"There are andhaNars [அந்தணர்], who are living [at Thiru-Eragam, or SwAmimalai] and are unfailingly carrying out their six-fold [traditionally prescribed religious] duties [of reciting the Vedic scriptures, imparting knowledge of them to others, performing sacrificial rituals, performing such rituals for the benefit of others, receiving gifts of things from others, and bestowing gifts to others]. They are the descendants of ancient noble families, and their parents are always esteemed by others with great respect. They remain celibate for the first 48 years of their lives and lead a righteous way of life. They perform sacrificial rituals by offering things into three kinds of sacred fires [kArugapaththiyam, Agavaneeyam and thakkiNAkkiniyam]. The andhaNars are called irupiRappALar ('twice-born') [for they are born first of their mothers' wombs, and they are regarded as 'born again' spiritually on attaining knowledge and maturity; the 'second birth' is recognized as an important transitional stage of life, and it is ceremoniously marked by the symbolic wearing of the pUNUl (பூணூல்), a sacred three-fold-cord, consisting of nine strands of thread.] The 'twice-born' have the ability to ascertain the auspicious times and make them known to others. They worship Lord Murugan immediately after bathing, and therefore their garments are still wet and getting dried during the time of their worship. They pay homage to the Lord by raising the joined-palms of their hands above their heads. They worship the Lord by adoringly pronouncing the sacred six-syllabled-word of praise [nama kumArAya]. Their joyful worship consists of praising the Lord softly with their tongues and strewing [sprinkling] fragrant flowers at the sacred feet of Lord Murugan who abides happily at the sacred sanctuary of ThiruvEragam [SwAmimalai], not only that ..."