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Velaiyar

Velaiya Swamigal, also called


Velaiyar, born during the
seventeenth century, was a
Saivaite spiritual writer. He was
born to a Tamil-speaking Desikar
family in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
He compiled more than seven
books.
Velaiya Swamigal
Personal

Born Velaiyar
10 May 1768
Kanchipuram

Died 17 November 1840


(aged 72)
Perumathur near by
Perambalur

Religion Hinduism

Philosophy Saiva

Family Background
Velaiyar was born in Kanchipuram
(Kanchipuram) in the Thondai
mandalam region of Tamil Nadu,
South India into an orthodox Saiva
Tamil (Desikar) family around the
middle of the 17th century.
Veliyar's father, Kumara swamy
Desikar, was an Archaka and
Dikshithar and his family were
known for their literary, theological
and musical contributions in Tamil.
At a young age, his father had left
his family and went to
Thiruvannamalai with his disciples
where he planned to become a
sage. However, once there he got
married and had three sons and a
daughter. Velaiyar was the third
child and his siblings were Siva
prakasar, Karunai prakasar, and
Gnambikai ammal. Siva prakasar
was a well-known poet who was
blessed as ‘Sivanuputhichelvar’. He
is acclaimed as ‘Karpanai
Kalangiyam’ by renowned scholars
of Tamil –speaking world. He
compiled " Neerotta Yamaha
Anthathi " to defeat an arrogant
rival poet. The verses were written
such that will when recited, the lips
of the speaker never have to touch.
He also wrote " Yesu Matha
Niragaranam " (The Refuting the
Religion of Jesus). He died aged
32 in Nallathur,[1][2] near
Pondicherry.
His sister Gnambikai married Perur
Santhalinga Swamigal.[3] She had
no children. Her husband became a
sage and sent Gnamibikai ammal
back to her brother's residence.
She stayed along with Velaiyar and
spent her lifetime in Pommapuram
mutt worshipping God.

Karunai prakasar married and


wrote more than five books in
Tamil. Seegalathi sarukkam,
Ishtalinga Agaval. He died at
Thiruvengai without any children.

Velaiyar married Meenatchi Ammal


and settled down at Mailam near
by Pommapura Aadeenam mutt.
He had a son named
Sundaresanar. He died at
Perumathur at the age of 72.

Velaiyar's son Sundresanar married


Karpagammal. He settled down his
family in Valavanur near by
Mailam. They in turn had a son
named Swaminatha Desikar.

Swaminatha Desikar converted


himself to Christianity, changed his
name to Susai Alias Swaminatha
Desikar and married Gnasounthari.

Early life
Along with his older brother
Sivaprakasa swamigal, travelled
widely all over Tamil Nadu, famous
temples like Thiruvannamalai,
Thiruchendur, Mailam.

On one of his journeys around


Tamil Nadu Sivaprakasa Swamigal,
Velaiyar and Karunai prakasar went
to Tirunelveli to meet and be taught
by a pandit Valliyur Thambiran,
who was an expert on grammar.
This teacher accepted them as his
student. Velaiyar learnt Tamil
grammar along with his brothers.

Books
Mayilathula
Nallur puranam
Mayilai thirattai mani maalai
Ishta linga kaithala maalai
Kumbakona Sarangathevar history
as Veera singhathana puranam
Gugai Namachivaya Desikar history
as Namchivaya leelai
Krisnanan history as Paarijatha
leelai

References
1. "Archived copy" . Archived from the
original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved
29 March 2015.
2. "Archived copy" . Archived from the
original on 13 February 2012.
Retrieved 18 April 2012.
3. "Archived copy" . Archived from the
original on 6 January 2012.
Retrieved 18 April 2012.

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Last edited 29 days ago by TAnthony

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