE
Eripatha nayanar’s bhakti cannot be imagined in
this today’s world. In order to safeguard shiva
devotee, he murdered the elephant and its guard,
and also tried to lose his life. He never thought
about his life, but only thought about the life of
shiva devotees, and lived a saintly life throughout
in his life. He dedicated his entire life towards
worshipping Lord Shiva and safeguarding his
devotees.
Let us worship the great saint and be blessed.
“OM SREE ERIPATHA NAYANARE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR