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Yoga / Hindu : Shaivite (Shiva)

9th Century

India
(Indian Subcontinent)

Manikkavacakar

Timeline (9th Century)

Poems by Manikkavacakar
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The name Manikkavacakar, sometimes written in English as Manikkavasagar, means "the one of ruby utterances." He is one of the most revered poet-saints of the Shiva tradition in southern India.

Manikkavacakar was the prime minister to the king of Madurai. Tradition says that, while on an errand for the king to buy horses, Manikkavacakar met the god Shiva. Manikkavacakar was so overwhelmed by this encounter that instead of buying horses, he spent all the money given to him on building a temple dedicated to Shiva. Hearing of this, the king had Manikkavacakar imprisoned, but later released him.

Manikkavacakar wrote love poems to God, striving to render the experience of divine ecstasy into words.

Poems by Manikkavacakar

	Becoming sky & earth
	While unperishing love melted my bones

Recommended Books

The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice, by Georg Feuerstein

Amazon.com

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Manikkavacakar

Daily Poem Email

Support the Poetry Chaikhana

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Support
the Poetry Chaikhana