Appar Swami

Take the case of Appar Swami. He was born into a Saivite middle class family, but was drawn towards the Jain cult.

He was afflicted with severe stomachache. His sister Thilakavathy, who did not approve of his embracing Jainism, advised him to chant the Panchaksharamantra and partake of the Lord’s Vibhuthi (holy ash) as Jainism could not help him to get rid of the disease. He was healed and returned to the Saivite fold.

Enraged by this, the king engaged elephants to trample him, had him thrown into the ocean and attempted to kill him in various ways. Appar continued chanting,

‘Natrunaiyaavadhu Namachivaayame! Anjuvadhu yaadhonrum illai. Anjavaruvadhum illai’ ‘Lord Siva is my constant companion. There is nothing to fear’

Lord Siva saved him and absolved him of his karmas. Enveloped in God’s Grace, Appar continued his mission of spreading the Lord’s message.

I am the only one for whom money does not matter. Nothing matters to me, except being thankful to God for filling me with Him and making me understand that I am ‘HE’