The Story of Chandesha Nayanar

In the Chozha kingdom, in a town called Tiru-Seignaloor, a young Brahmin boy named Vichara Sarma was a passionate devotee of Shiva. From a very young age, he was deeply spiritual and had a great love for all creatures.

One day, he saw a cowherd hitting a cow, and it angered him. He took over the care of the village cows, treating them with kindness and compassion. The cows, in return, loved him and gave him abundant milk. Vichara Sarma realized that the extra milk was a gift from the cows for Shiva's worship.

He began a daily ritual. He would make a Shivalinga out of sand and worship it with flowers and leaves. Then, he would pour the milk from the cows over the sand lingam as an offering, all while his heart was filled with devotion.

One day, a passerby saw him pouring the milk on the sand and told the boy's father, Yagna Datta. The father was angry, thinking his son was wasting the milk. He decided to watch his son in secret. The next day, when Vichara Sarma began his worship, his father rushed forward and kicked over the milk pot.

Seeing his father's disrespectful act, Vichara Sarma was filled with righteous anger. To him, the act was a sin against Shiva, regardless of who committed it. He picked up a stick, which miraculously turned into an axe, and threw it at his father, cutting off his legs.

Shiva, who had been watching, was moved by the boy's unwavering devotion. He appeared with his consort Parvati and praised Vichara Sarma. Shiva embraced the boy and said, "You punished even your father for me. From now on, I am your father."

Shiva then made Vichara Sarma the head of his devotees, granting him the title of Chandesha. He gave him his own garland and blessed him with the same appearance and symbols as himself, including a third eye and a crescent moon. Chandesha Nayanar’s father, who had witnessed this incredible event, was also forgiven and granted a place in Shiva's world. Chandesha Nayanar’s story teaches that true devotion and justice to God are more important than any earthly relationship.