The following stories are sourced from Sri Swami Sivananda's "Sixty three Nayanar Saints" published by The Divine Life Society, India.
13. Arivattaya Nayanar
Although on the brink of hunger and poverty, and having nothing to eat for themselves, Thayanar continued with his daily offering of red rice, a sauce made of red herb, and mango pickle to the Lord. But the Lord chose to play his lila, targeting these very items. Weak and fragile, one day he stumbled and fell dropping these offerings.
Thayanar was greatly upset. He began to weep bitterly:
"Oh Lord, today the food intended for You has been spilt on the ground. What great sin have I committed to deserve this? Please forgive me. Have mercy on this poor creature. You are omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. If this is true, You must be present here also. Kindly come and accept the offering here. If You do not eat this, I will give up my life."
With these words, he began to cut his throat with an Arival (sickle). Hence, the name Arivattaya Nayanar.
Lord Siva was highly pleased with his devotion. His Lila was over. He at once stretched His hand and caught hold of Nayanar’s, thus preventing him from cutting his own throat.
Nayanar did not realise what was happening. At that time, he heard the sound of someone biting a mango pickle. The Lord and Mother Parvathi appeared before him and blessed him:
"Oh noble soul, I am immensely pleased with your devotion. You and your chaste wife will soon come to My Abode and live happily there."
14. Anaya Nayanar
Anayar's devotion to the Lord took the form of playing on his flute the holy Panchakshara Mantra of Siva. He aspired to realise the Lord, through this Mantra.
One day when he was playing the Mantra on his celestial instrument, under a Konrai tree (a favourite of Lord Siva), the music captivated all the cows and calves, the birds, the peacocks, the deer, snakes, lions, elephants, tigers. The rivers stopped in their course. The waves in the sea calmed down. The celestials (Vidyadharas, Kinnaras and Devas,) came in their celestial cars to hear the music.
15. Murthi NayanarThe Lord was immensely pleased with Ayanar’s sincere devotion. The sweetness of the music of the flute and the effect of the Panchakshara Mantra both melted His heart. He appeared before Nayanar, with Mother Parvathi, blessed him and took him to Kailas.
Murthi Nayanar went about his worship, offering sandalwood paste to the Lord, and smearing it all over the Lingam, undaunted by the persecution of Saivites by a Jain king who took hold of the city.
The king made it impossible for anyone in Madura to obtain sandalwood. Murthi Nayanar searched throughout the day for a little sandalwood to offer his worship. He could not get any. With a broken heart, he went to the temple: and he had a wonderful idea. He began to rub his own elbow (in the place of sandalwood!). The hand was bleeding profusely.
Lord Siva was highly pleased with his devotion. A heavenly voice said:
"Oh noble soul, I am immensely pleased with your devotion. Kindly stop rubbing your elbow. All your grievances will be redressed. Kindly take up the reins of the kingdom. After ruling the country justly and wisely for a long time, you will come to My Abode."
Nayanar was amazed to hear this and to see that his elbow regained its original shape. Murthi Nayanar did not aspire for kingship, but it was the Lord’s will.
That night the cruel king died. The next day, the Ministers sent the palace elephant to choose their king, in accordance with an ancient custom. The elephant proceeded towards the temple. Murthi Nayanar had come there for his worship. The elephant bowed to him and placed him on his back and returned to the palace.
The Ministers begged of Nayanar to become their king. Nayanar stipulated this condition:
"If I become king, I will not have any luxury bath, but will bathe only with the sacred ashes. My jewel will be only Rudraksham and my crown will only be matted locks. I shall strive to let the love of Lord Siva be enthroned in the hearts of all."
The Ministers accepted these conditions with great joy and satisfaction.
Nayanar ruled the country justly and wisely for a long time, and eventually attained Siva’s Abode.