Saakkya Naayanaar – Kannada

Story of Saakkya Naayanaar

Naayanaars are saints of Tamil Nadu who are devoted to God Shiva. They are known for their steadfast devotion to Lord Shiva and have influenced the Bhakti movement.

Saakkya Naayanaar was one such saint who was born in the rural village of Tiru Changa Mangai, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.At that time, the village was dominated by Buddhists and Sakkiya’s family too followed Buddhism in order to be safe. Saakkya went to Kanchipuram and studied at a monastery to become a Buddhist monk. However, his interest in Shaivism led him to become a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. For him, Shiva was the embodiment of truth. He continued to wear the attire of a Buddhist monk as he felt that the external appearances did not matter much.

One day, Saakkya was lost in the thoughts of Lord Shiva and he absent mindedly threw a stone at Shiva’s Lingam. The next day Saakkya had a feeling that Lord Shiva wished him to worship the Lingam with a stone.

From then onwards, it was a regular practice for Saakkya to worship the Lingam with a stone. Only after this would he have his usual milk porridge. One day, Saakkya was about to have his meal when he remembered that he had done the unthinkable! He had totally forgotten to offer a stone to the Lingam.Leaving his food, he ran to the spot where the Lingam was and taking a small pebble offered it to the Lingam. He totally forgot about his hunger! Lord Shiva was very pleased with Sakkiya’s devotion and appeared before him. He blessed him and took him to Kailash, His abode in the Heaven.

This story highlights the Archanam form of devotion and tells us that anything offered to the Lord with love, will be readily accepted by Him. It is only the Bhakti or the devotion of the devotee that matters to the Lord and not what he is offering.