பக்கம்:சிவ வழிபாடு.pdf/169

"Arutperumkarunai! Arutperumjothi!" Thaniperumkarunai! Arutperumjothi!" Adigalar was born in Marudur about 20 Km north of Chidambaram on the 5th of October 1823. He was the fifth child of his parents. His father was Ramiah Pillai and his mother was Chinnammai. When he was only six months old Ramalinganar lost his father. He was brought up by his elder brother Sabapathy Pillai. In his tender age, Ramalingar retired to his upstair room in his brother's house and sitting before a mirror he worshipped Lord Muruga. He was gifted with divine power to gain knowledge. By God's grace he got proficiency in singing songs like Thevaram and Thiruvachagam. The songs of Vallalar are known as "Thiru Arupta". These devotional songs have been classified under six Thirumurais. Vallalàr who sang in praise of the Lord of Thiruvottiyur and Kantha Kottam lived in Madras upto his 35th year. Ramalingar had an elder sister named Unnamalai Ammaiyar. She had a daughter by name Dhanakoti Ammaiyar. Ramalingar was married to Dhanakoti. Though married Ramalingar was not involved in marital life. In the year 1858 Vallasar went to Childambaram. He lived there for some time and composed songs in praise of Lord Nataraja. He came to be known as Chidambaranm Ramalinga, In 1865 he founded the Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Sangam in Vadalur near Chidambaram. He built a temple known as Sathya Gnana Sabhai. From 1872 he started the practice of workshipping 'Jothi' (light) on Poosam Day- in the Tamil month of Thai (January). Vallasar preached the oneness of soul and kindness to all living beings in the world. In 1867 he founded the Sathya Dharma Salai at Vadasur. It is functioning even today. 160