Koon Pandiyan


Koon Pandiyan was the nickname of a king who ruled Madurai around 7th century. Some historians identify him with the Pandyan king Arikesari Parankusa Maravarman.
He converted from Shaivism to Jainism, but then re-converted under the influence of Sambandar. According to a Shaivite legend, after his re-conversion, he ordered a massacre of 8000 Jains in Samanatham. Sambandar is said to have cured his hunched back, after which he was known as Sundara Pandya.

Conversion to Shaivism

In the 7th century, Jainism was one of the major religions in South India. Koon Pandian had embraced Jainism, but his wife, Mangayarkkarasiyar, and his minister, Kulachirai Nayanar, were both Shaivites. When the king suffered from boils and incurable fever, the two invited the Shaivite saint, Sambandar, to Madurai. Sambandar is said to have cured his fever and his hunched back. After this, the king became a Shaivite, and several of his subjects converted to Shaivism during his rule. The Tamil poet Sekkizhar honoured Koon Pandiyan, Kulachirai and Mangaiarkkarasi by naming them among the 63 Nayanars in Periya Puranam.
According to a Shaivite legend, when the Jains in Samanatham refused to convert to Shaivism, the king ordered their killings with the consent of Sambandar. Around 3,000 Jains were said to have committed suicideimpalement after losing a debate and put themselves over sharp, tall, conical structures in sitting posture. However, this legend is not found in any Jain text and is believed to be a fabrication made up by the Shaivites to prove their dominance..

Legacy

Koon Pandiyan is said to have died without a legitimate heir, and after his death, a number of claimants fought with each other to control the kingdom.