Those who are immersed in bhakti will see God in everything around them, said Sarala Rajagopalan, in a discourse. Perumakkodai was born in the Chera royal family But, he was not interested in the luxurious life of a king. He went to the temple in Thiruvanjikkalam, and served the deity there. He would bathe early in the morning, apply sacred ash on his forehead and then begin his service in the temple. If Perumakkodai chanced to see someone with sacred ash on his forehead, he would see that person as Lord Siva Himself.
Chengoporaiyan was the king of Kodunkolur. He wanted to become a sanyasin. So, the ministers asked Perumakkodai to assume kingship. Perumakkodai was reluctant, because he was afraid that if he ascended the throne, he would be unable to serve the Lord. But Lord Siva asked him to accept the position, and to serve his people. The Lord gave him weapons, chariots and other things a king would need. Lord Siva also conferred on him the ability to know the thoughts of others. Because Perumakkkodai ruled the Chera kingdom, he came to be called Cheraman Perumal Nayanar. Because he was able to understand the needs of all living things, he was able to relieve them of suffering. One day, Cheraman Perumal Nayanar prayed at Thiruvanjikkalam, and then went around the streets of the town on his royal elephant. He saw a washerman, his body covered with lime, walking on the streets. To the king, whose mind was filled with thoughts of Lord Siva, it seemed as if the washerman’s body was covered with sacred ash. Taking him to be a devotee of Lord Siva, the king alighted from the elephant. He offered his respects to the washerman. The latter said, “I am a washerman.” And the king replied, “And I am your servant.” Such was Cheraman Perumal Nayanar’s bhakti.