If the Thevaram hymns are sure to dispel ignorance and instill faith it is because they spring from the intense devotional experience of the Nayanmars. The very first Thevaram hymn sung by Tirunavukkarasar is an overwhelming outburst of his faith in Siva and in Saivism when the Lord graces him in His own unique way, pointed out Sri B. Damodhara Dikshitar in a discourse. The pathigam beginning with ‘Kuttra yinavaru’ is a confession of his wrongs when he had drifted to the Samana faith. He now has a clear vision of the truth and is immersed in it. He shows that self scrutiny and acceptance of one’s wrongs is the first step towards salvation. With eyes brimming with tears of joy he gives vent to his feelings of gratitude to the Lord. As he sings this garland of verses in beautiful Tamil and of his total commitment to Siva, there arises in the skies a divine voice stating, “Henceforth you shall be known as Navukkarasar and will attain undying fame in all the seven worlds.” All present are wonderstruck at this amazing manifestation. What greater grace could there be than the Lord endorsing him as a king of speech? Speech is a gift to mankind and enriches the way of life by fostering human thought and its significance extends through past, present and future. Tirunavukkarasar’s soulful Thevaram hymns turn out to be a sure cure for humanity’s affliction even as he is cured of the colic that had afflicted him. The saint extols the power of the mantra ‘Om Nama Sivaya’ to remove the fear of death that haunts all. One has to understand that though death is inevitable, it is attachment that is the cause of birth. This gradually frees one from the fear of death. The bonds of this attachment can be severed when by His grace one begins to cultivate the bond with God.
