Manickavasagar

Manickavasagar was a Tamil poet and saint who lived in the 8th or 9th century CE. He is revered as one of the Nayanmars, a group of 63 Shaivite saints celebrated in Tamil literature. His work is primarily found in the Tirumurai, a canonical collection of Tamil devotional poetry.

Manickavasagar's most famous work is the Tirukkovaiyar, a collection of devotional hymns expressing intense love and devotion to Lord Shiva. He is also credited with the Tiruvachakam, a section of the Tirumurai considered by many to be the pinnacle of Tamil devotional poetry, characterized by its profound philosophical insights and emotional depth.

His life story, as recounted in the Periya Puranam, describes him as a minister in the Pandya kingdom. He is said to have renounced his worldly position upon experiencing a divine vision of Shiva, dedicating his life to the worship of the deity. His hymns often reflect this transition from worldly pursuits to spiritual enlightenment.

The language of Manickavasagar's poetry is rich and evocative, employing metaphors and imagery to convey the complex emotions associated with divine love. His influence on Tamil devotional literature and Shaivism is profound, and his works continue to be recited and cherished by devotees to this day. He is considered a significant figure in the Bhakti movement in South India.