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SAMBANDAR.
63 king and a devoted worshipper of Siva. The Pandyan king's minister who played a great part in the religious history of the time was Kulachchirai who was also a worshipper of Siva. These two contrived to bring Tirujítānasambandar to Tiruvālavāi (Madura) with a view to convert the king to their own faith and thus establish Saivism in the land. The invitation was readily accepted by the saint to the great consternation of the Jain ascetics of Madura. The facts and circumstances concerning the saint's visit to Madura may be considered historical, though the miracles attributed to Sambandar are obviously legendary. It would appear from the account given in Periya purānam that Tho struggle the Jains attempted to set fire to the building commencer occupied by the Saiva saint and his Brahmin followers. The plot was (liscovered and the danger averted. The king suddenly fell ill and his Jain advisers were asked to cure him: They failed in the attempt and the pious queen and the minister begged the king's permission to allow Tirujñānasambandar to treat him. Sambandar sang a hymn or two and the king soon recovered.Elated with success, the clever Sambanda took full advantage of this opportunity to prove to the king the utter futility of Jain Mantras and the uselessness of the Jain religion. The doubting sovereign ordered the Jains to accept the challenge thrown by the Brahmin saint. Two tests were employed; by mutual agreement, to decide the superiority of their
