SERVICE TO RELIGION

Though there are 63 ‘Nayanmars’ and innumerable great devotees of Lord Shiva, 4 of them namely, Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikavasagar are singled out and are accorded special status.
What can be the reason for this?
The work done by these four constitutes ‘complete seva to religion’ (‘samaya paNi’).

Sri Manickavasagar renovated the ancient temples in Tiruperunthurai (Avudayar Kovil). Renovation of ancient temples instead of constructing new ones is a service to the religion. Appar meticulously undertook the service of cleaning/maintenance of temples (‘Uzhavaara paNi’). Thirujnanasambandar established true faiths by condemning fakes. Sundarar was a personification of compassion for fellow beings and would often seek wealth from God to serve the poor and the needy.

These four tasks constitute ‘complete service to religion’ and the lives of these four Nayanmars exemplify the same.