KARUWOOR THEVAR

He was the only son of His Holiness Siddhar Karuwooraar, the Pathinenn Siddhar Peedam – XI. He lived more than 180 years (1002 A.D. to 1182 A.D.) He was the royal priest and the Prime Minister of the Later Chola Empire. He was the Vice-Chancellor of the International University of Thanjavur founded by his father. He was a great genius, original, sagecious and inventive. As a warrior, chieftain he was fearless and resolute; he was unrivilled undefeatable, the unique mightiest Hero of his age. Further, he as a single man fought with a big male elephant and killed it and earned a title “Thank Kaliru Vendroye”. He made invasions upto Himalayaas, and many voyages in the East and the West of the Indian sub-continent.

He was a hearty royal chieftain and loved royal sports. He took part in chariot race, javeline throw, horse race and archery. It was said that he was compared to the great archer, the Arjuna. But he was forbidden to use the atthirams by his father. Atthirams are the arrows with unlimited divine powers.

He married the daughter of the King Rajendra I and had a son named “Thirumaalikai Thevar”. Thirumaalikai Thevar lived more than 96 Years (1041 A.D. to 1137 A.D.). His Holiness Thirimaalikai Thevar also served as the Vice-Chancellor of the International University of Thanjavur. He made a voyage to “Nilavu Continent” presently known as Australia and settled there at the age of 96.

After the departure of Thirumaalikai Thevar, Karuwoor Thevar once again had assume the role of Vice-Chancellor of the International University of Thanjavur. He built the Gangaikonda Cholapur Siva Temple, which was planned and built upto the foundation level by his father.

At the age of 180 (1182 A.D.) he left the chola kingdom and went to the Himalayan hills and settled there to fulfill his religious duties. He made the collection of the Holy Saiva Literature namely “The Panniru Thirumuraigal” at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram big temple. In the year 1137 A.D. he built the tomb temple of his holiness Ramanuja, who was the founder of the vaishnava cult, at Srirangam (Trichy District).

An ancient book named as “Moovar Thotram” picturises the life history of the above three holy persons vividly.

(Next Article:A Few Golden Thoughts of His Holiness Siddhar Karuwooraar)