Cheraman Perumal Nayanar was born in Kodunkolur. It was the capital city of Malai Nadu (the present Kerala). He was born in the royal family of Kothayars, otherwise known as the Uthiyan family. The name "Cheraman" was the common name for all Cheras. "Perumal" was the title adopted by him after his coronation. His original name was Perum-Ma-Kothayar.
Cheraman Perumal was endowed with good samskaras. He had great devotion to the Lord even as a child. As he grew, his devotion also grew. He had a remarkable degree of dispassion and discrimination. He did not like to rule the country. So, when he came of age, he renounced the world and went to Thiru Anchaikalam and engaged himself in the worship of the Lord there.
The country was, instead, ruled by Sengol Porayan. He, too, soon realized the evanescence of worldly life and renounced the world! He had no issues and the throne was vacant.
Sengol Porayan went to Thiru Anchaikalam and requested Perum-Ma-Kothayar to ascend the throne. Though Cheraman Perumal was reluctant, lest it should interfere with his daily worship, he bowed to the divine will. He went to the temple and offered a prayer. The Lord permitted him to accept the rulership. By the Lord's grace, Cheraman Perumal ascended the throne and ruled the country justly and wisely. He could understand all languages, even the language of the birds. The Lord had bestowed upon him all the aiswaryas, great strength, royal vehicles, etc.
After the coronation, Cheraman Perumal went to the temple.
After worshipping the Lord there, Cheraman Perumal returned to the palace. On the way, Cheraman Perumal saw a washerman whose body had been smeared with white sand and mud. The very sight enraptured Cheraman Perumal who saw — in the washerman — the image of Lord Siva with the sacred ash smeared all over the body. Cheraman Perumal was raised to God-consciousness.
Cheraman Perumal descended from the elephant and fell at the feet of the washerman, in spite of the latter's protest. All were wonderstruck to witness the supreme devotion of Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.
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