| Devotees of Siva - IV
MANICKA VACHAGAR |
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| Near the city of Madurai in south Tamilnadu, famous even now for the grand and huge temple of goddess Meenakshi and Sundareswara (a name of Siva which means the handsome lord), was born Manicka Vanchagar (one whose words are like precious gems) about 1100 years ago. | He was a precocious child and gained mastery of many subjects even as a young man. |
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| This came to the notice of the Pandya king in search of a person for the post of Prime Minister. He tested him and found him suitable and appointed him as the P.M. straight away. | As the Prime Minister the young man was extremely successful. He was a great administrator, loved by the people, and respected and valued greatly by the king. But he was a great devotee of Siva and longed for His grace. |
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| The king came to know that excellent horses had arrived from Arabian countries in the east coastal towns and sent the Prime Minister. with enough money to buy a large number of horses for his army. | The Prime Minister started on his mission; but on the way, in a place called Thirupperunthurai, he saw a saintly person whose spiritual power attracted him like a big magnet. |
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| Closer contact with the saint showed the young man that he had met his divine Guru who alone could fulfill his spiritual needs. So he forgot his business and devoted himself to the service of the Guru | The king came to know through his spies that the Prime Minister was not at all buying the horses and instead was spending the money for renovating the temple in that place and for charitable purposes as bidden by his Guru. |