TIRUNAVUKKARASAR (also known as Appar) was the first of the Tevaram trinity. He was born Marulneekkiyar to Pugazhanar of Tiruvarur, in a household devoted to Shiva worship, but became a Jain ascetic in his youth. He was one of the three Saivite saints of the Tevaram trinity. Hailed as 'Thirunavukkarasar' (Lord of language), for his superb poetry, the 'Thevarams', his spiritual life witnessed a struggle to achieve faith. He lived during the reign of king Mahendravarman, one of the greatest kings in the Pallava dynasty, who had been born a Jain. Under the influence of the poet, the King converted to Saivism, repaired, and built many Shiva temples. Tirunavukkarasar was known to be humility personified and carried hoe to clear the paths of the temples he visited. His compositions were mainly devotional, his favorite deity being Lord Shiva.