Somasi Mara Nayanar

Somasi Mara Nayanar is the Brahmin devotee remembered for his care of Shiva’s servants — and as an associate of the child-saint Sambandar.

Life/Legend

The hagiography relates that Somasi Mara of the Chola country served visiting devotees so completely — feeding, hosting, following them to their next station — that the tradition made him the exemplar of attendant service (the “somasi” of his name recalled the Soma-drinker’s line). He is connected in the Periya Puranam with Sambandar’s journeys, carrying the saint’s messages and receiving his grace.

Legacy

His story anchors the Nayanar teaching that service to the devotee is service to the god.

Verification notes

• Narrative is hagiographic (Periya Puranam); dating traditional.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).