In his Deivamani Malai, Vallalar laments that his mind does not dwell on the Lord’s feet, but seeks women, money and land. The only way to get the mind to think of His feet is to recite His name, said M. A. Manickavelu in a discourse. Sundarar says that even if he were to forget Lord Siva, his tongue will automatically recite the Panchakshara mantra. Manickavachagar sings praises to the Lord’s feet. In Kandar Alankaram, Arunagirinatha says that his mind is like a creeper without a supporting stick. He prays to Lord Muruga, who has the peacock as His vehicle. Arunagirinatha prays that Lord Muruga’s feet should be the stick to support his mind.
Vallalar indicates the dangers of desire for women, and so does Arunagirinatha. Arunagirinatha, in his Kandar Alankaram, says that he has fallen for the sweet words of women. He prays to Muruga, extolling Him as the nephew of Lord Mahavishnu, who reclines on Adisesha, the snake that has air for its food. In Kandar Anubhuti, Arunagirinatha says a person takes seven births and this repeated cycle is due to his desires. He wonders when these desires that lead to such trouble will disappear.
Adipatha Nayanar was an example of a person who had totally conquered desire. He was a fisherman living in Nagapattinam, in Tamil Nadu. He would let the first fish he caught into the sea and say it was his offering to Lord Siva. Sometimes, he had a poor catch and only caught one fish. But he gave away even that fish to the Lord. One day, a fish, which was studded with precious stones was caught. And when he saw it, Adipatha Nayanar said, “Such a rare fish is fit only for Lord Siva,” and he slipped it back into the sea. The Lord then appeared before Him, on his rishaba vahana, and granted him the boon of reaching Siva Loka.