INTRODUCTION :
Chandeshwara or Chandikeswara is one among the 63 Nayanmars. His idol was found in all the Shiva temples of South India. He appears in the state of deep meditation, and devotees will worship him by clapping their hands by way of appreciating his siva bhakti and for his deep meditation. It is believed that he only takes care of all the offerings made to Lord Shiva, and he passes the outcome (PALANGAL) of it to Lord Shiva. It is believed that he acts as a mediator between Lord Shiva and his devotees. He was born into a Brahmin family. At his younger age itself, he took care of the cows and daily he will used to pour some milk on the sand lingam. Once his father saw it, and got angry and destroyed the sand lingam. Due to his father’s wrong act, chandikeswara hit his father’s leg with an axe. By seeing this incident, and in order to appreciate his shiva bhakti, Lord Shiva manifested from the sand lingam and blessed Chandesha, and appointed him as the chief among his shiva ganas, next position to Lord Nadikeswarar and also cured the injured leg of his father. Before attaining the abode of kailsa, he lived a saintly life and had took only simple food after doing shiva pooja and welcomed the devotees of Lord Shiva to his place and offered them food and water and also permitted them to take rest for some time in his home. Chandikeswara was also involved in deep meditation from his younger age, and it is believed that even in Kailasa, after serving Lord Shiva and Parvati, he will do meditation on Lord Shiva. He is considered as a main nayanmar and occupies an important role in Kailasa.
IMPORTANCE :
He was not interested in any other worldly activities expect worshipping Lord Shiva. By seeing his sincere devotion, people were attracted and started doing siva pooja. Even in his childhood, he will used to play by making siva lingam out of sand and worship it by offering fruits and flowers and ask his friends also to participate in the puja. He is such a great shiva bhakta! In this today’s world, we cannot imagine such a divine person like him! Let us try to follow his footsteps and keep chanting the shiva mantra “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA” and be blessed.“OM SREE CHANDIKESWARA NAYANMARE NAMAHA”
SENT BY
R.HARISHANKAR
