Sekkizhar highlights the extent of devotion, sacrifice and life of penance of Tilakavathiyar and the manner in which Divine Will guides her in the role she plays as elder sister and preceptor to Tirunavukkarasar, pointed out Sri B. Damodhara Dikshitar in a discourse. Tilakavathiyar is betrothed to one Kalipakkaiyar, employed in the army. Unfortunately, before the marriage could take place, her parents die one after another. More unfortunate is the death of Kalipakkaiyar in battle. Though only betrothed, Tilakavathiyar considers herself to be already wedded to him and wishes to end her life. But her young brother Marulnikkiyar begs her to live for his sake. He grows up to be an expert in spiritual and secular learning. His mind is drawn to higher truths about devotion, God and the permanent values embedded in this illusory world of Maya. At a time when the Samana faith was gaining popularity he approaches this faith. Impressed by his extraordinary proficiency and scholarship, the leaders confer the title Dharmasena on him. Tilakavathiyar is very much upset that her brother has strayed from Saivism. She leads a pious life of selfless service to the Lord in the temple at Veerattanam in a town called Athikai on the banks of river Kedilam. She fervently prays to the Lord that her brother should be brought back to the Saivism. The Lord assures her that since he is already His devotee and has done penance to attain Him, He will intervene appropriately to strengthen his devotion. So the Lord gives him a terrible colic pain that does not yield to any medicine or mantra. In the grip of this unbearable pain Tirunavukkarasar thinks of Siva and his sister and comes to her. He is healed in the temple precincts in the presence of the Lord and is blessed to sing the precious Thevaram hymns henceforth.