In Hinduism

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: Shodhganga: The significance of the mūla-beras

Madyanthinar is the name of a sage whose story explains the sthala-purāṇa of the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Cidambaram (Chidambaram) which is one of the Pañcasabhā or “five halls where Śiva is said to have danced”.—According to legends, the origin of the sthala is described thus: There lived a sage who had a son named Madyanthinar. The sage taught Madyanthinar Vedas, Śāstras and ways to attain supreme wisdom. He also told Madyanthinar that there was a svayambhu (self born) liṅga in the forest of Tillai and, if one worshiped that liṅga, his/her desire would be fulfilled. On hearing this, Madyanthinar left his father, went to Tillaivana, and found the powerful liṅga under a tree. In Tillaivana he erected a hut for him and worshipped the liṅga everyday.

Śiva blessed Madyanthinar with the limbs of a tiger to climb the trees without slipping and the sight to see in darkness too. Śiva blessed Madyanthinar with such blessings so that, as per his wish, he could collect the flowers before sunrise even if there was fog everywhere. The lord, after showering these graces, named him Vyāghrapāda (man with tiger’s limbs) and so the forest came to be called Vyāghrapura and Puliyūr. Later, Vyāghrapāda married the sister of Sage Vasiṣṭha according to his father’s desire and they lived happily, worshipping the Tirumūlanāda (Śiva in liṅga form). In course of time, a male child was born to Vyāghrapāda and the child was named Upamanyu. The child was brought up in sage Vasiṣṭha’s place.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Tillaivana, Vyaghrapura, Vyaghrapada, Upamanyu.

Relevant text

No search results for Madyanthinar; (plurals include: Madyanthinars) in any book or story.