Shaiva Siddhanta also shows more flexibility in matters of caste, gender, and ethics than the generally more socially conservative Vaishnavas. It is the most commonly practiced form of Shaivisim in south India today. Devotees of this tradition value the Tiru Murai even more than the Veda. This exquisite collection of Tamil hymns to Lord Shiva was compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi in the eleventh century.
Shaiva Siddhanta is famous for its 63 Nayanars, Tamil poet saints who lived between 700 and 1000 C.E. Their poetry extols Shiva's extraordinary grace and compassion. Until their arrival on the scene, both Buddhism and Jainism had made substantial in roads in South India. The Nayanars won back the hearts of the people and reestablished Lord Shiva as South India's premier god. Let me introduce you to a few of these exceptional saints :
< Appar (600-681) converted from Jainism to Shaivisim. The local Jain king had him thrown into a vat of poison, tried drowning him, and drove an elephant to attack him. But by remembering the holy mantra
" Nama Shivaya", Appar survived every assault. The king was so impressed he converted to Shaivisim himself.
< Sambandar (644-660) was known for the miracles he accomplished in Shiva's name. It was said he was so adept he could raise the dead even after they were cremated! Like Appar, he taught that ultimately Vishnu and Shiva are the same Divine Being.
< Sundar (716-735) went blind as a young man. He complained angrily to Shiva who, after all, according to myth, had three good eyes! Shiva restored his eyesight. In fact, Shiva loved the boy saint so much he is said to have shared his wife, Parvati, with him!
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