Alternative spellings of this word include Manikyavachakar.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Māṇikyavācakar (माणिक्यवाचकर्).—(MĀṆIKKA-VĀŚAHAR). A devotee and poet who lived in Tamilnāḍu. He is believed to have lived during the period between the eighth and ninth centuries A.D. He was born in Tiruvādavūr in an Ādiśaiva brahmin family. Tiruvādavūr was a village near Madura, the capital of Pāṇḍya kingdom. His father was Śambhupādāśrita and mother Śivajñānavatī. The name given by his parents to Māṇikyavācakar is still unknown. Because he was born in Tiruvādavūr everybody called him Tiruvādavūrār. He became a scholar in his sixteenth year. The Pāṇḍya king called him to his palace and appointed him as his minister. He gave him the honour of the title 'Tennavar Brahmarāyar'. Māṇikyavācakar showed more interest in devotional matters than in matters of the state.

Once when the King was holding his durbar he got information that in one of the eastern ports had landed a set of good war-horses for sale. He sent Tiruvādavūrār to that place. The minister, when near the port of Tirupperundurai, heard a sound of Vedic utterances and he immediately went to the place from where the sound came. He saw Lord Śiva sitting under a tree in the guise of a Guru. Forgetting all state affairs he became engrossed in the meditation of Śiva. Suddenly he developed a talent for poetry and music and sweet attractive poems in praise of Śiva started flowing from his tongue. Śiva was immensely pleased and gave him the name Māṇikyavācakar meaning that every Vācaka (sentence) coming out of his tongue was equal in value to a māṇikya (Ruby). The guru gave him a ruby too. Māṇikyavācakar in the garb of a mendicant joined a troop of Śiva devotees and spent all the money he had for the service of the devotees of Śiva and also for the reconstruction of a dilapidated Śiva temple in Tirupperundurai. (See full article at Story of Māṇikyavācakar from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

India history and geography

Source: Wisdom Library: Teachers, Saints and Sages

Manikyavacakar is another name for Manikkavacakar—one of the Siddhars (Siddhas) and Rishis mentioned by Rangarasa Desiga Swamigal in his Siddhargal Potri Thoguppu. Each name in the list starts with prefix ‘Om’ followed by the Siddhar’s names and ends with refrain ‘Thiruvadigal Potri’. For example for Manikyavacakar: ஓம் மாணிக்கவாசகர் திருவடிகள் போற்றி [ōm māṇikkavācakar tiruvaṭikaḷ pōṟṟi].—These Siddhas experienced union with the ultimate reality and witnessed a spiritual transformation of their intellectual, mental, vital and ultimately, physical bodies.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Manikya.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Manikyavacakar, Manikya-vacakar, Māṇikya-vācakar, Māṇikyavācakar; (plurals include: Manikyavacakars, vacakars, vācakars, Māṇikyavācakars). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)

Story of Māṇikyavācakar

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