Painting, c. 1820 – c. 1825, portrays Shiva intervening to prevent Kannappa from sacrificing his eye.
Kannappa is a legendary figure in Telugu folklore, widely celebrated for his devotion to the Hindu god Shiva. His story is closely connected with the Srikalahasteeswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. Kannappa, originally a hunter, became renowned for offering his eyes to a Siva Lingam as an act of ultimate devotion. Before he could sacrifice both eyes, Shiva appeared and stopped him.[1][2][3]
Life and legend
Kannappa was born as Thinna[4][5] into a hunter family from the Boya tribe in what is now Andhra Pradesh. His birthplace is often associated with Uduppura near Sri Kalahasti.[6][7] Though raised in a hunting community, his story is noted for his intense devotion to Shiva, particularly in relation to the Srikalahasti Temple.[8]
Kannappa's devotion to Shiva began when he discovered the Vayu Linga of the Srikalahasteeswara Temple while hunting in the forest. Unaware of traditional rituals, he offered Shiva whatever he could, including water from his mouth and meat from his hunts. These acts, while unconventional, were accepted by Shiva due to the hunter's sincerity and pure heart.[9][10]
According to legend, Kannappa once noticed that the Siva Lingam was bleeding from one of its eyes. Without hesitation, he plucked out one of his own eyes and placed it on the lingam to stop the bleeding. When the other eye of the lingam began to bleed, Kannappa prepared to offer his remaining eye. To ensure he could correctly place his eye, he marked the spot with his foot. Moved by this ultimate act of devotion, Shiva appeared and stopped him, restoring his sight and granting him liberation.[11]
Commemoration
Kannappa's devotion is revered in Tamil Shaivite traditions, and his story is documented in the Periya Puranam, a 12th-century Tamil hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.[12] He is venerated as a symbol of devotion in Shaivism, and his life continues to inspire worshippers.
In popular culture
Kannappa's life has been depicted in several Indian films across different languages. Notable portrayals include:
^Dehejia, Vidya. Slaves of the Lord: The Path of the Tamil Saints. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 1988. ISBN: 9788121503071.
^Nilakanta Sastri, The Colas, University of Madras, 1935.
^Dehejia, Vidya. Slaves of the Lord: The Path of the Tamil Saints. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 1988. ISBN: 9788121503071.
^Sekkizhar, Periya Puranam, Tamil Text Society, ISBN: 978-8192880789.
^Nilakanta Sastri, The Colas, University of Madras, 1935.
^Nilakanta Sastri, The Colas, University of Madras, 1935.
^Peterson, Indira V. Design and Rhetoric in a Sanskrit Court Epic: The Kiratarjuniya of Bharavi. State University of New York Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0791457386.
^Zvelebil, Kamil. Companion Studies to the History of Tamil Literature. BRILL, 1992. ISBN: 978-9004093652.
^Sekkizhar, Periya Puranam, Tamil Text Society, ISBN: 978-8192880789.
^Vidya Dehejia, Slaves of the Lord: The Path of the Tamil Saints, Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers, 1988, ISBN: 9788121503071.
