Muniandi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muniandi, also referred to as Munisvaran, is a Tamil rural guardian deity of plantations and estates, who has since been assimilated with Hinduism.[1] He is regarded as a malevolent being who causes diseases, blights, and crop failures, who whose ill-will can be prevented by human veneration.[2] He is also recognised as a divine attendant to a major South Indian rural deity, Mariamman.[3]
The word Muniandi is a combination of two words, Muni and Andi. The word Andi could be defined in two ways. One referring to slave of God and the other ruling (as in ruler). The second explanation could be derived from the word Andavar, which literally means he who rules. The reason for this explanation is the word Andi being used for other deities in the Tamil pantheon.
Literature
Muniandi is believed to be a member of Shiva's retinue. He is believed to be one of 7 emanations created from Shiva's face, and promised to guard Mariamman and other Dravidian goddesses.
